I think I'm dreaming. I'm waiting to wake up from this dream and for REAL life to begin. It's like I'm waiting for the "bad thing" to happen and to burst this bubble I'm living in.
But I see that my life is not without it's problems, difficulties and frustrations.
I just look at and approach them and life differently.
I realize that my value is not based on what is/has happened to me, but based on a horrific death that bought me back from a life of sin. I focus on God's love and goodness that is on display all around me. I bring all my fears, sorrows and frustrations and leave them in His capable hands, because I know He can fix a broken heart, so anything else will be a cinch for Him. I also share my laughter, joy, dreams, plans and moments of sweet communion with my Creator, who delights in hearing my voice and seeing me smile.
I get up each morning and I can't believe this is my life and I get to live it to God's fullest with great joy!
So...
I am living in a dream!!! God's dream for me - a REAL life dream; a life lived walking with Him.
"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."
Galatians 5:22-23
"Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe He'll do it now, Maybe He'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust!"
Joel 2:13-14
"Give in to God, come to terms with Him and everything will turn out just fine. Let Him tell you what to do; take His words to heart. Come back to God Almighty and He'll rebuild your life. Clean house of everything evil. Relax your grip on your money and abandon your gold-plated luxury. God Almighty will be your treasure, more wealth than you can imagine. You'll take delight in God, the Mighty One, and look to Him joyfully, boldly. You'll pray to Him and He'll listen; He'll help you do what you've promised. You'll decide what you want and it will happen; your life will be bathed in light. To those who feel low you'll say, 'Chin up! Be brave!' and God will save them. Yes, even the guilty will escape, escape through God's grace in your life."
Job 22:21-30
Monday 31 December 2012
Tuesday 18 December 2012
My Ordinary Life
Some days I get frustrated because I feel like I'm not doing anything for God. I think, "I should be Benny Hinn or Joyce Meyer or something. It seems like they have the corner on God's market."
I just live a plain, old, don't do anything extraordinary life.
Except.
How extraordinary is it when you're with the same people day after day and they see something different about you? When people see you walk through trials and struggles with joy and confidence in the One who created you, or when you have honesty and integrity in a world full of lies and scams, or when you are able to show God's amazing love to those around you consistently?
I may not have the audience that some do, but people are watching, and I want them to see God and His amazing love and power in me.
So if that means living an "ordinary" life, then I'm going to do it to the best of my ability and rely on God's grace to make it extraordinary.
"During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old."
Luke 1:5-7 MSG
Read Luke 1:5-25 for the full effect of a life live honourably before God.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Romans 12:1-2 MSG
I just live a plain, old, don't do anything extraordinary life.
Except.
How extraordinary is it when you're with the same people day after day and they see something different about you? When people see you walk through trials and struggles with joy and confidence in the One who created you, or when you have honesty and integrity in a world full of lies and scams, or when you are able to show God's amazing love to those around you consistently?
I may not have the audience that some do, but people are watching, and I want them to see God and His amazing love and power in me.
So if that means living an "ordinary" life, then I'm going to do it to the best of my ability and rely on God's grace to make it extraordinary.
"During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old."
Luke 1:5-7 MSG
Read Luke 1:5-25 for the full effect of a life live honourably before God.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Romans 12:1-2 MSG
Thursday 13 December 2012
Pursued
Call me old fashioned, but I want to be pursued by my husband.
The thing is I've been pursued all my life.
By a man, who gave up His life for mine.
Most of my life I didn't realize it.
I didn't paid attention to the ways he showed His love, care and concern for me.
But now my eyes have been open.
I see Him in creation around me. In a hug from a close friend, a kind word, a song on the radio, a smile from a stranger.
I know He cares about me when things in life fall into place, when I unexpectedly receive the thing I have been needing, or when He answers my prayers and those deep longings in my heart.
Most of my life I have lived looking for an earthly man(or woman) to be my saviour, the one I can always count on and will be everything I need.
They always fail me in one way or another.
But Jesus, well, He has yet too, and I doubt He ever will. He has proven Himself faithful and patient, when I have and when I haven't deserved it.
He says He has a future beyond my wildest dreams planned out for me, and He had them planned before the earth was created.
To me that says, "Sarah, I've got you and I'll never let you go."
True security.
"Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son."
-Ephesians 1:4-6 MSG
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
-Ephesians 3:20 MSG
"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14 MSG
The thing is I've been pursued all my life.
By a man, who gave up His life for mine.
Most of my life I didn't realize it.
I didn't paid attention to the ways he showed His love, care and concern for me.
But now my eyes have been open.
I see Him in creation around me. In a hug from a close friend, a kind word, a song on the radio, a smile from a stranger.
I know He cares about me when things in life fall into place, when I unexpectedly receive the thing I have been needing, or when He answers my prayers and those deep longings in my heart.
Most of my life I have lived looking for an earthly man(or woman) to be my saviour, the one I can always count on and will be everything I need.
They always fail me in one way or another.
But Jesus, well, He has yet too, and I doubt He ever will. He has proven Himself faithful and patient, when I have and when I haven't deserved it.
He says He has a future beyond my wildest dreams planned out for me, and He had them planned before the earth was created.
To me that says, "Sarah, I've got you and I'll never let you go."
True security.
"Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son."
-Ephesians 1:4-6 MSG
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
-Ephesians 3:20 MSG
"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14 MSG
Saturday 3 November 2012
It HAS to be perfect!!
My name is Sarah and I'm a perfectionist.
Perfectionism is defined as:
a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.
I HAVE to do everything right or else I feel like I've failed. If I feel angry and upset at someone because of what they have said or done to me, I become more frustrated and upset because I know that God has called me to be forgiving and merciful. But those feelings are not "natural" in that situation. I have trust God and wait for my feelings to catch up - get in line with what God says. Until they do I need to remind myself of what He has said and work to keep good words out of my mouth and thoughts in my mind.
It also keeps me from doing things because I'm afraid that I won't get them right or I will fail. I've tried to learn to play guitar many times, but like a lot of things, I give up if I cannot get it or am not progressing fast enough for my liking. I was hoping to be a rock star overnight. So, yeah. Doomed to fail. I didn't even give myself a chance.
My perfectionism is driven by a fear of failure. I hate failing, not getting something correct, or disappointing people. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this boat, but it still drives me crazy! I've seen so many opportunities lost because I have been afraid of failure or rejection.
My perfectionism reminds me of my need for God. It drives me to Him because I know I can't do life in my own strength. It shows me how much I need the Holy Spirit to be present in my everyday life so I can see where He is working and fall in step with Him. Because with the Perfect One who never fails, I know that I can get it right too.
"God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation."
Hebrews 2:10 NLT
"'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.' Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 The Message
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me."
Philippians 3:12 The Message
Perfectionism is defined as:
a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.
I HAVE to do everything right or else I feel like I've failed. If I feel angry and upset at someone because of what they have said or done to me, I become more frustrated and upset because I know that God has called me to be forgiving and merciful. But those feelings are not "natural" in that situation. I have trust God and wait for my feelings to catch up - get in line with what God says. Until they do I need to remind myself of what He has said and work to keep good words out of my mouth and thoughts in my mind.
It also keeps me from doing things because I'm afraid that I won't get them right or I will fail. I've tried to learn to play guitar many times, but like a lot of things, I give up if I cannot get it or am not progressing fast enough for my liking. I was hoping to be a rock star overnight. So, yeah. Doomed to fail. I didn't even give myself a chance.
My perfectionism is driven by a fear of failure. I hate failing, not getting something correct, or disappointing people. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this boat, but it still drives me crazy! I've seen so many opportunities lost because I have been afraid of failure or rejection.
My perfectionism reminds me of my need for God. It drives me to Him because I know I can't do life in my own strength. It shows me how much I need the Holy Spirit to be present in my everyday life so I can see where He is working and fall in step with Him. Because with the Perfect One who never fails, I know that I can get it right too.
"God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation."
Hebrews 2:10 NLT
"'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.' Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 The Message
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me."
Philippians 3:12 The Message
Friday 26 October 2012
Driving in the Dark
Driving down a country road at night, that I am unfamiliar with,
reminds me of my walk with God.
I
can't see more than what the headlights light up in front of me. In life,
God doesn't generally lay out all His plans for me all at once. I have to trust
that even though I can't see too far in the distance, He has it all planned out
and is leading me where I need to go. I need to stay close to Him so I can see
where He is leading.
My
destination is fixed, but how do I get there? I programmed the GPS in my
phone to get me home. Even though I wasn't familiar with the roads, I arrived
safely! God has given us a GPS to get us through this life and into our eternal
reward safely - His Word!
There
are signs along the way to alert me of trouble or let me know I'm on the right
road. God uses people and situations in our lives to confirm where He is
leading us, or of the dangers that might be ahead.
I
can't see too much in the rear view mirror at night. I don't need to
spend a lot of time focused on what has happened in the past. I need to learn
from what has happened and move on. If I spend too much time looking backwards,
I will miss what God is trying to show me out the windshield!
God
has a good plan for my life and I trust Him to get me HOME!
“Wait
passionately for God, don't leave the path.” - Psalm 37:34 The Message
“It's in
Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we
first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs
on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in
everything and everyone. It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and
believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home
free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is
the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything
God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.”
-Ephesians
1:11-14 The Message
Tuesday 9 October 2012
So In Love
Lately I have been pondering and have become afraid that
when I come into another dating relationship I will let what happened in my
previous relationship reoccur. I’ve been concerned that I would allow my
desires and hormones reign and rule in my life and that I won’t listen to those
who know me and have a more objective opinion of the situation.
But, as simple as this may sound, if I’m absolutely in
love with Jesus (to steal a line from one of my favourite worship songs) and
seeking His will and desire to serve Him above all else then what do I really
have to be afraid of?
Jesus wants good things for me and has MY best interests
in mind. He is my Creator. Who knows better? The potter or the clay? The artist
or the brush? The author or the pen?
If I trust that He has a good plan for my life then I
don’t need to worry and be afraid. I don’t have to worry that I will let bad
decisions happen again, because I just have to follow His lead. (Besides worry
has yet to add any value to my life!) I don’t have to be afraid because I’m so
in love with Jesus that there is no way I could be in love with somebody as
much as I am with HIM.
“But God's not
finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you. He's gathering strength to
show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those
who wait around for Him are the lucky ones.” -Isaiah 30:18 MSG
“Your life is a journey you must travel with
a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that
dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood,
you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought.
Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge,
God always knew He was going to do this for you. It's because of this
sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you
trust God, that you know you have a future in God.” -1 Peter 1:18-21MSG
Saturday 6 October 2012
Beyond Jabez
Today I picked up the book, Beyond Jabez by Bruce
Wilkinson.
It is a God thing that I even came into possession of this
book. My parents gave me a box of books to donate to the church library and I
noticed a bunch of cookbooks in the box, so I decided to sort through and found
mostly cookbooks, with a few books that might be appropriate for the library.
This was one of them. It has been sitting on my dining room table for a few
weeks. I really had no interest in reading it, but it kept sticking out to me.
So I picked it up and cried through the first 40 pages. I’m so amazed at God’s
ability to provide what we need, when we need it.
It has been the missing piece to the puzzle in my mind. It has
brought together a bunch of the thoughts floating through my head, the
challenge I have received from Pastor Ralph’s sermons to pray big prayers and begin
to realize the awesome-beyond-my-wildest-dreams plan God has for my life and
the lives of those around me.
I have been frustrated because I have been afraid to ask God
for things. I think I am not good enough to receive them or honestly, why would
He want to give them to me? He knows the thoughts and intentions of my heart
and I am definitely not worthy to receive them!
But it’s not because I’m worthy or that I deserve them or
that I could ever earn them, but because He is a good Father and wants to give
me good gifts! A gift is defined as: something
given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone,
honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; something bestowed or
acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being
earned.
So why am I afraid to ask? One of my overwhelming desires
is to be pleasing to Him and to know what His will is for my life, so why
shouldn’t I ask Him for good things?
I have seen Him bring about so many good things in my life and am so thankful that He is faithful and all knowing!! I have seen Him answer some very specific prayers. Not always in the way or time that I want or think, but...
I have seen Him bring about so many good things in my life and am so thankful that He is faithful and all knowing!! I have seen Him answer some very specific prayers. Not always in the way or time that I want or think, but...
He is God, so who am I to box Him in?
“And Jabez
called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me
indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and
that You would keep me from
evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” -1
Chronicles 4:10
“Don't be fooled, my dear friends. Every
good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in
the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” –James
1:16-17 CEV
“Ask, and you will
receive. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you. Everyone
who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be
opened for everyone who knocks. Would any of you give your hungry child a
stone, if the child asked for some bread? Would you give your child a
snake if the child asked for a fish? As bad as you are, you still know how
to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more
ready to give good things to people who ask.” –Matthew 7:7-11 CEV
Sunday 16 September 2012
Awesome
My God is so awesome!
I just have to say it. Again. And again
He has brought me from a shy, insecure and fearful woman to this crazy for Him, my worth secure in Him, not afraid when He is by my side chick!
My God is AWESOME!
Did I say that already?
Ooopps.
Let me say it again!
MY GOD IS AWESOME!
He has become my Redeemer, my Provider, my Protector, the ROCK on which I stand, my Lover, my Friend who sticks closer than a brother and my EVERYTHING.
He has freed me from bitterness and unforgiveness towards my parents for divorcing. He has walked with me through the pain, anger and depression of separating and divorcing my husband. He has restored dreams, redeemed me, and reminded me of what He has promised me.
He has given my beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, a garment of praise instead of heaviness - planted by Him to display His glory.
He placed me in a family and church that has supported, challenged and encouraged me. I am so very thankful for them.
My God is awesome.
Monday 3 September 2012
Waiting...
It
seems I spend my life waiting for the next BIG thing to happen. I couldn’t wait
to turn 16, then 18, go to college, get married, get anywhere really. My life
seems to be running from one stage to the next. Instead of enjoying where I am,
I’m always wishing for the next thing. Instead of learning and growing where I
was, I looked for the next thing or moment to fill my need, to satisfy the
longing in my heart. Unfortunately, when those things came along I was always
broken hearted and disappointed.
It’s
still a struggle. I get frustrated and want to throw the towel in on life. I
get frustrated because I’m not financially where I want to be, and I figured I’d
have a few kids and a good man to walk through life with by now. So many dreams
and plans that seem empty and like they will never be fulfilled.
So
now what?!?
I
wait. On the One whose plans for my life are beyond what I could dream or think
up, whose timing is perfect, and really can fulfill all my deepest longings and
desires.
I
wait - doing what I know I’ve been called to do. I am to continue on in the pursuit
of the most amazing relationship with my magnificent Creator. To learn and grow
where I am. To help those around me develop into all that God has designed them
to be. To know I have not been forgotten and He sees and knows my frustrations
and disappointments.
“So roll up your sleeves, put your
mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus
arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what
you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient
children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a
life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be
holy."
-1 Peter 1:13-16 The Message
“God can do anything, you know—far
more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He
does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply
and gently within us.”
Ephesians 3:20 The Message
“Because of the sacrifice of the
Messiah, His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free
people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And
not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything,
provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans He
took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a
long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in
Him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. It's in Christ
that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first
heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had his eye on us, had designs on us
for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in
everything and everyone.”
-Ephesians 1:7-12 The Message
Wednesday 29 August 2012
Oh Eve...
Oh Eve...
I know you didn't realize the consequences of your decision to take that bite. It looked good to eat and held promise of making you wise, knowing good AND evil, making you like God...
If you hadn't done it, I would still have perfect relationship with God and those around me...
Oh God...
I'm so amazed and astounded at Your wisdom. That You planned for the consequence of Eve's decision long before You created her. You determined to provide a way to bring me back into that perfect, sinless relationship with You...
Oh Jesus...
Thank you for living an obedient life, dying an incredibly horrible and painful death and defeating the power of sin, so I could have relationship with the Father again...
With You, I have the power to live life as God designed it to be!
"The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she'd know everything!—she took and ate the fruit."
Genesis 3:2-6 The Message
"Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans He took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in Him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth."
-Ephesians 1:7-10 The Message
I know you didn't realize the consequences of your decision to take that bite. It looked good to eat and held promise of making you wise, knowing good AND evil, making you like God...
If you hadn't done it, I would still have perfect relationship with God and those around me...
Oh God...
I'm so amazed and astounded at Your wisdom. That You planned for the consequence of Eve's decision long before You created her. You determined to provide a way to bring me back into that perfect, sinless relationship with You...
Oh Jesus...
Thank you for living an obedient life, dying an incredibly horrible and painful death and defeating the power of sin, so I could have relationship with the Father again...
With You, I have the power to live life as God designed it to be!
"The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"
The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."
When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she'd know everything!—she took and ate the fruit."
Genesis 3:2-6 The Message
"Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, His blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans He took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in Him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth."
-Ephesians 1:7-10 The Message
Friday 10 August 2012
Stepping Beyond the Fear of Rejection
Well Said!!!
http://www.paleoforwomen.com/food-love-hack-friday-stepping-beyond-the-fear-of-rejection/
"The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller."
Proverbs 11:24 The Message
http://www.paleoforwomen.com/food-love-hack-friday-stepping-beyond-the-fear-of-rejection/
"The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller."
Proverbs 11:24 The Message
Fast Food Letdown
I had a very exciting job opportunity come into my life. I was excited and very nervous. I love the job I have and will be sad to leave it. It doesn't pay a lot though and I would like to be able to move forward with my life a little faster than I am.
I was so excited and focused on what this job would bring that I let myself slide back into bad financial habits. I placed all my hope in the fact that I would be making more money, I could do more of the things I dream of, before I even had the job. Bad financial decisions lead to stress, stress leads to poor sleep and bad eating habits, those lead to a bunch of annoying health issues and a very unhappy, guilt-ridden, depressed me.
Thankfully, Saturday morning God smacked me in the face with this Scripture:
"Samuel said to them, 'Don't be fearful. It's true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don't turn your back on God. Worship and serve Him heart and soul! Don't chase after ghost-gods. There's nothing to them. They can't help you. They're nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who He is, is not going to walk off and leave His people. God took delight in making you into His very own people...But I beg of you, fear God and worship Him honestly and heartily. You've seen how greatly He has worked among you!'"
-1 Samuel 12:20-22, 24 The Message
I was placing my identity in ghost-gods. Ghost meaning a mere shadow or semblance. Something that looks like the real thing. Ever watched a fast food commercial, then went to the fast food restaurant and thought, "This isn't what I ordered? It looked bigger and better on TV!" That burger you saw on TV is just a ghost or semblance of what you will actually get. Gotta love advertisements!
Instead of trusting that God would take care of me, I was looking to my job to provide my sense of identity and worth. Again. Thankfully, He is always forgiving and when I miss it, He is waiting to welcome me back and help me learn more about myself and about WHO HE IS!
Having dreams and working hard to achieve them isn't a bad thing, but allowing them to take God's place in your life is.
"Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time."
-Psalm 34:19 The Message
"What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in His hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand."
-Romans 1:21-23 The Message
I was so excited and focused on what this job would bring that I let myself slide back into bad financial habits. I placed all my hope in the fact that I would be making more money, I could do more of the things I dream of, before I even had the job. Bad financial decisions lead to stress, stress leads to poor sleep and bad eating habits, those lead to a bunch of annoying health issues and a very unhappy, guilt-ridden, depressed me.
Thankfully, Saturday morning God smacked me in the face with this Scripture:
"Samuel said to them, 'Don't be fearful. It's true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don't turn your back on God. Worship and serve Him heart and soul! Don't chase after ghost-gods. There's nothing to them. They can't help you. They're nothing but ghost-gods! God, simply because of who He is, is not going to walk off and leave His people. God took delight in making you into His very own people...But I beg of you, fear God and worship Him honestly and heartily. You've seen how greatly He has worked among you!'"
-1 Samuel 12:20-22, 24 The Message
I was placing my identity in ghost-gods. Ghost meaning a mere shadow or semblance. Something that looks like the real thing. Ever watched a fast food commercial, then went to the fast food restaurant and thought, "This isn't what I ordered? It looked bigger and better on TV!" That burger you saw on TV is just a ghost or semblance of what you will actually get. Gotta love advertisements!
Instead of trusting that God would take care of me, I was looking to my job to provide my sense of identity and worth. Again. Thankfully, He is always forgiving and when I miss it, He is waiting to welcome me back and help me learn more about myself and about WHO HE IS!
Having dreams and working hard to achieve them isn't a bad thing, but allowing them to take God's place in your life is.
"Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time."
-Psalm 34:19 The Message
"What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in His hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand."
-Romans 1:21-23 The Message
Tuesday 24 July 2012
Good Gifts
Originally published on June 8, 2012.
My God is so GOOD!
This week He has proven His love for me in the little things.
I received 3 answers to prayer. They weren't big looooooooooooooooooong prayers, more like, "God, it would be nice to have an aloe vera plant. I would like to experiment with it.", "Daddy, I would really like to have a new heart necklace. I really love the one I have, but it is getting a little beat up from all the use.", or "I really need a hug from You. I need to know that someone really cares about me."
Someone sent me a text message telling me how awesome I am and reminding me how much God loves me. I got my hug!!! It made me cry.
I stopped to visit someone. They randomly(it was random to me, but not to my God!) asked me if I would like an aloe vera plant. Seriously? YES! Not just one plant, but one with like 10 babies that I can split...oh yeah!
I received a beautiful heart necklace as a bridesmaid gift today. I'm so excited to wear it for Tom & Sarah's wedding tomorrow!
These things might seem simple, but they really show me how much God cares for me. He is so amazing. He never fails to capture my heart again and again with the intimate love He shows for me.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
-Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
-James 1:17 NIV
My God is so GOOD!
This week He has proven His love for me in the little things.
I received 3 answers to prayer. They weren't big looooooooooooooooooong prayers, more like, "God, it would be nice to have an aloe vera plant. I would like to experiment with it.", "Daddy, I would really like to have a new heart necklace. I really love the one I have, but it is getting a little beat up from all the use.", or "I really need a hug from You. I need to know that someone really cares about me."
Someone sent me a text message telling me how awesome I am and reminding me how much God loves me. I got my hug!!! It made me cry.
I stopped to visit someone. They randomly(it was random to me, but not to my God!) asked me if I would like an aloe vera plant. Seriously? YES! Not just one plant, but one with like 10 babies that I can split...oh yeah!
I received a beautiful heart necklace as a bridesmaid gift today. I'm so excited to wear it for Tom & Sarah's wedding tomorrow!
These things might seem simple, but they really show me how much God cares for me. He is so amazing. He never fails to capture my heart again and again with the intimate love He shows for me.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
-Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
-James 1:17 NIV
Saturday 21 July 2012
Custom Made
"This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, The God who summons horses and chariots and armies— they lie down and then can't get up; they're snuffed out like so many candles: "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say 'Thank you!' —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for Myself, a people custom-made to praise Me."
-Isaiah 43:16-21 The Message
God gave this passage to me on Monday. When I first read it I didn't really think much of it, but as the week progressed I saw what He did.
Vs. 16-17: He reminded me of Who He Is! He is in control and He is mighty and is working things out for me. He is my protector and I don't have to be afraid.
Vs. 18-20: So many times I get focused on what has happened in my past, my failures, and who I think I should be, that I can't see God for all the clouds and rain in my mind and heart! He reminded me that I can't change my past, but I can learn from it and go on to change my each and every day. I need to be focused on what is going on in my life and in the lives of those around me at this present moment. How can I see where I am going if I'm too busy looking behind me? Watch out for that tree! or in my case, poles.
I've been worrying and stressing about my lab tech job interview in 11 days. I had an interview with this company 7-8 years ago. I didn't get the job. I also worked as a co-op student in the plant previous to that. The manager I worked under thought I was too quiet and shy. (Yes. I used to be quiet and shy.) All I kept thinking about is the past rejection.
I know God has a great plan for my life. I believe this job will be the right fit at the right time. I will walk into the interview with confidence knowing that I have the skills and experience they are looking for and will be prepared to answer whatever questions they may have.
But my expectations are not in the job, they are in God. He is my provider and I have all that I need and more! He has been faithful, so no matter what happens I will keep trusting and seeking Him.
Vs. 21. This just makes me feel incredibly special and loved! I'm custom made to praise God! I'm chosen, made ESPECIALLY for Him. Dude.
-Isaiah 43:16-21 The Message
God gave this passage to me on Monday. When I first read it I didn't really think much of it, but as the week progressed I saw what He did.
Vs. 16-17: He reminded me of Who He Is! He is in control and He is mighty and is working things out for me. He is my protector and I don't have to be afraid.
Vs. 18-20: So many times I get focused on what has happened in my past, my failures, and who I think I should be, that I can't see God for all the clouds and rain in my mind and heart! He reminded me that I can't change my past, but I can learn from it and go on to change my each and every day. I need to be focused on what is going on in my life and in the lives of those around me at this present moment. How can I see where I am going if I'm too busy looking behind me? Watch out for that tree! or in my case, poles.
I've been worrying and stressing about my lab tech job interview in 11 days. I had an interview with this company 7-8 years ago. I didn't get the job. I also worked as a co-op student in the plant previous to that. The manager I worked under thought I was too quiet and shy. (Yes. I used to be quiet and shy.) All I kept thinking about is the past rejection.
I know God has a great plan for my life. I believe this job will be the right fit at the right time. I will walk into the interview with confidence knowing that I have the skills and experience they are looking for and will be prepared to answer whatever questions they may have.
But my expectations are not in the job, they are in God. He is my provider and I have all that I need and more! He has been faithful, so no matter what happens I will keep trusting and seeking Him.
Vs. 21. This just makes me feel incredibly special and loved! I'm custom made to praise God! I'm chosen, made ESPECIALLY for Him. Dude.
Saturday 14 July 2012
Lost and Found
I went to Timmins a week ago to help a church reach out to their community and show the love of God. It was a great time of stretching and growing!
I heard something on the way home that really made me think:
"How do you know you are lost if you have never been found?"
I have been around church all my life. Jesus came into my heart at the age of 11. So in a way, I don't know what it is like to be lost.
But the more I thought about it, I realized I do know what it is like to be lost.
I know what it is like to be without hope, to have a life filled with broken relationships, emptiness, unfulfilled dreams and expections, depression, anger, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. Everyone on the planet is in the same boat as me. They have experienced the same hurts and disappointments in some way or another.
But how would I know a better way if I had never experienced it?
I know what it is like to be far away from God and His presence, but that's because I have experienced times where I have been close to Him and times where I have been far, far away from Him. I know what it is like to have a broken life and a life filled with peace, grace and love! So I do know what it is like to be lost! And found.
So as much as I think I may not be able to relate to people and their situations, I can. I will live my life with a greater awareness of those hurting and in need of "finding". God has been so good to me. How can I not share what He has done for me?!
"The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”
-Luke 19:10 CEV
"I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with His praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him."
-Psalm 34:1-6,8 The Message
I heard something on the way home that really made me think:
"How do you know you are lost if you have never been found?"
I have been around church all my life. Jesus came into my heart at the age of 11. So in a way, I don't know what it is like to be lost.
But the more I thought about it, I realized I do know what it is like to be lost.
I know what it is like to be without hope, to have a life filled with broken relationships, emptiness, unfulfilled dreams and expections, depression, anger, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness. Everyone on the planet is in the same boat as me. They have experienced the same hurts and disappointments in some way or another.
But how would I know a better way if I had never experienced it?
I know what it is like to be far away from God and His presence, but that's because I have experienced times where I have been close to Him and times where I have been far, far away from Him. I know what it is like to have a broken life and a life filled with peace, grace and love! So I do know what it is like to be lost! And found.
So as much as I think I may not be able to relate to people and their situations, I can. I will live my life with a greater awareness of those hurting and in need of "finding". God has been so good to me. How can I not share what He has done for me?!
"The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”
-Luke 19:10 CEV
"I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with His praise. I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him."
-Psalm 34:1-6,8 The Message
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Follow the Leader
I went biking with friends the other day, from Welland to Port Colbourne to go get some Dairy Queen. Yum! I've never been this way on my bike before. I knew the direction I needed to go, but I was missing the specifics.
I discovered I have a problem following the leader. I couldn't get in rhythm with their pace so I would go ahead & wait for them to catch up. It was frustrating because I just wanted to get up & go at my own pace. So I wasted a lot of energy & had a few mishaps because I'm impatient. Stupid pole. Silly goose.
On my way home I realized that I will do the same thing in my life. God gives me a direction to go, I go along with Him, get bored or frustrated, then run up ahead of Him.
I want to see everything NOW. I want to know what I'm supposed to do with my life all at once.
When I finally realize that I've run ahead, I stop & find His presence again. Then we have to fix me up & set me on the right path again.
If I knew every detail of my life what would I need God for?
I need Him to show me each day where I need to go. I need to be on the lookout for where the Holy Spirit is working in people's lives & join Him.
I'm not sure of the EXACT path I'm taking with my life, but I do know that God has a good plan for my life. I look back and see that He has never failed me, so I trust that He won't fail my future either!
"True to Your Word, You let me catch my breath, and set me in the right direction."
- Psalm 23:3. The Message
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
- Romans 12:1-2 The Message
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's Decree."
- Jeremiah 29:11-14a The Message
I discovered I have a problem following the leader. I couldn't get in rhythm with their pace so I would go ahead & wait for them to catch up. It was frustrating because I just wanted to get up & go at my own pace. So I wasted a lot of energy & had a few mishaps because I'm impatient. Stupid pole. Silly goose.
On my way home I realized that I will do the same thing in my life. God gives me a direction to go, I go along with Him, get bored or frustrated, then run up ahead of Him.
I want to see everything NOW. I want to know what I'm supposed to do with my life all at once.
When I finally realize that I've run ahead, I stop & find His presence again. Then we have to fix me up & set me on the right path again.
If I knew every detail of my life what would I need God for?
I need Him to show me each day where I need to go. I need to be on the lookout for where the Holy Spirit is working in people's lives & join Him.
I'm not sure of the EXACT path I'm taking with my life, but I do know that God has a good plan for my life. I look back and see that He has never failed me, so I trust that He won't fail my future either!
"True to Your Word, You let me catch my breath, and set me in the right direction."
- Psalm 23:3. The Message
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
- Romans 12:1-2 The Message
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's Decree."
- Jeremiah 29:11-14a The Message
Sunday 17 June 2012
History Everyday
Someone asked me if I watched Nik Wallenda walk the tightrope over Niagara Falls.
Me: "I don't waste my time watching TV."
Their response: "Well you missed history being made!"
Me: "Ach. I make history everyday."
(Seriously, where do I come up with this stuff?)
Everyday is a part of my life story, my history.
Everyday I choose whether it will be lived well or...not so well. I choose whether I will follow God's commands and live in His blessing or in disobedience and disgrace.
I want my history to show God and who He is. I want my life to be marked by His presence. I want to finish well.
"Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out."
-Ecclsiastes 7:8 The Message
"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
-Phil 1:6 The Message
"...What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God."
-Acts 20:24 The Message
Me: "I don't waste my time watching TV."
Their response: "Well you missed history being made!"
Me: "Ach. I make history everyday."
(Seriously, where do I come up with this stuff?)
Everyday is a part of my life story, my history.
Everyday I choose whether it will be lived well or...not so well. I choose whether I will follow God's commands and live in His blessing or in disobedience and disgrace.
I want my history to show God and who He is. I want my life to be marked by His presence. I want to finish well.
"Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out."
-Ecclsiastes 7:8 The Message
"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
-Phil 1:6 The Message
"...What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God."
-Acts 20:24 The Message
Saturday 16 June 2012
Faith, Hope and Love
I choose to live my life by this:
Trust steadily in God
Hope unswervingly
Love extravagantly
"...Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."
-1 Corinthians 13:13b The Message
When it says love, it doesn't mean the mushy gushy feeling, but love as it is described in the rest of the chapter.
Now my thought is, "Why is love more important than the other two?"
It's more important because it isn't about rules and ritual; it about relationship; with God and with those around me.
I've seen how terrible and boring a life is when it is lived out of having to follow the rules because I don't want to get into trouble.
I have also experienced a life lived with love. There is so much freedom! I don't do things because I'm "supposed" to but because I genuinely love God & those around me.
HE is what I desire most. Everything else, all the blessings that come from being obedient to Him, is icing on the cake or potato with my steak!
Trust steadily in God
Hope unswervingly
Love extravagantly
"...Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."
-1 Corinthians 13:13b The Message
When it says love, it doesn't mean the mushy gushy feeling, but love as it is described in the rest of the chapter.
Now my thought is, "Why is love more important than the other two?"
It's more important because it isn't about rules and ritual; it about relationship; with God and with those around me.
I've seen how terrible and boring a life is when it is lived out of having to follow the rules because I don't want to get into trouble.
I have also experienced a life lived with love. There is so much freedom! I don't do things because I'm "supposed" to but because I genuinely love God & those around me.
HE is what I desire most. Everything else, all the blessings that come from being obedient to Him, is icing on the cake or potato with my steak!
Monday 4 June 2012
06/04/05
Seven years ago today I started a journey. A path which joined my life to another and God.
It has been a journey with ups and downs, caused much joy and pain and brought sorrow and blessing.
The relationship taught me many things about myself.
I learned that I misplaced my value and worth by putting them in a human.
It taught me the importance of forgiveness - toward others and myself.
It showed me the power of my Heavenly Father, who has proven His faithfulness over and over again. Who become my Everything, my Rock, my Redeemer, my Provider. He has given me an identity in Him that cannot be shaken.
The only regret I have is it took the relationship ending to see all these things.
It has been a journey with ups and downs, caused much joy and pain and brought sorrow and blessing.
The relationship taught me many things about myself.
I learned that I misplaced my value and worth by putting them in a human.
It taught me the importance of forgiveness - toward others and myself.
It showed me the power of my Heavenly Father, who has proven His faithfulness over and over again. Who become my Everything, my Rock, my Redeemer, my Provider. He has given me an identity in Him that cannot be shaken.
The only regret I have is it took the relationship ending to see all these things.
Saturday 2 June 2012
What not to wear!
I have developed a love of all things girly- dresses, shoes, make up, etc.
I have found there are items I should AND items that I should not wear.
And it's not just the clothes or shoes I wear, but the attitudes I carry, the way I talk to and treat people.
Do I treat people with respect & grace, or am I insensitive to others and what they are going through? Do I speak life, encouragement & hope to those around me? Do I see the positive things in the people & situations around me?
NOPE.
I get it wrong often, but I strive to get it right.
I want to be a joy to be around. I want to be clothed with kindness, love & tenderness. I want Jesus & what He has done in my life to be on display for all to see!! 'Cause He is the most amazing thing, person, relationship EVER!!
"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."
Colossians 3:12-14 The Message
I have found there are items I should AND items that I should not wear.
And it's not just the clothes or shoes I wear, but the attitudes I carry, the way I talk to and treat people.
Do I treat people with respect & grace, or am I insensitive to others and what they are going through? Do I speak life, encouragement & hope to those around me? Do I see the positive things in the people & situations around me?
NOPE.
I get it wrong often, but I strive to get it right.
I want to be a joy to be around. I want to be clothed with kindness, love & tenderness. I want Jesus & what He has done in my life to be on display for all to see!! 'Cause He is the most amazing thing, person, relationship EVER!!
"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."
Colossians 3:12-14 The Message
Sunday 27 May 2012
I'm a fish
Early this week I had a conversation with Alyssa. It went like this,
Alyssa(hands squishing her cheeks): "I'm a fish!"
Sarah(a little concerned): "What does that mean?"
Alyssa:"I dunno."
I realized 2 things from things from this conversation.
1) I sound like my Dad!
2) What I say about myself and how important those things are.
"Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest."
-Proverbs 18:20 MSG
Alyssa & I have pretty silly conversations. One of the MANY reasons I love being with her.
Saturday 28 April 2012
New Horizon
Today (Friday) I went to visit another school I am considering on attending
in the fall. It is a good school, but so is the first one I looked at. They
have a high percentage of graduates that pass the provincial exam for massage
therapy, good graduate employment rates, small class sizes, etc.
So now I'm a little distraught. I already had my heart set on the first school, now I'm not so sure. I like this one too. Grr...
I had a few errands to run since I was in the city, but nothing that couldn't wait an hour. So I was off to the waterfront. I sat on the beach enjoying the sound of the waves lapping on the shore, the sand between my toes, and sunshine warming me.
As I was looking over the lake I felt God say, "Your future is like the
horizon before you."
Limitless.
Unending.
“Stay close to Me and I will show you where to go.”
Ahh...peace again.
Lord, I don't want to go anywhere but where You are!
"I look behind me and You're there, then up ahead and You're there, too— Your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in!"
-Psalm 139:5-6
So now I'm a little distraught. I already had my heart set on the first school, now I'm not so sure. I like this one too. Grr...
I had a few errands to run since I was in the city, but nothing that couldn't wait an hour. So I was off to the waterfront. I sat on the beach enjoying the sound of the waves lapping on the shore, the sand between my toes, and sunshine warming me.
As I was looking over the lake I felt God say, "Your future is like the
horizon before you." Limitless.
Unending.
“Stay close to Me and I will show you where to go.”
Ahh...peace again.
Lord, I don't want to go anywhere but where You are!
"I look behind me and You're there, then up ahead and You're there, too— Your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in!"
-Psalm 139:5-6
Thursday 19 April 2012
If You Love Me...
"If you love Me, show it by doing what I've told you."
-John 14:15 The Message
God is not petty. He is just telling me how I can show Him that I love Him.
It's like...
Whenever you get into your best friend's car and she says, "I really need to clean my car! I should clean my car." Well. I can do something about that. I love her and she is telling me a way that I can show her. So we spend some time together making her car clean and shiny.
God is doing the same thing:
"The person who knows My commandments and keeps them, that's who loves Me. And the person who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and make Myself plain to him."
-John 14:21 The Message
"If anyone loves Me, he will carefully keep My word and My Father will love him—We'll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving Me means not keeping My words."
-John 14:23-24 The Message
I show God love by doing what He tells me, knowing and keeping His commandments and carefully keeping His Word. Sounds like a lot of work! But is it work when I am doing it to show my love for someone? I detail cars for a living. It's hard work, but doing it for my friend was not work - it was fun!
When I stop doing things because I HAVE to, and realize that when I GET to do it out of my relationship(friendship) with Him, it becomes much easier to do the things He asks me! (Also He is all-knowing and has my best interest in mind...why should I argue?!?)
When I show God that I love Him, I find that He shows me it back! He makes Himself plain, and moves right into my neighbourhood! How awesome is that? I want Him to make himself "plain" or clear, simple, honest, easy & straightforward to me. No guessing or trying to figure it out.
So when I love God, by doing what He commands, He loves me back, by showing me Who He is and what He wants for my life. What a Friend I have!!
-John 14:15 The Message
God is not petty. He is just telling me how I can show Him that I love Him.
It's like...
Whenever you get into your best friend's car and she says, "I really need to clean my car! I should clean my car." Well. I can do something about that. I love her and she is telling me a way that I can show her. So we spend some time together making her car clean and shiny.
God is doing the same thing:"The person who knows My commandments and keeps them, that's who loves Me. And the person who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and make Myself plain to him."
-John 14:21 The Message
"If anyone loves Me, he will carefully keep My word and My Father will love him—We'll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving Me means not keeping My words."
-John 14:23-24 The Message
I show God love by doing what He tells me, knowing and keeping His commandments and carefully keeping His Word. Sounds like a lot of work! But is it work when I am doing it to show my love for someone? I detail cars for a living. It's hard work, but doing it for my friend was not work - it was fun!
When I stop doing things because I HAVE to, and realize that when I GET to do it out of my relationship(friendship) with Him, it becomes much easier to do the things He asks me! (Also He is all-knowing and has my best interest in mind...why should I argue?!?)
When I show God that I love Him, I find that He shows me it back! He makes Himself plain, and moves right into my neighbourhood! How awesome is that? I want Him to make himself "plain" or clear, simple, honest, easy & straightforward to me. No guessing or trying to figure it out.
So when I love God, by doing what He commands, He loves me back, by showing me Who He is and what He wants for my life. What a Friend I have!!
Saturday 14 April 2012
First Love
Thank you Pastor Ted Yuke for the inspiration and framework!
My life over the past year or so has been a struggle. A lot of feelings, thoughts and issues to deal with. But my greatest need, my biggest desire has been for God. He became the Love of my life.
His desire for me in all my unworthiness, my failings, my shame and my hurts, made Him very attractive!
He took me with all my brokenness and made me whole, spoke life in dry places, set things right in me. He loved me with an everlasting love. He became closer to me than my husband, or any other human being, ever had! There was an intimacy there that could not be matched.
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine."
-Song of Solomon 1:2 NKJV
His love was better than anything else I had tried! He filled the holes in my life, provided for me, brought me peace and joy in times of great pain. God guided me in the way that I should go.
"He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. Sustain me with cakes of raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am lovesick"
-Song of Solomon 2:4-5 NKJV
He took care of my EVERY need, and some wants too! I eventually began to take for granted the "banqueting house" and His "banner". I only wanted Him for what He could do for me. For the good feelings and things He provided for me. I was no longer intimate with Him. I didn't sharing my thoughts and feelings with Him. I just expecting to have the same feelings, even though I didn't spend time with Him.
I'd built a wall and blamed it on Him.
"My Beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, He stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows and gazing through the lattice. My Beloved spoke, and said to me: Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away..."
-Song of Solomon 2:9-10 NKJV
He called for me. I was focused on my feelings and what I didn't get from Him.
"Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines. For our vines have tender grapes"
-Song of Solomon 2:15 NKJV
I let foxes, sin, creep into my life and spoil the intimacy that God and I had developed. I gave into my selfish desires, thoughts and feelings. I thought, "If He doesn't care about me, then what's the use in trying!" I'd neglected the relationship and was just going through the motions. I'd let sin destroy the fellowship we had.
"I was sound asleep, but in my dreams I was wide awake. Oh, listen! It's the sound of my Lover knocking, calling!
'Let Me in, dear companion, dearest friend, my dove, consummate lover! I'm soaked with the dampness of the night, drenched with dew, shivering and cold.'
'But I'm in my nightgown—do you expect me to get dressed? I'm bathed and in bed—do you want me to get dirty?'
But my Lover wouldn't take no for an answer, and the longer He knocked, the more excited I became. I got up to open the door to my Lover, sweetly ready to receive him, desiring and expectant as I turned the door handle. But when I opened the door he was gone. My Loved One had tired of waiting and left. And I died inside—oh, I felt so bad! I ran out looking for Him, but He was nowhere to be found. I called into the darkness—but no answer."
-Song of Solomon 5:2-6 The Message
A huge sense of lonliness, loss and emptiness soon became very familiar and very frustrating feelings. I didn't like it. NOT at all.
So what to do?
"One day I went strolling through the orchard, looking for signs of spring, looking for buds about to burst into flower, anticipating readiness, ripeness. Before I knew it my heart was raptured, carried away by lofty thoughts!"
-Song of Solomon 6:11-12 The Message
I went back to my First Love. I looked around at all the ways He was speaking to me, calling me to intimacy with Him. Opened my heart and spoke to Him, like I had before, as if He was physically there with me. Repented of the things I'd allowed to break the fellowship. I renewed my desire for Him, and not for what He does for me.
Now I say with the woman of Solomon's desire,
"Run to me, dear Lover!! Come like a gazelle. Leap like a wild stag on the spice mountains!"
-Song of Solomon 8:14 The Message
Come quickly and with power - I want to share my life with You!
My life over the past year or so has been a struggle. A lot of feelings, thoughts and issues to deal with. But my greatest need, my biggest desire has been for God. He became the Love of my life.
His desire for me in all my unworthiness, my failings, my shame and my hurts, made Him very attractive!
He took me with all my brokenness and made me whole, spoke life in dry places, set things right in me. He loved me with an everlasting love. He became closer to me than my husband, or any other human being, ever had! There was an intimacy there that could not be matched.
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine."
-Song of Solomon 1:2 NKJV
His love was better than anything else I had tried! He filled the holes in my life, provided for me, brought me peace and joy in times of great pain. God guided me in the way that I should go.
"He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. Sustain me with cakes of raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am lovesick"
-Song of Solomon 2:4-5 NKJV
He took care of my EVERY need, and some wants too! I eventually began to take for granted the "banqueting house" and His "banner". I only wanted Him for what He could do for me. For the good feelings and things He provided for me. I was no longer intimate with Him. I didn't sharing my thoughts and feelings with Him. I just expecting to have the same feelings, even though I didn't spend time with Him.
I'd built a wall and blamed it on Him.
"My Beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, He stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows and gazing through the lattice. My Beloved spoke, and said to me: Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away..."
-Song of Solomon 2:9-10 NKJV
He called for me. I was focused on my feelings and what I didn't get from Him.
"Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines. For our vines have tender grapes"
-Song of Solomon 2:15 NKJV
I let foxes, sin, creep into my life and spoil the intimacy that God and I had developed. I gave into my selfish desires, thoughts and feelings. I thought, "If He doesn't care about me, then what's the use in trying!" I'd neglected the relationship and was just going through the motions. I'd let sin destroy the fellowship we had.
"I was sound asleep, but in my dreams I was wide awake. Oh, listen! It's the sound of my Lover knocking, calling!
'Let Me in, dear companion, dearest friend, my dove, consummate lover! I'm soaked with the dampness of the night, drenched with dew, shivering and cold.'
'But I'm in my nightgown—do you expect me to get dressed? I'm bathed and in bed—do you want me to get dirty?'
But my Lover wouldn't take no for an answer, and the longer He knocked, the more excited I became. I got up to open the door to my Lover, sweetly ready to receive him, desiring and expectant as I turned the door handle. But when I opened the door he was gone. My Loved One had tired of waiting and left. And I died inside—oh, I felt so bad! I ran out looking for Him, but He was nowhere to be found. I called into the darkness—but no answer."
-Song of Solomon 5:2-6 The Message
A huge sense of lonliness, loss and emptiness soon became very familiar and very frustrating feelings. I didn't like it. NOT at all.
So what to do?
"One day I went strolling through the orchard, looking for signs of spring, looking for buds about to burst into flower, anticipating readiness, ripeness. Before I knew it my heart was raptured, carried away by lofty thoughts!"
-Song of Solomon 6:11-12 The Message
I went back to my First Love. I looked around at all the ways He was speaking to me, calling me to intimacy with Him. Opened my heart and spoke to Him, like I had before, as if He was physically there with me. Repented of the things I'd allowed to break the fellowship. I renewed my desire for Him, and not for what He does for me.
Now I say with the woman of Solomon's desire,
"Run to me, dear Lover!! Come like a gazelle. Leap like a wild stag on the spice mountains!"
-Song of Solomon 8:14 The Message
Come quickly and with power - I want to share my life with You!
Spring Cleaning!
It's time to do some spring cleaning! You would think I am going to go through all the closets, drawers and any other place stuff collects in my house, organize and get rid of the junk & other things that I no longer use.
Well...I do mean that...sorta...
I'm going through my life, my spiritual life, opening all the closets, drawers & other places to God saying, "What's in here that isn't pleasing to You? What is holding me back from pursuing You with an undivided heart? What attitudes, thoughts, habits & desires need to go?"
"Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about;"
-Psalm 139:23 The Message
"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."
-Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
"...dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God."
-2 Corinthians 7:1 The Message
God, I'm ready now! Show me the thoughts, attitudes, feelings, hurts, pain, plans & desires that need to go, so I can make room for the new things, the better plans, the more abundant life that You have for me!
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen.When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14 The Message
Well...I do mean that...sorta...
I'm going through my life, my spiritual life, opening all the closets, drawers & other places to God saying, "What's in here that isn't pleasing to You? What is holding me back from pursuing You with an undivided heart? What attitudes, thoughts, habits & desires need to go?"
"Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about;"
-Psalm 139:23 The Message
"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."
-Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
"...dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God."
-2 Corinthians 7:1 The Message
God, I'm ready now! Show me the thoughts, attitudes, feelings, hurts, pain, plans & desires that need to go, so I can make room for the new things, the better plans, the more abundant life that You have for me!
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I'll listen.When you come looking for Me, you'll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14 The Message
Tuesday 10 April 2012
I Am Valuable
I heard something this week that really made me think:
"My value is independent of what other's think of me."
Whoa! Wait. Back UP.
My worth as a person isn't based on what other people think of me? Or even what I think of myself? Good to know since people's opinions change all the time! My opinion of me changes often too...
Then what do I base my value in or on? What decides my value or worth?
The rest of the statement goes something like this:
"My value is dependent on the price that was paid for me."
Hmmm...
The price paid for me. God gave His Son's LIFE for ME. He died for me. I think that is quite the price to pay for ME!
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."
-John 3:16 Message
"But God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him."
-Romans 5:8 Message
I must be quite valuable for Jesus to give His life for me. Thing is, my value isn't based on something that changes. Jesus died and rose again. Done. No going and taking it back. Therefore my value never changes.
No matter what happens in my life, I AM VALUABLE! Thanks to my loving Saviour!
"My value is independent of what other's think of me."
Whoa! Wait. Back UP.
My worth as a person isn't based on what other people think of me? Or even what I think of myself? Good to know since people's opinions change all the time! My opinion of me changes often too...
Then what do I base my value in or on? What decides my value or worth?
The rest of the statement goes something like this:
"My value is dependent on the price that was paid for me."
Hmmm...
The price paid for me. God gave His Son's LIFE for ME. He died for me. I think that is quite the price to pay for ME!
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."
-John 3:16 Message
"But God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him."
-Romans 5:8 Message
I must be quite valuable for Jesus to give His life for me. Thing is, my value isn't based on something that changes. Jesus died and rose again. Done. No going and taking it back. Therefore my value never changes.
No matter what happens in my life, I AM VALUABLE! Thanks to my loving Saviour!
Friday 9 March 2012
A Detour
On my way home from visiting with a dear friend, I was enjoying the beauty of the full moon and stars. As well as the gusty winds blowing me all over the road!!! So I stopped to watch the wind & moonlight play on the lake.
As I stood there a poem worked its way through my mind. So I quickly dashed back to the car to escape the frigid wind and write:
Winds wildly thrashing,
Waves furiously crashing,
Thunder rolling over the water.
Lightening on display for all to see.
A sound & light symphony.
Winds gently blowing,
Snow all around me.
Ice covering every branch & stem,
Glistening like diamonds in the sunlight.
A winter wonderland.
Sun brightly shining,
Warmth all around me.
Trees & plants in full bloom,
With colours on display for all to see.
A picture painted for me.
"God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. ...That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith."
- Psalm 19:1-4,6 The Message
As I stood there a poem worked its way through my mind. So I quickly dashed back to the car to escape the frigid wind and write:
Winds wildly thrashing,
Waves furiously crashing,
Thunder rolling over the water.
Lightening on display for all to see.
A sound & light symphony.
Winds gently blowing,
Snow all around me.
Ice covering every branch & stem,
Glistening like diamonds in the sunlight.
A winter wonderland.
Sun brightly shining,
Warmth all around me.
Trees & plants in full bloom,
With colours on display for all to see.
A picture painted for me.
"God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded, But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. ...That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith."
- Psalm 19:1-4,6 The Message
Saturday 18 February 2012
None Can Compare
I've been confused lately. Actually probably most of my life! I've spent most of my life trying to find my soul mate. The perfect match. The one man who will make my whole world right.
He doesn't exist. I know, I've lived this way. I've put all my expectations in an earthly man to make me happy and whole. It doesn't work.
Now what?
I turned to the only One I know who never disappoints.
So then if God is my best friend, my rock, my provider, the one who cares for me, then what do I need a man for? How is a husband supposed to fit in my life? I mean, God paints the sunrise and sunset for me. He makes it snow for me. He fashioned all of creation for my enjoyment! How can any earthly man compete with that?!? Seriously!
Well here's the kicker. A man can't. And he was never meant too. God was the one who was meant to hold my heart and my dreams. He is the one who I was meant to find ultimate fulfillment in!
A husband is someone you share, build & create life with. A good, happy man, who has found his worth in the love of God is someone you choose to walk alongside in life.
Not someone who will complete you. That only happens in fairy tales.
He doesn't exist. I know, I've lived this way. I've put all my expectations in an earthly man to make me happy and whole. It doesn't work.
Now what?
I turned to the only One I know who never disappoints.So then if God is my best friend, my rock, my provider, the one who cares for me, then what do I need a man for? How is a husband supposed to fit in my life? I mean, God paints the sunrise and sunset for me. He makes it snow for me. He fashioned all of creation for my enjoyment! How can any earthly man compete with that?!? Seriously!
Well here's the kicker. A man can't. And he was never meant too. God was the one who was meant to hold my heart and my dreams. He is the one who I was meant to find ultimate fulfillment in!
A husband is someone you share, build & create life with. A good, happy man, who has found his worth in the love of God is someone you choose to walk alongside in life.
Not someone who will complete you. That only happens in fairy tales.
Monday 6 February 2012
29
So today is my 29th birthday. Yeah! Happy Birthday to me!! I always get sooo excited about birthdays!I couldn't help but wonder why everybody always wants to be 29 over and over again. People say things like, "29 and holding!" or "29 with 12 years experience."
Is it that good that they want to repeat it? Or is it so bad they want to go back and redo it? I mean why not pick 19 or maybe 16 or how 'bout 23?
BUT as I thought about it, I realized that when you are 29 you are most likely done school, started your career and/or family, and starting to get settled in who you are. Why go though the fun of doing that all over again? Although, I wouldn't mind going back to school at ALL!
At 29 you are still young enough to do stupid things, but old enough to realize which stupid things you can get away with, and those you can't.
So I guess I'll just look forward to this year with a sense of excitement, knowing that next year I can say, "29 with 1 year experience!"
Sunday 5 February 2012
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
So often I make mistakes and beat myself up for it. I spend time wondering, "How can God use me when I'm a failure, a liar, lazy, or whatever!" Or I think and act like God can't use me because I haven't been perfect enough.
I was reading about King Abijah in my Bible, now the only important things about him are:
- he was king.
- he was evil in God's sight.
- he was David's great grandson.
"But despite that, out of respect for David, his God graciously gave him a lamp, a son to follow him and keep Jerusalem secure. For David had lived an exemplary life before God all his days, not going off on his own in willful defiance of God's clear directions (except for that time with Uriah the Hittite)."
1 Kings 15:4-5
David followed hard after God and sought to please Him, except ONCE. Wow! I'm sure David, being human, lived an imperfect life before God, but only one sin is remembered and in spite of that, God still honoured David 3 and 4 generations later. That's 120 to 150 yrs later!
So maybe I don't always have it together. I fall down, I sin. But I get back up, repent, and move forward again. God doesn't disqualify me because I sin! It only makes me realize how much more I NEED Him!
I hope that my life is as pleasing to God as David's was...I wanted to be respected by God too!
I was reading about King Abijah in my Bible, now the only important things about him are:
- he was king.
- he was evil in God's sight.
- he was David's great grandson.
"But despite that, out of respect for David, his God graciously gave him a lamp, a son to follow him and keep Jerusalem secure. For David had lived an exemplary life before God all his days, not going off on his own in willful defiance of God's clear directions (except for that time with Uriah the Hittite)."
1 Kings 15:4-5
David followed hard after God and sought to please Him, except ONCE. Wow! I'm sure David, being human, lived an imperfect life before God, but only one sin is remembered and in spite of that, God still honoured David 3 and 4 generations later. That's 120 to 150 yrs later!
So maybe I don't always have it together. I fall down, I sin. But I get back up, repent, and move forward again. God doesn't disqualify me because I sin! It only makes me realize how much more I NEED Him!
I hope that my life is as pleasing to God as David's was...I wanted to be respected by God too!
Friday 20 January 2012
Beauty & the Beast
I went to see this movie with some great friends last weekend. I have seen this movie before, but last weekend I saw it with fresh eyes. I never connected with this movie before, at least not like Cinderella or Tangled. (I really wanted to go to see the Tangled short before the movie. Ohhh...Maximus...your crazy!)
I saw that love isn't based on what the other looks like on the outside, but the condition of the heart. Belle wasn't attracted to the Beast until she saw what he could be on the inside. She said a few times, "He's not like that." or "He's different now." It's amazing how true love can change a person! Unfortunately it's only a movie.
In real life the only love that brings real and lasting change is God's love. Only He can truly love unconditionally! That's because He IS love! It's His very nature.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
-1 John 4:16 NIV
When we know and rely on the love God has for us, we become more like Him, more of the creation He planned for us to be. Like the Beast, who responded to Belle's love for him, we need to respond to God's love for us and let it change who we are, what we think and how we act. As our thoughts, words and actions become like God's(selfless, pure, honest, etc), we begin to love like God and that affects our relationships with those around us. More Beauty & less Beast!
I saw that love isn't based on what the other looks like on the outside, but the condition of the heart. Belle wasn't attracted to the Beast until she saw what he could be on the inside. She said a few times, "He's not like that." or "He's different now." It's amazing how true love can change a person! Unfortunately it's only a movie. In real life the only love that brings real and lasting change is God's love. Only He can truly love unconditionally! That's because He IS love! It's His very nature.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
-1 John 4:16 NIV
When we know and rely on the love God has for us, we become more like Him, more of the creation He planned for us to be. Like the Beast, who responded to Belle's love for him, we need to respond to God's love for us and let it change who we are, what we think and how we act. As our thoughts, words and actions become like God's(selfless, pure, honest, etc), we begin to love like God and that affects our relationships with those around us. More Beauty & less Beast!
Saturday 14 January 2012
Rain, Rain, Go Away!
The other day I was walking outside from one building to the other at work and it was raining. Again.
The verse dropped into my mind
"...for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
-Matt 5:45.
Good things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to good people.
God doesn't say life will be easy, but that He will always be with us. So then I guess I shouldn't expect life to be a bed of roses!
Ouch!
There's a thorn there!
The verse dropped into my mind
"...for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
-Matt 5:45.
Good things happen to bad people. Bad things happen to good people.
God doesn't say life will be easy, but that He will always be with us. So then I guess I shouldn't expect life to be a bed of roses!
Ouch!
There's a thorn there!
Friday 13 January 2012
My Best Friend!!
Jesus is my BEST Friend!
He is the One I can talk to about anything, When I crawl into bed at night and ball my eyes out because it has been a rough day, He's there holding me. He is not surprised! He has walked the whole day with me. Or when He tells me what He thinks of me and I start giggling, He doesn't roll His eye's and give me the, "I'm trying to be serious" look. Actually, I imagine He does. He totally understands! There is nothing, no human emotion, that God doesn't understand! Why?
Because He created us in HIS image and He walked the earth in human form as Jesus!
Jesus chose to come and live on this planet as a human. He experienced everything, every emotion we do. He chose to die a horrible, painful death because He loved me so much and saw the awful condition I was in - seperated from Him by my sin!
How amazing is that?!? He wants to hear what I have to say. Even when my make-up is smeared, snot is running down my chin and I'm blubbering so hard you can't understand a word I'm saying! He loves me and cares about what is going on in MY life. He sees my best and my worst and still loves me unconditionally!
Isn't He the best friend you could ever have?
You can have Him too!
I'll share.
"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created them; male and female - He created them." - Genesis 1:27 NKJV
"The Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what He says - powerful words! -Hebrews 1:3 MSG
Saturday 7 January 2012
So Hungry...
There are days when I can never eat enough! My hunger is so strong, especially for the kinds of food that are generally not a part of my diet. Chocolate, cookies, ice cream...mmm...ice cream. I will wander around the kitchen in search of what I am craving, sometimes I will even go to the store in hopes that I might find something there to satisfy the desire.
Most of the time I end up standing in front of the fridge, holding onto the door, a list of the contents of my fridge, freezer & cupboards scrolling through my mind, wondering if they contain what I'm desiring. When the list has been throughly scoured, I realize, I'm not really hungry, but am craving something, something no food can satisfy - a hunger to spend time with my God, a longing to spend time in the presence of my Maker!
"As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for You, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for You, the Living God." - Psalm 42:1-2a CEV
Most of the time I end up standing in front of the fridge, holding onto the door, a list of the contents of my fridge, freezer & cupboards scrolling through my mind, wondering if they contain what I'm desiring. When the list has been throughly scoured, I realize, I'm not really hungry, but am craving something, something no food can satisfy - a hunger to spend time with my God, a longing to spend time in the presence of my Maker!
"As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for You, my God. In my heart, I am thirsty for You, the Living God." - Psalm 42:1-2a CEV
Friday 6 January 2012
Something New?
Have you ever tried something new? Tried a new product or eaten something you hadn't before?
As a kid, it was something my mom added to dinner and didn't tell us until we were done eating. As I got older, I just wanted to be different, to expand my horizons, or to see if this craze actually had teeth, I mean taste.
So how can you know that you do or don't like something if you have never tried it for yourself? How often do we form opinions and ideas of things based on what others have said? Do you have opinions of things based on what others have said only? I have.
I love food! I will try anything twice. TWICE?? Yes. Just in case the first time I tried it was an off day or maybe it was made the wrong way. I could say I don't like squid. The first time I tried it, it was cold! Yuck! The next time, warm. YUM!
"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him."
-Psalm 34:8 The Message
Do you have an opinion or idea about God that maybe is based on what other people have said or done? Have you given Him a taste? Have you tried Him on for size?
"'I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.' God's Decree."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14a The Message
Maybe you need to do something different, expand your horizons, see if what everybody says is true. God won't disappoint! He knows what is best for us, if we will give Him the opportunity too. Maybe you need to give God a taste, or maybe you need to give Him a second try.
All I can say is that I have NEVER been disappointed by Him.
As a kid, it was something my mom added to dinner and didn't tell us until we were done eating. As I got older, I just wanted to be different, to expand my horizons, or to see if this craze actually had teeth, I mean taste.
So how can you know that you do or don't like something if you have never tried it for yourself? How often do we form opinions and ideas of things based on what others have said? Do you have opinions of things based on what others have said only? I have.
I love food! I will try anything twice. TWICE?? Yes. Just in case the first time I tried it was an off day or maybe it was made the wrong way. I could say I don't like squid. The first time I tried it, it was cold! Yuck! The next time, warm. YUM!
"Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him."
-Psalm 34:8 The Message
Do you have an opinion or idea about God that maybe is based on what other people have said or done? Have you given Him a taste? Have you tried Him on for size?
"'I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.' God's Decree."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14a The Message
Maybe you need to do something different, expand your horizons, see if what everybody says is true. God won't disappoint! He knows what is best for us, if we will give Him the opportunity too. Maybe you need to give God a taste, or maybe you need to give Him a second try.
All I can say is that I have NEVER been disappointed by Him.
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