such precious friends with some crazy memories of tubing, child birth, kids, games, weekends away and FOOD!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
encouragement from Jesus: from Matt 10:26-31
1. Don't be afraid! (v. 26)Am I afraid of the changes going on in my life right now? Am I afraid I won't be able to afford coollege for Kaili? Am I afraid of failing? Am I afraid of not being a good leader and mom? God will reveal to me what He wants me to do next in those times of crisis!
2. Stay close to Jesus! (v. 27) Being a leader doesn't mean I get to do whatever I want with my family, ministry, life...it means I do whatever God wants with His family, ministry and my life. (that He created after all)
3. I am precious to Jesus! (v. 29-31) God knows me intimately, down to the very hair on my head. He knows when I am weary, what I'm feeling (goodness knows...I have alot of them), the tension I feel in my family and ministry here at church. God delights in us and is pleased with what we do for Him.
We don't go unnoticed or unappeciated!
1. Don't be afraid! (v. 26)Am I afraid of the changes going on in my life right now? Am I afraid I won't be able to afford coollege for Kaili? Am I afraid of failing? Am I afraid of not being a good leader and mom? God will reveal to me what He wants me to do next in those times of crisis!
2. Stay close to Jesus! (v. 27) Being a leader doesn't mean I get to do whatever I want with my family, ministry, life...it means I do whatever God wants with His family, ministry and my life. (that He created after all)
3. I am precious to Jesus! (v. 29-31) God knows me intimately, down to the very hair on my head. He knows when I am weary, what I'm feeling (goodness knows...I have alot of them), the tension I feel in my family and ministry here at church. God delights in us and is pleased with what we do for Him.
We don't go unnoticed or unappeciated!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Our darkest emotions...
There is a whole book in the Bible called Lamentations. I'm thinkin' that God can handle my darkest feelings. He can deal with the fact that we are sad. We all think that Christians are supposed to be happy all the time and there is no room for "down" time. Being "down" doesn't fit the perfect picture of what Christians should be. So, I suppress my feelings, thinking that God and my neighbors can't handle it when we're down. When in fact, my new neighbor just revealed to me that she liked that she could identify with me because I was "real". My tendency is to alleviate pain and suffering out of my life at all cost and to create a quick fix. Yet, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matt. 5:4). I have learned that I need to embrace pain and suffering instead of trying to avoid it. Life is a struggle. (Ps 88:13-18)
Do I take the time to embrace those who are struggling? Do I make room for those who are faint hearted? Or do I expect every one to have it together...maybe like I appear to be? Jesus wants us to be "real" and not fake. I can smell some one who is fake with my "fak-ar"... can't you? I'm thinkin' that God wants us to bring Him our darkest emotions and feelings. It's ok to be there every once in a while. This week I was struck by the words of Matt Redman's tune: "Blessed Be your Name"...where I can shout "Blessed Be Your Name" even when I'm walking through the wilderness. You can, too!!
There is a whole book in the Bible called Lamentations. I'm thinkin' that God can handle my darkest feelings. He can deal with the fact that we are sad. We all think that Christians are supposed to be happy all the time and there is no room for "down" time. Being "down" doesn't fit the perfect picture of what Christians should be. So, I suppress my feelings, thinking that God and my neighbors can't handle it when we're down. When in fact, my new neighbor just revealed to me that she liked that she could identify with me because I was "real". My tendency is to alleviate pain and suffering out of my life at all cost and to create a quick fix. Yet, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matt. 5:4). I have learned that I need to embrace pain and suffering instead of trying to avoid it. Life is a struggle. (Ps 88:13-18)
Do I take the time to embrace those who are struggling? Do I make room for those who are faint hearted? Or do I expect every one to have it together...maybe like I appear to be? Jesus wants us to be "real" and not fake. I can smell some one who is fake with my "fak-ar"... can't you? I'm thinkin' that God wants us to bring Him our darkest emotions and feelings. It's ok to be there every once in a while. This week I was struck by the words of Matt Redman's tune: "Blessed Be your Name"...where I can shout "Blessed Be Your Name" even when I'm walking through the wilderness. You can, too!!
Next week...I'm off to Spring Hill to sponsor the OCS High School Junior class girls at camp. Should prove to be interesting. I'm actually looking forward to a change of scenery and a little bit of spiritual rejuvenating. I actually dig that younger type music and activity stuff. Surprise you? It shouldn't!!!
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