Hello again, Lord. Yesterday and last night were really difficult. I broke down more than once. My heart and soul aches.
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I have several days now of feeling lost, alone, and abandoned. I received a phone call from my pastor, Debra. She talked with me some and I promised to return to church next weekend, not this one. This morning I felt better. I prayed before my Bible study and devotional time for You to guide me and reveal to me what it is that You want for me. Today's lesson was about Moses and God answering His people's prayers and groans to be released from their oppression. You, O Lord, will bring Your people from their misery. I thank You, Lord, that I am one of Your people.
Blessed are You, O Lord, for You have heard the voice of my prayers. You are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in You and I am helped. My heart greatly rejoices, and I will give thanks to You in song.
Psalm 28:6-7
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Vision statements, core values, guiding principles. That's what you hear today's CEOs talking about in their board meetings and sales conferences--overarching themes that help workers evaluate their daily decisions in the light of well-thought-out criteria.
And it works--because when you can size up a situation based on something more than an immediate hunch, you can stay true to your goals and watch them take shape before your very eyes.
That's why every Christian needs to take the time to map out his personal priorities concerning faith, family, calling, careers and daily life. Prayerful priorities can help you manage your time more productively, weigh the costs of your promises and commitments, and thwart the world's attempts at keeping you trivially minded when God wants you dealing in much more important things.
Left to itself, your life will tend to deteriorate.But led by the Spirit, you can move through life on a mission--and stay on track all the way.
the issue is priorities--having a deliberate framework in place to help you make good decisions, avoid lazy distractions, and increase your inclination to obey. When you know who you are, and you where you're going, you can live for God like you mean it.
"Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even grater measure of godlessness. 2 Timothy 2:14-16
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, is of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important." C.S. Lewis
"Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness." 2 Timothy 2:19
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Value Judgments... Choosing Wisely
I am still feeling sad, Lord, but after my readings this morning I am feeling better.
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The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You can avoid the pain of countless regrets, disappoint yourself (and others) much less frequently, and keep your daily schedule from running your life out of control by memorizing this simple response: "No."
There--you said it. Of course, it wasn't easy. It may have meant you had to pick the library over your Sunday School class picnic this Saturday, or stay up an extra two hours tonight to make time for your child's Little League game this afternoon, or finish up your small-group Bible study homework instead of watching the Cubs on TV. But those are the choices you will have to make it you want to be the person God's grooming you to be--the person you see in your mind's eye when a sermon hits home or a book speaks right to you.
Learning to say no to the good--and okay to the better--will move you light years ahead on your Christian journey, leaving you free to enjoy the ride. And to make sure you're traveling at God's steady pace.
Sometimes your choices are not between right and wrong but between good, better, and best. Then the only way to make the best decision is to determine what God would want you to do in that particular situation or with that certain amount of time.
"'People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind. Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things and what my lips say is right. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is better than precious stones and nothing desirable can compare with it.'" Proverbs 8:4-11
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The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You can avoid the pain of countless regrets, disappoint yourself (and others) much less frequently, and keep your daily schedule from running your life out of control by memorizing this simple response: "No."
There--you said it. Of course, it wasn't easy. It may have meant you had to pick the library over your Sunday School class picnic this Saturday, or stay up an extra two hours tonight to make time for your child's Little League game this afternoon, or finish up your small-group Bible study homework instead of watching the Cubs on TV. But those are the choices you will have to make it you want to be the person God's grooming you to be--the person you see in your mind's eye when a sermon hits home or a book speaks right to you.
Learning to say no to the good--and okay to the better--will move you light years ahead on your Christian journey, leaving you free to enjoy the ride. And to make sure you're traveling at God's steady pace.
Sometimes your choices are not between right and wrong but between good, better, and best. Then the only way to make the best decision is to determine what God would want you to do in that particular situation or with that certain amount of time.
"'People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind. Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things and what my lips say is right. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is better than precious stones and nothing desirable can compare with it.'" Proverbs 8:4-11
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Something Borrowed
Since the email apology from TJ with him saying he is sorry for making life difficult for everyone, I've heard nothing. And I am feeling lonely and discouraged.
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I am struggling with negative thoughts and doubts. I am afraid, Lord, and I need Your help.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
In church vocabulary, stewardship can be a code for a fund drive. But it actually cheapens the principle of Christian stewardship to limit its scope to just money. As a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, you're in charge of mountains of blessings that are yours to use, share, and invest--but never to own.
Money is certainly one of them, but so is your time and your entire package of talents and abilities. Even the words you say and the health you enjoy are gifts from the hand of God that require careful attention, wise handling, and (at times) measured restraint.
As you prove your faithfulness in managing small portions of God's resources, don't be surprised to see Him commit even more into your care, knowing that He can trust you to manage His property and be a funnel for passing the blessing along to others--the same way He's passed it along to you.
Money can't go to your head when you have God's interests at heart.
Your house is His. Your car is His. Your money is His. Your family is His. Every single thing you have is His. You're just taking care of it for Him. Aren't you? God is awfully generous to let us borrow all these things. Are you willing to start giving them back?
"One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water." Proverbs 11:24-25
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I am struggling with negative thoughts and doubts. I am afraid, Lord, and I need Your help.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
In church vocabulary, stewardship can be a code for a fund drive. But it actually cheapens the principle of Christian stewardship to limit its scope to just money. As a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, you're in charge of mountains of blessings that are yours to use, share, and invest--but never to own.
Money is certainly one of them, but so is your time and your entire package of talents and abilities. Even the words you say and the health you enjoy are gifts from the hand of God that require careful attention, wise handling, and (at times) measured restraint.
As you prove your faithfulness in managing small portions of God's resources, don't be surprised to see Him commit even more into your care, knowing that He can trust you to manage His property and be a funnel for passing the blessing along to others--the same way He's passed it along to you.
Money can't go to your head when you have God's interests at heart.
Your house is His. Your car is His. Your money is His. Your family is His. Every single thing you have is His. You're just taking care of it for Him. Aren't you? God is awfully generous to let us borrow all these things. Are you willing to start giving them back?
"One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water." Proverbs 11:24-25
Monday, February 16, 2009
I Needed That... God's Chastening
Last night, I watched TJ putting up messages on facebook... TJ Gill is waiting for a message from providence, giving up on providence, and getting a chill. I laughed. I thought it was amusing that he was trying to communicate with me in that manner.
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I awakened this morning with thoughts of TJ writing on facebook. TJ Gill is: expanding his views of God and then a later message being: TJ Gill is lonely. I ended up sending TJ a message and since he had asked where we go from here, I told him it was up to him. I wanted our marriage to work, but he wasn't interested, so it was his move.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Fathers are known for buying you ice cream and bubble gum, giving you rides on their shoulders, and teaching you how to tie a good square knot.
But fathers are also known for the belt, for the midnight questions about why you've been coming in so late, and for grounding you for a month to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Fathers who care are willing to watch you hurt, if temporary pain can save you from long-term disaster. Fathers who care are willing to watch you fall, if a sore spot on your pride can make you walk a little more carefully. Fathers who care are willing to interfere with your fun, if a word of warning can teach you that life's not a game.
And your Father cares--enough to let you face consequences of your sin, to let you feel the pain you've caused another person, to allow things in your life to overpower your inner reserves so that like a toddler in the deep end, you'll cry out for Daddy.
And learn that you can trust Him.
If you want to receive the blessings of God's continual presence, you'll also have to accept His right to offer correction and rebuke. It's for your own good. Honest. God will clip the wings on your freedom at times in order to help you learn what true freedom is.
"Until we accept the fact that your Father is willing to discipline us, we'll never be able to comprehend what He's doing in our lives." James Lucas
"Lord, happy is the man You discipline and teach from Your law to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. The Lord will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it." Psalm 94:12-15
O Lord, help me to see what it is that You want me to do in my life. I try so hard to understand and I get so confused. I need Your help, Lord. I can't do this alone. Amen.
More...
I awakened this morning with thoughts of TJ writing on facebook. TJ Gill is: expanding his views of God and then a later message being: TJ Gill is lonely. I ended up sending TJ a message and since he had asked where we go from here, I told him it was up to him. I wanted our marriage to work, but he wasn't interested, so it was his move.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Fathers are known for buying you ice cream and bubble gum, giving you rides on their shoulders, and teaching you how to tie a good square knot.
But fathers are also known for the belt, for the midnight questions about why you've been coming in so late, and for grounding you for a month to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Fathers who care are willing to watch you hurt, if temporary pain can save you from long-term disaster. Fathers who care are willing to watch you fall, if a sore spot on your pride can make you walk a little more carefully. Fathers who care are willing to interfere with your fun, if a word of warning can teach you that life's not a game.
And your Father cares--enough to let you face consequences of your sin, to let you feel the pain you've caused another person, to allow things in your life to overpower your inner reserves so that like a toddler in the deep end, you'll cry out for Daddy.
And learn that you can trust Him.
If you want to receive the blessings of God's continual presence, you'll also have to accept His right to offer correction and rebuke. It's for your own good. Honest. God will clip the wings on your freedom at times in order to help you learn what true freedom is.
"Until we accept the fact that your Father is willing to discipline us, we'll never be able to comprehend what He's doing in our lives." James Lucas
"Lord, happy is the man You discipline and teach from Your law to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. The Lord will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it." Psalm 94:12-15
O Lord, help me to see what it is that You want me to do in my life. I try so hard to understand and I get so confused. I need Your help, Lord. I can't do this alone. Amen.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Being Spirit-Filled... More and More
Hello, Lord. It's Sunday and it seems like Satan wants me out of church for some reason. It's OK, I'm not going to let him win.
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Last night we went to see "Fireproof". It was a good movie and I cried lots. I would love to do the love dare, but I'm not sure that is possible long distance. Anyway, TJ emailed me a couple of times today and Robin called to say church wasn't the same without me. I really hate hurting her, Lord, I hope she will forgive me. I am praying as to what I should say to TJ and I'll wait to answer his email for awhile.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Yes, there is a way to operate your car without the benefit of gas. You throw it in neutral, open the driver's side door, heave with all the isometric power you can generate from your knees and shoulders, and at least creep it to the side of the road to avoid being smashed by moving traffic. You won't go far. You won't go fast. And even if you're able to keep it rolling a little while, you'll eventually come to a steep enough incline to bring your hard work to a weary halt.
That's life in the slow lane--without the Holy Spirit's power animating your actions, injecting your mind with spiritual insights, driving you to acts of unselfish love and kindness, steering you toward people in need of God's tender touch.
If you don't want to stay stranded on the shoulder of the Christian road, offer the Spirit a clean car to drive. Let Him take you for a joy ride to your chosen destination, keeping your tank filled with supreme purpose, your steps in perfect balance and alignment, your engine running on all cylinders.
"The way to cultivate true graces of character is by submitting ourselves utterly to the Spirit to do His work and bear His fruit." R.A. Torrey
In order for you to be all that God wants you to become, you'll need much more than a sturdy resolve. you'll need the Holy Spirit of God. He has a way of empowering you that's better than anything you can come up with on your own.
"On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.' He said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been received, because Jesus had not yet been glorified." John 7:37-39
More...
Last night we went to see "Fireproof". It was a good movie and I cried lots. I would love to do the love dare, but I'm not sure that is possible long distance. Anyway, TJ emailed me a couple of times today and Robin called to say church wasn't the same without me. I really hate hurting her, Lord, I hope she will forgive me. I am praying as to what I should say to TJ and I'll wait to answer his email for awhile.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Yes, there is a way to operate your car without the benefit of gas. You throw it in neutral, open the driver's side door, heave with all the isometric power you can generate from your knees and shoulders, and at least creep it to the side of the road to avoid being smashed by moving traffic. You won't go far. You won't go fast. And even if you're able to keep it rolling a little while, you'll eventually come to a steep enough incline to bring your hard work to a weary halt.
That's life in the slow lane--without the Holy Spirit's power animating your actions, injecting your mind with spiritual insights, driving you to acts of unselfish love and kindness, steering you toward people in need of God's tender touch.
If you don't want to stay stranded on the shoulder of the Christian road, offer the Spirit a clean car to drive. Let Him take you for a joy ride to your chosen destination, keeping your tank filled with supreme purpose, your steps in perfect balance and alignment, your engine running on all cylinders.
"The way to cultivate true graces of character is by submitting ourselves utterly to the Spirit to do His work and bear His fruit." R.A. Torrey
In order for you to be all that God wants you to become, you'll need much more than a sturdy resolve. you'll need the Holy Spirit of God. He has a way of empowering you that's better than anything you can come up with on your own.
"On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.' He said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been received, because Jesus had not yet been glorified." John 7:37-39
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