"Come now, let us argue this out," says the Lord. "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. If you will only obey me and let me help you..."
Isaiah 1:18,19
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Far From Perfect
Just today I was talking to a friend of mine, and I told her, "I hope no one looks at me and/or our family and thinks that we're perfect, that we have it all together, 'cause we don't." That's the truth. We have our struggles. Daily. I think that's why I loved this post SO much tonight when I read it. Please know that you are not alone in your struggles, chances are there are many others who deal with the same things...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Captive Set Free
So, I had to go to Paris this afternoon to see a client who also just happens to be an Elder in our church. While there, one of his customers came in with the cutest little puppy dog named “Jack“. The customer left the store, and then came back into say, “I can’t see it, but there is something alive in your drain pipe. Jack is going crazy over it”.
So one of the employees went out and took the drain pipe apart, while we all watched from the window to see just what kind of varmint was going to come out! After a short time the employee got the pipe apart, and out flew a bird. I shouted, in a humorous way, “HE SAVED THAT BIRDS LIFE!!” Which they all chimed in, “yes…he did!”
So, I followed that up with, “HIS eye is on the sparrow!” “Yes, it is!” they replied. Me, still being a bit goofy, said to Keith, the owner/elder, “God used a DOG to SAVE the bird!” We chuckled a little bit more, but both agreed, “yes He did”.
As I walked out of the store, I was reminded of the Communion meditation that Keith gave at our church a couple of weeks ago. He spoke to us about worry, and I believe he used this scripture:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:24-26
So, I peeked my head back in the door and reminded Keith of his communion meditation. He said, “yep, maybe all of this was just for me”.
You can laugh if you want. I even laughed as it was happening, but it doesn’t change the beauty of what happened. God used the dog to set the bird free. Are you not much more valuable than the bird? He knows your needs too, turn to Him, trust in Him for your help. Let Him set you free.
Here’s what God says about it:
Psalm 84:3Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Matthew 10:31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows
Luke 12:7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
So one of the employees went out and took the drain pipe apart, while we all watched from the window to see just what kind of varmint was going to come out! After a short time the employee got the pipe apart, and out flew a bird. I shouted, in a humorous way, “HE SAVED THAT BIRDS LIFE!!” Which they all chimed in, “yes…he did!”
So, I followed that up with, “HIS eye is on the sparrow!” “Yes, it is!” they replied. Me, still being a bit goofy, said to Keith, the owner/elder, “God used a DOG to SAVE the bird!” We chuckled a little bit more, but both agreed, “yes He did”.
As I walked out of the store, I was reminded of the Communion meditation that Keith gave at our church a couple of weeks ago. He spoke to us about worry, and I believe he used this scripture:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:24-26
So, I peeked my head back in the door and reminded Keith of his communion meditation. He said, “yep, maybe all of this was just for me”.
You can laugh if you want. I even laughed as it was happening, but it doesn’t change the beauty of what happened. God used the dog to set the bird free. Are you not much more valuable than the bird? He knows your needs too, turn to Him, trust in Him for your help. Let Him set you free.
Here’s what God says about it:
Psalm 84:3Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Matthew 10:31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows
Luke 12:7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Ministered to by my Seven Year Old
I have this box of scripture cards that was given to me several years ago by my Sunday School class when my Father passed away. To this day, they sit on my dresser. Every once in a while, Josh likes to read a few of those before he goes to bed, and now that he can read, he reads them to me.
So, last night he began to read this prayer to me…
“Giver of All, forgive me when I settle for the world’s definition of success instead of the abundant life You offer. Help me to discover Your joy in every hour.”
The world’s definition of success, it is so opposite of what God teaches.
The world says, “look out for number one. Strive to get to the top”
God says, “In order to get ahead, you need to take a back seat.”
"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” Matthew 23:11
Jesus pulling a child over to him says, “anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
The world says, “go where you want to go, do what you want to do, plan your own life, set your goals and go for it.”
Jesus says, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am.” Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? Mark 8:34..
Final thought, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2
So thanks, child of mine, for reminding me that what success looks like in this world often isn’t what success looks like to God. And the only way to truly have an abundant life, is to live it God’s way. “Father help.”
So, last night he began to read this prayer to me…
“Giver of All, forgive me when I settle for the world’s definition of success instead of the abundant life You offer. Help me to discover Your joy in every hour.”
The world’s definition of success, it is so opposite of what God teaches.
The world says, “look out for number one. Strive to get to the top”
God says, “In order to get ahead, you need to take a back seat.”
"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” Matthew 23:11
Jesus pulling a child over to him says, “anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
The world says, “go where you want to go, do what you want to do, plan your own life, set your goals and go for it.”
Jesus says, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am.” Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? Mark 8:34..
Final thought, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2
So thanks, child of mine, for reminding me that what success looks like in this world often isn’t what success looks like to God. And the only way to truly have an abundant life, is to live it God’s way. “Father help.”
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
God's Words that I've Connected With Today
Here are two scriptures that have spoken to me today. Just thought I'd share...
"O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised." Psalm 120:169 NLT
"Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in him. But they wouldn't admit it to anyone because of their fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God." John 12:42-43
Father, give me a discerning mind. I can't do life well without you. And Father, may I NEVER love or desire the praise of humans more than the praise of God. Help me to guard my heart.
"O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised." Psalm 120:169 NLT
"Many people, including some of the Jewish leaders, believed in him. But they wouldn't admit it to anyone because of their fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God." John 12:42-43
Father, give me a discerning mind. I can't do life well without you. And Father, may I NEVER love or desire the praise of humans more than the praise of God. Help me to guard my heart.
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