Over the past few months I have been through the ringer with God on some things. While there are certainly many areas of my life that I would love some help with - it is the other areas, that I'm actually comfortable with, that God has chosen to change. Go figure.
Isn't it so like a human to feel comfortable in the pit? Sure - there are some pits that we hate, but isn't it true that we can actually become totally okay with certain sins in our lives? They can become companions. Bad ones, but nevertheless, a part of us. And we all too often just come to accept those unacceptable weaknesses. How unfortunate. Here are a few things that I feel like The Big Guy has been teaching me:
(Since I'm not good at being vulnerable, I will spare you the specifics of my sinfulness. Just know though, they are serious and if I were to continue in my nicely decorated pit - it would destroy me. )Let's get on with it:
I have been learning that if I let certain not-so-good things and ideas stick around, I will be missing out on some mighty good blessings from The Almighty. Yep. He has made it clear. If I choose to be stubborn and allow myself to dwell in the pit - I will no doubt be missing out. If I were to opt out of redemption and into condemnation - How could he allow me to experience all of the sweet stuff? Ya know that song by Rascal Flatts - 'Everyday' or something like that? There is a verse in that song that says:
"I drive myself crazy tryin' to stay out of my own way."
That says it perfectly. I need to move aside and let God release me from certain things so that I can move forward and relish in some goodness. If I choose not to (and if you choose not to, too) I'll never know what awesome things I could have been a part of. This brings me to another song. Chris Sligh sings a little diddy that says:
"Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you."
Amen, brother. I can so relate. All too often I allow myself to become someone who gets in her own dang way. And then, when I sit and wonder how I missed out on some really neat God-stuff, all I can do is blame myself. Oh, how I long to be a lady that can steer clear of certain temptations....a lady He can trust.
Lord, empty me of what comes between You and I. Don't let me get in my own way. Some sins are sticky - and I need you to help me scrub them off. And Lord, make me the kind of woman that wants to do right - not because I will be blessed - but because You will. In Jesus, Amen :)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Purpose
As we begin this new chapter in our lives I find myself.....finding myself.
Can anyone relate? I think everyone can.
What goals should I be marching toward? How do I fit into the puzzle? What am I supposed to be sharing with others? Who am I supposed to be serving? Are some of the personal dreams I have totally crazy? Where should I volunteer? What is my calling? What do I need to do to be effective? Who else should I pour my energies into? And so on.....
Kind of deep, I know. But I don't think I'm alone in my pondering. Whether you are a business exec leading board meetings and going on business trips, or a stay-at-home mom who attempts to keep crumbs off the floor and dirt off of small faces - don't we all have a desire to be of use? And don't we all - no matter how fleeting the moment - occasionally find ourselves wanting to be of BIG use? This crumb catcher sure does.
Acts 17:28 says: For in Him we LIVE and MOVE and EXIST....
That verse doesn't exactly quiet all my questions - but it does point to my ultimate purpose. I live, move, and exist for The Almighty - therefore - He will show me how and where to do all three.
As I rummaged through boxes this morning - I found The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I'll leave you with a few thoughts from this book:
" Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose. " p.18
" You are not an accident." p. 22
" The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act." p.182
" God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development." p. 173
" The essence of love is not that we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves." p.127
Can anyone relate? I think everyone can.
What goals should I be marching toward? How do I fit into the puzzle? What am I supposed to be sharing with others? Who am I supposed to be serving? Are some of the personal dreams I have totally crazy? Where should I volunteer? What is my calling? What do I need to do to be effective? Who else should I pour my energies into? And so on.....
Kind of deep, I know. But I don't think I'm alone in my pondering. Whether you are a business exec leading board meetings and going on business trips, or a stay-at-home mom who attempts to keep crumbs off the floor and dirt off of small faces - don't we all have a desire to be of use? And don't we all - no matter how fleeting the moment - occasionally find ourselves wanting to be of BIG use? This crumb catcher sure does.
Acts 17:28 says: For in Him we LIVE and MOVE and EXIST....
That verse doesn't exactly quiet all my questions - but it does point to my ultimate purpose. I live, move, and exist for The Almighty - therefore - He will show me how and where to do all three.
As I rummaged through boxes this morning - I found The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I'll leave you with a few thoughts from this book:
" Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose. " p.18
" You are not an accident." p. 22
" The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act." p.182
" God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development." p. 173
" The essence of love is not that we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves." p.127
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Maxwell Video Clip
"If I can fill your mind with the right thoughts, it's amazing what you can accomplish in life."
- this is what John Maxwell's father told him as a young boy ..........and it worked!
John Maxwell is one of our favorite authors. He has written many books on leadership and is considered an authority on the subject. My husband actually had the privilege of meeting this talented man a few years ago, and we proudly display the photograph of the two of them meeting. He is truly a man we look up to - in leadership and in spirituality.
As I was browsing John's website today, I came across an interesting video of John speaking about children's books. There is nothing better we can do for our children's knowledge than to read them books, and once they become of age, for our children to read books themselves. An avid reader myself - I hung on every word Mr. Maxwell said in this video. As soon as I was done watching it, I told our son to go grab some good reads off of his book shelf. We climbed up on the couch and had a lovely story time.
May it inspire you to do the same....
www.johnmaxwell.com/readinglist/
- this is what John Maxwell's father told him as a young boy ..........and it worked!
John Maxwell is one of our favorite authors. He has written many books on leadership and is considered an authority on the subject. My husband actually had the privilege of meeting this talented man a few years ago, and we proudly display the photograph of the two of them meeting. He is truly a man we look up to - in leadership and in spirituality.
As I was browsing John's website today, I came across an interesting video of John speaking about children's books. There is nothing better we can do for our children's knowledge than to read them books, and once they become of age, for our children to read books themselves. An avid reader myself - I hung on every word Mr. Maxwell said in this video. As soon as I was done watching it, I told our son to go grab some good reads off of his book shelf. We climbed up on the couch and had a lovely story time.
May it inspire you to do the same....
www.johnmaxwell.com/readinglist/
Reaching For It
Oh, how I wish I had his wonder. My two year old has such hope - even when the odds are against him.
Outside this morning, we stood staring up into the sky at a huge flock of birds flying overhead. My son loves birds and just wanted so badly to reach up and grab one. As he was yelling "Birrrrd! Birrrrd!" - he began jumping up with all of his might - arms outstretched towards the sky - reaching with everything he had to catch one. His efforts left him a good 50 feet short of his feathery friends. But still, he kept trying. He does the same thing at night time. To him, the stars at night are magical light balls that he could have some real fun with - if only he could reach one.
"Just maybe this next jump will get me there!"
Tenacity and Drive - making themselves known in the sweetest and simplest forms.
What does his Mommy learn from this? You may think it's a stretch, but it reminds me to keep trying. No matter how grim the outlook. He teaches me to have hope and determination in the little and big things of life.
Shouldn't I be the one teaching HIM that?
Outside this morning, we stood staring up into the sky at a huge flock of birds flying overhead. My son loves birds and just wanted so badly to reach up and grab one. As he was yelling "Birrrrd! Birrrrd!" - he began jumping up with all of his might - arms outstretched towards the sky - reaching with everything he had to catch one. His efforts left him a good 50 feet short of his feathery friends. But still, he kept trying. He does the same thing at night time. To him, the stars at night are magical light balls that he could have some real fun with - if only he could reach one.
"Just maybe this next jump will get me there!"
Tenacity and Drive - making themselves known in the sweetest and simplest forms.
What does his Mommy learn from this? You may think it's a stretch, but it reminds me to keep trying. No matter how grim the outlook. He teaches me to have hope and determination in the little and big things of life.
Shouldn't I be the one teaching HIM that?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Next Door
She invited us to church .....AND gave me a hug.
We met our new neighbor tonight! Yes.....she invited us to her house of worship.....embraced me....and called me Honey. Truly a woman after my own heart-right next door. I have big plans for our relationship. Waving while on the lawn mower, watching her house while she is away, baking things for her, having her over for tea or dinner, and having nice conversations in our driveways. This is the first time in our married life that we have a neighbor who's dwelling isn't attached to ours. We actually live in a real house now - with a real yard - and real neighbors. What joy.
Thank you, Lord.
We met our new neighbor tonight! Yes.....she invited us to her house of worship.....embraced me....and called me Honey. Truly a woman after my own heart-right next door. I have big plans for our relationship. Waving while on the lawn mower, watching her house while she is away, baking things for her, having her over for tea or dinner, and having nice conversations in our driveways. This is the first time in our married life that we have a neighbor who's dwelling isn't attached to ours. We actually live in a real house now - with a real yard - and real neighbors. What joy.
Thank you, Lord.
Pots and Pans
Recently, my husband surprised me with a new set of pots and pans. They are the shiny kind with copper around the bottom. I feel so chef-like when I use them.
While I'm more than thrilled with my new cooking toys - I'm even more blessed by how I got them. My husband got to pick out a free gift for some points he had accumulated through a work program. He had been eyeing this really nice circular saw - when he noticed the pots and pans set. Because he is so thoughtful - he opted to forgo the manly circular saw and chose the shiny pots and pans set - for me. Is that not the sweetest thing ever? He is totally reaping the benefits though...tonight I made brats with green peppers and onions in my new skillet.
Just call me Giada.
While I'm more than thrilled with my new cooking toys - I'm even more blessed by how I got them. My husband got to pick out a free gift for some points he had accumulated through a work program. He had been eyeing this really nice circular saw - when he noticed the pots and pans set. Because he is so thoughtful - he opted to forgo the manly circular saw and chose the shiny pots and pans set - for me. Is that not the sweetest thing ever? He is totally reaping the benefits though...tonight I made brats with green peppers and onions in my new skillet.
Just call me Giada.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Parenting Quote
I enjoy reading parenting books. Some of them are junk, some are thought-provoking, and some are amazingly helpful. One of my favs is The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain. I want to share a quote with you from her:
" I also learned that I didn't have to be a perfect parent. I just had to be a praying one."
What a great reminder. If you are a parent - let it encourage you.
" I also learned that I didn't have to be a perfect parent. I just had to be a praying one."
What a great reminder. If you are a parent - let it encourage you.
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