I have a friend (at this awesome blog) who has recently expressed a desire to live more simply. I think it's something we can all do better, and I'm encouraged by her to seek new ways to do that. I was reading through Matthew 6:19-34, and it offers some great wisdom on things we look to for happiness and about the temptation to worry.
So, I have three tips on how to simplify life (including our thought life):
Clear your space.
Clutter, stuff everywhere, projects all around. Clear it out! Do you really need four of that thing or that pile of old stuff? Donate! Sell! When you start clearing out your surroundings, you’ll notice immediately a simpler feeling. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Clear your mind.
Worry, negativity, stress. We are constantly bombarded by things that would cause us to do these things, but we have a hope in Christ that allows us to take time each day to "cast our cares upon the Lord" (1 Peter 5:7). Begin a daily practice of giving your mind to the Lord. Set aside 5-10 minutes to pray and let the Spirit take the controls. Doing this on a regular basis will help you feel more in tune with the Holy Spirit.
Clear your schedule.
It's totally okay to have a weekend where you have no plans. It opens up opportunities for God to work. He might have plans for you that you would otherwise miss if you try to fill your whole week and weekend. One thing Brent and I love is having friends that we can call on a given night and say, "let's have dinner!" In general, most people are too busy to do such things on a whim ... but those who live simply seem to have the time!
Repeat as needed.
There will be busy seasons in life. It happens! We get caught up in things, events, stuff. It's fine. Just try to keep simplicity in the back of your mind. Just like Spring cleaning, learn to Spring Simplify.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
God's Wrath
In our sermon today, there was something that struck me. The pastor was talking about our response to the message of Jesus. We can ignore it, avoid it, embrace it, fight against it, rebel, etc. We all know the responses.
But a revealing idea was shared.
If we choose to continually fight against, oppose, and reject the message of Christ, it is referred to as slowly filling up the cup of wrath: "In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last." (1 Thessalonians 2:16).
I never thought of this, but the pastor said sometimes God's judgement/wrath is expressed now. He doesn't always wait for Judgement Day. Sometimes, he gives us over to what we have chosen.
The example we see in the Bible is Pharaoh in Exodus. Throughout the whole book, God reveals miraculous things through Moses, but over and over again it says Pharaoh hardened his heart. He continually rejected God. And eventually, it changed to "God hardened Pharaoh's heart."
Pharaoh had filled up his cup of wrath to the brim so God went ahead and gave him over to it. Whereas usually God takes our cup of wrath when we ask Him to, God make Pharaoh take his own.
I guess it makes sense. Sometimes we get exactly what we ask for. If we keep rejecting and opposing God - we may just see His wrath now.
But a revealing idea was shared.
If we choose to continually fight against, oppose, and reject the message of Christ, it is referred to as slowly filling up the cup of wrath: "In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last." (1 Thessalonians 2:16).
I never thought of this, but the pastor said sometimes God's judgement/wrath is expressed now. He doesn't always wait for Judgement Day. Sometimes, he gives us over to what we have chosen.
The example we see in the Bible is Pharaoh in Exodus. Throughout the whole book, God reveals miraculous things through Moses, but over and over again it says Pharaoh hardened his heart. He continually rejected God. And eventually, it changed to "God hardened Pharaoh's heart."
Pharaoh had filled up his cup of wrath to the brim so God went ahead and gave him over to it. Whereas usually God takes our cup of wrath when we ask Him to, God make Pharaoh take his own.
I guess it makes sense. Sometimes we get exactly what we ask for. If we keep rejecting and opposing God - we may just see His wrath now.
Friday, April 1, 2011
April Verses
Romans 12 is a passage on love in action, and our Bible study is finishing this year off with lessons focused on growth in two specific areas: prayer and vulnerability. As I've been preparing for both these areas, I thought of the following verses:
Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
This is essential to vulnerability, for me. Sometimes you have to think of other people. It's never easy to open up about something, but others need to know you trust them enough to share. It also could open up dialog for someone going through the same thing -- or could encourage someone going through the same thing.
Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Vulnerability requires empathy. You have to put yourself into someone's joy, someone's pain, someone's trial. You have to focus on trying to feel what they are feeling so that you can be there for them. Some of the deepest relationships I have include times when you can cry together and - more easily - laugh together. I am looking for that in my relationships.
So - throughout April and May - look for growth in vulnerability from me! Hold me accountable to that. Laugh with me, and cry with me.
APRIL FOOL'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I'm kidding. I actually want to grow in these areas.
Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
This is essential to vulnerability, for me. Sometimes you have to think of other people. It's never easy to open up about something, but others need to know you trust them enough to share. It also could open up dialog for someone going through the same thing -- or could encourage someone going through the same thing.
Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Vulnerability requires empathy. You have to put yourself into someone's joy, someone's pain, someone's trial. You have to focus on trying to feel what they are feeling so that you can be there for them. Some of the deepest relationships I have include times when you can cry together and - more easily - laugh together. I am looking for that in my relationships.
So - throughout April and May - look for growth in vulnerability from me! Hold me accountable to that. Laugh with me, and cry with me.
APRIL FOOL'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I'm kidding. I actually want to grow in these areas.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Found by God
People are often surprised that I say I'm feeling good. I know it's difficult to believe because the stereotype is mostly misery and discomfort in the last few weeks of pregnancy. But - I honestly feel great. Especially when I get to eat desserts.
I'm not saying I am this super woman or anything. I think the fact that I haven't had any problems is directly related to how great I feel (that and a great husband who has been very encouraging throughout the past 10 months). I didn't struggle with blood pressure, nausea, or weird pregnancy-related problems. It makes it hard to complain.
I think more than anything, I'm nervous about labor ... and parenthood. I think those two things have been a distraction to the actual discomforts of pregnancy. I just keep praying that God will equip me efficiently for the things that are coming. I know He will, but I ask repeatedly - just in case.
I rest in God's words to Jeremiah in chapter 29, verses 11-14: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD.
I will be found by you. How reassuring that is.
I'm not saying I am this super woman or anything. I think the fact that I haven't had any problems is directly related to how great I feel (that and a great husband who has been very encouraging throughout the past 10 months). I didn't struggle with blood pressure, nausea, or weird pregnancy-related problems. It makes it hard to complain.
I think more than anything, I'm nervous about labor ... and parenthood. I think those two things have been a distraction to the actual discomforts of pregnancy. I just keep praying that God will equip me efficiently for the things that are coming. I know He will, but I ask repeatedly - just in case.
I rest in God's words to Jeremiah in chapter 29, verses 11-14: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD.
I will be found by you. How reassuring that is.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Baby Shower #4
My fourth, and final, baby shower was a blast. It was held in Indy, and my doctor told me to make it a "quick trip" because apparently traveling at 37 weeks is "frowned upon," but oh well!
It was a whirlwind weekend, but my two sisters and mom did a fantastic job putting it together. It was perfect. We arrived Friday night and just went to bed (got in late). Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast with my family, and then the girls went and got pedicures.
We were a riot at the nail salon. Cara couldn't stop laughing during the foot scrub, and Jamie and I looked like two waddling ducks!
The shower was really fun. I got to see a lot of people, and we played some really fun games! Plus, the desserts at Rick's Boatyard were AMAZING: key lime pie, German chocolate cake, and cheesecake. I tried them all eventually. My sisters did cupcake favors, and it was literally the best cupcake I have ever eaten. I got to take four home, and I ate them all. We got a lot of great stuff, and we were able to finish the nursery over spring break!
I didn't get to take a lot of pictures because I was visiting and playing games, but here's one of me and Jamie outside of the boatyard. I had a great time spending quality time with my mom and my sisters - so it was a great weekend.
It was a whirlwind weekend, but my two sisters and mom did a fantastic job putting it together. It was perfect. We arrived Friday night and just went to bed (got in late). Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast with my family, and then the girls went and got pedicures.
We were a riot at the nail salon. Cara couldn't stop laughing during the foot scrub, and Jamie and I looked like two waddling ducks!
The shower was really fun. I got to see a lot of people, and we played some really fun games! Plus, the desserts at Rick's Boatyard were AMAZING: key lime pie, German chocolate cake, and cheesecake. I tried them all eventually. My sisters did cupcake favors, and it was literally the best cupcake I have ever eaten. I got to take four home, and I ate them all. We got a lot of great stuff, and we were able to finish the nursery over spring break!
I didn't get to take a lot of pictures because I was visiting and playing games, but here's one of me and Jamie outside of the boatyard. I had a great time spending quality time with my mom and my sisters - so it was a great weekend.
Friday, March 18, 2011
In My Hometown
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” Mark 6:4
The tendency in our culture has not changed much from when Jesus walked this earth. He was honored and praised in every town he visited - with the exception of his own hometown, with his own family.
Brent and I recently did a devotion on this passage. My thinking is sometimes it is hardest for the people closest to you (family) to think of you changing. They only knew Jesus as a brother, a carpenter, a son, a teenager in the village, and so on. When it was revealed that he was actually their Lord and Savior ... they are like, "...what? Are you SURE?"
They can't picture him being anything more than what they already know.
Isn't that usually what happens to people now? When people who live immoral lives change their ways, people struggle to believe it. We think there's no way THAT person is living a changed life.
Fortunately for me, my 'hometown' is much different. I spent a great deal of time changing, and I know my sisters and parents have both respected those changes and encouraged them. I send multiple emails each week asking them for support, advice, suggestions, and encouragement.
This could very well be a "girl" thing, and that is fine with me. I love the relationship I have with them. I love that I can ask them anything, and they offer Godly wisdom from very different perspectives.
I love that I still feel honored in my own hometown - even with the people that know me best (and therefore know all of my flaws, mistakes, and faults).
The tendency in our culture has not changed much from when Jesus walked this earth. He was honored and praised in every town he visited - with the exception of his own hometown, with his own family.
Brent and I recently did a devotion on this passage. My thinking is sometimes it is hardest for the people closest to you (family) to think of you changing. They only knew Jesus as a brother, a carpenter, a son, a teenager in the village, and so on. When it was revealed that he was actually their Lord and Savior ... they are like, "...what? Are you SURE?"
They can't picture him being anything more than what they already know.
Isn't that usually what happens to people now? When people who live immoral lives change their ways, people struggle to believe it. We think there's no way THAT person is living a changed life.
Fortunately for me, my 'hometown' is much different. I spent a great deal of time changing, and I know my sisters and parents have both respected those changes and encouraged them. I send multiple emails each week asking them for support, advice, suggestions, and encouragement.
This could very well be a "girl" thing, and that is fine with me. I love the relationship I have with them. I love that I can ask them anything, and they offer Godly wisdom from very different perspectives.
I love that I still feel honored in my own hometown - even with the people that know me best (and therefore know all of my flaws, mistakes, and faults).
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Are you wearing green today?
St. Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally today! It is named after St. Patrick, the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland. The day is generally characterised by the attendance of church services, wearing of green attire (especially shamrocks), and the lifting of Lenten restrictions! Did you know that?
If you gave up something for Lent, feel free to indulge today!
St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a feature of the day!
So get in the spirit, and bust out your green and shamrocks! Consider turning a boring dinner GREEN tonight! Adding food coloring to milk, macaroni and cheese, pretty much anything would be fun! Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
