It was just a day like any other. Filled with the normal duties of gathering water, making meals, washing laundry, watching the children, taking care of the animals, and the list could go on and on. But those things weren't even what was important to this young woman child. No the biggest thing coursing through her mind was far from all the day to day normal's. It was filled with anticipation. Could today be the day? The day he arrives to carry her away to their small little home?
She smiles as she thinks of him, so handsome and gentle, laboring away so hard for her. How did she get such a wonderful man? She knew he left many girls hopes dashed when they became betrothed, and she still cant figure out why he would choose her, a humble young maiden. Something told her that GOD had something big for them, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She let out a sigh of relief as she contemplated the joy she received trusting GOD with everything He chose to bring her way whether it be good or bad. Joseph was definitely a good thing. Oh how rewarding trusting GOD was. Her mind wandered many miles away to her cousin Elizabeth. Yes there was a perfect example. It was almost like Abraham, Sarah and Isaac all over again. Elizabeth taught her so much about joyful trust. And the joy she knew Elizabeth was experiencing was hers also.
And then it happened. That moment that the patriarchs had been writing about and the grandmothers had been hoping for. The very thing that each young Jewish girl hoped would happen to her. That moment that GOD had been planning. The moment the GOD child was announced.
Fear coursed through her veins. She had never seen an angel, let alone heard one speak before. And the holy, blinding light was almost more then she could handle. She dropped to her knees and bowed her head as he spoke to her. She was shocked when he called her ''Highly favored and blessed among woman''...who was she, a young maiden to be called 'Highly favored'? He continued talking to her, assuring her, and then he said it. He said the words young virgin girls had been longing to hear for centuries. Oh, who is she to bare such a privilege? Who is she, a humble poor handmaiden, to carry the Messiah in her womb?
Her mind cast back to all those times she had trusted GOD and He had been faithful. And her heart bowed its self low, and willing accepted this glorious gift GOD was bestowing on her. She knew the consequences. She knew that she could be stoned and that Joseph, her dear Joseph would have to divorce her. Oh how she hated to disgrace him. But she knew that GOD would take care of everything, and that whatever He did was right and good. She knew that somehow GOD would take care of her.
A few months passed and it was time to tell Joseph. He took the news better then she thought he would, but oh how painful it was watching her words crush him. He didn't understand nor did he believe her. But then again, why should he? Her story was common among many secretly promiscuous woman. And he had no reason to believe otherwise. Knowing that he was going to divorce her broke her heart, but again she knew that GOD was in control. She knew that GOD would make it known to him, and he did. Joy filled her heart as she saw yet again what trust in GOD can accomplish.
All of these things she hid in her womanly heart. Somewhere she had crossed over from girl to woman. And soon she would become mother. Mother to the GOD child. The GOD child that came swift and quick. The GOD child no one but animals had room for. But far out on the rolling hills tending their flocks, another marvelous thing happened. GOD announced the arrival of His Son to the humblest of the humble.The story these humble Shepherds told, the mother hid in her heart, keeping them as precious gems.
Joy filled her heart as she gazed at the GOD baby. And she wondered how come GOD chose her, a humble girl. And she knew that this child would somehow save the world. Not with pomp and glory, but with humility and pain.
And so she watched and waited................................................................
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
From Creator to Created
The day had finally arrived. A day that they had been planning for thousands of years. The rescue plan set in action more then 4000 years prior. His mind wanders back to that moment his Father asked him the question. Asked him to be the rescuer of humanity. From that day forward every thought, every action and plan was centered around that one beautiful, yet heart breaking day.
He watched on the sidelines as the angel appeared to the woman child. He knew all along that her beautiful humble heart would accept the proposal, but seeing it in action, seeing the surprise on her face and the willing obedience in her heart made his GOD-heart burst with love.
Moments later he was that dividing cell. 1 cell, 2 cells, 4 cells, 8 cells and on and on. 22 days later the heart begins to beat. Oh what a miracle, and he is re-amazed at how perfect the design is. He and his Father are pretty good at designing things.
It has now been 3 weeks and he is now looking more and more like a child. But yet he is so small the woman child would never know he existed except for the angels words.
Oh he can sense the anxiety in her heart as the sickness of pregnancy begins to show its self. He hears the questions in her heart as she wonders how this news will be told and explained. No one will believe her. They had been waiting on the Messiah for 4000 years and for her being just barely a woman to say she was pregnant with GOD, was impossible. And Joseph. How would he respond. Yes she needed to leave to get away for awhile to be able to think and sort this out. To hide the sickness until she had a plan or if not a plan the wisdom for what lies ahead. Oh how he wished he could comfort her beautiful heart. In time he would.
Weeks go by and he grows. In fact he is now just a miniature 4-6" person. Oh if only the woman child could see how perfect he was at this stage in his life, maybe it would still her heart for the inevitable. The explanation for the small baby bump on her slight frame. The day had come to tell the world that she was carrying the Son of GOD in her womb. He could feel her heart racing as she recounted all the happenings of the past 3 months and then feel it shatter into a million pieces as she was met with unbelief and betrayal. But yet he knew her peace and trust in the fact that the GOD who's child she carried, had it all figured out. And he smiled in his lil baby way, as he thought of how GOD would make the doubter the believer.
Days, weeks and months kept going by and as his day for arrival draws near he loses more and more space to move around. He chuckles because he knows exactly when and how he will arrive and he can just imagine the panic of the Man when he realizes there will be no room in the inn and they will have to settle with a nice warm, dirty and very smelly stable.
Oh it was so nice to be able to stretch, yet so cold. He had to internally laugh at the fact the only way he could let his wants be known was to cry.
Oh stop. It was so beautiful. Way out there in the distance he could hear the beautiful voices of the angels singing. Announcing, now celebrating his arrival. Oh how he loved the humble and lowly people. The rejected sitting out on the far off hills watching their sheep. Oh wait, here they come now. Running, racing to be the first to arrive to welcome this GOD-child. Oh how it made his baby heart swell with joy as he watched these bearded, dirty, smelly faces beam with joy because their Savior had arrived. Oh how he wanted to wrap them in his GOD arms, but instead he cooed and watched they're faces beam with happiness and listened to their big laughs rumble in their chests.
But wait don't think he only loved the poor man. On the contrary, for resting in the sky above where he lay was a beautiful star. And out on the desert plains following that star were 3 rich men, each bearing a gift meant for a king. Oh how he loves faith. The kind of faith that knows GOD is always right and chooses to act upon it. That's the kind of faith that will move mountains.
Oh and when they arrived, they humbly gave him the gifts, worshiping his GODness. Yes, though he was just a baby they recognized that he was GOD and they reverenced him.
Years went by and he had to learn to walk and talk. All over again actually. It amused his GOD heart so much to think that he created the whole system of the human body but yet he was now subject to it. He who is GOD had become a helpless babe.
Every day since the time the first cell divided he thought through the history of the future. Naming and seeing the lives of each person, and his GOD heart wept. It wept with love, pity and mercy. And again and again he said; "for you I go from being GOD to being human. From being Creator to being the created. From being perfect to being broken."
As he learned to walk, talk, read, work and play, he was always GOD but his body limited him. So he waited. He waited with patience and he watched. He watched the mother heart store everything in her treasure chest of memories. And he listened to the corrupted teaching of the scholars. He watched as the poor were stolen from, and the animals were bought and sold in the temple. He saw the proud pharisees praying on the one corner and the harlot soliciting for business on the other. And his GOD heart broke. But yet he waited and allowed his boy heart to grow into a man. He waited for the perfect time to allow his GOD heart to be GOD again. For 30 years he was the created preparing for the time he was again the Creator.
And then the day came. The day that marked the beginning of the 40 days of trying. He had to do it perfect or else the plan would be ruined. And so he fasted and he prayed, preparing himself for those three temptations. And he passed. He passed the test and yet again defeated the devil. And for 3 years he did just that. Proving to the world that there is hope and a place of perfection in him. And yet again he prepared. He prepared his disciples and the people around him. And he prayed. For himself? No. For his murderers. For the created's that were planning to kill him, the Creator.
And then it came. That day he and his Father had been planning for. Oh the grief on his heart. And the agony and apprehension weighing him down at the fact that his Father would turn his back on him as he became sin itself and die.
Yep. He was about to die. Not a slow quick, painless kind of execution but a long drawn out, in-humane crucifixion.
And why did he allow himself to do all this? Because he was driven by his endless love to rescue you and me, at whatever cost it would take to get it done. He is GOD but he became a mass of cells. He is GOD but he was born in a nasty smelly barn. And his welcome party were a bunch of smelly un-kept shepherds. He is
GOD but he obeyed his parents even if it meant leaving behind his Fathers business to better prepare. He is GOD but he chose to be murdered in the most gruesome of gruesome ways. Why? because he wanted to rescue you and I.
He watched on the sidelines as the angel appeared to the woman child. He knew all along that her beautiful humble heart would accept the proposal, but seeing it in action, seeing the surprise on her face and the willing obedience in her heart made his GOD-heart burst with love.
Moments later he was that dividing cell. 1 cell, 2 cells, 4 cells, 8 cells and on and on. 22 days later the heart begins to beat. Oh what a miracle, and he is re-amazed at how perfect the design is. He and his Father are pretty good at designing things.
It has now been 3 weeks and he is now looking more and more like a child. But yet he is so small the woman child would never know he existed except for the angels words.
Oh he can sense the anxiety in her heart as the sickness of pregnancy begins to show its self. He hears the questions in her heart as she wonders how this news will be told and explained. No one will believe her. They had been waiting on the Messiah for 4000 years and for her being just barely a woman to say she was pregnant with GOD, was impossible. And Joseph. How would he respond. Yes she needed to leave to get away for awhile to be able to think and sort this out. To hide the sickness until she had a plan or if not a plan the wisdom for what lies ahead. Oh how he wished he could comfort her beautiful heart. In time he would.
Weeks go by and he grows. In fact he is now just a miniature 4-6" person. Oh if only the woman child could see how perfect he was at this stage in his life, maybe it would still her heart for the inevitable. The explanation for the small baby bump on her slight frame. The day had come to tell the world that she was carrying the Son of GOD in her womb. He could feel her heart racing as she recounted all the happenings of the past 3 months and then feel it shatter into a million pieces as she was met with unbelief and betrayal. But yet he knew her peace and trust in the fact that the GOD who's child she carried, had it all figured out. And he smiled in his lil baby way, as he thought of how GOD would make the doubter the believer.
Days, weeks and months kept going by and as his day for arrival draws near he loses more and more space to move around. He chuckles because he knows exactly when and how he will arrive and he can just imagine the panic of the Man when he realizes there will be no room in the inn and they will have to settle with a nice warm, dirty and very smelly stable.
Oh it was so nice to be able to stretch, yet so cold. He had to internally laugh at the fact the only way he could let his wants be known was to cry.
Oh stop. It was so beautiful. Way out there in the distance he could hear the beautiful voices of the angels singing. Announcing, now celebrating his arrival. Oh how he loved the humble and lowly people. The rejected sitting out on the far off hills watching their sheep. Oh wait, here they come now. Running, racing to be the first to arrive to welcome this GOD-child. Oh how it made his baby heart swell with joy as he watched these bearded, dirty, smelly faces beam with joy because their Savior had arrived. Oh how he wanted to wrap them in his GOD arms, but instead he cooed and watched they're faces beam with happiness and listened to their big laughs rumble in their chests.
But wait don't think he only loved the poor man. On the contrary, for resting in the sky above where he lay was a beautiful star. And out on the desert plains following that star were 3 rich men, each bearing a gift meant for a king. Oh how he loves faith. The kind of faith that knows GOD is always right and chooses to act upon it. That's the kind of faith that will move mountains.
Oh and when they arrived, they humbly gave him the gifts, worshiping his GODness. Yes, though he was just a baby they recognized that he was GOD and they reverenced him.
Years went by and he had to learn to walk and talk. All over again actually. It amused his GOD heart so much to think that he created the whole system of the human body but yet he was now subject to it. He who is GOD had become a helpless babe.
Every day since the time the first cell divided he thought through the history of the future. Naming and seeing the lives of each person, and his GOD heart wept. It wept with love, pity and mercy. And again and again he said; "for you I go from being GOD to being human. From being Creator to being the created. From being perfect to being broken."
As he learned to walk, talk, read, work and play, he was always GOD but his body limited him. So he waited. He waited with patience and he watched. He watched the mother heart store everything in her treasure chest of memories. And he listened to the corrupted teaching of the scholars. He watched as the poor were stolen from, and the animals were bought and sold in the temple. He saw the proud pharisees praying on the one corner and the harlot soliciting for business on the other. And his GOD heart broke. But yet he waited and allowed his boy heart to grow into a man. He waited for the perfect time to allow his GOD heart to be GOD again. For 30 years he was the created preparing for the time he was again the Creator.
And then the day came. The day that marked the beginning of the 40 days of trying. He had to do it perfect or else the plan would be ruined. And so he fasted and he prayed, preparing himself for those three temptations. And he passed. He passed the test and yet again defeated the devil. And for 3 years he did just that. Proving to the world that there is hope and a place of perfection in him. And yet again he prepared. He prepared his disciples and the people around him. And he prayed. For himself? No. For his murderers. For the created's that were planning to kill him, the Creator.
And then it came. That day he and his Father had been planning for. Oh the grief on his heart. And the agony and apprehension weighing him down at the fact that his Father would turn his back on him as he became sin itself and die.
Yep. He was about to die. Not a slow quick, painless kind of execution but a long drawn out, in-humane crucifixion.
And why did he allow himself to do all this? Because he was driven by his endless love to rescue you and me, at whatever cost it would take to get it done. He is GOD but he became a mass of cells. He is GOD but he was born in a nasty smelly barn. And his welcome party were a bunch of smelly un-kept shepherds. He is
GOD but he obeyed his parents even if it meant leaving behind his Fathers business to better prepare. He is GOD but he chose to be murdered in the most gruesome of gruesome ways. Why? because he wanted to rescue you and I.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Faith vrs. Obedience
My mind has been an ocean swirling with many different thoughts and subjects. And I can just hear the guys saying "well duh, your a girl." That might be part of the reason but the other part is that there are just so many things to think about when it comes down to living your life completely sold out to GOD. There is so much involved. So much at stake. And so many things on death row.
But yet it is all so simple if the human doesn't get involved. If the human doesn't exert its need for control, or declare its non-existent rights as existent.
From all of this thinking I have come to a very obscure conclusion. [If that is possible] I believe faith and obedience are the two cornerstones of a life sold out for Christ. Without faith our works are dead [James 2:20,26] but yet without works, [obedience] faith doesn't exist. [James 2:18].
I was thinking about Esau the other day and mulling over why he couldn't receive the blessing, though he desperately sought after it with tears. I believe the reason was that he was not willing to obey GOD by repenting of his sin. He loved the pleasures of this world too much to sacrifice it to GOD. He wanted the blessing along with the sinful pleasures he desired. He wanted GOD & the World.
Repentance is the first step of obedience. And with obedience comes faith, and with faith comes the power of GOD, and the ability to live to glorify him. The strength to be the light on the hill. Jenna said a very powerful thing this morning at our Bible study. She said; "God cant work with half our heart....what if that one thing your holding back is that one thing GOD needs so that he can change your life?"
Thinking about that I saw this mental picture of arrival time at the throne of GOD. And he looks down at me and says; "Sarah, I had this huge plan and purpose for your life but you wouldn't give me that one area in your life, so I had to get someone else to do it instead of you."
How desperately sad. How absolutely horrifying. I think one of the things I am the most afraid of for myself is that I would miss the life changes GOD sends my way to prepare me for something greater. The little trials here and there or the those little area's he expects obedience. I do not want to sacrifice GOD's purpose for my life for some stupid measly little pleasure, attitude or 'right.' There is too much at stake in this fallen world for that. We complain the church isn't the way it is or that millions, let me rephrase that, billions of people will die without knowing Christ, and yet we forget that the reason is because we as individuals are not willing to sacrifice that one area and obey GOD.
But yet it is all so simple if the human doesn't get involved. If the human doesn't exert its need for control, or declare its non-existent rights as existent.
From all of this thinking I have come to a very obscure conclusion. [If that is possible] I believe faith and obedience are the two cornerstones of a life sold out for Christ. Without faith our works are dead [James 2:20,26] but yet without works, [obedience] faith doesn't exist. [James 2:18].
I was thinking about Esau the other day and mulling over why he couldn't receive the blessing, though he desperately sought after it with tears. I believe the reason was that he was not willing to obey GOD by repenting of his sin. He loved the pleasures of this world too much to sacrifice it to GOD. He wanted the blessing along with the sinful pleasures he desired. He wanted GOD & the World.
Repentance is the first step of obedience. And with obedience comes faith, and with faith comes the power of GOD, and the ability to live to glorify him. The strength to be the light on the hill. Jenna said a very powerful thing this morning at our Bible study. She said; "God cant work with half our heart....what if that one thing your holding back is that one thing GOD needs so that he can change your life?"
Thinking about that I saw this mental picture of arrival time at the throne of GOD. And he looks down at me and says; "Sarah, I had this huge plan and purpose for your life but you wouldn't give me that one area in your life, so I had to get someone else to do it instead of you."
How desperately sad. How absolutely horrifying. I think one of the things I am the most afraid of for myself is that I would miss the life changes GOD sends my way to prepare me for something greater. The little trials here and there or the those little area's he expects obedience. I do not want to sacrifice GOD's purpose for my life for some stupid measly little pleasure, attitude or 'right.' There is too much at stake in this fallen world for that. We complain the church isn't the way it is or that millions, let me rephrase that, billions of people will die without knowing Christ, and yet we forget that the reason is because we as individuals are not willing to sacrifice that one area and obey GOD.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
There is Freedom
This morning my heart is fighting. It is gasping for air and calling out to GOD for strength, power and freedom. I want to be honest with all of my blog readers. My biggest fear in blogging is that I become a hypocrite. And that is something I absolutely do not want to happen. So I will start by saying that more often then not what I blog about has to do with something I am seeing and realizing I need in my own life. It is something I lack or am needing changed in my heart. And it does not always become a reality. Sometimes I give up. Sometimes some other monster comes up and takes me down. Sometimes I am just so weak that I can not seem to overcome or rise above what ever battle I face and many times I forget to seek the help that I need in Christ.
So all that to say I fight daily for GOD to break me and to show me exactly who I am in comparison to Him and His holiness. I fight for freedom from things in my life that hold me captive. I struggle with the world [1 John 10:16.] and every day it tries to entrap me and sometimes it does. But I will say that my GOD is bigger and I am going to fight for my life. I am going to gain the ground GOD longs for me to gain because He is my Savior. Today I was again reminded that salvation is not just a one time thing. In fact it is a daily surrendering of ones self to the Holy One and allowing Him to set us free and to save us from all the ensnarement's that will come along.
To those of you that struggle with a besetting sin or habit whether it is anger or an immoral lifestyle, there is freedom....and no it will not come in just one shining moment, but that freedom will come with persistence and patience. It will come through prayer, Bible memorization, obedience, praise and thanksgiving. I have decided to pursue all that is good and holy through choosing to give thanks and praise even if it doesn't feel fun, exciting or even heartfelt. But I believe that obedience produces the fruit needed for victory.
So all that to say that I hope the things that I post encourage you all, but not because I am so great of a person, but instead because I am a sinner that is saved only because of GOD's mercy and His grace. And the only reason I can call myself His child is because of Him.
One more parting reminder; Remember that even if you fail in whatever area you are longing for victory in, that failure is only a reminder that GOD's strength is made perfect in your weakness. So get back up and keep moving forward. Someday you will see the rewards of your perseverance.
So all that to say I fight daily for GOD to break me and to show me exactly who I am in comparison to Him and His holiness. I fight for freedom from things in my life that hold me captive. I struggle with the world [1 John 10:16.] and every day it tries to entrap me and sometimes it does. But I will say that my GOD is bigger and I am going to fight for my life. I am going to gain the ground GOD longs for me to gain because He is my Savior. Today I was again reminded that salvation is not just a one time thing. In fact it is a daily surrendering of ones self to the Holy One and allowing Him to set us free and to save us from all the ensnarement's that will come along.
To those of you that struggle with a besetting sin or habit whether it is anger or an immoral lifestyle, there is freedom....and no it will not come in just one shining moment, but that freedom will come with persistence and patience. It will come through prayer, Bible memorization, obedience, praise and thanksgiving. I have decided to pursue all that is good and holy through choosing to give thanks and praise even if it doesn't feel fun, exciting or even heartfelt. But I believe that obedience produces the fruit needed for victory.
So all that to say that I hope the things that I post encourage you all, but not because I am so great of a person, but instead because I am a sinner that is saved only because of GOD's mercy and His grace. And the only reason I can call myself His child is because of Him.
One more parting reminder; Remember that even if you fail in whatever area you are longing for victory in, that failure is only a reminder that GOD's strength is made perfect in your weakness. So get back up and keep moving forward. Someday you will see the rewards of your perseverance.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
We Are The Future!
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" Acts 2:17
We so often wonder why the world is falling apart. We bemoan the fact that Christianity is fast disappearing, and our young people look just like the world and the parents are divorcing and going their own way. So we freak out and try to counterbalance the trend. We see how many fun activities we can have at youth group so that we can entice the youth to come. We try to pick just the right speakers for youth meetings so that we won't push any of the youth away and loose them all together because they don't want to hear the hardcore truth about their lives. And all along we are catering to and assisting their sin and worldliness. And no I am not talking about the outward form of worldliness. I am talking about the inward form. The outward is just an expression of what is inside. I am talking about the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life." John 2:16
I am humbled to say that I have fought and am fighting for freedom from the world. I am a young person, and the snares are so fine yet made of steel, they are so subtle yet obvious. And they fight to ensnare and trap me. But praise Jesus there is deliverance.
Young people, as a fellow young person, I want to speak very straight with you and with me. Yes the things I say here are just as much meant for me as for you, if not more so.
Adolf Hitler said; "He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future.'' Who owns you? Who do you learn from and follow?
Hitler tore apart Germany with youth. He did not target the old and the wise, no he targeted the youth.
We are the future. The verse up above says the young men will see visions. I like to think of it as they will see and change the future whether for good or bad. We cant change the fact that the course of the world is in our hands.
Evan Roberts was 26 years old when he started the Welsh revival. He was 3 years old than I and he chose to allow GOD to use him and because of that 150,000 people were radically converted, setting Wales on fire for GOD. How did it happen? Here is a quote I read online; "All this happened when young people began to experience the reality of God’s divine power, and teams of young people, such as the one led by the most noted of the revivalist, EVAN ROBERTS and his revival party, traveled the country revolutionising the churches."
It was the young people. Oh we say that we need revival, and that it doesn't happen because it isn't starting with the older people. Well it shouldn't have to. We are grown adults. We are not infants that need to be spoon fed mush. No we are old enough to read our own bibles, get down on our own knees and pray our own prayers. We are old enough to serve and to give up those things that are hindering us. The Psalmist said; "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes....'' Psalm 101:3
The things that enter our minds will always be there. The things we watch, read and listen to will affect our mental capacity and the outcome of our state of mind. Sherlock Holmes said that he only put those important things that mattered to a case into his mind, and that he could not afford to put in a bunch of fluff and nothingness [paraphrased by yours truly]. The same is true spiritually. If we fill our minds with a bunch of trash, fluff and nothingness, the devil can use all that as a distraction or an entrapping to our spiritual achievements.
Young people, WE ARE THE FUTURE! So lets change it for GOD. And lets do that on our knees and not our tee-shirts, with our tears and not our worship music, and our feet instead of our words.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
It's Gonna Hurt, But It Should! IT'S A BATTLE!!!
In the cool quiet of the morning, when the birds have just begun calling the sun up from its slumber, the time of day the still, small yet beautiful Voice is heard, where are you? Are you rushing to work, or slumbering on, dreaming of all the delectable goodies life should offer you? Or are you awake yet on your face, seeking yet still, speaking yet listening, fighting yet unarmed?
”Take ye heed watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Satan has one desire and drive, and that is to keep us from becoming strong, spiritual warriors. He doesn’t want us to fight and to become intimate with Christ because he knows that as soon as we do that he has lost even more ground in this battle between good and evil. He knows that it is almost impossible to get us out of church and cause us to hate the Word of GOD, so he is trying a new tactic. So what he is going to do is keep us from gaining that deep intimate relationship, that constant communion with Christ and gaining that power and faith that comes with that. How is he going to do it? He is going to make us busy. He is going to make it so we need to work more to pay the never ending bills, he is going to make us tired so we can’t wake up for that tryst with the Shepherd. He is going to make our lives so stressful and overload our minds with so much stuff that the only avenue of freedom is through zoning out by watching movies, sitting on facebook, and reading empty novels and magazines.
He will tell us that facebook, movies, ballgames, amusement parks, and music isn’t bad. He’ll tell us that we need to take care of ourselves so let’s go spend money at the mall. He’ll tell us that to stand out so much in dress is a very disconcerting matter and that we should fit in just a little more so that we don’t look like a bunch of strange frumps. He’ll tell us that time spent on video and computer games aren’t bad either. And he’ll tell us that our authorities DON’T UNDERSATAND, and that we are adults and can make our own decisions now. And you know what? He is mostly right. But what he doesn’t tell you is that those ‘non-evil’ things will rob you of your time so you can’t spend time with your Lover, Redeemer and Friend. And that he will rob you of your money so that you can no longer tithe to help those in need. He won’t tell you that the more movies you watch the more dull and lazy your mind will be, and that the novels and magazines you read will only cause you to become dissatisfied with life. Oh and he won’t tell you that excessive facebook time and texting will generate in you a need and desire for gossip Or that secular music is going to feed your flesh and that the more you try to look like the world the less people will be drawn to Christ in you. He also won’t tell you that your authorities, even when it doesn’t seem like they understand, do. And they have way more wisdom and experience.
No, he won’t tell you all this, but I know you know it is true. Oh it’s going to hurt. And it’s going to make you look boring and stupid. And you’ll get laughed at and lose friends. But didn’t you say that you were willing to choose GOD all the way without any reserves? Didn’t you say that it’s all for Jesus or nothing at all? Well if you meant it then don’t be afraid. He will be there at the trysting place first thing in the morning. He will give you the strength and empowerment to move onward and forward. He will provide the weapons that you will need to fight with.
You are a warrior. And we are a team.
”Take ye heed watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”
Satan has one desire and drive, and that is to keep us from becoming strong, spiritual warriors. He doesn’t want us to fight and to become intimate with Christ because he knows that as soon as we do that he has lost even more ground in this battle between good and evil. He knows that it is almost impossible to get us out of church and cause us to hate the Word of GOD, so he is trying a new tactic. So what he is going to do is keep us from gaining that deep intimate relationship, that constant communion with Christ and gaining that power and faith that comes with that. How is he going to do it? He is going to make us busy. He is going to make it so we need to work more to pay the never ending bills, he is going to make us tired so we can’t wake up for that tryst with the Shepherd. He is going to make our lives so stressful and overload our minds with so much stuff that the only avenue of freedom is through zoning out by watching movies, sitting on facebook, and reading empty novels and magazines.
He will tell us that facebook, movies, ballgames, amusement parks, and music isn’t bad. He’ll tell us that we need to take care of ourselves so let’s go spend money at the mall. He’ll tell us that to stand out so much in dress is a very disconcerting matter and that we should fit in just a little more so that we don’t look like a bunch of strange frumps. He’ll tell us that time spent on video and computer games aren’t bad either. And he’ll tell us that our authorities DON’T UNDERSATAND, and that we are adults and can make our own decisions now. And you know what? He is mostly right. But what he doesn’t tell you is that those ‘non-evil’ things will rob you of your time so you can’t spend time with your Lover, Redeemer and Friend. And that he will rob you of your money so that you can no longer tithe to help those in need. He won’t tell you that the more movies you watch the more dull and lazy your mind will be, and that the novels and magazines you read will only cause you to become dissatisfied with life. Oh and he won’t tell you that excessive facebook time and texting will generate in you a need and desire for gossip Or that secular music is going to feed your flesh and that the more you try to look like the world the less people will be drawn to Christ in you. He also won’t tell you that your authorities, even when it doesn’t seem like they understand, do. And they have way more wisdom and experience.
No, he won’t tell you all this, but I know you know it is true. Oh it’s going to hurt. And it’s going to make you look boring and stupid. And you’ll get laughed at and lose friends. But didn’t you say that you were willing to choose GOD all the way without any reserves? Didn’t you say that it’s all for Jesus or nothing at all? Well if you meant it then don’t be afraid. He will be there at the trysting place first thing in the morning. He will give you the strength and empowerment to move onward and forward. He will provide the weapons that you will need to fight with.
You are a warrior. And we are a team.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
rIsE uP aNd SeRvE tHe LoRd!
The last few days I have been thinking, again. And tonight all I've been thinking and feeling has started to come together into one tangled blob of something....something that I don't know if I can express through words but I want to try. I cant promise it will make any sense, but here goes.
I do a lot of observing, and a lot of listening. And sometimes I get lucky and see or hear something that catches my attention. Well lately I have been seeing and hearing something that has been doing just that, but it has brought a lot of heaviness to my heart, partly because I see it in myself and partly because I have seen where it is going to lead us in 10 years.
When I look around I see so many of us young people wandering around, lost, not sure where we're going or what we should do. We can't figure out why we cant live victorious or why we don't have the joy of the LORD flowing though us. We feel aimless and lost and we don't know how to fix it. Our Bibles are gathering dust and our knees? Well lets just say kneeling in church on Sundays is a little awkward due to the lack of conditioning on those knee cap muscles.
We are trying so hard to not become legalistic and to still have a little fun in our lives. We don't want to appear as radicals for fear others would think us strange, or super-spiritual. We don't want to be odd balls because we might get put in the spot light. Oh and those things we love that aren't necessarily bad but they're not necessarily good.....I mean, the Bible doesn't say anything bad about it and I do seriously like it.....Well what if that is all that is keeping us from what we're seeking.
Oh I believe we're seeking. In fact I know we are. We long for more of Jesus, we long for that sweet relationship, we want communion with Jesus, victory over sin and joy in our hearts, but for some reason we don't get it, and yet we pray and ask GOD to send revival etc, etc.
Well I think I have the answer. Awhile ago I was reading in Ezekiel and something scary started striking my attention. I realized that he was dealing with idols in Isreael, and that GOD was using Ezekiel to proclaim His punishments on them. And I realized that we as youth [myself so included] have a lot of idols. We have so many things that we love more than GOD. Yes idols are anything that takes away from GOD. Whatever we don't want to willing lay down for the sake of the Cross of Christ is an idol.
GOD will not chose to continue dwelling in a vessel that keeps crowding him out. He wants hearts that yearn after him and seek him with all their heart, soul and mind. Not someone that loves him on the side. GOD wants our full attention, our complete love, and if he doesn't get it we will pay a price. We can not live with one foot walking on the path of righteousness and the other foot walking on the path of the world. We have to be one or the other. We have to be hot or cold. We CANNOT serve 2 masters. Either we will hate the one or love the other. And if we are lukewarm GOD WILL SPIT US OUT!
If we continue living our lives the way we have been we are in for a lot of heart ache and sorrow. Sure we need reviving, and revival etc. But more so we need deep relationships with Jesus Christ and that is not going to happen unless we smash down the idols in our lives and turn back to GOD. We must choose, one or the other. You cant walk the middle line.
I propose an assignment so to speak, for the next 40 days. If we want GOD to really come through we have to come through for him too. And the way to do that is to fast and pray. I am not saying abstain from actual food, but searching your heart for the idols/possible idols you have and fasting from them for 40 days. And instead of reading that book, watching that movie/game, buying that outfit etc.....spend that extra time focused on prayer and studying the Bible. That is the only way these bondages in our lives can be broken. It is the only way for us to gain that relationship with Jesus. It is the only way we can become the person we are meant to be. And I honestly believe GOD will come through for us.
This 40 day 'fast' will start September 1st and go until Oct. 3. If you are a young person who is searching but cant find the answers, then please do this with me. Please, let us become all GOD called us to be. Lets be willing to sacrifice our idols for a Holy Jesus that sacrificed his life, his family and friends and even GOD himself, for us. All for us. Lets rise up and be either IN or OUT. Lets stop trying to take the world with us to heaven because it will only cause us to detour towards hell.
I do a lot of observing, and a lot of listening. And sometimes I get lucky and see or hear something that catches my attention. Well lately I have been seeing and hearing something that has been doing just that, but it has brought a lot of heaviness to my heart, partly because I see it in myself and partly because I have seen where it is going to lead us in 10 years.
When I look around I see so many of us young people wandering around, lost, not sure where we're going or what we should do. We can't figure out why we cant live victorious or why we don't have the joy of the LORD flowing though us. We feel aimless and lost and we don't know how to fix it. Our Bibles are gathering dust and our knees? Well lets just say kneeling in church on Sundays is a little awkward due to the lack of conditioning on those knee cap muscles.
We are trying so hard to not become legalistic and to still have a little fun in our lives. We don't want to appear as radicals for fear others would think us strange, or super-spiritual. We don't want to be odd balls because we might get put in the spot light. Oh and those things we love that aren't necessarily bad but they're not necessarily good.....I mean, the Bible doesn't say anything bad about it and I do seriously like it.....Well what if that is all that is keeping us from what we're seeking.
Oh I believe we're seeking. In fact I know we are. We long for more of Jesus, we long for that sweet relationship, we want communion with Jesus, victory over sin and joy in our hearts, but for some reason we don't get it, and yet we pray and ask GOD to send revival etc, etc.
Well I think I have the answer. Awhile ago I was reading in Ezekiel and something scary started striking my attention. I realized that he was dealing with idols in Isreael, and that GOD was using Ezekiel to proclaim His punishments on them. And I realized that we as youth [myself so included] have a lot of idols. We have so many things that we love more than GOD. Yes idols are anything that takes away from GOD. Whatever we don't want to willing lay down for the sake of the Cross of Christ is an idol.
GOD will not chose to continue dwelling in a vessel that keeps crowding him out. He wants hearts that yearn after him and seek him with all their heart, soul and mind. Not someone that loves him on the side. GOD wants our full attention, our complete love, and if he doesn't get it we will pay a price. We can not live with one foot walking on the path of righteousness and the other foot walking on the path of the world. We have to be one or the other. We have to be hot or cold. We CANNOT serve 2 masters. Either we will hate the one or love the other. And if we are lukewarm GOD WILL SPIT US OUT!
If we continue living our lives the way we have been we are in for a lot of heart ache and sorrow. Sure we need reviving, and revival etc. But more so we need deep relationships with Jesus Christ and that is not going to happen unless we smash down the idols in our lives and turn back to GOD. We must choose, one or the other. You cant walk the middle line.
I propose an assignment so to speak, for the next 40 days. If we want GOD to really come through we have to come through for him too. And the way to do that is to fast and pray. I am not saying abstain from actual food, but searching your heart for the idols/possible idols you have and fasting from them for 40 days. And instead of reading that book, watching that movie/game, buying that outfit etc.....spend that extra time focused on prayer and studying the Bible. That is the only way these bondages in our lives can be broken. It is the only way for us to gain that relationship with Jesus. It is the only way we can become the person we are meant to be. And I honestly believe GOD will come through for us.
This 40 day 'fast' will start September 1st and go until Oct. 3. If you are a young person who is searching but cant find the answers, then please do this with me. Please, let us become all GOD called us to be. Lets be willing to sacrifice our idols for a Holy Jesus that sacrificed his life, his family and friends and even GOD himself, for us. All for us. Lets rise up and be either IN or OUT. Lets stop trying to take the world with us to heaven because it will only cause us to detour towards hell.
Monday, August 8, 2011
He Is Preparing Something....
The past week of my life has literally been one of the most life changing weeks I have ever encountered. So much so I don't even know how to express or explain it.
About a month ago I felt like I needed to start praying for my church and some weekend meetings that were coming up, and yet when I began to pray about it, it was like GOD told me to pray that He would meet me and fill me with His Spirit. All of the sudden I didn't even see my church as needing revival, I saw that I need the breath of GOD on my own heart and soul, and I realized in a greater way that I am the church (or a part of it), and that GOD has too work in me first. So I began to pray for GOD to fill me and nothing happened. I prayed all day long every day, often times crying as I begged GOD to fill me, yet nothing happened.Instead I became so week I could barely hold on. I was (am) so desperate for Him yet it seemed as though the more I begged Him to fill me the more of a failure I became in my walk with Him. Well the meetings came and guess what they were about? Your right, they were on being filled with the Holy Spirit and what the purpose of the Holy Spirit is. At this time I decided to go to a VBS in Lancaster and I knew that unless GOD filled me I would not be able to make a difference for Him because I would be filled with myself, and NOTHING HAPPENED. So I went empty and weary of begging. I knew that if GOD wanted to use me He would have to use me empty.
Well VBS was amazing, and did I get filled with the Holy Spirit? Well lets just say that my cup is full and I am begging GOD for that well, that stream and that river.
I am sharing all this to say that GOD is working. I see it. He is coming down and meeting us right where we are IN HIS TIME. I believe He did not give me all that I wanted because He sees so many areas in my life that need to be weeded out, and I know He sees areas in my life that will hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. But I know that He is perfecting and preparing me for something much bigger, as He is doing to each one of us. Never get frustrated with GOD because He isn't moving quite fast enough. Instead, open your heart to Him and expose all those ugly areas and allow Him to cleanse you from all the filthiness inside so that He can use you.
Our purpose on this earth is to bring GOD glory. That is what He created us for and yet we can't bring Him the glory He deserves unless we allow Him to purge us. Unless we are willing for Him to send those tough difficult times our way to refine our hearts and desires.
We must get on our knees and stay there, allowing GOD to put our hearts on trial.
If your heart was set before a judge, what would the verdict be?
About a month ago I felt like I needed to start praying for my church and some weekend meetings that were coming up, and yet when I began to pray about it, it was like GOD told me to pray that He would meet me and fill me with His Spirit. All of the sudden I didn't even see my church as needing revival, I saw that I need the breath of GOD on my own heart and soul, and I realized in a greater way that I am the church (or a part of it), and that GOD has too work in me first. So I began to pray for GOD to fill me and nothing happened. I prayed all day long every day, often times crying as I begged GOD to fill me, yet nothing happened.Instead I became so week I could barely hold on. I was (am) so desperate for Him yet it seemed as though the more I begged Him to fill me the more of a failure I became in my walk with Him. Well the meetings came and guess what they were about? Your right, they were on being filled with the Holy Spirit and what the purpose of the Holy Spirit is. At this time I decided to go to a VBS in Lancaster and I knew that unless GOD filled me I would not be able to make a difference for Him because I would be filled with myself, and NOTHING HAPPENED. So I went empty and weary of begging. I knew that if GOD wanted to use me He would have to use me empty.
Well VBS was amazing, and did I get filled with the Holy Spirit? Well lets just say that my cup is full and I am begging GOD for that well, that stream and that river.
I am sharing all this to say that GOD is working. I see it. He is coming down and meeting us right where we are IN HIS TIME. I believe He did not give me all that I wanted because He sees so many areas in my life that need to be weeded out, and I know He sees areas in my life that will hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. But I know that He is perfecting and preparing me for something much bigger, as He is doing to each one of us. Never get frustrated with GOD because He isn't moving quite fast enough. Instead, open your heart to Him and expose all those ugly areas and allow Him to cleanse you from all the filthiness inside so that He can use you.
Our purpose on this earth is to bring GOD glory. That is what He created us for and yet we can't bring Him the glory He deserves unless we allow Him to purge us. Unless we are willing for Him to send those tough difficult times our way to refine our hearts and desires.
We must get on our knees and stay there, allowing GOD to put our hearts on trial.
If your heart was set before a judge, what would the verdict be?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Why not Love Them?
This evening a very profound thought was put into my head and I have been mulling it over in my head ever sense. I think I will approach the subject from a young persons point of view, and the spring board so to speak, will start with another subject that has been discussed in our Bible Study....the subject of partiality.
This is a very large problem in our churches and I know that it doesn't all start with us young people. So often our parents taught us, but that is not and never should be an excuse. We look at someone and size that person up in two seconds, and decide whether we will like them or not, and more often than not we are wrong, so wrong about that person. We put signs above their heads, announcing to ourselves and others around us that this person is this or he's that, without even giving them a chance to prove to us who they are. Or how about this one....we know them but they make a mistake, or a stupid decision, and what do we do? We tear them apart and hack them to pieces like a butcher does a pig. And what gets me is, even after they repent and attempt to move on we keep doing it. We keep beating away and hacking at them until they are no more then ground up hamburger. I don't understand it. What part of "forgive us our trespasses, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US"...do we not understand? Or this one; “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Doesn't that insinuate the fact that if we don't forgive others, GOD wont forgive us? That should scare us my friends. Forgiveness is a very important thing to GOD. I mean think about it, GOD sent Jesus to earth to die for us....your like; 'yeah...I learned that when I was 2'... but how's this; Jesus had a choice. In the garden GOD revealed to him exactly all he was going to suffer and all that that suffering entailed, and he was left with a choice. He didn't have to die for you and for me. He didn't have to go through with it. All that pain, misery and rejection, not to mention his separation from his Father, and then on top of that he got a free train ride to Hell. He had never committed a sin and here he was becoming sin itself and being punished for ALL (not just some) of the sins ever committed and the ones that hadn't/haven't been committed yet. He had a choice. He didn't have to do it, but he did, and he did it for you and me. That is why forgiveness is so important him. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be forgiven.
You know those people in our churches that we can't get along with, or that are "bad influences" on us?...we're gonna spend all eternity together. It doesn't make a bit of sense to all 'hate' each other now and then talk about how awesome heaven is going to be. Heaven is going to be made up of people, and many of those people are going to be those people we refuse to associate with. The ones we pre-tag, the ones we don't click with, or don't see eye to eye with. The ones who in our eyes don't dress right, talk right, act right or look right. We're gonna spend eternity with them. Why not love them now?
This is a very large problem in our churches and I know that it doesn't all start with us young people. So often our parents taught us, but that is not and never should be an excuse. We look at someone and size that person up in two seconds, and decide whether we will like them or not, and more often than not we are wrong, so wrong about that person. We put signs above their heads, announcing to ourselves and others around us that this person is this or he's that, without even giving them a chance to prove to us who they are. Or how about this one....we know them but they make a mistake, or a stupid decision, and what do we do? We tear them apart and hack them to pieces like a butcher does a pig. And what gets me is, even after they repent and attempt to move on we keep doing it. We keep beating away and hacking at them until they are no more then ground up hamburger. I don't understand it. What part of "forgive us our trespasses, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US"...do we not understand? Or this one; “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Doesn't that insinuate the fact that if we don't forgive others, GOD wont forgive us? That should scare us my friends. Forgiveness is a very important thing to GOD. I mean think about it, GOD sent Jesus to earth to die for us....your like; 'yeah...I learned that when I was 2'... but how's this; Jesus had a choice. In the garden GOD revealed to him exactly all he was going to suffer and all that that suffering entailed, and he was left with a choice. He didn't have to die for you and for me. He didn't have to go through with it. All that pain, misery and rejection, not to mention his separation from his Father, and then on top of that he got a free train ride to Hell. He had never committed a sin and here he was becoming sin itself and being punished for ALL (not just some) of the sins ever committed and the ones that hadn't/haven't been committed yet. He had a choice. He didn't have to do it, but he did, and he did it for you and me. That is why forgiveness is so important him. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be forgiven.
You know those people in our churches that we can't get along with, or that are "bad influences" on us?...we're gonna spend all eternity together. It doesn't make a bit of sense to all 'hate' each other now and then talk about how awesome heaven is going to be. Heaven is going to be made up of people, and many of those people are going to be those people we refuse to associate with. The ones we pre-tag, the ones we don't click with, or don't see eye to eye with. The ones who in our eyes don't dress right, talk right, act right or look right. We're gonna spend eternity with them. Why not love them now?
Friday, July 8, 2011
Where is Etiquette?
Sometimes I like to allow my mind to wonder into the past...two hundred years ago when women wore long dresses with annoying hoop skirts and men wore powdered wigs and ruffles at their throats. A time where women knew how to be beautiful ladies and the men were every ounce of a gentlemen. In fact they were trained to be like that. A guy reciting poetry was every bit as manly as a guy roping cattle, and the women? They were about being graceful, dignified, beautiful every bit of a lady as possible. But when I come back to the present day I am appalled at what I see. Guys often don't hold the door for a lady or give her their seat. They don't carry her groceries and treat her as though she were the queen of England. Every where you go the guys are crude and foul. Even in our churches.
I was quite spoiled growing up. I lived a 1/4 mile from some mighty fine gentlemen. Their dad drilled into their heads that they treat a woman with respect at all times, no matter what. And the mother set the example of grace and dignity for her daughters, and for every woman and girl she came in contact with. I still say that I hope someday to have half the grace that she does. Anyhow, when I look around I see ungentlemanly guys and unladylike girls.
What happened to chivalry, dignity, honor, grace, respect etc?
A guy no longer writes the girl he wants to court, he texts her. The girl no longer plays hard to get, she texts the guy incessantly, exposing all that she is before he even has a chance to court her.
Maybe I am old fashioned but I hope that when my turn comes to marry, I marry a gentleman, and I hope that I am a lady inside and out. I hope we send each other long letters via snail mail, and that he courts me until I fall in love with him. I don't want to wake up one morning to a message on my phone saying; "hey I jst want u to know i rly like u n i was wondering if u'd go out w/me." Ahhhhhh......I think that would give me nightmares.
No it is time for us to grab a hold of the beauty of dignity, honor and respect. It is time for us girls to be every bit of ladies we possibly can. This world is made up of woman trying to act like men and men openly disrespecting women.
We are not animals, we are created in the image of GOD, that alone should make us want to be as dignified and respectful as possible.
I am determined to learn what it means to be a lady through and through, I mean my name does mean princess.
I was quite spoiled growing up. I lived a 1/4 mile from some mighty fine gentlemen. Their dad drilled into their heads that they treat a woman with respect at all times, no matter what. And the mother set the example of grace and dignity for her daughters, and for every woman and girl she came in contact with. I still say that I hope someday to have half the grace that she does. Anyhow, when I look around I see ungentlemanly guys and unladylike girls.
What happened to chivalry, dignity, honor, grace, respect etc?
A guy no longer writes the girl he wants to court, he texts her. The girl no longer plays hard to get, she texts the guy incessantly, exposing all that she is before he even has a chance to court her.
Maybe I am old fashioned but I hope that when my turn comes to marry, I marry a gentleman, and I hope that I am a lady inside and out. I hope we send each other long letters via snail mail, and that he courts me until I fall in love with him. I don't want to wake up one morning to a message on my phone saying; "hey I jst want u to know i rly like u n i was wondering if u'd go out w/me." Ahhhhhh......I think that would give me nightmares.
No it is time for us to grab a hold of the beauty of dignity, honor and respect. It is time for us girls to be every bit of ladies we possibly can. This world is made up of woman trying to act like men and men openly disrespecting women.
We are not animals, we are created in the image of GOD, that alone should make us want to be as dignified and respectful as possible.
I am determined to learn what it means to be a lady through and through, I mean my name does mean princess.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
TANGIBLE OR ETERNAL?
So I am kinda freaked out about posting this next post. (That sounded brilliant.....) I wrote it the other night and it is so different than anything I've posted before, and I am afraid that I'm going to come across different than who I really am. In fact I'm almost scared to post for fear that people will think me this super big giant of a Christian or something like that, instead of seeing me as just a simple lil redneck (ex-redneck that is) Idaho girl who still has a VERY long way to go. (Yes I like(d) big trucks.) :p Seriously though, just for the record, I blog about things that I am more often than not learning, (if I am learning that is) slowly but surely. I don't have the answers, and I don't necessarily do as I "preach" either. Anyhow, I'm a little nervous about this post because its very um..........close to my heart and yeah, anyhow if all of the sudden it disappears its because I had a heart attack and my heart refused to heal until I deleted it or something like that. JK
P.S. If your a guy and reading this.....please don't pay attention. I'm not writing to you, FYI. Mercy I'm starting to sound paranoid or something. Moving on................................................ 3/27/11
TANGIBLE OR ETERNAL?
3/26/11
I don't write because I have all the answers or because my life is so out of this world perfect. In fact a lot of times (if not all the time) I write because I've messed up somewhere in my life, made bad decisions, made mistakes....I'm human. And so often I write because I don't want others to make the same mistakes I have. Goodness sakes that sounded like it came from an old lady. :) Seriously though, I don't want anyone to think I am this super amazing Christian who has all the answers. The truth is I almost have zero, nada, answers. In fact the older I get the more I realise just how much I do not know. I talk to my friends about this subject and that subject and then realise I have know idea what the correct course of action is.
One of the last conversations like that was on the subject of.....drum roll....Guy/Girl Relationships...surprise, surprise!! And no I did NOT come up with some perfect 'do's and 'don'ts, but we'll get back to that later.
My sister told me something she read out of a book just recently that a guy from a survey said he wanted in his future wife. It said something like this; "I want a girl who is so close to Jesus, and has a relationship so deep with Him, that I have to spend all eternity learning about her." (paraphrased by yours truly.) When I heard that I thought "Wow that sounds pretty good." but then I realised there was something wrong. I realised that that statement was actually causing me and possibly my dear sister, to lose focus on one very important "object" Jesus. All of the sudden I felt like I needed to become this supernatural Christian so that someday this supernatural guy will fall in love with me and we'll live happily ever after, instead of focusing on the fact that Jesus is my supernatural "lover", He is who I need to strive to be holy for. It's not for my future spouse. For all I know, 'he' may not be Gods will for my life. Instead I must focus my very reason of existence on one person and that is Jesus.
That brings me back to the "Guy/Girl Relationship topic.
I am very nervous, I guess you can say, in playing in this field. I believe this subject is like walking a tight 'rope' created by hot wires. As long as you don't touch the ground or anything wet you'll live, but once you do you'll get burnt. Burnt to a crisp.
Well I think that if our focus is to bring glory to Jesus Christ and that is how we live each moment of our lives, in how we make our decisions, how we treat others, it will be much harder to mess up in our relationships, whether it's with friends or family. And trust me I'm not writing this out of accomplishment, I'm writing it out of experience being learned.
If Jesus is the centre of my life, if He is the reason I act this way or that way, I believe I will be who I need to be and I will stop worrying about how I appear to this person or that person. Girls we need to stop looking at the guys and seeing potential spouses. We need to start looking at Jesus Christ as our eternal partner, friend and lover. It's not a matter of who we'll marry or when we'll marry. It's a matter of, "do I Sarah Jane Foster, qualify for my most important marriage feast? That is what must become the most important thing in my heart, my mind and my soul.
P.S. If your a guy and reading this.....please don't pay attention. I'm not writing to you, FYI. Mercy I'm starting to sound paranoid or something. Moving on................................................ 3/27/11
TANGIBLE OR ETERNAL?
3/26/11
I don't write because I have all the answers or because my life is so out of this world perfect. In fact a lot of times (if not all the time) I write because I've messed up somewhere in my life, made bad decisions, made mistakes....I'm human. And so often I write because I don't want others to make the same mistakes I have. Goodness sakes that sounded like it came from an old lady. :) Seriously though, I don't want anyone to think I am this super amazing Christian who has all the answers. The truth is I almost have zero, nada, answers. In fact the older I get the more I realise just how much I do not know. I talk to my friends about this subject and that subject and then realise I have know idea what the correct course of action is.
One of the last conversations like that was on the subject of.....drum roll....Guy/Girl Relationships...surprise, surprise!! And no I did NOT come up with some perfect 'do's and 'don'ts, but we'll get back to that later.
My sister told me something she read out of a book just recently that a guy from a survey said he wanted in his future wife. It said something like this; "I want a girl who is so close to Jesus, and has a relationship so deep with Him, that I have to spend all eternity learning about her." (paraphrased by yours truly.) When I heard that I thought "Wow that sounds pretty good." but then I realised there was something wrong. I realised that that statement was actually causing me and possibly my dear sister, to lose focus on one very important "object" Jesus. All of the sudden I felt like I needed to become this supernatural Christian so that someday this supernatural guy will fall in love with me and we'll live happily ever after, instead of focusing on the fact that Jesus is my supernatural "lover", He is who I need to strive to be holy for. It's not for my future spouse. For all I know, 'he' may not be Gods will for my life. Instead I must focus my very reason of existence on one person and that is Jesus.
That brings me back to the "Guy/Girl Relationship topic.
I am very nervous, I guess you can say, in playing in this field. I believe this subject is like walking a tight 'rope' created by hot wires. As long as you don't touch the ground or anything wet you'll live, but once you do you'll get burnt. Burnt to a crisp.
Well I think that if our focus is to bring glory to Jesus Christ and that is how we live each moment of our lives, in how we make our decisions, how we treat others, it will be much harder to mess up in our relationships, whether it's with friends or family. And trust me I'm not writing this out of accomplishment, I'm writing it out of experience being learned.
If Jesus is the centre of my life, if He is the reason I act this way or that way, I believe I will be who I need to be and I will stop worrying about how I appear to this person or that person. Girls we need to stop looking at the guys and seeing potential spouses. We need to start looking at Jesus Christ as our eternal partner, friend and lover. It's not a matter of who we'll marry or when we'll marry. It's a matter of, "do I Sarah Jane Foster, qualify for my most important marriage feast? That is what must become the most important thing in my heart, my mind and my soul.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Love GOD?
"Jesus said to him; "You shall love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." Matt. 22:27
The last week or so the idea of true Christianity being summed up in one 'rule', of giving your ENTIRE life over to GOD regardless of the cost, has been running through my mind and heart....conviction me and showing me that just because I give GOD some things doesn't mean I live a surrendered life. In fact as of now I'll be the first to say I don't at this point in my journey. And so often I try to complicate 'surrender', and try to make it something I need a masters degree in before I can master it. But yet it is just simple obedience. Loving God will ALL my heart, soul and mind. Not just a little, but ALL. Its such a scary place to be because I there will be many things I'll have to do, and many things I'll have to give up. But how much more did He love me? He was willing to give EVERYTHING for me. and no, it wasn't just the basics in life he asks from us, it was HIS very Life, and all I had to offer in return is my retched sin. That is what love is about. If HE can love me that much, how much more can I love HIM then I do right now?
The last week or so the idea of true Christianity being summed up in one 'rule', of giving your ENTIRE life over to GOD regardless of the cost, has been running through my mind and heart....conviction me and showing me that just because I give GOD some things doesn't mean I live a surrendered life. In fact as of now I'll be the first to say I don't at this point in my journey. And so often I try to complicate 'surrender', and try to make it something I need a masters degree in before I can master it. But yet it is just simple obedience. Loving God will ALL my heart, soul and mind. Not just a little, but ALL. Its such a scary place to be because I there will be many things I'll have to do, and many things I'll have to give up. But how much more did He love me? He was willing to give EVERYTHING for me. and no, it wasn't just the basics in life he asks from us, it was HIS very Life, and all I had to offer in return is my retched sin. That is what love is about. If HE can love me that much, how much more can I love HIM then I do right now?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Peter, Do You Love ME?
Jesus kept asking Peter that question over and over. And I believe He asks us, (me) that same question, over and over. And as He did with Peter, He so often follows up with a command. For Peter is was, "feed my sheep". But how many times for us is it, "then give me this," or "trust me here?"
Yesterday in my devotion time a read a passage that I have read over and over, and heard many, many times. Matthew 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Instantly I thought; "hey we're supposed to love our family, especially our parents/children. And then it hit me. If we can't love the dearest people to our hearts, more than we love Jesus, then why do we love useless objects like our computers, iPods, and music more than Him? That my friends scared me!
Yesterday in my devotion time a read a passage that I have read over and over, and heard many, many times. Matthew 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Instantly I thought; "hey we're supposed to love our family, especially our parents/children. And then it hit me. If we can't love the dearest people to our hearts, more than we love Jesus, then why do we love useless objects like our computers, iPods, and music more than Him? That my friends scared me!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
::Let Us Praise The LORD::
So this may be a little bit off the whole subject of this blog....actually, maybe not totally. But this evening I am just sooo amazed by GOD, and the way He works. I was just reminded again how much He loves to give His children good things. (Matt. 7:11)
I believe GOD delights in working out the impossibles for His children. I believe He longs for us to completely trust Him with those things in our lives we sometimes wonder (in our unbelief) if GOD can even fix, just to make Himself strong, just to show us how much He loves us....to stretch our faith to the max.
I will say that I am a first hand recipient of an "impossible" miracle. I had been praying for this one thing for 3 years, and the first of January, GOD answered that prayer. I had to learn to just trust Him and to cast it all at His feet and cling to His promises with all the faith I had. And at the moment that I least expected it, and the time in my life I believe I needed it the most, He gave me what I had been praying for. Yes, GOD WILL ANSWER!!!! No it may not be in our time, or in our way, but it WILL happen at the perfect place and time in your life where GOD will get the most glory He possibly can out of it!!
GOD's timing is perfect, and that is an amazing fact for us to be able to rest in!!!
So, take heart dear Christian!! Keep praying, trusting and hoping. The things you ask for that are after GOD's heart will come to pass at some point, whether it is tomorrow or in the next decade. Never be afraid to wait for GOD's best!
I believe GOD delights in working out the impossibles for His children. I believe He longs for us to completely trust Him with those things in our lives we sometimes wonder (in our unbelief) if GOD can even fix, just to make Himself strong, just to show us how much He loves us....to stretch our faith to the max.
I will say that I am a first hand recipient of an "impossible" miracle. I had been praying for this one thing for 3 years, and the first of January, GOD answered that prayer. I had to learn to just trust Him and to cast it all at His feet and cling to His promises with all the faith I had. And at the moment that I least expected it, and the time in my life I believe I needed it the most, He gave me what I had been praying for. Yes, GOD WILL ANSWER!!!! No it may not be in our time, or in our way, but it WILL happen at the perfect place and time in your life where GOD will get the most glory He possibly can out of it!!
GOD's timing is perfect, and that is an amazing fact for us to be able to rest in!!!
So, take heart dear Christian!! Keep praying, trusting and hoping. The things you ask for that are after GOD's heart will come to pass at some point, whether it is tomorrow or in the next decade. Never be afraid to wait for GOD's best!
Monday, February 14, 2011
::True Love on Valentines Day::
So Valentines Day has arrived again! Lovers all over America are running around buying that last minute card or chocolate, planning this evenings dates etc. This morning I woke up and saw Valentines Day in a new light! I saw it as a day to celebrate my love to my Savior and to bask in His love for me. This morning I had the privilege to read my Valentines letter from Him. And all day today I get to hear Him whisper in my very soul just how much He loves me, and that He has loved me since creation!!
Yes Valentines day for me is special, along with every day that is, because I have the greatest lover a girl could ever want.
Everyone, we are loved with an everlasting love and Jesus has given us the greatest Valentines gift we could ever want. Lets love Him above and beyond what today's modern Christianity tries to tell us is acceptable. Lets love and obey Him with our entire hearts, mind, soul and body because He first loved us!!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!
Yes Valentines day for me is special, along with every day that is, because I have the greatest lover a girl could ever want.
Everyone, we are loved with an everlasting love and Jesus has given us the greatest Valentines gift we could ever want. Lets love Him above and beyond what today's modern Christianity tries to tell us is acceptable. Lets love and obey Him with our entire hearts, mind, soul and body because He first loved us!!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
::A Tribute To Mousey::
Friday, February 4, 2011
"Cherished" Thoughts
I'm sitting here drinking hot chocolate and holding Cherish. (Yes a very "cozy" think to do after working all day. :)) And I am fascinated, watching her be so intrigued with me drinking from my cup, or how bright my iPod is, or her toys in her hand, and even the painting on the wall, and I began thinking (yes even though I don't appear to be much of a thinker, I do succeed every once in a good while) about all the things out there to catch my attention. The good and the bad. Proverbs talks about Wisdom crying out in the streets, but the Bible also talks about the roaring lion out there prowling around seeking whom he may devour, and I can't help but wonder, how often do I go through my daily, life routines and never give a second thought to paying attention to the many objects trying so hard to grab my utmost attention to either aid and assist me in this Spiritual journey, or to distract me from preparing for my life's mission?
As I finish this, Cherish is in my arms sound asleep...no worries, no cares. Just complete rest, and I totally believe that's where GOD wants me....totally 100% resting in him.
As I finish this, Cherish is in my arms sound asleep...no worries, no cares. Just complete rest, and I totally believe that's where GOD wants me....totally 100% resting in him.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Thoughts From a Day in The CiTy
Today Jenna, some girls from church and I went and had a "girls only" day in Charlotte. A day to tour antique malls, eat Chipotle food, frozen yogurt and delicious coffee, and the best of all tour the Billy Graham Library.
Talk about overwhelmingly inspiring! Talk about a man used extensively for GOD, and all it took was a willing (young) heart to make one small decision to say "yes" to GOD. He chose to release his wants, hopes and desires for his life over to the Saviour of his soul, and follow Jesus to the ends of the earth. The same thing with his wife. She also chose at a young age to follow Jesus no matter the cost, to know Him like so few of us do.
As a young person I often wonder, ''how are my small, "microscopic" decisions affecting the calling GOD has on my life? I believe GOD created us for a specific purpose, a destiny to fulfil, so to speak. And the decisions we make affect that. How many life altering changes have I missed because I was not completely surrendered? How many people have I brushed shoulders with, people whose lives were to be impacted by me, yet never were.
We girls received a lot of questions today about our "strange" apparel, and I was reminded yet again of one of the reasons why I choose to look different from the world. One girl talked to us for a long time, held Cherish, googled Mennonites etc, all because we wear "black things" on our heads.
So my question is this; why is it sooooo hard to simply say "Yes LORD", when it is the simplest thing to do? And how can we become affective, radical, GOD used young people? What is the answer to living a life totally 100% GOD centred? A question that has been running through my mind lately is this; "is living a "GOD glorifying" life, a matter of how much one can get by with? Or how much one can give up?
Talk about overwhelmingly inspiring! Talk about a man used extensively for GOD, and all it took was a willing (young) heart to make one small decision to say "yes" to GOD. He chose to release his wants, hopes and desires for his life over to the Saviour of his soul, and follow Jesus to the ends of the earth. The same thing with his wife. She also chose at a young age to follow Jesus no matter the cost, to know Him like so few of us do.
As a young person I often wonder, ''how are my small, "microscopic" decisions affecting the calling GOD has on my life? I believe GOD created us for a specific purpose, a destiny to fulfil, so to speak. And the decisions we make affect that. How many life altering changes have I missed because I was not completely surrendered? How many people have I brushed shoulders with, people whose lives were to be impacted by me, yet never were.
We girls received a lot of questions today about our "strange" apparel, and I was reminded yet again of one of the reasons why I choose to look different from the world. One girl talked to us for a long time, held Cherish, googled Mennonites etc, all because we wear "black things" on our heads.
So my question is this; why is it sooooo hard to simply say "Yes LORD", when it is the simplest thing to do? And how can we become affective, radical, GOD used young people? What is the answer to living a life totally 100% GOD centred? A question that has been running through my mind lately is this; "is living a "GOD glorifying" life, a matter of how much one can get by with? Or how much one can give up?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
AnOtHeR bLoG!!!
So my old blog decided not to cooperate with me any longer. I tend to have that problem after awhile. It must be my lack of computer knowledge.
Well this new blog is not going to be a place I upload a lot of pictures. It will be more of a place for me to post thoughts and questions about what it takes to live a radical Christian life. I love to hear others view point on these matters and I hope you all will be willing to join in on the fun. :)
I am ready for something more in Christianity, something with substance and purpose. Something radical and Christ centered. Something different from the humanistic Christianity I find myself living.
Anyhow, this is supposed to be a "welcome post" to welcome you to my new world of blogging until this blog chooses to give up on me!
Until later, have a Christ filled day!
sarijane
Well this new blog is not going to be a place I upload a lot of pictures. It will be more of a place for me to post thoughts and questions about what it takes to live a radical Christian life. I love to hear others view point on these matters and I hope you all will be willing to join in on the fun. :)
I am ready for something more in Christianity, something with substance and purpose. Something radical and Christ centered. Something different from the humanistic Christianity I find myself living.
Anyhow, this is supposed to be a "welcome post" to welcome you to my new world of blogging until this blog chooses to give up on me!
Until later, have a Christ filled day!
sarijane
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