God, I've heard what our ancestors say about you, and I'm stopped in my tracks, down on my knees.
Do among us what you did among them.
Work among us as you worked among them.
And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2 (The Message)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Bite my tongue...honor God
Here Here to the 7th Grade Girls Basketball team who had an awesome year. They ended their season 23 and 2 (or somewhere close to that). Here's what I know. They had a ton of games and only lost two. Their last one being in the Sectionals.
I have never really watched basketball until this year. Growing up, our family was a football family. I have two older brothers who played football, so I've been to A LOT of football games. And every Sunday afternoon, during football season, you could find us glued to the TV watching games.
So really, this was the first time ever that I watched much basketball, and I really enjoyed it. However, one thing that I noticed about basketball that I don't like is this...it seems like the calls that the refs make, makes more of a difference in basketball than it does in other sports.
Like for instance, we could have played the exact same game last night, and had three or four calls gone our way, the outcome might have been different. I'm not making excuses. I'm just saying I never realized how much the refs can affect a game. You know that they definitely missed some "traveling" calls when our whole crowd roared at once when the unchecked fouls happened. Seriously. It wasn't like just one person saw the missed call. You would actually hear a unified roar from the crowd because everyone saw it. And if everyone saw it, how could we, the fans, be wrong? Answer: we probably weren't. It was probably indeed a missed call.
So, how should we respond to that? Well, I can tell you that emotionally I never like it. The missed call does not make me happy. But what I know is, to respond with an overly rebellious verbal response cursing the refs would not be God honoring. Does God care? I think He does.
One of the hardest spiritual pills that I've ever had to swallow, is the spiritual truth where God says that I have to submit to authority. It's hard because, as you know, sometimes those who are in authority make mistakes. Sometimes they make bad decisions. Sometimes they do or say things that we think are seemingly wrong, or stupid. At my job, I have to submit to my boss. He is the one in authority. Whether I like his "calls" or not doesn't really matter, he's the boss and I'm not. I don't think that means we can't have a voice...but we need to make sure that when we voice our opinion that we do so in a respectful manner. Why? Because God said this:
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men" 1 Peter 2:13
So why does it not honor God for us to "cuss" the refs? Because guess who the authority is on the court. The referees are. They have been put there, on the court, to maintain order.
So what do I do? Well, if I see a missed call, I sometimes can't help but have that immediate initial reaction. That immediate gasp that cries out, even non verbally, "c'mon ref!"
But I try my best to refrain from draggin' it out, hanging on to it or bad mouthing them (EVEN if they deserve it, I do my best to refrain.)
Why do I chose that? well, to be honest it's for two very real reasons. One is, I video taped a game early on in the season, and as I watched the video I could hear myself yelling at the refs, (ha) and quite honestly it hit me like a ton of bricks. I did not like the way I sounded.
The second reason is because I believe with all my heart that God stands up for the man (woman) that honors Him. And for me to "honor" the refs, honors God.
Now having said that, let me say this, I am not perfect in this. And it is something that I have to keep in check at all times. And I know that even after saying this, there will probably be times at games when I slip up and get mouthy. But as the words begin to roll off my tongue may I be reminded to do the right thing...bite my tongue, honor God.
Psalm 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin;
Proverbs 10:19When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
I have never really watched basketball until this year. Growing up, our family was a football family. I have two older brothers who played football, so I've been to A LOT of football games. And every Sunday afternoon, during football season, you could find us glued to the TV watching games.
So really, this was the first time ever that I watched much basketball, and I really enjoyed it. However, one thing that I noticed about basketball that I don't like is this...it seems like the calls that the refs make, makes more of a difference in basketball than it does in other sports.
Like for instance, we could have played the exact same game last night, and had three or four calls gone our way, the outcome might have been different. I'm not making excuses. I'm just saying I never realized how much the refs can affect a game. You know that they definitely missed some "traveling" calls when our whole crowd roared at once when the unchecked fouls happened. Seriously. It wasn't like just one person saw the missed call. You would actually hear a unified roar from the crowd because everyone saw it. And if everyone saw it, how could we, the fans, be wrong? Answer: we probably weren't. It was probably indeed a missed call.
So, how should we respond to that? Well, I can tell you that emotionally I never like it. The missed call does not make me happy. But what I know is, to respond with an overly rebellious verbal response cursing the refs would not be God honoring. Does God care? I think He does.
One of the hardest spiritual pills that I've ever had to swallow, is the spiritual truth where God says that I have to submit to authority. It's hard because, as you know, sometimes those who are in authority make mistakes. Sometimes they make bad decisions. Sometimes they do or say things that we think are seemingly wrong, or stupid. At my job, I have to submit to my boss. He is the one in authority. Whether I like his "calls" or not doesn't really matter, he's the boss and I'm not. I don't think that means we can't have a voice...but we need to make sure that when we voice our opinion that we do so in a respectful manner. Why? Because God said this:
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men" 1 Peter 2:13
So why does it not honor God for us to "cuss" the refs? Because guess who the authority is on the court. The referees are. They have been put there, on the court, to maintain order.
So what do I do? Well, if I see a missed call, I sometimes can't help but have that immediate initial reaction. That immediate gasp that cries out, even non verbally, "c'mon ref!"
But I try my best to refrain from draggin' it out, hanging on to it or bad mouthing them (EVEN if they deserve it, I do my best to refrain.)
Why do I chose that? well, to be honest it's for two very real reasons. One is, I video taped a game early on in the season, and as I watched the video I could hear myself yelling at the refs, (ha) and quite honestly it hit me like a ton of bricks. I did not like the way I sounded.
The second reason is because I believe with all my heart that God stands up for the man (woman) that honors Him. And for me to "honor" the refs, honors God.
Now having said that, let me say this, I am not perfect in this. And it is something that I have to keep in check at all times. And I know that even after saying this, there will probably be times at games when I slip up and get mouthy. But as the words begin to roll off my tongue may I be reminded to do the right thing...bite my tongue, honor God.
Psalm 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin;
Proverbs 10:19When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Being Intentional about Being Thankful
It seems like this past year I have continually found myself "overwhelmed" by the busyness of life. Can anyone else relate to that? When I get like that, I typically want to quit everything, and curl up into a fetal postion and chant, "find a happy place, find a happy place." Ha.
Anyway, due to the "overwhelmed" feeling, often times when I go to the Lord in my quiet time, I tell Him how overwhelmed I am, and whine about that a little, and then I tell Him how much I have to do, and whine about that a little. Not that there's anything wrong with sharing your heart with God....we should do that. But I've done that a lot, all the while expressing very little gratitude to Him for other things.
So, on Wednesday, I read this post by my friend Marybeth, and I could totally relate to it. I left her a comment telling her that it "spoke" to me. That, in turn, started a conversation between us. I was having a bad day. So was she. Because of that, she issued a challenge for both of us. That we would be accountable to each other. That at the end of every day we would send an e-mail to each other telling the other one what we were thankful for that particular day. And we have to do it every day until Thanksgiving.
That was on Wednesday. Thursday morning I got up to spend time with God. As I sat there, I began to think about Marybeth's challenge, and I began thanking God for things in my life. I said, "I come to you today Lord, not asking for anything, but instead, just offering thanks to you."
One by one I mentioned, to Him, things that I am thankful for. And as I did that, something that I wasn't expecting to happen, happened. God showed up in a BIG way. I felt His presence. I felt His love. I stayed there in His presence for a while just soaking HIM up. And as a result, without even asking for it, I was refreshed. I was renewed. My overwhelmed feeling was completely gone, and one of peace completely replaced it.
Since then, Marybeth and I have kept our commitment to share each day what we are thankful for. We are being intentional about being thankful.
When is the last time you went before the Lord, and didn't ask Him for anything, but just expressed gratitude to Him?
Take it from me, don't wait any longer. Make it a point to give Him thanks. You'll be so glad you did.
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Anyway, due to the "overwhelmed" feeling, often times when I go to the Lord in my quiet time, I tell Him how overwhelmed I am, and whine about that a little, and then I tell Him how much I have to do, and whine about that a little. Not that there's anything wrong with sharing your heart with God....we should do that. But I've done that a lot, all the while expressing very little gratitude to Him for other things.
So, on Wednesday, I read this post by my friend Marybeth, and I could totally relate to it. I left her a comment telling her that it "spoke" to me. That, in turn, started a conversation between us. I was having a bad day. So was she. Because of that, she issued a challenge for both of us. That we would be accountable to each other. That at the end of every day we would send an e-mail to each other telling the other one what we were thankful for that particular day. And we have to do it every day until Thanksgiving.
That was on Wednesday. Thursday morning I got up to spend time with God. As I sat there, I began to think about Marybeth's challenge, and I began thanking God for things in my life. I said, "I come to you today Lord, not asking for anything, but instead, just offering thanks to you."
One by one I mentioned, to Him, things that I am thankful for. And as I did that, something that I wasn't expecting to happen, happened. God showed up in a BIG way. I felt His presence. I felt His love. I stayed there in His presence for a while just soaking HIM up. And as a result, without even asking for it, I was refreshed. I was renewed. My overwhelmed feeling was completely gone, and one of peace completely replaced it.
Since then, Marybeth and I have kept our commitment to share each day what we are thankful for. We are being intentional about being thankful.
When is the last time you went before the Lord, and didn't ask Him for anything, but just expressed gratitude to Him?
Take it from me, don't wait any longer. Make it a point to give Him thanks. You'll be so glad you did.
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Life Without Internet (and other funny sayings)
We've been without internet for nearly a week... (long story)
Anyway, the adjustment has been quite hilarious. Sad, but hilarious.
For instance, Here are a couple of things that were said this week:
Our first night without internet.....Will said, "I feel like a part of me has died."
Last night, after not having internet for nearly a week, Denny said, "It's just almost not worth it to come home."
Oh my. I think we needed this forced internet "fast".
On a different note, last night we visited the funeral home. As we were leaving, the gentleman who was tending the door said, "hurry back." As soon as he shut the door Denny and I busted out laughing. Ahhh Funny.
Anyway, the adjustment has been quite hilarious. Sad, but hilarious.
For instance, Here are a couple of things that were said this week:
Our first night without internet.....Will said, "I feel like a part of me has died."
Last night, after not having internet for nearly a week, Denny said, "It's just almost not worth it to come home."
Oh my. I think we needed this forced internet "fast".
On a different note, last night we visited the funeral home. As we were leaving, the gentleman who was tending the door said, "hurry back." As soon as he shut the door Denny and I busted out laughing. Ahhh Funny.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Amazing God-Living Proof Live
This past weekend I had the awesome pleasure of experiencing God at a Beth Moore Living Proof Live Conference. The Girls from the Baptist Church actually planned this outing, and I'm so glad they "let" us come along!
This was my 3rd time to hear Beth speak "live". It was AMAZING. I got SOOOO much out of the weekend, and am still soaking it all up. To get a glimpse of what we experienced, click here.
As a side note, our internet has not worked right since last Thursday...we've been reduced to dial up so, needless to say, I'm not on line very much :-) AND my cell phone has not been working right, so often times, in recent days, I've been without a cell phone. At first I was frustrated by this...now, however, I'm starting to like it. Ha. I'm sure I wouldn't enjoy it long term though. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. whatever normal is... :-)
This was my 3rd time to hear Beth speak "live". It was AMAZING. I got SOOOO much out of the weekend, and am still soaking it all up. To get a glimpse of what we experienced, click here.
As a side note, our internet has not worked right since last Thursday...we've been reduced to dial up so, needless to say, I'm not on line very much :-) AND my cell phone has not been working right, so often times, in recent days, I've been without a cell phone. At first I was frustrated by this...now, however, I'm starting to like it. Ha. I'm sure I wouldn't enjoy it long term though. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. whatever normal is... :-)
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