Hello all!
So God provided me with an amazing opportunity yesterday. A friend of mine whom I haven't seen in a few months randomly sends me a message via facebook chat. She asked, "How do you know if you are a good person?"
I told her that my belief/opinion on that is probably quite different from most people's because I was a Christian and she said she really wanted to hear what I thought. WOW! What an opportunity to share God's message with someone who doesn't know Him!!! I told her that no one is good. We are constantly battling between what is right (our soul that God created us with) and what is wrong (our sinful nature). As human beings we are constantly causing others pain as well as hurting ourselves in this life. But the neat part is that because of Christ's sacrifice for us, we are redeemed and made "good" in God's eyes. She said that she really like that response to her question and that she's just gone through a rough break up/ having lots of family issues. I invited her to come over to my apartment later that night. One of my good guy friends just went through a rough break up and I had already invited him over to watch a movie, so I thought it would be a fun evening for all.
They both got to my place around 10pm and we watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Bronnie and I are fans and my other friend Neal has not seen the movies or read the books. But we all had a good time and Neal left around 2am (this is REALLY late! Even for me!) but Bronnie stayed for a while more. I asked her what else was going on in her life and she opened up and shared a great deal with me. But in short she left around 4:30am! We spent 2 hours talking about how much God loves her and how He has a plan for her, wants to help her, and desperately wants her to talk with Him. I read her some Psalms...Psalm #4, #8, and #37. I read her the parable of the lillies of the field and the birds of the air/ about worrying. In short, it was a WONDERFUL night, well morning in this case. We prayed together. I started and prayed for her, her family, and even her recently ex-boyfriend because it sounded like he was struggling with things too. She looked at me after I finished and kept saying, "I don't know what I should say." I just told her that God is always here, just like I am with her and he hears us always. We don't have to have an elegant speach, just to talk to him like you do with your friends. And I told her, if you are mad at Him tell Him, and it's not wrong to be upset, but just know that He is in control and that he will always rescue you. She started crying and prayed to her heavenly Father. She asked Him to help her, her family and her ex. It was an amazing night. I loaned her my book Captivating by Staci and John Eldridge and I gave her my tiny Gideon Bible with New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. I hope that the book Captivating will help her better understand how God fashioned her heart and how men and women were intended to work together.
Today I got a text from her saying that she felt MUCH better, a little sad, but better. What an amazing gift God gave to me in seeing His work bear fruit! We do not always get to see the growth of the seeds we plant...it's all in God's time....but what an incredible moment when He allows us to see that seed take root, grow, and bear fruit! I continue to pray for my friends who "don't believe in God" or just haven't taken the time to get to know Him yet. I try to live my life in a God serving/pleasing way and it's been in my experience that actions speak louder than words. People see that you are different and they know that they can come to you with their troubles because there is a peace that surrounds you. God's peace that surpasses all understanding is something that believers and non believers alike crave in this world. There is nothing else like it. The believers know that it is through God that you receive this peace, and it is up to us as believers to share that truth with the non believers.
I'm off to read my Psalm for the day and celebrate God's wonderful opportunities!!!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Dear Daddy...
So now that I've transfered all of my old faith blogs to my blogspot account...on to new blogging!
I've recently started writing what I call my Dear Daddy Letters. I bought several little journals and have started writting letters to my heavenly father. It's been fantastic! I always hated the usual journaling stuff because who really wants to make out an entry starting with Dear Diary...Not me! But this is a great way for me to pray!!! Sometimes I find that I can better express my thoughts and prayers in written words verses spoken words, it just depends. But when I write, it's almost like just sending Him one of those "Thinking of you" or "Hi there!" cards that you find in the Hallmark store. Or even just a lengthy text message. Cheesy though, I know, but it works wonders.
I've also decided to take on a project that will enlighten me more about my Daddy. I decided to start reading the Psalms, one per day, and studying it's meaning in context and how it applies to my life. It's been extremely beneficial thus far and I would highly recommend it to anyone! The Psalms to me as a musician are some of the easiest scriptures for me to relate to. David had a gift for song and poetry and boy did he use them! The Psalms to me are some of the most comforting scriptures. In short, they are just good for the soul.
We've had a great gift of rain this morning here in Wichita. I absolutely love the rain!!! I love the calming effect that it has on me when I hear the drops hit the roof and window panes. It's my favorite excuse to stay inside and curl up with a blanket, a good book, and a cup of tea. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The simple pleasures in life are some of the greatest gifts God gives us. You just have to look for them. The world has desensitized us and has encouraged us to take these simple gifts for granted. They encourage us to think that we are so important that we don't see the marvolous works of the Creator's hands.
I challenge you all today to find a Psalm that inspires you and to rediscover one of God's simple gifts!
I've recently started writing what I call my Dear Daddy Letters. I bought several little journals and have started writting letters to my heavenly father. It's been fantastic! I always hated the usual journaling stuff because who really wants to make out an entry starting with Dear Diary...Not me! But this is a great way for me to pray!!! Sometimes I find that I can better express my thoughts and prayers in written words verses spoken words, it just depends. But when I write, it's almost like just sending Him one of those "Thinking of you" or "Hi there!" cards that you find in the Hallmark store. Or even just a lengthy text message. Cheesy though, I know, but it works wonders.
I've also decided to take on a project that will enlighten me more about my Daddy. I decided to start reading the Psalms, one per day, and studying it's meaning in context and how it applies to my life. It's been extremely beneficial thus far and I would highly recommend it to anyone! The Psalms to me as a musician are some of the easiest scriptures for me to relate to. David had a gift for song and poetry and boy did he use them! The Psalms to me are some of the most comforting scriptures. In short, they are just good for the soul.
We've had a great gift of rain this morning here in Wichita. I absolutely love the rain!!! I love the calming effect that it has on me when I hear the drops hit the roof and window panes. It's my favorite excuse to stay inside and curl up with a blanket, a good book, and a cup of tea. I've said it before and I'll say it again. The simple pleasures in life are some of the greatest gifts God gives us. You just have to look for them. The world has desensitized us and has encouraged us to take these simple gifts for granted. They encourage us to think that we are so important that we don't see the marvolous works of the Creator's hands.
I challenge you all today to find a Psalm that inspires you and to rediscover one of God's simple gifts!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Do you really trust in all things?
Alrighty...here goes....
So my mother told me last night that my great aunt Jo has breast cancer. Apparently Jo has know for about 4 months and didn't say a word to anyone. This would be her mamma bear side of not wanting to cause anyone more pain than needed. She is going to have an operation with in the next week and then they will be able to see how far along it is. My mom seems to think that it is probably pretty far along, but we won't know for sure until they go in and investigate.
When my mom called and told me last night, I didn't get cry or get upset in the slightest. Some might think that I am a hard hearted person for not reacting like that. When my grandmother died suddenly, I didn't get upset or cry initially either. It wasn't until later after everyone had left did I let the information sink in. I feel that it is much the same way with my great aunt. We don't know how much it has progressed yet, so I'm not going to start worrying until we do find out. I am increadibly aware how upsetting it is to my aunt Dana (Jo's daughter), cousin Ashley and Ryan (Jo's grandkids), and my mother. I feel that God is just asking me to be a comforter. I love Jo a lot too. But for some reason I just have a peace about the situation for the time being. All I know to do is to just trust my heavenly Father to use this situation for the greater good. This may be a way He can touch the hearts of my family members and form a greater bond with them. I find that it is when we are put through trying times that we rely on Him more. It should be Him we always turn to first, but majority of the time we turn to ourselves to fix things. With that method we just make matters worse.
In a connecting note, this reminds me of a new favorite novel, Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. In the book a young boy is constantly asking his grandfather what Christ really meant when he said, "Ask and ye shall receive". The boy pointed out that he could ask for a thousand dollars and Christ didn't give it to him. Towards the end of the novel, the grandfather finally has an answer for his grandson, which I love:
He says "Well'm, faith ain't no magic wand or money-back gar'ntee, either one.....Hit means you go'n be holdin' on to God in good or bad times, and you accept whatever happens. Hit means you respect life like it is---like God made it---even when it ain't what you'd order from the wholesale house. Faith don't mean the Lord is go'n make lions lay down with lambs jest cause you ast him to, or make fire not burn. Some folks, when they pray to git well and don't even git better, they say God let'm down. But I say thet warn't even what Jesus was a-talkin' bout. When Jesus said ast and you'll git it, He was givin' a gar'nree a-spiritual healin' not body healin'. He was sayin' thet if'n you git beat down---scairt to death you cain't do what you got to, or scairt you go'n die, or scairt folks won't like you---why, all you got to do is put yore hand in God's and He'll lift you up. I know it for a fact, Love. I can pray, 'Lord, hep me not be scairt,' and I dont know how, but it's like a eraser wipes the fears away. And I found out long time ago, when I look on what I got to stand as a dang hardship or a burden, it seems too heavy to carry. But when I look on the same dang thang as a challenge, why, standin' it or acceptin' it is like you done entered a contest. Hit even gits excitin', waitin' to see how everthang's go'n turn out......Jesus meant us to ast God to hep us stand the pain, not beg Him to take the pain away. We can ast for comfort and hope and patience and courage, and to be gracious when thangs ain't goin' our way, and we'll git what we ast for. They ain't no gar'ntee thet we ain't go'n have no troubles and aint go'n die. But shore as frogs croak and cows bellow, God'll forgive us if'n we ast Him to."
I just think that there is so much truth in that. God has tried to tell us numerous times in His word and in our daily lives that our spiritual well being is much more important that the physical time we have on this earth. We can enjoy the time we have to the fullest, but because of sin entering into the world, we have to accept the fact that hardships, disease, and death are apart of that life now. God didn't make the hardships, disease or death-sin created that. Sin's greatest accomplishment is breaking relationships: between God and man and also man and man. There is a peace that God brings that "surpasses all understanding". And it's true. There is nothing like it in this world. We should ask for the things of a spiritual nature, not the physical nature. As I'm running out of battery on my laptop...I hope that you will ponder on these things and think about what that means in your own lives.
So my mother told me last night that my great aunt Jo has breast cancer. Apparently Jo has know for about 4 months and didn't say a word to anyone. This would be her mamma bear side of not wanting to cause anyone more pain than needed. She is going to have an operation with in the next week and then they will be able to see how far along it is. My mom seems to think that it is probably pretty far along, but we won't know for sure until they go in and investigate.
When my mom called and told me last night, I didn't get cry or get upset in the slightest. Some might think that I am a hard hearted person for not reacting like that. When my grandmother died suddenly, I didn't get upset or cry initially either. It wasn't until later after everyone had left did I let the information sink in. I feel that it is much the same way with my great aunt. We don't know how much it has progressed yet, so I'm not going to start worrying until we do find out. I am increadibly aware how upsetting it is to my aunt Dana (Jo's daughter), cousin Ashley and Ryan (Jo's grandkids), and my mother. I feel that God is just asking me to be a comforter. I love Jo a lot too. But for some reason I just have a peace about the situation for the time being. All I know to do is to just trust my heavenly Father to use this situation for the greater good. This may be a way He can touch the hearts of my family members and form a greater bond with them. I find that it is when we are put through trying times that we rely on Him more. It should be Him we always turn to first, but majority of the time we turn to ourselves to fix things. With that method we just make matters worse.
In a connecting note, this reminds me of a new favorite novel, Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. In the book a young boy is constantly asking his grandfather what Christ really meant when he said, "Ask and ye shall receive". The boy pointed out that he could ask for a thousand dollars and Christ didn't give it to him. Towards the end of the novel, the grandfather finally has an answer for his grandson, which I love:
He says "Well'm, faith ain't no magic wand or money-back gar'ntee, either one.....Hit means you go'n be holdin' on to God in good or bad times, and you accept whatever happens. Hit means you respect life like it is---like God made it---even when it ain't what you'd order from the wholesale house. Faith don't mean the Lord is go'n make lions lay down with lambs jest cause you ast him to, or make fire not burn. Some folks, when they pray to git well and don't even git better, they say God let'm down. But I say thet warn't even what Jesus was a-talkin' bout. When Jesus said ast and you'll git it, He was givin' a gar'nree a-spiritual healin' not body healin'. He was sayin' thet if'n you git beat down---scairt to death you cain't do what you got to, or scairt you go'n die, or scairt folks won't like you---why, all you got to do is put yore hand in God's and He'll lift you up. I know it for a fact, Love. I can pray, 'Lord, hep me not be scairt,' and I dont know how, but it's like a eraser wipes the fears away. And I found out long time ago, when I look on what I got to stand as a dang hardship or a burden, it seems too heavy to carry. But when I look on the same dang thang as a challenge, why, standin' it or acceptin' it is like you done entered a contest. Hit even gits excitin', waitin' to see how everthang's go'n turn out......Jesus meant us to ast God to hep us stand the pain, not beg Him to take the pain away. We can ast for comfort and hope and patience and courage, and to be gracious when thangs ain't goin' our way, and we'll git what we ast for. They ain't no gar'ntee thet we ain't go'n have no troubles and aint go'n die. But shore as frogs croak and cows bellow, God'll forgive us if'n we ast Him to."
I just think that there is so much truth in that. God has tried to tell us numerous times in His word and in our daily lives that our spiritual well being is much more important that the physical time we have on this earth. We can enjoy the time we have to the fullest, but because of sin entering into the world, we have to accept the fact that hardships, disease, and death are apart of that life now. God didn't make the hardships, disease or death-sin created that. Sin's greatest accomplishment is breaking relationships: between God and man and also man and man. There is a peace that God brings that "surpasses all understanding". And it's true. There is nothing like it in this world. We should ask for the things of a spiritual nature, not the physical nature. As I'm running out of battery on my laptop...I hope that you will ponder on these things and think about what that means in your own lives.
Peace that surpasses all understanding
It is another night at the old inn and here I am writing my faith blog .
God is so GOOD! Last night I was just having a difficult time with all the thoughts my heart and mind were dealing with, and God answers my unrealized prayer. One of my good friends, Rachel, called me and asked if I would want to come over after I got off work and spend some time catching up. I haven't seen her in a few months, and so I went over. I had the best time with her! We had chicken and steamed broccoli while we talked a bit and watched Sense and Sensibility. Given that we both fell asleep before the movie was over since we started it around 2am, but it was so good to be there. God knew that I needed an escape from my own thoughts and gave me Rachel. I would have never thought to text her or ask if she wanted to come over, but God just has a great plan. You think of all the places in the world and the people who live in it...you can think of the universe and it's vast contents...and yet God makes time to take care of each and every one of us, even when we don't ask for it. We are so small and insignificant, but He envelopes us with His love and care. What an awesome God we serve! He has just given me such a peace today. I feel rested, refreshed, and renewed. I know that He is hovering over me, I can feel His calming touch on my heart. He's just telling me to wait and be still and know that He is in charge of all aspects of my life in the present and future. I may worry about the issues on my heart down the road a bit, but I know that He is leading me every step of the way. Yesterday I got frustrated and said that I was upset because I couldn't see what route God wants me to take and if it was different than where my own heart wants to go....the truth dawned on me today. I'm not sure what or where I want to go, and I don't have to see where God is leading me! He will show me in His own time and I just need to be patient and wait. It is so comforting to know that my fate is not in my own hands! What a scary idea!!! It is much safer and better off in the hands of my Lord and Savior. I just need to remain plyable in His hands so that I might be a vessel He can use for His purpose.
On a side note, I have a prayer of thanksgiving. Elsa is doing much much much better! Her physical state is drastically changed since I saw her last. I went to visit her yesterday in the nursing home she is staying at while she recovers and goes through physical therapy. The color has returned to her face, she is able to breath normally, walk very fast (hehe), she has lost some of the excess weight, and her spirit is uplifted! Her son is miraculously still with us, however he is not eating or drinking anything and he won't last long this way. Elsa has already arranged the memorial service for May, his cremation, written the obituary, etc. She is obviously still in pain about it, but I feel that she has found some solice knowing that God is in control. My mother goes in to visit her several times a week, and it brings Elsa so much joy. I'm just so glad to know that she is doing better!
Please still keep my cousin Nikki and her family in your prayers. Her husband, Scott, left for Iraq yesterday and she still has her two small children, Zach and Hannah, to look after while he is gone for another year.Please also keep me in your prayers as I still have some issues that are weighing down on my mind.
God bless you all and if you have anyone to add to the prayer requests, please leave a comment!
God is so GOOD! Last night I was just having a difficult time with all the thoughts my heart and mind were dealing with, and God answers my unrealized prayer. One of my good friends, Rachel, called me and asked if I would want to come over after I got off work and spend some time catching up. I haven't seen her in a few months, and so I went over. I had the best time with her! We had chicken and steamed broccoli while we talked a bit and watched Sense and Sensibility. Given that we both fell asleep before the movie was over since we started it around 2am, but it was so good to be there. God knew that I needed an escape from my own thoughts and gave me Rachel. I would have never thought to text her or ask if she wanted to come over, but God just has a great plan. You think of all the places in the world and the people who live in it...you can think of the universe and it's vast contents...and yet God makes time to take care of each and every one of us, even when we don't ask for it. We are so small and insignificant, but He envelopes us with His love and care. What an awesome God we serve! He has just given me such a peace today. I feel rested, refreshed, and renewed. I know that He is hovering over me, I can feel His calming touch on my heart. He's just telling me to wait and be still and know that He is in charge of all aspects of my life in the present and future. I may worry about the issues on my heart down the road a bit, but I know that He is leading me every step of the way. Yesterday I got frustrated and said that I was upset because I couldn't see what route God wants me to take and if it was different than where my own heart wants to go....the truth dawned on me today. I'm not sure what or where I want to go, and I don't have to see where God is leading me! He will show me in His own time and I just need to be patient and wait. It is so comforting to know that my fate is not in my own hands! What a scary idea!!! It is much safer and better off in the hands of my Lord and Savior. I just need to remain plyable in His hands so that I might be a vessel He can use for His purpose.
On a side note, I have a prayer of thanksgiving. Elsa is doing much much much better! Her physical state is drastically changed since I saw her last. I went to visit her yesterday in the nursing home she is staying at while she recovers and goes through physical therapy. The color has returned to her face, she is able to breath normally, walk very fast (hehe), she has lost some of the excess weight, and her spirit is uplifted! Her son is miraculously still with us, however he is not eating or drinking anything and he won't last long this way. Elsa has already arranged the memorial service for May, his cremation, written the obituary, etc. She is obviously still in pain about it, but I feel that she has found some solice knowing that God is in control. My mother goes in to visit her several times a week, and it brings Elsa so much joy. I'm just so glad to know that she is doing better!
Please still keep my cousin Nikki and her family in your prayers. Her husband, Scott, left for Iraq yesterday and she still has her two small children, Zach and Hannah, to look after while he is gone for another year.Please also keep me in your prayers as I still have some issues that are weighing down on my mind.
God bless you all and if you have anyone to add to the prayer requests, please leave a comment!
fogged up future
So I just got back to KCMO from Rochester, NY today. I'm sorry I couldn't post blogs while I was there, severe lack of internet access. But I had a lovely trip all the same :) It is a hard thing to see where God is guiding you at times....sometimes I think it's because I'm not ready to see what that destination is. I don't mean to make this entry self focused, but I think it is an issue that several of you may be able to relate to. I am currently looking for a grad school, each of which much farther from KCMO.
I struggle with being so far from my family, especially since my sister is going to high school and my parents, but especially my mom, would hate to have me so far from home. I don't know if she will read this or not, but I'm just going to say what I think about it anyways. I worry about her, a lot. I never realized just how similar we are in nature. For the longest time I used to always feel so lonely, but that is what I see going on inside of her now. She seems lonely and my dad works a ton and my little sister, the last of the kids, will be in high school next year. Time just flies, but I am afraid to go so far from KCMO. I feel like she needs me here with her. It's not that I don't want to be with her either, I don't want to live far from them either. But I don't want to ignore God's direction if it is his will that I go somewhere else.I'm trying to see where God is directing me. I don't know if it will be to Rochester or UMKC or who knows where else. I was so ready to get out of KCMO and go to college, but Wichita seems so much like home I can't imagine leaving yet. Part of me wonders if I should go away to grad school for a few years then move back to Wichita or KCMO and try to get a job as an adjunct faculty voice teacher. That way I could be close to home and near a major airport as well. I'm usually very excited and a little bit afraid of what the future holds, but this time around I'm very afraid and a little excited. Strange huh? I know that God will direct me in the way I should go, but sometimes it's hard not to be afraid when we can't see where he's leading us. I still have plenty of time to think about all of these things, but it will take lots of prayer and careful consideration. What I need to do is put ALL of my trust in God. These fears are natural reactions, but they show that I'm not completely trusting Him with these issues.
Prayer requests _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
*Elsa & son, David- for healing spiritually and emotionally
*Nicki, Scott, Zack, & Hannah- Scott is being sent to Iraq tomorrow, pray for him and family and all of their safety while they are apart
*Country and our financial crisis that effects families and individuals
*Me to see clearly what God's will is for my next chapter in life.
I struggle with being so far from my family, especially since my sister is going to high school and my parents, but especially my mom, would hate to have me so far from home. I don't know if she will read this or not, but I'm just going to say what I think about it anyways. I worry about her, a lot. I never realized just how similar we are in nature. For the longest time I used to always feel so lonely, but that is what I see going on inside of her now. She seems lonely and my dad works a ton and my little sister, the last of the kids, will be in high school next year. Time just flies, but I am afraid to go so far from KCMO. I feel like she needs me here with her. It's not that I don't want to be with her either, I don't want to live far from them either. But I don't want to ignore God's direction if it is his will that I go somewhere else.I'm trying to see where God is directing me. I don't know if it will be to Rochester or UMKC or who knows where else. I was so ready to get out of KCMO and go to college, but Wichita seems so much like home I can't imagine leaving yet. Part of me wonders if I should go away to grad school for a few years then move back to Wichita or KCMO and try to get a job as an adjunct faculty voice teacher. That way I could be close to home and near a major airport as well. I'm usually very excited and a little bit afraid of what the future holds, but this time around I'm very afraid and a little excited. Strange huh? I know that God will direct me in the way I should go, but sometimes it's hard not to be afraid when we can't see where he's leading us. I still have plenty of time to think about all of these things, but it will take lots of prayer and careful consideration. What I need to do is put ALL of my trust in God. These fears are natural reactions, but they show that I'm not completely trusting Him with these issues.
Prayer requests _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
*Elsa & son, David- for healing spiritually and emotionally
*Nicki, Scott, Zack, & Hannah- Scott is being sent to Iraq tomorrow, pray for him and family and all of their safety while they are apart
*Country and our financial crisis that effects families and individuals
*Me to see clearly what God's will is for my next chapter in life.
dumbed down religion
Hello all....sorry it's been so long since the last post, but I've had loads to think about. I am currently in Rochester,NY looking at a potential graduate school, Eastman School of Music. It has been absolutely fabulous so far. But enough about me, on to the matter at hand....So I usually go to my own church service before I go to my church jobs on Sunday mornings, simply because I do not get spiritually fed at these other church. Point being I got a surprising shock this past Sunday at the Congregational church I work at. There was a point that the pastor made that just screamed truth to me.We live in such a technologically advanced world. We have progressed so much in this fashion, despite the "dumbing down of america" phase that we've been in and are still in. Despite all of these advances in technology, knowledge, etc....we have not progressed that way in our faith! We have sugar coated the Gospel/ Bible so that we shut our ears to any law. We are so afraid of offending those around us with our religious ideals that we simply don't speak about it at all. The founding fathers of this country came here to further study and practice their religion/faith. Despite what the times tell us, you can not separate church and state. Our government was founded on Christian principles, how can one possibly expect a separation of their government and the beliefs on which they were founded? I'm not saying that we should lash out at people, no! Nor should we try to prove that we are right, however....whatever happened to just religions discussion and study? We shouldn't turn all of it into a debate! Listen to what God says about this in Colossians:
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." -Colossians 4:5-6
Not only have we become a society that has gone against speaking about one's faith, we have also dumbed it down...there is so much to learn, study and discover in God's word!!!! Just jump in and start exploring! Unfortunately I have to sum up this entry rather quickly, but do not be afraid to talk about your beliefs. Just because you speak about it doesn't mean that you have to prove yourself right about everything, however be diligent in your study of God's word and have the occasional religious topical discussions. They are truly eye opening.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _Prayer requests:
-Elsa in the hospital and her dying son. Please pray for healing spiritually and physically for both.
-Scott going back to Iraq this week. Please pray for his safety and protection of him and his family while they are apart.
-Our country and families going under financial crisis.
-A small one for me for safe travels back home on Thursday morning.
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." -Colossians 4:5-6
Not only have we become a society that has gone against speaking about one's faith, we have also dumbed it down...there is so much to learn, study and discover in God's word!!!! Just jump in and start exploring! Unfortunately I have to sum up this entry rather quickly, but do not be afraid to talk about your beliefs. Just because you speak about it doesn't mean that you have to prove yourself right about everything, however be diligent in your study of God's word and have the occasional religious topical discussions. They are truly eye opening.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _Prayer requests:
-Elsa in the hospital and her dying son. Please pray for healing spiritually and physically for both.
-Scott going back to Iraq this week. Please pray for his safety and protection of him and his family while they are apart.
-Our country and families going under financial crisis.
-A small one for me for safe travels back home on Thursday morning.
bad jealousy vs. good jealousy
So...Have you ever wondered why God has described Himself as a "jealous" God?
"Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." -Exodus 34:14
Some dictionary definitions for jealous are as follows:
Jealous- Having to do with or arising from feelings of envy, apprehension, or bitterness.
Jealous-Vigilant in guarding something
Jealous-Intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity; autocratic: a jealous God.
So these can create quite a different meaning depending on the context. In context of our human nature it usually has the connotation of being a sin. We have the mind set of you have something that I want and I wish you harm for it....for an example, anyways. But for God is has a whole different context. I really like the 2nd definition of jealous best. "Vigilant in guarding something" makes the passage from Exodus so moving. God is "intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity". He will become vigilant in guarding your relationship with Him. How increadible is that?!?!?!!!!!!! God loves us so much that He will fight for our relationship with Him. In our sinful nature we can make "idols" out of things in our life; people, work, money, etc. But God will fight vigilantly for us....do you know the exact meaning of the word vigilant? Here's my favorite definition: Vigilant-ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful. God is always alert to when our sinful nature tries to pry us away from our relationship with Him...this is a righteous jealousy! Notice that there is not a drop of evil in this kind of jealousy, it is a pure desire and emotion. We should all strive to have this kind of "good jealousy" in our lives. In turn we should have the same kind of jealous attitude toward our Father. We should be vigilant in protecting and craving our relationship with Him.
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? " -Psalm 42:1-2
This should always be our attitude! I know that the more I discover about my Creator, the more time I want to spend with Him...We will never fully understand God while we are on this earth. We will be able to understand glimses of Him, but this should be all the more reason to search the scriptures to gain knowledge about Him. I hope you all have had a good day. Don't forget that even though the world is full of hardships and difficulties, know that the Lord your God is always with you. Talk to him about what is going on in your life. Tell Him your troubles and give thanks to Him for your blessings. Build that relationship with Him.
Prayer Requests_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
---So I would still like for you all to keep Elsa and her son in your prayers.
---Also my cousin's husband has to go over to Iraq again at the end of the week. This is his 4th deployment, so please keep him, my cousin and their children in your prayers as they prepare to do without him for another 10-11 months.
---I'd like to include an overall prayer for those individuals and families without jobs or income. This is a very rough time in our nation in terms of several things, but finance is a big one. Pray for those families that God would provide as He sees fit. Who knows, maybe you are apart of a way He will provide for them?
"Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." -Exodus 34:14
Some dictionary definitions for jealous are as follows:
Jealous- Having to do with or arising from feelings of envy, apprehension, or bitterness.
Jealous-Vigilant in guarding something
Jealous-Intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity; autocratic: a jealous God.
So these can create quite a different meaning depending on the context. In context of our human nature it usually has the connotation of being a sin. We have the mind set of you have something that I want and I wish you harm for it....for an example, anyways. But for God is has a whole different context. I really like the 2nd definition of jealous best. "Vigilant in guarding something" makes the passage from Exodus so moving. God is "intolerant of disloyalty or infidelity". He will become vigilant in guarding your relationship with Him. How increadible is that?!?!?!!!!!!! God loves us so much that He will fight for our relationship with Him. In our sinful nature we can make "idols" out of things in our life; people, work, money, etc. But God will fight vigilantly for us....do you know the exact meaning of the word vigilant? Here's my favorite definition: Vigilant-ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful. God is always alert to when our sinful nature tries to pry us away from our relationship with Him...this is a righteous jealousy! Notice that there is not a drop of evil in this kind of jealousy, it is a pure desire and emotion. We should all strive to have this kind of "good jealousy" in our lives. In turn we should have the same kind of jealous attitude toward our Father. We should be vigilant in protecting and craving our relationship with Him.
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? " -Psalm 42:1-2
This should always be our attitude! I know that the more I discover about my Creator, the more time I want to spend with Him...We will never fully understand God while we are on this earth. We will be able to understand glimses of Him, but this should be all the more reason to search the scriptures to gain knowledge about Him. I hope you all have had a good day. Don't forget that even though the world is full of hardships and difficulties, know that the Lord your God is always with you. Talk to him about what is going on in your life. Tell Him your troubles and give thanks to Him for your blessings. Build that relationship with Him.
Prayer Requests_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
---So I would still like for you all to keep Elsa and her son in your prayers.
---Also my cousin's husband has to go over to Iraq again at the end of the week. This is his 4th deployment, so please keep him, my cousin and their children in your prayers as they prepare to do without him for another 10-11 months.
---I'd like to include an overall prayer for those individuals and families without jobs or income. This is a very rough time in our nation in terms of several things, but finance is a big one. Pray for those families that God would provide as He sees fit. Who knows, maybe you are apart of a way He will provide for them?
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