I am not perfect in my performance. I am not perfect in my practice. I am not perfect in my progress. But I am perfect in my position before God. Because the perfect one gave his life for me and stands in my place. I have been made perfect in God's sight. Washed white by grace.
And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, (Hebrews 5:9 NASB)
For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14 NASB)
I have been accepted because Jesus was rejected.
He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (Isaiah 53:3 NIV)
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31 NIV)
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone; (Psalm 118:22 NIV)
And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"). (Mark 15:34 NIV)
I did not give God a reason to love me.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)
He loves me because I am His.
I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. (Song of Solomon 6:3a NIV)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Renew Your Mind
For the past few weeks, nap time with Henry has been a source of contention. I usually change his diaper, he chooses two books and hops up in bed. After I read the books to him, he lays down in his bed and I lay down on the floor next to him and then the "party" begins. I noticed yesterday that Henry makes the same mistakes over and over again-and he says the same things to me almost verbatim.
"Mommy...mommy...mommy...mommy..." I pretend like I'm already asleep. He keeps it up. When I finally reply he says, "I just wanna Skype later." I say ok and he's quiet for another minute or two. Then he repeats my name again until I answer and he says, "Can you put my blankey on?" After I do, he proceeds to kick it off in less than two minutes. Then he takes his slippers and his socks off and on repeatedly until I get completely frustrated and end up threatening a spanking or else start doling them out. It is an awfully painful cycle not only for me but for Henry as well. I couldn't understand why he kept repeating the same things day after day until yesterday.
Finally it occurred to me that because kids (especially Henry) love routine and that it is only because it is a habit that we keep repeating this cycle. But how to bust out of it is the question...
That afternoon when we laid down for a nap, I tried to add some additional activities to our routine in order to hopefully override Henry's unpleasant habits. I had his blankey in place before he got up in bed. We read an extra story from his children's bible and I also took his slippers off ahead of time and put them in the closet. After he got settled, I stood over him and asked him to close his eyes and take three deep breaths. I did it with him (maybe more for myself than him) and counted each breath out loud as we went. When we finished he dove into his old routine... "Mommy"... I stopped him immediately and said, "Henry, you know how you usually say Mommy a bunch of times? We're not going to do that today. God wants us to make new habits that are good for us. That way Mommy and Henry can be happy when we do nap time. When you say Mommy over and over, that is a mistake. We are going to try not to make the same mistakes every day." I then prayed aloud for Henry and asked God to renew his mind and help him to make new habits that are healthy. I prayed that God would show Henry how to go to sleep without complaining or stalling and that he would sleep soundly. Amazingly, it worked!! I am as shocked as you are! I know it was a lot of talking and it's possible I bored him to sleep but whatever works! Anyway, God answered that prayer because we had no problem again today. It stuck. Praise the Lord for new good habits!
After I prayed for Henry and as soon as I laid my head down on the floor to take a snooze with my little Henry boy, the Lord started impressing on my heart the idea of renewing my mind. Wow! I love how He teaches me through my kids. I have experienced torment in my life when it comes to worrying about what people think-fear of man type stuff. In essence, it has been my own disgusting cycle. I put myself out there, entrust my heart to another person, trust is broken because people always disappoint, offense occurs in my heart, I pull back and put up walls, and make a note not to put myself out there like that again. God is asking me to renew my mind. Instead of taking the same paths I always take, challenge myself to take a different path. The path laid out in the word of God. This path is not easily traveled. It requires me to die to myself to my selfish pride. It requires me to humble myself and not always be proven right. To not trust in another person but trust in God. To not be offended but to make allowance for other people's faults. To forgive as I have been forgiven. It takes effort. Real mental effort. Pushing through feelings and not acting on an emotion. I must renew my mind, take every thought captive to the Lord and make every effort to apply the word of God to my life in every situation. Otherwise, I will still be dealing with the same issue when I'm old. I want to mature in my faith and I want to be holy as He is holy. Lord, please make me more into your image.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)
"Mommy...mommy...mommy...mommy..." I pretend like I'm already asleep. He keeps it up. When I finally reply he says, "I just wanna Skype later." I say ok and he's quiet for another minute or two. Then he repeats my name again until I answer and he says, "Can you put my blankey on?" After I do, he proceeds to kick it off in less than two minutes. Then he takes his slippers and his socks off and on repeatedly until I get completely frustrated and end up threatening a spanking or else start doling them out. It is an awfully painful cycle not only for me but for Henry as well. I couldn't understand why he kept repeating the same things day after day until yesterday.
Finally it occurred to me that because kids (especially Henry) love routine and that it is only because it is a habit that we keep repeating this cycle. But how to bust out of it is the question...
That afternoon when we laid down for a nap, I tried to add some additional activities to our routine in order to hopefully override Henry's unpleasant habits. I had his blankey in place before he got up in bed. We read an extra story from his children's bible and I also took his slippers off ahead of time and put them in the closet. After he got settled, I stood over him and asked him to close his eyes and take three deep breaths. I did it with him (maybe more for myself than him) and counted each breath out loud as we went. When we finished he dove into his old routine... "Mommy"... I stopped him immediately and said, "Henry, you know how you usually say Mommy a bunch of times? We're not going to do that today. God wants us to make new habits that are good for us. That way Mommy and Henry can be happy when we do nap time. When you say Mommy over and over, that is a mistake. We are going to try not to make the same mistakes every day." I then prayed aloud for Henry and asked God to renew his mind and help him to make new habits that are healthy. I prayed that God would show Henry how to go to sleep without complaining or stalling and that he would sleep soundly. Amazingly, it worked!! I am as shocked as you are! I know it was a lot of talking and it's possible I bored him to sleep but whatever works! Anyway, God answered that prayer because we had no problem again today. It stuck. Praise the Lord for new good habits!
After I prayed for Henry and as soon as I laid my head down on the floor to take a snooze with my little Henry boy, the Lord started impressing on my heart the idea of renewing my mind. Wow! I love how He teaches me through my kids. I have experienced torment in my life when it comes to worrying about what people think-fear of man type stuff. In essence, it has been my own disgusting cycle. I put myself out there, entrust my heart to another person, trust is broken because people always disappoint, offense occurs in my heart, I pull back and put up walls, and make a note not to put myself out there like that again. God is asking me to renew my mind. Instead of taking the same paths I always take, challenge myself to take a different path. The path laid out in the word of God. This path is not easily traveled. It requires me to die to myself to my selfish pride. It requires me to humble myself and not always be proven right. To not trust in another person but trust in God. To not be offended but to make allowance for other people's faults. To forgive as I have been forgiven. It takes effort. Real mental effort. Pushing through feelings and not acting on an emotion. I must renew my mind, take every thought captive to the Lord and make every effort to apply the word of God to my life in every situation. Otherwise, I will still be dealing with the same issue when I'm old. I want to mature in my faith and I want to be holy as He is holy. Lord, please make me more into your image.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Today I had a revelation.
Matt and I had a tiff this morning. It was silly really but it made me realize an important truth about my marriage and ultimately my relationship with God. A belief I had in the back of my mind surfaced during this altercation...and good thing it did because the belief was a total lie. Here I was, walking around believing that my husband thought that I was annoying. And although I didn't believe that he felt that way all the time, I did believe that he felt that way most of the time. In effect, I believed that all people feel that way about me. Now I put a lot of stock in what my husband believes about me. I consider it truth...a pretty all encompassing truth.
So here's my theory. I believe that all people, whether they care to admit it or not, act out of what they believe-could be what they believe about themselves or what they think others believe about them. Ultimately, the opinion they care about the most is what will govern their actions. For example, if you believe that you are smart, you will be confident in your knowledge and speak easily out of that. If you believe that you are funny, you will be confident in telling jokes and making people laugh. If you believe that you are a good speaker, you will have no problem speaking in front of other people.
If your identity is wrapped up in what you think others believe about you, then that is what your actions will reflect. For example, if you believe that other people think you are the life of the party, then you will feel obligated to be the life of the party wherever you go. If you believe that other people think you are shy, you won't speak up in front of others. If you believe that other people don't like you, you are not likely to reach out to them or to make friends easily. My point is, whatever opinion matters most to you is going to ultimately determine what you believe about yourself. Who you are. Your identity.
What if you cared most of all about what God says about you? About who He says you are and what He has called you to be? What if we asked our children what God says about them? What if we told them that God called them to be holy and pure, heirs to a great promise and a great treasure in heaven that neither moths nor rust can destroy and thieves cannot steal? What if we lived each day, knowing that we are loved, highly favored, forgiven, and not falling in and out of grace? Knowing that we are royalty, priests, saints, members of the body of Christ? What if we walked around fully aware of the powerful presence of God in our lives, knowing that God has created us to do good works which He has prepared for us? I believe that if we are truly grounded in our identity in Christ and His truth, there is nothing that can hold us back from pouring out the love of Christ and seeing the world changed.
In 1 Cor 13 it says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:11, 12 NASB
Our true identity is found in Jesus Christ. One day we will see Him face to face and we will know Him fully and we will know who we are fully. But until then, we seek Him and seek to know more about who Christ is and what He says about us in His living and enduring word. It is here we find our true identity. And when we know who we are, then we will truly be able to RISE UP and see this world changed for the kingdom of God.
Matt and I had a tiff this morning. It was silly really but it made me realize an important truth about my marriage and ultimately my relationship with God. A belief I had in the back of my mind surfaced during this altercation...and good thing it did because the belief was a total lie. Here I was, walking around believing that my husband thought that I was annoying. And although I didn't believe that he felt that way all the time, I did believe that he felt that way most of the time. In effect, I believed that all people feel that way about me. Now I put a lot of stock in what my husband believes about me. I consider it truth...a pretty all encompassing truth.
So here's my theory. I believe that all people, whether they care to admit it or not, act out of what they believe-could be what they believe about themselves or what they think others believe about them. Ultimately, the opinion they care about the most is what will govern their actions. For example, if you believe that you are smart, you will be confident in your knowledge and speak easily out of that. If you believe that you are funny, you will be confident in telling jokes and making people laugh. If you believe that you are a good speaker, you will have no problem speaking in front of other people.
If your identity is wrapped up in what you think others believe about you, then that is what your actions will reflect. For example, if you believe that other people think you are the life of the party, then you will feel obligated to be the life of the party wherever you go. If you believe that other people think you are shy, you won't speak up in front of others. If you believe that other people don't like you, you are not likely to reach out to them or to make friends easily. My point is, whatever opinion matters most to you is going to ultimately determine what you believe about yourself. Who you are. Your identity.
What if you cared most of all about what God says about you? About who He says you are and what He has called you to be? What if we asked our children what God says about them? What if we told them that God called them to be holy and pure, heirs to a great promise and a great treasure in heaven that neither moths nor rust can destroy and thieves cannot steal? What if we lived each day, knowing that we are loved, highly favored, forgiven, and not falling in and out of grace? Knowing that we are royalty, priests, saints, members of the body of Christ? What if we walked around fully aware of the powerful presence of God in our lives, knowing that God has created us to do good works which He has prepared for us? I believe that if we are truly grounded in our identity in Christ and His truth, there is nothing that can hold us back from pouring out the love of Christ and seeing the world changed.
In 1 Cor 13 it says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:11, 12 NASB
Our true identity is found in Jesus Christ. One day we will see Him face to face and we will know Him fully and we will know who we are fully. But until then, we seek Him and seek to know more about who Christ is and what He says about us in His living and enduring word. It is here we find our true identity. And when we know who we are, then we will truly be able to RISE UP and see this world changed for the kingdom of God.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
My prayer for our church...
Lord, I pray that we as a church would praise and honor you above anything or anyone. I pray that out of that praise to you, you would pour out your overwhelming love. So much so that it is impossible for us to keep to ourselves. I pray that love would begin to flow freely from one to another. I pray that we would put others above and before ourselves. I pray that we would rejoice in seeing another used even if it means that we ourselves are not being used. I pray that you would make us so secure in who you've called us to be that nothing would rock our world. I pray that our one desire would be to make your name great (and not our own). I pray that pure joy would result from our brother or sister being used in a mighty way by you. I pray that when we see another that has been gifted, we would immediately thank you and praise you for what you've done in them. There is no place for jealousy or envy. There is no place for fear or insecurity. I pray for your perfect peace and your astounding, uncontainable love. May your love abound! I pray that you would renew our minds...make our passions your passions; make our focus your focus; make our desires your desires. Give us eyes to see the hurting and needy and do something about it. Help us to make the most of every opportunity given us and Lord, expand our reach. I pray for heaven on earth. Let your kingdom come and your will be done. You are our God and we are your people.
Amen.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Lord, let me never forget the ultimate sacrifice you made on the cross. When my mind drifts throughout the day, let it always rest upon the cross and the price you paid, this act of love, the greatest gift, resulting in your death and ultimately your life resurrected and mine with yours. Too much to comprehend. So as I meditate on you, I pray that you would reveal in an even deeper way that which you have done for me and for all of humanity. It all points back to you.
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012 Goals and Aspirations...
Read the bible in a year. Not just read it but study it. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach me, guide me, speak to me in every quiet time I have with the Lord. Grow closer to the Lord and know Him better. Live out my faith. Reach out to people. Help the poor in spirit and the needy within my reach. Experience a new level of worship with the Lord. Get in His presence daily. Be present where I am. Live and make the most of every opportunity.
Be a great wife. Be off the phone when Matt gets home from work and greet him. Read the word of God with Matt. Pray with him daily. Pray for him daily. Put my complete focus on him for at least fifteen minutes a day. Go on a date with Matt at least once a month. Plan ahead. Meals made. Shirts ironed. Find activities for us to do together. Listen to him when he's talking. Don't put him down or make him feel inadequate in any way. Be respectful. Choose battles. Let things go. Thank God for him daily.
Be a great Mom. Pray about the decision to homeschool and follow the Lord. Do a special project with my kids weekly. Daily sit with them and have my complete attention on them individually. Pray with them daily. Help Henry memorize a scripture a month and put it in a book for him to keep. Teach my kids. Be patient with my kids. Write down their strengths and weaknesses. Pray about their strengths and weaknesses. Ask for God's wisdom on how to parent them. Read Shepherding a Child's Heart and one other parenting book. Spend time with them individually. Take them to be with other children or have other children come over at least once a week. Thank God for them daily.
Be a great worship team leader. Plan at least one worship night a month. Make time for each person on the team to talk and hear their hearts. Pray for current members of the team and their families. Pray for future members of the team, the one's God has not brought us quite yet. Put together teachings for the team and only present with the prompting of the Lord. Obey the Lord. Write down each one's strenths and weaknesses. Pray for each one's strengths and weaknesses. Ask God to show me how to encourage them in their weaknesses and let them flourish in their strengths. Submit to the Lord completely. Be humble. Thank God for this privilege daily.
Be a great steward. Continue to tithe. Continue to give to KLove and Wheeler. Pray for mine and Matt's heart when it comes to giving above and beyond. Be frugal with our spending so we can be extravagant with our giving. Care about where each dollar is going. Be obedient with our finances. Pray about vehicle situation and make a move before the end of the year. Get new flooring upstairs. Landscape our patio in the spring. Paint the outside trim. Thank God for every dollar that is placed in our hand and pray that every dollar that goes out is used effectively.
Be a great friend. Ask my dear friends about their lives. Learn new things about them when I am with them. Consider each one better than myself. Put their needs above my own. Help when I can. Listen. Pray for them and their families. Be thoughtful and give. Be detailed. Thank God for them.
Do and say nothing more or nothing less than God asks me to. I pray that I would be obedient in all things and walk humbly in the time given to me in 2012. I pray that I would live a life worthy of the calling of the gospel. And I pray that in all things, I would bring glory to the mighty name of Jesus. Love God, love people, live powerfully, live honorably.
Father, I pray that you would hear the cry of my heart and help me to live according to your will and your word. Order my steps and give me strength for today.
Be a great wife. Be off the phone when Matt gets home from work and greet him. Read the word of God with Matt. Pray with him daily. Pray for him daily. Put my complete focus on him for at least fifteen minutes a day. Go on a date with Matt at least once a month. Plan ahead. Meals made. Shirts ironed. Find activities for us to do together. Listen to him when he's talking. Don't put him down or make him feel inadequate in any way. Be respectful. Choose battles. Let things go. Thank God for him daily.
Be a great Mom. Pray about the decision to homeschool and follow the Lord. Do a special project with my kids weekly. Daily sit with them and have my complete attention on them individually. Pray with them daily. Help Henry memorize a scripture a month and put it in a book for him to keep. Teach my kids. Be patient with my kids. Write down their strengths and weaknesses. Pray about their strengths and weaknesses. Ask for God's wisdom on how to parent them. Read Shepherding a Child's Heart and one other parenting book. Spend time with them individually. Take them to be with other children or have other children come over at least once a week. Thank God for them daily.
Be a great worship team leader. Plan at least one worship night a month. Make time for each person on the team to talk and hear their hearts. Pray for current members of the team and their families. Pray for future members of the team, the one's God has not brought us quite yet. Put together teachings for the team and only present with the prompting of the Lord. Obey the Lord. Write down each one's strenths and weaknesses. Pray for each one's strengths and weaknesses. Ask God to show me how to encourage them in their weaknesses and let them flourish in their strengths. Submit to the Lord completely. Be humble. Thank God for this privilege daily.
Be a great steward. Continue to tithe. Continue to give to KLove and Wheeler. Pray for mine and Matt's heart when it comes to giving above and beyond. Be frugal with our spending so we can be extravagant with our giving. Care about where each dollar is going. Be obedient with our finances. Pray about vehicle situation and make a move before the end of the year. Get new flooring upstairs. Landscape our patio in the spring. Paint the outside trim. Thank God for every dollar that is placed in our hand and pray that every dollar that goes out is used effectively.
Be a great friend. Ask my dear friends about their lives. Learn new things about them when I am with them. Consider each one better than myself. Put their needs above my own. Help when I can. Listen. Pray for them and their families. Be thoughtful and give. Be detailed. Thank God for them.
Do and say nothing more or nothing less than God asks me to. I pray that I would be obedient in all things and walk humbly in the time given to me in 2012. I pray that I would live a life worthy of the calling of the gospel. And I pray that in all things, I would bring glory to the mighty name of Jesus. Love God, love people, live powerfully, live honorably.
Father, I pray that you would hear the cry of my heart and help me to live according to your will and your word. Order my steps and give me strength for today.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
A Higher Standard: Do Not Give Up
It is entirely too easy to retreat to a place of safety at the slightest hint of rejection. One thing I've noticed about myself is my tendency to give up-not just on goals or ideas that I have but on people. I will admit, my expectations are extremely too high for other people. If you know me and you are reading this, please forgive me for revealing these ridiculous expectations and I pray that you won't feel pressure about having to fulfill them (because probably only God can!)
My expectations are for people to: notice me; respond when I say something; listen when I talk; try to at least pretend to care about what I say; consider ideas that I reveal and not necessarily use them, but at least tell me an opinion; call me/text me back in a reasonable time frame; and to be completely frank...READ MY MIND. I hope you know that I do realize that these expectations are totally self-centered and egotistical. But it helps to see these in writing so that when a situation arises and I am taking things to an extreme (as I sometimes do), I can see how ridiculous my expectations truly are.
I believe that most people, whether they care to admit it or not, have some fairly high expectations in their relationships. And when they are not fulfilled, a wall as high as the Empire State Building goes up not only for one person but EVERYONE in their lives. Unfortunately, this leads most people to experience ONLY superficial relationships. This is a lonely, self-defeated life.
A calling and a challenge: Can we fight? Can we assume goodwill? Can we give each other the benefit of the doubt? Can we be transparent and have the courage to share our feelings with our fellow man? Can we forgive? Can we allow others to share their disappointments in us? Can we reach out to someone who has offended us? Can we recover? Can we continue to put ourselves out there? Can we withstand rejection, knowing that we are ALWAYS accepted by Christ? Can we give ourselves and allow God to completely restore us? Can we fight the tendency to hate and love instead? Can we do what it says in Romans 12:2 and transform ourselves by the renewing of our minds-think and speak positively? Can we think and act in ways that are not simple but that require effort?
Lord, let me live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that your are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Philippians 1:27
However, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Philippians 3:16
My expectations are for people to: notice me; respond when I say something; listen when I talk; try to at least pretend to care about what I say; consider ideas that I reveal and not necessarily use them, but at least tell me an opinion; call me/text me back in a reasonable time frame; and to be completely frank...READ MY MIND. I hope you know that I do realize that these expectations are totally self-centered and egotistical. But it helps to see these in writing so that when a situation arises and I am taking things to an extreme (as I sometimes do), I can see how ridiculous my expectations truly are.
I believe that most people, whether they care to admit it or not, have some fairly high expectations in their relationships. And when they are not fulfilled, a wall as high as the Empire State Building goes up not only for one person but EVERYONE in their lives. Unfortunately, this leads most people to experience ONLY superficial relationships. This is a lonely, self-defeated life.
A calling and a challenge: Can we fight? Can we assume goodwill? Can we give each other the benefit of the doubt? Can we be transparent and have the courage to share our feelings with our fellow man? Can we forgive? Can we allow others to share their disappointments in us? Can we reach out to someone who has offended us? Can we recover? Can we continue to put ourselves out there? Can we withstand rejection, knowing that we are ALWAYS accepted by Christ? Can we give ourselves and allow God to completely restore us? Can we fight the tendency to hate and love instead? Can we do what it says in Romans 12:2 and transform ourselves by the renewing of our minds-think and speak positively? Can we think and act in ways that are not simple but that require effort?
Lord, let me live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that your are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Philippians 1:27
However, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Philippians 3:16
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
