What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Php 3:8
Rubbish... really? That's a strong statement! I want to be there.
I have recently had to ask myself these questions: Am I a friend of the world? Am I too comfortable? Are all of my neighbors too comfortable? Am I acting as if this is my home?
I look around at my neighbors. I came to realize they are doing pretty well! With their nice home, nice lawn and nice cars (also like me). It's like we are the ones supposed to be out helping others but instead we've all nestled quietly in a community together taking care of our own stuff we have acquired. I'm praying that God make me very aware of what is going on around me. That I would would have discernment and I would be able to spot evil creeping in from a mile away - instead of after it's already in! I think He's definitely showing me something here. Not to condemn anyone else or any of my neighbors but that we are not supposed to be like the world. I'm so like the world that I don't think that the non-believers around me can even tell a difference. I realized this when I was working at Newmark, actually, and decided I needed to do something purposeful with my life. Well after 5 months I ran out of savings before I found what that was and had to go back to work. God showed me 6 weeks after working at High Tech that I am supposed to go to this school of worship! And he gave me a job where I can prepare my mind and heart for His ministry! wow!
19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Co 4:18
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,... Heb 12:2
half of the world lives on 2 dollars a day - we are filthy filthy filthy rich
Friday, June 13, 2008
Let's do something!
I was listening to Francis Chan and he was reading a letter from a 65 year old woman that had read his book "Crazy Love". She was so thankful for the things that she learned and was ready to act. She said she was actually fearful of the retirement phase she was entering that she saw would lead to what she defined as "recliner rot"! ha ha. She said she looked around to everyone she saw her age and they were focused on traveling, well manicured lawns, and some other things I can't remember that were worldly. She was fearful that she would fall into a lifestyle that would keep her from what God has called her to do and miss out on all of the joy that comes from knowing the Lord and being obedient.
I personally do not believe that anyone intentionally thinks that they want to be self centered all of the time. I learned that when we are too busy to be available to what the Holy Spirit is telling us or too zoned out by tv or what not to take the time to be with God we clutter our minds with our own craziness and by default we end up consumed by ourselves. I think that most people want to be generous and think of others but have gotten so busy they are trying to keep their heads above the water! I know this is true in my own life. We have to ACTIVELY seek it out.
Francis Chan went on to ask the question: "Isn't it boring to be self centered?" We get this or we get that but really, does it matter? I can't even remember what I spent my Christmas money on this year. But wouldn't you remember if you were able to give to someone who really needed it? Doesn't that stay with you? It's an eternal gift.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matt 19:29
Are my actions showing that I really believe this?
It's scientifically proven that when you give your body actually releases a positive chemical to through your body. I've noticed in my own life that I can tell generous people are happier!
The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. Prov 11:18
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Gal 6:7
Of the World
1/3 is starving, 1/3 is hungry, 1/3 is us - we must do something
I personally do not believe that anyone intentionally thinks that they want to be self centered all of the time. I learned that when we are too busy to be available to what the Holy Spirit is telling us or too zoned out by tv or what not to take the time to be with God we clutter our minds with our own craziness and by default we end up consumed by ourselves. I think that most people want to be generous and think of others but have gotten so busy they are trying to keep their heads above the water! I know this is true in my own life. We have to ACTIVELY seek it out.
Francis Chan went on to ask the question: "Isn't it boring to be self centered?" We get this or we get that but really, does it matter? I can't even remember what I spent my Christmas money on this year. But wouldn't you remember if you were able to give to someone who really needed it? Doesn't that stay with you? It's an eternal gift.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matt 19:29
Are my actions showing that I really believe this?
It's scientifically proven that when you give your body actually releases a positive chemical to through your body. I've noticed in my own life that I can tell generous people are happier!
The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. Prov 11:18
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Gal 6:7
Of the World
1/3 is starving, 1/3 is hungry, 1/3 is us - we must do something
It's time to Simplify!
Am I missing the point? Have I put myself in the position to only care for myself? God's really been bringing this one home for me. Not in a condemning way, necessarily, but in a convicting way. I'm excited when God shows me something!
I'm beginning to realize that I have so much responsibility of my own that I have not allowed myself enough room to help others. I'm excited about this move because it will help me really evaluate what I am doing with my life and how I want to live my life. God must have known what He was doing when He sent us to this school :).
Right now I do not have the funds to hop up and go on a mission trip(s), I don't have much available income for supporting others to help the needy or to help those I know in need, AND we have acquired this nice house, big yard, and cars that we must maintain in order to take care of the blessings God has given us. I spend so much time working on the house or doing house work and working at my full time job I have just enough time to take care of me and spend time with God. Any opportunity that comes my way I would like to do but since I have acquired so many of my own responsibilities I don't have time to help others! And if I try to do both then I quench the Spirit by not spending time with God.
It's time to simplify!
When we are serving the needy we are serving God. Matt 25:31-46
43,000 orphans are born everyday - It's an emergency.
I'm beginning to realize that I have so much responsibility of my own that I have not allowed myself enough room to help others. I'm excited about this move because it will help me really evaluate what I am doing with my life and how I want to live my life. God must have known what He was doing when He sent us to this school :).
Right now I do not have the funds to hop up and go on a mission trip(s), I don't have much available income for supporting others to help the needy or to help those I know in need, AND we have acquired this nice house, big yard, and cars that we must maintain in order to take care of the blessings God has given us. I spend so much time working on the house or doing house work and working at my full time job I have just enough time to take care of me and spend time with God. Any opportunity that comes my way I would like to do but since I have acquired so many of my own responsibilities I don't have time to help others! And if I try to do both then I quench the Spirit by not spending time with God.
It's time to simplify!
When we are serving the needy we are serving God. Matt 25:31-46
43,000 orphans are born everyday - It's an emergency.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
It's our Anniversary today - 8 years!
Last night I was thanking God for all of the blessings He has given me. I was thinking about my husband and what a wonderful gift he is to me sent from God. I prayed that I would honor God with the way I treat the gifts He has given me.
I was suddenly reminded about a little story.
One of my sister's friends gave her this little gift. My sister was very thankful for how sweet her friend was to take the time to give it to her and she cherished this friend's friendship very much. Well....She really didn't have a specific use for the gift and it ended up as her dog's chew toy. Several months later her friend came to visit and saw the chew toy gift on the floor and it had apparently "been through a lot" - ...whoops. I don't think the friend was very offended but I thought of this story in comparison to the gifts that God gives us.
Jeremy is one of my most treasured gifts that God has given me. How embarrassed would I be if I knew that God was offended by the way I treated this wonderful gift He gave me?! I'm daily working towards being a better wife for him, being more loving, and loving him more because he is my best friend. (Don't let me fool you, I have a long way to go!)
I was encouraged by my friend, to pray that I see my husband through the eyes of Christ or how Christ sees him. She said it has made a HUGE difference in how she sees her hubby.
I cannot allow myself to think negatively about Jeremy or anything else.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5
I'm beginning to understand that God asks us to think on pure thoughts because ....
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he... Prov. 23:7
I was suddenly reminded about a little story.
One of my sister's friends gave her this little gift. My sister was very thankful for how sweet her friend was to take the time to give it to her and she cherished this friend's friendship very much. Well....She really didn't have a specific use for the gift and it ended up as her dog's chew toy. Several months later her friend came to visit and saw the chew toy gift on the floor and it had apparently "been through a lot" - ...whoops. I don't think the friend was very offended but I thought of this story in comparison to the gifts that God gives us.
Jeremy is one of my most treasured gifts that God has given me. How embarrassed would I be if I knew that God was offended by the way I treated this wonderful gift He gave me?! I'm daily working towards being a better wife for him, being more loving, and loving him more because he is my best friend. (Don't let me fool you, I have a long way to go!)
I was encouraged by my friend, to pray that I see my husband through the eyes of Christ or how Christ sees him. She said it has made a HUGE difference in how she sees her hubby.
I cannot allow myself to think negatively about Jeremy or anything else.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5
I'm beginning to understand that God asks us to think on pure thoughts because ....
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he... Prov. 23:7
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
How Could I Ask For More....
8 Finally, brothers, 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. Phil 4:8
This song makes me think about such things :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you God.
This song makes me think about such things :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you God.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Let my words be few...
Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Prov. 4:24
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. Peter 4:11
James Ch. 3 Taming the Tongue
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. Jas 3,6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Jas 3,8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Jas 3,9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Prov. 15:4
My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. Ps. 35:28
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Prov. 10:19
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ec. 5:2
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Tim 2:16
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph. 4:29
The next time I second guess saying something out loud when I probably shouldn't I should stop myself and not risk sinning because then it takes me farther away from God and walking in the spirit. It's not worth the risk! I think it's a hypersensitivity I must develop to spotting evil when it comes creeping in. Especially in this world - shouldn't we be radically different? Fearing the Lord. I should praise Him instead. Not only keeping myself from sinning but also filling my mind and actions with what is good (true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy - Phil 4:8). :)
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. Peter 4:11
James Ch. 3 Taming the Tongue
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. Jas 3,6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Jas 3,8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Jas 3,9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Prov. 15:4
My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. Ps. 35:28
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Prov. 10:19
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ec. 5:2
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Tim 2:16
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph. 4:29
The next time I second guess saying something out loud when I probably shouldn't I should stop myself and not risk sinning because then it takes me farther away from God and walking in the spirit. It's not worth the risk! I think it's a hypersensitivity I must develop to spotting evil when it comes creeping in. Especially in this world - shouldn't we be radically different? Fearing the Lord. I should praise Him instead. Not only keeping myself from sinning but also filling my mind and actions with what is good (true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy - Phil 4:8). :)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Deep Thoughts
I am working on a new series of shorter blogs! I'm excited! So hopefully the blogs will be more consistent. But to start it off I thought I would keep it short.
Last night I was thinking ...... I think God is right- handed.
The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things! Psalm 118:16
My right hand spread out the heavens Isaiah 48:13
'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.' Matt 22:44
I mean it's pretty obvious.....
ha :)
Last night I was thinking ...... I think God is right- handed.
The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things! Psalm 118:16
My right hand spread out the heavens Isaiah 48:13
'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.' Matt 22:44
I mean it's pretty obvious.....
ha :)
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