What the Bible Says About the Beginning of Life
January 18-25 is Sanctity of Human Life Week. Focus on the Family's website Family.org has many resources posted in observance of this week.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Life is Sacred
Life is Sacred
Here's a very courageous story on abortion that made me cry.
This young lady's story shows there is bondage in secrets and freedom in sharing your story. Along with her message that every life is sacred, there is also the messages of hope in a broken world and the lesson that suffering alone because of shame prevents us from healing.
Feeling remorse for an action is good but shame tells us that we have been forever damaged. Shame is the tool of Satan who wants to keep us separated from everyone so he alone can influence us. Satan's influence leads to further destruction and pain.
I am so glad this woman found the forgiveness of Jesus through the love of others willing to hold her close in her darkest hours. May we all have hearts like theirs.
Here's a very courageous story on abortion that made me cry.
This young lady's story shows there is bondage in secrets and freedom in sharing your story. Along with her message that every life is sacred, there is also the messages of hope in a broken world and the lesson that suffering alone because of shame prevents us from healing.
Feeling remorse for an action is good but shame tells us that we have been forever damaged. Shame is the tool of Satan who wants to keep us separated from everyone so he alone can influence us. Satan's influence leads to further destruction and pain.
I am so glad this woman found the forgiveness of Jesus through the love of others willing to hold her close in her darkest hours. May we all have hearts like theirs.
Pray for President-Elect Obama » Home
Pray for President-Elect Obama » Home
Please see this website and join thousands in praying for our new President on Jan. 20th.
Your prayers matter!
Please see this website and join thousands in praying for our new President on Jan. 20th.
Your prayers matter!
Imperfections
Exodus 10-12 NKJV
10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
11 So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
Two things popped out at me when I read these verses.
1. God can work with all of our imperfections because He is God!
2. Our imperfections were given to us by God.
It's number 2 that I'd like to speak to today because I never thought of my imperfections as coming from God until I read this passage. I find great beauty and irony in this fact.
We, as a people, want to be perfect. We want to be the smartest, the best, the brightest. We want the perfect look. Just look at the amount of money spent on plastic surgery and cosmetics each year chasing a vision of perfection. Scientist are trying to figure out how to clone and recreate and you know once they master it there will be a standard by which cloning will be initiated. I don't know many people that would want to recreate something they deem imperfect or of no use to mankind.
I believe we were perfect once, before the fall, and we will be perfect again in eternity, according to God's vision of perfection. Until then, we each have faults or imperfections to deal with. But they don't have to be debilitating or ugly to us. They can be beautiful because we are uniquely created by a God himself and He alone chose what we would look like, sound like, and how our bodies would function in this life. There's beauty in just knowing that God knew you intimately before you came into existence and He can use all of us, the good and bad.
Of course, there's always things we do to ourselves that God didn't intend for us to do like overeating, bodily alterations, or any type of bodily abuse. I'm not speaking to those instances but rather the ones you were born with. Maybe it's a birthmark in the wrong location according to you. Or, maybe it's an physical or mental handicap. These things were given by God and just like everything He does, there is a purpose and beauty in them.
If nothing else, these imperfections draw us closer to Him as the world around us rejects us. When someone overcomes a handicap it can point to God's glory and power. There is a higher purpose, a divine plan, and beauty in all of us.
The next time I catch myself judging or feeling pity for myself or someone else, I hope I stop and try to see the beauty and purpose in God's creation. I hope I can see as God sees!
10 Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
11 So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
Two things popped out at me when I read these verses.
1. God can work with all of our imperfections because He is God!
2. Our imperfections were given to us by God.
It's number 2 that I'd like to speak to today because I never thought of my imperfections as coming from God until I read this passage. I find great beauty and irony in this fact.
We, as a people, want to be perfect. We want to be the smartest, the best, the brightest. We want the perfect look. Just look at the amount of money spent on plastic surgery and cosmetics each year chasing a vision of perfection. Scientist are trying to figure out how to clone and recreate and you know once they master it there will be a standard by which cloning will be initiated. I don't know many people that would want to recreate something they deem imperfect or of no use to mankind.
I believe we were perfect once, before the fall, and we will be perfect again in eternity, according to God's vision of perfection. Until then, we each have faults or imperfections to deal with. But they don't have to be debilitating or ugly to us. They can be beautiful because we are uniquely created by a God himself and He alone chose what we would look like, sound like, and how our bodies would function in this life. There's beauty in just knowing that God knew you intimately before you came into existence and He can use all of us, the good and bad.
Of course, there's always things we do to ourselves that God didn't intend for us to do like overeating, bodily alterations, or any type of bodily abuse. I'm not speaking to those instances but rather the ones you were born with. Maybe it's a birthmark in the wrong location according to you. Or, maybe it's an physical or mental handicap. These things were given by God and just like everything He does, there is a purpose and beauty in them.
If nothing else, these imperfections draw us closer to Him as the world around us rejects us. When someone overcomes a handicap it can point to God's glory and power. There is a higher purpose, a divine plan, and beauty in all of us.
The next time I catch myself judging or feeling pity for myself or someone else, I hope I stop and try to see the beauty and purpose in God's creation. I hope I can see as God sees!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Open to Beautiful Blessings
My OB/GYN once told me that after having four children he didn't believe I would be become pregnant again because of the changes my body had gone through. God showed him differently though when we did in fact conceive our fifth child a year later.
At my six week follow up with him, he actually told us he would have to retire if I became pregnant again. I guess we really challenged his ability to ensure we had a healthy child and a healthy mother at the end of the day.
At a recent checkup, he cautioned me on the dangers of becoming pregnant at my age and when I didn't necessarily heed his advice he said he would have a heart attack if I were to become pregnant again. I told him then that I would pray for him if that happened. See, I didn't think I needed to pray for myself but rather pray for the man who didn't have a trust in God. Pray for the man who had put his trust in himself and not in God. I thought about changing doctors but I can witness to this one through the work God does through me.
I've come to trust in God's provision. If God wants to bless us with another child, I believe God will provide and care for us. I'm not worried.
In fact, my husband and I just had 'date night' a few days ago and we talked about the past. When we looked back together we saw how beautiful everything has turned out.
Yes, the year of unknowing if we would conceive a child together was hard on us, but it developed a trust in God in us. Yes, the pregnancy was tougher on me at 41 than in my 20's, but I still survived and eventually got back to feeling myself. Yes, the first few months when our daughter wouldn't sleep through the night was extremely challenging for both of us, but she eventually found her rhythm and we eventually regained our sanity. Yes, the other children went through a period of adjustment, but they eventually embraced and bonded with their new sister too. We have all grown through the challenges and I wouldn't change any of that for anything in the world.
God is faithful and He is good. I want to be open to any blessing He may want to grant to us. I cannot know what is ultimately best for us but I trust that God does.
In the historical account of the Israelites under oppressive Egyptian rule in the book of Exodus, we find an environment that is very hostile to the people, especially newborn males. The Egyptians were so worried about the multitude of the Israelites (as God had increased their numbers tremendously)that they worked them as slaves and enacted laws to kill the newborn males in an effort to limit the power this people may have.
As I contemplate what it would be like to be a wife and mother in these times, I cannot compare it to any hardships we face here in the United States as wives and mothers, but I am sure there are those who can. Those that have the fear of harm, trial, or death for themselves or their child if they were to become pregnant. The rate of birth control use and abortion in our country speaks to this fear.
Where is the hope in a faithful God that he can deliver us from any evil or fear? Where is the hope that God can turn what we view as a tough time around and make it beautiful? Where is the hope that God holds all events in His trusted hands? I believe in this hope and I rest in His will for me despite any fears or second guesses I may have.
So, Mr. OB/GYN, I trust in a higher power than you, and you will not make me feel bad for placing my faith elsewhere and not heeding your advice. Maybe God has something to show you through our story.
At my six week follow up with him, he actually told us he would have to retire if I became pregnant again. I guess we really challenged his ability to ensure we had a healthy child and a healthy mother at the end of the day.
At a recent checkup, he cautioned me on the dangers of becoming pregnant at my age and when I didn't necessarily heed his advice he said he would have a heart attack if I were to become pregnant again. I told him then that I would pray for him if that happened. See, I didn't think I needed to pray for myself but rather pray for the man who didn't have a trust in God. Pray for the man who had put his trust in himself and not in God. I thought about changing doctors but I can witness to this one through the work God does through me.
I've come to trust in God's provision. If God wants to bless us with another child, I believe God will provide and care for us. I'm not worried.
In fact, my husband and I just had 'date night' a few days ago and we talked about the past. When we looked back together we saw how beautiful everything has turned out.
Yes, the year of unknowing if we would conceive a child together was hard on us, but it developed a trust in God in us. Yes, the pregnancy was tougher on me at 41 than in my 20's, but I still survived and eventually got back to feeling myself. Yes, the first few months when our daughter wouldn't sleep through the night was extremely challenging for both of us, but she eventually found her rhythm and we eventually regained our sanity. Yes, the other children went through a period of adjustment, but they eventually embraced and bonded with their new sister too. We have all grown through the challenges and I wouldn't change any of that for anything in the world.
God is faithful and He is good. I want to be open to any blessing He may want to grant to us. I cannot know what is ultimately best for us but I trust that God does.
In the historical account of the Israelites under oppressive Egyptian rule in the book of Exodus, we find an environment that is very hostile to the people, especially newborn males. The Egyptians were so worried about the multitude of the Israelites (as God had increased their numbers tremendously)that they worked them as slaves and enacted laws to kill the newborn males in an effort to limit the power this people may have.
As I contemplate what it would be like to be a wife and mother in these times, I cannot compare it to any hardships we face here in the United States as wives and mothers, but I am sure there are those who can. Those that have the fear of harm, trial, or death for themselves or their child if they were to become pregnant. The rate of birth control use and abortion in our country speaks to this fear.
Where is the hope in a faithful God that he can deliver us from any evil or fear? Where is the hope that God can turn what we view as a tough time around and make it beautiful? Where is the hope that God holds all events in His trusted hands? I believe in this hope and I rest in His will for me despite any fears or second guesses I may have.
So, Mr. OB/GYN, I trust in a higher power than you, and you will not make me feel bad for placing my faith elsewhere and not heeding your advice. Maybe God has something to show you through our story.
Hopes and Dreams
When you look around your neighborhood what do you see today that wasn't present a few years ago? A few new gas stations or restaurants? A new subdivision? A new store?
When you look around your family what do you see today that wasn't present a few years ago? A new child? A new son or daughter-in-law? A new wife or husband?
When you look inside of you what do you see today that wasn't present a few years ago? Maturity? Wisdom? Character?
I ask you first to look back and experience the wonder of what has happened-good or bad, in and around us, in the past few years. Then look forward. What is to come?
Our Pastor gave a message of HOPE yesterday in his sermon. He challenged us to envision what God may want to breathe into existence in us, in our families, in our city, in our state, in our nation, in our world in the upcoming year.
He challenged us to dream big because we worship a BIG God who is all powerful. A God who can create something from what we think is dead or create something from nothing. What an awesome thought!
As Creator of this universe, God knows what is needed, exactly at what point it is needed, and has the power to make it happen! He has a plan and He wants to accomplish that plan through us. He's inviting us to converse with Him on what those plans might be and let us in on how to go about accomplishing them. If we seek His heavenly perspective and ask to share in His dreams, just imagine what He can breathe into existence through us!
The world desperately needs His vision of Hope. Yes, our President-Elect talks about 'change and hope' but you will not find in him, or in his plans for our country, the kind of life transformation needed to set this world on fire. However, you will find it in the plans of our Almighty God.
Our greatest hope lies in the fact the Jesus is coming back! We have an eternal home that is being prepared for us by Him. However, in the meantime, there is much to do here. Will you spend your time in the upcoming year pursuing your own hopes and dreams? Or, will you ask to be aligned with the most perfect plan in the universe? We cannot even begin to phantom the possibilities God has in store for us!
May you dream an eternal dream in 2009 and may you be a part of changing the course of events in our world for the Glory of God!
When you look around your family what do you see today that wasn't present a few years ago? A new child? A new son or daughter-in-law? A new wife or husband?
When you look inside of you what do you see today that wasn't present a few years ago? Maturity? Wisdom? Character?
I ask you first to look back and experience the wonder of what has happened-good or bad, in and around us, in the past few years. Then look forward. What is to come?
Our Pastor gave a message of HOPE yesterday in his sermon. He challenged us to envision what God may want to breathe into existence in us, in our families, in our city, in our state, in our nation, in our world in the upcoming year.
He challenged us to dream big because we worship a BIG God who is all powerful. A God who can create something from what we think is dead or create something from nothing. What an awesome thought!
As Creator of this universe, God knows what is needed, exactly at what point it is needed, and has the power to make it happen! He has a plan and He wants to accomplish that plan through us. He's inviting us to converse with Him on what those plans might be and let us in on how to go about accomplishing them. If we seek His heavenly perspective and ask to share in His dreams, just imagine what He can breathe into existence through us!
The world desperately needs His vision of Hope. Yes, our President-Elect talks about 'change and hope' but you will not find in him, or in his plans for our country, the kind of life transformation needed to set this world on fire. However, you will find it in the plans of our Almighty God.
Our greatest hope lies in the fact the Jesus is coming back! We have an eternal home that is being prepared for us by Him. However, in the meantime, there is much to do here. Will you spend your time in the upcoming year pursuing your own hopes and dreams? Or, will you ask to be aligned with the most perfect plan in the universe? We cannot even begin to phantom the possibilities God has in store for us!
May you dream an eternal dream in 2009 and may you be a part of changing the course of events in our world for the Glory of God!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Christmas Vacation, A Sick Mom, and as always - Questions
I have had the great fortune of having my husband and children home on vacation for two whole weeks over the holidays!
Unfortunately, I was sick most of the time (just the most terrible sinus cold ever, nothing serious) which kept us at home instead of out pursuing those activities we normally would have done to fill that time.
But that's where God's blessings were found for our family this year. In the quiet of our home, together as a family, gathered around the kitchen table playing board games and talking to each other. In time to read a book and expand our thoughts. In time to take a long, hot bath and converse with God. In time to reconnect with my husband and plan for the new year. In time to rediscover the really important things in life.
How blessed I am to have a husband and children to spend that time with. How blessed I am to have a friend who called me daily to check in on how my health was progressing. How blessed I am to be touched by my Creator who seeks to be with me! I am grateful for the heart to hearts we (God and I) have had the past few days.
I also had some deep thoughts during my wakefulness due to stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, and nose blowing bouts. Thoughts like - What did Adam and Eve do when they got kicked out of the Garden of Eden?
Seriously, what did they do to fill their days? They had no home to lounge around in or clean. They had no children yet to chase after. They had no cars to drive around or maintain. They had no restaurants to go to, or night clubs, movie theaters, or shopping malls. No TV, video games, stereos, or computers. No family to visit. No finances to budget or checkbooks to balance. No books, magazines, or newspapers to read. No grocery shopping to do. No library or movie store. No gym to work out in. No job to go to requiring a time clock to punch. No homework. No sporting events to attend or participate in. All they had was time and maybe some fig leaf clothing.
I assume they quickly established a home base (safe, secure, protected, somewhat sheltered from the elements). I assume they quickly discovered how to find food and water. I assume they quickly discovered a different form of fashion wear so they could ditch the fig leaves. I assume they relied on each other heavily for comfort, companionship, problem solving, creative ideas and expression, and conversation. I assume they desperately sought out the God they had become accustomed to communing with on a daily basis. (Imagine the loss you feel when a loved one dies and compare that now on a grander scale to the loss they felt at being separated from their Creator.) I assume they sought God's approval or advice when they had to make decisions. I assume they consulted with God on how to get along with each other. I assume they remembered how good they once had it and regretted the decision to put themselves above God and were careful to try, try not to let it become a habit with them.
As I compared the options I have to fill my days with the options Adam and Eve had, I wonder who was/is better off. They, had great loss, having tasted what a perfect walk with God was like and now having that stripped away from them but always wanting it back. We, have great distraction, that keeps us from walking as close as we possibly can with God this side of heaven but still always longing to fill that void even when we don't understand what we are seeking.
I am grateful to not have the challenges Adam and Eve had but saddened too that my life has the potential to be filled up with so many things that don't matter. Maybe this year, I'll be able to strip away some of that clutter that keeps me too busy to seek God and to be found by Him.
My 2009 wish for anyone who reads this blog is that you too may be able to set aside some of the distraction in your life and find time to connect with your Creator and be transformed by His vision for you! May God bless and keep you this year!
Unfortunately, I was sick most of the time (just the most terrible sinus cold ever, nothing serious) which kept us at home instead of out pursuing those activities we normally would have done to fill that time.
But that's where God's blessings were found for our family this year. In the quiet of our home, together as a family, gathered around the kitchen table playing board games and talking to each other. In time to read a book and expand our thoughts. In time to take a long, hot bath and converse with God. In time to reconnect with my husband and plan for the new year. In time to rediscover the really important things in life.
How blessed I am to have a husband and children to spend that time with. How blessed I am to have a friend who called me daily to check in on how my health was progressing. How blessed I am to be touched by my Creator who seeks to be with me! I am grateful for the heart to hearts we (God and I) have had the past few days.
I also had some deep thoughts during my wakefulness due to stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, and nose blowing bouts. Thoughts like - What did Adam and Eve do when they got kicked out of the Garden of Eden?
Seriously, what did they do to fill their days? They had no home to lounge around in or clean. They had no children yet to chase after. They had no cars to drive around or maintain. They had no restaurants to go to, or night clubs, movie theaters, or shopping malls. No TV, video games, stereos, or computers. No family to visit. No finances to budget or checkbooks to balance. No books, magazines, or newspapers to read. No grocery shopping to do. No library or movie store. No gym to work out in. No job to go to requiring a time clock to punch. No homework. No sporting events to attend or participate in. All they had was time and maybe some fig leaf clothing.
I assume they quickly established a home base (safe, secure, protected, somewhat sheltered from the elements). I assume they quickly discovered how to find food and water. I assume they quickly discovered a different form of fashion wear so they could ditch the fig leaves. I assume they relied on each other heavily for comfort, companionship, problem solving, creative ideas and expression, and conversation. I assume they desperately sought out the God they had become accustomed to communing with on a daily basis. (Imagine the loss you feel when a loved one dies and compare that now on a grander scale to the loss they felt at being separated from their Creator.) I assume they sought God's approval or advice when they had to make decisions. I assume they consulted with God on how to get along with each other. I assume they remembered how good they once had it and regretted the decision to put themselves above God and were careful to try, try not to let it become a habit with them.
As I compared the options I have to fill my days with the options Adam and Eve had, I wonder who was/is better off. They, had great loss, having tasted what a perfect walk with God was like and now having that stripped away from them but always wanting it back. We, have great distraction, that keeps us from walking as close as we possibly can with God this side of heaven but still always longing to fill that void even when we don't understand what we are seeking.
I am grateful to not have the challenges Adam and Eve had but saddened too that my life has the potential to be filled up with so many things that don't matter. Maybe this year, I'll be able to strip away some of that clutter that keeps me too busy to seek God and to be found by Him.
My 2009 wish for anyone who reads this blog is that you too may be able to set aside some of the distraction in your life and find time to connect with your Creator and be transformed by His vision for you! May God bless and keep you this year!
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