I have just finished reading 2 Corinthians. In this, Paul begs, brags, and pleads with the Corinthians to come to a higher level with God. He talks about how he is serving and gives them his understanding of how God wants him to live. After I finished reading I went out to the car to get Jason's lap top, my computer is broken. I passed the mailbox and opened it to discover the monthly mail out, Connections. I opened it and read Steve's, "Words to the Community." I felt like I was reading a writing from Paul himself as I read what Steve was saying. "I'm going to beg...shamelessly, unapologetically, urgently." There is a common goal in these men's minds and that is for the church to grow more together toward God. There is more in this community of believers than most of us can even dream. These men are hurting for the people they are trying so desperately to guide. There is a relationship with God that surpasses any relationship we will ever be able to imagine. There is a family of believers right in front of us if we will just step out of our comfort zones and listen to what God is trying to tell us.
We are starting small group study, in our church. I am very excited about this time as we have an opportunity to come closer together. The church is not the building that you worship in, but the people who are His followers. We tend to think that going to a "church building" on Sunday mornings is enough. This is actually never what the writers in the bible intended. As we sit in our seats listening to the pastor, watching the worship leaders and singing on our own, with them, is not what was talked about in the bible. What is talked about is a community of believers getting together and sharing their God given gifts with the other believers. How many times do you feel like you are a part of the worship of Christ, by sitting in a pew? How often are you compelled to share something that the Holy Spirit is sharing with you, but you are stifled by the organized service that we attend.
There are many believers among us who have left the traditional church service. They have made a choice to have "house church" because this is more adequate for what the bible means when it tells us to meet together and share with one another. My oldest brother is one of these who has taken his family out of the traditional church setting and formed his life around house church. I am not one of these people. I feel more comfortable going to "church" on Sunday morning. But in doing this I do feel a sense of lacking in the service of our Lord. This is where small group studies, at other times, fills in the gap. There is an intimacy that is lacking when we put on our Sunday smiles. This intimacy can be gained when we meet as a small group.
I have been reading the book that we have been given and I am very excited about this opportunity. It is a real chance to fall in love with my new family. I do not know most of them, even though we are part of a "family". How are we to help each other in our walk with God, if we do not even know one another? Studies like this take away some of my time, but what they give me I could never gain on my own. I love getting to know other believers and gaining strength from them in this time. It is a time that I could never get without an appointed opportunity to get together. Take this opportunity, do not let it pass you by. If you do not get involved, there is so much that God intended for you, that you are giving up. Get involved with your church. It is not going to a building, it is meeting together with other Christ followers. Learn how to love. Start with your family, then move to God's family. You will be richly blessed!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Dance with Him
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5
I cry when I watch this. This is my life...I now dance with my Savior!
I cry when I watch this. This is my life...I now dance with my Savior!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Integrity
Is your word, good? When you tell someone something or when you say you will do something, anything, can they count on you? Can people trust you with what you tell them? Some think that since they cannot grantee that they will be able to follow through, then they never let any one know anything. Just because plans may change does not mean that you do not say anything. For example: I will use my family on this one (sorry Dad). My family lives in TX and we are constantly trying to make plans with them on when they are coming up or when we are going to be there. This seems like an easy thing to accomplish, but it is not. My father has a very hard time letting you know a date on anything, because he may not be able to fulfill it. On one aspect this is good, because if he says he will do something, you can count on it. He is right, you should never say you will do something without the full intent on following through with what you say. But just because you make plans, does not mean that you cannot change them. The point is to let others involved know what is going on, so that they can arrange their day.
I have been in relationships with other people who tell you something like, "I will met you there." When in reality they never intended on going in the first place. When the time comes and you are expecting that person to follow through, you are left hanging.
Neither my family nor this other person is correct. In my family's situation, we are left without a way to plan our schedule, because we are constantly waiting on them. In the other example I cannot count on anything that this person tells me, because I do not know if they are actually speaking the truth.
2 Cor 1:17-18, "You may be asking why I changed my plan. Hadn't I made up my mind yet? Or am I like people of the world who say yes when they really mean no? As surely as God is true, I am not that sort of person. My yes means yes..." Even Paul had a change of plans. He let others know what he had planned, but when those plans changed he addressed his changes and let them know why. People could still count on him. His word was true and his yes and no meant something. Be a person of integrity and honor your word. Have respect for others and give them a plan. It is much easier to change a plan, then to never have one. This society is full of people that you cannot believe. There is a contract for everything because of a lying tongue.
When my grandfather was young, if a man said he would do something, you could count on it. If that person did not follow through, he was looked at with disdain. Now it is the norm to say one thing and do another. Where is the integrity in Christ's followers? We should never have to have a contract, for our word should be binding. But you cannot count on anyone. Someone is very extraordinary when there actions match their words. Christ's followers should be that person of integrity where ever we go. Are we? Am I? Are you?
Proverbs 10:11
"The words of the godly lead to life; evil people cover up their harmful intentions."
I have been in relationships with other people who tell you something like, "I will met you there." When in reality they never intended on going in the first place. When the time comes and you are expecting that person to follow through, you are left hanging.
Neither my family nor this other person is correct. In my family's situation, we are left without a way to plan our schedule, because we are constantly waiting on them. In the other example I cannot count on anything that this person tells me, because I do not know if they are actually speaking the truth.
2 Cor 1:17-18, "You may be asking why I changed my plan. Hadn't I made up my mind yet? Or am I like people of the world who say yes when they really mean no? As surely as God is true, I am not that sort of person. My yes means yes..." Even Paul had a change of plans. He let others know what he had planned, but when those plans changed he addressed his changes and let them know why. People could still count on him. His word was true and his yes and no meant something. Be a person of integrity and honor your word. Have respect for others and give them a plan. It is much easier to change a plan, then to never have one. This society is full of people that you cannot believe. There is a contract for everything because of a lying tongue.
When my grandfather was young, if a man said he would do something, you could count on it. If that person did not follow through, he was looked at with disdain. Now it is the norm to say one thing and do another. Where is the integrity in Christ's followers? We should never have to have a contract, for our word should be binding. But you cannot count on anyone. Someone is very extraordinary when there actions match their words. Christ's followers should be that person of integrity where ever we go. Are we? Am I? Are you?
Proverbs 10:11
"The words of the godly lead to life; evil people cover up their harmful intentions."
Monday, August 25, 2008
His Time
Working for God is not supposed to be convenient. If it is convenient for you, then are you working for Him? 1 Cor 9:16ff, "...preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't do it!" "Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ...So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." If you are a Christ follower, you have something more important than what is on "your" schedule for the day. You are to be working for Him. You are to be meeting with other believers, so that you are strengthened and so that you can strengthen them. 1 Cor 10:12,13 "If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." How are we to see the way out if we are not surrounding ourselves with others who can help us to be strong? 1 Cor 10:23,24 "You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is helpful. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is beneficial. Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them."
In this life there are many things that I would rather, not do. But I cannot go around only thinking about myself. We are here for only a short time. There is only one, today. We cannot waist our time. This is all that we are given and we have to work in helping others find Christ. There is work to do. For example, I get up every morning very early. I do this so that I can gain my strength from God before I am sent out into life. I, by myself, am a very hard woman. I have a rage within me that will fight, if I do not control it with Christ's help. It would be much easier for me not to go to functions that are created by the church, but what good am I, if I do not participate. I have surrounded my self with other believers, so that when I am tempted, they can help me regain my strength and conquer the temptation. I have tried living strong by myself, it does not work. When we are left by ourselves for too long, we tend to give into that temptation.
We tend to hide under the illusion that we are actually spending more time with our family and we cannot spare that hour. When in reality we are spending that time on the computer or watching TV. My family is not left out. I spend my time with my family. My children are part of my life. I talk to them and engage with them while I am with them. While I am working around the house I am engaged with them, playing with them. I play with my husband, every time I pass by him. I am engaged with my family. My family does not get left out. But I could very easily leave out the rest of His family, if I did not work at reaching out to them. This life is not about how I want to spend my time. It is about how He wants me to spend my time. And meeting with other believers is obviously high on His list of things that He wants me to do.
1 Cor 11:31, "If we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way." We must live our lives with a purpose, we must walk everyday with Him in our hearts and on our minds. If we do not examine our lives every day then He will! 1 Cor 15:33,34, "bad company corrupts good character." Come to your senses and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don't even know God." We all have to be diligent. We must surround ourselves with others who will help us, so that we do not fall for what others, in the world, tell us. Even if you are not around any one but yourself all day, if you are not delinquently seeking out God and others, who will help you, you will lie to yourself. Get in charge of your life. Give your time to Him. He will bless you for it!
In this life there are many things that I would rather, not do. But I cannot go around only thinking about myself. We are here for only a short time. There is only one, today. We cannot waist our time. This is all that we are given and we have to work in helping others find Christ. There is work to do. For example, I get up every morning very early. I do this so that I can gain my strength from God before I am sent out into life. I, by myself, am a very hard woman. I have a rage within me that will fight, if I do not control it with Christ's help. It would be much easier for me not to go to functions that are created by the church, but what good am I, if I do not participate. I have surrounded my self with other believers, so that when I am tempted, they can help me regain my strength and conquer the temptation. I have tried living strong by myself, it does not work. When we are left by ourselves for too long, we tend to give into that temptation.
We tend to hide under the illusion that we are actually spending more time with our family and we cannot spare that hour. When in reality we are spending that time on the computer or watching TV. My family is not left out. I spend my time with my family. My children are part of my life. I talk to them and engage with them while I am with them. While I am working around the house I am engaged with them, playing with them. I play with my husband, every time I pass by him. I am engaged with my family. My family does not get left out. But I could very easily leave out the rest of His family, if I did not work at reaching out to them. This life is not about how I want to spend my time. It is about how He wants me to spend my time. And meeting with other believers is obviously high on His list of things that He wants me to do.
1 Cor 11:31, "If we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way." We must live our lives with a purpose, we must walk everyday with Him in our hearts and on our minds. If we do not examine our lives every day then He will! 1 Cor 15:33,34, "bad company corrupts good character." Come to your senses and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don't even know God." We all have to be diligent. We must surround ourselves with others who will help us, so that we do not fall for what others, in the world, tell us. Even if you are not around any one but yourself all day, if you are not delinquently seeking out God and others, who will help you, you will lie to yourself. Get in charge of your life. Give your time to Him. He will bless you for it!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
No One is Alone
I feel like I need to address something that was brought to my attention yesterday. Since it goes pretty well with what I am reading, then I think the time is appropriate. 1 Corinthians 7 talks about marriage. In this it says, "A wife must not leave her husband." I did leave my husband and I have had a divorce. There are so many regrets that go along with this.
My ex-husband led me into drugs and pornography. I did everything that he desired. I could play the victim card in all of this and say that I was an abused woman. But that is never a path of healing. A victim is someone with no control and I have power over my own actions, I always have. I chose to follow him, because I was addicted to the rush, I liked the high. Now I fought it for some time, but when I married him I knew he was wild. I chose to enter into a marriage relationship with someone who I knew would spend his time in the bars. And who I knew was into pornography. I chose this because I liked the excitement that I felt when I was with him.
My regrets about the divorce are this: I wish I could have known then what I know now. I wish that I would have come across someone that would help me, in my marriage. I never wanted to leave my husband. He was my husband! I got married thinking I would grow old with him. My regret is that I was so foolish. Instead of looking to God and turning my life over to Him. I let my own evil desires and my own selfish motives lead me into a place I could have never imagined. "If a Christian woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage..." I knew the bible. I was raised knowing right from wrong. I chose to do wrong. I have my ex-husbands soul on my conscious. I chose to help him in his sin, instead of helping him find Salvation. My past mistakes, I regret.
God has blessed me now. I have a wonderful husband that I worship, as my husband. Our Lord is Jesus Christ and our life works, because we work together toward Him. My prayer now, is that we can help others in their marriage walk toward God. We do not have all of the answers, we are human. But we can offer our experiences. I know what fails, because I failed. We know what works for us, and we can offer our life to help others. I never want anyone to feel the sting of divorce. If they are in a marriage, I want to help them try and stay in that marriage. If they are divorced, I would like to try and help them get through the pain that divorce causes. My desire is that no one goes through a divorce. This does not mean that I do not love my husband now. It just means that I have learned some things from my experiences, that I did not know when I was a stupid young girl.
God took me out of that marriage and gave me a new one. God did that for me, because he knew I was so stupid and that I would have died in my sin. He saved my life and gave me a second chance. I am so grateful for that second chance. I love my husband more than I could have ever imagined loving a man. I respect him and I place him in highest honor. I need him and God gave me exactly who I needed to help me heal. I pray that we could be the help for a hurting couple that I needed all those years ago, when I was that hurting young girl, all by my self. No one needs to feel alone, like I did. We offer our lives to help others on this journey. We are here if anyone needs someone to help them. My prayer is that marriages are saved and that families remain together. My prayer is that the Christian spouses can gain strength and remain in the marriage, so that their loved ones find Salvation by watching their walk with God. God's desire is that no one perish, but that all find Eternal Salvation.
My ex-husband led me into drugs and pornography. I did everything that he desired. I could play the victim card in all of this and say that I was an abused woman. But that is never a path of healing. A victim is someone with no control and I have power over my own actions, I always have. I chose to follow him, because I was addicted to the rush, I liked the high. Now I fought it for some time, but when I married him I knew he was wild. I chose to enter into a marriage relationship with someone who I knew would spend his time in the bars. And who I knew was into pornography. I chose this because I liked the excitement that I felt when I was with him.
My regrets about the divorce are this: I wish I could have known then what I know now. I wish that I would have come across someone that would help me, in my marriage. I never wanted to leave my husband. He was my husband! I got married thinking I would grow old with him. My regret is that I was so foolish. Instead of looking to God and turning my life over to Him. I let my own evil desires and my own selfish motives lead me into a place I could have never imagined. "If a Christian woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage..." I knew the bible. I was raised knowing right from wrong. I chose to do wrong. I have my ex-husbands soul on my conscious. I chose to help him in his sin, instead of helping him find Salvation. My past mistakes, I regret.
God has blessed me now. I have a wonderful husband that I worship, as my husband. Our Lord is Jesus Christ and our life works, because we work together toward Him. My prayer now, is that we can help others in their marriage walk toward God. We do not have all of the answers, we are human. But we can offer our experiences. I know what fails, because I failed. We know what works for us, and we can offer our life to help others. I never want anyone to feel the sting of divorce. If they are in a marriage, I want to help them try and stay in that marriage. If they are divorced, I would like to try and help them get through the pain that divorce causes. My desire is that no one goes through a divorce. This does not mean that I do not love my husband now. It just means that I have learned some things from my experiences, that I did not know when I was a stupid young girl.
God took me out of that marriage and gave me a new one. God did that for me, because he knew I was so stupid and that I would have died in my sin. He saved my life and gave me a second chance. I am so grateful for that second chance. I love my husband more than I could have ever imagined loving a man. I respect him and I place him in highest honor. I need him and God gave me exactly who I needed to help me heal. I pray that we could be the help for a hurting couple that I needed all those years ago, when I was that hurting young girl, all by my self. No one needs to feel alone, like I did. We offer our lives to help others on this journey. We are here if anyone needs someone to help them. My prayer is that marriages are saved and that families remain together. My prayer is that the Christian spouses can gain strength and remain in the marriage, so that their loved ones find Salvation by watching their walk with God. God's desire is that no one perish, but that all find Eternal Salvation.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Living, the True Church
1 Corinthians 3,"...You are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord. When one of you says, 'I am a follower of Paul' (or I go to ______ church), and another says, 'I prefer Apollos' (or I prefer _____ church), aren't you acting like those who are not Christians? ...Through us God caused you to believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because He is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose.... Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you Christians are that temple... So don't take pride in following a particular leader (denomination)...you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."
When I was a young girl, I was taught that people who did not go to the church that we attended, were not really Christians. So I would watch all of these people, who were actually good Christian people, and I thought that they were wrong, because they did not go into the same building as we did on Sunday morning. The teachers that taught our class on Sunday would provide a huge stumbling block for me on my spiritual walk with God. Instead of teaching me to look at the fruit that others delivered, I was to look at the name on the building where they chose to worship. It was always about the style of worship in a building, not the One we were worshiping. We are to go out into the world and plant the seed of Christ. Then the next Christ follower is to come along and water that seed. Then we need to get out of His way, so that He can make the seed grow. How often do we place such a shade over the seed, that the Son cannot be seen. Then the seed never fully develops.
It does not matter what worship style others prefer. It does not matter if one thing is emphasized or another, as long as the foundation that is taught is Christ. If the foundation is Christ, then He can correct all of the other mistakes that we people make. For there is not a "church" out there that gets it all correct, for it is put together by men and men are not perfect. There is only one who is perfect and if He is the one that is emphasized, then He will make the seed grow. Are our branches reaching so far that His light is blocked? It is not about denomination. We need to get out of His way, gab the hand of the one walking beside you, and let the Maker grow His children. If you are having a hard time in knowing, "who has it right?" Look at the fruit that they are producing. Who are you surrounding yourself with every day? That is the "church" you are attending. Look and see if you are growing in the light of Christ. Look and see if others are growing around you. If you feel you are having a hard time seeing the Son, then maybe you should see about finding a different group of people to worship with. It does not matter what the name on the building is, the church is the people. Who are around you and what kind of seed are they planting? God is the one that helps the good seed to grow.
You must get into His word, so that you will not be misled or mislead others. You must know what He says, so that you can have a strong foundation built by Christ. If you are allowing someone else, one day a week, to tell you all that you need to know, you are relying on a person who is fallen. You must build a personal relationship with Christ every day, for He is the only one who will never fail you. Then you go out with other Christ followers and build the church. "Beginning in Jerusalem with a small group of disciples, the message traveled across the Roman Empire. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, this courageous band preached, taught, healed, and demonstrated love in synagogues, schools, homes, marketplaces, and courtrooms, on one streets, hills, ships, and desert roads- wherever God sent them, lives and history were changed." Do you have God in a box? He travels! He has called us to worship Him and show His love to others, everywhere we go.
When I was a young girl, I was taught that people who did not go to the church that we attended, were not really Christians. So I would watch all of these people, who were actually good Christian people, and I thought that they were wrong, because they did not go into the same building as we did on Sunday morning. The teachers that taught our class on Sunday would provide a huge stumbling block for me on my spiritual walk with God. Instead of teaching me to look at the fruit that others delivered, I was to look at the name on the building where they chose to worship. It was always about the style of worship in a building, not the One we were worshiping. We are to go out into the world and plant the seed of Christ. Then the next Christ follower is to come along and water that seed. Then we need to get out of His way, so that He can make the seed grow. How often do we place such a shade over the seed, that the Son cannot be seen. Then the seed never fully develops.
It does not matter what worship style others prefer. It does not matter if one thing is emphasized or another, as long as the foundation that is taught is Christ. If the foundation is Christ, then He can correct all of the other mistakes that we people make. For there is not a "church" out there that gets it all correct, for it is put together by men and men are not perfect. There is only one who is perfect and if He is the one that is emphasized, then He will make the seed grow. Are our branches reaching so far that His light is blocked? It is not about denomination. We need to get out of His way, gab the hand of the one walking beside you, and let the Maker grow His children. If you are having a hard time in knowing, "who has it right?" Look at the fruit that they are producing. Who are you surrounding yourself with every day? That is the "church" you are attending. Look and see if you are growing in the light of Christ. Look and see if others are growing around you. If you feel you are having a hard time seeing the Son, then maybe you should see about finding a different group of people to worship with. It does not matter what the name on the building is, the church is the people. Who are around you and what kind of seed are they planting? God is the one that helps the good seed to grow.
You must get into His word, so that you will not be misled or mislead others. You must know what He says, so that you can have a strong foundation built by Christ. If you are allowing someone else, one day a week, to tell you all that you need to know, you are relying on a person who is fallen. You must build a personal relationship with Christ every day, for He is the only one who will never fail you. Then you go out with other Christ followers and build the church. "Beginning in Jerusalem with a small group of disciples, the message traveled across the Roman Empire. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, this courageous band preached, taught, healed, and demonstrated love in synagogues, schools, homes, marketplaces, and courtrooms, on one streets, hills, ships, and desert roads- wherever God sent them, lives and history were changed." Do you have God in a box? He travels! He has called us to worship Him and show His love to others, everywhere we go.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Guests
Romans 12:12-13, "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night."
This summer I had planned on getting several things accomplished. One of them was to potty train my youngest son. None of my plans were fulfilled. God had other plans! He had a family of six move into our house with us. It has been interesting hearing peoples reactions when I would tell them that we had six children in our house, all six years old and younger. Most people were amazed and would say that we were crazy, or that they could never do that. The family that we had here were very appreciative and thanked us often. But the funny thing is, the ones you help never get as much out of it as the helper does.
God has blessed us this summer, by changing our plans. This opportunity has been an opportunity that will never pass us by again. When I think of this, I shudder to think of all the things I miss out on, just because it is not in my plans. God knows what we need and he knows what we can handle. The summer is now over and our guests have moved out. It is time to settle back into our home as a family, but things are different. I thank God, things are different. I am a very hard woman. I was having a hard time with my two boys and expecting too much of them. What are two of your own, when you have been dealing with six, four that are not even yours, for the summer. Two now seems easy. God knew I needed to see the bigger picture and that I needed to soften.
My MS flared up at the beginning of the summer and I needed help in keeping my focus. If there had not been another family living with us, I may have gone into a pity party all summer. I cried for one day, because of the fatigue, then I had to get back to work. If I hadn't had a large house to run, I may have had to tendency to hide away and sulk. I have been very blessed, in dealing with MS, but I had become too relaxed in my job of taking care of my body. I needed to be woken up. I also needed to be reminded that I could still function and work even while dealing with a "spell."
Having others in your home opens your eyes to many things. It is good to see how other couples work together and how they handle their children. If you never look at anyone but yourself, how are you going to know if you are doing things correctly? You can pull off a false front for a time, but you become relaxed and your true self starts to emerge. If you do not want others to see that side of you, you better be willing to look at yourself through others eyes and change before you are forced to change. We get too possessive of our things. These things, our house, our car, my boys and their toys, our clothes, or even our children are not ours. They have all been given to us by God. He wants us to bless others the same as He has blessed us. We are not to be selfish. We are to share. It is never really for the other person, anyway. We will always grow. We will never go out of the situation feeling empty.
Get into the habit of inviting guests into your home. You will live a more rich, more blessed life because of allowing others to share their lives with you. I have learned more from other people and thinking that "I have something to offer them." Really I am the one that learns something and I am the one that needed the help. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Thank you for allowing us to learn from you. Thank you for being part of our family, we are so blessed.
This summer I had planned on getting several things accomplished. One of them was to potty train my youngest son. None of my plans were fulfilled. God had other plans! He had a family of six move into our house with us. It has been interesting hearing peoples reactions when I would tell them that we had six children in our house, all six years old and younger. Most people were amazed and would say that we were crazy, or that they could never do that. The family that we had here were very appreciative and thanked us often. But the funny thing is, the ones you help never get as much out of it as the helper does.
God has blessed us this summer, by changing our plans. This opportunity has been an opportunity that will never pass us by again. When I think of this, I shudder to think of all the things I miss out on, just because it is not in my plans. God knows what we need and he knows what we can handle. The summer is now over and our guests have moved out. It is time to settle back into our home as a family, but things are different. I thank God, things are different. I am a very hard woman. I was having a hard time with my two boys and expecting too much of them. What are two of your own, when you have been dealing with six, four that are not even yours, for the summer. Two now seems easy. God knew I needed to see the bigger picture and that I needed to soften.
My MS flared up at the beginning of the summer and I needed help in keeping my focus. If there had not been another family living with us, I may have gone into a pity party all summer. I cried for one day, because of the fatigue, then I had to get back to work. If I hadn't had a large house to run, I may have had to tendency to hide away and sulk. I have been very blessed, in dealing with MS, but I had become too relaxed in my job of taking care of my body. I needed to be woken up. I also needed to be reminded that I could still function and work even while dealing with a "spell."
Having others in your home opens your eyes to many things. It is good to see how other couples work together and how they handle their children. If you never look at anyone but yourself, how are you going to know if you are doing things correctly? You can pull off a false front for a time, but you become relaxed and your true self starts to emerge. If you do not want others to see that side of you, you better be willing to look at yourself through others eyes and change before you are forced to change. We get too possessive of our things. These things, our house, our car, my boys and their toys, our clothes, or even our children are not ours. They have all been given to us by God. He wants us to bless others the same as He has blessed us. We are not to be selfish. We are to share. It is never really for the other person, anyway. We will always grow. We will never go out of the situation feeling empty.
Get into the habit of inviting guests into your home. You will live a more rich, more blessed life because of allowing others to share their lives with you. I have learned more from other people and thinking that "I have something to offer them." Really I am the one that learns something and I am the one that needed the help. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Thank you for allowing us to learn from you. Thank you for being part of our family, we are so blessed.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sheep vs. Goat
Last Sunday we had a wonderful church gathering. It was more like the way the people met during the beginning of Christianity. Everyone had wonderful things to add to the discussion that you do not get to hear during the traditional services. The discussion was over Matthew 25:31-46. In this Jesus tells the difference between being sheep, who will listen to his voice, or being a goat, one who goes his own way. The discussion was outstanding and I would like to try and expound on it.
Right now I am reading in Romans. Romans is a book of faith. So I would like to address the question of, "How do we know we have faith?" Abraham was declared right with God before he was circumcised. His faith is what saved him. So we are declared right with God because of our faith. But it was by Abraham's faith that he obeyed God. It was his faith that led him to be circumcised. It was by faith that he had a child in his old age. It was by faith that he offered his son to God. His faith led him to obey God. So it was in his obedience that we could see his faith. So when we truly believe God, we will have faith. In this faith we will obey God, and in His grace we will be saved, for we will never be able to act perfectly.
Romans 6:12-16, "Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead give yourselves completely to God since you have been given a new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace. So since God's grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don't you realize that what ever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval."
Obedience is the key to faith. So if you ever wonder what you believe, you just have to look at the way you are living your every day life. If you are continually living in sin, choosing to do something that you know is wrong, then who are you listening to, who is your master? If you are continually trying to live for God, doing what you know He wants you to do, even if it is not what you desire, then you are living by faith. Now this does not mean that we never sin. But there is a difference in walking or living in sin, and stumbling every once in a while on our walk with God. This is why His grace is so wonderful for when we do mess up, He picks us up and sets us back on the right path. If you are a sheep you will hear His voice calling you softly home and you will follow Him. If you are a goat you will hear His voice but go your own way. So what are you? Are you listening and following, or are you going your own way?
Right now I am reading in Romans. Romans is a book of faith. So I would like to address the question of, "How do we know we have faith?" Abraham was declared right with God before he was circumcised. His faith is what saved him. So we are declared right with God because of our faith. But it was by Abraham's faith that he obeyed God. It was his faith that led him to be circumcised. It was by faith that he had a child in his old age. It was by faith that he offered his son to God. His faith led him to obey God. So it was in his obedience that we could see his faith. So when we truly believe God, we will have faith. In this faith we will obey God, and in His grace we will be saved, for we will never be able to act perfectly.
Romans 6:12-16, "Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead give yourselves completely to God since you have been given a new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace. So since God's grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don't you realize that what ever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval."
Obedience is the key to faith. So if you ever wonder what you believe, you just have to look at the way you are living your every day life. If you are continually living in sin, choosing to do something that you know is wrong, then who are you listening to, who is your master? If you are continually trying to live for God, doing what you know He wants you to do, even if it is not what you desire, then you are living by faith. Now this does not mean that we never sin. But there is a difference in walking or living in sin, and stumbling every once in a while on our walk with God. This is why His grace is so wonderful for when we do mess up, He picks us up and sets us back on the right path. If you are a sheep you will hear His voice calling you softly home and you will follow Him. If you are a goat you will hear His voice but go your own way. So what are you? Are you listening and following, or are you going your own way?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Happy Birthday
Christina,
This morning I woke up thinking about you. I cannot tell you how blessed I have been this summer. I am so thankful that you decided to entrust your family with us and to enable us to share our home, our family, our lives together with you and your family. I am a better person just because I was able to be with you. I love watching you with your children. You are a good mother; your children are blessed to have you for their mother. Your husband is honored to have you for his wife. You are a treasure. You are a jewel.
These are some of the verses that I think describe you the best:
Proverbs
8:14, Good advise and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.
10:11, The words of the godly lead to life.
12:4, A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown.
13:24, If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.
15:31, If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
16:24, Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
17:27, A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
You are a wise woman. The verses that describe you best are found in Proverbs 31. I know this because I have lived with you long enough, to really know you.
You are a virtuous and capable wife. I know you are worth more than rubies. Your husband can trust you, and his life is greatly enriched because of you. You will help him all of his life. You are energetic, strong and a hard worker. You are wise and gracious. Your husband will be well know because of you. You are clothed with strength and dignity, and you laugh with no fear of the future. When you speak, your words are wise, and kindness is the rule when you give instruction. You carefully watch over all that goes on in your house and you do not have to bear the consequences of laziness.
Your children will stand and bless you. Your husband praises you. There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but you fear the Lord and you will be greatly praised. You will be rewarded for all you have done. Your deeds have been publicly declared and your praise has been earned.
Now when you hear that sweet daughter of yours say about her friend, "I love her, I just love her," I hope you can hear me saying that to you. I love you my sweet friend and I have truly been blessed by you.
Bless God
and
Happy Birthday,
Jenny
This morning I woke up thinking about you. I cannot tell you how blessed I have been this summer. I am so thankful that you decided to entrust your family with us and to enable us to share our home, our family, our lives together with you and your family. I am a better person just because I was able to be with you. I love watching you with your children. You are a good mother; your children are blessed to have you for their mother. Your husband is honored to have you for his wife. You are a treasure. You are a jewel.
These are some of the verses that I think describe you the best:
Proverbs
8:14, Good advise and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.
10:11, The words of the godly lead to life.
12:4, A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown.
13:24, If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.
15:31, If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
16:24, Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
17:27, A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
You are a wise woman. The verses that describe you best are found in Proverbs 31. I know this because I have lived with you long enough, to really know you.
You are a virtuous and capable wife. I know you are worth more than rubies. Your husband can trust you, and his life is greatly enriched because of you. You will help him all of his life. You are energetic, strong and a hard worker. You are wise and gracious. Your husband will be well know because of you. You are clothed with strength and dignity, and you laugh with no fear of the future. When you speak, your words are wise, and kindness is the rule when you give instruction. You carefully watch over all that goes on in your house and you do not have to bear the consequences of laziness.
Your children will stand and bless you. Your husband praises you. There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but you fear the Lord and you will be greatly praised. You will be rewarded for all you have done. Your deeds have been publicly declared and your praise has been earned.
Now when you hear that sweet daughter of yours say about her friend, "I love her, I just love her," I hope you can hear me saying that to you. I love you my sweet friend and I have truly been blessed by you.
Bless God
and
Happy Birthday,
Jenny
Monday, August 4, 2008
Honor your Father and Mother
Expectations met! Yesterday was great with my family. We had a wonderful day together. Mostly, I did not wear my emotions on my sleeve and I was not judgemental about everyone. I thank God for giving me the wonderful family that I have, I do not deserve any of them.
The lesson yesterday was taken from Ephesians 6:1-4.
"Children obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. "Honor your father and mother." This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, "you will live a long life, full of blessing." And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord."
How I needed this lesson, not only as a parent, but as a child as well. How easy it is to forget that we, as adults, are still children as well. Just because we have our own family and our own responsibilities does not mean that we have stopped being our parents children. "Honor your father and mother," this does not stop with adulthood. We have an insight on our parents, because we understand their family dynamics. Something happens when you become an adult that can lead to a disrespectful approach to your parents. Instead of obeying all of their instruction you are now trying to give instruction. Which, on one hand, I think that the parents of grown children would do well to listen to their children's insight on the way they live and react with others. Who better sees you than the people that you have raised. Your children have watched how you treat your spouse. They have seen where you spend your money. They do have an inside look at your life.
But, adult children do not dishonor your parents. Something happens to us, that we loose, when we get into the counselor/leader roll as adult children. I have seen it time and time again; whether it is in dealing with an aged parent, who is at the end of their life here with us, my husband in his dealings with his father as my husband takes the lead in the business, or my relationship with my parents and being a "marriage counselor." There is a constant line that we must walk, because they are our parents. "Honor your father and mother" does not stop with children. You will be their child as long as you live, not as long as they live.
I am so thankful for the name that my father gave me. As a rebellious child, I brought dishonor to his name, but his name was strong enough to take the hit. I must remember that I am still my father's child, even though I have a new last name, I still have his name upon me. As adults we can still bring honor to our fathers by the way we live. Or as adults we can ruin a name they built with their entire life, by the way we conduct our lives, now. I am proud of the name the men in my life have given me. My father and my husband are honorable men that have given me an honorable name. My Lord has given me a name that erases all of my mistakes. It is my responsibility to cherish the names that I have been blessed with, and bring the ones that have shared their names with me, honor and respect.
The lesson yesterday was taken from Ephesians 6:1-4.
"Children obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. "Honor your father and mother." This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, "you will live a long life, full of blessing." And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord."
How I needed this lesson, not only as a parent, but as a child as well. How easy it is to forget that we, as adults, are still children as well. Just because we have our own family and our own responsibilities does not mean that we have stopped being our parents children. "Honor your father and mother," this does not stop with adulthood. We have an insight on our parents, because we understand their family dynamics. Something happens when you become an adult that can lead to a disrespectful approach to your parents. Instead of obeying all of their instruction you are now trying to give instruction. Which, on one hand, I think that the parents of grown children would do well to listen to their children's insight on the way they live and react with others. Who better sees you than the people that you have raised. Your children have watched how you treat your spouse. They have seen where you spend your money. They do have an inside look at your life.
But, adult children do not dishonor your parents. Something happens to us, that we loose, when we get into the counselor/leader roll as adult children. I have seen it time and time again; whether it is in dealing with an aged parent, who is at the end of their life here with us, my husband in his dealings with his father as my husband takes the lead in the business, or my relationship with my parents and being a "marriage counselor." There is a constant line that we must walk, because they are our parents. "Honor your father and mother" does not stop with children. You will be their child as long as you live, not as long as they live.
I am so thankful for the name that my father gave me. As a rebellious child, I brought dishonor to his name, but his name was strong enough to take the hit. I must remember that I am still my father's child, even though I have a new last name, I still have his name upon me. As adults we can still bring honor to our fathers by the way we live. Or as adults we can ruin a name they built with their entire life, by the way we conduct our lives, now. I am proud of the name the men in my life have given me. My father and my husband are honorable men that have given me an honorable name. My Lord has given me a name that erases all of my mistakes. It is my responsibility to cherish the names that I have been blessed with, and bring the ones that have shared their names with me, honor and respect.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Expectations
My parents, my brother, and my niece and nephew arrived in town this weekend. Yesterday, I spent the day with them. I am so glad that they are here. I miss my family very much and I always have high expectations when I see them. I think that these expectations are part of the problem. The expectations that I place on the situation of family getting together and the ones that I place upon myself. I want so desperately for my family to see me, and see me for who I am now, I also desperately want them to value my opinion. It is funny how expectations can ruin a day instead of letting you delight in it.
Yesterday was a good day, but the expectations that I placed on the day sent me in tears, after I returned home. I keep hoping that my brother will value my opinion and think that I have something wise to say. So I in return, set myself up for failure. For one example: A friend called me and asked me for help in a spiritual battle that she and her husband are having. I prayed with her and offered her my thoughts on the situation. After the phone call was over, I felt good about what all was said. Until, my brother asked me what was going on. Without relaying all of the discussion, I said, "I told her not to worry. Enjoy the night, stand proudly on her husbands arm, and to give him some good loving after the night was over." Then without hesitation my brother piped in, "Yes, because sex fixes everything right." Stab.
Normally, if anyone else had made that statement, it would not have bothered me. But my expectations set me up for failure. I know how my brother used to see me. I am not sure how he sees me now and because of this insecurity, I am extra sensitive to his comments. My expectations on the whole experience are setting me up for failure. We have changed churches and so this morning I once again have expectations. I can go into the situation knowing that my family will not agree or like the whole thing. Or I can go in hoping that everything will be perfect. The first is the practical expectation. I know what to expect so why would I set myself up to get hurt. I do it all of the time.
I have to accept something. No matter how much I change, no matter what my family sees in me; I am afraid that I will always see myself as weak and inferior in their eyes. If my brother makes a comment, I will take it personally. Even though he probably does not even see me like that anymore. I see myself like that, through his eyes. I will never be able to fix my parents marriage. Even though as an adult, I am still trying to fix my parents relationship. I have to remember who I am and what my job is. I have to constantly remind myself how much I have changed. I have to listen to my husband, the one who really knows me, and not revert back just because my family is around. Because when they come around, I have to look my past in the face all over again. I have to remember that they have lives apart from me, as well. I do not know everything about them either. I cannot let my insecurities ruin my family time. They are not going to agree with everything that I am doing. I will not agree with everything that they are doing. There is really only one thing that matters; we all love our Lord and nothing else is really all that important.
"Thank you Father for my family. Help me to stay peaceful during this time. Do not let me fail you just because of my own expectations. Help me to remember what is really important. Help me to have peace during this time so that I can enjoy the wonderful family that you have given me. Thank you Lord for my life, for my family and most of all for your grace."
Ephesians 4:1-8
"...live a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentile. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and build yourselves together with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and living through us all..."
Yesterday was a good day, but the expectations that I placed on the day sent me in tears, after I returned home. I keep hoping that my brother will value my opinion and think that I have something wise to say. So I in return, set myself up for failure. For one example: A friend called me and asked me for help in a spiritual battle that she and her husband are having. I prayed with her and offered her my thoughts on the situation. After the phone call was over, I felt good about what all was said. Until, my brother asked me what was going on. Without relaying all of the discussion, I said, "I told her not to worry. Enjoy the night, stand proudly on her husbands arm, and to give him some good loving after the night was over." Then without hesitation my brother piped in, "Yes, because sex fixes everything right." Stab.
Normally, if anyone else had made that statement, it would not have bothered me. But my expectations set me up for failure. I know how my brother used to see me. I am not sure how he sees me now and because of this insecurity, I am extra sensitive to his comments. My expectations on the whole experience are setting me up for failure. We have changed churches and so this morning I once again have expectations. I can go into the situation knowing that my family will not agree or like the whole thing. Or I can go in hoping that everything will be perfect. The first is the practical expectation. I know what to expect so why would I set myself up to get hurt. I do it all of the time.
I have to accept something. No matter how much I change, no matter what my family sees in me; I am afraid that I will always see myself as weak and inferior in their eyes. If my brother makes a comment, I will take it personally. Even though he probably does not even see me like that anymore. I see myself like that, through his eyes. I will never be able to fix my parents marriage. Even though as an adult, I am still trying to fix my parents relationship. I have to remember who I am and what my job is. I have to constantly remind myself how much I have changed. I have to listen to my husband, the one who really knows me, and not revert back just because my family is around. Because when they come around, I have to look my past in the face all over again. I have to remember that they have lives apart from me, as well. I do not know everything about them either. I cannot let my insecurities ruin my family time. They are not going to agree with everything that I am doing. I will not agree with everything that they are doing. There is really only one thing that matters; we all love our Lord and nothing else is really all that important.
"Thank you Father for my family. Help me to stay peaceful during this time. Do not let me fail you just because of my own expectations. Help me to remember what is really important. Help me to have peace during this time so that I can enjoy the wonderful family that you have given me. Thank you Lord for my life, for my family and most of all for your grace."
Ephesians 4:1-8
"...live a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentile. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and build yourselves together with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and living through us all..."
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