Pride or Forgiveness

Have you ever dug your heels in about a decision only to realize you were wrong?  It happened to me yesterday (again).  When I'm in the middle of the battle, (even if  I realize I might have reacted wrongly I AM WRONG, I have a hard time admitting it).
I'm very good at rationalizing my decision.  Making excuses.  Sticking to it, no matter the results.

Why?  Pride.
Pride always hurts others.  I treat the other person as less important than myself. 
Pride always hurts my relationship with God.  I'm telling God I don't need Him.  I don't need Him to point out my sin.  I want to choose my way, not His. 

The consequences....Hurt.  Distance. Sleeplessness.
 
Now what?  Choices.

Ignore it, or honor it.

Continue to rationalize, or humbly ask for forgiveness.

Wait a little longer, or hurry before the hurt grows.

Jesus taught His followers about forgivenss in His famous,"Sermon on the Mount." He said, in Matthew 5:21-24,

"You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ ²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. ²³ Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your^]offering."

Do you need to ask someone for forgiveness?  Don't delay.  Your relationships are at stake.     

Senseless Gunman: Did Anyone Tell Him?

Picture by Adrees Latif/Reuters

Horrific news again!  A senseless gunman takes 26 innocent lives, including 20 children in an instant.

How could this happen?  Why?  Questions that will never be answered. 

I cannot imagine the deep, gut turning pain the parents felt at the words, "I'm sorry.  Your child didn't make it."  Holding the lifeless body in their arms with no words, just thoughts.  Overwhelmed with emotions of sorrow, anger, dread. 

As I hear my children laughing downstairs after a long day at school, I'm thankful.  I pray I never have to feel the pain of the parents today, but we never know. 


(About the gunman)
I wonder...
Did anyone tell him about a man,
who never did anything wrong?
Why would someone harm another so innocent?

Fear of a riot,
the crucifixion complete.
Only close friends and family mourned.

Did anyone tell him about a man,
different than anyone else.
He healed, forgave, proving to be God,
yet he died with the criminals.

Fear of a thief,
they guarded the tomb
with soldiers that didn't grieve.

Did anyone tell him about a man,
who died, but didn't stay there?
He rose again, three days later
with power over death and the grave.

Fear of a lost friendship, or other excuse,
believers near him stopped short of opening their mouths.
I wonder if life would be different today, if they had told him about the man.


When I tucked my seven-year-old daughter in tonight.  We prayed for everyone involved.  She said, "I hope the children knew about Jesus."
Who do you need to tell?






Linked with Cornerstone Confessions; Time warp wife

Stressed?

I found it ironic when I had to decide if I would attend a continuing education class entitled, "Stress, Anxiety, and Depression," only twelve days before Christmas.  If I attended the class, I would have more stress when I couldn't work on my long Christmas "to do" list.  If I didn't go, I would have to complete all 40 continuing education hours in one year...more stress (I've done that before).

The morning I prepared to host a Christmas party for my international friends, (the day before the "Stress, etc." class, I thought about stress).   I didn't want to be stressed.  I thought I had worked enough the days leading up to the party, but I still had a few last minute details to finish (after my girls got off to school) in two hours.  I had to unload the dishwasher, load it again, wash the pile of nondishwashable dishes, set two tables, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the dining room, spruce up some bathrooms, make soup (open cans and dump them in the crock pot), clean the kitchen counters, hide the pile of papers, stuff clean laundry back in the dryer (no one ever looks there), take a shower, and get ready (hair fixed and makeup would be a bonus).  OK.  Maybe it was a little more than a "few details".  I was determined to finish without stress. 

The first step, (not even on the list), call a friend.  As we talked, I worked.  I love to work and talk.  It doesn't seem as much like work.  In our conversation I told her I had company coming.  She heard me starting laundry and surprisingly asked, "And you are doing laundry?"  I explained that the milk spill I cleaned up the night before had to be top priority.  Soured milk in the laundry was not very welcoming.

As I hung up the phone, I decided to talk to God it.  He reminded me of a few tips about stress.  As I scurried around to get my house ready, He said, "I'd rather you prepare your heart."  How many times do I spin my wheels to make myself, or my house presentable and miss my heart?  As I continued to clean, I asked God to prepare my heart.  I wanted my guests to be impressed with my changed heart more than my house, hair, or hunger eliminating food  

I dealt with the list farely stress-free for the first hour and 15 minutes (with my preparing heart challenge).  Then "crunch time" hit.  My last 30 minutes called for some choices.  My long list had dwindled, but not near finished.    

I had to unload the dishwasher, load it again, wash the pile of nondishwashable dishes, set two tables, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the dining room, spruce up some bathrooms, make soup, clean the kitchen counters, hide the pile of papers, stuff clean laundry back in the dryer, take a shower, and get ready (hair fixed and makeup would be a bonus). 

Choices I made:  sweep the kithchen floor (only under the table), NOT mop.  Forget the vacuuming (more crumbs to come).  Now, no time for a shower.  But I must wear make up and take out the ponytail (always have pics).  Perfume covers a multitude of smells.  (Extra deoderant never hurts).  Febreze also works well on clothes, but I only use the best for my friends.  I decided my smile was  more important than a perfect house. 

P.S.  I've decided to attend the "Stress" class tomorrow.  More to come on "stress" (When I have time and not stressed).  I decided not to go back and change the verb tenses to show this happened today.  Sorry, too stressful. 

What stresses you the most this time of year?

Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Is Prosperity in America a Blessing?

My troubling dilemma:  Black Friday's coming.  Should we buy a new TV?

Why does this decision bother me so much?

We have a big screen TV.  It takes up the majority of our living room, but works fine.

When is it ok to spend money because we can afford it, want it, will enjoy it?  Does God really care about this decision?

I know, I've heard it over and over.  As long as your attitude is right (you use money, without the money using you) God is pleased.

The other answer I've heard: as long as you give your 10% tithe, you can spend the rest however you wish. 

Is it really that simple?

Another quote I heard recently, "The reason God blesses this country financially is to spread His gospel to the the nations."

What I agree with:  God wants us (follower of Jesus) to use our money to share the good news of Jesus with others.

What I'm not sure of:   Is God blessing the U.S. financially, as a whole, for this reason?  Are we really using God's resources to spread His truth?

Other questions:  Why does God bless some believers financially and not others?  What about the evil people in the world that have many riches from their disobedient, God forsaking lives?  Is God blessing them with riches? 

Is prosperity in America a blessing?

Let's look at how the U.S. spends their money.  (I realize I am now throwing believers and nonbelievers in the same pot).

What we spend our money on gives us a good idea of our priorities.

Sex trafficking:  Young girls (hard to know the exact number, maybe 100,000 in U.S.)  as young as 12-14 years old making $200- $1000; 7-15 times a day.  Making money for someone who owns them and doesn't care for them.  (source: Polarisproject.org)

Does God bless America with money for this?

Professional Sports:
"NBA's 'average' salary -- $5.15M -- a trendy, touchy subject" from nba.com (Posted Aug 19 2011) Here is the "average player salary" for each of the major U.S. professional team sports, based on a variety of sources using the most recent data available:
NBA: $5.15 million (2010-11)

MLB: $3.34 million (2010)

NHL: $2.4 million (2010-11)

NFL: $1.9 million (2010)

Does God bless America with money for this?

Stuff:
According to Forbes.com (2006), the Average annual expenditures:

Poorest 20%: $17,837

Middle 20%: $36,980
Richest 20%: $83,710
The average American household spends $43,395 a year.

 

I realize these numbers are not specific, and outdated.  However, they show that no matter what income you have, you spend the same percentage.  The more money you have, the more you spend. 

 

Does God bless America so people can spend more and more money?  (If it were going directly to His work around the world, maybe.) 

 

But the church is different, right?  What do you think?  Do we have different priorities? 

 

All this started from, "Do we need to buy a t.v.?"

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Left Behind

 

photo credit

It finally happened.  I got the phone call I thought would never come.  Friday afternoon my daughter called me from school.  She didn't have to say a word.  I knew what she needed.  Before she could say anything I said, "You need me to pick you up from school.  Don't you?"  (I only pick her up on Fridays.  She rides the bus the other days).

Her response broke my heart.  With tears she said, "Yes.  I've been waiting."

I know I've disappointed my girls before, I'm not perfect.  But I've never forgotten them.  I felt terrible! 

I jumped into my van and obeying the speed limits, couldn't get to her school fast enough.  My rejected daughter waited alone on the bench in front of her school, watching for her irresponsible mother to rescue her from middle school.

I picked her up, apologized perfusely, and drove her to Sonic for a drink and cheesecake bites.  Nothing could make up for my mistake. 

We began talking about being forgotten, or rejected.  I had many stories of rejection to draw from (however, my mom never left me), but I chose stories from the Bible.

We talked about Jesus being forsaken by His Father on the cross.

 I can't imagine what God the Father felt when He had to reject His Son because of my sin.  I felt bad enough picking up my daughter thirty minutes late.

We talked about Jesus feeling what we feel.  Jesus understands what it feels like to be rejected.  He empathizes with us.

Even though Jesus forgave those responsible for his gruesome crucifixion (Luke 23:34), I didn't feel it would be appropriate to point that out.  I didn't want to belittle my actions and say, "Just forgive and forget."

I did, however, ask her to forgive me.

She said she forgave me. (But, I doubt she votes for me as "Mother of the Year").

We also talked about Hagar and Ishmael (I'll have to save that for another blog)



I'm linked to my friend Kathy Gossen's blog cornerstoneconfessions


     

Which Would You Choose?

I'm having a hard time deciding what to blog about.

I just spent the weekend meeting one of my best friend's fiance.  She's in her forties and never married.  She thought God may have wanted her to remain single all her life, even though that was not her desire.  I could write about how they met this year, dated and engaged in less than a month.  They will marry in December.  God is faithful!

I could write about the Eid celebration my Muslim friends celebrated all weekend. Hearing the details of their celebration reminded me of the Old Testament sacrifices required for the forgiveness of sin.  And the lamb sacrificed in their celebration caused the title of Jesus, "Lamb of God" to echo in my ear.  I'm so thankful God provided Jesus as the final sacrifice for the forgivenss of  sin.  God is our provider!
       
I could write about a Muslim friend that became a believer last week and was baptized yesterday.     She has an amazing story of Jesus calling her.  God is Savior!

I could write about an amazing ministry, Truth Baptist Church.  They provided lunches to hungry children in apartments over school Fall Break.  One of their youth became a believer and was also baptized Sunday.  God is Good!

Since I can't decide on which to write about, I guess I'll quit spilling.  I'm so thankful for the loving, forgiving, life giving God I serve.  May His followers simply spill hope wherever they go this week!

Which story would you vote for?


Check out Truth Baptist here

Islam Adoption vs. Mine

 

I had an interesting conversation with a Muslim friend yesterday.  After English class, she invited me to tea, as usual.  I've known her for a year and a half now, and consider her a close friend.  With her permission, I share our conversation with you.

As her precious, black, curly haired one-year-old daughter and buzz cut, three-year-old son played next to us at the kitchen table, I asked her questions about Islam's four wives policy.

In her country, men began only taking one wife around the 1950's and 1960's.  She said most men couldn't financially afford more than one wife (I can understand that.  I'm sure there are other reasons they can't afford more than one wife).  Muslim men would formerly take another wife if his wife was ill and couldn't meet all his needs, or couldn't provide him with children.     

She asked me what we do in America if women can't have children.  I told her some families choose adoption as an option.  She said Islam permits adoption, but they forbid the adopted child from getting the family name. 

The parents would take care of the child until he or she grew up.  But, the child could not receive the inheritance because they did not belong to the family. 

However, the parents could give the child "gifts" when they still lived.  She said most families now give adopted children the family name, even though Islam forbids it.

Of course this made me think of the importance of the family name.  Only children with the same family name receive the inheritance.

This led to overwhelming thoughts of my heavenly Father's inheritance.  When I put my faith in His only Son, Jesus, I joined His family.

My adoption reminded me of three points:

1.  The expense of my adoption

Earthly adoptions cost large amounts of money.  Sometimes the cost discourages families from adoption.

More so, my adoption cost my Father a great deal.  It cost Him more than earthly, temporal riches.  It cost Him His one and only Son, Jesus.

Isaiah 53:6 says, "All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way ; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him".  All our sin was placed on Jesus on the cross. 

As Jesus hung on the cross, the Father had to turn His head, forsaking Him because of our sin. Matthew 27:46 says, "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI ?' that is, 'MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?'

I haven't heard of any one forsaking their own child to adopt another child.  Wow!  What love my Father has for me and you!

2.  The eternal effects of my adoption 

He changed my name from Stacy to beloved, daughter Stacy FOREVER. 

John 1:12 (New Living Translation) says, "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." 

I share my Father's name, therefore, I get an eternal inheritance.

1 Peter 1:3-4 says,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,       to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,"

3.  The evidence of my adoption

When God adopts us, He expects us to act like we belong to the family.  That doesn't mean we will be perfect, but it means we have changed. 

Our hearts break in the same way our Father's heart breaks.  Our priorities line up with His.  We obey His Word. 

I John 2:4 and 5 says, "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:"

What about you?  Have you been adopted?  If so, do you act like it?

Do you need to ask the Father for forgiveness and believe His Son's sacrifice paid the penalty for your sin?  If you believe, John 1:12 (above) says you will be a child of God.  Welcome to the family!  


 Linked with:Cornerstone Confessions

Spent it All

The school "Book Fair" came and went at our elementary school this week.  I never signed up to help.  And surprisingly, no one called begging me to work as cashier again.

Last year, I misunderstood the "check" policy.  The policy says, the book fair will not accept a check written for more than $1 over the amount due.  That way they don't give a wad of cash to an elementary schooler.

(However, they could accept a sighned, totally blank check and let us write in the amount and to whom.  Scary!)

I have no problem with the check policy.  My only mistake, I applied the check policy to cash.
Most children didnt' have a problem with my made up policy.  In fact, the majority of children had a "no change" policy.  They wanted as much merchandise they could get for the money they brought  (even if that meant they bought 3 or 4 cheap erasers).  

After I finished my shift, I realized the absurdity of my policy. My policy sounded unreasonable when a girl brought $20 and only wanted a $5 book.

I called the library to explain my concern.  They said not to worry, they would make everyone happy if anyone complained.

I'm not sure how many children made it home with bookmarks and pencils to keep my policy. (I'm sure we had record sales).  None of them returned with change.

So how does this relate to the Bible?

I imagine (not in the Bible) that when Jesus returned to the Father after He died and rose again, His Father asked for "change."  Jesus didn't have anything to give Him. 

Going to earth, living a perfect life, and lying His life down on the cross cost Jesus EVERYTHING. His life, well spent.

But Jesus had the most amazing receipt.  "Sinful people from all tribes and all nations".

And the Father smiled. 

Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'

God asks us for EVERYTHING.
ALL of Our hearts.  ALL of Our minds.
Our plans.  Our dreams.
Our resources.  Our talents.

For who knows better how to "spend" our lives than our owner/creator?

 My prayer:
God, You know how to spend my life for You and Your kingdom.  I give you my everything.  I trust You to spend well. 

What are you holding back from God?







Linked to:  cornerstoneconfessions
 

Help!

The verse under "Help" is Isaiah 41:13

Thunder?  Really? (My thoughts when the bomb sounding explosion startled me awake last night).  Of course the unnerving sound immediately followed with two screeching girls racing to our room to claim their spot in our bed.  Our spacious king size bed quickly felt like a claustrophobic toddler bed.  I opted to go to my daughter's bed.  She followed behind. 

As I stayed awake peering through her rain streeking window, I remembered everyone experiences storms.  Yes, natural, literal storms and figurative, "storms" or trials in our lives.  I reflected on the outline I finished just an hour earlier on "Help".  I prepared it to speak to a group of church secretaries.  Even though my body experienced complete exhaustion from days of studying, writing, rewording, and rearranging, my mind still had the capacity to worry. Ugh!

What if its still raining tomorrow?  I won't be able to wear my new leopard print clogs.  (It had already taken me an hour to pick out my outfit, even with the help of a friend).  I guess I could wear the other outfit with my new, clearanced, purple rayon shirt/jacket (I may have created a new fashion word.  Scary.)  Oh, wait.  I just washed that shirt/jacket, and the inside tag was correct. Fabric100%rayon IS "dry clean only". It shrinks.  Oops.  Oh, am I'm speaking about "Help" in less than 12 hours?  I need help! Not fashion help, (well, that too. And since when did this former tomboy even care about fashion?)  I needed help to refocus.  Help to live out all I'd studied this week.  Help to rest.

Isaiah 41:13 

"For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’"

And yes, God helped me.  I slept five hours straight, in spite of the flailing legs and arms of a nine-year- old next to me.   Guess what!  It wasn't raining until after I spoke. (I packed flip flops just in case).

Bonus:  I received a take home cup (pictured above).  Ironically, I almost yelled for help.  You don't know how hard I tried to pop off that screw on top.  Oh, I need help!

        



Approaching the Throne

This morning my nine-year-old, J, had to face the unthinkable (at least to a 4th grader).  Last Thursday as she waited outside for school to start, she got her library book out of her backpack to read (not sure she read much).  When the students scurried inside to start the day, she left her book behind.  She didn't say anything about it until last night when we were gathering school items for Monday morning (We had to find lost books for her two sisters, too).

So today, I walked into school with her to look for her book.  We checked the office.  She talked to the librarian.  We dug through lunch boxes, jackets, and folders in the lost and found.  No book.  Then the unfathomable.  She had to approach her teacher and admit she had lost her book.  I walked with her to the classroom, and waited outside the door.  Her teacher, Mrs. P., welcomed her to class.  "Did you forget a book for an assignment?  Come on in and finish it," she said.  J, looking down at the ground and shuffling her feet, took the dreaded step into her classroom.  "No," J said.  She then, very timidly with a downcast face, explained the situation to her teacher.

Now, Mrs. P.'s response.  Mrs. P. has the reputation of being very strict.  She made a girl stay in for recess for humming.  As J weeped last night, she anticipated she'd have to stay in for recess for two weeks!  To our surprise, Mrs. P. said, "Did you check the bookshelf?  Go look and see if it is there.  Accidents happen.  Don't make something small into something big."  I couldn't see J's face, but I'm sure she felt relief as she sauntered over to the bookshelf and found another copy of the book.  (We're still not sure if it was the one she lost).  I thanked Mrs. P. for her mercy, hugged J., and left.

J's experience of approaching her teacher reminded me that we must approach God.  Unlike J's careless mistake, easily overlooked by her teacher.  Our purposeful disobedience toward a perfect, and just God must result in punishment.  The punishment required: death (Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death...).

No wonder people are surprised when they hear that we can approach the throne of God with confidence.  The Bible says, in Hebrews 4:16, "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

The throne of grace in this verse is the very throne of God in heaven mentioned 37 times in the book of Revelation (Biblestudytools.com).

The verses just before Hebrews 4:16 explain that Jesus is our high priest that makes it possible for us to stand before the throne of grace with confidence (may blog about high priests sometime...Love it!).  

What about you?

Will you approach the throne by yourSELF or with your SAVIOR?  Jesus wants to represent you as your high priest.

Will you approach the the throne with GOOD WORKS or GRACE?  God offers you grace, a gift through Jesus.  Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (emphasis mine)
 
Will you approach the throne as a COWARD or with CONFIDENCE? Without Jesus, you will coward before a judging God.

Choose a Savior, Grace, and Confidence today! 

Labor Day

Labor Day, the official last day of summer. (Pretend today is Labor Day.  It took me a several days to get all this down.)  Our family labored today.  My husband cleaned our van (even vacuumed the sand from our trip to the beach a month ago).  I attacked the overflowing, outdated condiment filled refrigerator.  My girls "worked" hard at swimming as much as they could in our neighborhood pool, the last day it was opened this year. 

"Labor" Day, it made me think about work.  It reminded me of some conversations with friends I've had over the past few weeks.  I have several friends from other religions.  A few weeks ago, my Hindu friend said, "All religions are the same.  Everyone tries to be a good person."  It was not the appropriate time to tell him what the Bible says about being a good person.  Last week, my Muslim friend had a similar response.  She believes her good works in life must outway her bad works to go to heaven.  When she asked if I do things to please God and commented that Christianity and Islam are the same, "We both try to do good things for God", I had the opportunity to share what the Bible says about good works.

Most people would agree, "good people should go to heaven".  Why wouldn't they?  We live in a society that feels people deserve a reward for being good citizens, showing kindness to their neighbors, and giving to the poor.  Isn't that enough to deserve heaven?
What does the Bible say about being a good person? 

Romans 3:10 says, "as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

"Righteous" means, 'keeps God's commands, innocent, acceptable or "right" before God.'  According to the Bible, no person can consider themselves a "good person".

Isaiah 64:6 says,
6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment ;

In other words, anyone who thinks his or her righteous deeds (good works) will allow us access to a holy (perfect) God, needs to look closer at this verse.  Our sin makes us unclean.  There are many examples of "unclean" in the Bible.  The Bible says that lepers were "unclean".  Not only were lepers not allowed to enter the city, they were not allowed to worship.  Likewise, because we are "unclean", we are not allowed to stand before God.  God cannot allow sin into heaven.  If we try to present God our good deeds, he calls them "filthy", "unclean", "unfit".

TO BE CONTINUED...

Can't wait to hear about the good news?  Here's Hope

Lessons from the First Week of School

My favorite 6th grader

My favorite 1st grader

My favorite 4th grader

 How quickly my weekly blog has turned into an "every other week" blog.  After we returned from family vacation, school started five days later.  We took our last field trip to the zoo with friends,  visited with my niece and brother-in-law from Texas, gathered school supplies and schedules, met knew teachers and even a new school for my oldest, MIDDLE SCHOOL.  

Last week, a full week of school, and my first week trying to prioritize my days.  It's amazing how my "more time" quickly flew by.  Why is it?  The week I have so much to write about, I have no time to write it down.  So here are the titles of the blogs I never wrote last week:: Monday:  Middle School, Really?, Ugly Disagreement with Husband, Tues.:  Apologize to Mother-in-Law for Bumping Her Go-Cart, Pickle Ball Time, AGAIN :),  Wednesday: My New Friend from Jordan : Jesus' Surprise on My Morning Walk,  Hair Cut Counseling, I Should Get Paid,   Thursday:  Why the Bible is My Favorite Book, (got to share with a group of International Ladies), Uncle's Funeral and Long Lost Cousins, Making Jesus More at Home in My Heart (shared with almost 200 ladies at my church), Saturday:  Surprise Friend at Science Museum, Friend Moving?  Uncomfortable Heels, but Big Smiles (formal fundraiser with husband), Sunday:  Eternity Focus Challenge,  Parenting Challenge, My Grandmother's Visit
No wonder I didn't have time to write!

I learned many lessons last week.  One verse Jesus reminded me over and over through it all:
Ephesians 3:20"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,"

Jesus reminded me: 
1) He wants to demonstrate His power.  He did!
2) He wants me to depend on His power.  I tried!  Still learning this!
3) He wants to receive the praise.  He deserves it!

What is Jesus teaching you?
 
 



Linked to:  The Holy Experience

It Must Run in the Family

My brother's, his daughter's, my father's, and my oldest daughter's strong hands

My younger sister ready to launch my niece with her strong hands (missed the hand pic)

Last week I spent time with my extended family in beautiful Navarre, Florida (between Pensacola and Destin).  Eighteen of us shared a beach house for the week.  Many laughs, yummy food, aching muscles from getting beat up by waves, late nights watching the Olympics and playing games, itches from the blood sucking mosquitos, and sunburns from extended time around the pool and seaside, were shared by all.

Our family vacation included a long awaited highlight.  A few years ago, my brother told me he had a daughter, but none of our family had ever met her.  My brother and his wife had flown to California to meet her.  Now, the rest of our family finally hugged our twenty-year-old granddaughter, niece, or cousin, Yasmine.  From the moment we saw her, stories began.  Over and over we discovered similarities using the term, "It must run in the family."  From physical traits, including brown eyes, curly hair, and thick hands (see pics above) to allergies and food likes, Yasmine definitely fit into the family.  She had some younger pictures with her almost identical to my sister Kelly and my niece Ashtyn.  Crazy!

After saying, "It must run in the family," several times, it made me think of my heavenly Father.  As children of the Father, we have handed down characteristics. 

I Peter 1:3-11 says, "3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

⁸ The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. (New Living Translation) (emphasis mine)

As children of the Father, we share: 
1)  His Divine Nature.
This doesn't mean we are gods, but according to verse 3 we share his nature because of  "HIS DIVINE POWER", and verse 4, " HIS GLORY AND EXCELLENCE", not ours.  

2) His Gift.
We don't earn this nature.  According to verse 3, we have RECEIVED, and verse 4 says, "he has GIVEN US."  We can only live godly, God- reflecting lives because of the gift of new life through Jesus, conquering the power of sin on the cross.   

3)  His Love. 
We reflect God's loving character, according to verse 5, when we respond to God's promises.  He grows (verse 8) us in:(verse 5) moral excellence, knowledge, self control, patient endurance godliness, brotherly affection and LOVE FOR EVERYONE.   

4) His Plan
As we grow, according to verse 8, we are more productive and useful in the knowledge of Jesus.  The more we grow in the knowledge of  Jesus and His character, the more we become like Him.  The more we become like Him, the more we know His plans for us.

Are you a child of God the Father?  Want to be?  YES
If you are, do you reflect the Father?
And, are you growing into one that reflects Him more?





Linked to Cornerstone Confessions, A Holy Experience

Voices of the Olympics

pic from powerpoint clipart

Have I ever told you how much I love to watch the Olympics?  I especially like to watch gymnastics.  I'm so amazed at their skills, especially since I only mastered the forward roll, backward roll, headstand, and cartwheel.  (I showed the girls my headstand a few weeks ago.  I think I should retire).  I've been watching gymnastics since Mary Lou Retton scored her perfect 10s in the 1984 Olympics.

When I heard the commentators for gymnastics a few days ago, I asked the girls if they recognized the voices.  Of course they didn't.  They've never heard Bart Conner speak.  When I told them, "Bart Conner," my nine-year-old began giggling.  "Oh, no," she said.  Her cousins hadn't heard my Bart Conner story so I shared....

I loved watching Bart Conner in the 1984 Olympics.  In my ten-year-old opinion, his blond hair and muscular body made him the best looking one on the team.  My crush continued.  In 1989, as a freshman in High School, my dream came true.  I had the privilege of attending the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City.  And guess what!  I saw Bart Conner.  Squeeling with excitement, I ran to get in line to get his autograph.  I got to talk to BART CONNER.  
And most recently (just a few years ago, actually), I rushed as usual to pick up my daughter at school.  This particular day I had time to take a shower before I left the house, but jumped into my van with wet hair and no make-up on.  I passed the line of cars waiting for school to let out and headed down the one-lane that entered the parking lot when a lady waved me down.  She asked me to back up to let Bart Conner out of the parking lot.  BART CONNER?  Really?  I backed my van up and turned into a giddy teenager again.  Sure enough.  Bart, in his black Cadilac SUV drove my way.  When I saw his blond hair, I began waving for him to see me. (not a small, polite, "hello" wave.  But a "look here," a can't believe this is happening wave).  And guess what!  He stopped and rolled down his window.  (He must have thought, "Do I know this lady?"  She acts like I do).  Shocked that this was happening, I yelled, "I used to watch you when I was little."  Realizing he didn't know me, he politely said, "Hi."  And just as quickly, "Have a good day."  As he drove off, I began laughing.  I can only imagine what he was thinking.  Here's a crazy lady with wet hair, no make-up, blocking the road to tell me, "I used to watch you when I was little?"  And me, I acted like  a crazed teenager that had just seen a good looking guy, but chose the stupidest words to say (no wonder I didn't date much in high school and college).

My daughters, embarrassed by my Bart Conner story, continued watching the Olympics with my twelve-year-old and seven-year-old nieces.  I just laughed.

How does this story tie to the Bible? In John 10, Jesus is the good shepherd.  John 10:2-4 says, " But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice".   Just like I recognized Bart's voice, do I recognize Jesus' voice? 

 Later in John 10: 9-11, Jesus says, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and  have it abundantly  ¹¹ “ I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."   Do I recognize Jesus' salvation?  He layed his life down for me.

More importantly, does Jesus recognize me?  Matthew 7:21-23 says “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. ²² On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ ²³ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’" (emphasis mine)

Even though I called out his name, Bart Conner didn't recognize me.  Does Jesus recognize me as a follower with a changed heart?  One who listens to His voice and obeys?  

What about you?  Have you accepted the shepherd's sacrifice for your sin?   Do you listen and follow the good shepherd, Jesus?  Does He recognize you? 

Change and China painting

Me and my sweet Grandmother in her new room

My grandmother's china painting

This week has been difficult.  Because my eighty-four year old grandmother has had increased health concerns over the last few months, she has decided to sell her condo to move into to an assisted living.

We have two more days to get ready for the sale.  The last few weeks, we've reviewed every item in her house to decide if family should keep it, or sale it.  Some items we've definitely kept.  My cousin gets the cookie jar, the smell and taste of my grandmother's house, opened every time we walked through her door.  The cuckoo clock, weary from years of winding, the sound of her house, another cousin chose and will be cherished for years to come.  We got the piano, another sound from my grandmother's house.   Even though it needs to be tuned, the girls play it every chance they get.  I have a picture of me and my brother playing the piano when we were probably three and five years old.  Precious memories!  The very used crochet set may have to retire from play, but my sister rescued it from the sale.

As for decorating, my grandmother has good tastes, but decorates very frugally (like everything she buys).  In her living room, she has thirty-year-old couches, tan with brown leaves (selling to a good home).  My grandmother framed her father's violin with a hymn and hung it above her mantle, the focal decor of her living room.  My dad said, "I don't care what I get, but that vioin is already mine.  My grandfather gave it to me."  My grandmother decorated her kitchen with china plates she had painted.  As we dusted them off, each great-grandchild picked a plate and matching cup.  They picked out their china based on their favorite colors.          

Yesterday, I brought more painted china home.  As I explained the process of china painting, the girls realized for the first time that my grandmother (G.G., great-grandmother to them) had painted them.  My girls' perspective about their new plates changed.  They know the creator.  They looked at the plates more carefully.  They admired their G.G.'s talent.  They carefully displayed their dainty, chosen treasures.   

It reminded me of how people can change when they learn about their creator.

By learning about the creator,  the God of the Bible,  people can look more carefully at themselves and realize how far they are from perfect. The Bible calls this sin. 

By learning about the creator, people realize how special God created them.  Like each plate my grandmother painted, God creates each person uniquely.  God thinks each person is so special, special enough to send His only son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. 

By knowing the creator, chosen followers of Jesus desire to please Him because of His greatness and His great care for us.    

Psalm 139:14 says, "I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well." (Holman Christian Standard Version HCSV) 
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them". (HCSV)

Do you know your creator?  You can.
Do you act like it?

Taking Time at the Table

Pic from power point clip art.  (I didn't have a pic of our blanket tents.  Maybe next time). 

I love summer time with my girls.  I love the days of "no schedule", getting up late, and frozen waffles.  Today is one of those days.  At the beginning of the summer, I had great intentions of using the summer to study the book of John with the girls.  We had a few good weeks and then our days filled up with friends, swimming, and other excuses.

This morning we decided to continue our study using Jesus in the Spotlight by Kay Arther (Inductive Bible Studies for Kids).  Today we spent extra time at the table after breakfast, John 7.

The girls learned about:

Travel 

My girls love to travel.  We drive our comfortable minivan on road trips.  Actually, they are pretty spoiled.  Sometimes they complain if they don't get to pick out the next DVD to watch.  They eat and drink whatever they choose. 

In our study, when we looked at the map, they discovered Jesus WALKED about 60 miles.  My six-year-old said, "That's dangerous."  Maybe next trip we will be more thankful for our minivan. 

Tents 

When my girls hear the word "tent", they do not think of a camping tent like most.  Like me, they think of the blanket tents that engulf our living room.  I remember making tents with my sisters.  We'd use our chalk boards, kitchen set, and plenty of blankets to make our bedroom into a "full house", with plenty of rooms for all of our dolls.

When the girls learned about the Feast of the Booths in John 7, they remembered their tents.  The Jews celebrate the Feast of the Booths to remember the tents they made when God led the people out of Egypt. They also celebrated the autumn season and its harvest.

Temple

When the girls hear the word "temple", they think of our church building.  Yes, the temple was the place of worship, but very different than our modern churches. 

The girls read about Jesus teaching in the temple. John 7:25- 30 (NASB) ²⁵ So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill? ²⁶ Look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they? ²⁷ However, we know where this man is from; but whenever the Christ may come, no one knows where He is from.” ²⁸ Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “ You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. ²⁹ I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” ³⁰ So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

This temple visit shows the majority of the Jews didn't know Jesus was the Christ, the Promised One.

What have you learned at "Table Time"?
The next time you build a tent (or your children, or grandchildren), or set up a tent to camp, take the time to tell the story of  how God rescued the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 11-14).   

  

Prepared for Company?

 

When I found out we were having company this week for 4th of July, I prepared for our guests. I cleaned, planned, and shopped.  I cleaned sheets, my WHOLE house, including my disasterous playroom/study.  My girls knew someone would arrive when I cleaned the guest bathroom/oldest daughter's shower (about the only time I clean the shower...oops).  I made a menu and went to the grocery store.  Yes, it can be done (note to myself).  I even bought new washcloths.

My oldest daughter, A, also prepared.  She knew if mom cleaned the shower, her room inspection would shortly follow.  She made her bed and even looked under her bed.  She discovered clothes she had missed, trash, and yes, even a chocolate bunny from Easter.  Her closet, a dangerous place,  overtaken by clothes that had fallen off  hangers, shoes without mates, and piles of duct tape (new fad).  Even though she hated to clean up her room, she loves having guests.

While I cleaned, I thought of another guest.  One who doesn't tell me when he will arrive.  One who desires to dine with me.  One who invites me as a guest into heaven for eternity (No.  Not a guest, a daughter).

The guest:  Jesus. 

Matthew 24: 42, 44
⁴² “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. ⁴⁴ For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Are you prepared?  We don't know when He will come.

pics on my Grandmother's wall

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Are you prepared?  He wants to dine with you.

John 1:12
¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.

Are you prepared?  He wants to call you His child.

Like preparing for my house guests, I must prepare for Jesus.  My preparation for Jesus determines my eternal destination.  I started my preparation when I asked Jesus to forgive me and become my boss.   Preparing for house guests never ends (even though I would love to quit cleaning forever).  Likehouse, my "spiritual house" always needs work.  When Jesus comes, I want to be in awe not ashamed.

What would you change if you knew Jesus would come today?  Priorities? Plans? Purchases?

Are you prepared?  You can have eternal hope.  If you have Jesus, our hope, you can share hope (H.elp O.thers P.repare for E.ternity).
     
Need to prepare?




Linked to:
Good Morning Girls

Learning vs. Living it

HOPE S.H.A.R.E.D. (Share How Abba Relates Every Day)



J after surgery

J before surgery

My daughter, J, had sinus surgery on Monday.  She didn't want to have surgery.  Who would blame her?  It's summer.  She nine years old and wants to play outside (when it's not 100+ degrees like it is this week), go to swim practice, and compete in a swim meet later this week.

I didn't want her to have surgery.  Who likes to watch their daughter "freak out" when getting an iv and almost crying because she has to wait an hour with it hurting her hand?  Or watching her become frustrated with annoying nasal drainage?  No one does.

We want our children to only experience joys, not sorrows; health, not sickness; comfort, not pain; acceptance, not rejection.  We want to same for ourselves.  Don't we?

Then why do we have bad experiences?  Remember, we live in a world where people have chosen their own way, instead of God's way.  Life isn't perfect.  We all suffer the consequences of a fallen world, fallen from perfection. 

God wants to use our daily trials as training ground. 

With trials, we learn to trust God.   

With disappointments, we learn to depend on God. 

With lessons, we not only learn about God, but we live out God's promises. (or at least have the opportunity)

For J, this week is a week of trials, disappointments, and lessons.  She learned about God's awesome power last week in Vacationa Bible School.  This week, she gets to live it out. (or at least try to)  

What is God teaching you through your trial?

Are you only learning about God, or living out God's promises?

Romans 8:28  We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

P.S.  By the time I finished downloading pics to post this blog, Jadyn feels much better!  She even swam this evening, praise the Lord!

Linked to:  1-Minute Bible Love Notes

Lost Time

What do you do when you haven't talked to someone in a while?  Do you try to catch them up with everything in your life from the last time you talked?  Do you hit the highlights of the last week?  Do you share only the good events, or your struggles?

That's my struggle today.  I'm trying to blog about my crazy two weeks, only to realize it's impossible.  I've been busy with family vacation, grandmother in/out of the hospital, and Vacation Bible School.  I've had many subjects for blogs, but never took the time to right them down.
Ideas: new tires, Sea World in two days, tubing behind a jet ski, 1000 piece puzzles, transitions, stress, Monday VBS lesson, Thunder Basketball (sniff, sniff) and Tooth Fairy II (the movie playing as I type).   

I realize when time passes and I don't write about it, I may never make up for lost time.  So, the subject today:  When you miss time with God... What do I mean?  For those who are Jesus followers, our friendship with God, just like friendships with earthly friends, deepens with time.  Time spent in focused prayer: maybe using a prayer guide or prayer request list.  Time spent in the Bible: reading through a book of the Bible, or using a Bible study guide.  Time focused on eternal goals vs. selfish goals.

Tips for Time with God

I.  Start with the present.  You can never make up the time.  Just start now (even if you stop reading this post).  Don't go another day without spending time with God.  Don't say, "I'll start tomorrow." 

II.  Don't let Satan guilt you of yesterday.  If we waste our time listening to Satan's lies about rules and regulations of Christianity, we miss more time of our relationship with God.  

III.  Begin fresh tomorrow.  Praise the Lord, each day is a new day.  You may need to get up ten minutes earlier tomorrow to make God a priority. 

Philippians 1:6   For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Believers:  What do you do for your time with God? 
Not yet believers:  Would you like to start a friendship with God?



Linked to:
Cornerstone Confessions
Beholding Glory; Graceful; Wellspring