Friday, October 2, 2009
I have found this to be true!
"The very day I call for help, the tide of battle turns. Enemies flee! This one thing I know: God is for me!" Psalm 56:9
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The most important decision you can make is what you choose to do with Jesus Christ. There has never been anyone like Him in the history of mankind. He claims to be God's son, perfect, and able to forgive you of your sins through His sacrifice.
Relationship is rooted at the heart of what Jesus did for us. When you accept Christ as your Savior, your relationship with God, which was broken by sin, is restored.
Relationship is rooted at the heart of what Jesus did for us. When you accept Christ as your Savior, your relationship with God, which was broken by sin, is restored.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Strength vs. weakness…it’s on my mind! It does not take long to come to the end of your strength- I don’t care who you are! We all need it, sometimes in a huge way.
Unlimited strength belongs to God, and He is giving it away. If you belong to Jesus, God says you can call on Him at any time for it.
God cares about us…He is devoted to making us whole and strong. Here’s what He has to say…
“The weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25
“Seek the Lord and His strength. Seek His presence continually!” Psalm 105:4. Gladly...I need it!
“His divine power gives us everything we need for life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3
“God says, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. It’s really comforting to know that God’s power through Christ is so strong that it just has to be rested on me.
I like how the Amplified version states Habakkuk 3:19. “The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and will make me to walk…not to stand still in terror, but to walk…and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility!”
“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not look around you in terror or be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you. I’ll hold you up with my strong and victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
”The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me His message would be spread loud and clear.” 2 Tim 4:17
The following lyrics are from an old hymn, so I won't bother searching for a YouTube video!
"In my weakness He is strong;
In my need He leads me on.
When I come to the end of all I am,
And I place my trust in Him;
That’s when His strength begins –
In my weakness."
I read this comforting statement on a friend’s Facebook today. It said, “Look no further…I am here.” God is close. It’s okay that you’re weak…He can change that.
Unlimited strength belongs to God, and He is giving it away. If you belong to Jesus, God says you can call on Him at any time for it.
God cares about us…He is devoted to making us whole and strong. Here’s what He has to say…
“The weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25
“Seek the Lord and His strength. Seek His presence continually!” Psalm 105:4. Gladly...I need it!
“His divine power gives us everything we need for life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3
“God says, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. It’s really comforting to know that God’s power through Christ is so strong that it just has to be rested on me.
I like how the Amplified version states Habakkuk 3:19. “The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and will make me to walk…not to stand still in terror, but to walk…and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility!”
“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not look around you in terror or be dismayed, for I am you God. I will strengthen you and help you. I’ll hold you up with my strong and victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
”The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me His message would be spread loud and clear.” 2 Tim 4:17
The following lyrics are from an old hymn, so I won't bother searching for a YouTube video!
"In my weakness He is strong;
In my need He leads me on.
When I come to the end of all I am,
And I place my trust in Him;
That’s when His strength begins –
In my weakness."
I read this comforting statement on a friend’s Facebook today. It said, “Look no further…I am here.” God is close. It’s okay that you’re weak…He can change that.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Great Video Clip!!
I love this video clip!! This is something I have been thinking about so much lately and this perfectly illustrates it! The title of this clip is "Francis Chan The Balance Beam Speech 2 0f 9". Twice lately, I've heard about Francis Chan's book, and I want to read. I think so many people are a little more than curious these days about this topic...
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=12b936bd65e203dc675c
You'll have to copy and paste...I couldn't get the link to work!
Just wanted to do a quick post this morning...going to write more later.
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=12b936bd65e203dc675c
You'll have to copy and paste...I couldn't get the link to work!
Just wanted to do a quick post this morning...going to write more later.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Alyssa just left in the truck for her second day of school...it's getting easier for me to let her go...a little! I am glad she left the house early yesterday because she got lost! She left before 8 so she could meet her friend before school, and didn't get there until 8:45- fifteen minutes before school started. Oops, guess I should have given her directions! You know what happens with assuming....
Last afternoon and evening was so cool...do you know how great it was that Alyssa and Becky could go to the mall together to birthday shop for Heidi? Now, I'm not talking about the shopping necessarily, or that they got to go to the mall TOGETHER (something they enjoy)...I'm talkin' "I didn't have to drive them!!!". And so cool that I could send Alyssa to the store a little later with some cash to pick up dinner (hmmm...where's my change?!). This meant that I had a SOLID amount of time to get a few things done- laundry, mopping, etc.- and I enjoyed it! Yes, I can be easily pleased.
I have been reading the book of Exodus since I got home from CIY. I grew up reading and hearing stories of the plagues and have never realized how much God was showing His love even as He sent those plagues down on Egypt. Sounds crazy. But He wanted Pharoah's heart. It is scary to think that, after hardening your heart so many times, that God will eventually give in and do the same. But, only to still show His power in your life so that you can know that HE IS GOD. He kept repeating that He wanted Pharoah and all of Egypt to know who HE is. To think that if Pharoah humbled himself, what a different God-experience he could have had. Instead, his decisions to ignore God's calling affected him and every single person around him. So sad. I bet it broke God's heart.
He wanted Pharoah's heart...all of it. No bargains. Not just parts of it.
I read a quote today in one of my email devotionals that just cemented this truth more into me. I love it when that happens. "God is Lord of all -- or He is not Lord at all!" God wants all of me, not just the parts I feel comfortable in giving. Who better to give it to than the One who loves me perfectly, the One who always welcomes me into His presence, the One who is perfect in wisdom and created all the complexities of me, the One who knows and offers the unimaginable perfect plan for this life He has given me.
I am still working on memorizing Ephesians...the first three verses I have come to recite pretty easily. I love verse three where it says "Grace and peace to you, the faithful in Christ Jesus". My prayer time was great that day. I thought about all my friends who are going through different struggles and prayed grace and peace over them by name. And, a little more difficult, I prayed the same for some that I have a hard time loving. To be honest, that was not easy. God loves us so much, and His outpouring of grace and peace is something we all need and crave...I don't care who you are. He extends His grace to all...I wish I had more of that kind of love...I am confident He is able to grow it in me...do your perfect work, God.
I'm working on verses four and five...let's see how if I can get it on here...
4. Praise (yes..because He IS worthy!) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed in in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Wait, I think that is verse three. That came a little too easily. Umm....
4 & 5 (for real this time, and I just had to peek to get me started...) For HE chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (I feel loved...extremely). In love, He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will (wow, so cool...He WANTS us!).
Yeah, I have some work to do on that. :)
Last afternoon and evening was so cool...do you know how great it was that Alyssa and Becky could go to the mall together to birthday shop for Heidi? Now, I'm not talking about the shopping necessarily, or that they got to go to the mall TOGETHER (something they enjoy)...I'm talkin' "I didn't have to drive them!!!". And so cool that I could send Alyssa to the store a little later with some cash to pick up dinner (hmmm...where's my change?!). This meant that I had a SOLID amount of time to get a few things done- laundry, mopping, etc.- and I enjoyed it! Yes, I can be easily pleased.
I have been reading the book of Exodus since I got home from CIY. I grew up reading and hearing stories of the plagues and have never realized how much God was showing His love even as He sent those plagues down on Egypt. Sounds crazy. But He wanted Pharoah's heart. It is scary to think that, after hardening your heart so many times, that God will eventually give in and do the same. But, only to still show His power in your life so that you can know that HE IS GOD. He kept repeating that He wanted Pharoah and all of Egypt to know who HE is. To think that if Pharoah humbled himself, what a different God-experience he could have had. Instead, his decisions to ignore God's calling affected him and every single person around him. So sad. I bet it broke God's heart.
He wanted Pharoah's heart...all of it. No bargains. Not just parts of it.
I read a quote today in one of my email devotionals that just cemented this truth more into me. I love it when that happens. "God is Lord of all -- or He is not Lord at all!" God wants all of me, not just the parts I feel comfortable in giving. Who better to give it to than the One who loves me perfectly, the One who always welcomes me into His presence, the One who is perfect in wisdom and created all the complexities of me, the One who knows and offers the unimaginable perfect plan for this life He has given me.
I am still working on memorizing Ephesians...the first three verses I have come to recite pretty easily. I love verse three where it says "Grace and peace to you, the faithful in Christ Jesus". My prayer time was great that day. I thought about all my friends who are going through different struggles and prayed grace and peace over them by name. And, a little more difficult, I prayed the same for some that I have a hard time loving. To be honest, that was not easy. God loves us so much, and His outpouring of grace and peace is something we all need and crave...I don't care who you are. He extends His grace to all...I wish I had more of that kind of love...I am confident He is able to grow it in me...do your perfect work, God.
I'm working on verses four and five...let's see how if I can get it on here...
4. Praise (yes..because He IS worthy!) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed in in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Wait, I think that is verse three. That came a little too easily. Umm....
4 & 5 (for real this time, and I just had to peek to get me started...) For HE chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight (I feel loved...extremely). In love, He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will (wow, so cool...He WANTS us!).
Yeah, I have some work to do on that. :)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Today was Alyssa's first day of her senior year. I am a little mind-blown about how fast the time has gone. And, awestruck. It is a beautiful thing to watch her obedience to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To see her surrender, to want more, to love and accept the challenges of growing deeper in her faith. To see God unfold His grace into her heart and life. We have an amazing and wonderful God. I simply could not have asked for or imagined something this great.
Right now, Heidi is sitting on my bed "playing" Alyssa's violin. I would tell her to put it away, but she is having fun with it! So, for the next few minutes I will enjoy the notes she is actually hitting and put up with the ones that are shrieking in pain beneath the bow!
She's turning ten tomorrow...ALREADY....and she just asked me, "Hey Mom, wanna stay up until my birthday??" Man, I feel forty-four, because I cannot even entertain that thought!
I am trying to figure out if I am too tired to write about CIY...but this needs to happen before the memories fade. That was one awesome week! I had no idea that it would turn out as great as it did. I was touched by so many different moments, convicted by the teaching, felt freer than ever in worship, and so much more. I loved the way God's light shone out so brightly through the speakers. I loved getting to know the teens more, the late night conversations with them, the tears and prayers we shared. I loved that even though I felt exhausted by day four, I still wanted to do more and experience more. I am convinced that there is no better place to be than where God is.
One of the nights that really got to me was the night we wore wristbands with a couple sins written on the underside of them. During the session, we were handed another band which we used to attach the two bands together, creating handcuffs, illustrating how sin binds us, traps us, keeps us from experiencing the freedom God intends for us. We wore them until close to the end of the session.
To me it illustrated so well what sin does in our life. At first, when my wrists were cuffed together, I immediately didn't like how I felt limited and a little stuck, but I thought, "It's okay, I can handle this..". Just like I feel when I start to let sin into my life, knowing it's wrong, but "hey, it's okay, I can handle this!". After about five minutes of wearing the cuffs, I began to ache and had to reposition myself to find comfort. It got me through another five minutes or so, but I was beginning to really feel the discomfort of it. After that, I just plain couldn't stand it. I was uncomfortable, achey, and felt locked in. Just like what sin does....after awhile it does not feel good at all, and you feel hopeless and painfully locked in its grasp.
Thankfully, God, in His rich grace and mercy, does not desire for us to be stuck. When it came time to break the bands at the end of the session, it was so freeing to be able to MOVE and to not be hindered in worship. I immediately remembered the lyrics to the Chris Tomlin song and it took on even more meaning...
"How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace".
I'm pretty sure we ended up singing this song that night, also. And, again the next day during the morning session. It was so moving to hear that many voices, about 1400, sing those words. I can't wait to get to heaven one day and experience true and full worship...we are getting just a small and good taste of it here.
I better close it down for the night.... :)
Right now, Heidi is sitting on my bed "playing" Alyssa's violin. I would tell her to put it away, but she is having fun with it! So, for the next few minutes I will enjoy the notes she is actually hitting and put up with the ones that are shrieking in pain beneath the bow!
She's turning ten tomorrow...ALREADY....and she just asked me, "Hey Mom, wanna stay up until my birthday??" Man, I feel forty-four, because I cannot even entertain that thought!
I am trying to figure out if I am too tired to write about CIY...but this needs to happen before the memories fade. That was one awesome week! I had no idea that it would turn out as great as it did. I was touched by so many different moments, convicted by the teaching, felt freer than ever in worship, and so much more. I loved the way God's light shone out so brightly through the speakers. I loved getting to know the teens more, the late night conversations with them, the tears and prayers we shared. I loved that even though I felt exhausted by day four, I still wanted to do more and experience more. I am convinced that there is no better place to be than where God is.
One of the nights that really got to me was the night we wore wristbands with a couple sins written on the underside of them. During the session, we were handed another band which we used to attach the two bands together, creating handcuffs, illustrating how sin binds us, traps us, keeps us from experiencing the freedom God intends for us. We wore them until close to the end of the session.
To me it illustrated so well what sin does in our life. At first, when my wrists were cuffed together, I immediately didn't like how I felt limited and a little stuck, but I thought, "It's okay, I can handle this..". Just like I feel when I start to let sin into my life, knowing it's wrong, but "hey, it's okay, I can handle this!". After about five minutes of wearing the cuffs, I began to ache and had to reposition myself to find comfort. It got me through another five minutes or so, but I was beginning to really feel the discomfort of it. After that, I just plain couldn't stand it. I was uncomfortable, achey, and felt locked in. Just like what sin does....after awhile it does not feel good at all, and you feel hopeless and painfully locked in its grasp.
Thankfully, God, in His rich grace and mercy, does not desire for us to be stuck. When it came time to break the bands at the end of the session, it was so freeing to be able to MOVE and to not be hindered in worship. I immediately remembered the lyrics to the Chris Tomlin song and it took on even more meaning...
"How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace".
I'm pretty sure we ended up singing this song that night, also. And, again the next day during the morning session. It was so moving to hear that many voices, about 1400, sing those words. I can't wait to get to heaven one day and experience true and full worship...we are getting just a small and good taste of it here.
I better close it down for the night.... :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)