How come in the midst of any situation, we would rather sit around in self pity and try to handle rather than cry out to our Maker? This thought often plagues my mind. I know personally when something happens... I stress, worry and then I am reminded to cry out to God. Why do we attempt to do it in our own strength rather than rest in the arms of a loving God who desires to bring us through? Why do we carry the burden when God desires to carry it for us???
This seems to be a reoccuring theme over the past week or so. Several things have happened and my heart has felt burdened. Then this morning I sit down to finish up my Bible study and I am taken to this verse...
"Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for reief from the arm of the powerful. But no one says, "Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night..." Job 35:9-10
A great reminder that when joys, blessings, trials, and heartache come my way... instead of being a sponge soaking it all in pleading to be squeezed... I need to be a duck that lets it slide right off onto the back of God.
So many times we expect God to carry us through hard times... but many times God desires us to stand with Him to build our faith. He doesn't expect us to do it on our own like a three year old trying to do everything independently. He wants complete control and surrender of our lives in order that our lives glorify Him. You and I were created to worship... even in the tough times ... because ultimately God is still God and He is still on His throne despite the circumstances of our life.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Old and new collide
Recently on Sunday morning we have been going through a study on Truth called Believe it or Not. Truth is true whether we believe it or not. Just because we believe something to be true doesn't make it true. God's word is (and should be) absolute truth in our lives... however our society is redefining "truth".
Absolute truth: It's true for ALL people, for ALL times, in ALL places.
For example (be aware your toes might get a little squished on this one)- God's word says "Do not kill"... why??? because our God is life and calls us to love one another. Murder is not showing love. However our countries law states that abortion is legal.... contrary to God's word. Even though it is "ok" by our countries eyes... it is not ok in God's eyes. Absolute truth!
With defining that, on Wednesday night we have been going through Levitical law... I was taught growing up that levitcal law was not for us so it didn't apply to us...it was just there to show how man can't meet up to God's standards ( however in the church I grew up in we had "legalistic rules" like no drinking and no dancing.) It was all about the rules... not about the relationship. We serve a personal God who desires a relationship... not just a bunch of rule following robots!
Old ideas colliding with new ideas.... Levitical law is truth... yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So even though we are under grace, we still should follow Levitical law because they were set up to protect and guide us. We are not bound to the law (nor are we saved by it) but we should desire to follow it in order to serve our God and build a closer relationship with him. What makes us think that we can pick and choose what is truth in our life? God desires our hearts to serve Him rather than our sacrifices.
The truth will set you free from the lies of the enemy. The truths of God's word should be followed from the heart as an act of service in our worship to Christ... why because Jesus is truth and grace!!!
Absolute truth: It's true for ALL people, for ALL times, in ALL places.
For example (be aware your toes might get a little squished on this one)- God's word says "Do not kill"... why??? because our God is life and calls us to love one another. Murder is not showing love. However our countries law states that abortion is legal.... contrary to God's word. Even though it is "ok" by our countries eyes... it is not ok in God's eyes. Absolute truth!
With defining that, on Wednesday night we have been going through Levitical law... I was taught growing up that levitcal law was not for us so it didn't apply to us...it was just there to show how man can't meet up to God's standards ( however in the church I grew up in we had "legalistic rules" like no drinking and no dancing.) It was all about the rules... not about the relationship. We serve a personal God who desires a relationship... not just a bunch of rule following robots!
Old ideas colliding with new ideas.... Levitical law is truth... yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So even though we are under grace, we still should follow Levitical law because they were set up to protect and guide us. We are not bound to the law (nor are we saved by it) but we should desire to follow it in order to serve our God and build a closer relationship with him. What makes us think that we can pick and choose what is truth in our life? God desires our hearts to serve Him rather than our sacrifices.
The truth will set you free from the lies of the enemy. The truths of God's word should be followed from the heart as an act of service in our worship to Christ... why because Jesus is truth and grace!!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Changes are coming!
It's Easter weekend and after writing the last post, I thought this a great opportunity for a new start.
THE GOAL: To intentionally get out and live.
So my Good Friday began at 7:30am... made coffee :) and sat down to work on my latest Beth Moore Bible Study- Steppin Up: A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent. Briefly check to see if there were any important emails. Finished reading the latest missionary story on Amy Carmichael (more to come), made travel arrangements, changed into beachwear, and set out east.
Spent the day with Whitney and Isla... worked on a craft project for Isla's weekly pictures, cut out with the cricut... had lunch with Whitney and then headed to 20 mile beach were we sat under a palm tree talking story for almost 4 hours while baby Isla slept. Went back to Whit's house where we had dinner and talked story til 10pm.
THE GOAL: To intentionally get out and live.
So my Good Friday began at 7:30am... made coffee :) and sat down to work on my latest Beth Moore Bible Study- Steppin Up: A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent. Briefly check to see if there were any important emails. Finished reading the latest missionary story on Amy Carmichael (more to come), made travel arrangements, changed into beachwear, and set out east.
Spent the day with Whitney and Isla... worked on a craft project for Isla's weekly pictures, cut out with the cricut... had lunch with Whitney and then headed to 20 mile beach were we sat under a palm tree talking story for almost 4 hours while baby Isla slept. Went back to Whit's house where we had dinner and talked story til 10pm.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A new step
Recently while listening to a boundless podcast (boundless.org), I was encouraged that even though I am single, I should spend time with others... not just other singles or by myself. The goal is to gain insight and wisdom from others going through life situations- ie. communication, leadership, child-rearing, how to submit, etc.
As a recent pattern, I have noticed, I don't leave the house... I don't fellowship with others (except via facebook- and that is not true communication) and I don't get much done at home. These things then lead into a downward spiral... I got nothing accomplished... I'm useless... How is this serving and glorifying God? ... yada... yada... yada...
Something needs to change!
As a recent pattern, I have noticed, I don't leave the house... I don't fellowship with others (except via facebook- and that is not true communication) and I don't get much done at home. These things then lead into a downward spiral... I got nothing accomplished... I'm useless... How is this serving and glorifying God? ... yada... yada... yada...
Something needs to change!
"In the Stars His handiwork I see..."
Tonight, I broke the pattern of my normal evening routine. Normally after dinner, a little tv (ie. Bones) while checking email, and finishing a couple of projects, I head to bed to read a couple of chapters in the latest book before drifting off to sleep. With tomorrow being Good Friday and having the day off, I worked on a mother's day project til 10pm. The news came on and they mentioned a meteor shower go on so I deviated from my norm!
I love looking at the stars so with a lawn chair already perched out back, I donned a sweatshirt over my pj's and grabbed a pillow and blanket. The cool night air (ok... it is 76 degrees at 10 o'clock pm and that's chilly) and the silence of the neighborhood made for a peaceful time. As I lay there, I could truly feel the presence of my Lord, say "Be still and know that I am God." The breathtaking majesty of his immense creation screams silence. After a headspinning couple of weeks with vertigo to "Be still" was amazing!!!
I spent the time looking at the handiwork of the divine creator, God, realizing how much He has done and how little I deserve it. Just as Abraham in Genesis when God has him look up at the sky and tells him his decendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, I am humbled that God chooses to use me.
Here I was, prior to this, having some issues with being "alone" and God reminded me that He is with me and will never leave me or forsake me!
I love looking at the stars so with a lawn chair already perched out back, I donned a sweatshirt over my pj's and grabbed a pillow and blanket. The cool night air (ok... it is 76 degrees at 10 o'clock pm and that's chilly) and the silence of the neighborhood made for a peaceful time. As I lay there, I could truly feel the presence of my Lord, say "Be still and know that I am God." The breathtaking majesty of his immense creation screams silence. After a headspinning couple of weeks with vertigo to "Be still" was amazing!!!
I spent the time looking at the handiwork of the divine creator, God, realizing how much He has done and how little I deserve it. Just as Abraham in Genesis when God has him look up at the sky and tells him his decendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, I am humbled that God chooses to use me.
Here I was, prior to this, having some issues with being "alone" and God reminded me that He is with me and will never leave me or forsake me!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
How far is the east from the west?
"Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west? I can't bear to see the man I was rising up again." Casting Crowns
This morning as I was working through my Bible Study some issues/sins from my past were brought again to the surface. Whenever they are brought to my attention I am ashamed to think of how many times the enemy has used these situations to cause me to lose ground.
In the midst of studying, I took a break and turned on the radio. It is amazing what God uses to remind my heart who is still large and in charge.
Praise be to God that no matter what I have struggled with in the past as Psalm 103:12 states, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
This morning as I was working through my Bible Study some issues/sins from my past were brought again to the surface. Whenever they are brought to my attention I am ashamed to think of how many times the enemy has used these situations to cause me to lose ground.
In the midst of studying, I took a break and turned on the radio. It is amazing what God uses to remind my heart who is still large and in charge.
Praise be to God that no matter what I have struggled with in the past as Psalm 103:12 states, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Home is where your heart is
"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29:7
Recently a dear man of God from our church family approached me at the airport as I was flying to Oahu for a conference. He was very surprised to hear through coconut wireless that I had signed on to teach for another year. I was surprised because after ten years this is home and it should go without saying.
This comment did however get me thinking on how much I absolutely love this place where God has put me for such a time as this. Eleven years ago when I first came to Molokai, I would have never dreamed that this would become home. As I read, Jeremiah 29:7 this morning, it hit me that God places us where he wants us for such a time as this. Sometimes these moves aren't what we think they should be but God has called us to serve and pray for our community. Just think of the mighty work Christ could truly do if we all prayed for our communities to prosper and have peace.
Recently a dear man of God from our church family approached me at the airport as I was flying to Oahu for a conference. He was very surprised to hear through coconut wireless that I had signed on to teach for another year. I was surprised because after ten years this is home and it should go without saying.
This comment did however get me thinking on how much I absolutely love this place where God has put me for such a time as this. Eleven years ago when I first came to Molokai, I would have never dreamed that this would become home. As I read, Jeremiah 29:7 this morning, it hit me that God places us where he wants us for such a time as this. Sometimes these moves aren't what we think they should be but God has called us to serve and pray for our community. Just think of the mighty work Christ could truly do if we all prayed for our communities to prosper and have peace.
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