What are your convictions?

Last Sunday the pastor spoke about convictions and since then I've been mulling over that sermon in the back of my mind. I'm always curious about that subject, and interested in hearing what different people see to be their convictions.

It was suggested last week, and then again this week, that we actually take the time to write out our convictions. So I decided to take some time and write out my convictions, linked to why these are important to me.

So I want to share my convictions and then I'd like to hear yours.

The over arching principle, or conviction, in my life is that I want my life to be about Loving God and Loving People. I'm convinced that, for myself, there are some ways that can happen and I'm committed to the following convictions of seeing that love for God and love for people lived out:

Love for God

1. I'm committed to daily spending time in His presence. Praising and worshiping Him, Reading His Word and thinking about it throughout my day, Praying, and listening for His Voice.
2. I'm committed to a life of gratitude. God has done so much for me, and I want to live my life in thankfulness and enjoying all the good gifts He's constantly giving me.
3. My life is not my own any more, I chose to live it following after God. There's a few ways that impacts daily life: A.Money and stuff is not the goal so I'm very careful with my money so that I can use it as I feel God wants me to. I don't want to be in debt so that I'm all tied up. B.I want to keep myself available body, mind and spirit to God. Because of this I need to take care of my body (practical things like sleep, exercise, nutrition). C.I want to keep myself available body, mind, and spirit to God. Because of this I am committed to keeping myself free from things that will pull me away from my major focus (this could be TV, music that promotes lifestyles and attitudes that I don't believe are the ones God wants for me, or even some movies or books). This is a difficult one because it's so specific and it means that I just need to pray about things and evaluate them in light of this commitment. I do not always have to read, watch and listen to things that I agree with. Contrary ideas and thoughts can be helpful and growth producing.

Love for People

1. Because I love the husband with whom God has blessed me I protect this relationship and refrain from contacts and relationships that could impede this relationship. For me that means I never go out alone with another man. I don't look at things that involve looking at what could be considered "sexy" men's bodies (in clubs, magazines, movies, etc.). I am committed to never allowing my mind to wander to what it might be like to be in a relationship with anyone other than my husband.
2. Because I love my sons with whom God has blessed me I consider how any decisions I make in life will affect them, and make decisions accordingly. I choose to invest time into doing things with them. I make praying for them regularly a priority (2Xs a week are set aside for just that purpose).
3. I don't want anyone to die without God. So I've spent time praying and thinking about how to share the gospel; I try to live my life open each day to opportunities to share as situations arise.
4. I choose to live simply and without debt so that I am free to give money to others as God leads.
5. I want to be open to helping the people God's put into my life - however that may look. Be it being helpful to a co-worker even if it means taking on more work, or listening to someone who I get the feeling needs to unload, or making food for someone, or being friendly to someone in a social situation who seems left out. These are not things I can know in advance, it's about having an open attitude and trying to look for ways to extend love. (This is the opposite of getting caught up in my own agenda and living with blinders on)
6. I'm committed to humility. To not thinking I'm better than anyone, to listening to what others have to say, to not having to always have my own way. Another part of humility is being honest; not needing to make things better or worse than they are, just being true.

So what about you, what are some of your major life convictions? What made these important to you? How have these convictions impacted your life?

Not everything that our kids do wrong is our fault

During his sermon on Sunday the pastor made a side comment with which I don't wholly agree. When we were at home later talking about all the thoughts that the sermon brought up, my husband John laughed when I mentioned this one and said he knew I'd have something to say about it.

The pastor had said that when he was a youth pastor he sometimes felt like parents brought their youth to him and had a "now you fix him" attitude. He basically said that they'd spent 12 years plus not spiritually investing in their kid and then expected him to fix the mess in just an hour or so once a week. Although I see his point, I don't think it's that simple.

First off there's not a parent out there who won't tell you that they have messed up at some point. No matter how much the parents love God and have sought to invest in their children, they are human beings and as such are prone to mess up. Secondly, I believe that parents can do a lot of things right, really love God and invest spiritually into their children, and when the child becomes a teen he may choose to follow a different path for a time. I've seen this happen repeatedly to people who I know, and have personally experienced it to some extent with one of my three sons.

What about you, do you think that if a teen is not following after God, then it must be because their parents messed up?

All this and heaven besides

Today's sermon brought up a lot of thoughts for me. I'll most likely be processing and posting my thoughts stimulated by it for the next few days.

A phrase that came up during the sermon today caught my attention: all this and heaven besides. It came up in relation to Matthew 19:29; where Jesus said that anyone who has lost possessions or relationships for Jesus' sake will receive back a hundred times as much in this life, and then eternal life. The pastor talked about how what we will receive back 100 fold may, or may not, be physical blessings. He talked about the gifts of the Spirit that we see in Galatians 5:22-23, and how Ephesians 1:3-4 tell us that we've been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

As I sat there listening I thought of the many, many, blessings God has given me. In the physical realm there's my husband, children, and health. Then there's the fact that all my sins have been forgiven, that the Holy Spirit actually resides within me, God's presence and direction, His peace, His power, His Word.....so much and so good - and we get heaven too!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by God's goodness and blessing in your life?

A special Sunday

As I've mentioned here before, I have to work to refrain from being negative, critical and a complainer. It is only as I spend time in the Word, letting the Holy Spirit change the way I think, that I can choose to live differently.

By Saturday night I'd just about lost my will to even try; I was feeling discouraged and negative. As I went to bed I promised myself that I would refrain from the temptation to lick my wounds in private, to isolate, and instead I would make myself go to church the following morning. I mean, after all here I was praying that God would empower me to change my attitude, who knows that He might not use the service to do that very thing?

This morning I woke up to the phone ringing, a fact which I totally ignored. Then my cell phone rang with my son's ring tone (need I mention that this was the son whose been giving me all kinds of grief lately?!) I answered the phone to find out that he was on Hwy 2 and his friend could drive him no further since his friend did not have chains for his car; my groggy, sleep laden, brain was slowly grasping that this must mean that it snowed last night. I assured him that I'd be right there to pick him up. I quickly dressed and went outside to see that beautiful sight of first snow. The world dusted with that pristine whiteness. How could even my morning crabby self not rejoice in such beauty and splendor!

Church was really something. It reminded me of why I love belonging to a local group of Believers.

Unfortunately the pastor fainted between the two services and had to leave via ambulance. A fact of which, since I arrived to the second service just a few minutes late, I was unaware. The music worship time was, as always, a time when I felt brought into the presence of God. When I felt privileged to get to praise His great and awesome name. Then one of the leaders got up and explained about the pastor and, since the pastor was not there to preach, this man shared from his own heart what God has been teaching him.

This leader who shared is not a public speaker kind of guy. He's a recently retired CPA. But he's a man who has a genuine relationship with the savior, and in whose life God is working; so of course he has something to share. He gave a good word for about 6 or 7 minutes. It blessed me to see how God works in everyone's heart and life who is open; this brother's word that God's been working in his life validated that truth. Then he said that since it's the week of Thanksgiving, he wanted to open it up for anyone to share with the group what they are thankful concerning.

As I heard my brothers and sisters share, my heart just overflowed. I felt so grateful to be part of this group, so grateful to get to have each of them in my life. There were a couple of men there who I knew had lost jobs this past year during this time of economic trouble, yet there they were expressing words of gratitude for God's goodness and faithfulness. There was a woman rejoicing in the pain she'd encountered as a youngster growing up in a home where fighting and bad feelings had existed between her parents that had made her own life troublesome, yet here she was giving thanks because she appreciated so deeply the wonderful husband, children, and family she enjoys today. A woman who I greatly admire was transparently admitting that she's sought to avoid calls from a woman who was an incredibly time demanding and difficult person, who suffers from debilitating anxiety, but that just the night before God has used her to take the woman to the ER and minister to her through prayer and His Word. Repeatedly as people shared, my heart was blessed by their humility, openness, and grateful attitudes. It is indeed wonderful to be a part of a local family in Christ!

What about you, has God blessed you recently through your church?

Waiting on the blessing

Sometimes there are truths that I know, but about which I still need to be reminded.

Such was the case in our pastor's sermon today. He's been preaching through the book of 1 Peter on Sundays, and I especially appreciated today's message. He was looking at 1 Peter 3:13-17 and how God can bring blessing through suffering.

I've mentioned both over on Kingdom Bloggers and here about how "The plan" didn't turn out how it was supposed to with regard to my work. That after being unemployed for close to 18 months, I'm now working an hour commute from home for 58% less than I previously made at the company for which I'd worked for 9 years. In one sense of the word, I see this as suffering.

The pastor used an analogy to which I could relate. He talked about how in a kid's mind his parents are being good to him if they give the kid everything the kid wants, when he wants it. But we all know that parents who do that cause their children to become lazy, entitled, and less appealing human beings. As good parents, we don't always give our child everything he wants, but we do make sure to give him everything he needs. The pastor pointed out that this is how God is with us. That sometimes there are situations in our lives that are not what we want, but may very well be what we need.

He talked about how sometimes God will use some situations that are tough for us, to bring truth to others. Or how He will sometimes use tough times in our lives to develop us into better people. How ultimately God does want our best and how we can continue to wait on Him until we see the blessing in situations. He made a statement about how he chooses to be the kind of person who will wait on God until God either changes the circumstances, or until God changes him.

I want to be that kind of person too.

What about you, do you have any circumstances in your life right now where you're in a tough situation and waiting on God to see what He wants to do through this situation?

Are we guaranteed that God in us attracts people?

Our pastor definitely has me thinking.

While I enjoyed today's sermon, I was uncomfortable with something the pastor said. It's not a huge issue, and it's even something I've said myself in the past; but at this point in my life I see it as a "Christian myth".

I'd like to tell you the "myth", explain why I don't believe it, and then hear your thoughts on it.

The Myth: If you really love God, and are really following His will for your life, then people will be so attracted to the Jesus in you that they will be approaching you and asking about God and so, you'll frequently be sharing your faith and leading people to God. Now the myth does not ignore the fact that many will be adverse to the gospel in general, it just affirms that if you're really loving God and living all out for Him, then many others (those who aren't adverse to the gospel) will be drawn to you.

Is it just me, or does this sound rather similar to the old faith healer myth about how if you don't receive your healing, then it's your fault because you must not really believe?

Just off the top of my head I have 5 concerns with this whole kind of thinking:

1. The emphasis is on what I do, when I think the emphasis should be on what God does.
Don't get me wrong, I fully recognize that we have our part in this life of faith. One of my favorite Bible passages is Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) :

¹²Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

I think this passages shows that balance; we obey and engage in actions, but it's God's power that's enables us to do so.

2. It borders on being a formula - If you do your part, then God will do His, in just this way.
The older I get, the more I don't believe we can box God in. He's God and He does things His way. Frequently it doesn't end up being the way I had things figured. Sure there are principles that I can count on, but I have no guarantee how God is going to manifest those principles.

3. It has not been my experience.
While my experience is not everything, it is something. I have been a Christian for just under 4 decades and can count on one hand the times someone has come up to me and told me that they see something different in me and would I please tell them what it is. So while this has happened to me, it's obviously not been the norm. So, does this mean I don't love God enough? That I'm not obedient enough? Well, the truth is that the answer to both these questions is absolutely YES. I want and need to constantly be growing in my love for God, constantly becoming more aware and changing the way I live so that I can be more fully His. But my experience is that as imperfect as I am, God in His mercy, grace, love and goodness, because of who He is, chooses to bless me and use me anyway. It's just not about me.

4. It seems to have an underlying assumption that numbers count.
If you really love God, and are really living for Him, then you'll be constantly bringing people to Him. I sincerely believe this may or may not be true. I do not think God has the exact same plan for everyone. Some people greatly impact just a few people, while others impact masses.

5. Does this smack of guilt?
Is it just me or could this myth make some shy, obedient, loving, Believer feel like they're doing something wrong just because people aren't walking up to them all the time and asking they why they are different?

To be candid, I'm just thinking aloud on this issue. I'd welcome your input.

Do you believe that the common Christian thought that If you really love God, and are really following His will for your life, then people will be so attracted to the Jesus in you that they will be approaching you and asking about God and so, you'll frequently be sharing your faith and leading people to God, is Truth or Myth? Why?

The Heart of the Matter

I'm still here thinking on various aspects of the pastor's sermon from Sunday.

One of the things he brought out that turns many away from Christianity is how Christians sometimes get caught up in using externals as a spiritual yardstick. Looking again at Luke 18:9 - 14, I can see in verses 10 -11:

10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

The Pharisee is looking at a list of actions he refrains from, as well as comparing himself to others. Let's face it; if we look long enough, we can always find someone who'll win in the comparison game. Also, although outward actions do mirror the heart; we can get a "religious" attitude that just looks at those externals and refrains from seeking to allow God to reveal our inner motivations to us.

I never fail to be convicted every time I read 1 Corinthians 13. I've always been especially astounded when I read the 3rd verse (NLT):

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

To my way of thinking, to give everything to the poor and sacrifice my very self, are the epitome of what it's about. The height of generosity. Yet God tells me that even those wonderful actions mean nothing if they aren't proceeding from a heart of love. I'm reminded of the passage in Matthew 15:15-20, I'm especially fond of the way verses 16-20 read in The Message paraphrase:

Jesus replied, "You, too? Are you being willfully stupid? Don't you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated? But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It's from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That's what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands—that's neither here nor there."

I think it's so easy to get caught up in looking at the externals instead of seeking to have my heart be right. The pastor posed some great questions in the sermon that I found helpful examples for determining if I'm too focused on the externals:

* Which bothers you more, if you didn't get enough time with God this week, or if someone criticizes your kids?
* When someone asks you what you feel really great about in your life right now; do you focus on current achievements or the work God is doing in your life, the changes He's making in you?
* Which bothers you more, if you didn't get to spend time getting your heart right before you come to church, or if your hair is terrible when you come to church?

What are your challenges when it comes to focusing on the heart instead of the externals?

Do you find yourself liking the "sinners" more than the "saints"?

The sermon in church this morning was so thought provoking, that I'll probably be thinking on it, and writing about those thoughts, for the next few days.

Our pastor started with a great joke this morning; it went something like this:

I work for Purina dog chow company and recently I attended a dog food convention for my work. On the first night of the convention the key note speaker was a man who is very high up in the company. He opened up his talk with a series of questions to which the entire crowd responded. It went like this:

Man: Who makes the best dog food around?

Crowd: Purina dog chow!

Man: Who has the best dog food delivery system?

Crowd: Purina dog chow!!

Man: Who has the best packaging and advertising, the best branding, around?

Crowd: Purina dog chow!!!

Man: Then, why doesn't Purina dog chow have the best sales around???

To which the crow was silent for several moments. Then, finally, one lone voice at the back of the crowd cried out: Well, sir, the dogs just don't seem to like it.

The pastor clarified that of course we're not "selling" Christianity. But the truth of the matter is that Christianity is the best - Jesus paid the price for our sin if we'll accept it, God sends the Holy Spirit to live inside us to teach us, provide direction, convict us of sin and empower us. We are truly blessed. Yet - why do so many find Christianity so unattractive? Why don't they like it?

There's lots of answers to these questions. But, certainly, one of the reasons many are turned off to Christianity is Christians. As a group we can be so self righteous.

In church this morning we looked at the passage in Luke 18:9 - 14:

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹²I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

¹³ "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

^{1 4}"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Don't you find yourself feeling compassion toward the tax collector in this story and frustration with the pharisee?
The tax collector recognized who he was and his need for God; he was filled with faith. The pharisee was so full of himself that he wasn't even looking to God.
What Jesus said in that 14th verse here really hit me as I was sitting in church. Jesus said that if we choose to exalt ourselves, then God will humble us. But if we choose to humble ourselves, then God will exalt us. I don't know about you, but when God is dealing with me, I'd rather it be exalting me, then humbling me.
Like I talked about in my post over at Kingdom Bloggers this past week, it's not about false humility - thinking all about what a less than, worm in the dirt, I am. When I do that, the focus is still on myself. True humility is putting others first. There were some real life examples of how to humble oneself that came up in the sermon, plus some additional ones I've thought about for my own life, that I found helpful:
When someone cuts you off when you're driving, let it go. Go head and have the attitude concerning that other driver, that he just must really need to get where he's going quickly.
Don't tell others all about your accomplishments. Just do what you're meant to do and remain silent.
When I've done something for my teen sons, or anyone else, and they do not show appreciation, count it joy because I've done it as unto the Lord, not for the praise of others.
If I'm ignored when I go to church, don't stress out about it. I'm not there to be noticed by others or have my ego stroked. Look around and see if there is anyone around me who might be feeling left out, and make sure to reach out to that person.
When my boss at work doesn't seem to realize what an incredible job I did, how above and beyond I went, and how much money I make for the company - don't sweat it. I work hard for God, not for the praise of my boss here on earth.

What about you

• Why do you think so many people are turned off to Christians?
• Would you rather humble yourself or have God humble you?
• What are some ways in daily life that you can humble yourself?

Can our relgion get in the way of people coming to God?

Or, more to the point, does my "religion" get in the way of people coming to God? Some things the pastor said during his sermon this morning got me to thinking about this question.

When Jesus was on this earth He was frequently encouraging, loving, and healing people. But there are a few times we see Him angry in the gospels, and these always involve religious people.

There's the account in Mark 11:15-18 where He turned over the tables of the people in the temple who were changing money and selling Doves for sacrifices. He asked them why they'd made His house a den of thieves when He wanted it to be a place of prayer for the nations. Jesus' heart was that He wanted His followers to be in prayer for the nations and instead they'd turned seeking God into a money making enterprise.

There's also the account in Mark 3:1-7 where one Sabbath Jesus is in the synagogue and a man with a shriveled hand was there. The Pharisees were watching to see if Jesus would break the religious laws by "working" on the Sabbath by healing the man. Jesus became very angry at their stubborn hearts. It's easy for me to be blown away at the Pharisees, to think that God in the flesh was right there with them, wanting to bring restoration and healing, and they were upset because he wasn't following the laws of their religion that were supposedly to follow after God. It's easy for me to think how this just doesn't make sense!

But what about me? Are there ways that I have inadvertently become steeped in religion to the point where I don't see what God wants? Am I missing out on being an agent of love, restoration, or healing into the lives of others around me because I'm too caught up in my own agenda?

These aren't questions that I can just answer. Instead, today I'm praying, and will be for the next few days, that the Holy Spirit would help me become sensitive and aware. That He would show me if my "religion" is displeasing to Him.

Have you ever had a time in your life when God showed you that you were more caught up in the trappings of religion than in pursing Him and loving others?

Would you rather be right or good?

This question was implied in a part of today's sermon, and it's gotten me to thinking.

The guest pastor who was preaching, spoke about how frequently we're told the the Bible that Jesus was good, or we're to do good (in just 5 minutes I came up with these 8 passages:Matthew 24:45-47, Matthew 26:9-11, Mark 3:3-5, Acts 10:37-39, Romans 2:6-8, Romans 12:20-21, Galations 6:8-10, 1 Peter 3:14-16 and there are lots more). He was NOT saying that we are saved by doing good; the Bible is very clear that salvation is by the gift of faith in Jesus' work on the cross that God gives to His people. He was just saying that repeatedly we find this lifestyle of doing good in the Bible; and it's a lifestyle for which God's followers should be known. The pastor was contrasting doing good to being right because, in our culture, it seems that Christians are much more concerned about being right and doing right than about being good.

As the pastor was talking about this I found myself asking What is the difference between doing right and doing good, what does that look like? I was fascinated by this whole concept. He gave a couple of examples. One of the examples he gave really resounded for me because it's an issue that I've long struggled with; I was delighted by his insight on how having an attitude to do good as our guiding notion, rather than to be right, impacts this specific situation.

The situation was with regard to gender confusion and homosexuality. He was talking about giving advice to the parent of a teen who is having gender confusion and questions about her sexuality and homosexuality. He pointed out that if our main concern is being right we have 2 polar extremes to choose from: On the one hand we have the people who are certain that to be gay or bi-sexual is just who you are and it's your right to be who you are, that young people should be encouraged to come out and proudly be who they are. On the other hand you have people who are certain that to be gay or bi-sexual is a sin and that the teen who has these issues will never experience true freedom until she repents of this sin. But, if our main concern is doing good we will not interact with our child on the basis of if what she is dealing with is right or wrong. The good thing for a parent would be love; that the teen would know that her parents will be there for her no matter what, that they are not going anywhere, that she knows she can always count on them.

This was extra relevant for my husband John and I currently because he has a 19yr old relative who appears to be engaging in the gay lifestyle. At the last couple of family gatherings she's brought a friend who seems lesbian. I've gone out of my way to be friendly and inclusive toward this friend because it can be somewhat uncomfortable to be around a friend's family, easy to not feel a part of things. I've always enjoyed this specific relative, so I've made sure to spend time with both her and her friend at recent gatherings.

When I look at Jesus, I see Him participating in social events with sinners. I get the impression that He sincerely enjoyed people. Romans 1:18-21 tells me that I can see God's invisible qualities and nature through His creation. The creation is beautiful and calls out to be enjoyed; there are so many things in nature that appear to beautiful and melodic without a specific purpose. I tend to think that this shows me that God wants us to experience pleasure and enjoyment. To let our hearts soar when we look at a sunset, hear the song of water rushing over the rocks, feel the breeze caress our skin. To delight in the people in our lives.

I'm not sure how to put this into words, but somewhere in my heart I'm convinced that by loving people, sincerely enjoying them, I'm living Christ's lifestyle. That it will be my love for the people who are in my day to life that will draw them toward God. I adore the way Paul said it in Philippians 4:4 (MSG):

"Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive."

Again, I don't know exactly how to say it, but it seems that by being good to people, living a good life, it's a better representation of God than by needing to always let people know that I'm right, that I don't sin, that I have the correct doctrine. That's not to say that doctrine and being set apart for God are not good and important. It is just to say that living a good life is more of a guiding principle.

What about you, do you think it's more important to be right or to be good? Why? Have you ever experienced one of these as having a more significant impact on the people in your life?

Can we be too comfortable?

The fact the God often uses shaking up our lives, to get our attention and produce growth in us, was one of the themes in the sermon at church today. It's really got me thinking.

One of the texts was taken from Ezekiel 16:49-50 (NASB):

⁴⁹"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy.

⁵⁰"Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me Therefore I removed them when I saw it.

It's so easy for me to look at this text and see America. As a culture, we tend to experience great abundance and think we are so much smarter than the rest of the world. The dominant American culture is way "too smart for God". I recently had a post here about Christians who are suffering for their faith in other nations, yet we do nothing for them. Todd Nettleton, with Voice of the Martyrs, quotes secretary of State Hillary Clinton as saying "We wouldn't be holding China accountable on the issue of religious freedom, or human rights issues. There were more important things like trade and global warming and those types of things."

It's so easy for me to point fingers at other people when I read this Bible passage - but what about me?

I certainly enjoy a life of vast abundance compared to the rest of the world. Do I always recognize that every good thing that I have is a gift from God? That the abundance I experience really, in the big scheme of things, has very little to do with my hard work and deserving-ness? Do I have a heart that seeks God and allows Him to open my eyes to see the needs of those around me? Do I see loving and giving to people as part of loving God?

That's how I want to be. But I am most definitely a work in progress and have a LONG way to go.

Lately it seems as if one major, unexpected, unplanned for, expense after another has come my way. I continue to thank God that we've had the money for each thing that has come up. When my 17 yr old son and I were out running errands yesterday together, I went to the ATM to obtain cash. As I came back to the car, it was very cold and windy and I rushed to make it back into the vehicle. I was just about to close the door to my car when I saw a man out of the corner of my eye, in a wheel chair coming my way. I figured he'd be asking for money and I've got to be honest with you - it entered my mind to pretend I did not see him and just go my way. It entered my mind that perhaps he really didn't need to be in a wheel chair. But, fortunately, I remembered that who am I to question these things, that's God's job.

So I looked him in the eyes and gave him that opening to ask for money. When he finished I reached into my wallet, and, again I've got to confess how I can be, I almost just gave him a dollar. But, I felt impressed to give him more money, so I did. My son was watching me so as we drove away I commented that how can I, who have been so blessed, not give to someone who asks? My son had been watching the man way more closely than I, and he commented that the man didn't even have legs that went all the way down (I'd been looking him in the eye so I'd missed this).

Do you ever struggle with becoming too comfortable?

Another Sunday

I love Sundays.

There's just something about getting together with others of like faith and worshiping and looking at the Word together that brings me peace and happiness.

It was especially awesome in our church today. We all crowded into the sanctuary and there was gratefulness, connection and expectancy in the air. After all we'd all been evacuated in the early hours of the morning last Sunday but here we all were home, safe and together again. (I live in a small mountain town, posted population 3,500, which had, due to local fires, been evacuated.)

I want God to rain on me until I'm drenched

Do you wake up every morning excited?

Do you experience an expectancy of what God is going to do through your life today?

That was the question the Pastor posed this morning and it got me thinking.

One of the Bible references the pastor used was Galatians 2:20. I'm delighted with the way the 19th - 21st verses read in The Message version:

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Boy can I relate to this!

Too much of my life was spent working for God; wanting to please Him and wanting others to like me. But this passage is talking about a whole different way of life. A life where my ego is gone, where I have been crucified and God is working through me. The pastor made that differentiation today too - do you do good works for God or does He work through you.

I want God to work through me.

I want Him to rain down His presence and blessing on me until I'm drenched. Until everything about me is immersed in His presence, love and ability. So that I can say with Paul (writer of Galatians) that my ego is no longer central and the life I'm living is by faith in God.

This is a theme I've been thinking on a lot lately; so it's no surprise that here the sermon is about this today. It seems that there are a couple of things in my life that God's been urging me toward as I grow in this process of crucifying myself and living wholly for Him.

One of these is about the time I spend with Him daily. Anyone who knows me even a little knows that I lose track of time. God has blessed me with the ability, when I'm involved in a project, or spending time with a person, to become totally engaged in the present to the point of losing all track of time. He's been putting a yearning in my heart to become that way with Him; not to just come a few minutes each morning and go through the outline of the Lord's Prayer and read the Bible for a few minutes; but to just spend time in His presence, becoming immersed in and delighting in Him.

The other thing is He's been showing me how small daily occurrences reveal my heart. The fact that I have not died to self becomes quite evident in how irked I get in those little annoying encounters that inevitably happen on an ongoing basis. People can irritate me so much! I know that on my own I can't have that love that transcends the rudeness, selfishness, or just plain annoying behavior that people display on a regular basis. I long to come to the point where I'm so drenched in His love that this love pours from me and covers over the other person's actions.

What's God been showing you in your life about being crucified to yourself and having Christ live through you?

Singing with the Saints

You know what I like best about church?

Getting to sing with other Believers.

Oh I enjoy the preaching too. I also enjoy singing on my own during my time with God during the week. But, there's something oh so sweet about getting to come together with others of like faith and be in the presence of God together and worship Him!

What do you enjoy best about church or Sundays?

The Hidden Problem

Do you struggle with pride?

If you'd asked me that questions 2 days ago I would have said no. But that would have been before the sermon at church this morning.

The pastor started out referencing Isaiah 66:2 (NIV):

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

He made the point that God values those who are humble. Then he went on to quote the well loved verses in James 4:6-7 (NLT):

But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
but favors the humble.”^c]">]

⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Well I was feeling fine. But I was trying to be open minded and think back through my week if I'd been haughty. My husband even leaned over and whispered that he knows he doesn't have issues with this one.

But at one point during the sermon the pastor put a list of symptoms of pride up on the overhead. Then he went though the list and talked about each symptom. Uh-oh, that's where it got me!

There were these 4 that I wrote down that I know apply to me: Impatient, critical, controlling, need to be right, and not easily corrected - yuck! There were also things on that list like: difficulty forgiving others, judgmental, getting your feelings easily hurt, praise seeking, angry (plus there were more I can't remember).

I'm grateful for my brothers and sisters in Christ in our church; what sweet spirits. Afterward I heard several of them commenting on that list and how they had stuff on it. Even my 16 year old son admitted to having issues with several of the symptoms. Amusingly enough this was the very same son who did not want to go to church this morning and I reminded him of the household church attendance requirement so he came (but as we walked into church I looked over at him and found that he'd worn his gym shorts and bedroom slippers to church to get back at me. Fortunately for once I took the wise road and said nothing). My husband announced to the car while driving home, as he laughed at himself, that he saw bits of the entire list in his life.

Gee who realized it was such a pervasive problem?!

The pastor went on to list some ways to combat this issue in our lives:

• Acknowledge our dependency on God

• Thank the Lord for everything

• Have a lifestyle of choosing to serve those around you

• Invite those in your life to speak truth and provide correction

• Quit worrying and trust God

• When you get compliments say thank you and then, if possible, give glory to God in it

• Accept the gift of sleep

• Laugh at yourself, often

The one on that list that really hit me was the one about sleep. Both my son and husband looked at me when he said it. I aim to seek God in this area this week. I even started today by actually taking a nap.

Is there any area on this list that you want to work on?