Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Longing for Paradise?
I heard one of the most convicting messages on Saturday morning at a training session for working in our kid's ministry at church.
We sometimes think of or portray Jesus as only a means to get to Heaven.
Everyone has a picture of Heaven in their mind. For some it's harps and angels and clouds and candy; for others, italian greyhounds, family, and friends.
One thing is usually missing from our view of this paradise: Jesus.
Jesus isn't our ticket into heaven. We quote Jesus a lot saying "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" -- but we often paraphrase the next part and just say Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven.
However, the Bible clearly says ... "no one comes TO THE FATHER, except through Me" (John 14:6).
This idea was confirmed to me when I was in church this morning. A couple was sharing activities they did with their kids to teach them about Jesus, and the first one was a challenge. They put something at the top of the stairs ($20, he said) and said, "You can have that, but you have to get there without stepping on the stairs." After many failed attempts at climbing the walls, the daughter asks her dad to carry her up the stairs, which doesn't break the rule because SHE isn't touching the stairs. The dad related himself to Jesus and that Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven ...
A great lesson ... but the goal is not to get to Heaven. Our daily goal is to seek Christ. The prize shouldn't be a magical paradise.
God is the prize. TO BE WITH GOD.
While on the cross, Jesus looks to thief beside Him and says, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). I think all too often we dream about and focus on the paradise and forget that His emphasis is on the "WITH ME" part.
We sometimes think of or portray Jesus as only a means to get to Heaven.
Everyone has a picture of Heaven in their mind. For some it's harps and angels and clouds and candy; for others, italian greyhounds, family, and friends.
One thing is usually missing from our view of this paradise: Jesus.
Jesus isn't our ticket into heaven. We quote Jesus a lot saying "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" -- but we often paraphrase the next part and just say Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven.
However, the Bible clearly says ... "no one comes TO THE FATHER, except through Me" (John 14:6).
This idea was confirmed to me when I was in church this morning. A couple was sharing activities they did with their kids to teach them about Jesus, and the first one was a challenge. They put something at the top of the stairs ($20, he said) and said, "You can have that, but you have to get there without stepping on the stairs." After many failed attempts at climbing the walls, the daughter asks her dad to carry her up the stairs, which doesn't break the rule because SHE isn't touching the stairs. The dad related himself to Jesus and that Jesus is the only way to get to Heaven ...
A great lesson ... but the goal is not to get to Heaven. Our daily goal is to seek Christ. The prize shouldn't be a magical paradise.
God is the prize. TO BE WITH GOD.
While on the cross, Jesus looks to thief beside Him and says, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). I think all too often we dream about and focus on the paradise and forget that His emphasis is on the "WITH ME" part.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
A Fabulous First Child
I am finding there is a benefit to the time with Bree being an only child. I realized it when I was reading a post by my sister (over at Blessed Simplicity).
I have time.
Time to focus on just her. Time to hold her safely and gently. Time to sit and play with her - and neglect the chores. Time to rock her to sleep. Time to soothe her when she is upset. Time to enjoy each stage she enters and savor every moment. Time to just watch her sleep ... because sleep smiles are my absolute favorite.
Someday I am going to have 6 kids running circles around me, and I won't have the time or energy to do everything as patiently and gracefully as I do now. I want to enjoy this and enjoy her.
She is our little blessing and answer to prayer. And I never want to forget that.
I have time.
Time to focus on just her. Time to hold her safely and gently. Time to sit and play with her - and neglect the chores. Time to rock her to sleep. Time to soothe her when she is upset. Time to enjoy each stage she enters and savor every moment. Time to just watch her sleep ... because sleep smiles are my absolute favorite.
Someday I am going to have 6 kids running circles around me, and I won't have the time or energy to do everything as patiently and gracefully as I do now. I want to enjoy this and enjoy her.
She is our little blessing and answer to prayer. And I never want to forget that.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Singin' the Baby Blues
My mom explained that the things I am feeling might be symptoms of baby blues. I found this quote about baby blues, and it pretty much sums me up.
"She's exhausted, she's unsure of herself, and, if it's her first child, she's never done any of this before. No wonder she feels overwhelmed!"
I guess it's good to know I am not just crazy - or a bad mom.
This is a phase that will - Lord willing - not last too long.
Please pray for encouragement, support, and strength.
"She's exhausted, she's unsure of herself, and, if it's her first child, she's never done any of this before. No wonder she feels overwhelmed!"
I guess it's good to know I am not just crazy - or a bad mom.
This is a phase that will - Lord willing - not last too long.
Please pray for encouragement, support, and strength.
Square One?
I have felt completely overwhelmed these past four months. Just when I thought I was getting a handle on wifehood, Bree enters the picture. Most days I feel disorganized, disheveled, and disappointed with my performance in both my roles. I feel like I am failing as a mom and as a wife. So is it back to square one? Worse than that, I'm not even at square one! What's before square one, you ask?
Learning to play the game.
That's exactly where I am at again. Learning to play this game of motherhood and wifehood, together.
I have to relearn how to schedule my time. I have to relearn how to prioritize. I have to relearn what free time looks like and how I use it. I have to squeeze in showers, reading, and blogging. I need a daily plan. But most of all ...
I need Jesus.
God Almighty is the only way I will be able to succeed because I absolutely cannot do this on my own. I don't have the wisdom, energy, or patience needed to accomplish such a task. Because I don't just want to be a good mom or a good wife. I want to be an awesome mom and an awesome wife - but more importantly, I want to be a Godly woman.
I want to be clothed in dignity and grace. I want to bind love and faithfulness around my neck and write them on my heart.
I find encouragement from the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31 and pray that God would make me more like her and Him each day.
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Learning to play the game.
That's exactly where I am at again. Learning to play this game of motherhood and wifehood, together.
I have to relearn how to schedule my time. I have to relearn how to prioritize. I have to relearn what free time looks like and how I use it. I have to squeeze in showers, reading, and blogging. I need a daily plan. But most of all ...
I need Jesus.
God Almighty is the only way I will be able to succeed because I absolutely cannot do this on my own. I don't have the wisdom, energy, or patience needed to accomplish such a task. Because I don't just want to be a good mom or a good wife. I want to be an awesome mom and an awesome wife - but more importantly, I want to be a Godly woman.
I want to be clothed in dignity and grace. I want to bind love and faithfulness around my neck and write them on my heart.
I find encouragement from the wife of noble character in Proverbs 31 and pray that God would make me more like her and Him each day.
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
What's Wrong with Praying for Safety?
I was completely convicted while - again - reading Crazy Love.
We often pray for safety. Safety in travels, safety from disease or illness, safety from pain or harm.
It is on our hearts even more when we have kids.
I prayed - every night - for Bree to not get bitten by Brown Recluse spiders (which are very present in our house and in her nursery). It was literally driving me crazy with worry and fear.
The problem is that we've made safety our number one priority. We've taken away God's control of our lives and His knowledge of what is best for us -- for HIS glory.
The hardest question I have to ask myself is: what if God's plan is for something to happen to Bree or to Brent? Am I willing to trust Him still, or do I abandon ship? What if God has a purpose for His kingdom that involves one of them getting hurt or being ill?
God's ways are not our ways.
My prayer each night now is that God would use Bree's life to glorify Him and to further His kingdom - however He sees fit. I wouldn't want to keep her from His purpose for her life because I am afraid I won't be able to handle what He has in store.
Now -- I'm human -- I do hope His plan is to keep her perfectly safe from ALL HARM for her entire life. But if it's not, which I doubt it is, I pray for strength to endure the challenges that we will face with grace and trust.
We often pray for safety. Safety in travels, safety from disease or illness, safety from pain or harm.
It is on our hearts even more when we have kids.
I prayed - every night - for Bree to not get bitten by Brown Recluse spiders (which are very present in our house and in her nursery). It was literally driving me crazy with worry and fear.
The problem is that we've made safety our number one priority. We've taken away God's control of our lives and His knowledge of what is best for us -- for HIS glory.
The hardest question I have to ask myself is: what if God's plan is for something to happen to Bree or to Brent? Am I willing to trust Him still, or do I abandon ship? What if God has a purpose for His kingdom that involves one of them getting hurt or being ill?
God's ways are not our ways.
My prayer each night now is that God would use Bree's life to glorify Him and to further His kingdom - however He sees fit. I wouldn't want to keep her from His purpose for her life because I am afraid I won't be able to handle what He has in store.
Now -- I'm human -- I do hope His plan is to keep her perfectly safe from ALL HARM for her entire life. But if it's not, which I doubt it is, I pray for strength to endure the challenges that we will face with grace and trust.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Forgiveness Faux-Pas
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6
I've been reading in Crazy Love the past couple of weeks, and there is a lot of great stuff in that book. Yesterday I was sitting at Barnes and Noble while Bree slept (ironically where I am right now, again) reading chapter 8. It was a "profile of the obsessed" and it discusses what a person who is obsessed with God looks and acts like.
I had three major convictions, but it is the first that I will discuss today.
I recently realized I have a major sin issue with forgiveness. It's not necessarily that I have trouble offering forgiveness because I don't. I know it my heart that God has forgiven me for a lot worse than whatever someone does to me. I also know that if I withhold forgiveness, God will also withhold forgiveness for me - and we can't have that because I mess up daily!
My issue with forgiveness is the forgetting aspect - the casting it as far as the east is from the west and remembering it no more. That part. Can I get an Amen? Because I think a lot of people are onboard with this weakness.
It's easy to say I forgive you. It's not easy to forget what was done, forget the pain, forget how the person made you feel. After offering forgiveness, my tendency is avoiding the person/situation to avoid further hurt or repeated offenses.
How unlike Christ we are.
Luke tells us in chapter 6 verses 32-36 that we aren't set apart from sinners if we only love those who love us.
We a called to love those hate us. Love those who hurt us. Love those who cause us pain. Not just forgive - but LOVE.
I do a horrible job of that, and for that, I pray daily for repentance when I can't control my thoughts and old hurts creep up again. When chatting with my sister about this, she made a great point. It is not natural to forget offenses against us, but we have to take our thoughts captive. Daily.
So, Lord willing, I will be trying to be a lot more forgetful when it comes to pain ... and a lot more in control of my mind.
Lord willing.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6
I've been reading in Crazy Love the past couple of weeks, and there is a lot of great stuff in that book. Yesterday I was sitting at Barnes and Noble while Bree slept (ironically where I am right now, again) reading chapter 8. It was a "profile of the obsessed" and it discusses what a person who is obsessed with God looks and acts like.
I had three major convictions, but it is the first that I will discuss today.
I recently realized I have a major sin issue with forgiveness. It's not necessarily that I have trouble offering forgiveness because I don't. I know it my heart that God has forgiven me for a lot worse than whatever someone does to me. I also know that if I withhold forgiveness, God will also withhold forgiveness for me - and we can't have that because I mess up daily!
My issue with forgiveness is the forgetting aspect - the casting it as far as the east is from the west and remembering it no more. That part. Can I get an Amen? Because I think a lot of people are onboard with this weakness.
It's easy to say I forgive you. It's not easy to forget what was done, forget the pain, forget how the person made you feel. After offering forgiveness, my tendency is avoiding the person/situation to avoid further hurt or repeated offenses.
How unlike Christ we are.
Luke tells us in chapter 6 verses 32-36 that we aren't set apart from sinners if we only love those who love us.
We a called to love those hate us. Love those who hurt us. Love those who cause us pain. Not just forgive - but LOVE.
I do a horrible job of that, and for that, I pray daily for repentance when I can't control my thoughts and old hurts creep up again. When chatting with my sister about this, she made a great point. It is not natural to forget offenses against us, but we have to take our thoughts captive. Daily.
So, Lord willing, I will be trying to be a lot more forgetful when it comes to pain ... and a lot more in control of my mind.
Lord willing.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Every Woman's Battle
The battle for our men is not fought with weapons and warfare but on our knees with prayer and petition.
I am realizing this more with each passing day. Our men are under attack daily from hundreds of different enemies. I recently started a prayer initiative, in which I was praying daily for Brent and Bree using The Power of the Praying Woman series. Through it I realized just how important praying for our husbands is. Daily.
Our men's hearts, minds, eyes, and souls are being sought after each day, and we are fools if we don't see it. Though we are called to be a help mate - not a spiritual leader - it does not exempt us from all responsibility. We are to support our husbands and cover them in prayer.
I urge you to join me in this fight, and pray for our men today. Sons. Husbands. Fathers. Brothers. Coworkers. Uncles. Grandpas. As a leader, as a father, as a worker, and as a man in general.
Be a part of the solution.
I am realizing this more with each passing day. Our men are under attack daily from hundreds of different enemies. I recently started a prayer initiative, in which I was praying daily for Brent and Bree using The Power of the Praying Woman series. Through it I realized just how important praying for our husbands is. Daily.
Our men's hearts, minds, eyes, and souls are being sought after each day, and we are fools if we don't see it. Though we are called to be a help mate - not a spiritual leader - it does not exempt us from all responsibility. We are to support our husbands and cover them in prayer.
I urge you to join me in this fight, and pray for our men today. Sons. Husbands. Fathers. Brothers. Coworkers. Uncles. Grandpas. As a leader, as a father, as a worker, and as a man in general.
Be a part of the solution.
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