I FINALLY HAVE MY LIFE TOGETHER!
Sadly, at times, these words could not be further from the truth for me.
Do you know I like an ordered house? I like an ordered family. I like the outside world to see me in control. But the reality is, at times, it is all a cover for the turmoil that goes on in my heart. Some may look at my life and see no worry. I have a great husband, five daughters, two and 1/2 grandchildren (one on the way), and a comfortable home. What more could a woman want?
But, I am a woman in want, sometimes.
I am a grown woman but in many ways I am still a wounded child deeply affected by people who said they loved me but their actions or their presence (or lack of it) spoke otherwise. I am still a little girl who never felt perfect enough for anyone to love me like other people were loved. I have always been a comparer and I always calculate myself as coming up short.
So, I've spent my life being a people pleaser, morphing into who I thought others wanted me to be, in the hopes of being loved and having someone stick around. As a result, I am not always authentic. I have always been the caretaker of others but the one easily discarded or ignored. I can't make decisions for fear of making the wrong one and making someone else unhappy. Unhappy people = abandonment in my mind.
My life turned a huge corner when I met my husband. No one in this world has ever loved me the way he loves me. In fact, it was his example of unconditional love, that actually allowed me to let the Christ I had always known, come into my heart. Up until that time, my spiritual life mirrored my personal life. If I am unlovable by the people closest to me, then, I am unlovable by my Creator, as well. I knew God to be a gracious and loving God for everyone else in the world but not for me.
For eight years, or so, God has been recreating me. He's helped me clean up my life. He showed me all my self destructive ways. It's amazing what one will allow when they have no self worth. He's given me new purpose and direction.
I quit my job to be a stay at home mom four years ago. I still get calls from my former employer to come back to work but I don't need to be successful in the marketplace to define my worth anymore.
I obediently followed when God said to homeschool. He gave me the backbone and the strength to stand up to the opposing voices that quickly came our way when we decided to pursue his will. Pretty amazing for a people pleaser! But, it's Him whom I want to please these days, not others.
He's given me a desire to be a teacher of his word to other women and he faithfully has brought many wonderful women into my life to mentor.
We have made great progress, He and I.
Any, yet, despite all this progress, I spent this week going deeper and deeper into a dark place. Imagine two mountains with a valley in the middle. I was on top of one of those mountains on Monday, but by Friday night, I was wandering around in the valley wondering how I would ever get out.
I felt myself begin to slip on Tuesday and instead of looking up for help, I allowed myself to look down, knowing full well where this would lead. I let doubt lead to inadequacy, and inadequacy lead to unlovable, and unlovable lead to my abandonment history, and my self worth just plummetted.
"God can't use me. In fact, God doesn't even love me. I'm fooling myself in thinking he ever did. I'm living in a pipe dream if I think God ever cared for me. Look at you, no one has ever loved you. You don't matter to anyone, never did. God created me just to be miserable."
These are the lies my mind tells me when I allow myself to slip off the mountain; when I go to the dark place outside of God's truthful light. I get lost in the valley of the shadows of death. My poor husband has to deal with my crying and self pity, my short temper, and my withdrawal to safety - alone. I go underground and I am of no help to anyone.
But, then, God sends the Great Shepherd to come and rescue me. He picks me up and gently reminds me that he loves me. He cradles me in his loving arms as he treks me back up the mountain, back into the full light of God's truth. He reminds me he has always loved me and has always been there for me. He reminds me of who I am in him and the plans he has for me. By Sunday morning, we are almost to the top again. I wake up thankful for all he has blessed me with in the later half of my life, ready to let it all go and move on.
During church this morning, I lay it all down at his feet. The years of hurt, the years of being alone, the years of measuring short, the years wasted. I ask forgiveness for not trusting, for not believing. I ask for help in staying on the mountaintop. I ask for the freedom to fly and soar, to have the weight removed from me so I am weightless and free to do his will without restriction and fear.
Then, He gives me this vision:
1. Stop trying to figure out why your life was what it was. Accept it as it is.
2. Stop trying to test everyone's love for you as authentic. Accept it as it is.
3. Stop trying to move up in the world and instead look down. Look at the world and see all the people in the world that feel the same way you do - unlovable/not worthy/abandoned. Use what you know about me to reach them with my love and hope.
4. Instead of trying to gain worldly love and acceptance, be filled up with the love I give, and let MY love pour out of you into others. Take the focus off yourself and focus instead on loving others in the way I have loved you.
5. Use ALL I have given you (even the bad) to my glory!
My battle with self worth is not over. Satan will wage that war against me my whole life but God has given me a battle plan to win the war. Extend past myself, take the weapons of war he provides, focus on winning the battle, trust in Him. He will keep me safe and bring me victoriously to the end.
And if on the day when he returns, I am standing there before him with many more who once thought themselves unworthy but stand there that day because of Christ love shown through me to them, I will have run the race well.
Showing posts with label The Great Commandments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Great Commandments. Show all posts
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
God's Timing
Lord, Whenever I have too much going on my body and mind go on lockdown and I can't seem to focus. Show me the things that are important today and help me prioritize and let go of the things that don't matter. Give me an attitude of service to others versus a self-centered one. Center me with your peace, your vision, your will. My desire is to please you. Amen
I wrote these words at 8:00 AM this morning in my prayer journal. I leave tomorrow on weekend Woman's Retreat with 400 other women from my Church. My day included laundry, cooking meals for the family for when I am away, packing, phone calls, last minute errands, etc. I just felt overwhelmed with everything I felt I needed to do before I could leave. So, I spent some time first talking with God because I've learned through experience things go better when I do.
At 8:15 AM, fifteen minutes after writing those words, I received a phone call from my daughter. She frantically said, "Mom, did you hear what happened?"
Flash forward one hour earlier.
When we left the house at 7:20 AM an ambulance had gone rushing past our house. Before we were all in the car, two fire trucks had also gone through. We commented this was not good, especially if it was a car accident, given the time of day it could easily involve high school kids. I said a quick mental prayer for whoever might be involved and took the kids to school
As I arrived back in my driveway, two helicopters flew overhead, hospital helicopters. I knew then something bad had really happened. I said another prayer, more urgent this time, for all involved. As soon I was back in the house though my mind turned back to all the things I had to do and I then began my bible study and prayer time.
On the other end of the phone, my daughter is now telling me there was a car accident and five high school kids were hit by a train on the way to school. Four of the five were brothers and she told me their last name.
Eight days ago that name would have meant nothing to me because I would not have known them at all. My daughter said, "Mom, isn't that the name of the Dad and his son who came to your small group last week? I think it is, that's why I'm calling you, I thought you would like to get a hold of your small group leader and see what you could do."
Our church is a large church and to keep a sense of connection we have small groups that get together every week to support each other, do bible study, and pray together. It provides a sense of community that could be hard to get in a large church. Just last week a new man joined us. He brought one of his high school sons along, who participated with our group that night. We learned about the things they liked to do, what is going on in their lives, etc. They go to our church but just now joined our group and up until that point, I had never heard of them before.
The thought immediately came to me that there was no coincidence in the timing of our meeting. God knew that they were going to need a group of fellow Christians to rally around them and he brought us all together just in time for that to happen.
Two hours together, seven days ago, was all the preparation God knew we needed to be in a position to step in to help today. What amazing timing and providence!
When I called my small group leader, she felt the same way. We called everyone else in the group and immediately got everyone praying. One husband and wife went to the hospital to be with the family. Another went to the farm where the boys live to help with chores. The ladies began cooking meals for the Grandparents. The boys lived with there Grandparents and they were responsible for the cooking at the house, someone would now need to fill that role for awhile. More of the men will go to the farm tonight to see where they might be able to help. Whatever needs to be done, we will help do.
Remember my earlier predicament? Remember my words to God? Prioritize my day and let go of the things that don't matter. Give me an attitude of service to others.
Never did I dream my day would go this route when I prayed those words, but I did know without a doubt God's hand was at work.
If I ever have to face something as horrific as what these kids and their families faced this morning, I pray someone else would be willing to let God set their priority for the day and ask to be of service to someone else and, then, maybe, I would receive the same kind of outpouring of love and concern that I hope this family feels today.
I may not be any further ahead in MY to do list but God's agenda was accomplished today and that's all that matters.
I know without a doubt, God is in control, and provides for those who call him Lord. I saw his hand working in the midst of a tragedy today and I rest in peace knowing he will do the same for me.
If you are going through a tragedy of your own, I hope you see how God has provided for you in the midst of it. Share your story with the world and let others know who reigns as King.
WLUK Fox11online.com
Car hits train near Brillion
5 high school students hospitalized
Updated: Thursday, 22 Apr 2010, 11:08 AM CDT
Published : Thursday, 22 Apr 2010, 8:29 AM CDT
TOWN OF RANTOUL - A car carrying five teens on their way to Brillion High School collided with a train Thursday morning, Calumet County authorities say.
The crash happened on East River Road, south of Fischer Road, in the town of Rantoul around 7:30 a.m. Five victims were taken to Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah, some by helicopter and some by ambulance. A 15-year-old boy was listed in critical condition Thursday morning, while an 18-year-old man and two boys, ages 16 and 15, were listed in serious condition. Those four are all related. An 18-year-old woman, who is not related to the other victims, but was also traveling in the car, was listed in fair condition. The 16-year-old was driving the car.
Officials said it appeared the car did not yield to the train. The crossing has a yield sign, but no lights or gates.
FOX 11 has a crew at the scene and will have more information on fox11online.com and on FOX 11 News
I wrote these words at 8:00 AM this morning in my prayer journal. I leave tomorrow on weekend Woman's Retreat with 400 other women from my Church. My day included laundry, cooking meals for the family for when I am away, packing, phone calls, last minute errands, etc. I just felt overwhelmed with everything I felt I needed to do before I could leave. So, I spent some time first talking with God because I've learned through experience things go better when I do.
At 8:15 AM, fifteen minutes after writing those words, I received a phone call from my daughter. She frantically said, "Mom, did you hear what happened?"
Flash forward one hour earlier.
When we left the house at 7:20 AM an ambulance had gone rushing past our house. Before we were all in the car, two fire trucks had also gone through. We commented this was not good, especially if it was a car accident, given the time of day it could easily involve high school kids. I said a quick mental prayer for whoever might be involved and took the kids to school
As I arrived back in my driveway, two helicopters flew overhead, hospital helicopters. I knew then something bad had really happened. I said another prayer, more urgent this time, for all involved. As soon I was back in the house though my mind turned back to all the things I had to do and I then began my bible study and prayer time.
On the other end of the phone, my daughter is now telling me there was a car accident and five high school kids were hit by a train on the way to school. Four of the five were brothers and she told me their last name.
Eight days ago that name would have meant nothing to me because I would not have known them at all. My daughter said, "Mom, isn't that the name of the Dad and his son who came to your small group last week? I think it is, that's why I'm calling you, I thought you would like to get a hold of your small group leader and see what you could do."
Our church is a large church and to keep a sense of connection we have small groups that get together every week to support each other, do bible study, and pray together. It provides a sense of community that could be hard to get in a large church. Just last week a new man joined us. He brought one of his high school sons along, who participated with our group that night. We learned about the things they liked to do, what is going on in their lives, etc. They go to our church but just now joined our group and up until that point, I had never heard of them before.
The thought immediately came to me that there was no coincidence in the timing of our meeting. God knew that they were going to need a group of fellow Christians to rally around them and he brought us all together just in time for that to happen.
Two hours together, seven days ago, was all the preparation God knew we needed to be in a position to step in to help today. What amazing timing and providence!
When I called my small group leader, she felt the same way. We called everyone else in the group and immediately got everyone praying. One husband and wife went to the hospital to be with the family. Another went to the farm where the boys live to help with chores. The ladies began cooking meals for the Grandparents. The boys lived with there Grandparents and they were responsible for the cooking at the house, someone would now need to fill that role for awhile. More of the men will go to the farm tonight to see where they might be able to help. Whatever needs to be done, we will help do.
Remember my earlier predicament? Remember my words to God? Prioritize my day and let go of the things that don't matter. Give me an attitude of service to others.
Never did I dream my day would go this route when I prayed those words, but I did know without a doubt God's hand was at work.
If I ever have to face something as horrific as what these kids and their families faced this morning, I pray someone else would be willing to let God set their priority for the day and ask to be of service to someone else and, then, maybe, I would receive the same kind of outpouring of love and concern that I hope this family feels today.
I may not be any further ahead in MY to do list but God's agenda was accomplished today and that's all that matters.
I know without a doubt, God is in control, and provides for those who call him Lord. I saw his hand working in the midst of a tragedy today and I rest in peace knowing he will do the same for me.
If you are going through a tragedy of your own, I hope you see how God has provided for you in the midst of it. Share your story with the world and let others know who reigns as King.
WLUK Fox11online.com
Car hits train near Brillion
5 high school students hospitalized
Updated: Thursday, 22 Apr 2010, 11:08 AM CDT
Published : Thursday, 22 Apr 2010, 8:29 AM CDT
TOWN OF RANTOUL - A car carrying five teens on their way to Brillion High School collided with a train Thursday morning, Calumet County authorities say.
The crash happened on East River Road, south of Fischer Road, in the town of Rantoul around 7:30 a.m. Five victims were taken to Theda Clark Hospital in Neenah, some by helicopter and some by ambulance. A 15-year-old boy was listed in critical condition Thursday morning, while an 18-year-old man and two boys, ages 16 and 15, were listed in serious condition. Those four are all related. An 18-year-old woman, who is not related to the other victims, but was also traveling in the car, was listed in fair condition. The 16-year-old was driving the car.
Officials said it appeared the car did not yield to the train. The crossing has a yield sign, but no lights or gates.
FOX 11 has a crew at the scene and will have more information on fox11online.com and on FOX 11 News
Monday, February 1, 2010
First Love
Question: Who or what do you love more than anything else in the world?
The answer to this question reveals where your heart lies and whom or what is your greatest influence. It also shows who or what you will never deny in your life.
I have always known that God commanded us to have no other gods before him, to love Him above all else. From little on this concept was taught to me. Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom but is not wisdom. Knowing the truth and understanding the truth is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
This past week knowledge sparked into a bit of wisdom for me in this area. A bible study I was doing talked about denying self as part of the committed Christian way. The study led me to see that 'self' is all about self and will ALWAYS reject Jesus Christ, thus it must be denied.
Self includes what is within as well as what is around it. Unless we deny all of self and love self less than Jesus, self will always lead us away from Jesus and his way.
God told us in the bible that we are a people prone to wander, to forget about him. Our wanderings and forgetfulness happen when we fail to deny all of self and allow something else to be elevated above our love for Jesus.
I saw a first hand example of this concept in my family this week. As parents, we want our children to love us and our ways above the world and its ways. We want to be the main influence of our children's hearts and souls and be the teacher of what it right and true. For most of their younger years we have their attention and their hearts but then the world starts to pull harder.
For us the world came to our daughter in the form of a 'boyfriend". An unbeliever, from an unbelieving family, with very different views of what is right and true. She allowed her love for us to be diminished as she elevated this boyfriend in her heart. She began to love him more and he was becoming her influence. She began to wander from her parents and her upbringing and she began to forget why she loved us and what we had done for her.
As her mother, I desperately want her to come back, to remember, to return - before it's too late! If you wander too far, forget for too long, you run the risk of never returning or remembering how to get back. Bad things could happen on this path. Parents know because they traveled the same path once themselves and know how hard it is to get back.
How much more does our Father in heaven desperately want us to return and remember because He knows what lies ahead for us if we don't. How much more does He know what a love of self will do to our souls, where it will lead us, and the lies it will get us to believe. How much more does he know that to love him above all else is the most important thing in the world.
It's so important that he will warn us. It's so important that he will punish us if necessary so we learn. It is so important that he will let us go in the hopes that we will return but will grieve to see us go and be waiting patiently for us to come back.
This is why we warn and punish our kids - it's that important. This is why sometimes we have to let them go and find out for themselves-when they are so rebellious that they won't listen to you. We do this because this is what our Heavenly Father does for us.
So, as I see how the love of self distorts the teachings and values we have given our daughter, and how it is leading her away from us, I am given a concrete example of what the love of self does to lead me away from Jesus. I understand now why Jesus says to put him first in our hearts, to love him best, to let nothing come between us.
As a daughter to the King, I need to work on denying my own self and keeping out all that would reject him in my own heart as my Father and King. As I try to bring my daughter back to our way of thinking, God is working on me - to bring me back to His way of thinking, his truth, and his ways in everything!
May you remember who our first love should be and elevate that truth to be the most important thing in the world to you. May you heed God's warnings and return quickly when you do wander or forget!
The answer to this question reveals where your heart lies and whom or what is your greatest influence. It also shows who or what you will never deny in your life.
I have always known that God commanded us to have no other gods before him, to love Him above all else. From little on this concept was taught to me. Knowledge is the beginning of wisdom but is not wisdom. Knowing the truth and understanding the truth is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
This past week knowledge sparked into a bit of wisdom for me in this area. A bible study I was doing talked about denying self as part of the committed Christian way. The study led me to see that 'self' is all about self and will ALWAYS reject Jesus Christ, thus it must be denied.
Self includes what is within as well as what is around it. Unless we deny all of self and love self less than Jesus, self will always lead us away from Jesus and his way.
God told us in the bible that we are a people prone to wander, to forget about him. Our wanderings and forgetfulness happen when we fail to deny all of self and allow something else to be elevated above our love for Jesus.
I saw a first hand example of this concept in my family this week. As parents, we want our children to love us and our ways above the world and its ways. We want to be the main influence of our children's hearts and souls and be the teacher of what it right and true. For most of their younger years we have their attention and their hearts but then the world starts to pull harder.
For us the world came to our daughter in the form of a 'boyfriend". An unbeliever, from an unbelieving family, with very different views of what is right and true. She allowed her love for us to be diminished as she elevated this boyfriend in her heart. She began to love him more and he was becoming her influence. She began to wander from her parents and her upbringing and she began to forget why she loved us and what we had done for her.
As her mother, I desperately want her to come back, to remember, to return - before it's too late! If you wander too far, forget for too long, you run the risk of never returning or remembering how to get back. Bad things could happen on this path. Parents know because they traveled the same path once themselves and know how hard it is to get back.
How much more does our Father in heaven desperately want us to return and remember because He knows what lies ahead for us if we don't. How much more does He know what a love of self will do to our souls, where it will lead us, and the lies it will get us to believe. How much more does he know that to love him above all else is the most important thing in the world.
It's so important that he will warn us. It's so important that he will punish us if necessary so we learn. It is so important that he will let us go in the hopes that we will return but will grieve to see us go and be waiting patiently for us to come back.
This is why we warn and punish our kids - it's that important. This is why sometimes we have to let them go and find out for themselves-when they are so rebellious that they won't listen to you. We do this because this is what our Heavenly Father does for us.
So, as I see how the love of self distorts the teachings and values we have given our daughter, and how it is leading her away from us, I am given a concrete example of what the love of self does to lead me away from Jesus. I understand now why Jesus says to put him first in our hearts, to love him best, to let nothing come between us.
As a daughter to the King, I need to work on denying my own self and keeping out all that would reject him in my own heart as my Father and King. As I try to bring my daughter back to our way of thinking, God is working on me - to bring me back to His way of thinking, his truth, and his ways in everything!
May you remember who our first love should be and elevate that truth to be the most important thing in the world to you. May you heed God's warnings and return quickly when you do wander or forget!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Where Are the Christians in America?
305,529,237 people in the United States according to USNews.com
75% of US population considers themselves Christian or 229,146,927 Christian people in America
301,518 people have signed the Manhattan Declaration as of 12/18/09.
What are the other 228,845,409 Christians waiting for?
That's .001 percent of the Christian US population that has so far taken a stand for biblical principles in the area of human life, marriage, and religious freedom.
Is that really all there are in America that believe in God's way?
75% of US population considers themselves Christian or 229,146,927 Christian people in America
301,518 people have signed the Manhattan Declaration as of 12/18/09.
What are the other 228,845,409 Christians waiting for?
That's .001 percent of the Christian US population that has so far taken a stand for biblical principles in the area of human life, marriage, and religious freedom.
Is that really all there are in America that believe in God's way?
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Manhattan Declaration
The Manhattan Declaration
Please take the time to read this document. It is so very important!
Please, also, go to focusonthefamily.com to listen to today's program titled: A Manifesto for Righteousness which discusses the Manhattan Declaration.
I heard Dr. Dobson say that if taxpayers are forced to pay to fund abortions, he and his wife cannot participate, even if that means they have to live in another country for the rest of their lives. Are we as committed? I pray it does not come to that but what would you do if it did? What are we doing to prevent our leaders from taking us down that road.
I signed this document today and I pray you do as well.
Please take the time to read this document. It is so very important!
Please, also, go to focusonthefamily.com to listen to today's program titled: A Manifesto for Righteousness which discusses the Manhattan Declaration.
I heard Dr. Dobson say that if taxpayers are forced to pay to fund abortions, he and his wife cannot participate, even if that means they have to live in another country for the rest of their lives. Are we as committed? I pray it does not come to that but what would you do if it did? What are we doing to prevent our leaders from taking us down that road.
I signed this document today and I pray you do as well.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Be Fruitful. . .
I have been searching the scriptures for information of education recently. I want to see what education looks like from a biblical perspective, What did the first glimpses of education look like for Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, etc.? I suspect we have gotten off track along the way and I just had a desire to look into it a little deeper.
I didn't get far into the chapter of Genesis before I came to a few verses that took me down a rabbit trail.
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
I had always glossed over that 'be fruitful' phrase assuming it meant the same as multiplying and filling the earth. However, when I got to the story of Noah, I noticed that God used this same phrase with Noah. In fact, he says it three times. It must be pretty important.
Genesis 8:15-17 Then God said to Noah, "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it."
Genesis 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.
Genesis 9:7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."
These were the first commands given by God to Adam and then to Noah. Did he only want them, including the animals, just to multiply and fill the earth or is there more to the command?
I looked up other verses in the bible that talk about fruit or being fruitful in the hope of understanding this better. If I had a bible with the Greek meanings of the words, I would have used that, too. But I don't, so you go with what you have.
Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
God is often called the living water. We often talk about being rooted in God's Word. Fruit is often referred to as Godly characteristics or works. Is this verse to describe a person who draws life from God, is rooted in God's Word, is maturing and growing in their faith, becoming ready, to be and do what God has assigned, sustaining and persevering his whole life in the faith, and is successful because he does the will of God? Is this what God meant about being 'fruitful'?
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
This verse looks like evangelizing; rooting others in God's Word and leading others to eternal life.
So far, we have a picture of 'fruitful' being both personal growth and helping other to grow in the knowledge of God.
Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Authentic, life saving fruit cannot be produced if the life source is anything other than the Godhead himself. So, 'be fruitful' is also telling us the source of life, and of fruit, is God and nothing else.
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.
God is the Gardener who perfects us and our fruit! We can rest in His work in us because it has a perfect purpose, although painful at times.
Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These are characteristics a fallen world cannot produce on their own without first having known such shown toward them and then having been transformed by God himself.
I never noticed the last line of this verse before. What does it mean against such thing there is no law? I wondered if before the fall - when there was yet no need for the law - did these things come naturally to Adam and Eve because of their intimate relationship with God? Which led me to the next verse.
Rev. 22:2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Adam and Eve had access to the Tree of Life until sin entered the world. We will once again have access to the Tree of Life when Jesus restores all things back to their former eternal characteristics.
Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
Wives have children (increase and multiply). A Christian Mother who raises her children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord is being 'fruitful'. In fact, she must first be drawing life from God herself. She must first be rooted in God's Word. She is then able to show her children where to draw life from and how to stay rooted in God's Word for themselves. She understands who the perfecter of her faith is, and the faith of her children, and she diligently teaches her children to walk in God's ways and to rest in his will. By doing so, she fulfills both Psalm 1:3 and Proverbs 11:30. Mothers have suck a divine priviledge!
The first instruction of education is to know God!
The second instruction is to always walk with him and in His will!
The third instruction is to teach your children to do the same through example and diligent teaching!
How do the three commands given to Adam and then to Noah conflict with what the world teaches?
The world teaches there is no God or that you are your own god. The world teaches no Creator but rather chance. The world doesn't acknowledge a divine life source because they don't believe in a heaven or hell. The world doesn't value children or the call for mothers to raise them in God's Word. The feminist movement puts a womans value elsewhere. The U.N. and agencies like Planned Parenthood would rather control the population and limit it's growth. A generation who isn't drawing from the authentic eternal life source isn't able to teach their children to do so either.
If no one heeds God's command in this area, the next generation may be similar to the one of Noah's generation. However, I know there are Christian families all over the world who do heed God's command, although we are in the minority. We must be even more diligent and reliant on God so that our children may be a beacon of light to the world. May God bless the efforts of those who obey.
I will continue to look up what education looks like in the bible, but the first and most important aspect to knowledge and wisdom is the fear and knowledge of God.
I didn't get far into the chapter of Genesis before I came to a few verses that took me down a rabbit trail.
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
I had always glossed over that 'be fruitful' phrase assuming it meant the same as multiplying and filling the earth. However, when I got to the story of Noah, I noticed that God used this same phrase with Noah. In fact, he says it three times. It must be pretty important.
Genesis 8:15-17 Then God said to Noah, "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it."
Genesis 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.
Genesis 9:7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."
These were the first commands given by God to Adam and then to Noah. Did he only want them, including the animals, just to multiply and fill the earth or is there more to the command?
I looked up other verses in the bible that talk about fruit or being fruitful in the hope of understanding this better. If I had a bible with the Greek meanings of the words, I would have used that, too. But I don't, so you go with what you have.
Psalm 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
God is often called the living water. We often talk about being rooted in God's Word. Fruit is often referred to as Godly characteristics or works. Is this verse to describe a person who draws life from God, is rooted in God's Word, is maturing and growing in their faith, becoming ready, to be and do what God has assigned, sustaining and persevering his whole life in the faith, and is successful because he does the will of God? Is this what God meant about being 'fruitful'?
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
This verse looks like evangelizing; rooting others in God's Word and leading others to eternal life.
So far, we have a picture of 'fruitful' being both personal growth and helping other to grow in the knowledge of God.
Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Authentic, life saving fruit cannot be produced if the life source is anything other than the Godhead himself. So, 'be fruitful' is also telling us the source of life, and of fruit, is God and nothing else.
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.
God is the Gardener who perfects us and our fruit! We can rest in His work in us because it has a perfect purpose, although painful at times.
Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These are characteristics a fallen world cannot produce on their own without first having known such shown toward them and then having been transformed by God himself.
I never noticed the last line of this verse before. What does it mean against such thing there is no law? I wondered if before the fall - when there was yet no need for the law - did these things come naturally to Adam and Eve because of their intimate relationship with God? Which led me to the next verse.
Rev. 22:2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Adam and Eve had access to the Tree of Life until sin entered the world. We will once again have access to the Tree of Life when Jesus restores all things back to their former eternal characteristics.
Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
Wives have children (increase and multiply). A Christian Mother who raises her children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord is being 'fruitful'. In fact, she must first be drawing life from God herself. She must first be rooted in God's Word. She is then able to show her children where to draw life from and how to stay rooted in God's Word for themselves. She understands who the perfecter of her faith is, and the faith of her children, and she diligently teaches her children to walk in God's ways and to rest in his will. By doing so, she fulfills both Psalm 1:3 and Proverbs 11:30. Mothers have suck a divine priviledge!
The first instruction of education is to know God!
The second instruction is to always walk with him and in His will!
The third instruction is to teach your children to do the same through example and diligent teaching!
How do the three commands given to Adam and then to Noah conflict with what the world teaches?
The world teaches there is no God or that you are your own god. The world teaches no Creator but rather chance. The world doesn't acknowledge a divine life source because they don't believe in a heaven or hell. The world doesn't value children or the call for mothers to raise them in God's Word. The feminist movement puts a womans value elsewhere. The U.N. and agencies like Planned Parenthood would rather control the population and limit it's growth. A generation who isn't drawing from the authentic eternal life source isn't able to teach their children to do so either.
If no one heeds God's command in this area, the next generation may be similar to the one of Noah's generation. However, I know there are Christian families all over the world who do heed God's command, although we are in the minority. We must be even more diligent and reliant on God so that our children may be a beacon of light to the world. May God bless the efforts of those who obey.
I will continue to look up what education looks like in the bible, but the first and most important aspect to knowledge and wisdom is the fear and knowledge of God.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Spiritual Warfare For a Stranger's Soul
My daughter called this morning. I could tell by her voice something was wrong.
She shared with me how a former co-worker had recently returned to work after being gone for some time. She was excited he was back. One day while catching up, he shared with her that while he was away he had been in a mental hospital on suicide watch. My daughter having experienced this same situation for herself at one point in her life was very sympathetic and supportive toward him and his plight. He must have sensed she understood because today this young man took a very brave step and consequentially, then my daughter took one, too.
This young man called her today saying he was having very strong urges to kill himself and he just needed to talk to someone.
He was hurting! And despite the very real pain he was in, he made a decision to not isolate himself, and chose instead to reach out to someone. How brave! It is a very brave thing to be vulnerable with another person, to ask someone for help, to be honest with what is going on in your mind. I give this young man so much credit for taking a leap of faith and trying to connect with someone when everything in his being was telling him to just give up. For those who have never gone through this, you cannot imagine how difficult this step was for him.
After talking with him, my daughter called me. I heard the words 'previously on suicide watch' and 'having very strong urges to kill myself' and instantly knew someone needed to get to him NOW!
After asking if she knew any of his family members, I told her she needed to take this very seriously. She needed to call someone in his family and share with them what he told her. Someone who loved him needed to get to him as soon as possible. She immediately followed through with that.
While she was making that connection, I cried and prayed. Actually, I pleaded with God!
You see there have been numerous high school suicides in our area in the last few months. One local high school lost 4 kids in six months to suicide. It has become a very real problem and many are gathering together to figure out how to prevent this from happening. Local churches are even working with public school systems to understand the problem and how to help.
So, I pleaded with God through burning tears that this would not be another lost soul.
I pleaded with God that first of all, someone would get to him immediately so that he would not be alone very long.
I pleaded that God would protect him until someone arrived.
I pleaded that someone would come into his life with the message of hope in Jesus Christ.
I prayed that his pain would not be for nothing and that this was part of his journey in finding Jesus and salvation, not death and eternal damnation.
I begged God to protect him so that Satan would not win this soul.
I asked God to send his guardian angels to gather around him and to keep Satan away from him. I could actually picture this in my mind. The angels were more powerful and Satan was kept out. Satan was mad as hell but he couldn't penetrate or influence the boy any longer.
I just kept weeping and praying for this young man I didn't even know.
The phone rang and scared me half to death. I was so absorbed in engaging God that I had blocked out everything else around me. The ringing phone brought me back to reality. I believe the Holy Spirit was working through me to intercede for this young man, leading me with the sense of urgency and determination needed for battle. I felt like I was in a war and pleading with God for victory. I didn't even know this man but, yet, I was fighting for his life on his behalf. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
It was my daughter, calling with a report, that she had contacted his aunt (who happens to work at the same place they do). The aunt was at work and said he too was there having just punched in for the day. My daughter was relieved he was okay and around the people who knew him. She proceeded to share with his aunt all that he had shared with her.
This, too, was a very brave thing to do. She was concerned for his safety but also conflicted with the possibility that he might see it as a betrayal of trust and never open up to her again. In her mind, she was risking their friendship. However, there was still a friendship to risk, and more importantly, a friend to rescue and that took precedent. She did the hard thing for a friend, for his own good, even if he didn't see it that way right now.
Our phone call was interrupted by another call she had to take. When she called me back she reported that both the aunt and the owner of the business were sitting with him while waiting for his mother to come. She was able to talk to him and he said he wasn't mad and, in fact, he thanked her.
I have no idea what will come of this situation. I pray those angels stay right where they are and preserve this man's soul until he reaches out for God himself. I believe that God works in the lives of even those who have not yet called on him as Lord, but will someday. I believe that if he is one of God's own, he will be protected.
Please pray for him along with me that Satan does not win this soul. Let us intercede on behalf of a man we do not know but is known by the God we serve. Let us do for him what he cannot do for himself at this point. Pray for his rescue from darkness and the chains that hold him there and for his salvation and freedom in Christ.
I want my daughter to know how proud I am of her for taking this seriously, for saving his life, and giving him a chance at gaining salvation. I know she, too, has suffered in the past, and this could open up wounds with fresh scars, so I ask for prayers for her too.
Let us never take a life for granted - even that of a stranger.
Lord - Thank you for coming through today in a big way and for always being stronger than the enemy. Thank you for displaying your power to my daughter and may this young man someday see that same power for himself in his own life. Please continue to guard and watch over both of these individuals in the days to come. Amen.
She shared with me how a former co-worker had recently returned to work after being gone for some time. She was excited he was back. One day while catching up, he shared with her that while he was away he had been in a mental hospital on suicide watch. My daughter having experienced this same situation for herself at one point in her life was very sympathetic and supportive toward him and his plight. He must have sensed she understood because today this young man took a very brave step and consequentially, then my daughter took one, too.
This young man called her today saying he was having very strong urges to kill himself and he just needed to talk to someone.
He was hurting! And despite the very real pain he was in, he made a decision to not isolate himself, and chose instead to reach out to someone. How brave! It is a very brave thing to be vulnerable with another person, to ask someone for help, to be honest with what is going on in your mind. I give this young man so much credit for taking a leap of faith and trying to connect with someone when everything in his being was telling him to just give up. For those who have never gone through this, you cannot imagine how difficult this step was for him.
After talking with him, my daughter called me. I heard the words 'previously on suicide watch' and 'having very strong urges to kill myself' and instantly knew someone needed to get to him NOW!
After asking if she knew any of his family members, I told her she needed to take this very seriously. She needed to call someone in his family and share with them what he told her. Someone who loved him needed to get to him as soon as possible. She immediately followed through with that.
While she was making that connection, I cried and prayed. Actually, I pleaded with God!
You see there have been numerous high school suicides in our area in the last few months. One local high school lost 4 kids in six months to suicide. It has become a very real problem and many are gathering together to figure out how to prevent this from happening. Local churches are even working with public school systems to understand the problem and how to help.
So, I pleaded with God through burning tears that this would not be another lost soul.
I pleaded with God that first of all, someone would get to him immediately so that he would not be alone very long.
I pleaded that God would protect him until someone arrived.
I pleaded that someone would come into his life with the message of hope in Jesus Christ.
I prayed that his pain would not be for nothing and that this was part of his journey in finding Jesus and salvation, not death and eternal damnation.
I begged God to protect him so that Satan would not win this soul.
I asked God to send his guardian angels to gather around him and to keep Satan away from him. I could actually picture this in my mind. The angels were more powerful and Satan was kept out. Satan was mad as hell but he couldn't penetrate or influence the boy any longer.
I just kept weeping and praying for this young man I didn't even know.
The phone rang and scared me half to death. I was so absorbed in engaging God that I had blocked out everything else around me. The ringing phone brought me back to reality. I believe the Holy Spirit was working through me to intercede for this young man, leading me with the sense of urgency and determination needed for battle. I felt like I was in a war and pleading with God for victory. I didn't even know this man but, yet, I was fighting for his life on his behalf. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
It was my daughter, calling with a report, that she had contacted his aunt (who happens to work at the same place they do). The aunt was at work and said he too was there having just punched in for the day. My daughter was relieved he was okay and around the people who knew him. She proceeded to share with his aunt all that he had shared with her.
This, too, was a very brave thing to do. She was concerned for his safety but also conflicted with the possibility that he might see it as a betrayal of trust and never open up to her again. In her mind, she was risking their friendship. However, there was still a friendship to risk, and more importantly, a friend to rescue and that took precedent. She did the hard thing for a friend, for his own good, even if he didn't see it that way right now.
Our phone call was interrupted by another call she had to take. When she called me back she reported that both the aunt and the owner of the business were sitting with him while waiting for his mother to come. She was able to talk to him and he said he wasn't mad and, in fact, he thanked her.
I have no idea what will come of this situation. I pray those angels stay right where they are and preserve this man's soul until he reaches out for God himself. I believe that God works in the lives of even those who have not yet called on him as Lord, but will someday. I believe that if he is one of God's own, he will be protected.
Please pray for him along with me that Satan does not win this soul. Let us intercede on behalf of a man we do not know but is known by the God we serve. Let us do for him what he cannot do for himself at this point. Pray for his rescue from darkness and the chains that hold him there and for his salvation and freedom in Christ.
I want my daughter to know how proud I am of her for taking this seriously, for saving his life, and giving him a chance at gaining salvation. I know she, too, has suffered in the past, and this could open up wounds with fresh scars, so I ask for prayers for her too.
Let us never take a life for granted - even that of a stranger.
Lord - Thank you for coming through today in a big way and for always being stronger than the enemy. Thank you for displaying your power to my daughter and may this young man someday see that same power for himself in his own life. Please continue to guard and watch over both of these individuals in the days to come. Amen.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What's Your Motivation?
My step mom broke her ankle a few weeks ago. She had surgery to reset it with a plate and six screws and is out of commission for a few months.
A week after her accident, my dad had back surgery. He's laid up for a few weeks.
They cannot do much around the house right now, so my brother, sister, and I have been helping out with meal preparations, house cleaning, laundry, lawn care, and gardening. The grand kids have also been a great help!
My grandparents live right next door to my dad and their garden is right along side my dad's. One day when I was in the garden pulling weeds, my grandma came over to talk with me.
She said that she had decided that either I really liked my parents or that they must have a lot of money and I must want it. This was her conclusion to why I would spend so much time helping out my parents.
I told her neither were the case.
Not that I didn't love them, I did! However, they are not always deserving of that love and I'm not always the most loving person. I'm afraid to say, my love for them would not be enough motivation for me, unfortunately. I also know they do not have any money to covet after.
My answer to my grandma was this.
I love God and God commands us to care for our parents and for our family members.
I am motivated by wanting to please my Lord. When I am at home trying to convince my tired body that I must now go over to my parents to do their work, after I just have done all of mine at home, it is my desire to please God that provides the motivation for me to get up and do it.
My grandma was shocked at my response but she was also shocked at my actual actions over the past few weeks. I know she knows me as the selfish, do as I please, rebel of the family, person of old. To see me in action through this experience, I know she saw something different in me-the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit-a new creation- a new attitude. My actions backed up my response and confirmed for her a difference in me.
She also shared with me that she didn't think her own children would do the same for her and I could see that hurt her.
My dad said it's all in how you are raised. I agree that if we are raised in a giving environment we might tend to be giving people in our adulthood. However, I really believe the defining difference is a life and heart changed by Jesus Christ.
Through this experience I have had an opportunity to witness to my parents, my children, my grandparents, my friends, and my extended family without having to preach. This may open the door to conversations down the road.
A week after her accident, my dad had back surgery. He's laid up for a few weeks.
They cannot do much around the house right now, so my brother, sister, and I have been helping out with meal preparations, house cleaning, laundry, lawn care, and gardening. The grand kids have also been a great help!
My grandparents live right next door to my dad and their garden is right along side my dad's. One day when I was in the garden pulling weeds, my grandma came over to talk with me.
She said that she had decided that either I really liked my parents or that they must have a lot of money and I must want it. This was her conclusion to why I would spend so much time helping out my parents.
I told her neither were the case.
Not that I didn't love them, I did! However, they are not always deserving of that love and I'm not always the most loving person. I'm afraid to say, my love for them would not be enough motivation for me, unfortunately. I also know they do not have any money to covet after.
My answer to my grandma was this.
I love God and God commands us to care for our parents and for our family members.
I am motivated by wanting to please my Lord. When I am at home trying to convince my tired body that I must now go over to my parents to do their work, after I just have done all of mine at home, it is my desire to please God that provides the motivation for me to get up and do it.
My grandma was shocked at my response but she was also shocked at my actual actions over the past few weeks. I know she knows me as the selfish, do as I please, rebel of the family, person of old. To see me in action through this experience, I know she saw something different in me-the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit-a new creation- a new attitude. My actions backed up my response and confirmed for her a difference in me.
She also shared with me that she didn't think her own children would do the same for her and I could see that hurt her.
My dad said it's all in how you are raised. I agree that if we are raised in a giving environment we might tend to be giving people in our adulthood. However, I really believe the defining difference is a life and heart changed by Jesus Christ.
Through this experience I have had an opportunity to witness to my parents, my children, my grandparents, my friends, and my extended family without having to preach. This may open the door to conversations down the road.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Remove abortion from health care legislation
Current proposed Health Care Reform legislation will result in the biggest expansion of abortion since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision in 1973. There is no explicit exclusion for abortion; instead it opens the door to allow, or even force, abortion to be included as health care coverage.
Abortion is not a health care benefit but an elective, and it should never be included in health care legislation. If abortion is not specifically excluded, it will automatically become a mandate or required benefit, leaving the American taxpayer with no choice.
I am not in favor of subsidizing abortion, and I do not believe the government should be forcing its citizens to pay for abortion.
I am urging you to contact your representatives and senators and ask them to see that abortion is excluded from health care legislation. Also ask them to vote “no” on any health care bill that does not include language that specifically excludes abortion. The next step is to look into all of the other flaws in the Health Care Reform legislation.
July 29, 2009
BY BARBARA J. FERRARO, Concerned Women for America, Hilo
I have emailed both my Senators and State Representative today asking them to do just what this lady has said. (Copy of my letter is below). Please do the Same!
I am a Wisconsin resident, a mom of five, and a Christian.
I am pro-life and against legalized abortion because I believe it to be against the ethical standard set by God. An ethical standard we are not at liberty to change or alter and one that holds spiritual consequences.
I would like to make my voice heard by relaying to you that I would NOT support a health plan that would cause taxpayer money to pay for abortions or include 'end of life' discussions with taxpayers as a way to cut costs.
I agree the current health care system needs to be re hauled but NOT at the expense of my convictions as a Christian. I urge you to vote NO to President Obama's current health care plan.
A health care system that encourages and supports murder and suicide is not good for any American, Christian or otherwise.
I am praying for wisdom and courage for you as you undertake this very important decision for Americans and for the moral and ethical landscape of our future.
Please vote NO!
Abortion is not a health care benefit but an elective, and it should never be included in health care legislation. If abortion is not specifically excluded, it will automatically become a mandate or required benefit, leaving the American taxpayer with no choice.
I am not in favor of subsidizing abortion, and I do not believe the government should be forcing its citizens to pay for abortion.
I am urging you to contact your representatives and senators and ask them to see that abortion is excluded from health care legislation. Also ask them to vote “no” on any health care bill that does not include language that specifically excludes abortion. The next step is to look into all of the other flaws in the Health Care Reform legislation.
July 29, 2009
BY BARBARA J. FERRARO, Concerned Women for America, Hilo
I have emailed both my Senators and State Representative today asking them to do just what this lady has said. (Copy of my letter is below). Please do the Same!
I am a Wisconsin resident, a mom of five, and a Christian.
I am pro-life and against legalized abortion because I believe it to be against the ethical standard set by God. An ethical standard we are not at liberty to change or alter and one that holds spiritual consequences.
I would like to make my voice heard by relaying to you that I would NOT support a health plan that would cause taxpayer money to pay for abortions or include 'end of life' discussions with taxpayers as a way to cut costs.
I agree the current health care system needs to be re hauled but NOT at the expense of my convictions as a Christian. I urge you to vote NO to President Obama's current health care plan.
A health care system that encourages and supports murder and suicide is not good for any American, Christian or otherwise.
I am praying for wisdom and courage for you as you undertake this very important decision for Americans and for the moral and ethical landscape of our future.
Please vote NO!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
1 John 2:3-6
3rd Test of Christian Behavior
1 John 2:3-6 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love[a] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Jesus, himself, told the disciples to love him meant keeping his commands.
John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
While Jesus was in the upper room with the disciples, in his last days before his death, he told them more than once that to love him meant keeping his commands. Someone once said, if Jesus says something once you better listen. If he says it twice, you better sit up and take notice, and if he says it three times, we're best to fall on our knees in humility. Well, I think this is a fall on your knees test.
What does it mean to keep his commands? Are we expected to be perfect, completely sinless? God knows we are not capable of being perfect this side of heaven, but there should be a marked, progressive difference in our lives and in the condition of our hearts. The great command is to love the Lord your God and the second is to love your neighbor. When Jesus is talking about obeying his commands, I believe he is talking about loving, God and man.
If Christ lives in you, then his love is in you. You should be a changed person as a result. Your eyes should see things differently when you look at those in the world. Your response or reaction to others should be different.
Your natural tendencies do not automatically go away. In fact, I would argue they never do, but conviction starts to happen. Conviction, is a tool the Holy Spirit uses to shames us into understanding our natural response is the wrong response. We begin to learn how to work with God in controlling our natural self, and replacing our spirit with his spirit, out of a sincere desire to be obedient to Him. As time goes on, our spirit becomes more controlled and under the authority and submission of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His Spirit rules in us. His love begins to come forth from us.
Remember the people Jesus hung out with while here on earth; sinners, rejects, lower class, ordinary folk. The world would like us to believe we are too good to hang out with these types of people. The world would like us to overlook them, turn away from them, judge them, make fun of them, trample them, use them, or keep our distance. The world would want us to draw a dividing line that keeps them out of our inner circles so as not to bring us down to their level.
But, this is not what Jesus did. No, he drew them into his inner circle. He loved them and accepted them. He had compassion on them. He accepted the challenge to help, to impact, to do good, to serve them. He humbled himself for them. His love, humility, and servitude gave him influence over their lives and he was able to change their eternal condition. He didn't see what the world saw. He saw loneliness, pain, suffering, worry, fear. He took the time to look at their hearts, and to see their real need, and then he met their need. He loved them!
Jesus understands the condition of the world and the power of his love to rectify that condition. Jesus understands the world's natural tendency to hate each other and to overlook and condemn. Jesus is stressing the importance first, of having his love in you, and second, submitting to that spirit within you to further the kingdom of God.
The 3rd test of Christian behavior is obeying Christ commands. Have you, or will you, submit your natural spirit to the influence and control of the spirit of Christ so that he may work through you to reach the world? A fall on your knees approach is prudent here, in asking the Lord to help you see, and to love, the world the way he does. We bring glory to God when we obey and are useful in his work of furthering the kingdom of God.
1 John 2:3-6 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love[a] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Jesus, himself, told the disciples to love him meant keeping his commands.
John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
While Jesus was in the upper room with the disciples, in his last days before his death, he told them more than once that to love him meant keeping his commands. Someone once said, if Jesus says something once you better listen. If he says it twice, you better sit up and take notice, and if he says it three times, we're best to fall on our knees in humility. Well, I think this is a fall on your knees test.
What does it mean to keep his commands? Are we expected to be perfect, completely sinless? God knows we are not capable of being perfect this side of heaven, but there should be a marked, progressive difference in our lives and in the condition of our hearts. The great command is to love the Lord your God and the second is to love your neighbor. When Jesus is talking about obeying his commands, I believe he is talking about loving, God and man.
If Christ lives in you, then his love is in you. You should be a changed person as a result. Your eyes should see things differently when you look at those in the world. Your response or reaction to others should be different.
Your natural tendencies do not automatically go away. In fact, I would argue they never do, but conviction starts to happen. Conviction, is a tool the Holy Spirit uses to shames us into understanding our natural response is the wrong response. We begin to learn how to work with God in controlling our natural self, and replacing our spirit with his spirit, out of a sincere desire to be obedient to Him. As time goes on, our spirit becomes more controlled and under the authority and submission of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His Spirit rules in us. His love begins to come forth from us.
Remember the people Jesus hung out with while here on earth; sinners, rejects, lower class, ordinary folk. The world would like us to believe we are too good to hang out with these types of people. The world would like us to overlook them, turn away from them, judge them, make fun of them, trample them, use them, or keep our distance. The world would want us to draw a dividing line that keeps them out of our inner circles so as not to bring us down to their level.
But, this is not what Jesus did. No, he drew them into his inner circle. He loved them and accepted them. He had compassion on them. He accepted the challenge to help, to impact, to do good, to serve them. He humbled himself for them. His love, humility, and servitude gave him influence over their lives and he was able to change their eternal condition. He didn't see what the world saw. He saw loneliness, pain, suffering, worry, fear. He took the time to look at their hearts, and to see their real need, and then he met their need. He loved them!
Jesus understands the condition of the world and the power of his love to rectify that condition. Jesus understands the world's natural tendency to hate each other and to overlook and condemn. Jesus is stressing the importance first, of having his love in you, and second, submitting to that spirit within you to further the kingdom of God.
The 3rd test of Christian behavior is obeying Christ commands. Have you, or will you, submit your natural spirit to the influence and control of the spirit of Christ so that he may work through you to reach the world? A fall on your knees approach is prudent here, in asking the Lord to help you see, and to love, the world the way he does. We bring glory to God when we obey and are useful in his work of furthering the kingdom of God.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Great Commandments - Benevolence Toward the Interest of His Kingdom
In continuing the understanding of how to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, today I am going to look at the part of the definition of love from Webster's 1828 dictionary that says. . . Benevolence toward the interest of His Kingdom.
What are the interest of God's Kingdom?
God created the entire universe, man, all of the laws of nature, and all of our social institutions. He created us in His image and to be in relationship with Him. He has shared with us that the best way to live out our lives is in obedience to him. We find this blueprint for living in both creation (an example), the Bible (his words), and in the life of Jesus (another example).
I would say the interest of his kingdom is first and foremost that all people would know Him as Creator and as Lord and Savior. This is realizing a saving faith that will bring you into an eternal relationship with the Father and is only available through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The very fact that Jesus-God himself-humbled himself to become man, and take our punishment for us, shows the extent in which God will go to further the interest of His Kingdom.
Secondly, that we would all live in obedience to His rule and under his Lordship here on earth. We are the safest, happiest, and most at peace when we are living in His will for our lives. He has given us examples all around us in nature to show us how perfect we can be when we live the way we designed to live. Just as a flower that shoots up from the ground and eventually blooms in perfect harmony with God's plan for it, we, too, can spring forth and bloom when we live as God intended for us. Imagine if a flower, thinking it knew better, went off on it's own and tried to become a monkey. The flower would fail miserably in its quest and destroy itself, never reaching it's full potential. We, too fail miserably and destroy ourselves when we think we know better than God. God created us perfectly and beautifully and with great unique capabilities. He knows what is best for us and we are the most complete when we live out that reality.
Thirdly, I would say God sees his masterpiece world ruined and cursed by sin and He grieves with compassion for His people. I believe He wants to use those of us that have already embraced Him as Lord, to touch the lives of those all around us who still struggle and hurt under the oppression of living apart from Him. He wants to further His Kingdom here on earth by using us to tell others about Him, to love all of His creations, and to implement His laws here on earth (at the very least in the hearts of families). There are many opportunities to match our God given talents and abilities in creatively meeting the needs of the world.
We love God because He first loved us and has been executing a purposeful plan since the beginning. He has covered our shortcomings with the blood of Jesus. He has given us rules to live by that are in our best interest. He gives us work to do so that we can be not only a part of His family but part of the very important job of furthering the Kingdom. We have heavenly responsibilities!
We love God because He has included us in His plan for His Kingdom and guaranteed us a place in the eternal heavens right beside Him, as heirs to the Kingdom!
What are the interest of God's Kingdom?
God created the entire universe, man, all of the laws of nature, and all of our social institutions. He created us in His image and to be in relationship with Him. He has shared with us that the best way to live out our lives is in obedience to him. We find this blueprint for living in both creation (an example), the Bible (his words), and in the life of Jesus (another example).
I would say the interest of his kingdom is first and foremost that all people would know Him as Creator and as Lord and Savior. This is realizing a saving faith that will bring you into an eternal relationship with the Father and is only available through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The very fact that Jesus-God himself-humbled himself to become man, and take our punishment for us, shows the extent in which God will go to further the interest of His Kingdom.
Secondly, that we would all live in obedience to His rule and under his Lordship here on earth. We are the safest, happiest, and most at peace when we are living in His will for our lives. He has given us examples all around us in nature to show us how perfect we can be when we live the way we designed to live. Just as a flower that shoots up from the ground and eventually blooms in perfect harmony with God's plan for it, we, too, can spring forth and bloom when we live as God intended for us. Imagine if a flower, thinking it knew better, went off on it's own and tried to become a monkey. The flower would fail miserably in its quest and destroy itself, never reaching it's full potential. We, too fail miserably and destroy ourselves when we think we know better than God. God created us perfectly and beautifully and with great unique capabilities. He knows what is best for us and we are the most complete when we live out that reality.
Thirdly, I would say God sees his masterpiece world ruined and cursed by sin and He grieves with compassion for His people. I believe He wants to use those of us that have already embraced Him as Lord, to touch the lives of those all around us who still struggle and hurt under the oppression of living apart from Him. He wants to further His Kingdom here on earth by using us to tell others about Him, to love all of His creations, and to implement His laws here on earth (at the very least in the hearts of families). There are many opportunities to match our God given talents and abilities in creatively meeting the needs of the world.
We love God because He first loved us and has been executing a purposeful plan since the beginning. He has covered our shortcomings with the blood of Jesus. He has given us rules to live by that are in our best interest. He gives us work to do so that we can be not only a part of His family but part of the very important job of furthering the Kingdom. We have heavenly responsibilities!
We love God because He has included us in His plan for His Kingdom and guaranteed us a place in the eternal heavens right beside Him, as heirs to the Kingdom!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Great Commandments- Complacency in God's Attributes
(Number 10 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9)
I've been studying what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In the 1828 Webster's dictionary, one part of the definition of love is. . . the Christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes.
It took me a little bit to understand what Noah Webster was trying to say with this because the word 'complacency' in the definition threw me off. However, I believe he was trying to tell us we love God because he does not change- he remains the same throughout eternity.
"I the LORD do not change." Malachi 3:6a
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
Knowing that God does not change is important to the faith and trust we place in Him. We trust that what God said and did in the past is still true today. We trust He hasn't changed His mind on His plan for humanity. We trust that He is still a God who keeps His promises.
Have you ever fallen in love with someone based on who you thought that person was, only to find out later that it was all a facade, and the person was nothing like you originally thought?
Or, maybe you became friends with someone who seemed to have similar interests as you. Then, you found out the person was playing a part because they were to afraid to be their true self around you but, nevertheless, they were not the person you thought them to be.
It can be devastating when you begin to trust in someone and make commitments based on who you perceive someone to be, only to find out they are not at all like you thought. It's hard to trust anyone again after being deceived.
Satan works like this. Deceiving us into thinking he has our best interest at heart, that he is good for us, and he gets us to go along with him. Then, he turns out to be this hopeless, disgusting, evil beast that we greatly misjudged. We are left empty, broken, and alone.
However, we don't have to worry about that with God because He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. There is no deceit or sin in Him. He is perfect and unchanging, and because of that we can have complete trust and faith in Him. He is worthy of our total surrender! He is the Truth, the Way, and the Life! We can trust in His Word as Truth, and so we have another reason why He should have our total devotion and love.
May you really see the unchanging qualities of our Lord and completely trust in Him in total surrender. Oh, what sweet bliss to rest in Him!
I've been studying what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In the 1828 Webster's dictionary, one part of the definition of love is. . . the Christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes.
It took me a little bit to understand what Noah Webster was trying to say with this because the word 'complacency' in the definition threw me off. However, I believe he was trying to tell us we love God because he does not change- he remains the same throughout eternity.
"I the LORD do not change." Malachi 3:6a
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
Knowing that God does not change is important to the faith and trust we place in Him. We trust that what God said and did in the past is still true today. We trust He hasn't changed His mind on His plan for humanity. We trust that He is still a God who keeps His promises.
Have you ever fallen in love with someone based on who you thought that person was, only to find out later that it was all a facade, and the person was nothing like you originally thought?
Or, maybe you became friends with someone who seemed to have similar interests as you. Then, you found out the person was playing a part because they were to afraid to be their true self around you but, nevertheless, they were not the person you thought them to be.
It can be devastating when you begin to trust in someone and make commitments based on who you perceive someone to be, only to find out they are not at all like you thought. It's hard to trust anyone again after being deceived.
Satan works like this. Deceiving us into thinking he has our best interest at heart, that he is good for us, and he gets us to go along with him. Then, he turns out to be this hopeless, disgusting, evil beast that we greatly misjudged. We are left empty, broken, and alone.
However, we don't have to worry about that with God because He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. There is no deceit or sin in Him. He is perfect and unchanging, and because of that we can have complete trust and faith in Him. He is worthy of our total surrender! He is the Truth, the Way, and the Life! We can trust in His Word as Truth, and so we have another reason why He should have our total devotion and love.
May you really see the unchanging qualities of our Lord and completely trust in Him in total surrender. Oh, what sweet bliss to rest in Him!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Desire, Part 7
(Number 9 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
Another part of the definition of 'pleasure' is: the expectation of good.
We love what we derive pleasure from and we derive pleasure from the expectation of good. But what does this mean? Well, I think it is referring to HOPE. As Christians, what do we hope for most? We hope that what we believe about Jesus is true! Our faith is really a trust and hope that God's Word is truth!
John 3:16 says, 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life'. Eternal life with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is our expectation of good, our faithful hope! God first loved us. God first pursued us. We love God in return for what He has already given but we also love God for what He has promised to give us, eternal life.
Eternal life will be lived out with God in heaven. We've been given glimpses of heaven in bible. Human words cannot even begin to describe what heaven will be like for us. However, we know heaven will be beautiful, brilliant, and filled with God's glory. There will be no more earthly curse. We will be given new bodies. Revelations 21:: says, He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away. In a world that is dying, a world filled with pain and suffering and evil, we place hope (expectation of good to come) in the promise that we will live in heaven with Jesus without the cursed things and trappings of this world.
We expect a better future than our present. As Christians, we believe we are not of this world, our home is elsewhere. So, we expect to go HOME! That is our good expectation! To be home in our Father's arms, happy and safe, loved and adored, forever worshipping our Lord who made it all possible.
May you love your Lord because you have great expectations of coming home someday because He made it possible. May your faith, hope, and trust be in the truth of God's Word and keep you all the days of your life!
Another part of the definition of 'pleasure' is: the expectation of good.
We love what we derive pleasure from and we derive pleasure from the expectation of good. But what does this mean? Well, I think it is referring to HOPE. As Christians, what do we hope for most? We hope that what we believe about Jesus is true! Our faith is really a trust and hope that God's Word is truth!
John 3:16 says, 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life'. Eternal life with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is our expectation of good, our faithful hope! God first loved us. God first pursued us. We love God in return for what He has already given but we also love God for what He has promised to give us, eternal life.
Eternal life will be lived out with God in heaven. We've been given glimpses of heaven in bible. Human words cannot even begin to describe what heaven will be like for us. However, we know heaven will be beautiful, brilliant, and filled with God's glory. There will be no more earthly curse. We will be given new bodies. Revelations 21:: says, He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away. In a world that is dying, a world filled with pain and suffering and evil, we place hope (expectation of good to come) in the promise that we will live in heaven with Jesus without the cursed things and trappings of this world.
We expect a better future than our present. As Christians, we believe we are not of this world, our home is elsewhere. So, we expect to go HOME! That is our good expectation! To be home in our Father's arms, happy and safe, loved and adored, forever worshipping our Lord who made it all possible.
May you love your Lord because you have great expectations of coming home someday because He made it possible. May your faith, hope, and trust be in the truth of God's Word and keep you all the days of your life!
The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Desire, Part 6
(Number 8 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
Another part of the definition of 'pleasure' is: excitement, relish, or happiness produced by enjoyment.
THINGS I ENJOY DOING
1. Reading
2. Studying
3. Writing
4. Resting
5. Eating
6. Snuggling
7. Basketball
8. Cooking
9. Spending time with Family/Friends
10. Traveling
There are plenty of things I enjoy doing in this lifetime but I limited my list to only 10 for now. However, let's just think about these 10 for a minute. These 10 sometimes engage my body or heart, but all 10 engage my mind.
Where did our ability to think, dream, create, learn, absorb and process information, memorize, relate and connect with others, make decisions, plan and strategize, command our bodies to function, calculate, organize thoughts, invent, and communicate come from?
ANSWER: God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth!
We cannot help but love the One from whom our life springs forth when we ponder all that He has given us? We cannot help but love the One who holds the blueprints for all of life and who controls and commands the universe, when we considered all that He has made. But we must ponder and consider first.
When we connect all that is, and all we are, with the Divine Creator, we see His power, majesty, love, and relational desire for us, and that love draws us in. When we really see how far His love for us has gone, all the way to the cross; we fall in love with our Maker BECAUSE of what He has done for us and BECAUSE of his love for us.
When we really grasp that love, sacrifice, and all-mighty power we are left breathless, humbled, and forever dependent. My heart wants to put Him first, to love Him above all else, to be forever in His good graces and, yet, I know I will struggle to do this. But just as He has provided for everything else in life, He has also provided the fail safe, in Jesus, to cover what I cannot do.
I am starting to see more completely WHY I should love my Lord more than anything else, and I desire to do so. Nevertheless, I also see my inability to consistently do so and I have to rely on Him for help, even in this task.
May your mind connect your heart to the Creator and to all of His work, so that you will forever want to pursue God that way He pursues you!
Another part of the definition of 'pleasure' is: excitement, relish, or happiness produced by enjoyment.
THINGS I ENJOY DOING
1. Reading
2. Studying
3. Writing
4. Resting
5. Eating
6. Snuggling
7. Basketball
8. Cooking
9. Spending time with Family/Friends
10. Traveling
There are plenty of things I enjoy doing in this lifetime but I limited my list to only 10 for now. However, let's just think about these 10 for a minute. These 10 sometimes engage my body or heart, but all 10 engage my mind.
Where did our ability to think, dream, create, learn, absorb and process information, memorize, relate and connect with others, make decisions, plan and strategize, command our bodies to function, calculate, organize thoughts, invent, and communicate come from?
ANSWER: God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth!
We cannot help but love the One from whom our life springs forth when we ponder all that He has given us? We cannot help but love the One who holds the blueprints for all of life and who controls and commands the universe, when we considered all that He has made. But we must ponder and consider first.
When we connect all that is, and all we are, with the Divine Creator, we see His power, majesty, love, and relational desire for us, and that love draws us in. When we really see how far His love for us has gone, all the way to the cross; we fall in love with our Maker BECAUSE of what He has done for us and BECAUSE of his love for us.
When we really grasp that love, sacrifice, and all-mighty power we are left breathless, humbled, and forever dependent. My heart wants to put Him first, to love Him above all else, to be forever in His good graces and, yet, I know I will struggle to do this. But just as He has provided for everything else in life, He has also provided the fail safe, in Jesus, to cover what I cannot do.
I am starting to see more completely WHY I should love my Lord more than anything else, and I desire to do so. Nevertheless, I also see my inability to consistently do so and I have to rely on Him for help, even in this task.
May your mind connect your heart to the Creator and to all of His work, so that you will forever want to pursue God that way He pursues you!
The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Delight, Part 5
(Number 7 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6)
Another part of the definition of pleasure that I will explore is 'agreeable sensations and emotions'.
I am struggling where to start with this discussion. Let's look at a baby first and understand what a baby might describe as agreeable sensations and emotions.
Warmth
Snuggled
Caressed
Engaged
Connected
Satisfied
Understood
Playfulness
Comforted
Wanted
Trusting
Clean
Priority
Communicative
Laughter
Security
Surprise
Tickle
Closeness
This is getting easier now as I just progress in my mind into the teen years, adulthood, and elderly.
Excitement
Newness
Change
Independence
Firsts
Attraction
Friendship
Sharing
Selflessness
Loyalty
Faith
Compassion
Praise
Understanding
Creativity
Imagination
Wisdom
Discernment
Courage
Learning
Familiarity
Sleep/Rest
Freedom
Promises
Strength
Longing
Desire
Accomplishment
Fulfillment
Memories
Rescue
Thankfulness
Affirmed
Protected
Beauty
Honor
Respect
Redeemed
Thoughts
Dreams
Healthy
Happy
Joyful
Peaceful
Precious
The list could go on for a long time. There are so many emotions and sensations we can feel inside of ourselves and we can cause them to flow external from us, to share with others. What a beautiful gift it is to FEEL. I know sometimes the feelings are not agreeable but we could not fully appreciate the good sensations without an understanding of the bad.
When we experience the good feelings, do we ever thank God for not only the experience that led to the feeling, but also for the ability to feel it? How beautifully made we are inside and out! So many parts to us, some that can't even be seen but only described. How can this be attributed to anything else other than 'Intelligent Design' by a Creator?
May you appreciate all that you ARE and in who's image you were made. May you always remember the beautiful gifts given to you by God and be thankful for them and use them in praise and honor to Him!
Another part of the definition of pleasure that I will explore is 'agreeable sensations and emotions'.
I am struggling where to start with this discussion. Let's look at a baby first and understand what a baby might describe as agreeable sensations and emotions.
Warmth
Snuggled
Caressed
Engaged
Connected
Satisfied
Understood
Playfulness
Comforted
Wanted
Trusting
Clean
Priority
Communicative
Laughter
Security
Surprise
Tickle
Closeness
This is getting easier now as I just progress in my mind into the teen years, adulthood, and elderly.
Excitement
Newness
Change
Independence
Firsts
Attraction
Friendship
Sharing
Selflessness
Loyalty
Faith
Compassion
Praise
Understanding
Creativity
Imagination
Wisdom
Discernment
Courage
Learning
Familiarity
Sleep/Rest
Freedom
Promises
Strength
Longing
Desire
Accomplishment
Fulfillment
Memories
Rescue
Thankfulness
Affirmed
Protected
Beauty
Honor
Respect
Redeemed
Thoughts
Dreams
Healthy
Happy
Joyful
Peaceful
Precious
The list could go on for a long time. There are so many emotions and sensations we can feel inside of ourselves and we can cause them to flow external from us, to share with others. What a beautiful gift it is to FEEL. I know sometimes the feelings are not agreeable but we could not fully appreciate the good sensations without an understanding of the bad.
When we experience the good feelings, do we ever thank God for not only the experience that led to the feeling, but also for the ability to feel it? How beautifully made we are inside and out! So many parts to us, some that can't even be seen but only described. How can this be attributed to anything else other than 'Intelligent Design' by a Creator?
May you appreciate all that you ARE and in who's image you were made. May you always remember the beautiful gifts given to you by God and be thankful for them and use them in praise and honor to Him!
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Delight, Part 4
(Number 6 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3,4,5)
The last of the five senses to explore for pleasure are SMELL and TOUCH.
SMELL
- Salt Air: I love being by the ocean for a lot of reason but one of them is the smell of the salty air.
- Fresh Baked Bread: Bread is a comfort food and so I guess the smell of bread makes me feel comforted.
- My Husband's Scent: Whether it is his cologne, deodorant, or his own natural scent, I love the way my husband smells. He doesn't understand why, but his best smell for me is when he has just finished up some very strenuous work and he's hot and sweaty. There's something very masculine and attractive about a man who works hard.
- Campfire: Campfires represent people gathered around for fun and fellowship. When I smell a campfire I connect people talking, laughing, eating, drinking, and story telling. It's fun in the making.
- Cut hay/grass: I love the smell a fresh cut hay field or a freshly mowed lawn. It reminds me it's not winter!!
TOUCH
- Wind: You can't see it. You can't grab it and hang on to it and go along for the ride. It has a mind of it's own and can't be told what to do. You can't capture it. It's unbridled, free! But, it can be a like a soft whisper that gently brushes past you, fussing just enough to let you know it passed by. Or, it can be forceful, knocking you down, as it rushes past you in a hurry to get somewhere. The wind can be quiet, gentle, and peaceful as you swing gently in a hammock. Or, it can be loud and roaring, silencing the rest of the world as you walk along the beach. Regardless of the way the wind represents itself, it does always remind you that you are not alone. It's a reminder to me that there are things we can't see, just beyond our grasp, like God. It's gentleness and power represent God's attributes.
- Warm Sunshine: Soaking up the sun is a favorite past time, not for the tanning purposes, but for the penetrating warmth it provides. When you live in Wisconsin, the sun and it's warmth are appreciated. The best is on a crisp Fall day but with bright sunshine that seems to penetrate down to your bones to warm you from the chilly air.
- Hugs: Who doesn't love to get entangled with another human being? Nothing shows you more that you matter and not alone in this world, than a hug from someone. It doesn't even have to be from someone you know. Sometimes the hug of a stranger is exactly what you needed. Nevertheless, a hug from your spouse or child is a great gift. We were anatomically created perfectly to hug each other. It's amazing!
- Making Love to your Spouse: I won't go into details but you and I both know this is one of the greatest gifts given to a man and wife for intimacy and expression of love.
- Snuggling with your kids: My favorite part of the day is bed time because I get to rock my littlest one and then snuggle with the older ones a bit, before tucking them in for the night. Connecting with your family is so important for all involved.
As I went through the exercise to discover what gratifies my senses, I became acutely aware of how (I would argue everyone of them) were created or given by God! It's been a long time since I showed appreciation to God for these things. I may have taken them for granted and definitely forgot where they came from. In a society so busy and rushed to get somewhere we fail to take the time to appreciate the sights and sounds along the way. There is beauty and wonder in even the smallest things and we could be enjoying life so much more if we took the time to look, listen, taste, smell, and touch more.
Our Creator has blessed us with so much! I know I pray a lot for God to give me 'such and such'. There always seems to be something else I think I need, BUT have I forgotten what He has already given me and I really want for nothing in this life!
Imagine a life without the things that brings pleasure to our senses. Imagine what a dark, dull, lonely world that would be.
Our Creator has given us everything we need to be happy and this is one reason why we should love our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Can you see how much he first loved us? He put so much thought and planning and foresight into providing the things we would need and enjoy in this life. He gave his all to us in his creation. We have to give him credit and appreciation back, thanking him all the days of our lives!
May you truly appreciate your Creator's love and devotion to you, and return it back to him in thanksgiving, dependence, and love of Him above all else!
The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Delight, Part 3
(Number 5 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3,4)
Continuing on with the definition of pleasure being the gratification of the senses and the mind, we will explore my SOUND and TASTE pleasures today.
Continuing on with the definition of pleasure being the gratification of the senses and the mind, we will explore my SOUND and TASTE pleasures today.
SOUND
- Water/Waves: The strong, rhythmic beating sound of the ocean can lull your soul into a peaceful calm. A streaming brook flowing over rocks can do the same thing. It's peaceful!
- Music: Nothing can get your heart pumping, your body moving quite like music. From the soothing sounds of classical and jazz, to the disco and hip hop dance beats, to the country twangs, to the island sounds, and to the tribal drums; music can transport your soul. It can serve as a reminder to a past situation or person. It can make you feel light- hearted and carefree. It can make you feel strong. It can reduce you to tears. It touches our emotions and our heart. There's also the music of nature - birds chirping, grasses blowing in the wind, frogs in the marshes.
- Giggles: I don't know about you but when my daughters giggle it is infectious. You cannot help but giggle yourself. Giggling releases stress, lightens your mood, makes you forget everything else but the relish of being in the moment. Giggles are beautiful sounds at any age!
- Compliments: Who doesn't love to hear a compliment or a kind word from someone?
- Tick/Tock Clocks: Some people may be annoyed by this but when a room is so quiet that the only thing you can hear is the faint sound of the clock ticking, I am completely happy. Most days I have kids running around or lots of distractions going on, but if I can slip away for a minute, just a minute, to a quiet spot, then I can regroup and re-energerize.
- Church Bells ringing: My husband and I stayed at a bed and breakfast last year for our anniversary. We stayed in a upstairs bedroom and slept with the window open. At 7 AM sharp, we were awakened by the ringing of the church bells from the Catholic church two buildings down from our inn. We were sleeping in a large, canopy, Victorian style bed with old fashioned quilts. The combination of the bed, room, church bells, and curtains gently blowing in the breeze made for such a peaceful, pleasant transition from sleep to awake. It is a memory I think of often.
TASTE
- Chocolate: Honestly, what woman would not put this on her list!
- Garlic: A meal containing garlic is one made with love and I'm not even Italian!
- Cheesecake: Need I say more?
- Grilled Steak: Now, I wish spring were here and the grill was ready to fire up!
- Watermelon: The refreshing cool and juiciness of watermelon on a hot summer day can't be beat!
What would be on your list? I hope you're taking the time to create one. It's been so much fun.
I have also been able to appreciate the gifts of God again. I told my husband that when creating my list, I sometimes had to go back to my childhood to find the things that bring me pleasure. I realized that many of my preferences were formed as a child and many are from nature. This made me think that we spend too much time indoors and not enough time in nature. Our kids, too, spend too much time indoors. I fear that when we are inside we only see the things man created - houses, TV programs, etc. and we are neglecting to connect our children (and ourselves) with God's creations. No wonder we are so egotistical and self absorbed people. We need to get outside, experience nature, connect nature with our creator, appreciate the gifts he has given us, and praise him for that creative, imagination that far surpasses anything man could come up with.
I love my Lord for the sounds and taste he has provided through His creation for my pleasure and serenity! He knows all our needs and provides for them all!
May you rediscover the outdoors and the pleasure and serenity it can provide to your soul and may you give thanks to the creator for meeting your needs in this way!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Delight, Part 2
(Number 4 in a series, see numbers 1,2,3)
OK, I've been examining what it means to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all mind and with all your strength. So far, we have defined the word love, and in the verb definition it states 'we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight'. So, we also looked up the definition of pleasure and delight.
Today I'd like to examine the part of the definition of 'pleasure' that states: The gratification of the senses or of the mind.
What are our five senses?
Last night I tried to examine how God might gratify these five senses in me. My first thoughts were God is unseen. He's just beyond my senses. I cannot see him, hear him, taste him, smell him, or touch him. In fact, how many people have you heard say, 'How can I believe in a God that I can't see, hear, or touch'?
I, then, began to think about the things in each category that bring me pleasure. This was a very interesting exercise (I recommend you making your own list). In this entry, I'll share what I came up with for Sight and then I'll share the others in another blog entry.
OK, I've been examining what it means to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all mind and with all your strength. So far, we have defined the word love, and in the verb definition it states 'we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight'. So, we also looked up the definition of pleasure and delight.
Today I'd like to examine the part of the definition of 'pleasure' that states: The gratification of the senses or of the mind.
What are our five senses?
Sight
Sound
Taste
Smell
Touch
Last night I tried to examine how God might gratify these five senses in me. My first thoughts were God is unseen. He's just beyond my senses. I cannot see him, hear him, taste him, smell him, or touch him. In fact, how many people have you heard say, 'How can I believe in a God that I can't see, hear, or touch'?
I was struggling with how I would define this until I tried to break it down. I took out a piece of paper and wrote five headings across the top of the page.
Sight Sound Taste Smell Touch
I, then, began to think about the things in each category that bring me pleasure. This was a very interesting exercise (I recommend you making your own list). In this entry, I'll share what I came up with for Sight and then I'll share the others in another blog entry.
Sight
- Color: Have you ever really appreciated all the different shades and hues of color and the impact each can have on your psyche?
- Sunrises/Sunsets: These are my most favorite optical pleasures. The color, the depth, the artistic expression of a sunrise or sunset draws me in like nothing else can. Every time I see the beauty of the sun rising or setting over the horizon, I think about how creative and artistically expressive our God is.
- Sunshine: Nothing motivates me more than a sunny day. I get my best work done when the sun shines bright in the sky. My mood is also way better!
- Eyes: The gateway to the soul. I love to gaze into the eyes of my husband or my children. It can connect you to another like nothing else can.
- Storms/Rainbows: I remember standing on the hill in the backyard or in the safety of our garage with my dad as a kid, watching the storms roll in. In fact, this probably engaged all of my senses. We'd watch the clouds form, the lightening splatter across the dark sky, the rain come down in sheets, and then search for the rainbow in the sky. Do you remember the excitement of seeing the rainbow in the sky and trying to find the pot of gold? If you were really lucky, maybe a double rainbow!
- Snowflakes: I remember learning as a kid that no two snowflakes were exactly the same, and I spent a lot of time trying to disprove that idea. I remember being memorized by snowflakes stuck to a window, trying to see the slight difference between them, but instead being completely amazed by their delicacy and uniqueness.
- Mountains/Valleys: The first time we drove through the mountains of Tennessee and South Carolina, I was completely breathless. The beauty and massiveness of the peaks and valleys really put you in perspective. The world is huge and you are so tiny compared to it. We flew over the Washington State mountains when we landed in Seattle and the view from above is just as breathtaking. I can't imagine what a huge mountain like the Himalayas looks like.
- Redwood Trees: I've never seen one in person, but when you see them in pictures, you can't help but be impressed by their size. I love the pictures of a person sitting at the foot of a redwood and seeing this massive width of tree spanning behind them. What an example of strength.
- Oceans: One of my most favorite places to be is near the ocean. We've been to the shores of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and this is another area that stirs all of my senses. The vast water that seems to join with the sky on the horizon and go on forever is so beautiful. If you combine a sunrise, sunset, or a storm rolling in, then I'm pretty much in heaven right there. It doesn't get any better than that for me.
I can see already how the things that bring me pleasure, just under the heading of sight, connect back to God.
Who made these things?
God made everyone of them!
He uniquely crafted, designed, created, and gave life to each of the things on my list. The imagination of God is incredible. He made all of these things for us to enjoy, to gratify our senses, to bring us joy. When I look at these things that bring me pleasure with purpose, as I did in this exercise, I see my Lord! God's imprint is everywhere! All of creation testifies to God!
I love God because of the pleasure He brings to my sight! A pleasure that no one else is able to duplicate or create. These are only from God - there is no one greater than He!
I can't wait to get on to Sound next.
May you take the time to make your own pleasurable SIGHT list and give thanks and glory to God for the wonderful gifts he has blessed us with in the universe!
The Great Commandments - Pleasure & Delight, Part 1
(Number 3 in a series, see number 1 and 2)
Pleasure and Delight
Do I derive pleasure and delight from my relationship with God? Before I can answer, I first need to look up the words pleasure and delight to fully understand them. Again, definitions come from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
PLEASURE, n. plezh'ur.
1. The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish or happiness produced by enjoyment or the expectation of good; opposed to pain. We receive pleasure from the indulgence of appetite; from the view of a beautiful landscape; from the harmony of sounds; from agreeable society; from the expectation of seeing an absent friend; from the prospect of gain or success of any kind. Pleasure, bodily and mental, carnal and spiritual, constitutes the whole of positive happiness, as pain constitutes the whole of misery.
DELIGHT, n.
1. A high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy.
His delight is in the law of the Lord. Psa 1.
2. That which gives great pleasure; that which affords delight.
Titus was the delight of human kind.
I was daily his delight. Prov 8.
Delight is a more permanent pleasure than joy, and not dependent on sudden excitement.
DELIGHT, v.t.
1. To affect with great pleasure; to please highly; to give or afford high satisfaction or joy; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear; the good conduct of children, and especially their piety, delights their parents.
I will delight myself in thy statutes. Psa 119.
2. To receive great pleasure in.
I delight to do thy will. Psa 40:8.
DELIGHT, v.i. To have or take great pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; followed by in.
I delight in the law of God after the inward man. Rom 7.
Pleasure and Delight
Do I derive pleasure and delight from my relationship with God? Before I can answer, I first need to look up the words pleasure and delight to fully understand them. Again, definitions come from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
PLEASURE, n. plezh'ur.
1. The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish or happiness produced by enjoyment or the expectation of good; opposed to pain. We receive pleasure from the indulgence of appetite; from the view of a beautiful landscape; from the harmony of sounds; from agreeable society; from the expectation of seeing an absent friend; from the prospect of gain or success of any kind. Pleasure, bodily and mental, carnal and spiritual, constitutes the whole of positive happiness, as pain constitutes the whole of misery.
DELIGHT, n.
1. A high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy.
His delight is in the law of the Lord. Psa 1.
2. That which gives great pleasure; that which affords delight.
Titus was the delight of human kind.
I was daily his delight. Prov 8.
Delight is a more permanent pleasure than joy, and not dependent on sudden excitement.
DELIGHT, v.t.
1. To affect with great pleasure; to please highly; to give or afford high satisfaction or joy; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear; the good conduct of children, and especially their piety, delights their parents.
I will delight myself in thy statutes. Psa 119.
2. To receive great pleasure in.
I delight to do thy will. Psa 40:8.
DELIGHT, v.i. To have or take great pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; followed by in.
I delight in the law of God after the inward man. Rom 7.
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