Lately the storms in my life have been completely insane - and they are so horrific at times that if I take my eyes off of Christ for just a second and simply glance at the storms - I lose it. I break down. I absolutely have to keep focused on Christ right now - just to survive these crazy lifestorms!!
God is not choosing to calm the storms in my life right now. He is choosing instead to use these storms to strengthen my faith and my trust in Him. He is choosing to calm me - not the storms. And you know what? That's just fine with me! I've learned the hard way in the past what happens when I don't trust Him or when I try to face these storms on my own. Now I want to keep focused on Him. I don't want to see the lifestorms. They are too big and too scary for me. I just want to see Him. He is all I need. His grace is sufficient. He is in control. He is bigger than these lifestorms. He could calm these storms with His hand. Just a word from Him could silence every storm.
I keep reminding myself of these things over and over. God IS in control. He IS bigger. His grace IS sufficient. His strength is ALL I need. He IS my all in all. These aren't just Christian cliches. They are absolute truths. They are deeply resounding truths in my life - especially lately.
There have been a few times lately when I have taken my eyes off of Christ for a quick glance at the lifestorms - and let me tell you - those times were not pretty. (And thank you to those who dealt with me during those moments!!) I can't imagine where I'd be if I turned my face away from Him and looked full-on at these storms! If it's been that ugly when I take a quick peek - I don't want to know how devastating it would be if I took a long look.
Unfortunately, there are many people looking at the wrong things right now. Natural disasters are striking day after day. Lives are being lost daily fighting in a war overseas. Violence is disrupting innocent lives all over the globe. During these lifestorms, people aren't keeping their focus on Christ. They are looking the wrong way. Even on calm days there are those who aren't seeking His face but are choosing instead to focus on things of this world that have no eternal significance. I desperately want to turn their heads towards Christ and refocus their attention on eternal things. I can't imagine facing a single day - especially days filled with lifestorms - without the hope and peace granted through Christ. My heart aches for those who are looking at the wrong things. I can't imagine how scary, hopeless, meaningless, and depressing life must be for them.
Of all the things I've ever learned in my Christian walk, the most important has been to keep my eyes on Jesus. If my focus is on Him, I know it's all going to be okay. Yes - storms will still come and trials will still test me. But if I'm looking at Him, those things will not shake me. I can stand firm in full assurance that He is bigger than anything this life can throw at me.
So - where is your focus right now?
*************************************************
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." ~2 Corinthians 3:17-18
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~Hebrews 12:2
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." ~1 Chronicles 16:11
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." ~Psalm 105:4 (Hmmm... same exact verse twice... think He wanted us to make sure we GOT this one?!)
"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." ~Colossians 3:2
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Flashing Neon Billboard Signs
One day I will write a song. It will be called "Flashing Neon Billboard Signs." Those of you who know what that means are laughing too hard to keep reading now. Aren't you?
Yep, He did it again. It started last week.
Last Monday I did a prayer & response journal. This is a snippet from it:
---
God, what exactly is it that you want me to do with this? I get that you want me to speak - but about what? What is it you want me to say & do?
I want you to go. Be a light. Bring my Words of hope, healing and love to those who are struggling. I want you to practice obedience and trust, just as we've worked on for the past two years. It's time. I have given you my Words. I have complete control of your hands, your mouth and your mind. Just let Me work through you. My grace is sufficient. My strength is all you need. Just go.
Yes, Lord.
---
For me to answer with a simple "yes, Lord" that was not followed by the word "but" was significant. There was nothing more for me to say but yes, Lord. There was no hesitation. I had seen it coming. I knew what He expected of me. Yes, part of me still wants to know the how and why, but that's where the obedience and trust come in. If I keep my mind, my heart, my eyes and my ears turned to Him, He will be the one doing it all.
Last Wednesday I was listening to some new albums on my IPod and came across a song that immediately spoke to me. I began singing along with the chorus. I checked my IPod to see what song it was and just had to laugh when I saw the artist's name. Go figure. God has such a great sense of humor. The chorus:
"I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine Your light to the world
I will go shine Your light to the world" ~Jared Anderson
Thursday I was working on my memory verses for school.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
The lesson, questions and discussion following the memory verses were intriguing. I was fully absorbed into this. I'm salt and I'm light. If I'm salt, I make people thirsty, right? If I'm light, I shed light on people's darkness, right? People should see me and want what I have, right? If I am not using my salt - I'm good for nothing. If I'm using my light I will not keep it hidden. It wasn't "you have some salt to use." It was "YOU ARE the salt of the earth." It wasn't "you have some light in you." It was "YOU ARE the light of the world." Let your light SHINE! Be SALTY! Let people see the light and want to come out of the darkness towards it. Let people taste the salt and want more. Let them thirst for His quenching water.
Friday night I went to a Good Friday service at a local church. I'd never been to one of their services before, but I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Others had referred to it as a "charismatic" "holy roller" and "gospel-ly" church. My thought was "Great! They must know how to praise God!" Boy was I ever right. I was BLOWN AWAY by the worship Friday night. I had people in front of me who spoke little English. Their first language was Spanish. I had people to my right who spoke Spanish. I had people behind me who spoke Chinese. I was sitting beside a girl who was raised Jewish and whose mother was still a practicing Jew. This girl had just come to know Jesus recently. The other woman sitting with us was a staff member of the church who I'd become friends with. When the praise and worship started, all colors, languages, ethnicities, religious backgrounds and everything else faded away. It was a glimpse of what Heaven will be like with every tongue and every nation proclaiming Jesus is Lord. That church was praising Him as if we were already in Heaven. That worship ROCKED. Then, as we prayed and I heard the "Si, Abba" on one side and "Ah-man" behind me and "Yes, Lord" on the other side of me, I just marveled at how we could all come together in one place to worship the same God. The songs we sang were familiar and quenched so much of the thirst I'd had from being in a desert for so long. I didn't realize how much I needed fellowship with other believers until I'd finally been allowed the opportunity to have that fellowship after being kept from it for so long. My heart's eyes and ears were wide open. As the preachers tag-teamed the 7 statements made from the cross I listened intently. When one of the preachers made the comment "We are salt. Are we making people thirsty?" I had to laugh to myself. There it was again. He spoke of how offerings in the Old Testament had to have salt in them and how Jesus was salt, and His offering was a perfect sacrifice. The salt. The light.
Easter Sunday I was miraculously given the opportunity to go to church again - and take my boys with me. The boys actually agreed to stay in children's church with Sue and let me go to "big people" church. I honestly didn't connect as much that morning as I had Friday night, but one thing stood out. During his sermon, the preacher referred to the Great Commission:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
I think I probably memorized those verses when I was 9 or 10. I never forgot them. They were ingrained in my mind. But had I taken the Word to heart? Had I DONE what the verses said to do? Was I actively participating in the Great Commission? My journal prayer and response came back to mind. I vowed to go. No matter where He led, I'd go. Another song came back to mind. "Here I Am":
"Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am" ~Downhere
I remember this song from the time a couple of years ago. Back when I realized He had called me to something I'd thought I'd forever walked away from. Back when I realized He had bigger plans for me than I wanted. Back when I finally gave up my will and gave Him all of me to use as He so desired. Yet here it was again.
Yesterday I started a Bible study that a group of us who live in multiple states decided to do together through an online forum. I got out my book, did the lesson and replied to the discussion online. The things that stood out from the lesson were that King Uzziah was just 16 when he took reign, and that he was extremely successful WHEN HE KEPT HIS EYES ON GOD. "As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success" (2 Chronicles 26:5b). If we keep our eyes on Him and seek His face, HE will succeed at the work He has placed before us. Trust. Obey. Give Him our EVERYTHING. Seek Him. Let Him work in and through us.
I usually end my day the same way I start it - with some Christian music. As I was getting ready for bed last night, I hit play on my IPod and of course "Carrier" just had to come on. I shook my head laughing. Then I replayed it. I really took in ALL of the lyrics. I hit play a third time and went to turn off the light. As I passed my dresser I spotted the memory verse cards for the Bible study. I realized I hadn't read the verse so I picked up the card and read it. My jaw dropped. Literally. I'm standing there with "Carrier" playing in the background and this verse staring me in the face and all I could do was stand and stare in amazement.
The memory verse from the Bible study:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." Isaiah 61:1
I realized I'd just heard those words.
The full lyrics from "Carrier":
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
To preach good news to the poor
To bind up the broken-hearted
To make You known even more
So that people living in darkness
Will see the great light
I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine Your light to the world
I will go shine Your light to the world
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
Freedom and truth to proclaim
Trade your ashes for the oil of gladness
And your sorrows for garments of praise
Here am I send me send me
Here am I send me send me" ~Jared Anderson
Everything connected. My prayer and response journal. Obedience. Trust. "Carrier". Matthew 5:13-16. Salt. Light. Every tongue & every nation. Perfect sacrifice. Open the eyes of our hearts. The Great Commission. "Here I Am". Ministry. Youth ministry. Speaking. Keep our eyes on Him. Seek the Lord. He anointed me. He sent me. Reach those who are broken and living in darkness. It's not like this was a major break-through of profound knowledge. I knew all of these things. I'd known them for years. It was just another affirmation from Him that yes, I am on the right path and yes, I am following His lead in my life. If I keep focused on Him and keep seeking His face, it's all going to go as planned. HIS way. His plans. I'd already vowed to follow. Wherever He goes. Wherever He leads. No matter what obstacles the devil throws in the path. No matter what's going on around me. Go. Follow Him. These were all just reminders He put in place over the past week to show that He is still there, He's still in control, and He's holding me to that promise. There's no room for fear or doubt. It's time to just GO. I've given Him all of me. Now I just need to GO and let Him use me. No holding back...
Yep, He did it again. It started last week.
Last Monday I did a prayer & response journal. This is a snippet from it:
---
God, what exactly is it that you want me to do with this? I get that you want me to speak - but about what? What is it you want me to say & do?
I want you to go. Be a light. Bring my Words of hope, healing and love to those who are struggling. I want you to practice obedience and trust, just as we've worked on for the past two years. It's time. I have given you my Words. I have complete control of your hands, your mouth and your mind. Just let Me work through you. My grace is sufficient. My strength is all you need. Just go.
Yes, Lord.
---
For me to answer with a simple "yes, Lord" that was not followed by the word "but" was significant. There was nothing more for me to say but yes, Lord. There was no hesitation. I had seen it coming. I knew what He expected of me. Yes, part of me still wants to know the how and why, but that's where the obedience and trust come in. If I keep my mind, my heart, my eyes and my ears turned to Him, He will be the one doing it all.
Last Wednesday I was listening to some new albums on my IPod and came across a song that immediately spoke to me. I began singing along with the chorus. I checked my IPod to see what song it was and just had to laugh when I saw the artist's name. Go figure. God has such a great sense of humor. The chorus:
"I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine Your light to the world
I will go shine Your light to the world" ~Jared Anderson
Thursday I was working on my memory verses for school.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
The lesson, questions and discussion following the memory verses were intriguing. I was fully absorbed into this. I'm salt and I'm light. If I'm salt, I make people thirsty, right? If I'm light, I shed light on people's darkness, right? People should see me and want what I have, right? If I am not using my salt - I'm good for nothing. If I'm using my light I will not keep it hidden. It wasn't "you have some salt to use." It was "YOU ARE the salt of the earth." It wasn't "you have some light in you." It was "YOU ARE the light of the world." Let your light SHINE! Be SALTY! Let people see the light and want to come out of the darkness towards it. Let people taste the salt and want more. Let them thirst for His quenching water.
Friday night I went to a Good Friday service at a local church. I'd never been to one of their services before, but I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Others had referred to it as a "charismatic" "holy roller" and "gospel-ly" church. My thought was "Great! They must know how to praise God!" Boy was I ever right. I was BLOWN AWAY by the worship Friday night. I had people in front of me who spoke little English. Their first language was Spanish. I had people to my right who spoke Spanish. I had people behind me who spoke Chinese. I was sitting beside a girl who was raised Jewish and whose mother was still a practicing Jew. This girl had just come to know Jesus recently. The other woman sitting with us was a staff member of the church who I'd become friends with. When the praise and worship started, all colors, languages, ethnicities, religious backgrounds and everything else faded away. It was a glimpse of what Heaven will be like with every tongue and every nation proclaiming Jesus is Lord. That church was praising Him as if we were already in Heaven. That worship ROCKED. Then, as we prayed and I heard the "Si, Abba" on one side and "Ah-man" behind me and "Yes, Lord" on the other side of me, I just marveled at how we could all come together in one place to worship the same God. The songs we sang were familiar and quenched so much of the thirst I'd had from being in a desert for so long. I didn't realize how much I needed fellowship with other believers until I'd finally been allowed the opportunity to have that fellowship after being kept from it for so long. My heart's eyes and ears were wide open. As the preachers tag-teamed the 7 statements made from the cross I listened intently. When one of the preachers made the comment "We are salt. Are we making people thirsty?" I had to laugh to myself. There it was again. He spoke of how offerings in the Old Testament had to have salt in them and how Jesus was salt, and His offering was a perfect sacrifice. The salt. The light.
Easter Sunday I was miraculously given the opportunity to go to church again - and take my boys with me. The boys actually agreed to stay in children's church with Sue and let me go to "big people" church. I honestly didn't connect as much that morning as I had Friday night, but one thing stood out. During his sermon, the preacher referred to the Great Commission:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
I think I probably memorized those verses when I was 9 or 10. I never forgot them. They were ingrained in my mind. But had I taken the Word to heart? Had I DONE what the verses said to do? Was I actively participating in the Great Commission? My journal prayer and response came back to mind. I vowed to go. No matter where He led, I'd go. Another song came back to mind. "Here I Am":
"Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am" ~Downhere
I remember this song from the time a couple of years ago. Back when I realized He had called me to something I'd thought I'd forever walked away from. Back when I realized He had bigger plans for me than I wanted. Back when I finally gave up my will and gave Him all of me to use as He so desired. Yet here it was again.
Yesterday I started a Bible study that a group of us who live in multiple states decided to do together through an online forum. I got out my book, did the lesson and replied to the discussion online. The things that stood out from the lesson were that King Uzziah was just 16 when he took reign, and that he was extremely successful WHEN HE KEPT HIS EYES ON GOD. "As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success" (2 Chronicles 26:5b). If we keep our eyes on Him and seek His face, HE will succeed at the work He has placed before us. Trust. Obey. Give Him our EVERYTHING. Seek Him. Let Him work in and through us.
I usually end my day the same way I start it - with some Christian music. As I was getting ready for bed last night, I hit play on my IPod and of course "Carrier" just had to come on. I shook my head laughing. Then I replayed it. I really took in ALL of the lyrics. I hit play a third time and went to turn off the light. As I passed my dresser I spotted the memory verse cards for the Bible study. I realized I hadn't read the verse so I picked up the card and read it. My jaw dropped. Literally. I'm standing there with "Carrier" playing in the background and this verse staring me in the face and all I could do was stand and stare in amazement.
The memory verse from the Bible study:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." Isaiah 61:1
I realized I'd just heard those words.
The full lyrics from "Carrier":
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
To preach good news to the poor
To bind up the broken-hearted
To make You known even more
So that people living in darkness
Will see the great light
I'll be the carrier of love and compassion
I'll be the carrier of light to the world
I'll be the carrier of hope and salvation
I will go shine Your light to the world
I will go shine Your light to the world
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
Freedom and truth to proclaim
Trade your ashes for the oil of gladness
And your sorrows for garments of praise
Here am I send me send me
Here am I send me send me" ~Jared Anderson
Everything connected. My prayer and response journal. Obedience. Trust. "Carrier". Matthew 5:13-16. Salt. Light. Every tongue & every nation. Perfect sacrifice. Open the eyes of our hearts. The Great Commission. "Here I Am". Ministry. Youth ministry. Speaking. Keep our eyes on Him. Seek the Lord. He anointed me. He sent me. Reach those who are broken and living in darkness. It's not like this was a major break-through of profound knowledge. I knew all of these things. I'd known them for years. It was just another affirmation from Him that yes, I am on the right path and yes, I am following His lead in my life. If I keep focused on Him and keep seeking His face, it's all going to go as planned. HIS way. His plans. I'd already vowed to follow. Wherever He goes. Wherever He leads. No matter what obstacles the devil throws in the path. No matter what's going on around me. Go. Follow Him. These were all just reminders He put in place over the past week to show that He is still there, He's still in control, and He's holding me to that promise. There's no room for fear or doubt. It's time to just GO. I've given Him all of me. Now I just need to GO and let Him use me. No holding back...
Saturday, April 23, 2011
OVERflowing
As some of you know, this has been an overwhelming, unbelievably crazy week. I'd say it has been a roller coaster - but as much as I love roller coasters - I wouldn't want to ride one that went that far up and that far down that quickly... over and over and over and...
Anyways... I literally have DOZENS of little chunks of notes all over the place right now of things that I want to make sure I write and blog. I'm absolutely overflowing with things to share... but I simply CANNOT find the time to sit and type for more than 5 minutes... or even write more than quick snippits of notes. I'm beyond exhausted right now and have another very full day ahead tomorrow - or I'd sit and type it all right now!! That's how desperately I want to share with you guys what God has been revealing to me - in the strangest of ways no less!
One amazing thing I do want to share quickly is that despite all of the chaos and all of the "drama" (for lack of better terms) - there is a peace that truly does transcend all understanding. There is utter calm within my mind and my heart - and even on my face - but my surroundings have been anything but calm. He has chosen to calm the child and not the storm - but that's OK - because I know He can keep me safe amidst the storm.
Another amazing thing - my prayer warriors. You people rock. There is no other way to say it. You blow me away with your faithfulness and your determination. I appreciate you so much more than you could ever imagine. I have literally called or texted you a request and turned to have an answer in front of me moments later. I have hung up the phone knowing it will be done. There has been no doubt. Asking together for miracles this week - well - we've moved mountains. THANK YOU.
So... a quick glimpse of some of the things racing around in my mind just aching to get out on to paper (or this blog)...
**NEVER EVER EVER EVER been unloved - no matter what you've been told
**We are salt - so are we making people thirsty?
**Worshipping Heaven-style
**Out of the mouths of babes
**A child shall lead them
**The "un"game
**His mouth, His hands, His ears, His eyes and His heart
**When Christians bicker in front of the world
**All for the glory of love... His glory & His love
And that's just a handful of them!!! :) Let me know if there's one of these you want me to post first... otherwise I'll just get them in here as soon as I can get them typed in whatever order He leads me in.
Stay tuned! I promise I'll give you SOMETHING more than this to read soon!
Until then... as you celebrate the risen Christ tomorrow, remember to contemplate the entire event - from Heaven to Earth - Earth to the Cross - the Cross to the Grave - the Grave to the Sky... and have a very blessed & meaningful Easter.
Anyways... I literally have DOZENS of little chunks of notes all over the place right now of things that I want to make sure I write and blog. I'm absolutely overflowing with things to share... but I simply CANNOT find the time to sit and type for more than 5 minutes... or even write more than quick snippits of notes. I'm beyond exhausted right now and have another very full day ahead tomorrow - or I'd sit and type it all right now!! That's how desperately I want to share with you guys what God has been revealing to me - in the strangest of ways no less!
One amazing thing I do want to share quickly is that despite all of the chaos and all of the "drama" (for lack of better terms) - there is a peace that truly does transcend all understanding. There is utter calm within my mind and my heart - and even on my face - but my surroundings have been anything but calm. He has chosen to calm the child and not the storm - but that's OK - because I know He can keep me safe amidst the storm.
Another amazing thing - my prayer warriors. You people rock. There is no other way to say it. You blow me away with your faithfulness and your determination. I appreciate you so much more than you could ever imagine. I have literally called or texted you a request and turned to have an answer in front of me moments later. I have hung up the phone knowing it will be done. There has been no doubt. Asking together for miracles this week - well - we've moved mountains. THANK YOU.
So... a quick glimpse of some of the things racing around in my mind just aching to get out on to paper (or this blog)...
**NEVER EVER EVER EVER been unloved - no matter what you've been told
**We are salt - so are we making people thirsty?
**Worshipping Heaven-style
**Out of the mouths of babes
**A child shall lead them
**The "un"game
**His mouth, His hands, His ears, His eyes and His heart
**When Christians bicker in front of the world
**All for the glory of love... His glory & His love
And that's just a handful of them!!! :) Let me know if there's one of these you want me to post first... otherwise I'll just get them in here as soon as I can get them typed in whatever order He leads me in.
Stay tuned! I promise I'll give you SOMETHING more than this to read soon!
Until then... as you celebrate the risen Christ tomorrow, remember to contemplate the entire event - from Heaven to Earth - Earth to the Cross - the Cross to the Grave - the Grave to the Sky... and have a very blessed & meaningful Easter.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Truth or THE truth?
Weekday mornings in our home are pretty busy. We have both boys to get up, get into school uniforms, get fed, and get to the bus stop by 7:37, plus little Emma who gets up around the same time and needs to be changed, fed and just loved on for a bit. Not to mention lunches & snack bags to be packed, backpacks to get ready and getting ourselves ready enough that one of us can take the boys to the bus stop. As I was rushing around doing ten things at once on Friday morning, I heard something from the TV in the living room that stopped me in my tracks. I just stood staring at the TV in amazement. I couldn't believe what I was hearing on a national morning newscast. No, it wasn't another natural disaster or terrorist event. It was this simple phrase:
"There is no real truth."
This was followed by the newscaster giving commentary along the lines of "people standing on different corners will each have a different view and therefore a different idea of the truth."
The final statement was aimed at the audience: "Don't say you've found THE truth, say you've found A truth."
After a few more moments of shock-induced stupor, I quickly wrote down what I'd just heard and went back to rushing around and getting the boys out the door on time for school. By 10:30 AM my house is usually pretty quiet. Don leaves to go run errands and Emma goes down for a nap. The two hours of peace and quiet is usually my biggest chunk of time with God each day. I'm either reading His word, praying, writing about something I've learned, or journaling a prayer question and response.
Friday morning, all I could do during those two hours of quiet time is read the words I'd copied down from the TV newscast and wonder how they could teach these lies to the whole world. I tried to write and nothing happened. I prayed, but it was a jumbled mess (thankful for the Holy Spirit's intercession there). I ended up going to God's word and listing as much as I could find about truth.
Here are some of the verses that stood out during that search:
In Isaiah, the Lord says "I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right." JESUS speaks the TRUTH. HE declares WHAT IS RIGHT.
Isaiah 45:18-19 For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Daniel 10:21 refers to the Bible as the book of Truth. GOD'S WORD is TRUTH.
but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
John also references the Bible as the truth:
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
In John, Jesus tells us He IS the truth. JESUS IS THE TRUTH.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
We also read in 1 John that the Spirit is the truth. The SPIRIT IS THE TRUTH.
1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth
Jesus also tells us in John that He is giving US the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit of Truth is WITHIN US. WE can recognize TRUTH by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. It lives IN us and will be with us FOREVER.
John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
2 John 1:1-3 The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
1 Timothy refers to the living God as the pillar and foundation of the truth. GOD is the FOUNDATION of TRUTH.
1 Timothy 3:14-16 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
In 1 John, we not only are told no lie comes from the truth, but we are given a definition of a liar as well. We know the truth because we have been anointed by God. Those who deny Jesus is the Christ are liars.
1 John 2:20- But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.
We BELONG TO the TRUTH. We are at peace in God's presence when we are living in the truth. We will feel rebuke when a lie has entered our minds/hearts.
1 John 3:18-20 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
So, in summary, GOD IS the FOUNDATION of truth, JESUS IS the truth, the SPIRIT IS the truth, JESUS SPEAKS the truth, GOD'S WORD IS truth, the spirit of truth LIVES IN US, and WE BELONG TO the truth. God, Jesus, the Holy Sprit, and God's Word ARE THE TRUTH. That same truth lives inside us as Christians. Because we belong to the truth and have it inside of us, we can recognize the lies of the world, like those heard on Friday morning's newscast.
Now that we know what the truth is, how do we fight the lies? We live the truth in our lives by following Christ. Then, we lead others to the truth by sharing with them about Jesus. If people find Jesus, they find truth. Then, they too will recognize the lies of the world. For every lie the world tells us, God's word has a truth to combat it. God already fought the war against the lies and the father of lies and WON. The Truth IS. Nothing can change it. It's already inside you as a Christian. Your Bible is filled with Truth. Read it, learn it, memorize it, share it and live it. God IS the truth. Know HIM, and know the TRUTH.
"There is no real truth."
This was followed by the newscaster giving commentary along the lines of "people standing on different corners will each have a different view and therefore a different idea of the truth."
The final statement was aimed at the audience: "Don't say you've found THE truth, say you've found A truth."
After a few more moments of shock-induced stupor, I quickly wrote down what I'd just heard and went back to rushing around and getting the boys out the door on time for school. By 10:30 AM my house is usually pretty quiet. Don leaves to go run errands and Emma goes down for a nap. The two hours of peace and quiet is usually my biggest chunk of time with God each day. I'm either reading His word, praying, writing about something I've learned, or journaling a prayer question and response.
Friday morning, all I could do during those two hours of quiet time is read the words I'd copied down from the TV newscast and wonder how they could teach these lies to the whole world. I tried to write and nothing happened. I prayed, but it was a jumbled mess (thankful for the Holy Spirit's intercession there). I ended up going to God's word and listing as much as I could find about truth.
Here are some of the verses that stood out during that search:
In Isaiah, the Lord says "I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right." JESUS speaks the TRUTH. HE declares WHAT IS RIGHT.
Isaiah 45:18-19 For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Daniel 10:21 refers to the Bible as the book of Truth. GOD'S WORD is TRUTH.
but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
John also references the Bible as the truth:
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
In John, Jesus tells us He IS the truth. JESUS IS THE TRUTH.
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
We also read in 1 John that the Spirit is the truth. The SPIRIT IS THE TRUTH.
1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth
Jesus also tells us in John that He is giving US the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit of Truth is WITHIN US. WE can recognize TRUTH by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. It lives IN us and will be with us FOREVER.
John 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
2 John 1:1-3 The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
1 Timothy refers to the living God as the pillar and foundation of the truth. GOD is the FOUNDATION of TRUTH.
1 Timothy 3:14-16 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
In 1 John, we not only are told no lie comes from the truth, but we are given a definition of a liar as well. We know the truth because we have been anointed by God. Those who deny Jesus is the Christ are liars.
1 John 2:20- But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.
We BELONG TO the TRUTH. We are at peace in God's presence when we are living in the truth. We will feel rebuke when a lie has entered our minds/hearts.
1 John 3:18-20 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
So, in summary, GOD IS the FOUNDATION of truth, JESUS IS the truth, the SPIRIT IS the truth, JESUS SPEAKS the truth, GOD'S WORD IS truth, the spirit of truth LIVES IN US, and WE BELONG TO the truth. God, Jesus, the Holy Sprit, and God's Word ARE THE TRUTH. That same truth lives inside us as Christians. Because we belong to the truth and have it inside of us, we can recognize the lies of the world, like those heard on Friday morning's newscast.
Now that we know what the truth is, how do we fight the lies? We live the truth in our lives by following Christ. Then, we lead others to the truth by sharing with them about Jesus. If people find Jesus, they find truth. Then, they too will recognize the lies of the world. For every lie the world tells us, God's word has a truth to combat it. God already fought the war against the lies and the father of lies and WON. The Truth IS. Nothing can change it. It's already inside you as a Christian. Your Bible is filled with Truth. Read it, learn it, memorize it, share it and live it. God IS the truth. Know HIM, and know the TRUTH.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Taking it to the Cross is easy. Leaving it there requires faith.
Lately, one of my spiritual go-to friends has been trying to teach me a valuable lesson that I thought I'd learned ages ago. I didn't realize until earlier this week just what they were up to.
Whenever I had a look of frustration, voiced words of doubt, expressed fear or anxiety in any way, or started to question something, they'd simply look at me and say, "take it to the Cross, Kriss." If you know me well enough, you can probably guess that it took all of three times of them saying that before I was ready to mouth-off and explain how I'd ALREADY taken it to the Cross... I'd prayed about it, I'd journaled about it, I talked it over with Jesus, etc, and just what exactly did they mean?!
Finally, after weeks of hearing this reply to everything, it dawned on me... I may immediately take things TO the Cross, but do I really LEAVE them there? Am I truly surrendering ALL to Him?
When Christ hung on the cross, He took all of my sin... all of it. That includes my fears, my anger, my shame, my doubts, my sadness... any of the things that keep me from focusing on His face.
Colossians 2:13b-15 He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
He forgave ALL of our sins. He canceled our debt. He took the condemnation away. He took away the power and authority of these sins in our lives. He didn't just take them away either! After He took them away, He made a spectacle of them and triumphed over them. They are powerless. They are NOTHING. He eliminated them.
As sins pop up in our lives, we must give them over to Him. We must surrender them to Him. When I take my sins and burdens to the Cross, I'm meeting Him there, asking Him to take these things from me and free me of their oppression in my life. Jesus gladly takes the burdens upon Himself and sends me back on my way to keep working for Him in this world.
1 John 3:4-6 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
If I fail to give Him each and every part of the things I bring to the Cross, I am neglecting to fully surrender all to Him. I am not trusting Him to carry the entire weight of these burdens. I am failing to LEAVE these items at the Cross. Taking it to the Cross is easy. Leaving it there requires faith. Once they are left at the Cross, they are gone. They do not exist. God has cast them as far as the east is to the west (Psalm 103:12). They are GONE.
As frustrated as I became with the constant answer of "take it to the Cross, Kriss", I am so very thankful for this reply now. Now, it's my immediate response to any situation. Now, I don't just take it to the Cross, I leave it there. Jesus is big enough to handle any and all of these burdens. It's not my job to carry these things around. My job is to keep my gaze on Jesus' face and live out His purpose in my life. It's not my job to fear, doubt, get angry, judge, question or blame. It's my job to share the Gospel and to love others. Once they are completely left in Jesus' hands, these burdens and sins have absolutely no control over my life anymore.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
So, go ahead, TAKE it to the Cross. But, be sure you LEAVE it there! Then, burdens eliminated, go joyfully back into the world and GET BACK TO WORK!!
Whenever I had a look of frustration, voiced words of doubt, expressed fear or anxiety in any way, or started to question something, they'd simply look at me and say, "take it to the Cross, Kriss." If you know me well enough, you can probably guess that it took all of three times of them saying that before I was ready to mouth-off and explain how I'd ALREADY taken it to the Cross... I'd prayed about it, I'd journaled about it, I talked it over with Jesus, etc, and just what exactly did they mean?!
Finally, after weeks of hearing this reply to everything, it dawned on me... I may immediately take things TO the Cross, but do I really LEAVE them there? Am I truly surrendering ALL to Him?
When Christ hung on the cross, He took all of my sin... all of it. That includes my fears, my anger, my shame, my doubts, my sadness... any of the things that keep me from focusing on His face.
Colossians 2:13b-15 He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
He forgave ALL of our sins. He canceled our debt. He took the condemnation away. He took away the power and authority of these sins in our lives. He didn't just take them away either! After He took them away, He made a spectacle of them and triumphed over them. They are powerless. They are NOTHING. He eliminated them.
As sins pop up in our lives, we must give them over to Him. We must surrender them to Him. When I take my sins and burdens to the Cross, I'm meeting Him there, asking Him to take these things from me and free me of their oppression in my life. Jesus gladly takes the burdens upon Himself and sends me back on my way to keep working for Him in this world.
1 John 3:4-6 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
If I fail to give Him each and every part of the things I bring to the Cross, I am neglecting to fully surrender all to Him. I am not trusting Him to carry the entire weight of these burdens. I am failing to LEAVE these items at the Cross. Taking it to the Cross is easy. Leaving it there requires faith. Once they are left at the Cross, they are gone. They do not exist. God has cast them as far as the east is to the west (Psalm 103:12). They are GONE.
As frustrated as I became with the constant answer of "take it to the Cross, Kriss", I am so very thankful for this reply now. Now, it's my immediate response to any situation. Now, I don't just take it to the Cross, I leave it there. Jesus is big enough to handle any and all of these burdens. It's not my job to carry these things around. My job is to keep my gaze on Jesus' face and live out His purpose in my life. It's not my job to fear, doubt, get angry, judge, question or blame. It's my job to share the Gospel and to love others. Once they are completely left in Jesus' hands, these burdens and sins have absolutely no control over my life anymore.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
So, go ahead, TAKE it to the Cross. But, be sure you LEAVE it there! Then, burdens eliminated, go joyfully back into the world and GET BACK TO WORK!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Christians - Grab Your Gear! (aka Your Spiritual Backpack)
I admit it. I am absolutely addicted to outdoor adventure activities. I could never get enough backpacking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, caving, camping, hiking or mountain biking in one lifetime.
When I was blessed with twins, my outdoor adventures took a back-burner to mommyhood. However, when the boys were just over three years old, I was granted the opportunity to spend a week backpacking through Yosemite's wilderness area on an Outward Bound trip. The trip absolutely nourished my body, mind and soul, though it was SO different, because I spent the entire time missing my baby boys! It was a incredible learning experience and something I'd never trade for anything in the world. (Read more on my Outward Bound blog)
Before I could get another small taste of outdoor adventure, we found that we were expecting another little blessing. This poor baby girl of mine has no idea what's in store for her with this adventure-loving, outdoorsy, tomboy of a momma...
We just made plans for our first family camping trip. I am bouncing off the walls with excitement. I get to experience both Acadia National Park and the state of Maine for the first time, AND I FINALLY get to introduce my children to the world of outdoor fun. I've taken the boys on little hiking excursions, taught them to climb, and have taken them on other little jaunts in the outdoors, which they have loved, but this will be the first time that we will be completely immersing our entire family into the outdoors for four entire days. No phones. No electricity. No showers. No technology. No buildings. Back to the absolute basics. Us, God and God's creation. I cannot wait.
Do you know what makes any outdoor adventure activity successful? It's not the experience itself, though that is a huge part of it. It's the PLANNING. The PREPARATION. If you take the time to plan ahead and prepare for every scenario, you can absolutely relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that everything is ready, taken care of, and completely in God's hands. As we all know, even the best-laid plans can go kerpluey, but as long as it's all in His hands, you know you'll be just fine.
There are some key basic things you need to pack for any extended trip to the great outdoors.
What's in my backpack?
Well, the essentials. I have food, water (or a way to keep the water filtered), shelter, the correct gear, and the proper attitude.
We obviously need food to sustain us physically during our time outside. It may not be the same food we'd make at home, but I have turned into quite the gourmet chef with nothing more than a camping stove, fuel, matches and basic ingredients that are easily portable & packable.
Just as important as food is water - or some means to filter water found along the way. Although we can bring things to help flavor the water, they aren't essential. Water is a MUST though. No matter what. Without water, there is no trip.
Shelter. Okay, those who have been on an Outward Bound or NOLS course, don't slam me here. Yes, I am fully aware that you don't absolutely have to carry any form of shelter with you. I have been forced to sleep under the stars with no tent or canopy and I survived. However, for the not-so-hardcore, you should bring some form of shelter. You aren't going to be guaranteed of sunny, clear, dry weather. And sleeping under the stars may be nice, but not when it's pouring down rain. Trust me.
The correct gear is of the upmost importance. Yes, you could get away without some of it, but you probably wouldn't want to try. We're not talking Survivor here. We're talking enjoyable excursion to the outdoors. So, you'll want to have a map, compass, first aid kit, a camp stove, fuel, light, and the correct clothing/shoes. The map and compass will keep you from getting lost. The first aid kit doesn't have to be elaborate, but your blisters will thank you if you at least have some Band-Aids with you. Camp stoves are essential if you want to eat more than bread and fresh fruits or nuts. Fuel, well, if you want to use that handy dandy camp stove to fix some food that's actually hot (or at least warm), you need fuel. A source of light may not be an absolute necessity, but it is a great source of comfort and can come in handy for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips (or searching through a dark bag for a Band-Aid for that blister). The correct clothing/shoes... well... you can actually prevent the blister this way! If it's going to be in the 90s and humid, you do not want to have to carry or deal with heavy pants, coats, shirts and more. However, if the lows are going to dip down near 0, that tank top and shorts aren't going to be too comfortable. Plus, if you're in the middle of nowhere, who's really going to care that your clothes aren't that fashionable, don't really match, or are the same ones you wore yesterday? You should plan to dress in layers, and have clothing appropriate to the environment and weather conditions. This includes having rain gear, unless you're a die-hard true-to-nature person who thinks if it rains you are supposed to get wet. The correct shoes, just like the correct clothing, will keep you comfortable and ready for your adventure. Wearing those fancy sandals while hiking over rocks and through mud probably wouldn't help much. Good hiking boots and an old, comfortable pair of shoes to wear around camp at night are a good plan.
The correct attitude, though it cannot be physically packed into your bag, is so incredibly essential when heading to the great outdoors. As a Girl Scout, I was taught to leave a place better than I found it. Outward Bound also strongly emphasizes this concept. So, when I head outdoors, I go with the plan of service. I plan to find a way to serve others or make a place better. I also go with an attitude of submission - to God's plan for the trip. I go expecting the unexpected and anticipating a wonderfully inspiring, great time. Although the pre-planning may be extensive, once I get out there in the midst of nowhere, there are no longer any schedules, deadlines, rigid structures or other elements of the technologically-overloaded world I left behind.
As I've planned and prepared trip after trip in the past, I came to the realization that our Christian lives are much like my excursions to the world outdoors. We, as Christians, should be prepared and plan ahead. We should be ready for our adventure. Each of the five basics I listed above correlates to something we should have in our "spiritual backpack" each day.
Food: As a Christian, our food is God's word. The Bible gives us the wisdom, knowledge and examples we need to be successful on our adventure. His truths enable us to face any situation or trial along the way. The Bible makes several references to God's word being like food. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that He sustains "all things by his powerful word".
Water: Worship and the Holy Spirit are water for our souls. When we allow the Spirit to work within us, He quenches our thirst. When we allow our hearts open up in worshipping the Father, we are blessed with a river flowing through us and a spring of life welling up and overflowing inside us, filling us with peace, joy, love and eternal life. John 7:38 - "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 4:14 - "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Shelter: God is our shelter in this world. When we need shelter from the storms of life, we pray. We find our safety and security in the shelter of God's protection through prayer. There are so many verses, especially in the Psalms, that refer God as our shelter. Our salvation also falls under this category. In order to rest in the comfort of God's shelter, we must first know Him and allow Him to be Lord in our lives.
The correct gear: The Armor of God is our correct gear in this world. Just as we had a list of necessary gear for heading outdoors, there is a list of necessary battle gear found in Ephesians 6. We should put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness, fit our feet with readiness and peace, and take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. This gear enables us to firmly stand our ground and extinguish all "flaming arrows" from the devil. With the proper gear in place, we are prepared to battle evil and promote good.
Correct attitude: An attitude of service is just as important in this busy, technology-driven world as it is in the middle of the greatest wilderness. Romans 15:15 tells us we should have the same attitude towards each other as Christ had towards us. Christ gave us His grace so that we are equipped "for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13). Facing each day with an attitude of service enables God to use us and work through us as we come in contact with others.
Each and every day, Christians should fill their Spiritual backpack with these five things: God's word (food), worship/Holy Spirit (water), God via prayer & salvation (shelter), the Armor of God (correct gear), and an attitude of service. If we have these things within us, we will be packed, prepared and ready for this great adventure called life. We can relax and enjoy the experience - even the trials - because we know it's all in His hands and He will take care of us. We can then go forward fearlessly, telling others of God's unending love, grace and mercy, and helping them find their way into the shelter of His wings.
So, Christians, grab your gear and let's go!
When I was blessed with twins, my outdoor adventures took a back-burner to mommyhood. However, when the boys were just over three years old, I was granted the opportunity to spend a week backpacking through Yosemite's wilderness area on an Outward Bound trip. The trip absolutely nourished my body, mind and soul, though it was SO different, because I spent the entire time missing my baby boys! It was a incredible learning experience and something I'd never trade for anything in the world. (Read more on my Outward Bound blog)
Before I could get another small taste of outdoor adventure, we found that we were expecting another little blessing. This poor baby girl of mine has no idea what's in store for her with this adventure-loving, outdoorsy, tomboy of a momma...
We just made plans for our first family camping trip. I am bouncing off the walls with excitement. I get to experience both Acadia National Park and the state of Maine for the first time, AND I FINALLY get to introduce my children to the world of outdoor fun. I've taken the boys on little hiking excursions, taught them to climb, and have taken them on other little jaunts in the outdoors, which they have loved, but this will be the first time that we will be completely immersing our entire family into the outdoors for four entire days. No phones. No electricity. No showers. No technology. No buildings. Back to the absolute basics. Us, God and God's creation. I cannot wait.
Do you know what makes any outdoor adventure activity successful? It's not the experience itself, though that is a huge part of it. It's the PLANNING. The PREPARATION. If you take the time to plan ahead and prepare for every scenario, you can absolutely relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that everything is ready, taken care of, and completely in God's hands. As we all know, even the best-laid plans can go kerpluey, but as long as it's all in His hands, you know you'll be just fine.
There are some key basic things you need to pack for any extended trip to the great outdoors.
What's in my backpack?
Well, the essentials. I have food, water (or a way to keep the water filtered), shelter, the correct gear, and the proper attitude.
We obviously need food to sustain us physically during our time outside. It may not be the same food we'd make at home, but I have turned into quite the gourmet chef with nothing more than a camping stove, fuel, matches and basic ingredients that are easily portable & packable.
Just as important as food is water - or some means to filter water found along the way. Although we can bring things to help flavor the water, they aren't essential. Water is a MUST though. No matter what. Without water, there is no trip.
Shelter. Okay, those who have been on an Outward Bound or NOLS course, don't slam me here. Yes, I am fully aware that you don't absolutely have to carry any form of shelter with you. I have been forced to sleep under the stars with no tent or canopy and I survived. However, for the not-so-hardcore, you should bring some form of shelter. You aren't going to be guaranteed of sunny, clear, dry weather. And sleeping under the stars may be nice, but not when it's pouring down rain. Trust me.
The correct gear is of the upmost importance. Yes, you could get away without some of it, but you probably wouldn't want to try. We're not talking Survivor here. We're talking enjoyable excursion to the outdoors. So, you'll want to have a map, compass, first aid kit, a camp stove, fuel, light, and the correct clothing/shoes. The map and compass will keep you from getting lost. The first aid kit doesn't have to be elaborate, but your blisters will thank you if you at least have some Band-Aids with you. Camp stoves are essential if you want to eat more than bread and fresh fruits or nuts. Fuel, well, if you want to use that handy dandy camp stove to fix some food that's actually hot (or at least warm), you need fuel. A source of light may not be an absolute necessity, but it is a great source of comfort and can come in handy for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips (or searching through a dark bag for a Band-Aid for that blister). The correct clothing/shoes... well... you can actually prevent the blister this way! If it's going to be in the 90s and humid, you do not want to have to carry or deal with heavy pants, coats, shirts and more. However, if the lows are going to dip down near 0, that tank top and shorts aren't going to be too comfortable. Plus, if you're in the middle of nowhere, who's really going to care that your clothes aren't that fashionable, don't really match, or are the same ones you wore yesterday? You should plan to dress in layers, and have clothing appropriate to the environment and weather conditions. This includes having rain gear, unless you're a die-hard true-to-nature person who thinks if it rains you are supposed to get wet. The correct shoes, just like the correct clothing, will keep you comfortable and ready for your adventure. Wearing those fancy sandals while hiking over rocks and through mud probably wouldn't help much. Good hiking boots and an old, comfortable pair of shoes to wear around camp at night are a good plan.
The correct attitude, though it cannot be physically packed into your bag, is so incredibly essential when heading to the great outdoors. As a Girl Scout, I was taught to leave a place better than I found it. Outward Bound also strongly emphasizes this concept. So, when I head outdoors, I go with the plan of service. I plan to find a way to serve others or make a place better. I also go with an attitude of submission - to God's plan for the trip. I go expecting the unexpected and anticipating a wonderfully inspiring, great time. Although the pre-planning may be extensive, once I get out there in the midst of nowhere, there are no longer any schedules, deadlines, rigid structures or other elements of the technologically-overloaded world I left behind.
As I've planned and prepared trip after trip in the past, I came to the realization that our Christian lives are much like my excursions to the world outdoors. We, as Christians, should be prepared and plan ahead. We should be ready for our adventure. Each of the five basics I listed above correlates to something we should have in our "spiritual backpack" each day.
Food: As a Christian, our food is God's word. The Bible gives us the wisdom, knowledge and examples we need to be successful on our adventure. His truths enable us to face any situation or trial along the way. The Bible makes several references to God's word being like food. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that He sustains "all things by his powerful word".
Water: Worship and the Holy Spirit are water for our souls. When we allow the Spirit to work within us, He quenches our thirst. When we allow our hearts open up in worshipping the Father, we are blessed with a river flowing through us and a spring of life welling up and overflowing inside us, filling us with peace, joy, love and eternal life. John 7:38 - "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 4:14 - "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Shelter: God is our shelter in this world. When we need shelter from the storms of life, we pray. We find our safety and security in the shelter of God's protection through prayer. There are so many verses, especially in the Psalms, that refer God as our shelter. Our salvation also falls under this category. In order to rest in the comfort of God's shelter, we must first know Him and allow Him to be Lord in our lives.
The correct gear: The Armor of God is our correct gear in this world. Just as we had a list of necessary gear for heading outdoors, there is a list of necessary battle gear found in Ephesians 6. We should put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness, fit our feet with readiness and peace, and take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. This gear enables us to firmly stand our ground and extinguish all "flaming arrows" from the devil. With the proper gear in place, we are prepared to battle evil and promote good.
Correct attitude: An attitude of service is just as important in this busy, technology-driven world as it is in the middle of the greatest wilderness. Romans 15:15 tells us we should have the same attitude towards each other as Christ had towards us. Christ gave us His grace so that we are equipped "for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13). Facing each day with an attitude of service enables God to use us and work through us as we come in contact with others.
Each and every day, Christians should fill their Spiritual backpack with these five things: God's word (food), worship/Holy Spirit (water), God via prayer & salvation (shelter), the Armor of God (correct gear), and an attitude of service. If we have these things within us, we will be packed, prepared and ready for this great adventure called life. We can relax and enjoy the experience - even the trials - because we know it's all in His hands and He will take care of us. We can then go forward fearlessly, telling others of God's unending love, grace and mercy, and helping them find their way into the shelter of His wings.
So, Christians, grab your gear and let's go!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Testimony?
In the course of three days I've had eight people ask me why I haven't shared my personal testimony on my blog. Since then I've had stress-induced writer's block. Big time.
You see - it's not that my testimony would be that difficult to write out. I've done it already. I have it saved on my computer. I add to it as I go through various things in life. It's a work-in-progress, much like each of us.
It's not that it's so terrible that I don't want anyone to know it either. It's your average sinner turning to Jesus and - no - life didn't get easier - it got harder - BUT - now He's in control and I don't have to go-it alone. There's HOPE now.
It's not that I'm embarrassed by it. We ALL have things from our past that we wish weren't there - but I've learned a couple of things. 1 - I am NOT alone in the things I've gone through. 2 - (yes teen girls I AM going to say it again) You have the greatest impact on those you never knew were watching or listening. Someone could "stumble across" my story and be touched/moved/encouraged by it - and I'd never know. That's great. There are young people (and adults) who can (and have) found inspiration through some of the darkest times I endured and share. We all have something to give to those walking through the same types of trials we've already emerged from. 3 - There are far more serious issues out there than some I've dealt with. There are people who have gone through far more ordeals and experienced far more trauma. No matter how "bad" my past may seem - there's always a more difficult story out there. We're all sinners living in a sin-filled world. We all have a past. Sin is sin and is sin. So embarrassment isn't the issue either.
The problem is this. My blogs are visible to everyone - and I intend to keep them that way. Yes, I could put everything out there for the whole world to read, but if it brings hurt, pain or negativity to any of the other people involved in my past - even if I don't name them - I won't do it.
If you want to know, ask. I'll gladly answer your questions. But I won't do anything to bring more pain and suffering to a family that has already gone through so much. Thanks for understanding.
You see - it's not that my testimony would be that difficult to write out. I've done it already. I have it saved on my computer. I add to it as I go through various things in life. It's a work-in-progress, much like each of us.
It's not that it's so terrible that I don't want anyone to know it either. It's your average sinner turning to Jesus and - no - life didn't get easier - it got harder - BUT - now He's in control and I don't have to go-it alone. There's HOPE now.
It's not that I'm embarrassed by it. We ALL have things from our past that we wish weren't there - but I've learned a couple of things. 1 - I am NOT alone in the things I've gone through. 2 - (yes teen girls I AM going to say it again) You have the greatest impact on those you never knew were watching or listening. Someone could "stumble across" my story and be touched/moved/encouraged by it - and I'd never know. That's great. There are young people (and adults) who can (and have) found inspiration through some of the darkest times I endured and share. We all have something to give to those walking through the same types of trials we've already emerged from. 3 - There are far more serious issues out there than some I've dealt with. There are people who have gone through far more ordeals and experienced far more trauma. No matter how "bad" my past may seem - there's always a more difficult story out there. We're all sinners living in a sin-filled world. We all have a past. Sin is sin and is sin. So embarrassment isn't the issue either.
The problem is this. My blogs are visible to everyone - and I intend to keep them that way. Yes, I could put everything out there for the whole world to read, but if it brings hurt, pain or negativity to any of the other people involved in my past - even if I don't name them - I won't do it.
If you want to know, ask. I'll gladly answer your questions. But I won't do anything to bring more pain and suffering to a family that has already gone through so much. Thanks for understanding.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Mommy, how can I go to Heaven?
"Oh you can't get to Heaven... on roller skates..."
As a kid that was the one camp song that I dreaded. Why? Because it seemed to go on FOREVER and EVER and EVER and...
Anyways... I was thinking about this song today because my inquisitive son asked me how he could go to Heaven and visit with Jesus. He didn't want to stay there, mind you, he just wanted to pop in for a quick chat with God and come back home to Mommy and Daddy in time for dinner. This led to a great conversation about prayer and about Jesus being here with us so we don't have to physically go up to Heaven to talk to Him. It also led to the discussion of "being good isn't good enough" and that we must have Jesus in our hearts to be able to go to Heaven one day.
My son's heart has been completely opened to Jesus in the past couple of weeks. Just yesterday he asked me if Jesus lives inside Him. I asked him, "Did you ask Him to?" He said, "Not yet. But I want to. Mommy - will you help me ask Jesus if He'll come and live in my heart forever?" Fighting back the urge to dance around in circles shouting praises to God for this moment (and of course fighting back the happy tears) I said "of course!" and we prayed together. That was the absolute sweetest prayer I have ever shared with another human being. Ever. I have looked forward to that moment with each of my children, and was not surprised in the least by which one was the first to open himself to Jesus' love. This is the same child who for weeks was asking us questions about death, dying and Heaven. The same child who has been staying up past bedtime every night for the past week reading his Devotional Bible (Thank you Sheila Walsh & cousin April). He has been so excited that he can read now and doesn't have to wait for someone to read the Bible to him. This is also the same child who asked me a thousand times a day if he could do his "Jesus book" (a little boy's devotional activity book). He can't get enough of God, Jesus, the Bible, information about Heaven, etc. He is so open and excited. When I think of "childlike faith" from now on, I am going to picture these days Patrick is journeying through.
Do you have a childlike curiosity to learn as much as you can about Jesus?
Do you want to know how YOU can get to Heaven?
Do you want to sit and just have a chat with God?
You can. You can. And you can.
Open yourself up to Jesus. Read His word. Get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Talk to Him.
And please - be sure to get your passport. (Thank you Pastor Teddy) If you want to know what that means - go watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-xqPuOn5Qg
Now... about those roller skates... you KNOW you can't get to Heaven on roller skates... 'cause you'd just roll past those pearly gates...
As a kid that was the one camp song that I dreaded. Why? Because it seemed to go on FOREVER and EVER and EVER and...
Anyways... I was thinking about this song today because my inquisitive son asked me how he could go to Heaven and visit with Jesus. He didn't want to stay there, mind you, he just wanted to pop in for a quick chat with God and come back home to Mommy and Daddy in time for dinner. This led to a great conversation about prayer and about Jesus being here with us so we don't have to physically go up to Heaven to talk to Him. It also led to the discussion of "being good isn't good enough" and that we must have Jesus in our hearts to be able to go to Heaven one day.
My son's heart has been completely opened to Jesus in the past couple of weeks. Just yesterday he asked me if Jesus lives inside Him. I asked him, "Did you ask Him to?" He said, "Not yet. But I want to. Mommy - will you help me ask Jesus if He'll come and live in my heart forever?" Fighting back the urge to dance around in circles shouting praises to God for this moment (and of course fighting back the happy tears) I said "of course!" and we prayed together. That was the absolute sweetest prayer I have ever shared with another human being. Ever. I have looked forward to that moment with each of my children, and was not surprised in the least by which one was the first to open himself to Jesus' love. This is the same child who for weeks was asking us questions about death, dying and Heaven. The same child who has been staying up past bedtime every night for the past week reading his Devotional Bible (Thank you Sheila Walsh & cousin April). He has been so excited that he can read now and doesn't have to wait for someone to read the Bible to him. This is also the same child who asked me a thousand times a day if he could do his "Jesus book" (a little boy's devotional activity book). He can't get enough of God, Jesus, the Bible, information about Heaven, etc. He is so open and excited. When I think of "childlike faith" from now on, I am going to picture these days Patrick is journeying through.
Do you have a childlike curiosity to learn as much as you can about Jesus?
Do you want to know how YOU can get to Heaven?
Do you want to sit and just have a chat with God?
You can. You can. And you can.
Open yourself up to Jesus. Read His word. Get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Talk to Him.
And please - be sure to get your passport. (Thank you Pastor Teddy) If you want to know what that means - go watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-xqPuOn5Qg
Now... about those roller skates... you KNOW you can't get to Heaven on roller skates... 'cause you'd just roll past those pearly gates...
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