I was reminded yesterday of how many times Jesus used the mustard seed as an example in His teaching. I know of seven times (there may be more) that Jesus talked about mustard seeds. Matthew 17:20says, He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." We all know the verse that says "All things are possible with God", but talking to a mountain and having it actually move is kind of 'out there' for most of us, yet God said we could do just that. What is the key to moving those mountains? Faith - even faith as small as a mustard seed.
So what is the big deal about a mustard seed? In order for us to understand what Jesus is saying, we need to know a bit more about those crazy mustard seeds He keeps telling us about.
The mustard seed is one of the smallest of all seeds, yet when planted it grows to huge heights. The Bible tells us in Mark 4:31-32 that birds find shelter under a mustard tree. Luke 13:19 says, "It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed meaning that small actions can lead to big results.
Another thing we need to know about the mustard seed is that it flavors everything it is put into. In fact, the flavor of the mustard seed is so strong that if eaten by itself, it produces great pain for the poor person who ate it. Even though that mustard seed is tiny, it has huge flavor and huge impact. Our faith and Christian walk should be like that mustard seed. It should flavor our every action. Even though we are just one tiny person on the planet, we have to believe that we can have a huge impact for the Kingdom of God. We get so comfortable in our little routines, we forget that God may have something bigger and better for us. Even more often, we don't have the faith to believe we can do the 'bigger, better' things God would have us do.
In Matthew, Jesus wasn't telling the disciples to just continue on having little faith. He was saying that your faith may start out as small as a mustard seed, but if you press on and press in that faith will grow into something huge and something that can be seen by everyone. Faith as a mustard seed is just the starting point not the general requirement as many people think it is. He was telling them and telling us that faith as a mustard seed can permeate who you are and God can accomplish great things through you. Maybe I am wrong, but I truly don't think most people get the whole mustard seed analogy. We talk the talk, but when the rubber meets the road do we walk the walk? Do we really believe we can move mountains and do BIG BIG BIG things for God? Some of us do, some of us don't. I want to be one that believes that I can speak to a mountain and it will move.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Established
I have noticed lately that everything in the known world is now tagged as “established”. Restaurants, hotels, computer blogs, private homes, schools and many others use the term that used to be only used when speaking of churches or historic landmarks. Psalm 112 speaks of the man (woman) who fears the Lord. In Psalm 112:8 the Bible tells us “His heart is established, he shall not be afraid…….” Recently as I read this verse, the word ‘established’ caught my eye.
Wikipedia states that “a government defines its date of establishment by its declaration of independence from a now-foreign power”. As I read this it occurred to me that when we are truly repentant and accept Jesus as our Savior, we declare our independence from the now-foreign power of satan.
The Webster’s definition of the word is “established (adj.) - firmly based, settled, permanent, beyond question…”. When I think of this definition in regard to my heart and attitude toward God, I wonder if other people see me as an established follower of Jesus Christ or as a wishy-washy flip-flopper. I want my heart, my tongue, my attitude, and everything I am to be established and settled on Jesus and only Jesus. So many times (and I mean so MANY), my flesh takes hold of my tongue and I say things that I shouldn't say. Then other times, my attitude is taken over by the devil (or maybe its just taken over by my sinful side) and I become negative. Oh, sure I want to say that my heart is established, but I really think that I have a long way to go in that area. Maybe I need to tatoo the word 'Established' on the back of my hand so I will remember the goal.
I want so much to be able to ALWAYS deny flesh and speak straight from my established heart. November 16, 1986 was the day I was saved -- that's when I opened my heart for business with Jesus. I so want to be able to live in the Spirit even when I am mad, sad, frustrated, etc. etc. My prayer is that people will see Jesus through me and that they will know that my heart is estbalished and permanently, beyond question, settled on Him.
Wikipedia states that “a government defines its date of establishment by its declaration of independence from a now-foreign power”. As I read this it occurred to me that when we are truly repentant and accept Jesus as our Savior, we declare our independence from the now-foreign power of satan.
The Webster’s definition of the word is “established (adj.) - firmly based, settled, permanent, beyond question…”. When I think of this definition in regard to my heart and attitude toward God, I wonder if other people see me as an established follower of Jesus Christ or as a wishy-washy flip-flopper. I want my heart, my tongue, my attitude, and everything I am to be established and settled on Jesus and only Jesus. So many times (and I mean so MANY), my flesh takes hold of my tongue and I say things that I shouldn't say. Then other times, my attitude is taken over by the devil (or maybe its just taken over by my sinful side) and I become negative. Oh, sure I want to say that my heart is established, but I really think that I have a long way to go in that area. Maybe I need to tatoo the word 'Established' on the back of my hand so I will remember the goal.
I want so much to be able to ALWAYS deny flesh and speak straight from my established heart. November 16, 1986 was the day I was saved -- that's when I opened my heart for business with Jesus. I so want to be able to live in the Spirit even when I am mad, sad, frustrated, etc. etc. My prayer is that people will see Jesus through me and that they will know that my heart is estbalished and permanently, beyond question, settled on Him.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Son
Did you know that the sun is actually a star? It is the closest star to earth, but it is still 93 million miles away. Approximately 1 million earths could fit inside the sun and it isn’t even a big star, it’s a tiny one. If you were able to drive to the sun in a car, going 60 mph it would take you 177 years of constant driving to reach the sun. No, this is not a lesson in astrology. I was just thinking about how big God is. He specifically placed the sun where it is in the universe so that we would have light from it, but not be burned up by its flames. The same God who made the sun and all the other stars made you and me. He knows us by name and knows our every thought. Matthew 10: 29 - 30 says ,”Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
He spoke the world into being, He sent His son to die a painful death on the cross because of our sin. He allows His glory to dwell on the earth so that we can know Him better and feel more at home in a world that isn’t our real home. Yet, He knows each tiny little sparrow and He knows each one of us by name. He bends down low so He can hear songs of praise that we sing in His honor. He sends His Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of those whom He has miraculously saved. He is the mastermind of life and He loves us more than we could ever love anyone or anything . So, why is it that we feel cannot trust Him to take care of our little problems? Oh, we say things like “I am just trusting the Lord to take care of this problem” or “I’m gonna leave this to the Lord”. We say those things while we take matters into our own hands.
We try to manipulate situations instead of allowing God to show up and show us His power. It is as if we don’t believe He has the power or we just don’t believe He loves us enough to help us with our troubles. I wonder how many of us would send one of our children to die for the ugly sins of ungrateful people. Jesus death on the cross should be proof enough that God loves each one of us and desires to be our help in times of trouble. We have no real control over anything in this life, yet we cling tightly to our problems (and egos). I wonder if there is one person on this earth who completely trusts Him with EVERYTHING? I doubt it. Someone dies a horrible death for us, yet we still continue to question His motives and love. I am telling you, unbelief is a sin and many times it leads to other sin. Jesus says to put our trust in Him - we do --to a point. Distrust = sin. When we don’t trust completely, we go out on our own and make mistakes - more sin. When we go out on our own and make mistakes, we then try to get ourselves out of our mistakes - even more sin. See the pattern here?
Here is a great example of unbelief leading to sin. I meet someone new. I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to share the gospel, but they seem like they might not be interested or like they might not have time to listen to me so I go on my merry way. Sin # 1 - ignoring the Holy Spirit. Sin #2 -not fulfilling the Great Commission and missing out on the blessing of a divine appointment with an unsaved person. That is just one example of how the sin of unbelief leads to other sin. I have many more examples, but not enough space on the internet to list them. (Funny how sin has a snowball effect, huh? )Oh, I wish I could go back and change all those sins of unbelief…………
He spoke the world into being, He sent His son to die a painful death on the cross because of our sin. He allows His glory to dwell on the earth so that we can know Him better and feel more at home in a world that isn’t our real home. Yet, He knows each tiny little sparrow and He knows each one of us by name. He bends down low so He can hear songs of praise that we sing in His honor. He sends His Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of those whom He has miraculously saved. He is the mastermind of life and He loves us more than we could ever love anyone or anything . So, why is it that we feel cannot trust Him to take care of our little problems? Oh, we say things like “I am just trusting the Lord to take care of this problem” or “I’m gonna leave this to the Lord”. We say those things while we take matters into our own hands.
We try to manipulate situations instead of allowing God to show up and show us His power. It is as if we don’t believe He has the power or we just don’t believe He loves us enough to help us with our troubles. I wonder how many of us would send one of our children to die for the ugly sins of ungrateful people. Jesus death on the cross should be proof enough that God loves each one of us and desires to be our help in times of trouble. We have no real control over anything in this life, yet we cling tightly to our problems (and egos). I wonder if there is one person on this earth who completely trusts Him with EVERYTHING? I doubt it. Someone dies a horrible death for us, yet we still continue to question His motives and love. I am telling you, unbelief is a sin and many times it leads to other sin. Jesus says to put our trust in Him - we do --to a point. Distrust = sin. When we don’t trust completely, we go out on our own and make mistakes - more sin. When we go out on our own and make mistakes, we then try to get ourselves out of our mistakes - even more sin. See the pattern here?
Here is a great example of unbelief leading to sin. I meet someone new. I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to share the gospel, but they seem like they might not be interested or like they might not have time to listen to me so I go on my merry way. Sin # 1 - ignoring the Holy Spirit. Sin #2 -not fulfilling the Great Commission and missing out on the blessing of a divine appointment with an unsaved person. That is just one example of how the sin of unbelief leads to other sin. I have many more examples, but not enough space on the internet to list them. (Funny how sin has a snowball effect, huh? )Oh, I wish I could go back and change all those sins of unbelief…………
Friday, October 19, 2007
Complete Randomness
Hi friends! I have just returned from a day at a local cavern and gem mine. It was fun but I am tired.
Here are some completely random thoughts:
I spent some time today with some ladies who need Jesus (dont well need Jesus?). Oh, maybe some of them are saved,but some are defnitely not. I heard some language that would cause one to wonder ( like I am the judge of all people :-). I try not to be so gung-ho that people consider me a 'Bible thumper', but I want so badly for these women to see something different in me. I think some of them are Christians who have believed, but never gone any farther with their relationship with Jesus. Others, I think are fakers who probably live a double life - great outward appearance, but inwardly lost. Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of people who can talk the talk and use Sunday School language, but their lives are a contradiction? Can you really talk about Jesus on Sunday - Thursday and party like the devil on Friday and Saturday? I do not want to be a 'goody-goody' (for lack of a better non-word), because I think that makes a person totally unrelateable. I want to represent Jesus, but not be pushy or sound holier-than-thou--it's a tough line to walk. I pray that I have many more chances to be a 'life witness' - oh how I want to be a light to people who are in the dark.
Do you guys know people who think they are saved, but dont have any fruit to prove it? Not that we can know a person's heart, but I know people who think that church attendance and good works impress God. Maybe they are just trying to impress people. I'm not sure. I see so many people who go to church every Sunday, but have no obvious relationship with God. I truly think that satan is alive and well in the church deceiving people into thinking they are saved. I wonder how many people in our churches today will be left behind when the church is raptured? Billy Graham says 80% of church goers are unsaved. I dont know if that is true, but what if it is?
I read today where Israel is saying that the war that is brewing there could be the Biblical war of Gog and Magog. (http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/123961) Guys, if that is true and we dont know that it is, but it SOOOOO could be, do you know what that means? We are almost ready to fly!!! Can you imagine what it is going to be like when we see Jesus standing right in front of us? Makes me cry to think about it. I wonder what He really looks like? I wonder what He will do when He sees each of us. I wonder what the marriage supper of the Lamb will be like? Ya'll I love my life here. I love my family. I have a great earthly life, but I CANNOT wait to see my Jesus. I daydream about it all the time. I have a mental picture, but I know my limited mind cant even begin to think of what it will be like. I pray I take people with me. I could go on and on about heaven, but I wont --- right now anyway.
I havent done very well with the no sugar thing this week - I cheated 3 out of 7 days. Is it cheating if you made the rules? Dunno. I feel so much better when I stay away from sugar and carbs. I truly believe that my attitude is better when I lay off sugar - so not fair, but true.
I guess that is enough randomness to bore you with for today. I just thought I would share some of my 'thinks' with you - hope you were able to stay awake while reading them. I am off to the great outdoors to help my son learn to throw his new boomerang. Should I even know how to throw a boomerang? I mean I love to eat at Outback, but that is as close to 'down under' as I have ever been.
Here are some completely random thoughts:
I spent some time today with some ladies who need Jesus (dont well need Jesus?). Oh, maybe some of them are saved,but some are defnitely not. I heard some language that would cause one to wonder ( like I am the judge of all people :-). I try not to be so gung-ho that people consider me a 'Bible thumper', but I want so badly for these women to see something different in me. I think some of them are Christians who have believed, but never gone any farther with their relationship with Jesus. Others, I think are fakers who probably live a double life - great outward appearance, but inwardly lost. Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of people who can talk the talk and use Sunday School language, but their lives are a contradiction? Can you really talk about Jesus on Sunday - Thursday and party like the devil on Friday and Saturday? I do not want to be a 'goody-goody' (for lack of a better non-word), because I think that makes a person totally unrelateable. I want to represent Jesus, but not be pushy or sound holier-than-thou--it's a tough line to walk. I pray that I have many more chances to be a 'life witness' - oh how I want to be a light to people who are in the dark.
Do you guys know people who think they are saved, but dont have any fruit to prove it? Not that we can know a person's heart, but I know people who think that church attendance and good works impress God. Maybe they are just trying to impress people. I'm not sure. I see so many people who go to church every Sunday, but have no obvious relationship with God. I truly think that satan is alive and well in the church deceiving people into thinking they are saved. I wonder how many people in our churches today will be left behind when the church is raptured? Billy Graham says 80% of church goers are unsaved. I dont know if that is true, but what if it is?
I read today where Israel is saying that the war that is brewing there could be the Biblical war of Gog and Magog. (http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/123961) Guys, if that is true and we dont know that it is, but it SOOOOO could be, do you know what that means? We are almost ready to fly!!! Can you imagine what it is going to be like when we see Jesus standing right in front of us? Makes me cry to think about it. I wonder what He really looks like? I wonder what He will do when He sees each of us. I wonder what the marriage supper of the Lamb will be like? Ya'll I love my life here. I love my family. I have a great earthly life, but I CANNOT wait to see my Jesus. I daydream about it all the time. I have a mental picture, but I know my limited mind cant even begin to think of what it will be like. I pray I take people with me. I could go on and on about heaven, but I wont --- right now anyway.
I havent done very well with the no sugar thing this week - I cheated 3 out of 7 days. Is it cheating if you made the rules? Dunno. I feel so much better when I stay away from sugar and carbs. I truly believe that my attitude is better when I lay off sugar - so not fair, but true.
I guess that is enough randomness to bore you with for today. I just thought I would share some of my 'thinks' with you - hope you were able to stay awake while reading them. I am off to the great outdoors to help my son learn to throw his new boomerang. Should I even know how to throw a boomerang? I mean I love to eat at Outback, but that is as close to 'down under' as I have ever been.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
I Got An Award, I Got An Award
Okay, Tara, at Never A Dull Moment (see my sidebar) gave me this award. It is called the 'Change Begins At Home Award'. I am so thankful that Tara thought of me in such a sweet way. (I dont deserve any awards, but it sure is nice that someone thinks I do :-) I am so glad I started this blogging thing, because it has allowed me to connect with so many women who I would never have 'known' otherwise. It gives me a chance to hear about your struggles and joys and allows me a look into your daily and spiritual lives (that was way too many and's in one sentence - sorry). I look forward to reading your blogs everyday - is it a sin to be 'blog-addicted'? Hope not. Anyway, I thank Tara for her kindness and for letting me (us) in on her life and her relationship with The One and Only. I am kind of new to the blog world so I really dont know what the proper protocol is for receiving an award like this so I will just go ahead and do it like they do on the Grammy's (and like I've already done on Tara's blog)................I am walking to the podium --- mic check - testing 1-2-3----- testing 1-2-3--------
Thank you so much for this award. I would like to thank Tara for giving me this award. I would like to thank Jesus for making this award available in the first place and for loving me even when I am so unloveable. Lastly, I would like to thank all the little people (my kids) and my husband for marrying me when no one else wanted to.
I saw that Earen (she knows more about this than I do apparently) passed the award on to someone else. So, I am passing this on to Janel at http://janel-forhim.blogspot.com/.
Thanks Tara!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Words From An Adultress
So, I was reading Hebrews this evening and I came upon thise verse : "This is the new covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." (Hebrews 8:10) When you are saved (at which time you recieved the Holy Spirit) God begins working to change your thoughts and desires. God is constantly working to make our thoughts and wants line up with His.
The problem is that we are fickle (I know that is a granny word, but I couldnt think of a better one). We desire God until we get Him, then we desire to move on to something else. Oh, we want God, we want to be saved, we want the full 'heavenly' treatment. When we are first saved, we have such joy and peace that nothing could shake our faith. Then after a time of walking with the Lord, we grow tired or weary in the work of God ---dare I say bored with the things of God? It is at that time that we become adulterers.
That's right I went there. We become full fledged fornicators and commit adultery with the world against our Groom. Let me put it this way.........Let's say you have been married for 10 years, you and your husband get along okay, but the 'spark' is gone from your marriage, so you see a nice looking man and he tells you that you are the most beautiful woman on earth. You begin to spend all your time with him and think about him without ever giving your Husband a thought. All of the sudden your faithful, comfortable companion has become a dreary bore and you are not satisfied until you are in the arms of someone whom you feel is more exciting. Oh, you may not actually have sex with this man, but isnt it still adultery? If your husband were spending all his time and money on another woman, would you not consider him an adulterer?
That is exactly what we do with God. We know that He is faithful. We know that He loves His children unconditionally, but we get bored with Him and we look to the world for our pleasure. We go for a while and dont recieve a fresh word from Him so we assume He doesnt love us anymore and we look for love elsewhere. The truth is we arent hearing a fresh word because we are too busy thinking about the things of the world to hear Him whisper the things He wants to teach us. God wants to put His thoughts in our minds and write His laws on our hearts, but sadly much of the time we are too busy spending time with our other lover - the world. It is adultery pure and simple and we are all guilty of it. I am just so thankful that He is faithful when we are not.
The problem is that we are fickle (I know that is a granny word, but I couldnt think of a better one). We desire God until we get Him, then we desire to move on to something else. Oh, we want God, we want to be saved, we want the full 'heavenly' treatment. When we are first saved, we have such joy and peace that nothing could shake our faith. Then after a time of walking with the Lord, we grow tired or weary in the work of God ---dare I say bored with the things of God? It is at that time that we become adulterers.
That's right I went there. We become full fledged fornicators and commit adultery with the world against our Groom. Let me put it this way.........Let's say you have been married for 10 years, you and your husband get along okay, but the 'spark' is gone from your marriage, so you see a nice looking man and he tells you that you are the most beautiful woman on earth. You begin to spend all your time with him and think about him without ever giving your Husband a thought. All of the sudden your faithful, comfortable companion has become a dreary bore and you are not satisfied until you are in the arms of someone whom you feel is more exciting. Oh, you may not actually have sex with this man, but isnt it still adultery? If your husband were spending all his time and money on another woman, would you not consider him an adulterer?
That is exactly what we do with God. We know that He is faithful. We know that He loves His children unconditionally, but we get bored with Him and we look to the world for our pleasure. We go for a while and dont recieve a fresh word from Him so we assume He doesnt love us anymore and we look for love elsewhere. The truth is we arent hearing a fresh word because we are too busy thinking about the things of the world to hear Him whisper the things He wants to teach us. God wants to put His thoughts in our minds and write His laws on our hearts, but sadly much of the time we are too busy spending time with our other lover - the world. It is adultery pure and simple and we are all guilty of it. I am just so thankful that He is faithful when we are not.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
A Case of Mistaken Identity
WARNING: This is kind of a 'stream of conciousness post' so it may be a little difficult to read -oh yeah and it's long too.
Yesterday, my husband and I were in a local supply store getting estimates on cabinets, fixtures, mirrors, etc for the new house. I noticed a lady with a man who was obviously her husband and they had a little girl in a stoller. She kept looking at me and for lack of a better word 'acknowledging' me from across the room (she seemed like a very pleasant person). I tried to recall her face and couldn't. I didn't know this lady, but she obviously knew me (or so she thought).
When this woman and her husband were on the way out of the store, she stopped and began a conversation with me. We talked about the homes each of us were building and I asked her where her new house is located. Turns out her house is very near my church. Now, anyone who knows me knows I love my church and if you dont go there, I will bug you until you come and see for yourself how great it is. So, I start to tell her that her house is near our church when she says, "Your dad is our pastor." Okay, my dad is on staff as director of stewardship at a large church in Woodstock, Georgia - he isnt a pastor and he doesnt even live in Tennessee. I couldn't figure out what she was talking about and then she said"Isnt _______ _______ your father?" Just then it hit me - she already goes to our church (our church is getting very large and it is difficult to know everyone) and she thinks I am the preacher's kid. Granted, our pastor's daughter and I are best friends, so I can see where she thought we were sisters.
That was a funny incident, but I have been thinking about how I could have totally ruined my pastor's reputation with that family by my actions. Of course, I am not a person who is just totally rude or socially unacceptable, but what if she had seen me at my worst? What if she had seen me being rude to the sales clerk or what if I had been totally impatient with my child while she was watching - what if I had ridiculed my husband in her presence? I am not even related to my pastor, but she thought I was and with a few ugly words or actions, I could have made a terrible impression on this couple who is new to our church.
Just like I could have been a terrible representative of my friend's father, there are times when we are terrible representatives of our Heavenly Father. Okay, I dont make it a practice to be rude or socially inept, but don't we all have our moments? I am a firm believer in the phrase 'perception is reality'. If people catch you on a bad day acting unGodly, they will assume you are always unGodly. I used to say 'I dont really care what other people think of me'. That is a pretty arrogant thing to say considering God tells us to be a witness in everything we do. We should care what people think of us -- we are representing the King! In everything we do, we should remember that we are there on behalf of the King. You never know who is watching you to see if you are practicing what you preach.
We get so busy with living that we forget we are living for God's glory. When I go to the theater, are people looking to see what movie I watch? Probably. Even when I go to the grocery store, someone may be looking in my cart to see if I am walking the walk or just talking the talk. For instance, when someone looks in your grocery cart, are they seeing books, movies, foods, 'stuff', etc. that will glorify God or are they seeing things that look just like what the rest of the world has in their cart? When we go to buy clothes, are we buying clothes that are modest or do we look just like everyone else in the world? When we are at the beauty shop (southern term, I know) do the other people there hear us talking like Jesus or like the devil? When everyone else is standing around gossipping, do we walk away or do we contribute like everyone else?
I guess what I am asking myself is "Am I REALLY that much different than the rest of the world"? I pray that I am, because I want to be a witness in everything I do.........I want all my errands to be errands run on behalf of the King.
Yesterday, my husband and I were in a local supply store getting estimates on cabinets, fixtures, mirrors, etc for the new house. I noticed a lady with a man who was obviously her husband and they had a little girl in a stoller. She kept looking at me and for lack of a better word 'acknowledging' me from across the room (she seemed like a very pleasant person). I tried to recall her face and couldn't. I didn't know this lady, but she obviously knew me (or so she thought).
When this woman and her husband were on the way out of the store, she stopped and began a conversation with me. We talked about the homes each of us were building and I asked her where her new house is located. Turns out her house is very near my church. Now, anyone who knows me knows I love my church and if you dont go there, I will bug you until you come and see for yourself how great it is. So, I start to tell her that her house is near our church when she says, "Your dad is our pastor." Okay, my dad is on staff as director of stewardship at a large church in Woodstock, Georgia - he isnt a pastor and he doesnt even live in Tennessee. I couldn't figure out what she was talking about and then she said"Isnt _______ _______ your father?" Just then it hit me - she already goes to our church (our church is getting very large and it is difficult to know everyone) and she thinks I am the preacher's kid. Granted, our pastor's daughter and I are best friends, so I can see where she thought we were sisters.
That was a funny incident, but I have been thinking about how I could have totally ruined my pastor's reputation with that family by my actions. Of course, I am not a person who is just totally rude or socially unacceptable, but what if she had seen me at my worst? What if she had seen me being rude to the sales clerk or what if I had been totally impatient with my child while she was watching - what if I had ridiculed my husband in her presence? I am not even related to my pastor, but she thought I was and with a few ugly words or actions, I could have made a terrible impression on this couple who is new to our church.
Just like I could have been a terrible representative of my friend's father, there are times when we are terrible representatives of our Heavenly Father. Okay, I dont make it a practice to be rude or socially inept, but don't we all have our moments? I am a firm believer in the phrase 'perception is reality'. If people catch you on a bad day acting unGodly, they will assume you are always unGodly. I used to say 'I dont really care what other people think of me'. That is a pretty arrogant thing to say considering God tells us to be a witness in everything we do. We should care what people think of us -- we are representing the King! In everything we do, we should remember that we are there on behalf of the King. You never know who is watching you to see if you are practicing what you preach.
We get so busy with living that we forget we are living for God's glory. When I go to the theater, are people looking to see what movie I watch? Probably. Even when I go to the grocery store, someone may be looking in my cart to see if I am walking the walk or just talking the talk. For instance, when someone looks in your grocery cart, are they seeing books, movies, foods, 'stuff', etc. that will glorify God or are they seeing things that look just like what the rest of the world has in their cart? When we go to buy clothes, are we buying clothes that are modest or do we look just like everyone else in the world? When we are at the beauty shop (southern term, I know) do the other people there hear us talking like Jesus or like the devil? When everyone else is standing around gossipping, do we walk away or do we contribute like everyone else?
I guess what I am asking myself is "Am I REALLY that much different than the rest of the world"? I pray that I am, because I want to be a witness in everything I do.........I want all my errands to be errands run on behalf of the King.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Those Danged Weeds
Anyone with landscaping around their house knows how much it stinks to have to pull weeds. There are two things I have noticed about the weeds around my house. One is that if you don’t continually remove the weeds, they will soon take over so that you can‘t even see the beautiful flowers underneath. The other is that is if you don’t pull a weed out by the root, it will begin to grow back the next day (those danged weeds!). When you think about it, those weeds are a lot like the sin in our lives.
First of all, sin that isn’t “weeded out” or confessed and turned away from will eventually take over our lives just as weeds take over a flower garden. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that our sins can “sweep us away”. How many of us haven't been swept away by sin at one timeor another? Thankfully, 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.
Secondly, sin that is not pulled out by the “root” will soon creep back into our lives. Revelation 22:16b says “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star”. All sin has to be plucked out by the “Root”, which is Jesus Christ. Just turning from a certain sin in your life isn’t enough, we must also ask for forgiveness from the one we sinned against (Psalm 51:4) and for His help to keep us from repeating those mistakes. I am so glad that the true “Gardener” (John 15:1) helps me to weed the sin out of my life and gets rid of those weeds for good.
Much of the time our problem isn't asking forgiveness for our sins, but in actually accepting the forgiveness we are offered. Psalm 51:4 says, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge". When we sin we sin against God and His son who died for those sins. We know that God offers grace and forgiveness, so why can't we accept it without revisiting it so often? If God can forgive us for sending His son to die, then why can't we forgive ourselves? God says our sins are forgiven and scattered as far as the east is from the west. We should believe Him and let them go. Holding on to past sin is a plan straight from hell. Satan wants us to hang on to the past so that we can't move forward with Jesus. The most amazing testimonies are those of deliverance and overcoming sin. Satan wants to use your past sins to keep you from doing great things for God. Don't fall for it !
First of all, sin that isn’t “weeded out” or confessed and turned away from will eventually take over our lives just as weeds take over a flower garden. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that our sins can “sweep us away”. How many of us haven't been swept away by sin at one timeor another? Thankfully, 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.
Secondly, sin that is not pulled out by the “root” will soon creep back into our lives. Revelation 22:16b says “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star”. All sin has to be plucked out by the “Root”, which is Jesus Christ. Just turning from a certain sin in your life isn’t enough, we must also ask for forgiveness from the one we sinned against (Psalm 51:4) and for His help to keep us from repeating those mistakes. I am so glad that the true “Gardener” (John 15:1) helps me to weed the sin out of my life and gets rid of those weeds for good.
Much of the time our problem isn't asking forgiveness for our sins, but in actually accepting the forgiveness we are offered. Psalm 51:4 says, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge". When we sin we sin against God and His son who died for those sins. We know that God offers grace and forgiveness, so why can't we accept it without revisiting it so often? If God can forgive us for sending His son to die, then why can't we forgive ourselves? God says our sins are forgiven and scattered as far as the east is from the west. We should believe Him and let them go. Holding on to past sin is a plan straight from hell. Satan wants us to hang on to the past so that we can't move forward with Jesus. The most amazing testimonies are those of deliverance and overcoming sin. Satan wants to use your past sins to keep you from doing great things for God. Don't fall for it !
Friday, October 12, 2007
Just For Fun
Okay, so I am trying to wean myself from eating sugar. Let me just say that not only do I have a terrible pounding headache, but I also am a little on the irritable side. I have decided that I do not want to be addicted to sugar anymore, so I will have to deal with the ugly side effects for a few days I suppose. It has been a really busy day and I havent really had time to collect my thoughts BUT I did get this email survey from a friend yesterday and I thought it might be fun to post my answers here so those of you who read my blog can get to know a little more about me. If any of you want to do the same, I would love to read your answers.
1. What is your favorite cereal?
Frosted Flakes no milk (I hate milk unless it is black with chocolate syrup)
2. What is too gross to ear in the morning?
eggs in any form
3. What time do you go to bed?
Usually after the 11 oclock news
4. Where do you put your keys?
In my purse, but I usually cant find them - it's a jungle in there!
5. What vegetables do you love?
green beans w/ rance dressing on them, all potatoes, any fried veggies
6. What is the last thing you cleaned?
pee off the toilet - I am the only girl in the house and I just bleached my countertops - clean
freak - cant help it
7. Do you measure with a ruler or do you eyeball it?
depends - mostly eyeballs though
8. What do most people compliment you on?
my hair for reasons unknown to me
9. What is behind you right now?
the den couch with my baby sitting on it
10. Favorite pastry?
ALL - and I have the hips to prove it! Are Krispy Kreme Donuts considered pastries?
I could eat my weight in KK donuts and let me tell ya that is ALOT of donuts people!
11. How do you like to waste time?
right here on the computer or with a book
12. How would you describe your complexion?
creamy and glowing (what kind of question is that?)
13. What do you hang onto that you should really get rid of?
I keep ketchup packets from McDonalds because we might run out of ketchup at home
sometime and need it in a hurry - go ahead an laugh - I know its weird - I keep Chik-fil-A
Polynesian sauce because I love it so much - I really love it
14. What is the last thing that made you hurt?
giving up sugar is making my head hurt TREMENDOUSLY and mattress is also making me
hurt every night - we cant get another one until we move in to the new house and get a new
bedroom suite which is months away--I may have to be hospitalized! :-)
15. Tea or Coffee?
Cappucino/Coffee/Latte/GreenTea - love 'em all and will not choose
16. Do you speak your mind?
unfortunately I usually do but most of the time I should just keep my big trap shut
17. What is your escape?
I have an escape?
18. When is the last time you cried?
church last Sunday morning
19. What are your bedtime rituals?
take off my makeup, put on Chap-Stick (I am totally addicted to chap-stik - cant live
without it) then I put lotion on my feet, knees and elbows and crawl under the covers
Exciting, huh?
20. What troubles you?
there is not enough space on the internet to list all the things that truly trouble me, but here
are a few: gas prices, that Al Gore won the Nobel Prize, that so many mothers are hurting
their children, that so many female teachers are having 'relationships' with young boys,
that Chop House quit serving my favorite oriental sesame salad dressing, that so many
Christian people are not convinced that Jesus could come back any minute now, junk mail,
Letters from our colleges asking for donations - yeah right, that my boys will be grown men
before I know it.............................I could go on all day - you dont want that!
21. Do you like thunderstorms?
they are okay I guess
22. Do you sleep easily or toss and turn?
Like a baby, baby (only when I get up my back hurts - see #14
23. What do you offer a friend?
loyalty, a good listening ear, fun, and much much more
24. If you could have a superpower what would it be?
Could someone please tell me all my options?
25. Which is more attractive - personality or physical appearance?
Personality, but good looks dont hurt ;-)
26. Who did you last fight with?
Its been a long time since my last fight - cant remember
27. What did you eat last night?
Chicken from my very own crock pot (a.k.a. "the crack pot")
28. Who are you mad about?
MY BOYS!!!!!!
1. What is your favorite cereal?
Frosted Flakes no milk (I hate milk unless it is black with chocolate syrup)
2. What is too gross to ear in the morning?
eggs in any form
3. What time do you go to bed?
Usually after the 11 oclock news
4. Where do you put your keys?
In my purse, but I usually cant find them - it's a jungle in there!
5. What vegetables do you love?
green beans w/ rance dressing on them, all potatoes, any fried veggies
6. What is the last thing you cleaned?
pee off the toilet - I am the only girl in the house and I just bleached my countertops - clean
freak - cant help it
7. Do you measure with a ruler or do you eyeball it?
depends - mostly eyeballs though
8. What do most people compliment you on?
my hair for reasons unknown to me
9. What is behind you right now?
the den couch with my baby sitting on it
10. Favorite pastry?
ALL - and I have the hips to prove it! Are Krispy Kreme Donuts considered pastries?
I could eat my weight in KK donuts and let me tell ya that is ALOT of donuts people!
11. How do you like to waste time?
right here on the computer or with a book
12. How would you describe your complexion?
creamy and glowing (what kind of question is that?)
13. What do you hang onto that you should really get rid of?
I keep ketchup packets from McDonalds because we might run out of ketchup at home
sometime and need it in a hurry - go ahead an laugh - I know its weird - I keep Chik-fil-A
Polynesian sauce because I love it so much - I really love it
14. What is the last thing that made you hurt?
giving up sugar is making my head hurt TREMENDOUSLY and mattress is also making me
hurt every night - we cant get another one until we move in to the new house and get a new
bedroom suite which is months away--I may have to be hospitalized! :-)
15. Tea or Coffee?
Cappucino/Coffee/Latte/GreenTea - love 'em all and will not choose
16. Do you speak your mind?
unfortunately I usually do but most of the time I should just keep my big trap shut
17. What is your escape?
I have an escape?
18. When is the last time you cried?
church last Sunday morning
19. What are your bedtime rituals?
take off my makeup, put on Chap-Stick (I am totally addicted to chap-stik - cant live
without it) then I put lotion on my feet, knees and elbows and crawl under the covers
Exciting, huh?
20. What troubles you?
there is not enough space on the internet to list all the things that truly trouble me, but here
are a few: gas prices, that Al Gore won the Nobel Prize, that so many mothers are hurting
their children, that so many female teachers are having 'relationships' with young boys,
that Chop House quit serving my favorite oriental sesame salad dressing, that so many
Christian people are not convinced that Jesus could come back any minute now, junk mail,
Letters from our colleges asking for donations - yeah right, that my boys will be grown men
before I know it.............................I could go on all day - you dont want that!
21. Do you like thunderstorms?
they are okay I guess
22. Do you sleep easily or toss and turn?
Like a baby, baby (only when I get up my back hurts - see #14
23. What do you offer a friend?
loyalty, a good listening ear, fun, and much much more
24. If you could have a superpower what would it be?
Could someone please tell me all my options?
25. Which is more attractive - personality or physical appearance?
Personality, but good looks dont hurt ;-)
26. Who did you last fight with?
Its been a long time since my last fight - cant remember
27. What did you eat last night?
Chicken from my very own crock pot (a.k.a. "the crack pot")
28. Who are you mad about?
MY BOYS!!!!!!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Undeserving
About a year ago, my father had been praying about finding a place for me, my sisters and our families to go on vacation together. He was looking for a condo or house, nothing fancy or expensive, but something clean and big enough to hold seven adults and five children. He told no one about his wish for a family vacation -- no one except God. Then, out of the blue, a man from his church came into his office and asked him if he was looking for a place to take his family on vacation. This man proceeded to tell my dad that he owned a home on the beach in Destin, Florida that rents for $6,500 per week. My father quickly told him that it was way out of his price range. The man then told my dad that if he could afford the maid fee of $400, the house would be ours for a week in July. So, the last week in July, my sisters and I took our families on vacation to a multi-million dollar home in Florida. A place we could never have afforded, was graciously offered to us for basically nothing.
Isn’t that just like God? We ask for sufficient and he gives us magnificent. Ask the hungry people who were there listening to Jesus preach on a seaside mountain (John 6). They wanted just enough to give them energy to be able to stay and hear His message, but He fed them until they were full. Not only were they full, but there were baskets full of leftovers. Or you could ask Simon Peter who was discouraged when his fishing nets were empty. Jesus spoke and immediately Peter’s nets were overflowing (Luke 5). What about Elizabeth? She asked for a child (Luke 1). She never said “Lord, give me a child who will be the forerunner of the promised Messiah”, but that is exactly what God gave to her. If we could only talk to the man who was born blind, the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof, the leper, Lazarus, the disciples in a boat on a stormy sea, I believe they would all tell us stories of how God blessed them over and above what they ever imagined. Then there is me, I will be the first to tell you that I deserve death, hell, and eternal separation from God, but He has promised me everlasting life with Him in a perfect place that is more beautiful than I can even imagine. None of us deserves to be blessed by God, but He is always faithful even when we are not.
Isn’t that just like God? We ask for sufficient and he gives us magnificent. Ask the hungry people who were there listening to Jesus preach on a seaside mountain (John 6). They wanted just enough to give them energy to be able to stay and hear His message, but He fed them until they were full. Not only were they full, but there were baskets full of leftovers. Or you could ask Simon Peter who was discouraged when his fishing nets were empty. Jesus spoke and immediately Peter’s nets were overflowing (Luke 5). What about Elizabeth? She asked for a child (Luke 1). She never said “Lord, give me a child who will be the forerunner of the promised Messiah”, but that is exactly what God gave to her. If we could only talk to the man who was born blind, the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof, the leper, Lazarus, the disciples in a boat on a stormy sea, I believe they would all tell us stories of how God blessed them over and above what they ever imagined. Then there is me, I will be the first to tell you that I deserve death, hell, and eternal separation from God, but He has promised me everlasting life with Him in a perfect place that is more beautiful than I can even imagine. None of us deserves to be blessed by God, but He is always faithful even when we are not.
Brrr....It's Cold
It is cold here today. I couldn't resist taking this picture of the boys in their pj's. I know it is cheesy to dress them alike, but I do it anyway (at least I will until they start complaining - they think its cool). They had been playing football in the house because it's too cold to play outside (it was 85 yesterday - 58 today). There is just something cozy about being at home in your pajama's and just hanging out watching TV - makes me wish I was 6 again. I love summer and warm weather (I am a definite outdoor kinda girl), but I also love snuggling up in a warm house with my three favorite guys. I had some really good thoughts that I wanted to blog about today, but I think I will hang out with my boys instead. More tomorrow.......................
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Take Heart
I have been reading in Matthew 9 about all the people that Jesus healed. I love to read Bible stories! I can read about Zaccheus and all of the sudden I am 5 years old again and sitting in my Sunday School class listening to my teacher sing about that 'wee little man'. One of my favorite Jesus stories is in Matthew 9 where He heals the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. Can you imagine that? By law she was considered unclean for 12 years. She had to be an outcast-- someone who was lonely and desperate for healing. I daresay, she had not felt the touch of another human in 12 years (maybe more).
Jesus' first words to her were "Take heart" or "Take courage". How scared she must have been to touch Him, after all she wasn't supposed to be touching anyone because of her unclean state. Had someone known her condition and seen that she was about to touch Jesus, by law she could have been stoned to death. But Jesus saw her and told her to "Take heart" or don't be afraid.
There are so many parallels between our stories and this woman's story. For instance, she was unclean and touched the hem of His garment and was healed immediately. Weren't we unclean when we touched the hem of His garment and were healed? She was despised and rejected by her neighbors because of her unclean state, but she was accepted by Jesus. Doesn't that describe so many people's testimony of being an outcast and finally being accepted when they came to Christ?
The one thing that stands out to me in this three verse story is that her faith healed her. Jesus didn't say 'I have healed you' - yes, He did the healing, but He pointed out that her faith healed her. In other words, Jesus saw her huge level of faith and He honored it by healing her immediately. I wonder what works God could do in and through me if I had the faith this woman had. Faith and expectancy go hand in hand. If you have faith you expect things to happen -- this woman expected God to heal her. I wonder if the reason I don't always hear a word from God is because I don't expect Him to show up and speak to me? Maybe, just maybe, my low level of faith and expectancy is keeping me from hearing God whisper "Take heart, my daughter" .
Jesus' first words to her were "Take heart" or "Take courage". How scared she must have been to touch Him, after all she wasn't supposed to be touching anyone because of her unclean state. Had someone known her condition and seen that she was about to touch Jesus, by law she could have been stoned to death. But Jesus saw her and told her to "Take heart" or don't be afraid.
There are so many parallels between our stories and this woman's story. For instance, she was unclean and touched the hem of His garment and was healed immediately. Weren't we unclean when we touched the hem of His garment and were healed? She was despised and rejected by her neighbors because of her unclean state, but she was accepted by Jesus. Doesn't that describe so many people's testimony of being an outcast and finally being accepted when they came to Christ?
The one thing that stands out to me in this three verse story is that her faith healed her. Jesus didn't say 'I have healed you' - yes, He did the healing, but He pointed out that her faith healed her. In other words, Jesus saw her huge level of faith and He honored it by healing her immediately. I wonder what works God could do in and through me if I had the faith this woman had. Faith and expectancy go hand in hand. If you have faith you expect things to happen -- this woman expected God to heal her. I wonder if the reason I don't always hear a word from God is because I don't expect Him to show up and speak to me? Maybe, just maybe, my low level of faith and expectancy is keeping me from hearing God whisper "Take heart, my daughter" .
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Keeping The Main Thing The Main Thing
Lately satan has been telling me lots and lots of lies. I have to confess that there are times when I believe him - sad but true. He tells me that I am of no use to God, he says that my good intentions equal obedience (that is a whole other post), and he says that the little issues are of the utmost importance. When I listen to the liar I end up placing value on the unimportant and letting the important fall to the wayside. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”. I dont usually get caught up with 'things' (posessions), but I do find myself stressing over ' issues' that are better left to God. I have a hard time letting go of what I have no control over in the first place.
Lately, I have been concerned (for lack of a better word) that I am not doing enough for the Lord. I have been feeling jealous of other people who seem to have found their niche in the Kingdom. What am I doing? Oh, sure I lead Bible study on Wednesday nights and I help with the church preschool activities, but am I really making an impact? I see women who are making a difference - who are bringing people to Christ. I am jealous of their influence for Jesus. I put certain people on a pedastal in my mind even though I know they have past sins that haunt them just like me. I sometimes feel like the child who isn't getting enough attention from a parent - I feel like I need to prove myself to God. I know that I am wrong. I know that I was saved by grace and not by the works I do, but satan continually places those thoughts of imperfection and undeservedness in my mind. Another example of not keeping the main thing the main thing. When my focus is God and His Word, satan's lies mean nothing to me. When I focus on myself and the world, I end up feeling like the kid that didn't get picked for the team (even though I am on the winning team).
I remember a night that I lay awake unable to sleep because I kept replaying in my mind a somewhat hostile conversation I had that morning. It was not an important conversation, but I felt that I had been wronged and I could not let it go. I thought of things I should have said or could have said, none of which would have made a difference in the situation, nor would they have brought glory to God. As I lay there tossing, turning, and replaying scenarios in my mind, it came to my mind that I had not even prayed about this little problem. As soon as I decided to listen to God (which I should have done in the first place), it was as if He said to me, “Why are you worrying over something so insignificant? I died so that you could live forever and you are worried about proving you’re right?” Then it occurred to me that my concern over the little things was interrupting my attention to the main thing - God Himself.
When we focus on the minor things instead of the “main thing” (things of God) we are no better than the Pharisees who were so concerned with the law that they couldn’t see the Christ right in front of them. The inconsequential things in life should never overshadow the miracle of my salvation. Think about that for a minute. When Lazarus was risen from the dead (John 11), do you think he was worried about what he would have for dinner that night? No, I am pretty sure that he was focused on the miracle of his life being restored. In Mark 10, when “blind Bartimaeus” became “seeing Bartimaeus”, do you suppose he was concerned with his disheveled appearance? Nope, he threw away his cloak (which was basically all he had) and immediately followed Jesus. Are these miracles any more extraordinary than the miracle of our salvation? Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” - sounds like the main thing to me.
Lately, I have been concerned (for lack of a better word) that I am not doing enough for the Lord. I have been feeling jealous of other people who seem to have found their niche in the Kingdom. What am I doing? Oh, sure I lead Bible study on Wednesday nights and I help with the church preschool activities, but am I really making an impact? I see women who are making a difference - who are bringing people to Christ. I am jealous of their influence for Jesus. I put certain people on a pedastal in my mind even though I know they have past sins that haunt them just like me. I sometimes feel like the child who isn't getting enough attention from a parent - I feel like I need to prove myself to God. I know that I am wrong. I know that I was saved by grace and not by the works I do, but satan continually places those thoughts of imperfection and undeservedness in my mind. Another example of not keeping the main thing the main thing. When my focus is God and His Word, satan's lies mean nothing to me. When I focus on myself and the world, I end up feeling like the kid that didn't get picked for the team (even though I am on the winning team).
I remember a night that I lay awake unable to sleep because I kept replaying in my mind a somewhat hostile conversation I had that morning. It was not an important conversation, but I felt that I had been wronged and I could not let it go. I thought of things I should have said or could have said, none of which would have made a difference in the situation, nor would they have brought glory to God. As I lay there tossing, turning, and replaying scenarios in my mind, it came to my mind that I had not even prayed about this little problem. As soon as I decided to listen to God (which I should have done in the first place), it was as if He said to me, “Why are you worrying over something so insignificant? I died so that you could live forever and you are worried about proving you’re right?” Then it occurred to me that my concern over the little things was interrupting my attention to the main thing - God Himself.
When we focus on the minor things instead of the “main thing” (things of God) we are no better than the Pharisees who were so concerned with the law that they couldn’t see the Christ right in front of them. The inconsequential things in life should never overshadow the miracle of my salvation. Think about that for a minute. When Lazarus was risen from the dead (John 11), do you think he was worried about what he would have for dinner that night? No, I am pretty sure that he was focused on the miracle of his life being restored. In Mark 10, when “blind Bartimaeus” became “seeing Bartimaeus”, do you suppose he was concerned with his disheveled appearance? Nope, he threw away his cloak (which was basically all he had) and immediately followed Jesus. Are these miracles any more extraordinary than the miracle of our salvation? Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” - sounds like the main thing to me.
Friday, October 5, 2007
How Ya Like Me Now?
Okay, I have spent way too much time (like over an hour) searching Pyzam for a new blog template. They have thousands of these things. I have to confess that I have seen things that I should not have seen (who knew people would want naked women on their blog? YIKES!). I have seen templates for Dale Earnhart - definitely for those people who love a little NASCAR action. I bet some of my neighbors even use that one on their blog - you know I am from the great state of Tennessee, right? In TN, it is not unusual to hear people yelling the words "Go Dale" from their truck window (he is dead by the way, but the dream apparently lives on in his son who they lovingly refer to as "Junior"). Most of those trucks have a big rebel flag flying from the back too, but that is what we in the south call "a whole nother story".
There was also a cool University of Tennessee one that was really tempting, but I resisted - Go Vols! A Florida Gators one that didnt tempt me at all. There was one that had a condom on it. Yes, you read that right a full picture of a huge condom. I thought it was really pretty when I saw the little thumbnail. Then as I made the preview screen bigger I realized what I thought was a Dove chocoalte bar was actually a Trojan condom - omigosh! I just have one question---WHY? ............I saw 1/2 and whole naked women - I feel dirty just typing about it. Why would any self-respecting person want a "nekkid" girl on their blog? Again YIKES!
There was another one that had a huge cobra snake on it. Ya'll I have an unhealthy fear of snakes. You just do not know how scared of snakes I am. It all goes back to the garden--my grandfathers garden --- which had a few snakes in it when I was little and I never got over reaching down to pick a green bean and seeing nasty little eyes looking up at me. I might faint just typing about it! I would rather see a bear, a man with a knife, a plumber's crack, ......I would rather lick a public toilet than see a snake! Just to give you a little idea of how unrealistic my fear is......when I sit on the toilet, many times I think to myself "What if a snake came up in this toilet right now?" You have no idea how many times I have jumped up from the toilet ready to meet a copperhead. When I am running my kids bath water, I think to myself "What if a snake came out of this faucet right now?" Do ya smell what I'm cookin' here? I have a completely irrational fear of those nasty things. I dont even allow anyone in my house to say the word - they are to simply say "s". I know you all are thinking that I need counseling and I probably do(okay I defnintely need intense counseling), but that is really the only thing I am afraid of so, give a girl a break, will ya?.
ANYWAY, I know I sound will like my great, great grandmother when I say this, but some of those blog templates make my eyes go crossed (and I ain't talkin' about the nekkid ones either). I mean, when there is a moving background (or is it the text that moves? I do have a college education you guys - I even graduated summa cum laude - please dont think I am a total idiot - I am just sharing my heart here). There are just some blog templates that I just cannot focus on because there is too much going on. Call me crazy, but I just can't concentrate on what I am reading while there are little people dancing in the background.
So, anyway, those of you who still want to read my blog after finding out that I have seen naked women templates, that I live in Dale Earnhart country (although I am not a race fan or even close), and who now know that I am an irrational snakophobe (there is a word for that, but I didnt listen that day in psychology) please let me know if this is difficult for you to read. I cant promise I will have time to change it anytime soon, but I would like to know what you guys think.
By the way, this template is called Rusted Peacock - isnt that the stupidest thing you have ever heard? At least I didnt choose Dale (or the Trojan :-).
There was also a cool University of Tennessee one that was really tempting, but I resisted - Go Vols! A Florida Gators one that didnt tempt me at all. There was one that had a condom on it. Yes, you read that right a full picture of a huge condom. I thought it was really pretty when I saw the little thumbnail. Then as I made the preview screen bigger I realized what I thought was a Dove chocoalte bar was actually a Trojan condom - omigosh! I just have one question---WHY? ............I saw 1/2 and whole naked women - I feel dirty just typing about it. Why would any self-respecting person want a "nekkid" girl on their blog? Again YIKES!
There was another one that had a huge cobra snake on it. Ya'll I have an unhealthy fear of snakes. You just do not know how scared of snakes I am. It all goes back to the garden--my grandfathers garden --- which had a few snakes in it when I was little and I never got over reaching down to pick a green bean and seeing nasty little eyes looking up at me. I might faint just typing about it! I would rather see a bear, a man with a knife, a plumber's crack, ......I would rather lick a public toilet than see a snake! Just to give you a little idea of how unrealistic my fear is......when I sit on the toilet, many times I think to myself "What if a snake came up in this toilet right now?" You have no idea how many times I have jumped up from the toilet ready to meet a copperhead. When I am running my kids bath water, I think to myself "What if a snake came out of this faucet right now?" Do ya smell what I'm cookin' here? I have a completely irrational fear of those nasty things. I dont even allow anyone in my house to say the word - they are to simply say "s". I know you all are thinking that I need counseling and I probably do(okay I defnintely need intense counseling), but that is really the only thing I am afraid of so, give a girl a break, will ya?.
ANYWAY, I know I sound will like my great, great grandmother when I say this, but some of those blog templates make my eyes go crossed (and I ain't talkin' about the nekkid ones either). I mean, when there is a moving background (or is it the text that moves? I do have a college education you guys - I even graduated summa cum laude - please dont think I am a total idiot - I am just sharing my heart here). There are just some blog templates that I just cannot focus on because there is too much going on. Call me crazy, but I just can't concentrate on what I am reading while there are little people dancing in the background.
So, anyway, those of you who still want to read my blog after finding out that I have seen naked women templates, that I live in Dale Earnhart country (although I am not a race fan or even close), and who now know that I am an irrational snakophobe (there is a word for that, but I didnt listen that day in psychology) please let me know if this is difficult for you to read. I cant promise I will have time to change it anytime soon, but I would like to know what you guys think.
By the way, this template is called Rusted Peacock - isnt that the stupidest thing you have ever heard? At least I didnt choose Dale (or the Trojan :-).
Rain
It's raining this morning. Our area has not seen rain in months - literally. We are in the process of building a house, so it has been great weather to get our house under roof, but the crops and grass here are pretty much dead. I have never really been one to love rainy weather. It kind of depresses me (not sure why). East Tennessee has a record of hot, dry summers so "we really need some rain" was a common phrase at my house when I was little (and still is). I never could understand why everyone wanted so badly for it to rain. Why would they want to have to get out in the wet weather and mud? Not to mention what the rain does to your hair!
Now that I am an adult, I understand the need for rain. I understand the environmental importance of having rain. When I was little I just knew I hated the mess - it was all about me. Now I understand that there are farmers who depend on the rain for their livlihood and could care less how many hair care products I have to use to keep up my "do". Now that I am more mature, my attitude toward the rain has comptlely changed. Oh, I still hate to have my hair fall, but I now I understand that I am not the center of the universe.
When we first were saved, we were babies in Christ. We thought like babies, talked like babies, etc. etc. And anyone who has children knows that they are selfish - naturally. Children have to be taught to be considerate of others - it is not a natural characteristic for any of us. As we mature in the Lord our attitudes and beliefs change so that we are no longer the center, but Christ is the center (or at least that's how it should be). The problem is that sometimes we revert back to our childish ways. Oh, we may not wet our pants and throw food, but don't we talk back to God and throw tantrums? Sometimes I feel like such a baby (spiritually speaking). There are days that I might as well just lay in my bed and suck my thumb!
I want so much to die to the flesh, but the truth is that even after 20 years of walking with the Lord (I was saved when I was 14), I still live in the flesh occasionally (okay, alot - see I even lie to make myself look better!). Sometimes, living the Christian life is such an intimidating thought. It seems like there is no way I could please a perfect, Holy God. I want so much to be just like Him, but I know that isn't possible. He knows I am not perfect and He knows it comes naturally for me to be "all about me". He even knows all the ugly, selfish, filthy things that are hidden in the depths of my heart, but He loves me just the same. He saved me so that I could "grow up" in Him and He loves me even when I act like a child. He loves me BECAUSE I am His child -- amazing.
Now that I am an adult, I understand the need for rain. I understand the environmental importance of having rain. When I was little I just knew I hated the mess - it was all about me. Now I understand that there are farmers who depend on the rain for their livlihood and could care less how many hair care products I have to use to keep up my "do". Now that I am more mature, my attitude toward the rain has comptlely changed. Oh, I still hate to have my hair fall, but I now I understand that I am not the center of the universe.
When we first were saved, we were babies in Christ. We thought like babies, talked like babies, etc. etc. And anyone who has children knows that they are selfish - naturally. Children have to be taught to be considerate of others - it is not a natural characteristic for any of us. As we mature in the Lord our attitudes and beliefs change so that we are no longer the center, but Christ is the center (or at least that's how it should be). The problem is that sometimes we revert back to our childish ways. Oh, we may not wet our pants and throw food, but don't we talk back to God and throw tantrums? Sometimes I feel like such a baby (spiritually speaking). There are days that I might as well just lay in my bed and suck my thumb!
I want so much to die to the flesh, but the truth is that even after 20 years of walking with the Lord (I was saved when I was 14), I still live in the flesh occasionally (okay, alot - see I even lie to make myself look better!). Sometimes, living the Christian life is such an intimidating thought. It seems like there is no way I could please a perfect, Holy God. I want so much to be just like Him, but I know that isn't possible. He knows I am not perfect and He knows it comes naturally for me to be "all about me". He even knows all the ugly, selfish, filthy things that are hidden in the depths of my heart, but He loves me just the same. He saved me so that I could "grow up" in Him and He loves me even when I act like a child. He loves me BECAUSE I am His child -- amazing.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
JOY
Do you remember the day that you invited Jesus into your heart? It has been twenty years since I was saved and baptized, but I can still remember feeling pure joy and elation afterward. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that you have been forgiven and you have heaven to look forward to. I believe the Holy Spirit gives us His joy at the time of our salvation.
(1 Thessalonians 1:6). God has given us this wonderful gift, but so many times we sit idly by while satan, the loser-liar, deliberately steals our joy.
Satan steals our joy by telling us that our problems are much bigger than our God. He says our bills are more than we can pay, our illness is more than we can bear, our circumstances are beyond redemption. The Bible says that satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Jesus says that He is the “truth” (John 14:6). It seems like a no-brainer that we should believe the One who IS truth and say , “get thee behind me” to the ultimate liar. But, too many times we let our hearts and minds agree with satan when he tells us we are too worthless to deserve God’s blessings in our lives. I f I had a dollar for every time I fell for satan's lies I would be filthy rich!!! I can't tell you the times I fight with satan because he constantly tells me that my sins are way too many for God to ever forgive them.
Joy is defined by Webster’s as “intense happiness or great delight”. This is what God wants for us. The Bible tells us to "Delight in the Lord". It is easy to delight in the Lord when things are going well for us, but it isnt so easy when times get tough. And those are the times satan attacks with all his evil little ammo. When we listen to satan’s lies, we deny ourselves of God’s best and forfeit the intense happiness and great delight He gave us when He saved us. I pray everyday that God will help me remember the joy I felt on November 16, 1985. I am praying that for everyone who reads this blog as well.
Lord, I pray that you will restore our joy. I pray that each and every person who reads this blog will get an extra dose of your grace and mercy today. Give us the peace that passes all understanding -- the same peace we had when you first saved us. Help us to tell satan to take a hike and believe in the Truth and only in the Truth.
(1 Thessalonians 1:6). God has given us this wonderful gift, but so many times we sit idly by while satan, the loser-liar, deliberately steals our joy.
Satan steals our joy by telling us that our problems are much bigger than our God. He says our bills are more than we can pay, our illness is more than we can bear, our circumstances are beyond redemption. The Bible says that satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Jesus says that He is the “truth” (John 14:6). It seems like a no-brainer that we should believe the One who IS truth and say , “get thee behind me” to the ultimate liar. But, too many times we let our hearts and minds agree with satan when he tells us we are too worthless to deserve God’s blessings in our lives. I f I had a dollar for every time I fell for satan's lies I would be filthy rich!!! I can't tell you the times I fight with satan because he constantly tells me that my sins are way too many for God to ever forgive them.
Joy is defined by Webster’s as “intense happiness or great delight”. This is what God wants for us. The Bible tells us to "Delight in the Lord". It is easy to delight in the Lord when things are going well for us, but it isnt so easy when times get tough. And those are the times satan attacks with all his evil little ammo. When we listen to satan’s lies, we deny ourselves of God’s best and forfeit the intense happiness and great delight He gave us when He saved us. I pray everyday that God will help me remember the joy I felt on November 16, 1985. I am praying that for everyone who reads this blog as well.
Lord, I pray that you will restore our joy. I pray that each and every person who reads this blog will get an extra dose of your grace and mercy today. Give us the peace that passes all understanding -- the same peace we had when you first saved us. Help us to tell satan to take a hike and believe in the Truth and only in the Truth.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Randomness
I have been away from the computer for a couple of days because my dad is here visiting for the week. We have just been spending some time together. When my dad comes to visit TN he always stays with us because my sister works full time and she isn't home all that much. My sister is 6 years older than me (same age as my husband) and she has three children who are ages 22, 20, and 16. My boys love being around my sister and her family. However, last night was a little different story. Let me explain.......
My sister's youngest, Zach (16), usually loves to play with my kids who are 6 and 3. The problem is that now that Zach is 16, playing with my kids is no longer on his list of favorite things to do. He drives, he plays golf, he is constantly on the phone texting someone, and the big kicker--- he now has a girlfriend. So, last night while Zach was sitting in front of our computer talking on the phone to his girlfriend, my 6 year old was desperately trying to get his attention. He was really annoying him in an effort to get Zach to play with him. (He doesn't understand the girlfriend thing yet - Thank you Jesus!). Lake just could not understand why Zach didn't want to play with him. Lake's feelings were definitely hurt.
Last night as I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror taking off my make-up, I thought how we do the same thing to God. He wants our undivided attention and love, yet we tend to brush Him off very quickly. He uses people and circumstances to get us to look in His direction, but we are too busy doing other things to give Him the time He deserves. I wonder how many times I have hurt the feelings of God because I, His child, wouldn't even stop long enough to acknowledge Him. If I was a betting girl, I would say millions of times --- heck, maybe even millions of times per day.
Last night it hurt me that Lake's feelings were hurt. I felt sorry for him, after all, he just wanted someone to play with him and make him feel important and loved. Which is exactly what God wants from us--to know He is important to us AND for us to show Him that we love Him. Ya'll the truth is that there are days I feel like I just don't have the strength to do all the things I HAVE to do AND be the person God wants me to be. Does that make sense? There are days that it seems like such a daunting task to be a child of God, but the truth is that He doesn't expect us to jump through hoops, He just wants our love, our attention, and to know that He is most important to us.
My sister's youngest, Zach (16), usually loves to play with my kids who are 6 and 3. The problem is that now that Zach is 16, playing with my kids is no longer on his list of favorite things to do. He drives, he plays golf, he is constantly on the phone texting someone, and the big kicker--- he now has a girlfriend. So, last night while Zach was sitting in front of our computer talking on the phone to his girlfriend, my 6 year old was desperately trying to get his attention. He was really annoying him in an effort to get Zach to play with him. (He doesn't understand the girlfriend thing yet - Thank you Jesus!). Lake just could not understand why Zach didn't want to play with him. Lake's feelings were definitely hurt.
Last night as I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror taking off my make-up, I thought how we do the same thing to God. He wants our undivided attention and love, yet we tend to brush Him off very quickly. He uses people and circumstances to get us to look in His direction, but we are too busy doing other things to give Him the time He deserves. I wonder how many times I have hurt the feelings of God because I, His child, wouldn't even stop long enough to acknowledge Him. If I was a betting girl, I would say millions of times --- heck, maybe even millions of times per day.
Last night it hurt me that Lake's feelings were hurt. I felt sorry for him, after all, he just wanted someone to play with him and make him feel important and loved. Which is exactly what God wants from us--to know He is important to us AND for us to show Him that we love Him. Ya'll the truth is that there are days I feel like I just don't have the strength to do all the things I HAVE to do AND be the person God wants me to be. Does that make sense? There are days that it seems like such a daunting task to be a child of God, but the truth is that He doesn't expect us to jump through hoops, He just wants our love, our attention, and to know that He is most important to us.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Passover
Exodus 12:23 says "When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down".
He sees the blood and passes over us! I have read that passage a thousand times and yet I have heard it in a fresh way several times in the last few days. God gave His people explicit instructions on how to slaughter the lambs, how to cook them, even how to eat them. Then they were to sprinkle the blood on the top and sides of the doors so He would know to pass over them and let their first born children live.
I think it is so amazing that He formed that picture way back in Moses' time that would prove true for us today. When He sees the blood on the door to our hearts He passes over us and lets us live - forever. The key to this is the blood. The blood of Jesus is so precious to the Father that when He sees the blood that has covered all our ugly, nasty, depraved sins He passes over us. Jesus' blood is the only thing that keeps God from seeing the truly terrible sins in our hearts. When God looks at us He sees Jesus' blood and not the filth of who we really are - He sees who we really are in Christ.
And that, my friends, is completely amazing to me. So amazing that I cannot even fathom it all-- but I'm trying, I'm really trying.
He sees the blood and passes over us! I have read that passage a thousand times and yet I have heard it in a fresh way several times in the last few days. God gave His people explicit instructions on how to slaughter the lambs, how to cook them, even how to eat them. Then they were to sprinkle the blood on the top and sides of the doors so He would know to pass over them and let their first born children live.
I think it is so amazing that He formed that picture way back in Moses' time that would prove true for us today. When He sees the blood on the door to our hearts He passes over us and lets us live - forever. The key to this is the blood. The blood of Jesus is so precious to the Father that when He sees the blood that has covered all our ugly, nasty, depraved sins He passes over us. Jesus' blood is the only thing that keeps God from seeing the truly terrible sins in our hearts. When God looks at us He sees Jesus' blood and not the filth of who we really are - He sees who we really are in Christ.
And that, my friends, is completely amazing to me. So amazing that I cannot even fathom it all-- but I'm trying, I'm really trying.
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