Have you ever heard the lyrics "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see You. I want to see You." ?
Today as I was coming down the stairwell this song popped into my head and it made me ponder -open the eyes of my heart. What exactly does that mean? So I thought it would be something interesting to write about.
There is only so much we can see with our eyes. Our eyes are a terrific gift to have and to see through but what do they show us? They show us color, size, shape, and action. We can see people do nice things and we can see them do mean things. We can see people cry and laugh and show love towards each other but we can see people be rude as well.
So why would we want God to open the eyes of our hearts? Our hearts can feel and see so much more than our eyes ever could. You may have heard before that the Christian walk is about the heart's condition and that God wants our hearts more than anything. The purpose of the heart's condition is that we can be an extreme mess, and we can do things that the eye sees as horrible... that is our flesh and we are going to fail many times again - but when our hearts are being worked on and we are truly trying to change and be better for the Kingdom, what the world sees as horrible, God has grace and mercy upon.... all because of the heart's condition.
God can reveal things to us through our hearts. Because our spirits do not belong to this world, our spirits can feel and see things through the heart whereas our eyes see the things of this world. So to ask God to open the eyes of our hearts is inviting our Creator in to our hearts to clean up the mess and renew us so that we can see things on a spiritual level.
My prayer today is - Lord, please open the eyes of my heart and let me see more of You through a world that is so draining and blinding to my physical eyes. Please help me to feel the hearts of others and to have more mercy towards their failures as you have had so much mercy towards mine. Help me to believe in my unbelief.
Ask God to open the eyes of your heart and be ready to see what He has to show you!
Shine Bright!
April
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wedding Speech for Gina Claybrooks - 6.19.2010
I just want to say how honored I am to be Gina’s friend. I don’t use the word “friend” loosely. Gina is one of those rare treasures that steps into your life and blows you away. She deserves more than to just be called friend.
Over the past few years in my life I have been on my knees begging God for a friend. For a REAL friend! For someone who cares about me just as much as I care about them. In 2009, God introduced me to Gina, who at the time, I never imagined becoming my best friend. When I met Gina she was the girlfriend of my old high school best friend, Brandon. I have known Brandon since 6th grade and we connected immediately. We continued our awesome friendship even out of high school until inevitably, time just carried us apart.
Brandon and I talked a few years ago about the new girl in his life and how she does hair (and I’m all about hair) and Gina and I just hit it off after that…. But it wasn’t until a few months ago that we really started spending time together and the chemistry took off like nothing I could have ever imagined. That is totally the works of God. His ways are not our ways and His timing is perfect …me and Gina’s friendship proves this to the fullest. Gina and I have been stuck together just like best friends!
God knew that back in the day when I was praying fervently over a great friend that He would soon fill my life with Gina and she was well worth the wait.
Gina is stunning, just look at her. Her heart is so big. Gina is RADIANT. Her presence fills a room up with light and her laugh is contagious! I can picture it in my head now.. me and her just kicked back on the couch and cracking up over some random stuff. Don’t get me wrong.. Gina’s great and all but she’s feisty too! She has a little fire in her and a neck twist, eye brow lifting attitude that she can break out if need be.. She has to keep ‘em in line if they fall out. Haha! But I admire her for this quality because she only uses it at the appropriate time. … or if she’s really tired.. or hungry… or … nevermind…
Gina’s heart hungers for Christ and this is the greatest quality that anyone could ever have. I remember her coming to my apartment and showing me her marriage devotional and new bible that she got and then I broke out my marriage devotional and we just talked about how important it is to have Christ in your marriage as your firm foundation. Gina and Brandon will have such a beautiful marriage with this hunger for Christ.
My heart tells me “hang on to this girl because she is something special” and I know that Brandon’s heart told him that as well. The Heavenlies are cheering Gina and Brandon on right now! These two are best friends! Brandon makes her laugh so much and she makes Brandon laugh …. Or at least she does when she uses his sense of humor…. But either way… He makes her laugh and that is so important! They’re a team!
I am humbled and grateful to know you, Gina, and my heart is so happy for you and in my selfishness, happy for me, because I get to be here for this journey with you. Hearing stories about the honey moon, knowing your love of Brandon and your pet peeves with Brandon, to painting the nursery, closing on a house, new careers and riding around in new cars even if we have to return them after the joy ride because we got in over our heads, coffee dates, and trying to force you to eat sushi ..haha.. and many more memories that are unknown. I am so excited for everything that God has planned for you and for us!
Like I was saying earlier… I don’t use the term friend loosely at all and so I decided to look up the definition of friend and this is what I found:
Definition of a friend: a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
So, I see why a lot of folks call a plethora of people “friend”… But you seem like so much more than that measly definition so I came up with a new name for friend that only applies to you – You are no longer my friend, you are my Regina!
R- Radiant – breath taking like the light reflecting from the sun… almost blinding. Your heart shines and lights up everything around you.E- Enchanting – capturing interest as if by a spell. G- Gorgeous – Dazzlingly Beautiful! / Genuine – not fake or counterfeit, not pretended; sincerely felt or expressedI – Intelligent – smart, conversation is interesting with Gina and you can learn something.N- Noble – high and elevated characterA – Astounding – surprisingly impressive
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.
I love you both and congratulations and shine bright!
Over the past few years in my life I have been on my knees begging God for a friend. For a REAL friend! For someone who cares about me just as much as I care about them. In 2009, God introduced me to Gina, who at the time, I never imagined becoming my best friend. When I met Gina she was the girlfriend of my old high school best friend, Brandon. I have known Brandon since 6th grade and we connected immediately. We continued our awesome friendship even out of high school until inevitably, time just carried us apart.
Brandon and I talked a few years ago about the new girl in his life and how she does hair (and I’m all about hair) and Gina and I just hit it off after that…. But it wasn’t until a few months ago that we really started spending time together and the chemistry took off like nothing I could have ever imagined. That is totally the works of God. His ways are not our ways and His timing is perfect …me and Gina’s friendship proves this to the fullest. Gina and I have been stuck together just like best friends!
God knew that back in the day when I was praying fervently over a great friend that He would soon fill my life with Gina and she was well worth the wait.
Gina is stunning, just look at her. Her heart is so big. Gina is RADIANT. Her presence fills a room up with light and her laugh is contagious! I can picture it in my head now.. me and her just kicked back on the couch and cracking up over some random stuff. Don’t get me wrong.. Gina’s great and all but she’s feisty too! She has a little fire in her and a neck twist, eye brow lifting attitude that she can break out if need be.. She has to keep ‘em in line if they fall out. Haha! But I admire her for this quality because she only uses it at the appropriate time. … or if she’s really tired.. or hungry… or … nevermind…
Gina’s heart hungers for Christ and this is the greatest quality that anyone could ever have. I remember her coming to my apartment and showing me her marriage devotional and new bible that she got and then I broke out my marriage devotional and we just talked about how important it is to have Christ in your marriage as your firm foundation. Gina and Brandon will have such a beautiful marriage with this hunger for Christ.
My heart tells me “hang on to this girl because she is something special” and I know that Brandon’s heart told him that as well. The Heavenlies are cheering Gina and Brandon on right now! These two are best friends! Brandon makes her laugh so much and she makes Brandon laugh …. Or at least she does when she uses his sense of humor…. But either way… He makes her laugh and that is so important! They’re a team!
I am humbled and grateful to know you, Gina, and my heart is so happy for you and in my selfishness, happy for me, because I get to be here for this journey with you. Hearing stories about the honey moon, knowing your love of Brandon and your pet peeves with Brandon, to painting the nursery, closing on a house, new careers and riding around in new cars even if we have to return them after the joy ride because we got in over our heads, coffee dates, and trying to force you to eat sushi ..haha.. and many more memories that are unknown. I am so excited for everything that God has planned for you and for us!
Like I was saying earlier… I don’t use the term friend loosely at all and so I decided to look up the definition of friend and this is what I found:
Definition of a friend: a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
So, I see why a lot of folks call a plethora of people “friend”… But you seem like so much more than that measly definition so I came up with a new name for friend that only applies to you – You are no longer my friend, you are my Regina!
R- Radiant – breath taking like the light reflecting from the sun… almost blinding. Your heart shines and lights up everything around you.E- Enchanting – capturing interest as if by a spell. G- Gorgeous – Dazzlingly Beautiful! / Genuine – not fake or counterfeit, not pretended; sincerely felt or expressedI – Intelligent – smart, conversation is interesting with Gina and you can learn something.N- Noble – high and elevated characterA – Astounding – surprisingly impressive
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.
I love you both and congratulations and shine bright!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Mentor Friend, Mentee Friend, Mutual Friend
I wanted to share this article on my blog by Mary Fairchild from about.com - to see the original article you can visit the website below:
http://christianity.about.com/od/womensresources/a/christianfriends.htm
Friends come,
Friends go,
But a true friend is there to watch you grow.
A woman named Florence posted this short poem on a forum I visited. I thought it conveyed the idea of true friendship with perfect simplicity. It reminded me of a teaching I heard years ago at a singles retreat. The lessons on three types of Christian friends were taught by Nancy Honeytree, a singer/songwriter who was one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music. Her simple but valuable teaching stuck with me, helping me over the years to cultivate a few treasured friendships.
3 Types of Christian Friendships:
Mentor Friendship
The first form of Christian friendship Honeytree talked about was a mentor friendship. In a mentoring relationship we teach, counsel or disciple other Christian friends. This is a relationship based on ministry, similar to the kind Jesus had with his disciples.
Mentee Friendship
In a mentee friendship, we are the one being taught, counseled, or discipled. We are on the receiving end of ministry, being served by a mentor. This is similar to the way the disciples received from Jesus.
Mutual Friendship
Mutual friendships are not based on mentoring. Rather, in these situations the two individuals are usually more closely aligned on a spiritual level, balancing the natural flow of giving and receiving between genuine Christian friends. We'll explore mutual friendships more closely, but first, it's important to have a clear understanding of mentoring relationships, so we don't get the two confused.
Mentoring friendships can easily become draining if both parties don't recognize the nature of the relationship and construct appropriate boundaries. The mentor may need to pull back and take time for spiritual renewal. He may even have to say no at times, setting limits on his commitment to the mentee.
Likewise, a mentee who expects too much from his mentor is probably seeking a mutual bond with the wrong person. Mentees must respect boundaries and look for close friendship with someone other than a mentor.
We can be both mentor and mentee, but not with the same friend. We may know a mature believer who mentors us in God's Word, while in turn, we take time to mentor a brand new follower of Christ.
Mutual friendships are quite different than mentoring friendships. These relationships don't usually happen overnight. Typically, they develop over time as both friends progress in wisdom and spiritual maturity. A strong Christian friendship blossoms naturally when two friends grow together in faith, goodness, knowledge, and other godly graces.
5 Traits of True Christian Friends
So, what does a true Christian friendship look like? Let's break it down into traits that are easy to identify.
Christian Friends Love Sacrificially
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Jesus is the finest example of a true Christian friend. His love for us is sacrificial, never selfish. He demonstrated it not only through his miracles of healing, but more fully through the humble service of washing the disciples' feet, and then ultimately, when he laid down his life on the cross.
If we choose our friends based only on what they have to offer, we'll rarely discover the blessings of a genuine friendship. Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." By valuing your friend's needs above your own, you'll be on your way to loving like Jesus. In the process, you'll likely gain a true friend.
Christian Friends Accept Unconditionally
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
We discover the best of friendships with brothers and sisters who know and accept our weaknesses and imperfections.
If we're easily offended or hold on to bitterness, we'll have a hard time making friends. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes now and then. If we take a truthful look at ourselves, we'll admit that we bear some of the blame when things go wrong in a friendship. A good friend is quick to ask forgiveness and ready to be forgiving.
Christian Friends Trust Completely
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
This proverb reveals that a true Christian friend is trustworthy, indeed, but emphasizes a second important truth as well. We should only expect to share complete trust with a few loyal friends. Trusting too easily can lead to ruin, so be careful about putting your confidence in a mere companion. Over time our true Christian friends will prove their trustworthiness by sticking closer than a brother or sister.
Christian Friends Keep Healthy Boundaries
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy ... (NIV)
If you feel smothered in a friendship, something is wrong. Likewise, if you feel used or abused, something is amiss. Recognizing what's best for someone and giving that person space are signs of a healthy relationship. We should never let a friend come between us and our spouse. A true Christian friend will wisely avoid intruding and recognize your need to maintain other relationships.
Christian Friends Give Mutual Edification
Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV)
True Christian friends will build each other up emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Friends like to be together simply because it feels good. We receive strength, encouragement, and love. We talk, we cry, we listen. But at times we also have to say the difficult things our dearest friend needs to hear. Yet, because of the shared trust and acceptance, we are the one person who can impact our friend's heart, for we know how to deliver the hard message with truth and grace. I believe this is what Proverbs 27:17 means when it says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
My hope is that these five traits will show you areas that may need a little work in your effort to build stronger friendships. But if you don't have lots of close friends, don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, true Christian friendships are rare treasures. They take time to nurture, but in the process we grow more Christlike.
http://christianity.about.com/od/womensresources/a/christianfriends.htm
Friends come,
Friends go,
But a true friend is there to watch you grow.
A woman named Florence posted this short poem on a forum I visited. I thought it conveyed the idea of true friendship with perfect simplicity. It reminded me of a teaching I heard years ago at a singles retreat. The lessons on three types of Christian friends were taught by Nancy Honeytree, a singer/songwriter who was one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music. Her simple but valuable teaching stuck with me, helping me over the years to cultivate a few treasured friendships.
3 Types of Christian Friendships:
Mentor Friendship
The first form of Christian friendship Honeytree talked about was a mentor friendship. In a mentoring relationship we teach, counsel or disciple other Christian friends. This is a relationship based on ministry, similar to the kind Jesus had with his disciples.
Mentee Friendship
In a mentee friendship, we are the one being taught, counseled, or discipled. We are on the receiving end of ministry, being served by a mentor. This is similar to the way the disciples received from Jesus.
Mutual Friendship
Mutual friendships are not based on mentoring. Rather, in these situations the two individuals are usually more closely aligned on a spiritual level, balancing the natural flow of giving and receiving between genuine Christian friends. We'll explore mutual friendships more closely, but first, it's important to have a clear understanding of mentoring relationships, so we don't get the two confused.
Mentoring friendships can easily become draining if both parties don't recognize the nature of the relationship and construct appropriate boundaries. The mentor may need to pull back and take time for spiritual renewal. He may even have to say no at times, setting limits on his commitment to the mentee.
Likewise, a mentee who expects too much from his mentor is probably seeking a mutual bond with the wrong person. Mentees must respect boundaries and look for close friendship with someone other than a mentor.
We can be both mentor and mentee, but not with the same friend. We may know a mature believer who mentors us in God's Word, while in turn, we take time to mentor a brand new follower of Christ.
Mutual friendships are quite different than mentoring friendships. These relationships don't usually happen overnight. Typically, they develop over time as both friends progress in wisdom and spiritual maturity. A strong Christian friendship blossoms naturally when two friends grow together in faith, goodness, knowledge, and other godly graces.
5 Traits of True Christian Friends
So, what does a true Christian friendship look like? Let's break it down into traits that are easy to identify.
Christian Friends Love Sacrificially
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Jesus is the finest example of a true Christian friend. His love for us is sacrificial, never selfish. He demonstrated it not only through his miracles of healing, but more fully through the humble service of washing the disciples' feet, and then ultimately, when he laid down his life on the cross.
If we choose our friends based only on what they have to offer, we'll rarely discover the blessings of a genuine friendship. Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." By valuing your friend's needs above your own, you'll be on your way to loving like Jesus. In the process, you'll likely gain a true friend.
Christian Friends Accept Unconditionally
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
We discover the best of friendships with brothers and sisters who know and accept our weaknesses and imperfections.
If we're easily offended or hold on to bitterness, we'll have a hard time making friends. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes now and then. If we take a truthful look at ourselves, we'll admit that we bear some of the blame when things go wrong in a friendship. A good friend is quick to ask forgiveness and ready to be forgiving.
Christian Friends Trust Completely
Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
This proverb reveals that a true Christian friend is trustworthy, indeed, but emphasizes a second important truth as well. We should only expect to share complete trust with a few loyal friends. Trusting too easily can lead to ruin, so be careful about putting your confidence in a mere companion. Over time our true Christian friends will prove their trustworthiness by sticking closer than a brother or sister.
Christian Friends Keep Healthy Boundaries
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy ... (NIV)
If you feel smothered in a friendship, something is wrong. Likewise, if you feel used or abused, something is amiss. Recognizing what's best for someone and giving that person space are signs of a healthy relationship. We should never let a friend come between us and our spouse. A true Christian friend will wisely avoid intruding and recognize your need to maintain other relationships.
Christian Friends Give Mutual Edification
Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV)
True Christian friends will build each other up emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Friends like to be together simply because it feels good. We receive strength, encouragement, and love. We talk, we cry, we listen. But at times we also have to say the difficult things our dearest friend needs to hear. Yet, because of the shared trust and acceptance, we are the one person who can impact our friend's heart, for we know how to deliver the hard message with truth and grace. I believe this is what Proverbs 27:17 means when it says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
My hope is that these five traits will show you areas that may need a little work in your effort to build stronger friendships. But if you don't have lots of close friends, don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, true Christian friendships are rare treasures. They take time to nurture, but in the process we grow more Christlike.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Ginger & Epsom Salt Detox Bath
Wow! Let me tell you... I tried this on Sunday night and it does work.
What you need:
natural fiber skin scrubber
bath tub
2 tbsps of fresh grated ginger
2 cups of epsom salt (not scented)
Start this process by skin scrubbing towards your heart on all parts of your body.
Mix the ginger and salt in warm water
Run a bath as hot as you can stand it and pour in the ginger/salt/water mixture.
Stay in the bath for 30 minutes (no longer than 30 minutes)
After about 15-20 minutes you will start sweating pretty heavily - this is normal
After 30 minutes, scrub dry with a towel (firmly) and then wrap in a clean dry towel and get into bed and bundle up with your covers (you may want to use old covers and put some towels under you because you're going to continue to sweat). You will continue to sweat out toxins for hours - so just let your mind go blank and you will fall into a pretty deep sleep.
This really works! Please note that you may experience a pretty rough headache the next day which is actually a good sign, that means your body is still rapidly releasing toxins from your body. Also, be sure to hyrdrate!
This is a great way to start a weight loss program!
Have fun! :o)
What you need:
natural fiber skin scrubber
bath tub
2 tbsps of fresh grated ginger
2 cups of epsom salt (not scented)
Start this process by skin scrubbing towards your heart on all parts of your body.
Mix the ginger and salt in warm water
Run a bath as hot as you can stand it and pour in the ginger/salt/water mixture.
Stay in the bath for 30 minutes (no longer than 30 minutes)
After about 15-20 minutes you will start sweating pretty heavily - this is normal
After 30 minutes, scrub dry with a towel (firmly) and then wrap in a clean dry towel and get into bed and bundle up with your covers (you may want to use old covers and put some towels under you because you're going to continue to sweat). You will continue to sweat out toxins for hours - so just let your mind go blank and you will fall into a pretty deep sleep.
This really works! Please note that you may experience a pretty rough headache the next day which is actually a good sign, that means your body is still rapidly releasing toxins from your body. Also, be sure to hyrdrate!
This is a great way to start a weight loss program!
Have fun! :o)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Running The Race
After having my daughter, Trinity in 2007 I had put on 70 lbs. I knew I had to get the weight off fast so I began running. Let me tell you, it was NOT fun, especially at first. It hurt, it made me uncomfortable, if I went outside to run I was so embarrassed by what people would think about me, things jiggled that should not have jiggled. Oh! I hated hills! The force pushing against me and don’t let the wind start blowing hard which added extra force against me.
Hot days – ugh! Sweat and thirst, the sun beaming down made the situation no fun. I wanted to give up so many times but I knew the reward of being healthy and looking great was worth it.
In September of 2008 I accomplished my weight loss goal and wound up actually weighing 10 lbs less than my prepregnancy weight. It was an amazing accomplishment and I will never forget it. The daily sacrifices and hard work paid off.
This is similar to how our walk in life seems to be. Yes, there are days that are smooth sailing but a lot of times there are steep hills that we can’t go around and very uncomfortable moments. We can give up at any moment but our reward is so worth our sacrifices and hard work.
Today we are going to cover 4 hit points.
#1 Running from God –
It is true that we will back slide. Some will more than others. Our walk with Christ will be a one foot in, one foot out type of thing also known as straddling the fence so to say. We’ll walk around as if everything is fine and dandy but within we are running from God. We are so buried in our sin that we are ashamed to look up and face our Heavenly Father who literally wants to hold us. Instead we will run and hide.
When we run from God, we allow ourselves to sit on the throne in our lives. We can’t control circumstances and the things or people around us so we get frustrated. We may turn to our old sinful nature since we’re already hanging out in that vulnerable place. We get angry with our family and our friends. We start missing church, won’t pick up our bibles – to afraid to face the Truth.
Let me tell you this – if you are running from God – Stop it. That’s great that you showed up for Bible Study and I would hope that that means that you’re not running from God or you most likely wouldn’t be here but today you may not be running from Him but keep yourself in check for tomorrow. We all have sinful nature – that is life on this earth and always will be – learn to cast your care upon God and learn to say “I’m sorry, Lord.. DARN IT! I did it again. Please give me strength to try harder tomorrow”.
I remember when I was a little kid and I was the unruly kid … which I will always defend myself and say that I was not bad I was just misunderstood. I had a mind of my own, not to mention super courageous and creative… so, it’s not really a big deal if I took the keys to my dad’s spare car and drove it around the yard a few times reaching speeds of 20 miles per hour … I was experienced with go-carts, how much harder could this be? Well, I returned the car just as perfect as could be in its same spot in the drive way. I think I even lined the tire marks on the gravel up just perfect.
My dad usually got home around 5:45 – 6:00 at night and dusk had begun to settle – I was in my room and heard him ask my mom in his stern voice “Who the heck drove a car through our yard?” – Can you imagine the look on my face in my bedroom and the complete and utterly sense of panic that overcame my whole body? You know, that feeling that you get when you know you’re driving a little faster than you should and just happen to pass a cop?!?! That feeling! That sick to the stomach, OH MY GOODNESS, feeling.
I hid in my closet. I knew that the grand jury would begin the trial at any moment asking each of us one by one what happened and who did it – both of my brothers were interrogated and completely innocent – meanwhile I am hiding in the closet… scared to death… but the point that I didn’t have to face my father made me feel so much better about the situation but eventually he came looking for me and the more he asked around “Where is April” the more sick I felt. I knew I had to come out and face him. I came out as if I didn’t know he was home or asking for my presence. He asked me “Did you drive the car through the yard?” and I looked him dead on and said “ haha… a car?!!? No way… Jake (the kid from down the street) let me drive his go-cart around the yard.. That’s it” So not only did I hide, but when I came out to face my dad… I lied straight to him.
Now, my dad was not an idiot. He took my story and walked away to get washed up for dinner. I thought I was off the hook until after dinner he asked me again and I lied again trying to convince him and myself that I was telling the truth. He then looked at me and said “those tire marks are too far apart to be a go-cart. I am not stupid. You drove my car through the yard, didn’t you?!?!” To which I looked at him and saturated in tears said “yes sir”. He then asked me “Why did you lie to me!?!” to which I replied “I don’t know …. I didn’t want to get in trouble.” Well… I got in trouble and I got in a double dose of trouble for lying.
Is that story not a complete image of how we are when we run from our Heavenly Father? We do something bad – we hide – then eventually we have to face Him. We can choose to lie to Him but He is not stupid. He knows everything and sees everything. He sees in us what we choose not to believe about ourselves.
When we run from God we deny the Truth – and you cannot move on with your life until you have come to terms with the truth about things that you’ve done, things that you’re doing, or things that you are planning to do in your mind. He says “Cast your care upon me”. Don’t run from Him.
#2 Running TO God
Running to God just to give thanks or in time of need or just to have Him as our resting place is a beautiful thing! I envision Trinity when I pick her up from daycare. She is in her own little world but when she finally catches a glimpse of her mommy – she drops whatever she is doing (usually a puzzle of some sort) and she runs to me with the biggest smile on her face and completely plummets into my chest and wraps her arms around my neck in the tightest little grip. It’s a moment that only she and I share and she finds rest, relief, and happiness in me. She knows that I have come to take her to her resting place (home), that I have a secure place in the car to transport her, that there is a snack and a cup of juice waiting for her. She then KNOWS that she is going to get home and be fed dinner, given a warm bath, and cuddled before falling asleep.
We have to run to God. There is no clearer picture than the story I just mentioned. He is Jehovah Jireh – God our provider. When we run to Him, we take rest in Him. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Run to God. When times are tough and someone has just set you over the edge – don’t run to your gossip friend – Run to God. I find myself wanting to rip people to shreds sometimes for the STUPID and selfish things that they do or say – but I know that if I take that load of venom to a friend … it is poison. Not only have I just placed the burden on them and involved them in my toxic behavior … I have not ran to God. I have once again, in my life, put Him second in line. Run to God with all needs, all frustrations, all things you don’t understand, and don’t forget to run to Him to just say thank you or I love you, sometimes you can just say – “God, I don’t want anything – I just want to be close with you right now”. Run to God.
#3 Running WITH God
For my teaching purposes – running WITH God is running hand in hand with Him to share the Good News. One of our main responsibilities is to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:17 says “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” Mark 16:15 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”.”
I’m not as hard core as I use to be when I am running – but I know when I run I am physically and spiritually running with God. I invite Him to share that time with me. It’s like having a workout partner… no joke! You pick someone who can challenge you and push you a little at a time to make you better. Running with God is setting Him in our lives as our workout partner. He always shows up and shows up on time. I can picture Him in my fleshly brain – totally in workout gear, doing jumping jacks as I walk up slumped over and throw my workout bag to the ground. There He is – already getting His heart rate up and jamming out to Jesus Freak by DC Talk on His IPOD – looking at me like “let’s go!”
We may be relentless at first but we feel so awesome at the end of the run and we give thanks for such an unyielding partner to help us and hold us accountable through our funk.
#4 Running FOR God
Running FOR God is our everyday life. How we react to tough times. The words that we speak. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one get the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Note - strict training… not free flowing training … but strict training. Sacrifice, hard work. To continue running for God we have to be steadfast and persevere through our struggles. Running for God is no easy task. I remember my training for my weight loss journey. Limitations from the things that taste sooo good like French fries, cokes, chocolate cake and having to move when I was exhausted. Nothing says dedication more than getting up at 4:50 in the morning to run in the cool of the morning before the sun has fully risen. But can I tell you that those were the most precious moments between me and God. The smell of fresh, crisp air and the fog sometimes still in the distance, the quietness of the morning – before the rush of children needing to get to school and coffee stops before the big meetings at work. Just me and God and an occasional car driving past me. I remember topping the hill and seeing the sun easing up as a rabbit ran past me in terror because I startled him. Even in the sacrifice of waking up early to get my heart rate up – God met me there and His presence was fully known to me. God meets us in our tough spots just like he met me every morning for my daily, AM run.
We have to be careful in the way we carry ourselves as we hold Christ’s name. I had a guy at work the other day tell me about a woman in sales that was just recently let go – He said “She used her body to get all of her clients … but in certain instances she was quick to wear the “JC” hat” as he rolled his eyes. I’m not sure if the guy I work with is a believer but you could tell he had the same perception that a lot of people have about Christians. This is a quote that I heard on a CD – The theologian Karl Rahner put it this way “the number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.” How sobering is that? Amazing!
Sunday at church we had Shepherds Ministries come to visit us. Shepherds offer compassionate, Christian care for adults with developmental disabilities. There was a guy named Saul. Saul was a sweet soul who has fully memorized the New Testament and quotes scripture randomly. It’s so beautiful. Saul got up to tell a little bit about himself with the help of his mentor, Al. Saul told about how he came to Christ and that he loved to share the good news. He then sang a song. Now, Saul was no American Idol, his vocals very pitchy and out of tune – but it was the most beautiful song I had ever heard and I sat in my seat sobbing. I actually wanted to excuse myself and leave the room so that I could just fall down, face to the ground, and cry like a little kid. Not because I felt sorry for Saul but because I felt sorry for myself. We are so caught up in pointless things. Things that have no benefit to the Kingdom of God, yet we allow ourselves to stumble and get caught up with those things. Saul didn’t know of things like what I just explained… he truly lives to share the Good News. He has child like faith and could care less what anyone thinks of him. He sang that song with a heart of worship and it was beautiful! His carefree spirit was overwhelming to my spirit and I was instantly brought back down to a child state of mind and wanted to be more like Saul. He has impacted my life so much in just that meeting. We actually met up after service and exchanged addresses so that we can be pen pals. He had mentioned that he loved to write back and forth and receive letters in the mail and I am that same way. I’m all about an email but there is nothing like getting real mail in the mailbox. Romans 10:15 says “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” I can testify to that verse as Saul and his message were so beautiful and humbling to me. Notice the nouns in Romans 10:15 – “feet” and “news”. This all wraps back to running for God. . We need to be sure we are running FOR God and nothing else. Have you ever been walking and tripped and fell? I have … and I really hurt myself. I hurt my ankle, knee, elbow, and was carrying my child who I also could have hurt really bad but luckily didn’t. My point is – if it hurts that bad just walking and tripping – imagine how bad it will hurt to be running a full sprint and tripping. Ouch!! This is our lives when we’re running for something other than Truth. We will fall hard. I encourage all of us to Run.
Have some time of reflection tonight and in the following days over the four key points of this teaching.
Running From God – Hiding in shame
Running To God – Allow Him to comfort us
Running With God – God running with us as a coach who continuously pushes us. I love this quote “God loves you exactly where you are but refuses to leave you there.”
Running For God – The way we live our lives for Him. At church, home, school, work, grocery store, sitting in traffic, out with friends… Our actions and words – are they lining up?
I can promise you – you will not grow weary when running for the Truth.
In closing scriptures:
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Philippians 3:12-14 (Paul speaking) - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:7-10 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
2 Timothy 2:5 says “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according the rules.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
God’s word tells us continuously to run the race – therefore Run For God in the life that you live.
Hot days – ugh! Sweat and thirst, the sun beaming down made the situation no fun. I wanted to give up so many times but I knew the reward of being healthy and looking great was worth it.
In September of 2008 I accomplished my weight loss goal and wound up actually weighing 10 lbs less than my prepregnancy weight. It was an amazing accomplishment and I will never forget it. The daily sacrifices and hard work paid off.
This is similar to how our walk in life seems to be. Yes, there are days that are smooth sailing but a lot of times there are steep hills that we can’t go around and very uncomfortable moments. We can give up at any moment but our reward is so worth our sacrifices and hard work.
Today we are going to cover 4 hit points.
#1 Running from God –
It is true that we will back slide. Some will more than others. Our walk with Christ will be a one foot in, one foot out type of thing also known as straddling the fence so to say. We’ll walk around as if everything is fine and dandy but within we are running from God. We are so buried in our sin that we are ashamed to look up and face our Heavenly Father who literally wants to hold us. Instead we will run and hide.
When we run from God, we allow ourselves to sit on the throne in our lives. We can’t control circumstances and the things or people around us so we get frustrated. We may turn to our old sinful nature since we’re already hanging out in that vulnerable place. We get angry with our family and our friends. We start missing church, won’t pick up our bibles – to afraid to face the Truth.
Let me tell you this – if you are running from God – Stop it. That’s great that you showed up for Bible Study and I would hope that that means that you’re not running from God or you most likely wouldn’t be here but today you may not be running from Him but keep yourself in check for tomorrow. We all have sinful nature – that is life on this earth and always will be – learn to cast your care upon God and learn to say “I’m sorry, Lord.. DARN IT! I did it again. Please give me strength to try harder tomorrow”.
I remember when I was a little kid and I was the unruly kid … which I will always defend myself and say that I was not bad I was just misunderstood. I had a mind of my own, not to mention super courageous and creative… so, it’s not really a big deal if I took the keys to my dad’s spare car and drove it around the yard a few times reaching speeds of 20 miles per hour … I was experienced with go-carts, how much harder could this be? Well, I returned the car just as perfect as could be in its same spot in the drive way. I think I even lined the tire marks on the gravel up just perfect.
My dad usually got home around 5:45 – 6:00 at night and dusk had begun to settle – I was in my room and heard him ask my mom in his stern voice “Who the heck drove a car through our yard?” – Can you imagine the look on my face in my bedroom and the complete and utterly sense of panic that overcame my whole body? You know, that feeling that you get when you know you’re driving a little faster than you should and just happen to pass a cop?!?! That feeling! That sick to the stomach, OH MY GOODNESS, feeling.
I hid in my closet. I knew that the grand jury would begin the trial at any moment asking each of us one by one what happened and who did it – both of my brothers were interrogated and completely innocent – meanwhile I am hiding in the closet… scared to death… but the point that I didn’t have to face my father made me feel so much better about the situation but eventually he came looking for me and the more he asked around “Where is April” the more sick I felt. I knew I had to come out and face him. I came out as if I didn’t know he was home or asking for my presence. He asked me “Did you drive the car through the yard?” and I looked him dead on and said “ haha… a car?!!? No way… Jake (the kid from down the street) let me drive his go-cart around the yard.. That’s it” So not only did I hide, but when I came out to face my dad… I lied straight to him.
Now, my dad was not an idiot. He took my story and walked away to get washed up for dinner. I thought I was off the hook until after dinner he asked me again and I lied again trying to convince him and myself that I was telling the truth. He then looked at me and said “those tire marks are too far apart to be a go-cart. I am not stupid. You drove my car through the yard, didn’t you?!?!” To which I looked at him and saturated in tears said “yes sir”. He then asked me “Why did you lie to me!?!” to which I replied “I don’t know …. I didn’t want to get in trouble.” Well… I got in trouble and I got in a double dose of trouble for lying.
Is that story not a complete image of how we are when we run from our Heavenly Father? We do something bad – we hide – then eventually we have to face Him. We can choose to lie to Him but He is not stupid. He knows everything and sees everything. He sees in us what we choose not to believe about ourselves.
When we run from God we deny the Truth – and you cannot move on with your life until you have come to terms with the truth about things that you’ve done, things that you’re doing, or things that you are planning to do in your mind. He says “Cast your care upon me”. Don’t run from Him.
#2 Running TO God
Running to God just to give thanks or in time of need or just to have Him as our resting place is a beautiful thing! I envision Trinity when I pick her up from daycare. She is in her own little world but when she finally catches a glimpse of her mommy – she drops whatever she is doing (usually a puzzle of some sort) and she runs to me with the biggest smile on her face and completely plummets into my chest and wraps her arms around my neck in the tightest little grip. It’s a moment that only she and I share and she finds rest, relief, and happiness in me. She knows that I have come to take her to her resting place (home), that I have a secure place in the car to transport her, that there is a snack and a cup of juice waiting for her. She then KNOWS that she is going to get home and be fed dinner, given a warm bath, and cuddled before falling asleep.
We have to run to God. There is no clearer picture than the story I just mentioned. He is Jehovah Jireh – God our provider. When we run to Him, we take rest in Him. Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Run to God. When times are tough and someone has just set you over the edge – don’t run to your gossip friend – Run to God. I find myself wanting to rip people to shreds sometimes for the STUPID and selfish things that they do or say – but I know that if I take that load of venom to a friend … it is poison. Not only have I just placed the burden on them and involved them in my toxic behavior … I have not ran to God. I have once again, in my life, put Him second in line. Run to God with all needs, all frustrations, all things you don’t understand, and don’t forget to run to Him to just say thank you or I love you, sometimes you can just say – “God, I don’t want anything – I just want to be close with you right now”. Run to God.
#3 Running WITH God
For my teaching purposes – running WITH God is running hand in hand with Him to share the Good News. One of our main responsibilities is to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:17 says “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.” Mark 16:15 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”.”
I’m not as hard core as I use to be when I am running – but I know when I run I am physically and spiritually running with God. I invite Him to share that time with me. It’s like having a workout partner… no joke! You pick someone who can challenge you and push you a little at a time to make you better. Running with God is setting Him in our lives as our workout partner. He always shows up and shows up on time. I can picture Him in my fleshly brain – totally in workout gear, doing jumping jacks as I walk up slumped over and throw my workout bag to the ground. There He is – already getting His heart rate up and jamming out to Jesus Freak by DC Talk on His IPOD – looking at me like “let’s go!”
We may be relentless at first but we feel so awesome at the end of the run and we give thanks for such an unyielding partner to help us and hold us accountable through our funk.
#4 Running FOR God
Running FOR God is our everyday life. How we react to tough times. The words that we speak. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one get the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Note - strict training… not free flowing training … but strict training. Sacrifice, hard work. To continue running for God we have to be steadfast and persevere through our struggles. Running for God is no easy task. I remember my training for my weight loss journey. Limitations from the things that taste sooo good like French fries, cokes, chocolate cake and having to move when I was exhausted. Nothing says dedication more than getting up at 4:50 in the morning to run in the cool of the morning before the sun has fully risen. But can I tell you that those were the most precious moments between me and God. The smell of fresh, crisp air and the fog sometimes still in the distance, the quietness of the morning – before the rush of children needing to get to school and coffee stops before the big meetings at work. Just me and God and an occasional car driving past me. I remember topping the hill and seeing the sun easing up as a rabbit ran past me in terror because I startled him. Even in the sacrifice of waking up early to get my heart rate up – God met me there and His presence was fully known to me. God meets us in our tough spots just like he met me every morning for my daily, AM run.
We have to be careful in the way we carry ourselves as we hold Christ’s name. I had a guy at work the other day tell me about a woman in sales that was just recently let go – He said “She used her body to get all of her clients … but in certain instances she was quick to wear the “JC” hat” as he rolled his eyes. I’m not sure if the guy I work with is a believer but you could tell he had the same perception that a lot of people have about Christians. This is a quote that I heard on a CD – The theologian Karl Rahner put it this way “the number one cause of atheism is Christians. Those who proclaim God with their mouths and deny Him with their lifestyles is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable.” How sobering is that? Amazing!
Sunday at church we had Shepherds Ministries come to visit us. Shepherds offer compassionate, Christian care for adults with developmental disabilities. There was a guy named Saul. Saul was a sweet soul who has fully memorized the New Testament and quotes scripture randomly. It’s so beautiful. Saul got up to tell a little bit about himself with the help of his mentor, Al. Saul told about how he came to Christ and that he loved to share the good news. He then sang a song. Now, Saul was no American Idol, his vocals very pitchy and out of tune – but it was the most beautiful song I had ever heard and I sat in my seat sobbing. I actually wanted to excuse myself and leave the room so that I could just fall down, face to the ground, and cry like a little kid. Not because I felt sorry for Saul but because I felt sorry for myself. We are so caught up in pointless things. Things that have no benefit to the Kingdom of God, yet we allow ourselves to stumble and get caught up with those things. Saul didn’t know of things like what I just explained… he truly lives to share the Good News. He has child like faith and could care less what anyone thinks of him. He sang that song with a heart of worship and it was beautiful! His carefree spirit was overwhelming to my spirit and I was instantly brought back down to a child state of mind and wanted to be more like Saul. He has impacted my life so much in just that meeting. We actually met up after service and exchanged addresses so that we can be pen pals. He had mentioned that he loved to write back and forth and receive letters in the mail and I am that same way. I’m all about an email but there is nothing like getting real mail in the mailbox. Romans 10:15 says “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” I can testify to that verse as Saul and his message were so beautiful and humbling to me. Notice the nouns in Romans 10:15 – “feet” and “news”. This all wraps back to running for God. . We need to be sure we are running FOR God and nothing else. Have you ever been walking and tripped and fell? I have … and I really hurt myself. I hurt my ankle, knee, elbow, and was carrying my child who I also could have hurt really bad but luckily didn’t. My point is – if it hurts that bad just walking and tripping – imagine how bad it will hurt to be running a full sprint and tripping. Ouch!! This is our lives when we’re running for something other than Truth. We will fall hard. I encourage all of us to Run.
Have some time of reflection tonight and in the following days over the four key points of this teaching.
Running From God – Hiding in shame
Running To God – Allow Him to comfort us
Running With God – God running with us as a coach who continuously pushes us. I love this quote “God loves you exactly where you are but refuses to leave you there.”
Running For God – The way we live our lives for Him. At church, home, school, work, grocery store, sitting in traffic, out with friends… Our actions and words – are they lining up?
I can promise you – you will not grow weary when running for the Truth.
In closing scriptures:
Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Philippians 3:12-14 (Paul speaking) - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:7-10 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
2 Timothy 2:5 says “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according the rules.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
God’s word tells us continuously to run the race – therefore Run For God in the life that you live.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING
"As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-"
Psalm 103:15-17
Last week my husband, Tony, called me to tell me that his friend's (Starr) mom (Marie) had passed away. To my knowledge, Marie had been battling stage 4 cancer for a short amount of time. Marie, although I didn't know her very well, from what I did know of her, she was an amazing woman and an amazing mother and wife! She was a mother of three children and a grandmother of one precious baby girl! Marie lived her life for her family but she also loved the Lord with all her heart. I remember having conversations with her about God and His amazing goodness. Once again, Marie was an amazing woman! She cared about everyone else more than she ever cared about herself. She is a treasure that God put on this earth for a short amount of time to reflect His Glory... and the job was done well.
I remember crying for a moment... crying for the pain she had endured, crying for her family who will no longer have her around... but as I cried for their loss my heart began to give shouts of praises to The Most High and I felt overjoyed that Marie is now in Heaven! No more suffering and sickness - it's cliche' to say "just in a better place" but it's so much more than that!!! She is in an AMAZING place!!! A place that we cannot even begin to wrap our minds around. She has new life, a life that I long for and hope for each day.
As I have been reflecting on this world's loss of Marie and Heaven's gain, I have thought much about how we try to hold on to this life we have here like it is forever. This life on earth is not forever. Our life with Christ is forever. I believe that God has wired us to hold on to our lives on earth and "fight for our lives" because we have work to do here and if He didn't implant us with the fight to keep our lives, we would all be giving up and going to Glory at any and every opportunity. So we fight because that's how we are wired and we tend to fear death because it is unknown to us. Remember that short story about looking before you leap? It's in us to know what is about to happen but His Word says that we walk by faith and not by sight. "Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." 2 corinthians 5:6-9
We have to remember in our suffering times to stick close to God and to His Word. His Word is our manual for life. John 3:16 says it all!!! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever shall believe in Him will not perish but have EVERLASTING life" That doesn't mean we get to walk around in the flesh for forever but that we get to be in Glory with our Father... which, if you are a believer our job here is to spread the Good News and work in the name of Jesus and then go home... to Paradise!
As Jesus was hanging on the cross He made it clear that Paradise was waiting as he spoke to the thief who in that instant believed that Jesus was the son of God "Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." " Luke 23:43 Not tomorrow, not next week, not in five thousand years but TODAY! He knew the thief was on his way to death in that moment so Jesus told him "TODAY you will be with me in paradise". WOW!!!! If that doesn't make you excited, I don't know what will!
Philippians 1:21 tell us to live is Christ and to die is GAIN! So we need to be living as Christians... teaching, sharing, giving, doing!!! Because as we live we are Christ and when we die we GAIN!
I heard a statistic the other day that said that out of all the Christians only 15% are DOERS! Those who act... who get out and help and give their tithes to their churches, who pray fervently and are always looking for an opportunity to serve others. WOW! I can't site the statistic as I heard it on the radio and I'm not sure if it's true but... sometimes I watch Joel Osteen on TV and I see all these thousands upon thousands of Christians soaking up the Word, and then I watched a YouTube video of a Hillsong worship concert and thousands upon thousands of Christians in complete worship, then I look around at churches I have attended hundreds or even thousands of Christians ... but when you leave the church parking lot or the concert hall... where do they go!?!?!?!? I get so frustrated with this question - where are you!?!?! We need you out in the streets, at work, at the grocery store, at the movie theater, out for a couple of social drinks and delicious food... not just behind closed doors at church. This is real people!!! We have to stop playing around and get it together.
Death is always right around the corner because we don't belong to this world. We have to stop holding on to worldly things and live our lives for Christ. Touch others and share the good news so that they too can be called to Paradise.
I didn't even know Marie to the fullest and my heart was changed because of my few, short encounters with her. We have to be these types of people!
I was reading about Trusting God and how it's easy to say that we trust Him but have you ever tried to give Him your money? Ouch.. touchy huh? You may be thinking "who the heck do you think you are?!?!" I'm not condemning you, I'm simply asking. Have you ever tried to give Him your money? And not just a couple of dollars but really GIVE to where it's a little uncomfortable? Some people may skip over this part but it's very vital.
To trust God is to TRUST Him, not just in the things that make us feel all warm and fuzzy but in everything, including our wallets. Malachi 3:9-11 says "You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it" God says test me in this and see if I don't over pour blessing into your life! Yet, we hold on to our money and spend it on things that we don't even need instead of building our faith stronger.
You want to learn to let go of this world.. give up some of your money! I promise you - with the right heart and trusting God, it will change your life. Money doesn't become a treasure to you anymore, it becomes a tool. The bible doesn't say that money is the root to all evil it says that the LOVE of money is the root to all evil. Where are you placing your love and trust in this life?
I am asking you, begging you - to get your mind off of these worldly things and fix your eyes on Jesus. What do you have to lose? 1 John 5:12 says "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life"
Our lives are made to bring God glory. Are you glorifying Him? Are people meeting Jesus through you or are they being turned away? Are you the type of person who shoves Jesus down everyone's throats but your actions never back up your talk? Are you the person who is a servant at church, completely G-rated and friendly but when you leave you're an unrecognizable person who is too selfish to even open a door for a stranger?
Serious stuff-
Life is short. "As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
We have to leave something good behind.
I think that it's often in the loss of someone else that we find ourselves looking for answers. God is the answer. There is no other answer but Him.
We belong to Him and He loves us so much... beyond what we could ever imagine.
Romans 14:8
"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
Marie belonged to the Lord and is now vesting in His Glory! She suffered for a short time and now has moved on to her new home. Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 says "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
Are you living a life that longs to be with your Heavenly Father? If not, then you don't know Him well enough. I encourage you to read His Word daily to find the answers that you are seeking in Him and find a bible based church where you can be filled up and then pour over to others.
Death is inevitable but we can't live in fear of it for ourselves or those around us. We have to live each day with a heart of gratitude and give thanks in all circumstances. We need to be doers, givers, pray-ERS, all for His Glory.
From everlasting to everlasting. Make it a glorious ride!
You have blessed this earth, Marie, and have brought Him glory! Good job!
Shine Bright!
April
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-"
Psalm 103:15-17
Last week my husband, Tony, called me to tell me that his friend's (Starr) mom (Marie) had passed away. To my knowledge, Marie had been battling stage 4 cancer for a short amount of time. Marie, although I didn't know her very well, from what I did know of her, she was an amazing woman and an amazing mother and wife! She was a mother of three children and a grandmother of one precious baby girl! Marie lived her life for her family but she also loved the Lord with all her heart. I remember having conversations with her about God and His amazing goodness. Once again, Marie was an amazing woman! She cared about everyone else more than she ever cared about herself. She is a treasure that God put on this earth for a short amount of time to reflect His Glory... and the job was done well.
I remember crying for a moment... crying for the pain she had endured, crying for her family who will no longer have her around... but as I cried for their loss my heart began to give shouts of praises to The Most High and I felt overjoyed that Marie is now in Heaven! No more suffering and sickness - it's cliche' to say "just in a better place" but it's so much more than that!!! She is in an AMAZING place!!! A place that we cannot even begin to wrap our minds around. She has new life, a life that I long for and hope for each day.
As I have been reflecting on this world's loss of Marie and Heaven's gain, I have thought much about how we try to hold on to this life we have here like it is forever. This life on earth is not forever. Our life with Christ is forever. I believe that God has wired us to hold on to our lives on earth and "fight for our lives" because we have work to do here and if He didn't implant us with the fight to keep our lives, we would all be giving up and going to Glory at any and every opportunity. So we fight because that's how we are wired and we tend to fear death because it is unknown to us. Remember that short story about looking before you leap? It's in us to know what is about to happen but His Word says that we walk by faith and not by sight. "Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." 2 corinthians 5:6-9
We have to remember in our suffering times to stick close to God and to His Word. His Word is our manual for life. John 3:16 says it all!!! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever shall believe in Him will not perish but have EVERLASTING life" That doesn't mean we get to walk around in the flesh for forever but that we get to be in Glory with our Father... which, if you are a believer our job here is to spread the Good News and work in the name of Jesus and then go home... to Paradise!
As Jesus was hanging on the cross He made it clear that Paradise was waiting as he spoke to the thief who in that instant believed that Jesus was the son of God "Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." " Luke 23:43 Not tomorrow, not next week, not in five thousand years but TODAY! He knew the thief was on his way to death in that moment so Jesus told him "TODAY you will be with me in paradise". WOW!!!! If that doesn't make you excited, I don't know what will!
Philippians 1:21 tell us to live is Christ and to die is GAIN! So we need to be living as Christians... teaching, sharing, giving, doing!!! Because as we live we are Christ and when we die we GAIN!
I heard a statistic the other day that said that out of all the Christians only 15% are DOERS! Those who act... who get out and help and give their tithes to their churches, who pray fervently and are always looking for an opportunity to serve others. WOW! I can't site the statistic as I heard it on the radio and I'm not sure if it's true but... sometimes I watch Joel Osteen on TV and I see all these thousands upon thousands of Christians soaking up the Word, and then I watched a YouTube video of a Hillsong worship concert and thousands upon thousands of Christians in complete worship, then I look around at churches I have attended hundreds or even thousands of Christians ... but when you leave the church parking lot or the concert hall... where do they go!?!?!?!? I get so frustrated with this question - where are you!?!?! We need you out in the streets, at work, at the grocery store, at the movie theater, out for a couple of social drinks and delicious food... not just behind closed doors at church. This is real people!!! We have to stop playing around and get it together.
Death is always right around the corner because we don't belong to this world. We have to stop holding on to worldly things and live our lives for Christ. Touch others and share the good news so that they too can be called to Paradise.
I didn't even know Marie to the fullest and my heart was changed because of my few, short encounters with her. We have to be these types of people!
I was reading about Trusting God and how it's easy to say that we trust Him but have you ever tried to give Him your money? Ouch.. touchy huh? You may be thinking "who the heck do you think you are?!?!" I'm not condemning you, I'm simply asking. Have you ever tried to give Him your money? And not just a couple of dollars but really GIVE to where it's a little uncomfortable? Some people may skip over this part but it's very vital.
To trust God is to TRUST Him, not just in the things that make us feel all warm and fuzzy but in everything, including our wallets. Malachi 3:9-11 says "You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it" God says test me in this and see if I don't over pour blessing into your life! Yet, we hold on to our money and spend it on things that we don't even need instead of building our faith stronger.
You want to learn to let go of this world.. give up some of your money! I promise you - with the right heart and trusting God, it will change your life. Money doesn't become a treasure to you anymore, it becomes a tool. The bible doesn't say that money is the root to all evil it says that the LOVE of money is the root to all evil. Where are you placing your love and trust in this life?
I am asking you, begging you - to get your mind off of these worldly things and fix your eyes on Jesus. What do you have to lose? 1 John 5:12 says "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life"
Our lives are made to bring God glory. Are you glorifying Him? Are people meeting Jesus through you or are they being turned away? Are you the type of person who shoves Jesus down everyone's throats but your actions never back up your talk? Are you the person who is a servant at church, completely G-rated and friendly but when you leave you're an unrecognizable person who is too selfish to even open a door for a stranger?
Serious stuff-
Life is short. "As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
We have to leave something good behind.
I think that it's often in the loss of someone else that we find ourselves looking for answers. God is the answer. There is no other answer but Him.
We belong to Him and He loves us so much... beyond what we could ever imagine.
Romans 14:8
"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
Marie belonged to the Lord and is now vesting in His Glory! She suffered for a short time and now has moved on to her new home. Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 says "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
Are you living a life that longs to be with your Heavenly Father? If not, then you don't know Him well enough. I encourage you to read His Word daily to find the answers that you are seeking in Him and find a bible based church where you can be filled up and then pour over to others.
Death is inevitable but we can't live in fear of it for ourselves or those around us. We have to live each day with a heart of gratitude and give thanks in all circumstances. We need to be doers, givers, pray-ERS, all for His Glory.
From everlasting to everlasting. Make it a glorious ride!
You have blessed this earth, Marie, and have brought Him glory! Good job!
Shine Bright!
April
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
