I'm so mad at myself! I strive very hard to live each day to the fullest. So there's nothing that bugs me more than allowing a 24-hour period to be wasted on something very trivial. Well, I did that earlier this week. And the worst part--it’s something I’ve done before—same issue, different day.
I allowed something that was ridiculously small to consume my thoughts and drag me down through the evening, into the night and for the better part of the next day. But through prayer and digging into God’s Word, I snapped out of it. The situation had not changed, but my perspective changed a full 360 degrees. And all of a sudden there was fresh air to breathe.
As a kid, did you every experience playing in the pool with friends and one of them held you under longer than you would have liked. You start to freak out and getting a breath just consumes you. But when you finally come up, it feels like the best gulp of air you’ve ever taken. That’s exactly how I felt. The air was great and I felt alive again. I may get down, but I’ll never be out as long as I’m a child of God.
And what bugged me even more was that I could just see the devil laughing the whole time—he got me again and knew that I had fallen for the same trap that he’s set many times before. But the good news is God pulled me out of my mess. I’m so very thankful for His patience and mercy!
On my desk at work, I have a quote that states, “Live your life in such away that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says…'Oh no…she’s awake.'” I’m gonna work hard to keep making him shudder…he had a break this week, but no more!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Words That Delight
Sometimes I’m just so filled I want to explode. God continues to overwhelm me. Each day does not bring with it sensational moments, but I find myself more and more present in each moment that is given to me. And all these moments bring joy to my day and opportunities for blessings.
Those who know me, know I love to laugh and tell stories. But most of all I love to share what Jesus and I have been working on together. When the end of the week arrives, I want to feel like I’ve not let too many opportunities go by to share my faith and move in the direction where He is pointing me. And with even this small level of obedience, God pours Himself into me until I can hardly contain myself. It is a phenomenal way to experience His Presence each day.
I mentioned a verse in the fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians in my last entry. As I read and meditated on this verse, God kept taking me to other verses in that same chapter. I know I’ve read it many times in my life, but at the moment the chapter is screaming at me. And I love it. So I am committing the whole chapter to memory. I’m only part way there at the moment, but I’ll have it done before long.
As I began to memorize this chapter, I was brought to 2 verses in Jeremiah about God’s Word. Jeremiah 15:16 sums up exactly how I feel. “When your words came, I ate them; they were pure joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.” I do want to just eat them up, because when I devour them, they make my heart want to sing.
There is no doubt in my mind that the reason for the joy that accompanies each day is a result of staying in God’s Word. He speaks to me and ignites something in me that is more powerful than I can imagine. Jeremiah 20:9 is the place I have reached “…his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones, I am weary of holding it in; Indeed, I cannot.”
I am here to tell you that His Word absorbed down to the marrow of my bones is the spring in my step and the song in my heart. And since I know this, why would I not want more of it and continue to make it “my heart’s delight?”
Well, gotta go. I’ve got more of chapter 4 to eat.
Those who know me, know I love to laugh and tell stories. But most of all I love to share what Jesus and I have been working on together. When the end of the week arrives, I want to feel like I’ve not let too many opportunities go by to share my faith and move in the direction where He is pointing me. And with even this small level of obedience, God pours Himself into me until I can hardly contain myself. It is a phenomenal way to experience His Presence each day.
I mentioned a verse in the fourth chapter of 2 Corinthians in my last entry. As I read and meditated on this verse, God kept taking me to other verses in that same chapter. I know I’ve read it many times in my life, but at the moment the chapter is screaming at me. And I love it. So I am committing the whole chapter to memory. I’m only part way there at the moment, but I’ll have it done before long.
As I began to memorize this chapter, I was brought to 2 verses in Jeremiah about God’s Word. Jeremiah 15:16 sums up exactly how I feel. “When your words came, I ate them; they were pure joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty.” I do want to just eat them up, because when I devour them, they make my heart want to sing.
There is no doubt in my mind that the reason for the joy that accompanies each day is a result of staying in God’s Word. He speaks to me and ignites something in me that is more powerful than I can imagine. Jeremiah 20:9 is the place I have reached “…his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones, I am weary of holding it in; Indeed, I cannot.”
I am here to tell you that His Word absorbed down to the marrow of my bones is the spring in my step and the song in my heart. And since I know this, why would I not want more of it and continue to make it “my heart’s delight?”
Well, gotta go. I’ve got more of chapter 4 to eat.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Unsuspecting Vessels
Last week was a particularly good week for the Lord and me. No one else would be the wiser, though. He did not bring huge visible blessings—there were no miraculous events that would wow my friends or create a stir. But He moved and stirred me. He brought clarity to some things and taught me more about His goodness. And I do need to be taught as often as possible.
It brings a smile to my face when I think of the people and circumstances God used last week. Every single person had no idea that they had been used. Obviously, no one is privy to the conversations that I have with my Maker every day. And they wouldn't know the touch points of my life that needed pushed to move me closer to Him. But He knows. So, in His sovereignty, he arranges the events of each hour and each day to bless little ole me. And I am so thankful for His grace and mercy that brings such goodness my way.
So if you sent me an encouraging e-mail, if you took the time to make a sweet comment, if you made me laugh 'til I almost peed my pants or if your path crossed mine and you blessed me in any way, I say THANK YOU. Please know that God was using you and He will do so in abundance if you open yourself up to Him.
My prayer each morning is a simple question, “God, where do you want me today?” I ask Him to use me and allow me to be a shining light for Him. So if you run into me anytime soon and you don’t see Him shining through, please let me know. I need your accountability as well as your encouragement.
The verse God brought to me yesterday is one I’ve committed to memory and hopefully it will sink in your hearts as well— 2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
May you be a light for Jesus because of your knowledge of Him!!
p.s. I am attaching a picture of my 17-year old to this blog. It has nothing to do with the subject, but a dear friend of mine took his senior portraits and he is so incredibly handsome that I had to post it for all to see.
It brings a smile to my face when I think of the people and circumstances God used last week. Every single person had no idea that they had been used. Obviously, no one is privy to the conversations that I have with my Maker every day. And they wouldn't know the touch points of my life that needed pushed to move me closer to Him. But He knows. So, in His sovereignty, he arranges the events of each hour and each day to bless little ole me. And I am so thankful for His grace and mercy that brings such goodness my way.
So if you sent me an encouraging e-mail, if you took the time to make a sweet comment, if you made me laugh 'til I almost peed my pants or if your path crossed mine and you blessed me in any way, I say THANK YOU. Please know that God was using you and He will do so in abundance if you open yourself up to Him.
My prayer each morning is a simple question, “God, where do you want me today?” I ask Him to use me and allow me to be a shining light for Him. So if you run into me anytime soon and you don’t see Him shining through, please let me know. I need your accountability as well as your encouragement.
The verse God brought to me yesterday is one I’ve committed to memory and hopefully it will sink in your hearts as well— 2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
May you be a light for Jesus because of your knowledge of Him!!
p.s. I am attaching a picture of my 17-year old to this blog. It has nothing to do with the subject, but a dear friend of mine took his senior portraits and he is so incredibly handsome that I had to post it for all to see.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Life So Precious
Life is so precious. Yes, it is. I continue to grieve over my sweet friend who lost her battle with cancer last week. I know living down here and staying too close to this world will never allow me to heal and move more closely to God. So I step back and step up. I step up to a Higher Plain that allows me to see clearly through the lens of eternity. And living each day for eternity is truly the only way to live.
I often talk about living each day to its fullest and looking for Jesus everywhere. I am in the midst of a book about a phenomenal servant of God, Lilias Trotter, who saw Jesus every day in the details of life that is beyond anything I have ever known. She was born in 1853 into a life of great privilege, but left it all to give her life to showing Christ to the people of Algeria.
No matter the great odds that were against her, she saw the beauty of Jesus as she watched a bee spreading pollen or birds making their way as a faith lesson in dependence on God. Nothing escaped her as a way to experience Jesus more deeply and live life more fully as His servant. As I read about her relentless pursuit to spread the Good News and follow God's plan for her life, I find myself setting my goals even higher than ever before.
In Lilias fashion, I want to live in “triumphant gladness in having nothing but God.” I pray that He uses me more fully than I can even dream. And as I search more deeply to find ways to spread the love of Jesus, I hope to be even more intentional about my love and devotion to my boys. They do know how much I love them. As my youngest asks, “Mom, do you think you can go 5 minutes without touching or kissing me?” But I want to intensify my role as their teacher and give them a godly foundation, so when they’re on their own, they will have built their life on the Rock.
They are precious and life is precious. My friend’s triumphant entry into heaven this past week, gives me a great desire to live as if I may be called Home this very minute.
I often talk about living each day to its fullest and looking for Jesus everywhere. I am in the midst of a book about a phenomenal servant of God, Lilias Trotter, who saw Jesus every day in the details of life that is beyond anything I have ever known. She was born in 1853 into a life of great privilege, but left it all to give her life to showing Christ to the people of Algeria.
No matter the great odds that were against her, she saw the beauty of Jesus as she watched a bee spreading pollen or birds making their way as a faith lesson in dependence on God. Nothing escaped her as a way to experience Jesus more deeply and live life more fully as His servant. As I read about her relentless pursuit to spread the Good News and follow God's plan for her life, I find myself setting my goals even higher than ever before.
In Lilias fashion, I want to live in “triumphant gladness in having nothing but God.” I pray that He uses me more fully than I can even dream. And as I search more deeply to find ways to spread the love of Jesus, I hope to be even more intentional about my love and devotion to my boys. They do know how much I love them. As my youngest asks, “Mom, do you think you can go 5 minutes without touching or kissing me?” But I want to intensify my role as their teacher and give them a godly foundation, so when they’re on their own, they will have built their life on the Rock.
They are precious and life is precious. My friend’s triumphant entry into heaven this past week, gives me a great desire to live as if I may be called Home this very minute.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Unveiled and Startling
I recently finished a book titled It’s Never Too Late about living a life of obedience so you can fulfill your God-given purpose. The author shares his life story as he moved from the ruins of gangs and drugs to reaching God’s destiny for him as preacher and so much more.
He talked about holding on to God’s goodness regardless of your circumstances. He said that we have a responsibility to “be so submitted to God, so humble in God, so committed to God, and so in tune with His Spirit that blessings will start overtaking our lives to such an extent that the world will become jealous of what God is doing for us.”
So often I am asking God for clarification or great focus on an issue in my life. He often responds by telling me to go to Scripture and do what He has already called me to do. And through that reminder, I usually find my answer. He recently showed me once again through the author of this book that He is “looking for people who want to live overflowing lives, because those are the only kinds of people who will bless others when He blesses them.” I want to overflow and bless.
So I step back from situations that currently have a hold on me and remember that I am so blessed. I am so filled so often that I have an obligation to shine for Jesus without wavering and without hesitation. I am thankful that God is faithful and offers me so much grace to bring me back where to He wants me.
Toward the end of the book, the author asks the question, “When is the last time the glory of God shone from your life so much that it startled someone?” I hope I startle someone today!
And 2 Corinthians 3:18 brings this point home...“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
He talked about holding on to God’s goodness regardless of your circumstances. He said that we have a responsibility to “be so submitted to God, so humble in God, so committed to God, and so in tune with His Spirit that blessings will start overtaking our lives to such an extent that the world will become jealous of what God is doing for us.”
So often I am asking God for clarification or great focus on an issue in my life. He often responds by telling me to go to Scripture and do what He has already called me to do. And through that reminder, I usually find my answer. He recently showed me once again through the author of this book that He is “looking for people who want to live overflowing lives, because those are the only kinds of people who will bless others when He blesses them.” I want to overflow and bless.
So I step back from situations that currently have a hold on me and remember that I am so blessed. I am so filled so often that I have an obligation to shine for Jesus without wavering and without hesitation. I am thankful that God is faithful and offers me so much grace to bring me back where to He wants me.
Toward the end of the book, the author asks the question, “When is the last time the glory of God shone from your life so much that it startled someone?” I hope I startle someone today!
And 2 Corinthians 3:18 brings this point home...“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
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