Jon Foreman writes some amazing, broken, honest music. It has helped me put song and lyrics to what's stirring in my soul. This song is called "I Am Still Running"and I love it. It helps me remember no matter how broken, no matter how confused, or even when I think I'm doing well...my home is in Him.
I love Jesus more than anything. And yet, sometimes I run, trying to earn grace, trying to hide from pain and hurt. But everyone who runs away is always welcomed back with open arms. Sometimes in life, we experience a winter season. If you are broken today, just let it all go. Give it to Him. Make your home in His open arms and allow the healing to begin. And soon, you may be able to feel the warmth of spring.
I had no idea the pain would be this strong
I had no idea the fight would last this long
In my darkest fears the rights become the wrongs
I am still running, I am still running
Build me a home inside your scars
Build me a home inside your song
Build me a home inside your open arms
The only place I ever will belong
Inside your open arms
The only place I ever will belong
Friday, November 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The miracle of Allison
We worship a God who works wonders (Psalm 77:14). Works. Present tense. And we can be fully assured that He is a God who never changes. Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the Lord, and I do not change." Therefore, if we fail to see wonders/miracles today, has He changed from who HE is? Or is it something else?
I've been learning in a Beth Moore study about this aspect of our faith life. It is her belief through evaluating scriptures that even though we may be in an era that is "seeing" less miracles, that doesn't mean that they do not or will not occur. As children of God, we are welcome to request anything in His name. That doesn't guarantee He will do what we ask, but we have the privilege to do so. Sometimes, the Lord in His gracious sovereignty allows the miracles to be internal rather than external. I can testify to that personally, because even though He chose not to heal my husband on earth, I have received a greater miracle of an irreplaceable closeness with Him. He has developed new, amazing things within me because of the suffering that I went through.
Sometimes, miracles occur that we didn't ask for; that we may not even recognize at the time. Allison, I believe is a miracle. She was God's from the start, without my knowledge or control.
When I was 34 weeks pregnant, my water broke. I was about 90% sure this was so, however NO practitioner would agree with me. 48 hours later, I went into premature labor. We went to the hospital and I was given medication and sent home. Between 34 and 36 weeks, I went in and out of labor, and went to the OB repeatedly because I was sure something wasn't quite right. No physician saw any cause for concern. On the contrary, I think they were probably tired of me!
At my 36 week check up, I really pressed the issue with my midwife. She decided to do a quick, simple test to check for any amniotic fluid. At this point, she was just humoring me.
She came back in and said it was time to have a baby! Indeed, my water was broken. "How long has it been that way?" she asked. "Oh, about 2 weeks," I replied.
"TWO weeks?!" That is no good in the OB world. In fact, most doctors will not let you go past 48 hours with broken water due to an increased risk of infection for both mother and baby.
I was immediately induced and had Allison about 8 hours later. She wasn't able to breathe properly and was escorted to Children's NICU for 10 days.
Now, there is a miracle here that I didn't see at first. In fact, I was pretty devastated. But His hand is oh so evident.
Had Allison been born at 34 weeks, there is no telling how long her stay in the NICU would have been. She may have had many complications from being so premature, and that extra two week stay in the womb allowed her to gain ~2 lb. (She was 5 lb. vs 3 lb.) Each day in the womb for a preemie equals about a week's stay or more in the NICU. Despite my constant appointments and concerns, not ONE doctor did that amniotic fluid test. Had they, I would have been induced at that time and Allison could've been at greater risk.
The fact that neither she nor I suffered any consequences from a 2 week exposure to infection is a miracle in itself. The womb is designed to be a nearly sterile place. The amniotic sac keeps harmful bacteria from entering the womb and growing there. This scenario alone should have caused issues. In fact, most health professionals in this field are very impressed that no infection occurred during that period. This is a mark of the hand of God.
So despite all the ways things could have worked out otherwise, and while I was completely in the dark of what was really going on, my God was in control. He was working all things together for my good and for Allison's good as well. He could have allowed suffering in this situation, and He didn't. (I got to experience some of that later.) But the best part is that I can trust Him no matter what. No matter how dire the situation, no matter how beyond my control it is, I can cast all my cares on Him, because He cares for me! (1 Peter 5:7)
So believe! Believe, and ask! Your faith delights the Lord: "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) If you believe little, you will likely see little, and then continue to believe little. It is a vicious cycle.
I understand that sometimes He doesn't give you the miracle you are seeking. Sometimes really horrible stuff happens anyways. And it seems there is no reason, no answer. Maybe you feel angry at God, and afraid to believe Him. It only makes sense that you might feel that way. But I promise you that out of every hurt comes something better, richer, and more valuable. I can say that to be true because I experienced it. He truly does work all things together for the good of those who love Him. You can trust Him. He is faithful. He is love. He is weeping with you as you suffer, as He once suffered on earth as well. He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) That's a promise from your Creator, dear friend. Believe it!!
I've been learning in a Beth Moore study about this aspect of our faith life. It is her belief through evaluating scriptures that even though we may be in an era that is "seeing" less miracles, that doesn't mean that they do not or will not occur. As children of God, we are welcome to request anything in His name. That doesn't guarantee He will do what we ask, but we have the privilege to do so. Sometimes, the Lord in His gracious sovereignty allows the miracles to be internal rather than external. I can testify to that personally, because even though He chose not to heal my husband on earth, I have received a greater miracle of an irreplaceable closeness with Him. He has developed new, amazing things within me because of the suffering that I went through.
Sometimes, miracles occur that we didn't ask for; that we may not even recognize at the time. Allison, I believe is a miracle. She was God's from the start, without my knowledge or control.
When I was 34 weeks pregnant, my water broke. I was about 90% sure this was so, however NO practitioner would agree with me. 48 hours later, I went into premature labor. We went to the hospital and I was given medication and sent home. Between 34 and 36 weeks, I went in and out of labor, and went to the OB repeatedly because I was sure something wasn't quite right. No physician saw any cause for concern. On the contrary, I think they were probably tired of me!
At my 36 week check up, I really pressed the issue with my midwife. She decided to do a quick, simple test to check for any amniotic fluid. At this point, she was just humoring me.
She came back in and said it was time to have a baby! Indeed, my water was broken. "How long has it been that way?" she asked. "Oh, about 2 weeks," I replied.
"TWO weeks?!" That is no good in the OB world. In fact, most doctors will not let you go past 48 hours with broken water due to an increased risk of infection for both mother and baby.
I was immediately induced and had Allison about 8 hours later. She wasn't able to breathe properly and was escorted to Children's NICU for 10 days.
Now, there is a miracle here that I didn't see at first. In fact, I was pretty devastated. But His hand is oh so evident.
Had Allison been born at 34 weeks, there is no telling how long her stay in the NICU would have been. She may have had many complications from being so premature, and that extra two week stay in the womb allowed her to gain ~2 lb. (She was 5 lb. vs 3 lb.) Each day in the womb for a preemie equals about a week's stay or more in the NICU. Despite my constant appointments and concerns, not ONE doctor did that amniotic fluid test. Had they, I would have been induced at that time and Allison could've been at greater risk.
The fact that neither she nor I suffered any consequences from a 2 week exposure to infection is a miracle in itself. The womb is designed to be a nearly sterile place. The amniotic sac keeps harmful bacteria from entering the womb and growing there. This scenario alone should have caused issues. In fact, most health professionals in this field are very impressed that no infection occurred during that period. This is a mark of the hand of God.
So despite all the ways things could have worked out otherwise, and while I was completely in the dark of what was really going on, my God was in control. He was working all things together for my good and for Allison's good as well. He could have allowed suffering in this situation, and He didn't. (I got to experience some of that later.) But the best part is that I can trust Him no matter what. No matter how dire the situation, no matter how beyond my control it is, I can cast all my cares on Him, because He cares for me! (1 Peter 5:7)
So believe! Believe, and ask! Your faith delights the Lord: "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) If you believe little, you will likely see little, and then continue to believe little. It is a vicious cycle.
I understand that sometimes He doesn't give you the miracle you are seeking. Sometimes really horrible stuff happens anyways. And it seems there is no reason, no answer. Maybe you feel angry at God, and afraid to believe Him. It only makes sense that you might feel that way. But I promise you that out of every hurt comes something better, richer, and more valuable. I can say that to be true because I experienced it. He truly does work all things together for the good of those who love Him. You can trust Him. He is faithful. He is love. He is weeping with you as you suffer, as He once suffered on earth as well. He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) That's a promise from your Creator, dear friend. Believe it!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Whose image is it anyway??
The definition of the word image is: a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing. So who or what are we reproducing or imitating in the image we project? In our culture, there is a heavy focus on our self-image. How do we feel about ourselves, how do we perceive ourselves? Feelings and thoughts about ourselves become very foundational to how we behave and interact in relationships. According to the world's standards, our image defines who we are, and determines where we fall on the scale of "coolness". Acceptance stems from our image. There are a million articles on improving your self-image, changing your image, even self-image tests. The cosmetics industry makes millions/billions of dollars a year on the fact that we feel it necessary to project a certain image. From clothes to makeup to hair products to perfume to fad diets to surgery-
When did we decide that what God declared to be "very good" was not good enough?
In Genesis 1, God created the heavens, the earth, light and darkness, water, vegetation, animals, fish, birds, and more. But He wasn't quite satisfied. So He said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness." Then He "created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them." At the end of the all the creating, "God saw ALL that He had made, and behold, it was very good."
All He had made. Was very good.
I get the distinct impression that no additional improvements were needed. I mean, certainly if the One who made the creation declared it very good, then what was made is complete.
Would you alter the statue of David? What kind of augmentation would be appropriate for the Mona Lisa? Each piece of art has been declared complete by it's maker- it would be foolish to alter it.
How about the sunsets or sunrises? What would you do to increase their beauty? Could anyone add anything to Niagara Falls? Beauty is all around us, crafted by the hands of God Himself. There is nothing needed to add to the beauty. In fact, it seems foolish to think that we could add anything to improve upon the natural wonders God has made. Women have been created the same way, and each one of us was knit together with purpose by the Father in heaven. Psalm 139:13 says that He knit us together in our mother's womb. Verse 14 says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." So why, dear sisters, do we allow the world to tell us we are not? Why do we insist that we are less than wonderful in our plainest state?
Please understand, I am all for good hygiene! I think we need to take care of what God has made by eating healthfully, staying physically fit, and keeping ourselves squeaky clean :) . But for whom do we "put our face on" every day? For whom are we having physical augmentation done to our bodies? The cosmetic surgery industry is estimated to reach or exceed $7 billion in revenues in the year 2013, up from $4.4 billion in 2008. What kind of dent could we put on global poverty and starving children with that $7 billion?? Just a thought.
Please also understand something very important, "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) If you have had cosmetic surgery- Christ doesn't condemn you, and neither do I. If you are imitating the world with your image- Christ doesn't condemn you, and neither do I.
I am simply trying to speak truth into your heart. You are formed after God. You are created in HIS image! Don't let the world tell you who you need to be and look like to have value. God Himself made you and said you were very good. Let us truly be set apart, not just by our actions, but in our image. Be satisfied with what He has made. It is more than simply "good enough", it is very good! There is nothing you need to purchase that can improve it. Allow the value He gives you to define how you see yourself. Amen?
When did we decide that what God declared to be "very good" was not good enough?
In Genesis 1, God created the heavens, the earth, light and darkness, water, vegetation, animals, fish, birds, and more. But He wasn't quite satisfied. So He said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness." Then He "created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them." At the end of the all the creating, "God saw ALL that He had made, and behold, it was very good."
All He had made. Was very good.
I get the distinct impression that no additional improvements were needed. I mean, certainly if the One who made the creation declared it very good, then what was made is complete.
Would you alter the statue of David? What kind of augmentation would be appropriate for the Mona Lisa? Each piece of art has been declared complete by it's maker- it would be foolish to alter it.
How about the sunsets or sunrises? What would you do to increase their beauty? Could anyone add anything to Niagara Falls? Beauty is all around us, crafted by the hands of God Himself. There is nothing needed to add to the beauty. In fact, it seems foolish to think that we could add anything to improve upon the natural wonders God has made. Women have been created the same way, and each one of us was knit together with purpose by the Father in heaven. Psalm 139:13 says that He knit us together in our mother's womb. Verse 14 says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." So why, dear sisters, do we allow the world to tell us we are not? Why do we insist that we are less than wonderful in our plainest state?
Please understand, I am all for good hygiene! I think we need to take care of what God has made by eating healthfully, staying physically fit, and keeping ourselves squeaky clean :) . But for whom do we "put our face on" every day? For whom are we having physical augmentation done to our bodies? The cosmetic surgery industry is estimated to reach or exceed $7 billion in revenues in the year 2013, up from $4.4 billion in 2008. What kind of dent could we put on global poverty and starving children with that $7 billion?? Just a thought.
Please also understand something very important, "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) If you have had cosmetic surgery- Christ doesn't condemn you, and neither do I. If you are imitating the world with your image- Christ doesn't condemn you, and neither do I.
I am simply trying to speak truth into your heart. You are formed after God. You are created in HIS image! Don't let the world tell you who you need to be and look like to have value. God Himself made you and said you were very good. Let us truly be set apart, not just by our actions, but in our image. Be satisfied with what He has made. It is more than simply "good enough", it is very good! There is nothing you need to purchase that can improve it. Allow the value He gives you to define how you see yourself. Amen?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
I love you, too...
This week has been a little really rough. Last week and the weekend seemed great, I felt great; full of joy. This week...pffft. Not so much. Kinda empty and confused and swirly inside. Not so fun. I still had my quiet time, but didn't feel the joy of new revelations from the Lord. I knew He was there, I could see Him smile in my mind if I tried real hard...
but I didn't feel how I wanted to feel.
Have you been there? I began to notice how I was searching in my mind for something to make me happy. Something to distract myself, or fill the void. Food? Chocolate? TV/Movies? A book? A beer? Internet? Shopping? (I have temporarily suspended my shopping privileges :) ) I couldn't find joy in any of them even if I had tried. Luckily, I didn't try, because I had been prepared for this experience by a sweet woman named Angela.
A week ago, at The Well (woo woo!), we received a message about allowing yourself to be emptied so that God himself can fill you. The speaker showed us how we all have periods of emptiness and we (very successfully) distract ourselves with temporary joys, to avoid that feeling. At the time, I was feeling fine. Then Monday hit, and it was my turn. Funny how that works :)
Knowing what she said was true, how then could I have turned around Monday morning and sought all those temporary things? Knowing that when I seek HIM with my whole heart, then I will find Him (Jer. 29:13). And He will "guide me always and satisfy my needs"(Isaiah 58:11). In Psalm 139, it says "where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, behold, you are there....If I say, "surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and even the light around me will be night," even the darkness is not dark to you, and the night is as bright as the day."
YET, knowing and feeling are often two different things. So all week, I sought God. I repeated to myself what is true. I repeated that He is in control. I remembered that my yucky feelings will fade, and my joy will return. I asked God to fill me with Him so that I might feel the joy of His presence again. Needless to say, it seemed like a long week!
This morning in the car I was listening to Beth Moore...she told us that God had told her instead of saying, "I love you Lord," to say, "I love you, too." You see, we love Him because He first loved us. God is love. Just like I am female. He is love. It is His essence. As such, He is the initiator of love in this relationship. He loved me first. I love him, too. I really needed to hear and say that. It started to shake the dust off my heart.
And so, for the rest of the day, I continued on pushing through, praying, trying to embrace the present as much as I could in my lowly state of heart. This evening, I had a candle-light "date night" with my kids. Pizza, ridiculously sugary dessert, and "The Master of Disguise." Somewhere in that time, my heart started to feel joy again. As we snuggled, watching the movie, I thought, it's back! Whew! That was not a fun week.
Sometimes, it takes persistent energy to shake off the hold of the devil and this world and cling to the truth. To grab onto Jesus. Often times, our emotions will lead us astray if we allow them. When we are tired, hormonal, lonely, whatever- it can be very, very rough. If we are lucky, we have friends and family that hold us up when we are having a bad day. But if we are blessed, we have heard and believed the truth about our Lord, and allow (beg!) for Him to hold us up on our bad days.
He's always there. Whether it feels like it or not. Press on. Seek Him with all your heart. He WILL satisfy all your needs.
And don't forget to tell Him you love Him, too. :)
but I didn't feel how I wanted to feel.
Have you been there? I began to notice how I was searching in my mind for something to make me happy. Something to distract myself, or fill the void. Food? Chocolate? TV/Movies? A book? A beer? Internet? Shopping? (I have temporarily suspended my shopping privileges :) ) I couldn't find joy in any of them even if I had tried. Luckily, I didn't try, because I had been prepared for this experience by a sweet woman named Angela.
A week ago, at The Well (woo woo!), we received a message about allowing yourself to be emptied so that God himself can fill you. The speaker showed us how we all have periods of emptiness and we (very successfully) distract ourselves with temporary joys, to avoid that feeling. At the time, I was feeling fine. Then Monday hit, and it was my turn. Funny how that works :)
Knowing what she said was true, how then could I have turned around Monday morning and sought all those temporary things? Knowing that when I seek HIM with my whole heart, then I will find Him (Jer. 29:13). And He will "guide me always and satisfy my needs"(Isaiah 58:11). In Psalm 139, it says "where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, behold, you are there....If I say, "surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and even the light around me will be night," even the darkness is not dark to you, and the night is as bright as the day."
YET, knowing and feeling are often two different things. So all week, I sought God. I repeated to myself what is true. I repeated that He is in control. I remembered that my yucky feelings will fade, and my joy will return. I asked God to fill me with Him so that I might feel the joy of His presence again. Needless to say, it seemed like a long week!
This morning in the car I was listening to Beth Moore...she told us that God had told her instead of saying, "I love you Lord," to say, "I love you, too." You see, we love Him because He first loved us. God is love. Just like I am female. He is love. It is His essence. As such, He is the initiator of love in this relationship. He loved me first. I love him, too. I really needed to hear and say that. It started to shake the dust off my heart.
And so, for the rest of the day, I continued on pushing through, praying, trying to embrace the present as much as I could in my lowly state of heart. This evening, I had a candle-light "date night" with my kids. Pizza, ridiculously sugary dessert, and "The Master of Disguise." Somewhere in that time, my heart started to feel joy again. As we snuggled, watching the movie, I thought, it's back! Whew! That was not a fun week.
Sometimes, it takes persistent energy to shake off the hold of the devil and this world and cling to the truth. To grab onto Jesus. Often times, our emotions will lead us astray if we allow them. When we are tired, hormonal, lonely, whatever- it can be very, very rough. If we are lucky, we have friends and family that hold us up when we are having a bad day. But if we are blessed, we have heard and believed the truth about our Lord, and allow (beg!) for Him to hold us up on our bad days.
He's always there. Whether it feels like it or not. Press on. Seek Him with all your heart. He WILL satisfy all your needs.
And don't forget to tell Him you love Him, too. :)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Be holy as He is holy...
Haven't blogged in awhile...and it's not that I haven't still had moments where God has revealed Himself in new ways. I just have lacked the desire to share them for some reason. But then I remember how encouraged I am by other people's blogs. Since I want God to be able to use me to impact others, blogging is something I must discipline myself to do, so I can share how AWESOME He is!! :)
For those of you who haven't visited www.utmost.org yet, I STRONGLY encourage you to do so. I set it as my browser window homepage so it pops up when I get online. Then NO excuses not to dig deeper into your relationship with God!
That devotional has given me a ton of good material to break down for you. However, I read something from another source just a minute ago that I want to explore.
"I am not trying to preach or force religion, but if you have any faith, any, share it. "
This is the perspective within the nursing career as well- we are to encourage expressions of "faith". Any faith. (I'm thinking..."because having any faith at all is better than none??!") This theology bothers me. You see, I have been blessed with an abundance of faith in Jesus. I think God knew I'd need it with what I've been through. And I'm simply too logical NOT to connect the dots.
Here's the dots...
1- We are obviously created beings. Our body's DNA alone would stretch to the sun and back about 50 times. If you are a logical, thinking person, the more you learn about how complex you are, you've got to admit we didn't just evolve out of mud and protoplasm.
2- If we were CREATED...then whoever created us gets to make the rules. I am "over" my children, as head of the household. I make the rules and enforce them in love. If I let the kids make the rules, this would not go well for them, I assure you. So....if we were created, and can conclude that there is a "higher power", then they are the ones that make the rules.
3- Jesus Christ walked the earth. We know this. There is more evidence that he existed, then that William Shakespeare existed, and no one questions HIS life! Jesus proclaimed to be the son of God, the sent Messiah/savior. So He was either right, or he was nuts. If your professor began calling himself the son of God, you wouldn't think he was a great teacher/prophet...you'd think he was crazy. Send him away to a facility. SO- this man, Jesus Christ, existed in the flesh, walked among man, performed miracles, prophesied events, and called Himself the son of God.
4- Jesus Christ's body is no longer in His tomb. That's because He rose from the dead. This is how we get to live with Him forever, because He went to hell and back for us. Literally. You find His body, you let me know.
5- This God, as the creator, and Jesus, as His son, exist and are real and dwell in heaven. They are the ones we answer to. They are in charge. They reign above all created matter, because THEY created the matter.
These are the logical dots that I have made, because if you believe in God, He has to be almighty, He has to have power, He has to be unknown in many ways...because if I can reduce Him to be like me, and think like me, then He is no longer a Holy, perfect, God...He is a glorified version of man.
And here is what HE has to say:
"ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus" Romans 6:23
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9
"Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Christ Jesus" Romans 5:1
"There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me." Isaiah 45:21
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." John 14:6
So if He is a holy, righteous God who gets to make the rules, is it logical to believe you can worship/believe whatever you want and still slide by into heaven because of good deeds? Are you just banking your eternity on wishes and hopes that you'll be good enough? Do you think it doesn't matter because, well, who KNOWS what happens when you die? Well, the answer is in the scriptures above. You get to make the choice, because He loves you so much He's not going to force you to love Him. Which I think is pretty nice of Him.
I'm in this battle for your soul. I'm "in it to win it." I want you to know the truth so you can be set free from sin, defeat, and despair. No way would I ever, ever encourage you to believe something, anything. There is one God, and one Jesus, and He is absolutely AMAZING! You can't earn His love- it's yours already! He cares for us and shows that love in ways I would love you to see. If you want to reject Him for a lesser version, a god of your own making...you can. But I don't recommend it.
For those of you who haven't visited www.utmost.org yet, I STRONGLY encourage you to do so. I set it as my browser window homepage so it pops up when I get online. Then NO excuses not to dig deeper into your relationship with God!
That devotional has given me a ton of good material to break down for you. However, I read something from another source just a minute ago that I want to explore.
"I am not trying to preach or force religion, but if you have any faith, any, share it. "
This is the perspective within the nursing career as well- we are to encourage expressions of "faith". Any faith. (I'm thinking..."because having any faith at all is better than none??!") This theology bothers me. You see, I have been blessed with an abundance of faith in Jesus. I think God knew I'd need it with what I've been through. And I'm simply too logical NOT to connect the dots.
Here's the dots...
1- We are obviously created beings. Our body's DNA alone would stretch to the sun and back about 50 times. If you are a logical, thinking person, the more you learn about how complex you are, you've got to admit we didn't just evolve out of mud and protoplasm.
2- If we were CREATED...then whoever created us gets to make the rules. I am "over" my children, as head of the household. I make the rules and enforce them in love. If I let the kids make the rules, this would not go well for them, I assure you. So....if we were created, and can conclude that there is a "higher power", then they are the ones that make the rules.
3- Jesus Christ walked the earth. We know this. There is more evidence that he existed, then that William Shakespeare existed, and no one questions HIS life! Jesus proclaimed to be the son of God, the sent Messiah/savior. So He was either right, or he was nuts. If your professor began calling himself the son of God, you wouldn't think he was a great teacher/prophet...you'd think he was crazy. Send him away to a facility. SO- this man, Jesus Christ, existed in the flesh, walked among man, performed miracles, prophesied events, and called Himself the son of God.
4- Jesus Christ's body is no longer in His tomb. That's because He rose from the dead. This is how we get to live with Him forever, because He went to hell and back for us. Literally. You find His body, you let me know.
5- This God, as the creator, and Jesus, as His son, exist and are real and dwell in heaven. They are the ones we answer to. They are in charge. They reign above all created matter, because THEY created the matter.
These are the logical dots that I have made, because if you believe in God, He has to be almighty, He has to have power, He has to be unknown in many ways...because if I can reduce Him to be like me, and think like me, then He is no longer a Holy, perfect, God...He is a glorified version of man.
And here is what HE has to say:
"ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus" Romans 6:23
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8
"If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" Romans 10:9
"Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Christ Jesus" Romans 5:1
"There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me." Isaiah 45:21
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me." John 14:6
So if He is a holy, righteous God who gets to make the rules, is it logical to believe you can worship/believe whatever you want and still slide by into heaven because of good deeds? Are you just banking your eternity on wishes and hopes that you'll be good enough? Do you think it doesn't matter because, well, who KNOWS what happens when you die? Well, the answer is in the scriptures above. You get to make the choice, because He loves you so much He's not going to force you to love Him. Which I think is pretty nice of Him.
I'm in this battle for your soul. I'm "in it to win it." I want you to know the truth so you can be set free from sin, defeat, and despair. No way would I ever, ever encourage you to believe something, anything. There is one God, and one Jesus, and He is absolutely AMAZING! You can't earn His love- it's yours already! He cares for us and shows that love in ways I would love you to see. If you want to reject Him for a lesser version, a god of your own making...you can. But I don't recommend it.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Get up and go!
Last evening I enjoyed a great night of worship with some fellow single moms at The Well, a ministry of First Baptist Concord Church in Farragut. After the singing, we received a great message about CHANGE. The Holy Spirit was a'movin' and a'shakin'!!
Change...sometimes change is good...sometimes change is not as good. Some of us crave it, some of us hate it. Sometimes, like the changing of the seasons, it brings relief. Sometimes, like time passing, leaving us older still, it brings sorrow. But like it or not, change is something that all of us will have to endure. It is simply part of the human experience. And while we don't always have a choice about when or where we will encounter change, we do have a choice of how we respond. Now, while that was easily read, THINK about it. WE have a CHOICE in how we respond to ALL change in our life.
How serious are you about wanting to change something about your life? If something negative has happened, such as a divorce, losing a job, losing a loved one, moving to a new place where you don't know a soul...what now? Changing the way that we respond to stressful, life-changing events requires intent. It will not happen by chance, and it won't be effective, lasting change without the power of God behind it.
The speaker gave us several things that are vital if we want to allow God to make changes within us that will last:
1- Spend time with God each morning. Yes, you can do the afternoon or evening. But allowing God to fill you up before chaos begins makes the day so much smoother. You commit and purpose each day for the Lord and then surrender to Him all day long. I myself have seen the blessings that come from seeking Him early. It is a good thing. Remember: you don't need to be more or be better, you just need to be closer to Christ. It's the only way you can have lasting change in your life.
2- Stand up on the inside. Sometimes we just talk about all the ways we want to do better or are gonna do better and then feel defeated when we fail. Let what you believe inside be how you live outside. Stand up inside and resolve to act on what you know is true, regardless of how you feel or what you see. As Beth Moore says, "our theology oughta match our reality."
3- Choose to become a prisoner of HOPE instead of sin. We have been bought at a price, friends. There is nothing, NOTHING that is outside the reach of the healing hands of Christ. "Yes, my soul, find rest in God. My hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5
4- Never give up! Even if you aren't seeing any progress, be assured, if you are drawing nearer to God and deepening your faith in Him, He will be faithful to continue molding you into who He wants you to be. "We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7
Do you want to be well? Do you want to be healed and whole? (Of course, goober!; you think...)
One story in John 5 is about an ill man laying on a mat by a special pool in Bethesda. Once in awhile, at "certain seasons" an angel would come stir up the pool and whoever stepped in first was healed! Well, this man had been there for THIRTY EIGHT (38!) years. On a mat. Possibly in pain. Seriously. And the first thing our sweet Lord asks him is: "Do you wish to get well?"
And again we think, of course, goober! What kind of question is that?! But as you will notice as you read more of His word...He doesn't ask useless questions. He never acts without purpose. So clearly there is something to be discovered here. I think that before we can get better, before we can move into the next phase of our life and graduate from our "mat", and before we can have lasting, effective change in our hearts, we have to WANT to be well. At any cost. Trusting Him to do it. You can't hem and haw about wanting to be "well" when it comes to a relationship with Christ. He simply doesn't work that way.
Interestingly, the man's response to Jesus' question is this: "I had no one to put me in the pool!" Umm yeah..I'm pretty sure Jesus knew that already. In fact, it says that he knew the man had been a long time in that condition. Seems like it should have been a YES PLEASE! answer to the question. So...let's dig deeper...
When Jesus asks me if I want to be well..do I point fingers at other people? Do I blame those who hurt me, instead of forgiving and allowing Him to heal my heart? Let's stop focusing on the problems we have had. This man had been focusing on his problem for 38 years and it was the first thing out of his lips when Jesus spoke to him. "I'm ill...nobody's helping me...I'm always last in the pool." I'm sure his situation was rough. I'm sure it warranted some emotion. But when the God Almighty meets you face to face and is about to make you well, are you gonna put on your pity party hat?? I'm sure I've done it before. Stories like this one I believe are there to remind us not only how to live like Christ, but to remind us how easily we resort to our fleshly ways without Him.
God will let you stay on that mat for the next 38 years. He never forces you to choose Him, to be well. To be filled with his Spirit and the blessings that accompany it- things like love, joy, peace and patience. He allows us to choose the mat, to stay down, defeated and bitter, pointing fingers at everyone who let us down.
I want to be well!! I want to be wholly surrendered to Him, so that all my past regrets and all my past hurts and all my past failures can be used to make me better or can be discarded by the only One who truly knows me. I don't want to lay on the mat any more and throw pity parties in my heart. Oh Lord, make me well. I want to thrive, not just survive....
Change...sometimes change is good...sometimes change is not as good. Some of us crave it, some of us hate it. Sometimes, like the changing of the seasons, it brings relief. Sometimes, like time passing, leaving us older still, it brings sorrow. But like it or not, change is something that all of us will have to endure. It is simply part of the human experience. And while we don't always have a choice about when or where we will encounter change, we do have a choice of how we respond. Now, while that was easily read, THINK about it. WE have a CHOICE in how we respond to ALL change in our life.
How serious are you about wanting to change something about your life? If something negative has happened, such as a divorce, losing a job, losing a loved one, moving to a new place where you don't know a soul...what now? Changing the way that we respond to stressful, life-changing events requires intent. It will not happen by chance, and it won't be effective, lasting change without the power of God behind it.
The speaker gave us several things that are vital if we want to allow God to make changes within us that will last:
1- Spend time with God each morning. Yes, you can do the afternoon or evening. But allowing God to fill you up before chaos begins makes the day so much smoother. You commit and purpose each day for the Lord and then surrender to Him all day long. I myself have seen the blessings that come from seeking Him early. It is a good thing. Remember: you don't need to be more or be better, you just need to be closer to Christ. It's the only way you can have lasting change in your life.
2- Stand up on the inside. Sometimes we just talk about all the ways we want to do better or are gonna do better and then feel defeated when we fail. Let what you believe inside be how you live outside. Stand up inside and resolve to act on what you know is true, regardless of how you feel or what you see. As Beth Moore says, "our theology oughta match our reality."
3- Choose to become a prisoner of HOPE instead of sin. We have been bought at a price, friends. There is nothing, NOTHING that is outside the reach of the healing hands of Christ. "Yes, my soul, find rest in God. My hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5
4- Never give up! Even if you aren't seeing any progress, be assured, if you are drawing nearer to God and deepening your faith in Him, He will be faithful to continue molding you into who He wants you to be. "We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7
Do you want to be well? Do you want to be healed and whole? (Of course, goober!; you think...)
One story in John 5 is about an ill man laying on a mat by a special pool in Bethesda. Once in awhile, at "certain seasons" an angel would come stir up the pool and whoever stepped in first was healed! Well, this man had been there for THIRTY EIGHT (38!) years. On a mat. Possibly in pain. Seriously. And the first thing our sweet Lord asks him is: "Do you wish to get well?"
And again we think, of course, goober! What kind of question is that?! But as you will notice as you read more of His word...He doesn't ask useless questions. He never acts without purpose. So clearly there is something to be discovered here. I think that before we can get better, before we can move into the next phase of our life and graduate from our "mat", and before we can have lasting, effective change in our hearts, we have to WANT to be well. At any cost. Trusting Him to do it. You can't hem and haw about wanting to be "well" when it comes to a relationship with Christ. He simply doesn't work that way.
Interestingly, the man's response to Jesus' question is this: "I had no one to put me in the pool!" Umm yeah..I'm pretty sure Jesus knew that already. In fact, it says that he knew the man had been a long time in that condition. Seems like it should have been a YES PLEASE! answer to the question. So...let's dig deeper...
When Jesus asks me if I want to be well..do I point fingers at other people? Do I blame those who hurt me, instead of forgiving and allowing Him to heal my heart? Let's stop focusing on the problems we have had. This man had been focusing on his problem for 38 years and it was the first thing out of his lips when Jesus spoke to him. "I'm ill...nobody's helping me...I'm always last in the pool." I'm sure his situation was rough. I'm sure it warranted some emotion. But when the God Almighty meets you face to face and is about to make you well, are you gonna put on your pity party hat?? I'm sure I've done it before. Stories like this one I believe are there to remind us not only how to live like Christ, but to remind us how easily we resort to our fleshly ways without Him.
God will let you stay on that mat for the next 38 years. He never forces you to choose Him, to be well. To be filled with his Spirit and the blessings that accompany it- things like love, joy, peace and patience. He allows us to choose the mat, to stay down, defeated and bitter, pointing fingers at everyone who let us down.
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