Late last night Seth and I were talking about how crazy it is that Christmas has already come and gone. While we were quietly pondering the situation I had an overwhelming longing for the end of this world. As I stared off down the street and at the Christmas lights, I felt like I was in a place I didn't belong...like this world was not my home.
I was consumed with the notion that we were not made for the anxious feelings of having to work on Monday, or being away from our loved ones for extended periods of time beyond our control. Although we live in a free country, are we? What is so freeing about working for money so you can purchase food to feed your family that you barely get to spend time with? We were not made for this.
For the first time, I knew what Christmas was about. There is nothing definitive in the Bible that tells us when Jesus was actually born, although you can get close by studying the Jewish and Hebrew calendars and by reading the chapter of Luke. Christmas is not so much about the actual birth of Christ, or when, but WHY.
Jesus was born in our world for the sole purpose of delivering us from sin. He was, and is, the perfect example of a sinless being, and yet he was put to death. I cannot do the justice of explaining how incredible a gift this was, and is, for all of us. Every day millions of people are in desperation and hopelessness... if they could only see the God that could save them.
I lay in my bed last night praying, and tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt a true remorse for the things I had done in my life, and a real desire to be with my Savior. It was the first time since I was saved that the Spirit had filled me like that, and the only time that I had longed so deeply to be with God.
I pray that the feeling will never leave me, and that the Spirit will continually fill me. I am not sad to be here with my loved ones. I am just hopeful for Christ's return, and his establishment on this earth as Lord. I am anxious for every knee to bow, and every tongue to confess that He is Lord of all.
***
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Super Mom!
Last Sunday we woke up as usual and started preparing for the day: church, lunch, hanging out, etc. I was holding Ethan when he suddenly looked very ill. I looked him in the eyes and said, "are you OK?" He said, "I am going to barf!" No sooner had I set him down when it started to happen. I reached out my hands in a cup shape and caught the barf coming out of his mouth.
This may seem pretty disgusting, but really I hadn't even thought about what I was doing..it was a reflex. I was amazed at how fast my body took over, and kinda disgusted as well....but the barf never made it to the carpet. I guess it is all just part of being the mom. You never know when instinct and lightning fast reflexes will take over!
Have you ever considered what Mary went thru with Jesus? Talk about a Super Mom! One day she is minding her own business, and the next day an angel comes to tell her that she will be carrying the Son of God....whoa...that is pretty heavy. Not only will she be pregnant, with God, but she will raise Him, as any other family would do. She will be responsible for Him. She will nurture Him. She will hold His hand.
Can you even imagine getting a chance to hold Christ's hand? I get giddy just thinking about it! I hope we all get a chance to spend some real quality time with our Savior in Heaven...and not just to talk, but to revel in His glory.
There isn't too much info on Mary in the Bible. The one part that stands out to me is when the family takes it's yearly trip to Jerusalem to the feast. After the feast is over the family, and all their relatives start to travel home. They make it a whole day away from Jerusalem when they realize that Jesus (a small boy at the time) is not with them.
Being a mother myself, I can't even begin to fathom how Mary felt! I'm sure she was in a state of panic, and unfortunately there were no planes, trains or automobiles to get her back to where Jesus might be. She had to walk, with everyone else, back the days journey to search an entire city to find her son.
What would you do when you found him? If it were me, he would have gotten in BIG trouble. Mary and Joseph reacted a bit differently.
Luke 2:46 "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them."
Did you catch that first part? Three days! As if being the mother of the Son of God wasn't going to be difficult enough, you have to let Him go, and be part of the bigger picture. I think Mary knew this going into it, although in this particular passage both her and Joseph were confused at why Jesus would need to be in the temple. It was probably much later that they realized, for the 1,000th time, I'm sure, that He WAS the Son of God, and He needed to be learning, and teaching. I have a whole new respect for her after pondering what she must have gone thru.
Christmas will be here tomorrow, and then another year will begin. My baby boy will be 4, and I will be that much closer to having to let him go. For now I must trust in the Lord to watch over him, and lead him down the path that he must travel. I pray that some day he, too, will ask Christ to be his Savior. Until then, I will hold him tight, and teach him all I can about God and His great plans.
***
This may seem pretty disgusting, but really I hadn't even thought about what I was doing..it was a reflex. I was amazed at how fast my body took over, and kinda disgusted as well....but the barf never made it to the carpet. I guess it is all just part of being the mom. You never know when instinct and lightning fast reflexes will take over!
Have you ever considered what Mary went thru with Jesus? Talk about a Super Mom! One day she is minding her own business, and the next day an angel comes to tell her that she will be carrying the Son of God....whoa...that is pretty heavy. Not only will she be pregnant, with God, but she will raise Him, as any other family would do. She will be responsible for Him. She will nurture Him. She will hold His hand.
Can you even imagine getting a chance to hold Christ's hand? I get giddy just thinking about it! I hope we all get a chance to spend some real quality time with our Savior in Heaven...and not just to talk, but to revel in His glory.
There isn't too much info on Mary in the Bible. The one part that stands out to me is when the family takes it's yearly trip to Jerusalem to the feast. After the feast is over the family, and all their relatives start to travel home. They make it a whole day away from Jerusalem when they realize that Jesus (a small boy at the time) is not with them.
Being a mother myself, I can't even begin to fathom how Mary felt! I'm sure she was in a state of panic, and unfortunately there were no planes, trains or automobiles to get her back to where Jesus might be. She had to walk, with everyone else, back the days journey to search an entire city to find her son.
What would you do when you found him? If it were me, he would have gotten in BIG trouble. Mary and Joseph reacted a bit differently.
Luke 2:46 "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them."
Did you catch that first part? Three days! As if being the mother of the Son of God wasn't going to be difficult enough, you have to let Him go, and be part of the bigger picture. I think Mary knew this going into it, although in this particular passage both her and Joseph were confused at why Jesus would need to be in the temple. It was probably much later that they realized, for the 1,000th time, I'm sure, that He WAS the Son of God, and He needed to be learning, and teaching. I have a whole new respect for her after pondering what she must have gone thru.
Christmas will be here tomorrow, and then another year will begin. My baby boy will be 4, and I will be that much closer to having to let him go. For now I must trust in the Lord to watch over him, and lead him down the path that he must travel. I pray that some day he, too, will ask Christ to be his Savior. Until then, I will hold him tight, and teach him all I can about God and His great plans.
***
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Scarred for Life
I had to have some small surgery on my arm a few months ago. There is now a pretty noticeable scar on my arm...and sometimes I forget that it is there....but then I will be looking in the mirror and there it is. It reminds me of what I went thru.
Have you ever seen some random person in line at the store with a huge scar on their face and wondered what happened? I sometimes make up stories in my head about what horrible tragedy that person must have gone thru, and how they are thankful to be alive. How interesting it would be to actually get the chance to ask them what happened, and hear their story!
Even more interesting would be to ask all the people in line, scarred or not, what they have been thru in their lives. You might hear a story of a small town girl who moved to the big city, or of a man who had nearly died riding his motorcycle.
This past Sunday I took pictures at our church during the Baptisms. We do it a little differently.. you only get baptized when you feel ready to, and the baptisms take place after the third service every couple of months. There were 15 volunteers to be baptized this time. The last participant was a perfectly normal looking lady...she came on stage and took the microphone. She started telling the small crowd that she had a near death experience the past year. She was clinically dead, and instead of seeing a bright light, she was consumed in darkness, and felt cold and alone....and in pain.
Her testimony was inspiring to listen to. She accepted Christ after her experience, and has had opportunities to spread her message. She had no obvious scars, and she looked just like any one else that you might see shopping in the aisle next to you at the store.
So what if you don't have a scar, but you want to tell the world what has happened to you, without having to prompt the conversation? What if I want to tell everyone I come in contact with about my love for God, and my peace thru Jesus?
I will soon be scarred for life. I will be getting a new tattoo. *shock and awe!* Yes, I know...it is such a faux pas...but, I love tattoos..and I love my Savior. I've been thinking about it for the past couple months, and after today, I got the confirmation I needed to proceed.
I prayed that God would give me an answer as to whether this was a good idea or not. The next day I proposed the idea to the girls at work. There was definitely some shock! They asked me, "What if you change your mind about God?" My answer.. "I won't". Today, there was a post on Facebook about tattoos and being Christian. The condensed version is that if you do anything to yourself, it should be to further your love and sharing of Christ.
I am going to get a scripture verse on my left forearm from elbow to wrist. The verse has been written in this blog several times..and it just keeps coming up. I decided that this was the tattoo I wanted several weeks ago, but wasn't sure if I should do it. There will never be an excuse again for me to shy away when the Spirit prompts me to speak to someone...cause chances are, they will have already noticed the writing on my arm.
I will be scarred for life...for Christ.
***
Have you ever seen some random person in line at the store with a huge scar on their face and wondered what happened? I sometimes make up stories in my head about what horrible tragedy that person must have gone thru, and how they are thankful to be alive. How interesting it would be to actually get the chance to ask them what happened, and hear their story!
Even more interesting would be to ask all the people in line, scarred or not, what they have been thru in their lives. You might hear a story of a small town girl who moved to the big city, or of a man who had nearly died riding his motorcycle.
This past Sunday I took pictures at our church during the Baptisms. We do it a little differently.. you only get baptized when you feel ready to, and the baptisms take place after the third service every couple of months. There were 15 volunteers to be baptized this time. The last participant was a perfectly normal looking lady...she came on stage and took the microphone. She started telling the small crowd that she had a near death experience the past year. She was clinically dead, and instead of seeing a bright light, she was consumed in darkness, and felt cold and alone....and in pain.
Her testimony was inspiring to listen to. She accepted Christ after her experience, and has had opportunities to spread her message. She had no obvious scars, and she looked just like any one else that you might see shopping in the aisle next to you at the store.
So what if you don't have a scar, but you want to tell the world what has happened to you, without having to prompt the conversation? What if I want to tell everyone I come in contact with about my love for God, and my peace thru Jesus?
I will soon be scarred for life. I will be getting a new tattoo. *shock and awe!* Yes, I know...it is such a faux pas...but, I love tattoos..and I love my Savior. I've been thinking about it for the past couple months, and after today, I got the confirmation I needed to proceed.
I prayed that God would give me an answer as to whether this was a good idea or not. The next day I proposed the idea to the girls at work. There was definitely some shock! They asked me, "What if you change your mind about God?" My answer.. "I won't". Today, there was a post on Facebook about tattoos and being Christian. The condensed version is that if you do anything to yourself, it should be to further your love and sharing of Christ.
I am going to get a scripture verse on my left forearm from elbow to wrist. The verse has been written in this blog several times..and it just keeps coming up. I decided that this was the tattoo I wanted several weeks ago, but wasn't sure if I should do it. There will never be an excuse again for me to shy away when the Spirit prompts me to speak to someone...cause chances are, they will have already noticed the writing on my arm.
I will be scarred for life...for Christ.
***
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thirsty?
I woke up on Friday morning to my alarm, and purposefully turned it off. I lay there...thinking about the things that would go on that day..and pondering over my troubles; where are we gonna find the money to travel for the holidays..what if Ethan gives me a hard time this morning and I'm late again...the usual. I picked up my phone and scrolled thru the headlines.
The first one that caught my eye was about a family that had been brutally murdered and stuffed into a hollowed out tree. WHOA! Hold everything! Talk about an instant wake up call to pull me back to the reality of the world around me. Now my thoughts were changing; thank God for my family...I just want to spend one more minute with my son!
I saw another headline about the horrible outbreak of Cholera in Haiti. Over 18,000 people are now affected, and homeless since the earthquake there. I looked around and praised God for the roof over my head, and for the comfortable bed I was laying in.
I think you see where I am going with this. Most days we walk around stuck in our own bubbles..concerned about what others think of us, or how we can fix a mundane annoyance in our lives...but we seldom stop to put ourselves in the shoes of those less fortunate. We are too busy thinking about what is next, and never content with what we are already fortunate to have.
In John 4 an account is told of Jesus sitting by a well. A woman approaches the well to draw water. She is a Samaritan (considered unclean to Jews), and of course, Jesus is Jewish. He asks her to give him a drink. She is confused at the request because she can tell he is Jewish, and asks Jesus why he would even want her to get him water. He replies that if she knew who was asking her for a drink that she would in turn ask for Him to give her a drink.
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Christians are no different that anyone else when it comes to wanting more, however, there is a certain peace and fulfillment that comes when you accept Jesus as your Savior. In those times when I am concerned about how we will be able to afford a trip to Nana's house, I am comforted by the knowledge that God will make provisions for us.
In the same manner, I have come to understand that God allows things to happen to us, that we may not understand, to strengthen us, and mold us into the person He needs us to be. We will all serve a purpose, even if you don't believe in God. In our Christian infancy we are molded thru trials and the pursuit of more of His Spirit. As non-believers, we are molded thru trials that lead us on the path to our reason for being, be it good or bad, or as an example for others.
In longing for the things of this world, we are proving the need for something more. There is a God sized hole in our hearts, and until you fill it, your thirst will never be quenched.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
***
The first one that caught my eye was about a family that had been brutally murdered and stuffed into a hollowed out tree. WHOA! Hold everything! Talk about an instant wake up call to pull me back to the reality of the world around me. Now my thoughts were changing; thank God for my family...I just want to spend one more minute with my son!
I saw another headline about the horrible outbreak of Cholera in Haiti. Over 18,000 people are now affected, and homeless since the earthquake there. I looked around and praised God for the roof over my head, and for the comfortable bed I was laying in.
I think you see where I am going with this. Most days we walk around stuck in our own bubbles..concerned about what others think of us, or how we can fix a mundane annoyance in our lives...but we seldom stop to put ourselves in the shoes of those less fortunate. We are too busy thinking about what is next, and never content with what we are already fortunate to have.
In John 4 an account is told of Jesus sitting by a well. A woman approaches the well to draw water. She is a Samaritan (considered unclean to Jews), and of course, Jesus is Jewish. He asks her to give him a drink. She is confused at the request because she can tell he is Jewish, and asks Jesus why he would even want her to get him water. He replies that if she knew who was asking her for a drink that she would in turn ask for Him to give her a drink.
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Christians are no different that anyone else when it comes to wanting more, however, there is a certain peace and fulfillment that comes when you accept Jesus as your Savior. In those times when I am concerned about how we will be able to afford a trip to Nana's house, I am comforted by the knowledge that God will make provisions for us.
In the same manner, I have come to understand that God allows things to happen to us, that we may not understand, to strengthen us, and mold us into the person He needs us to be. We will all serve a purpose, even if you don't believe in God. In our Christian infancy we are molded thru trials and the pursuit of more of His Spirit. As non-believers, we are molded thru trials that lead us on the path to our reason for being, be it good or bad, or as an example for others.
In longing for the things of this world, we are proving the need for something more. There is a God sized hole in our hearts, and until you fill it, your thirst will never be quenched.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
***
Thursday, November 11, 2010
WHY?
I was listening to a sermon a couple days ago where the pastor was talking about his friend (we will call him Frank) who had just gotten back from a trip to China. Frank had observed that even in this imperialistic country, there was a Christian revolution happening. Frank visited the underground churches there, and was talking to a young girl at one of them.
The young girl asked him, "Why aren't all Americans Christian?"
This is a very good question..and one I would like to ponder upon. So, I posed the question to an average American, and their response was, "Well, because it is a free country, and we can decide on what religion, or non-religion we want to be a part of".
This answer seems logical and true..however, if you take the question from the girl, and put yourself in her shoes, isn't she really asking, "Why would any American choose another religion, when they can be Christian?" You see, this girl lives in a place where you are not allowed free will to choose what to worship. She was gracefully given the opportunity to hear Christ's message, and she is now a 'closet Christian'. Not because it was the only other option, but because she heard the truth, and opened her heart to receive it.
It is hard for most to understand why people who 'believe' in God try to 'push' themselves and their 'religion' on others. I want to try and explain my motivation, if you should ever cross my path, and start to talk about God.
My only advice for you is to not take His calling lightly. God will try to come into your life, and He will put you in situations where you can make the decision to open your heart to Christ....but one day, the opportunities will cease. Don't let Him pass you by.
***
The young girl asked him, "Why aren't all Americans Christian?"
This is a very good question..and one I would like to ponder upon. So, I posed the question to an average American, and their response was, "Well, because it is a free country, and we can decide on what religion, or non-religion we want to be a part of".
This answer seems logical and true..however, if you take the question from the girl, and put yourself in her shoes, isn't she really asking, "Why would any American choose another religion, when they can be Christian?" You see, this girl lives in a place where you are not allowed free will to choose what to worship. She was gracefully given the opportunity to hear Christ's message, and she is now a 'closet Christian'. Not because it was the only other option, but because she heard the truth, and opened her heart to receive it.
It is hard for most to understand why people who 'believe' in God try to 'push' themselves and their 'religion' on others. I want to try and explain my motivation, if you should ever cross my path, and start to talk about God.
- I do 'believe' in God...but that is not what makes me Christian. Even Satan believes in God...he used to be the worship leader in Heaven! What makes me Christian is the fact that I have let go of who I once was, and instead, ask Christ to be my Savior, and I live for Him.
- I am not trying to 'push' my 'religion' on you. I LOVE my God, and I desire that everyone know Him the way that I do. If a topic of conversation comes up where I have the opportunity to speak about God, you better believe I am going to! That doesn't mean that you MUST do as I do...if I can simply talk about what makes me happy, then you should be glad to talk to me about it. It's like someone telling me how much they love their child..don't you want to know how much I love my child..or is this a one sided conversation?
- 'Religion' is not the correct term to describe what I have gotten myself into. Religion is defined as a commitment to a religious faith or observance. I have not made a commitment to Christianity...I have given my heart over to God. My relationship with God is just that..a relationship. I talk to Him on a regular basis (prayer), and He talks back. Sometimes he answers my questions thru other people telling me something random that they would have never talked about, but suddenly they have the urge to tell me. Sometimes He answers me with things that happen, like a new job or friend, or a dream. After your first Godly experience, faith is not even an issue..you just know that God is there!
My only advice for you is to not take His calling lightly. God will try to come into your life, and He will put you in situations where you can make the decision to open your heart to Christ....but one day, the opportunities will cease. Don't let Him pass you by.
***
Monday, November 8, 2010
Square!
We sat down to watch a show together tonight..something rare in our household. I was taken aback by the cussing, sexual references, and just bad humor. This show used to crack me up, and now it made me sad. The thing that made me laugh the hardest was when one of the characters played dumb and didn't understand what the other one was saying.
For the past 8 months my life has been changed...and for the better. To the outsider I may seem prude. I can't watch 'funny' movies, because what used to be funny is now considered dumb. Instead, movies, television, and media have opted for the updated version of funny...sex and murder. Does this seem crazy to anyone else?
My co-worker today was telling me about a new Jack in the Box commercial that was imitating an erectile dysfunction add. Do we really need someones private parts mentioned in a humorous way to help sell us a hamburger? It seems as though the farther away I try to get from these things, the more they impact me when I see them.
Even worse was an article from the increasingly popular "The Onion" website. Granted, it is satire..but there comes a time when even a fiction writer can cross a line. The story was making fun of a man who had repented of his sins and accepted Christ as his savior while in prison. While the author talks about how he knows that Jesus has forgiven him, he says stuff like, "I don't regret when I was strangling that little child while the mother was watching, because now I know that I am going to Heaven." Trust me..it was much more descriptive than what I just wrote.
This article was posted on a Facebook page, and unfortunately I read it..and then was very offended and wrote that on the person's wall. It turned into a 50 comment bashing of my Christian beliefs because I didn't think it was funny..at all.
Hmmmm....maybe there is something to this. Is it possible for the American people be so morally subjected every day, and still maintain an un-sinful lifestyle? Has sin become the new wholesome family pastime? With technology exponentially changing and every question answerable at our fingertips, with adds popping up all around for Viagra, diet pills, and such, how can we avoid it? Do we really want to avoid it?
I do. You may call me a square...oh wait, you wouldn't because that would be too old school. Our nation is becoming desensitized to sin. The generations emerging as young adults are doomed from the beginning. I shudder to think of how Ethan will be treated in the world as a teenager. If I can raise him correctly, no doubt, he will be cast out because of his beliefs.
Lord, be with our children. Put an overwhelming sense in them to get far far away from the evil things of this world. Instead let them be drawn to the glory of your son.
***
For the past 8 months my life has been changed...and for the better. To the outsider I may seem prude. I can't watch 'funny' movies, because what used to be funny is now considered dumb. Instead, movies, television, and media have opted for the updated version of funny...sex and murder. Does this seem crazy to anyone else?
My co-worker today was telling me about a new Jack in the Box commercial that was imitating an erectile dysfunction add. Do we really need someones private parts mentioned in a humorous way to help sell us a hamburger? It seems as though the farther away I try to get from these things, the more they impact me when I see them.
Even worse was an article from the increasingly popular "The Onion" website. Granted, it is satire..but there comes a time when even a fiction writer can cross a line. The story was making fun of a man who had repented of his sins and accepted Christ as his savior while in prison. While the author talks about how he knows that Jesus has forgiven him, he says stuff like, "I don't regret when I was strangling that little child while the mother was watching, because now I know that I am going to Heaven." Trust me..it was much more descriptive than what I just wrote.
This article was posted on a Facebook page, and unfortunately I read it..and then was very offended and wrote that on the person's wall. It turned into a 50 comment bashing of my Christian beliefs because I didn't think it was funny..at all.
Hmmmm....maybe there is something to this. Is it possible for the American people be so morally subjected every day, and still maintain an un-sinful lifestyle? Has sin become the new wholesome family pastime? With technology exponentially changing and every question answerable at our fingertips, with adds popping up all around for Viagra, diet pills, and such, how can we avoid it? Do we really want to avoid it?
I do. You may call me a square...oh wait, you wouldn't because that would be too old school. Our nation is becoming desensitized to sin. The generations emerging as young adults are doomed from the beginning. I shudder to think of how Ethan will be treated in the world as a teenager. If I can raise him correctly, no doubt, he will be cast out because of his beliefs.
Lord, be with our children. Put an overwhelming sense in them to get far far away from the evil things of this world. Instead let them be drawn to the glory of your son.
***
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Prophetic Dreams
Lately I have been thinking about the idea that was presented to me about making a book with people's testimonies and their pictures. I prayed for God to tell me if this was even supposed to happen.
Last night we had a mini Thanksgiving because my sis was in town. So the whole family (my side) got together for the first time since last Christmas! It's really not that many people, but we are all slightly crazy, so when we are all in one room, it makes you kinda anxious...or something.
I got into a conversation with my uncle, and he told me he had recently been poking around my Facebook photography page. He had a dream shortly after that I had created a coffee table book of photos of churches. There were lots of details, even down to who published it.
Now, if you have kept up with me, you will know that I had been given an idea to create a book of people from the church, and their testimonies. How crazy is that?! I was shocked, to say the least..but that is how God works! You pray, and ask for a sign, and BOOM! He gives it to you!
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." Acts 2:17
As if this wasn't awesome enough, it was even more so to hear that my uncle and his wife were saved. I went to bed happy, and began praying. While I was thanking God for this dream, the idea came to go ahead with the pictures of churches, and sneak in the testimonies in between. What better way to get so many people's attention!
Another cool thing about all of this, is that I have had this urge to take pictures of churches since I started doing photography...and now I know why! So, I am already ahead..I have LOTS of pictures to use already!
So...if you would like to include your testimony in the 'coffee table book'..please send me an email: kristy@kristymapp.com
***
Last night we had a mini Thanksgiving because my sis was in town. So the whole family (my side) got together for the first time since last Christmas! It's really not that many people, but we are all slightly crazy, so when we are all in one room, it makes you kinda anxious...or something.
I got into a conversation with my uncle, and he told me he had recently been poking around my Facebook photography page. He had a dream shortly after that I had created a coffee table book of photos of churches. There were lots of details, even down to who published it.
Now, if you have kept up with me, you will know that I had been given an idea to create a book of people from the church, and their testimonies. How crazy is that?! I was shocked, to say the least..but that is how God works! You pray, and ask for a sign, and BOOM! He gives it to you!
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." Acts 2:17
As if this wasn't awesome enough, it was even more so to hear that my uncle and his wife were saved. I went to bed happy, and began praying. While I was thanking God for this dream, the idea came to go ahead with the pictures of churches, and sneak in the testimonies in between. What better way to get so many people's attention!
Another cool thing about all of this, is that I have had this urge to take pictures of churches since I started doing photography...and now I know why! So, I am already ahead..I have LOTS of pictures to use already!
So...if you would like to include your testimony in the 'coffee table book'..please send me an email: kristy@kristymapp.com
***
Friday, October 22, 2010
La La Land
I just wanted to point out some of the topics you can find right now on CNN.com. I find it incredibly alarming to see the direction this world is headed in.
Headlines (with typical American reaction):
What is most shocking to me is the mix of headlines: death, more death, things that no one really cares about, celeb gossip, possible death, things that impact the all important TV, certain death, impulse buying, more celeb gossip, science, and of course Facebook. Do you think people in India care about what is happening to Lindsay Lohan?
Is it just me, or are we (The United States, and similar cultures) in La La Land? Sure, we keep up with what is going on in the rest of the world, but do we really care? When I was a kid, we would stay for the summer at my grandmother's house. She always had the TV on, and mostly the news. It used to scare me then, I can only imagine how kids feel now.
I used to disagree that the TV had anything to do with kids becoming desensitized to violence...and now...I am positive that it IS the reason. I have a 3 year old that gets glued to the TV no matter what is on. He knows all about how to die, and how to kill someone. Scary thought.
Our philosophy towards the world is 'it's all about me, and I really don't care what you are doing, as long as I am not effected.' I have some sad news for you friends, you are being effected. The more we turn a blind eye to those in need, the more we focus on ourselves, and pride sets in.
This brings me to my most important point. We recently read the book of Obadiah in the Bible, of which I want to point out some verses. Try inserting the U.S. in place of Edom....
The Coming Judgment on Edom
1 The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom
(We have heard a report from the LORD,
And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying,
“ Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”):
2 “ Behold, I will make you small among the nations;
You shall be greatly despised.
3 The pride of your heart has deceived you,
You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high;
You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’
4 Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” says the LORD.
7 All the men in your confederacy shall force you to the border;
The men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you.
Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you.
No one is aware of it.
15 “ For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near;
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.
16 For as you drank on My holy mountain,
So shall all the nations drink continually;
Yes, they shall drink, and swallow,
And they shall be as though they had never been.
Are you scared yet? Let me help you find some peace in an ever increasing world of death and destruction. Simply put, and told by God through man:
Matthew 11:
Jesus Gives True Rest
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
***
Headlines (with typical American reaction):
- Cholera kills 138 in 48 hours (oh my! Well, at least it isn't happening here!)
- 400 trapped by rock slides in Taiwan (Whoa! I hope they have some video of it so I can see it!)
- Opinion: NPR right to fire Juan Williams (Who cares?)
- Lohan to stay in rehab until January (Poor girl, she is just trying to live the American Dream!)
- Hurricane watch for Honduras (That sucks!)
- Google TV blocked by big networks (What! That is outrageous! I'm calling my senator!)
- Deadly disease to hit more of U.S. (What is this...oh..Diabetes..well, I will just go work out some more...and then I won't have to worry about it..at least for myself..those other people need to take better care of themselves!)
- HP finally releases its 'iPad killer' (Awesome! I'll be first in line at the store!)
- Lisa Marie: Michael couldn't be saved (Tragedy!)
- Gwyneth Paltrow's gone country? (What! Well, I don't like her anymore!)
- Yep, moon has water. (Cool...wonder when we will live there?!)
- Cheerleader out after Facebook pic (That's retarded.)
What is most shocking to me is the mix of headlines: death, more death, things that no one really cares about, celeb gossip, possible death, things that impact the all important TV, certain death, impulse buying, more celeb gossip, science, and of course Facebook. Do you think people in India care about what is happening to Lindsay Lohan?
Is it just me, or are we (The United States, and similar cultures) in La La Land? Sure, we keep up with what is going on in the rest of the world, but do we really care? When I was a kid, we would stay for the summer at my grandmother's house. She always had the TV on, and mostly the news. It used to scare me then, I can only imagine how kids feel now.
I used to disagree that the TV had anything to do with kids becoming desensitized to violence...and now...I am positive that it IS the reason. I have a 3 year old that gets glued to the TV no matter what is on. He knows all about how to die, and how to kill someone. Scary thought.
Our philosophy towards the world is 'it's all about me, and I really don't care what you are doing, as long as I am not effected.' I have some sad news for you friends, you are being effected. The more we turn a blind eye to those in need, the more we focus on ourselves, and pride sets in.
This brings me to my most important point. We recently read the book of Obadiah in the Bible, of which I want to point out some verses. Try inserting the U.S. in place of Edom....
The Coming Judgment on Edom
1 The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom
(We have heard a report from the LORD,
And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying,
“ Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”):
2 “ Behold, I will make you small among the nations;
You shall be greatly despised.
3 The pride of your heart has deceived you,
You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high;
You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’
4 Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” says the LORD.
7 All the men in your confederacy shall force you to the border;
The men at peace with you shall deceive you and prevail against you.
Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you.
No one is aware of it.
15 “ For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near;
As you have done, it shall be done to you;
Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.
16 For as you drank on My holy mountain,
So shall all the nations drink continually;
Yes, they shall drink, and swallow,
And they shall be as though they had never been.
Are you scared yet? Let me help you find some peace in an ever increasing world of death and destruction. Simply put, and told by God through man:
Matthew 11:
Jesus Gives True Rest
25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
***
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
How Selfish of Me!
It is no secret that I am addicted to Facebook. I check it approx. every 5 minutes. Not to mention that I also check my website stats to see if anyone has been poking around..and the hotmail account...and this blog, and anything else that will inflate my head just a bit. (I checked my FB 5 times during the writing of this!)
It's hard not to. Something interesting has happened lately, though. Because I check my Facebook so often, I get to see what everyone else is posting, that I would have missed before. I have met some new friends, and had the pleasure of talking to some of them about our shared love of Christ.
There is also lots of prayer requesting going on in the land of Facebook. A couple weeks ago one of my new friends posted a photo of a baby girl who was in the hospital, and close to death. I tell you, it is not possible to see something like that and NOT stop immediately to pray.
Sometimes I call Facebook the devil, because there have been several times when I have posted something about being a Christian and gotten nasty responses. Lately, the devil has subsided, and angels are abounding. This poor, sweet baby girl has been blessed by God on several occasions, and it is being witnessed by hundreds online.
The most notable, and recent observation was a prayer posted on her wall about giving the doctors wisdom. The day after that prayer, a new doctor arrived who specializes in her condition. What a blessing to witness miracles taking place. My prayers are with this baby girl, that she will grow strong and healthy, and always be comforted, and shielded from pain.
I think sometimes in our selfishness we can become humbled. Not by our own accounts, but by God's. If you choose to go one way God says ok, well then THIS! If you go the other, then THIS! Life's lessons aren't always learned by trial and error. Sometimes you can be sitting on your butt all day and learn something.
Right now I am struggling between focusing on my photography and getting enough time in God's Word. I try to start every morning reading the Bible...and for the past 2 weeks, I have been doing pretty good. My fault: looking at Facebook before the Bible. What am I thinking?!!
Lord, clear my mind from my thoughts, and instead place yours. For only in you will I find the answers, and only through you will I get my satisfaction.
***
If you would like to post a prayer for baby Brinley or check on her status, go here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001662005886
It's hard not to. Something interesting has happened lately, though. Because I check my Facebook so often, I get to see what everyone else is posting, that I would have missed before. I have met some new friends, and had the pleasure of talking to some of them about our shared love of Christ.
There is also lots of prayer requesting going on in the land of Facebook. A couple weeks ago one of my new friends posted a photo of a baby girl who was in the hospital, and close to death. I tell you, it is not possible to see something like that and NOT stop immediately to pray.
Sometimes I call Facebook the devil, because there have been several times when I have posted something about being a Christian and gotten nasty responses. Lately, the devil has subsided, and angels are abounding. This poor, sweet baby girl has been blessed by God on several occasions, and it is being witnessed by hundreds online.
The most notable, and recent observation was a prayer posted on her wall about giving the doctors wisdom. The day after that prayer, a new doctor arrived who specializes in her condition. What a blessing to witness miracles taking place. My prayers are with this baby girl, that she will grow strong and healthy, and always be comforted, and shielded from pain.
I think sometimes in our selfishness we can become humbled. Not by our own accounts, but by God's. If you choose to go one way God says ok, well then THIS! If you go the other, then THIS! Life's lessons aren't always learned by trial and error. Sometimes you can be sitting on your butt all day and learn something.
Right now I am struggling between focusing on my photography and getting enough time in God's Word. I try to start every morning reading the Bible...and for the past 2 weeks, I have been doing pretty good. My fault: looking at Facebook before the Bible. What am I thinking?!!
Lord, clear my mind from my thoughts, and instead place yours. For only in you will I find the answers, and only through you will I get my satisfaction.
***
If you would like to post a prayer for baby Brinley or check on her status, go here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001662005886
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Pray for 'Christians'
I received an email from a Muslim friend of mine with a video attached. The video was in response to the "Quran book burning" that was supposed to take place. The woman on the video was one of the ministers of First Community Church in Ohio.
While I agreed with her that we should break down the barriers and stereotypes we have put on Islam, I did not agree with her when she said, "We should all go out, buy Qurans, read them, and follow their paths to love". She harps on the fact that she is a Christian.
I am personally astounded by this. How can you call yourself a Christian when you decide to read the Quran and follow it's teaching? One of the main points in the Quran is that Muhammad is the last prophet in the line of the greats; Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus & his disciples. If you live for Christ, and you have felt the power of the Holy Spirit, you have then surely come to realize that the Bible is whole and complete. No need for another prophet.
Below are the beliefs of the church the minister came from, as well as the Unitarian church founded in the heart of Houston. I am writing this not to show the faults of others, but to show you how close the enemy is to you. Pray for our city, our country, and our fellow 'Christians'. What is most disturbing to me is the children that are raised to believe that they will go to Heaven because they are in a church environment. We should not only be reaching out to people less fortunate than ourselves, but to our neighboors, who believe whole-heartedly, that they are following the right path to salvation.
First Community Church
is "the church of the infinite quest," as described in 1924 by The Reverend M. H. Lichliter of First Congregational Church. Remaining true to that spirit, our church believes …
First Unitarian Universalist Church
We believe that spiritual understanding is a lifelong journey and we encourage our children, youth and adults to be curious and explore.
Inspired by beauty, nature, science, great writers, religious texts, we gain insight from many sources.
Believing in the inherent worth and dignity of each individual, we celebrate the individuals experience of spirituality.
With a history of activism and social justice, we find ways to put our faith into action.
Unitarian Universalism is a faith that welcomes people of diverse ages, sexual orientation, gender identities, theologies, ethnic backgrounds and religious heritages.
From all over this great sprawling city our members find their way on Sunday morning to be together. We are theists, humanists, atheists, agnostics, pagans, doubters and seekers sitting in the pews together so that we may stand and sing, reflect on our lives and find strength to be our best selves as we head back out into the weekdays of our lives.
---------
Matthew 7:
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
While I agreed with her that we should break down the barriers and stereotypes we have put on Islam, I did not agree with her when she said, "We should all go out, buy Qurans, read them, and follow their paths to love". She harps on the fact that she is a Christian.
I am personally astounded by this. How can you call yourself a Christian when you decide to read the Quran and follow it's teaching? One of the main points in the Quran is that Muhammad is the last prophet in the line of the greats; Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus & his disciples. If you live for Christ, and you have felt the power of the Holy Spirit, you have then surely come to realize that the Bible is whole and complete. No need for another prophet.
Below are the beliefs of the church the minister came from, as well as the Unitarian church founded in the heart of Houston. I am writing this not to show the faults of others, but to show you how close the enemy is to you. Pray for our city, our country, and our fellow 'Christians'. What is most disturbing to me is the children that are raised to believe that they will go to Heaven because they are in a church environment. We should not only be reaching out to people less fortunate than ourselves, but to our neighboors, who believe whole-heartedly, that they are following the right path to salvation.
First Community Church
is "the church of the infinite quest," as described in 1924 by The Reverend M. H. Lichliter of First Congregational Church. Remaining true to that spirit, our church believes …
- All people are included in God's unconditional love and grace.
- In Jesus Christ whose life revealed God's love at work in the human family.
- In the Holy Spirit as the power by which we are brought into closer harmony with our Creator. Therefore we …
- Strive to follow the path of Jesus Christ, while recognizing other pathways to the Divine
- Encourage each person's spiritual journey, embracing a variety of spiritual disciplines.
- Understand that the words we use to express our faith are to be lived out by loving and compassionate action.
- Take the Bible seriously, not literally; finding more grace in the search for meaning than in absolute certainty.
- Agree to differ, unite to serve, and resolve to love.
First Unitarian Universalist Church
We believe that spiritual understanding is a lifelong journey and we encourage our children, youth and adults to be curious and explore.
Inspired by beauty, nature, science, great writers, religious texts, we gain insight from many sources.
Believing in the inherent worth and dignity of each individual, we celebrate the individuals experience of spirituality.
With a history of activism and social justice, we find ways to put our faith into action.
Unitarian Universalism is a faith that welcomes people of diverse ages, sexual orientation, gender identities, theologies, ethnic backgrounds and religious heritages.
From all over this great sprawling city our members find their way on Sunday morning to be together. We are theists, humanists, atheists, agnostics, pagans, doubters and seekers sitting in the pews together so that we may stand and sing, reflect on our lives and find strength to be our best selves as we head back out into the weekdays of our lives.
---------
Matthew 7:
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Please Daddy?
Life is complicated. My mother always told me that I was a high low person...my low times are really low, and my high times are really high. She should know, because every time something horrible or great happened, she was the first person I came crying to. She would be there for me on the phone, and let me talk it out.
Recently, and I mean, like, 3 days ago, we were blessed with some awesome news. It was Heaven sent. I know this to be true because of all the things that led up to it. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, and now, knowing that God is in control, it is more true than ever. Whether you want to believe it or not, God is in control of your life. All of the decisions you make are because God has a plan for you. Even if you make a decision that leads to something horrible happening, the Lord is showing you something.
Our experiences shape who we are. For example, today was an enormously trying day with my child. He is three and a half, and believes that he is king of the world! Seth and I were discussing his new found disobedience, and Seth said to him: "See, if you just obey, then you will get what you want, and more!" The same is true for us, as adults. As children we are taught to listen, and obey so we can live better lives without accidentally getting run over in the street, or getting cavities in our mouths.
Should it be so different from our Father in Heaven? He tells us to go one way..if we choose to go another, things don't work out the way we want them to. If we can just listen, then we will get what we want, or need, but it may take some patience, and hardship....just like children. Ethan's complaint was that he wanted gummy bears. He was screaming and crying because he wanted them...but instead he got to go to his room to settle down. After eating dinner, he had totally forgotten about the gummy bears, but his daddy reminded him, and it was all that he could do to hold back the happy dance.
That is exactly the way we felt when we heard the news about this new development in our lives. How quickly we forget about what we want because we cannot do it in our own power. When you put your faith in God's hands, he will reward you with the things that you not only want, but need. You see, we may think we have everything figured out, but in reality, you will always be learning from what is happening in your life.
We are all children...God's children. Whine all you want, but until you submit yourself to your Father, you will never feel the satisfaction of getting what He has to give you.
***
Recently, and I mean, like, 3 days ago, we were blessed with some awesome news. It was Heaven sent. I know this to be true because of all the things that led up to it. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, and now, knowing that God is in control, it is more true than ever. Whether you want to believe it or not, God is in control of your life. All of the decisions you make are because God has a plan for you. Even if you make a decision that leads to something horrible happening, the Lord is showing you something.
Our experiences shape who we are. For example, today was an enormously trying day with my child. He is three and a half, and believes that he is king of the world! Seth and I were discussing his new found disobedience, and Seth said to him: "See, if you just obey, then you will get what you want, and more!" The same is true for us, as adults. As children we are taught to listen, and obey so we can live better lives without accidentally getting run over in the street, or getting cavities in our mouths.
Should it be so different from our Father in Heaven? He tells us to go one way..if we choose to go another, things don't work out the way we want them to. If we can just listen, then we will get what we want, or need, but it may take some patience, and hardship....just like children. Ethan's complaint was that he wanted gummy bears. He was screaming and crying because he wanted them...but instead he got to go to his room to settle down. After eating dinner, he had totally forgotten about the gummy bears, but his daddy reminded him, and it was all that he could do to hold back the happy dance.
That is exactly the way we felt when we heard the news about this new development in our lives. How quickly we forget about what we want because we cannot do it in our own power. When you put your faith in God's hands, he will reward you with the things that you not only want, but need. You see, we may think we have everything figured out, but in reality, you will always be learning from what is happening in your life.
We are all children...God's children. Whine all you want, but until you submit yourself to your Father, you will never feel the satisfaction of getting what He has to give you.
***
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It's Who We Are
I was eating lunch with a girlfriend yesterday, and we were having a conversation about how quickly kids grow up, and how they are 'mini' adults. Her daughter is 4 years old, and already is concerned about what she should wear to school to impress her friends. My 3.5 year old is showing the same behavior.
How, and why, do we become so obsessed with what others think of us? It seems to be ingrained from birth. I started thinking about the most harmless thing I could...Thomas the Train. It was Ethan's favorite show for a number of years. Even in these seemingly harmless DVDs there is emphasis on how we should be seen by others. Several times Thomas wants everyone to think that he is the best, and he even dismisses others to get what he wants.
The same is true of religion. In American society church has become the "I" place. It is all about me, and what I want, and what I need...who cares about the person next to me? Unfortunately, there are churches out there that preach this under the veil of love. If you help others, and love everyone, you will get what you want. No mention of God or Christ. Why would they mention them? God is trying to get you to do what He wants.
The craziest thing about God though, is that, if you do what He asks, you DO get the things you want. Truth be known, what He is asking for is your commitment to him, through Christ, as well as the motivation to speak to others about Him.
That brings me to my next point: Why are we afraid to talk about God, and religion in general, to others? Who told us as children that you should never talk about religion? I honestly can't tell you who told me. I think the first time I remember anyone saying that was when I was in college, but it has always been an unspoken rule.
Like so many other things that make us self-conscious, there is someone behind it, or some thing. Our tendency as humans is to get what we want, when we want, and no one is going to tell us different. Even being a Christian can be difficult at times. I search for answers and have questions about why we are the way we are. Seeing others around me being so standoffish as to not even want to hear me out makes me deeply sad. It is God's will that no one should perish. Why did it take me so long to see that all I had to do was open my heart to Him?
Everyone will live forever. You may die in a car accident tomorrow, but your soul will live on, forever, in Heaven or in Hell. Can you comprehend that? FOREVER. Try, for example, to think of the Universe. We cannot see the end. Does it go on forever? How can we be sure? We can't...science tells us that it does, and we believe them. Is it so hard to believe that if you cast God out of your life you will go to Hell forever and ever?
Sometimes I sit and ponder Heaven..and how I will be there FOREVER. It is kinda scary, I must admit, because my brain cannot fathom that amount of time. Being with God does not scare me, however, that is what eases my mind when I try to think about things larger than myself. I know that God will take care of me, and all of my questions will be answered when the time is right.
My prayer for America is this:
Open your mind to the possibility that God exists. Open your heart to Jesus. Make the word LOVE mean something more than the next pair of shoes you want to purchase. Open your eyes to God's Word, and see the possibilities of this world in a new way, without opinion, and without the "I".
I know you will find something more inside, and you will truly come to know who you are.
***
How, and why, do we become so obsessed with what others think of us? It seems to be ingrained from birth. I started thinking about the most harmless thing I could...Thomas the Train. It was Ethan's favorite show for a number of years. Even in these seemingly harmless DVDs there is emphasis on how we should be seen by others. Several times Thomas wants everyone to think that he is the best, and he even dismisses others to get what he wants.
The same is true of religion. In American society church has become the "I" place. It is all about me, and what I want, and what I need...who cares about the person next to me? Unfortunately, there are churches out there that preach this under the veil of love. If you help others, and love everyone, you will get what you want. No mention of God or Christ. Why would they mention them? God is trying to get you to do what He wants.
The craziest thing about God though, is that, if you do what He asks, you DO get the things you want. Truth be known, what He is asking for is your commitment to him, through Christ, as well as the motivation to speak to others about Him.
That brings me to my next point: Why are we afraid to talk about God, and religion in general, to others? Who told us as children that you should never talk about religion? I honestly can't tell you who told me. I think the first time I remember anyone saying that was when I was in college, but it has always been an unspoken rule.
Like so many other things that make us self-conscious, there is someone behind it, or some thing. Our tendency as humans is to get what we want, when we want, and no one is going to tell us different. Even being a Christian can be difficult at times. I search for answers and have questions about why we are the way we are. Seeing others around me being so standoffish as to not even want to hear me out makes me deeply sad. It is God's will that no one should perish. Why did it take me so long to see that all I had to do was open my heart to Him?
Everyone will live forever. You may die in a car accident tomorrow, but your soul will live on, forever, in Heaven or in Hell. Can you comprehend that? FOREVER. Try, for example, to think of the Universe. We cannot see the end. Does it go on forever? How can we be sure? We can't...science tells us that it does, and we believe them. Is it so hard to believe that if you cast God out of your life you will go to Hell forever and ever?
Sometimes I sit and ponder Heaven..and how I will be there FOREVER. It is kinda scary, I must admit, because my brain cannot fathom that amount of time. Being with God does not scare me, however, that is what eases my mind when I try to think about things larger than myself. I know that God will take care of me, and all of my questions will be answered when the time is right.
My prayer for America is this:
Open your mind to the possibility that God exists. Open your heart to Jesus. Make the word LOVE mean something more than the next pair of shoes you want to purchase. Open your eyes to God's Word, and see the possibilities of this world in a new way, without opinion, and without the "I".
I know you will find something more inside, and you will truly come to know who you are.
***
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
333 Revisited
If you haven't read my first post about the numbers 333, please read it first: http://themappsquest.blogspot.com/2010/03/strength-in-numbers.html
I decided to revisit this topic in light of recent events. You see, the number sightings did go away..for a while. But for the past 2 or 3 weeks, they have started re-appearing. I have learned a few things since the first time I saw the numbers. It's all part of the plan. Let's re-look at what this passage meant to me at the beginning of my Christian walk.
Jeremiah 33:3
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
I had been searching for God, and dealing with the demons that still lurked in my mind. 'Should I trust God? Should I give myself whole hearted to Him?' Those were questions that played over and over in my head. Seeing those numbers randomly placed everywhere was scary. There was something unnatural about the way the message was coming across. I believed it to be God telling me to call on him for safety, and to not be scared of what was to come. This is partly where I think God wanted me to be..always questioning, so when the answers came, I would be ready to accept them.
Truthfully, there was something unnatural going on. It wasn't natural at all..it was supernatural! It was God, and He was trying to blatantly say, "Hey! Would you just go read the scripture again?!" But being the infinite whiz, I chose my meaning, and held on tight. Actually, I don't think I was completely wrong in what I thought, just not completely right. You see, when God gives you a scripture verse, He is answering your questions directly, or telling you exactly what to do. The Bible was written by God through man, centuries ago, and yet the words still speak to us today.
So what was He saying? Simply put: "Call to me". Pray. And pray a lot! As my pastor keeps re-iterating..the power of prayer is awesome! What if I told you I was praying for you right now? What if I prayed that you would find what you were looking for, to help you in your life's journey for truth? Chances are, if you are reading this, I have thought of you, and God is listening.
Well, the numbers have returned. I see them now, and I smile...I don't turn and look away. It's kinda like my inside joke with the Man upstairs. When I read the passage now it means something else...just pray. It's talking to God like you talk to your friends. "Hey, good to talk to you, I miss you, I love you, I need help, my friend needs help, thanks for the help..." and so on.
I am growing in Christ, and the excitement is overwhelming. I feel like there are great and unsearchable things yet to come, and the more I call on God, the more he is showing them to me.
***
I decided to revisit this topic in light of recent events. You see, the number sightings did go away..for a while. But for the past 2 or 3 weeks, they have started re-appearing. I have learned a few things since the first time I saw the numbers. It's all part of the plan. Let's re-look at what this passage meant to me at the beginning of my Christian walk.
Jeremiah 33:3
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
I had been searching for God, and dealing with the demons that still lurked in my mind. 'Should I trust God? Should I give myself whole hearted to Him?' Those were questions that played over and over in my head. Seeing those numbers randomly placed everywhere was scary. There was something unnatural about the way the message was coming across. I believed it to be God telling me to call on him for safety, and to not be scared of what was to come. This is partly where I think God wanted me to be..always questioning, so when the answers came, I would be ready to accept them.
Truthfully, there was something unnatural going on. It wasn't natural at all..it was supernatural! It was God, and He was trying to blatantly say, "Hey! Would you just go read the scripture again?!" But being the infinite whiz, I chose my meaning, and held on tight. Actually, I don't think I was completely wrong in what I thought, just not completely right. You see, when God gives you a scripture verse, He is answering your questions directly, or telling you exactly what to do. The Bible was written by God through man, centuries ago, and yet the words still speak to us today.
So what was He saying? Simply put: "Call to me". Pray. And pray a lot! As my pastor keeps re-iterating..the power of prayer is awesome! What if I told you I was praying for you right now? What if I prayed that you would find what you were looking for, to help you in your life's journey for truth? Chances are, if you are reading this, I have thought of you, and God is listening.
Well, the numbers have returned. I see them now, and I smile...I don't turn and look away. It's kinda like my inside joke with the Man upstairs. When I read the passage now it means something else...just pray. It's talking to God like you talk to your friends. "Hey, good to talk to you, I miss you, I love you, I need help, my friend needs help, thanks for the help..." and so on.
I am growing in Christ, and the excitement is overwhelming. I feel like there are great and unsearchable things yet to come, and the more I call on God, the more he is showing them to me.
***
Monday, September 6, 2010
Why do I keep going?
I was encouraged, and excited to see the response I would get from my last post. I shared the link on Facebook, and waited. I got a call on Saturday afternoon, from a friend I work with, telling me that he was sorry for what I was about to read. I thanked him for what he had done already, and went to see what was there. I wasn't surprised by the hatred and slander I found towards Christ, and myself. Since I gave my life to God I have gotten many bad reactions to things I have written, and part of that is my fault for adding my own words, and not resting on what God has already provided for answering to blasphemy...the Bible.
I needed reassurance that I was on the right path, and that I should continue praising God, openly. As I was searching through the Concordance at the back of my Bible, I was led to Timothy. The two books of Timothy are letters written to him from Paul. Although most of both books are applicable in this situation, there were some verses that stood out.
1 Tim 4: "12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I (Paul) come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." "15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
I pondered the question of why people feel the need to voice their opinions when anyone talks about God and Christ. Would the same thing happen if I talked about being Buddhist? There are entire Internet pages dedicated to blaspheming God...but why?
2 Tim 2: "23 Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 and a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
Ahhh..as suspected, the devil will push back against what he is truly concerned over...believers in Christ. I have to restrain myself from internal angers that arise when reading comments made about my Savior. Thankfully, calling on the Lord gives me strength and patience. There is one more passage that I find important on this topic:
2 Tim 3: "12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 16 all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
You may call me a Bible-thumper...go ahead. It's true, and I wouldn't change it. I used to look at the Bible as a really large and boring book full of fables and stories. Now when I read it, I am filled with insight on every day tasks and trials. The book is meant for us to read as a way to teach us how to live, and be righteous in God's presence. I am sad for those that can't open their eyes to Christ, as I know I will not see them in Heaven. I don't want the credit for helping them to change their minds about God, I just want to know that they are saved. I spend many nights worrying about my friends, and their families. I love my Savior, and I want to share that..and I will.
As the band, Casting Crowns, sings:
"I want to be your hands and feet
I want live a life that leads
To see you set the captives free
Until the whole world hears..
And I pray that they will see
More of you and less of me
Lord, I want my life to be
The song You sing"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICxIWulmsDo
***
I needed reassurance that I was on the right path, and that I should continue praising God, openly. As I was searching through the Concordance at the back of my Bible, I was led to Timothy. The two books of Timothy are letters written to him from Paul. Although most of both books are applicable in this situation, there were some verses that stood out.
1 Tim 4: "12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I (Paul) come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." "15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
I pondered the question of why people feel the need to voice their opinions when anyone talks about God and Christ. Would the same thing happen if I talked about being Buddhist? There are entire Internet pages dedicated to blaspheming God...but why?
2 Tim 2: "23 Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 and a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
Ahhh..as suspected, the devil will push back against what he is truly concerned over...believers in Christ. I have to restrain myself from internal angers that arise when reading comments made about my Savior. Thankfully, calling on the Lord gives me strength and patience. There is one more passage that I find important on this topic:
2 Tim 3: "12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 16 all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
You may call me a Bible-thumper...go ahead. It's true, and I wouldn't change it. I used to look at the Bible as a really large and boring book full of fables and stories. Now when I read it, I am filled with insight on every day tasks and trials. The book is meant for us to read as a way to teach us how to live, and be righteous in God's presence. I am sad for those that can't open their eyes to Christ, as I know I will not see them in Heaven. I don't want the credit for helping them to change their minds about God, I just want to know that they are saved. I spend many nights worrying about my friends, and their families. I love my Savior, and I want to share that..and I will.
As the band, Casting Crowns, sings:
"I want to be your hands and feet
I want live a life that leads
To see you set the captives free
Until the whole world hears..
And I pray that they will see
More of you and less of me
Lord, I want my life to be
The song You sing"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICxIWulmsDo
***
Friday, September 3, 2010
Chosen
Last night, while laying in bed, a wonderful idea was presented to me.
I had been looking at different photographers websites, and had come accross one where a very talented man had taken a different portrait picture every day, for a year. I loved the idea, and was really excited to do something similar..but different. So, I had been tossing around things in my head and just couldn't come up with exactly what I wanted to do. I don't have access to 365 different people...so I couldn't, nor did I want to replicate what this man had already done.
So while laying in bed, and after praying with Ethan, God put an idea in my head. I will take portrait pictures of people..but not just anyone. They will be saved Christians. On one side of the book will be their photo, and on the other side will be their testimony.
I think this will be an awesome way for the average person to be able to relate to someone who has given their life, and faith to Christ.
I hope you will help me with this mission God has given me..please send me a message if you are interested in being in the book: kristymapp@hotmail.com
***
I had been looking at different photographers websites, and had come accross one where a very talented man had taken a different portrait picture every day, for a year. I loved the idea, and was really excited to do something similar..but different. So, I had been tossing around things in my head and just couldn't come up with exactly what I wanted to do. I don't have access to 365 different people...so I couldn't, nor did I want to replicate what this man had already done.
So while laying in bed, and after praying with Ethan, God put an idea in my head. I will take portrait pictures of people..but not just anyone. They will be saved Christians. On one side of the book will be their photo, and on the other side will be their testimony.
I think this will be an awesome way for the average person to be able to relate to someone who has given their life, and faith to Christ.
I hope you will help me with this mission God has given me..please send me a message if you are interested in being in the book: kristymapp@hotmail.com
***
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Ultimate Self Help Guide
Although none of us like to admit it, we have all peeked inside or thought of reading a 'self help' book or article. I personally have tried my own fair share of 'self helping diets'. I thought it was appropriate to title this blog in this way, because there really is something out there that can help you, and you can do it in the privacy of your own home...no one has to know!! Simply follow my 3 easy steps to a New You!
Step 1: Figure out what it is that is bothering you.
Perhaps your relationships, even those closest to you may fail you. You may have health problems or other problems that frustrate, disappoint, and overwhelm you. Or you have financial issues and you are barely able to keep your head above water. You may believe that you don't have a problem, yet you feel there is something missing, and you are just not satisfied with daily life.
For years I had not only been craving a slimmer version of myself, but I had always felt that I was missing out on something. I was just ho-hum. While the diets came and went, and some worked and others didn't, I came to a place in my life that I believed would satisfy that feeling of emptiness. I met my husband, and to the surprise of many, was married to him in less than a year. We had our first child, and both had real jobs. Yet still there was something lacking.
Step 2: Open your mind to new ideas.
When you first start on a new diet, or book about a way to help you live and be better, the first thing you do is go into it open-minded. You accept that it is possible for this to help you, and so you follow the directions step by step to hopefully arrive at the desired outcome.
I tried the 'South Beach Diet' about a year ago. I got the book, read it, and followed the instructions. Much to my surprise, I did loose about 10 pounds! It was the fact that I followed the book religiously, and payed attention to what I was eating, and how much. It really worked! The only problem was that after the first 3 weeks, I lost interest and gave up. However, I have never gained those 10 pounds back.
Step 3: Put your open-minded self on Christ.
I know it is a bold statement. There is just no easy way around it. If you want to accomplish things that may seem out of reach and impossible, you have to rely on someone to help you. The best part about God is that he is in your heart. Weather you want to show him off to others or not is up to you. The world we live in is harsh when it comes to spirituality, and especially when it comes to Christianity.
So, how can putting your mind on Christ help you?? Honestly, because I don't know what it is that is occupying your mind, I can't be for certain how God will choose to help you. But I do know that if you can open your mind (as you have done in the past for silly scams and diets) to God, then help will be provided.
Just take a moment to really put your mind on what is troubling you. Then ask Christ to show you the way. If you can truly focus on what you are asking, God will not be far behind in bringing you the answers you seek.
As for me, I did exactly what I am asking you to do about 7 months ago. At that time I did not repent of my sins...I merely asked God to show me how to make my life better, so the feeling of so-so would go away. What was troubling me was that I was never truly happy with life, or myself (hence the dieting). My answer came quicker than I thought. It only took about a week before my husband opened himself up to me, and we shared our thoughts like never before.
One last thought:
If you never try it, you will never know. Why would you go to the store and buy something that is supposed to help you that you will throw away next month? Why not try something that doesn't cost a thing, and really trust in it, to see if it will work?
***
Step 1: Figure out what it is that is bothering you.
Perhaps your relationships, even those closest to you may fail you. You may have health problems or other problems that frustrate, disappoint, and overwhelm you. Or you have financial issues and you are barely able to keep your head above water. You may believe that you don't have a problem, yet you feel there is something missing, and you are just not satisfied with daily life.
For years I had not only been craving a slimmer version of myself, but I had always felt that I was missing out on something. I was just ho-hum. While the diets came and went, and some worked and others didn't, I came to a place in my life that I believed would satisfy that feeling of emptiness. I met my husband, and to the surprise of many, was married to him in less than a year. We had our first child, and both had real jobs. Yet still there was something lacking.
Step 2: Open your mind to new ideas.
When you first start on a new diet, or book about a way to help you live and be better, the first thing you do is go into it open-minded. You accept that it is possible for this to help you, and so you follow the directions step by step to hopefully arrive at the desired outcome.
I tried the 'South Beach Diet' about a year ago. I got the book, read it, and followed the instructions. Much to my surprise, I did loose about 10 pounds! It was the fact that I followed the book religiously, and payed attention to what I was eating, and how much. It really worked! The only problem was that after the first 3 weeks, I lost interest and gave up. However, I have never gained those 10 pounds back.
Step 3: Put your open-minded self on Christ.
I know it is a bold statement. There is just no easy way around it. If you want to accomplish things that may seem out of reach and impossible, you have to rely on someone to help you. The best part about God is that he is in your heart. Weather you want to show him off to others or not is up to you. The world we live in is harsh when it comes to spirituality, and especially when it comes to Christianity.
So, how can putting your mind on Christ help you?? Honestly, because I don't know what it is that is occupying your mind, I can't be for certain how God will choose to help you. But I do know that if you can open your mind (as you have done in the past for silly scams and diets) to God, then help will be provided.
Just take a moment to really put your mind on what is troubling you. Then ask Christ to show you the way. If you can truly focus on what you are asking, God will not be far behind in bringing you the answers you seek.
As for me, I did exactly what I am asking you to do about 7 months ago. At that time I did not repent of my sins...I merely asked God to show me how to make my life better, so the feeling of so-so would go away. What was troubling me was that I was never truly happy with life, or myself (hence the dieting). My answer came quicker than I thought. It only took about a week before my husband opened himself up to me, and we shared our thoughts like never before.
One last thought:
If you never try it, you will never know. Why would you go to the store and buy something that is supposed to help you that you will throw away next month? Why not try something that doesn't cost a thing, and really trust in it, to see if it will work?
***
Sunday, June 27, 2010
4 & 5 of 10
As I told you in my last post, we are studying the 10 Commandments at church. The next two have proven to be just as enthralling as the first 3.
You can find the commandments in Exodus chapter 20.
As previously stated, in each study we cover 3 main topics:
You can find the commandments in Exodus chapter 20.
As previously stated, in each study we cover 3 main topics:
- Denotation - what it means
- Motivation - why God gave us this commandment
- Application - how we can apply these in our daily lives
- Denotation: The word sabboth literaly means to rest. God has given us the perfect example, in the creation of the Earth. He worked for 6 days, and rested on the 7th, and it was good. Unlike the other 9 commandments, this one, alone, is not re-itterated as to which day imparticular you should rest. Colossians 2:16 "So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ". Traditionally, as set in the Old Testament, the Sabbath day was a saturday. However, this was a covenant between the Jews and God. Once Christ came to save us, we gained the freedom of choice in this area. The rules are simple. Work your six days, but take one day a week to give to the Lord. If we can do this, it keeps us focused on God, and forces us to take a step back, relax, and praise him.
- Motivation: As with all of God's word, he gave it for a reason. If you don't stop to rest, you will eventually burn out, and then nothing you do will be worth what it could be, if you had only taken the time to recharge your batteries. Matthew 12:1-8 tells a short story of Jesus walking through the fields with his disciples on the Sabbath. He begins to pluck the grain, as the men were hungry, and some Pharisees saw them. They told Jesus that he was dishonoring the holy day, but Jesus replies, "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." As Pastor Ron says, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. God knows that we need to rest to be at our best, and talking and walking with him in those times, as well as daily, we can achieve our goals. Believe in God, and take the time, atleast one day of the week to walk with him, and think not of work. A great example is the owner of Chic'fila. The man is a Christian, and prayed to God before starting his business. He said that he wanted to obey God's commandment, and have a day of rest. If he couldn't make enough money during the other six days to support the business, then it was not meant for him to have it. Well, guess what..it is one of the most profitable fast food chains in America.
- Application: So, what should we do about this? It's simple: Rest! Remember the Lord! and Refocus! Part of your weekly walk with God should be going to Church. Nothing charges your batteries more than seeing a whole congregation gathered together to worship God. It is a place where the Holy Spirit frequents, and if you have never experienced it, you should definitly think about going to a Sunday study. Church is also one of the great ways to refocus your thoughts on Him, and help get your mind right for the rest of the week. Something I have been admiring about Seth lately, is his commitment to wake up 10 min. early to spend time reading God's words. It makes me love him that much more, and I have noticed a calmness come over him, and a new found love for life. Take an inventory of your life, marriage and accomplishments each week...is it good?
- Denotation: Your parents know what's best..of course! It's not only that, though. It also has to do with respect and honor, and growing with the Lord, through the examples set by your parents. There are those of you out there who might have had a terrible childhood...and asking what your parents wanted of you may have been morally wrong. Acts 5:29 explains a situation where the apostles are confronted by the high priests. The priests are condeming them for going against this fifth commandment by obeying the words and actions of Jesus, rather than them. The apostles say, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Jesus set the highest example of this commandment in Luke 2:41-52. He was 12 years old, and Joseph and Mary took him to Jeruselum for the Feast of the Passover. After it was over, they left, and had traveled about a day, and couldn't find Jesus. They returned to Jeruselem to find him in the temple, talking to the elders. His parents asked why he had done this to them, and He retorts, "Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" After this, He willingly goes with them, and the Bible says he grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor of God and men. Basically, because He did what God would want in this commandment, the Bible says that he became smarter and wiser. That should be what we strive for with our parents also.
- Motivation: It is easy to see why God would make this a commandment. In most cases, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If you see your parents busy with work all the time, then chances are you will grow up to be busy with work all the time. If you read the Bible, and go to church, and have God at your center at all times, then chances are, your children will grow up to have the same relationships with God. Your children will turn out like you. Sounds like the perfect reason for a commandment. Even in a horrible situation, God's word never returns void. Children, and even grown adults who obey their parents are doing right by God, and God will make things right because of it. This commandment even has a blessing attached! Eph. 6:1-3 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." You can liken this to a child running towards the street, and the parents saying, "stop! car!"...the child stops, and they live to see another day.
- Application: There are many ways to apply this commandment to your life wether you are 5 or 50. First, tell your parents you love them, and appreciate what they have done for you. If your childhood was less than perfect, forgive them. Call them up, and tell them you understand it was a difficult time, and you forgive them for it. Tell them you are praying for them. Write them a letter about a good time you shared, and wanted to remember. Do something out of the blue for them, and don't brag about it. One last thing, be the welfare your parents need. That is why God created children...to take care of their parents. As Pastor Ron said, "They took care of you for the first 20 years. You can take care of them for the last 20." Ask yourself this question: When your parents pass, will you have peace or regret about this commandment? And one last thing, God is the ultimate Father..you should place Him in the highest position on your family tree.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The First 3 of 10
For the past 3 weeks now, we have been studying the 10 Commandments on Sunday. I knew it would be good..but there is way more substance than what you think! I am going to do my best to summarize these studies, because I know you will find them interesting, too.
So, why the 10 commandments? Well, the Bible states that all of God's word is good, and every part applicable to our lives. Our pastor explains it like this: God gave us the commandments out of regard (or love) for us, to help us restrain against evil, and to help reveal our sins to us, to ultimately lead us to Christ.
You can find the commandments in Exodus chapter 20.
Pastor Ron has broken each commandment into it's own study.
In each study we cover 3 main topics:
1. "You shall have no other gods before Me."
(this commandment deals with who we are to worship)
2. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image."
(this commandment deals with how we should worship)
(this commandment deals with who God is)
So..as you can see..there is lots more to learn than you think about these 10 commandments..and I am excited to know what is next...I hope you will stay tuned!
***
Pastor Ron has broken each commandment into it's own study.
In each study we cover 3 main topics:
- Denotation - what it means
- Motivation - why God gave us this commandment
- Application - how we can apply these in our daily lives
(this commandment deals with who we are to worship)
- Denotation - God is the only god. For centuries, man has tried to create gods for his own purposes. The Egyptians had gods for everything from the Sun, to fertility. God is simply stating that there are no other gods, just Him.
- Motivation - God knows that we tend to put things in front of him, such as work, or family. The things that cloud our minds become our gods, and what we aspire to reach or please.
- Application - the best way to implement this commandment is to ask yourself some questions:
- What is my master passion?
- What do I think about most?
- Who do I want to please?
- What am I living for?
2. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image."
(this commandment deals with how we should worship)
- Denotation - Don't try to figure out, or re-create what you think God looks like.
- Motivation - God knows our weakness when it comes to "seeing is believing". He knows that our nature is to have something that we can hold onto or look upon to resemble Him, and make Him more manageable. Unfortunately for most of the world, and even in Christianity, there are idols all around. The cross for instance is a delicate topic, but can be taken two ways. When people are bowing down to the cross (a statue), they are bowing down to worship the idol, not God. If you wear a cross around your neck, symbolizing that you believe in Jesus, you are showing others your religion. In 'The Screwtape Letters' by C.S. Lewis, he gives a great example of what this message is about. The book is a collection of letters from one demon to another. Each demon is assigned to an individual, to try to sway the person away from God, and/or keep them from knowing God in the first place. In one part, the main demon tells the demon in training to make his man focus on the ceiling fan while praying. By doing this, the man is praying to the ceiling fan, and unconsciously, not putting any meaning into his words. You see the point I am making..
- Application - Jesus says, in John 4:24, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth". This can be very difficult, but if you can create in your mind a blank slate, and try not to imagine what God could look like, then you can get your prayers and messages to Him through the spirit. Pastor Ron tells us to be warry of saying 'my god'...as He is not just yours, but for everyone, and no one has seen him, therefore we cannot place judgement on what he should be represented by.
(this commandment deals with who God is)
- Denotation - Do not mis-use His name. Do not take it lightly, or in anger. Don't take away the importance of His name.
- Motivation - God doesn't want others to misunderstand His importance, by us representing Him poorly. By using God's name in a bad way, say cussing, you are unconciously telling others that His name is of no consequence. For example..what is in a name? What do you think of when you hear the name Elvis? How about Tiger Woods? You automatically bring images into your head when hearing these names, be they good or bad. Think of this commandment as God's reputation. How do you want Him to be represented?
- Application - There are some obvious ways to obey this commandment; don't curse using God's name, and don't swear by God, unless you intend to follow-through. But there is something else...your actions speak loudly towards how others percieve you. How you live, and act should be indicators of your beliefs. A great example is if you took the logo off of a Porche, and put it on a Toyota. The logo would still look the same, but the meaning would be lost. It is how you are representing God that should be your focus when trying to obey this commandment. You are holding God's reputation in your hands every time you talk to someone, or how you act in a situation. My favorite part of the sermon was when Pastor Ron said, "I have recently started doing this thing where if I hear someone say Jesus Christ...but taking it in vein, I run over to them and say, where?!! That's may savior, and if you see him again, I would like to meet Him. Please don't talk about Him like that."
So..as you can see..there is lots more to learn than you think about these 10 commandments..and I am excited to know what is next...I hope you will stay tuned!
***
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Think of Him always...
You have heard people say it..prayer works. Being a former skeptic myself, it was hard to believe. Well, now I know why it was so hard to believe..because I didn't! Once I let God in, all the way, I asked for something. I had to give up myself, whole-heartedly, and let Jesus do the job. I prayed to quit smoking.
I went a week and a half.
Have you ever heard the saying, 'be careful what you ask for'? I prayed that God would help me quit. Thinking that you can quit doing something that you've done for the past 14 years will be easy, is un-realistic. What I should have prayed for was not quitting, but giving myself, fully, to Him to do what he would want with me. I felt like I had given myself whole-heartedly, and for the first week, I had no problems. Then, I started letting the world creep back in because all I could think about was those tiny white comfort sticks. My mind wandered from the comfort zone of Jesus to the comfort zone I had know for so long. I didn't want to go to church. I didn't want to read the Bible. I wanted to smoke.
Is smoking a sin? For me personally, God has answered...no. The sin is when smoking becomes more important than Him. I think you could take my bad habit, and change it out for yours for a better perspective. Let's say you love to go fishing, or golf. Do you ever find your mind wandering from what you are doing to those things? Are you ever in church and thinking about being at home finishing up your laundry or house work?
Most of the world looks at a smoker and thinks, "They will die young, and how disgusting!" But what about people that are consumed by (pardon my choice) golfing? They take time away from their families to do something that temporarily fulfills a need...just like a cigarette. You can die from anything, you know.
God has given me a chore. Take all of your thoughts, throw them out the window, and be with Him. Before I quit, when I smoked, I would turn all of my attention to that. Lately, I have found myself able to think about God during all of my normal activities. This, I believe, is what He wants. He knows that you have things going on, but He wants your attention during all of it.
It's hard..but it is getting easier. Your life, once given to Jesus, should be constantly about praising Him, and thanking Him, and wanting to be with Him. I pray that God could help me fall, all the way, into his arms!! I know that prayer works. Part of praying, however, is giving your faith to God, and knowing that he will come through. It's easy to do it for someone else...you KNOW that God will help the person you just prayed for. But what about yourself? It's a horrible struggle of self doubt, and unwillingness to give in to faith.
I don't want to share this, and this is not a pity blog. But I will, because I want someone else out there to know that they are not the only one who is searching for that moment, that seems so close...when you can fall backwards and let Jesus catch you. As for me, I am currently at peace with my decision, and feel that when it is time, God will release me from my addiction.
An applicable quote from God's word, in talking about what is clean and unclean:
10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. 11 What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "
***
I went a week and a half.
Have you ever heard the saying, 'be careful what you ask for'? I prayed that God would help me quit. Thinking that you can quit doing something that you've done for the past 14 years will be easy, is un-realistic. What I should have prayed for was not quitting, but giving myself, fully, to Him to do what he would want with me. I felt like I had given myself whole-heartedly, and for the first week, I had no problems. Then, I started letting the world creep back in because all I could think about was those tiny white comfort sticks. My mind wandered from the comfort zone of Jesus to the comfort zone I had know for so long. I didn't want to go to church. I didn't want to read the Bible. I wanted to smoke.
Is smoking a sin? For me personally, God has answered...no. The sin is when smoking becomes more important than Him. I think you could take my bad habit, and change it out for yours for a better perspective. Let's say you love to go fishing, or golf. Do you ever find your mind wandering from what you are doing to those things? Are you ever in church and thinking about being at home finishing up your laundry or house work?
Most of the world looks at a smoker and thinks, "They will die young, and how disgusting!" But what about people that are consumed by (pardon my choice) golfing? They take time away from their families to do something that temporarily fulfills a need...just like a cigarette. You can die from anything, you know.
God has given me a chore. Take all of your thoughts, throw them out the window, and be with Him. Before I quit, when I smoked, I would turn all of my attention to that. Lately, I have found myself able to think about God during all of my normal activities. This, I believe, is what He wants. He knows that you have things going on, but He wants your attention during all of it.
It's hard..but it is getting easier. Your life, once given to Jesus, should be constantly about praising Him, and thanking Him, and wanting to be with Him. I pray that God could help me fall, all the way, into his arms!! I know that prayer works. Part of praying, however, is giving your faith to God, and knowing that he will come through. It's easy to do it for someone else...you KNOW that God will help the person you just prayed for. But what about yourself? It's a horrible struggle of self doubt, and unwillingness to give in to faith.
I don't want to share this, and this is not a pity blog. But I will, because I want someone else out there to know that they are not the only one who is searching for that moment, that seems so close...when you can fall backwards and let Jesus catch you. As for me, I am currently at peace with my decision, and feel that when it is time, God will release me from my addiction.
An applicable quote from God's word, in talking about what is clean and unclean:
10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. 11 What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' "
***
Friday, May 7, 2010
Un-believeable!
Two weeks ago, late in the afternoon, I got out of my car in front of my doctors office. There was a man and a woman near me. The man came at me with a knife and cut me. The woman, not far away, sat idly by, and watched. I couldn't believe that she didn't try to help! Afterwards, the doctor gave me these stitches to start healing the wound.
What would you say if the story I told you actually happened? Would you believe me? Well, it did...only not they way you are thinking that it did. You see, the man that cut me, was in fact, my doctor, and the woman who didn't help was the nurse in training. When you take it out of context, I can be telling the truth, but it sounds like a crazy story.
I have been pondering how many of the Bible's stories and parables have been taken out of context, to make them seem fictional, when in fact, they are true. You have to read the entire paragraph, and chapter, to understand it. You can't just take a couple lines out, and say you know what it means. Let's look at my story again, with some added sentences:
Two weeks ago, late in the afternoon, I got out of my car in front of my doctors office. I went inside to see him, to have a cyst removed. There was a man and a woman near me. The man came at me with a knife and cut me. The man is my doctor. The woman, not far away, sat idly by, and watched. She was a nurse in training. I couldn't believe that she didn't try to help! Afterwards, the doctor gave me these stitches to start healing the wound.
Amazing how easy it is to make it unbelievable. Until a few months ago, I was pretty much certain that most of the stories in the Bible were false, or at least exaggerated. I've come to realize now that the more you let God into your life, and the more you walk with Jesus, the more you want to read the Bible, and the more you get sucked into the truth that God has had written. The best part is that every story serves a different purpose in helping us in our every day lives.
I learn something new every day. And every day I am getting closer and closer with God and Christ. In Christ you have the power to do anything. And if you truly believe that he can help you, he will. Seth and I have put our faith in Christ that he can help us quit smoking. It has been 2 days, and though I have had some urges, it hasn't been the same as other times when I have tried to quit. I honestly just don't want one. I put my faith in Jesus, and he has shown me that anything is possible.
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
Another great side effect of believing that Christ died for our sins, is that you suddenly don't have the need to watch TV, or listen to hard core music, or even say cuss words. It all just stops..almost immediately, and you have no control over it. One day you just realize that you have changed, and for the better. I leave you with another encouraging quote from the scripture I am enthralled in:
John 6:
35 "And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Sunday, May 2, 2010
"The Slumber of Christianity"
Seth and I have been taking turns reading this book called "The Slumber of Christianity". The book delves deep in explaining why we as Christians may be doing right by God, but we are no longer excited or yearning to be with him, putting us in a kind of slumber. The author goes through examples of why we are sleeping, and how to awaken our minds and souls back to Christ in Heaven. Unfortunately for me, Seth has already returned the book to the library, so now, I will need to paraphrase some of the highlights for you. To make it easier, I am going to italicize a topic, and then explain it.
The first topic is about differentiating between what we consider Christianity:
Christianity has become a classification, and not a way of life.
There are many that consider themselves Christian, when in fact their church mentions nothing about Christ, or aspiring to be saved by Christ. A great example is a Unitarian church not far from here. Here is a blurb from their "principles" section:
We covenant to affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person,
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations,
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations,
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning,
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in our congregations and in society at large,
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, and
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
While most of this is great, and I am happy that they aspire to love each other, there is no mention of living in Christ. The most unfortunate thing about this church is that they do have Christian members, who are slowly being sucked out of the Christian faith. Not only do they have Christian members, but they also invite people of all faiths (Buddhist, Jewish, Islam, etc.), and of all sexual orientation. They even have committees and organizations made just for going to government functions to promote equality through a one world religion (love & peace). It seems that in these times, Christians are people who live good lives, not people living in the definition of the word Christian: believer and follower of Christ. Before my blood pressure rises any higher at the thought of the sins of this dead church, we will move on.
Then, he looks at what has taken the place of our aspirations towards Heaven:
We are caught up in the riches of this life, when we should be considering them a foretaste of what is to come.
As Christians we know that Heaven awaits, and that the streets will be lined with gold, and there will be no more want or suffering. As humans we are uncontrollably caught up in this world, and what lies ahead on the "to do" list. We see things every day that could make our life happier, but that happiness only lasts for a while, and then it is on to the next item, or job, or vacation. How many times do we go about our lives wishing for the next big thing? God has given us this Earth as a kind of "pre-Heaven", if we chose to look at it that way. For example, if you stop and take a look around you at all the beauty and splendor of this natural world, you will see God's hand at work. Now imagine those same things, like birds, trees, mountains, etc...in Technicolor. I say that because no one really knows what Heaven will be like, but the Bible does mention some details. For example, the following verses from Revelation explain what the new Jerusalem in the new Heaven will look like:
Revelations 21:18 "The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass."
Revelations 21:23 "The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light."
Revelations 22:1 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."
Next, he looks at why we have forgotten where we are headed:
Christianity has lost it's hope.
The best example for this is to remember yourself as child on Christmas Eve. Your parents made you go to bed that night, despite your excitement and hope for the presents you would receive the next day. When you awoke on Christmas morning, your hope for that new toy was uncontrollable as you ripped open your presents. After a few weeks of playing with your new toy, you were bored with it, and the hope had died long before. This can be likened to a new Christian. You are saved, and you feel the Spirit moving through you on a regular basis. Your hopes are in Heaven, and the life you will lead with Christ. You remain faithful, and still love Christ, but after a while, your enthusiasm fades. You become once again intoxicated by what this earthy realm holds for you. Your hope turns towards the worldly things.
Finally, the author gives us some encouragement and tools to get us back on track:
Our minds and hearts should be hoping for Heaven on a daily basis.
If you can dedicate some time each day for the Lord, by reading, praying, listening to sermons, etc., you can keep your hope alive. Something that has kept me going, especially after seeing so many of my friends going down the wrong path, is praying for God to keep me motivated. When I get stressed out at work or at home, I pray for God to give me peace, and hope for my life with him in Heaven. Try to set your sights on how glorious it will be to be with Jesus on a regular basis. Imagine how awesome you feel when the Spirit is in you for those brief awesome moments, and focus on that being your permanent state in Heaven. Close your eyes and try to imagine the indescribable light of God, as you meet him face to face. And best of all, pray that Jesus comes quickly, so those whom you care for, that may not be going in the right direction, may see the right path, and be able to follow it before their ends. For when that day comes, we will finally be where we belong, and our new life in Heaven can be realized.
***
The first topic is about differentiating between what we consider Christianity:
Christianity has become a classification, and not a way of life.
There are many that consider themselves Christian, when in fact their church mentions nothing about Christ, or aspiring to be saved by Christ. A great example is a Unitarian church not far from here. Here is a blurb from their "principles" section:
We covenant to affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person,
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations,
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations,
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning,
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in our congregations and in society at large,
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, and
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
While most of this is great, and I am happy that they aspire to love each other, there is no mention of living in Christ. The most unfortunate thing about this church is that they do have Christian members, who are slowly being sucked out of the Christian faith. Not only do they have Christian members, but they also invite people of all faiths (Buddhist, Jewish, Islam, etc.), and of all sexual orientation. They even have committees and organizations made just for going to government functions to promote equality through a one world religion (love & peace). It seems that in these times, Christians are people who live good lives, not people living in the definition of the word Christian: believer and follower of Christ. Before my blood pressure rises any higher at the thought of the sins of this dead church, we will move on.
Then, he looks at what has taken the place of our aspirations towards Heaven:
We are caught up in the riches of this life, when we should be considering them a foretaste of what is to come.
As Christians we know that Heaven awaits, and that the streets will be lined with gold, and there will be no more want or suffering. As humans we are uncontrollably caught up in this world, and what lies ahead on the "to do" list. We see things every day that could make our life happier, but that happiness only lasts for a while, and then it is on to the next item, or job, or vacation. How many times do we go about our lives wishing for the next big thing? God has given us this Earth as a kind of "pre-Heaven", if we chose to look at it that way. For example, if you stop and take a look around you at all the beauty and splendor of this natural world, you will see God's hand at work. Now imagine those same things, like birds, trees, mountains, etc...in Technicolor. I say that because no one really knows what Heaven will be like, but the Bible does mention some details. For example, the following verses from Revelation explain what the new Jerusalem in the new Heaven will look like:
Revelations 21:18 "The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass."
Revelations 21:23 "The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light."
Revelations 22:1 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."
Next, he looks at why we have forgotten where we are headed:
Christianity has lost it's hope.
The best example for this is to remember yourself as child on Christmas Eve. Your parents made you go to bed that night, despite your excitement and hope for the presents you would receive the next day. When you awoke on Christmas morning, your hope for that new toy was uncontrollable as you ripped open your presents. After a few weeks of playing with your new toy, you were bored with it, and the hope had died long before. This can be likened to a new Christian. You are saved, and you feel the Spirit moving through you on a regular basis. Your hopes are in Heaven, and the life you will lead with Christ. You remain faithful, and still love Christ, but after a while, your enthusiasm fades. You become once again intoxicated by what this earthy realm holds for you. Your hope turns towards the worldly things.
Finally, the author gives us some encouragement and tools to get us back on track:
Our minds and hearts should be hoping for Heaven on a daily basis.
If you can dedicate some time each day for the Lord, by reading, praying, listening to sermons, etc., you can keep your hope alive. Something that has kept me going, especially after seeing so many of my friends going down the wrong path, is praying for God to keep me motivated. When I get stressed out at work or at home, I pray for God to give me peace, and hope for my life with him in Heaven. Try to set your sights on how glorious it will be to be with Jesus on a regular basis. Imagine how awesome you feel when the Spirit is in you for those brief awesome moments, and focus on that being your permanent state in Heaven. Close your eyes and try to imagine the indescribable light of God, as you meet him face to face. And best of all, pray that Jesus comes quickly, so those whom you care for, that may not be going in the right direction, may see the right path, and be able to follow it before their ends. For when that day comes, we will finally be where we belong, and our new life in Heaven can be realized.
***
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Everything Happens for a Reason
Last night at church, we were discussing how easy it is to make idols in our hearts. God is jealous of this, and the faster you can clense yourself of them, the better. I have been pondering to myself over the past couple weeks about if I have any idols. Funny how you always hear the sermon being directed at you. In the midst of my tears from the Spirit moving thru the church, I had a revelation.
Ciggarettes are my idols. They are the only thing that stands between me, and my thoughts of God. I don't bow down to worship them..but I do wish that some things would hurry up and end so I can smoke. Now, I haven't felt that way towards the sermons, but I have caught my mind wandering a few times while in church towards that next drag.
It was the end of the service, and I was singing, and crying, and that knot in my heart was there. I knew that this was my problem, and I prayed for God to help me. When we got back in the car..there they were. I tried not to look at them, but Seth lit one for himself, and then handed me mine. Being the feeble minded person I am, I took it, and hated myself the whole time I smoked it. I was thinking in my head, 'God, why am I having so much trouble with this? Please help me! Show me why I cannot stop!'
I belive that the Lord works in mysterious ways.
Have you ever just started talking to a random passerby? I had just finished my lunch, and I went outside to smoke. There was a man sitting on the side walk eating pizza from our neighboring Little Ceasars. I lit my ciggarette, and studied the man. He was sitting next to a bike (assumed it was his), and minding his own business. I noticed that he had on old blue jeans, with paint splatters.
I asked him if he was working today. He said, "No, I used to work, but now I am retired. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and now I just do what the doctor says. I've been working in the yard, and these are the best clothes for that."
Then I asked him if he went to church. He said, "Well, I used to go to this Baptist church in Pasadena, but the congregation fell apart when some of the members tried to take over the church...to many politics." I innvited him to come to our church. He was interested. We kept talking about it, and then about kids and grandkids...marrige, and how silly life is. When I was finished smoking, I went back inside and got a little card that I had picked up from Wednesday night Bible Study that gives directions to the church. He said, "Thanks, I hope to see you there." His name is Buddy Smith.
Is the reason for my addiction this one encounter? I believe that it could be. Buddy is not the only person I have talked to about church while dealing with ciggarettes. Just this morning, before work, I was talking to the guy at CVS who always sells me my ciggarettes. He quit smoking some time back, and has been dealing with lots of stress at home. I presented him with one of those cards, and he gladly took it, and said, "Yeah, I'll be looking for you."
Why do things happen? I wrote a short memoire after Ethan was born about how everything happens for a reason. Even in those God-less days, I was right on the money. Imagine how much better my life could have been if I had been walking with Jesus. You can't go back, but you can be thankful for the decisions that have led you to where you are now, and where you will be going. Perhaps my days of smoking have just been leading up to this time. Maybe now I can finally kick the habit, but don't get your hopes up...
***
Ciggarettes are my idols. They are the only thing that stands between me, and my thoughts of God. I don't bow down to worship them..but I do wish that some things would hurry up and end so I can smoke. Now, I haven't felt that way towards the sermons, but I have caught my mind wandering a few times while in church towards that next drag.
It was the end of the service, and I was singing, and crying, and that knot in my heart was there. I knew that this was my problem, and I prayed for God to help me. When we got back in the car..there they were. I tried not to look at them, but Seth lit one for himself, and then handed me mine. Being the feeble minded person I am, I took it, and hated myself the whole time I smoked it. I was thinking in my head, 'God, why am I having so much trouble with this? Please help me! Show me why I cannot stop!'
I belive that the Lord works in mysterious ways.
Have you ever just started talking to a random passerby? I had just finished my lunch, and I went outside to smoke. There was a man sitting on the side walk eating pizza from our neighboring Little Ceasars. I lit my ciggarette, and studied the man. He was sitting next to a bike (assumed it was his), and minding his own business. I noticed that he had on old blue jeans, with paint splatters.
I asked him if he was working today. He said, "No, I used to work, but now I am retired. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and now I just do what the doctor says. I've been working in the yard, and these are the best clothes for that."
Then I asked him if he went to church. He said, "Well, I used to go to this Baptist church in Pasadena, but the congregation fell apart when some of the members tried to take over the church...to many politics." I innvited him to come to our church. He was interested. We kept talking about it, and then about kids and grandkids...marrige, and how silly life is. When I was finished smoking, I went back inside and got a little card that I had picked up from Wednesday night Bible Study that gives directions to the church. He said, "Thanks, I hope to see you there." His name is Buddy Smith.
Is the reason for my addiction this one encounter? I believe that it could be. Buddy is not the only person I have talked to about church while dealing with ciggarettes. Just this morning, before work, I was talking to the guy at CVS who always sells me my ciggarettes. He quit smoking some time back, and has been dealing with lots of stress at home. I presented him with one of those cards, and he gladly took it, and said, "Yeah, I'll be looking for you."
Why do things happen? I wrote a short memoire after Ethan was born about how everything happens for a reason. Even in those God-less days, I was right on the money. Imagine how much better my life could have been if I had been walking with Jesus. You can't go back, but you can be thankful for the decisions that have led you to where you are now, and where you will be going. Perhaps my days of smoking have just been leading up to this time. Maybe now I can finally kick the habit, but don't get your hopes up...
***
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Fire is Raging
Is it just me, or does it seem like there is a new revival going on around us? Every time I open Facebook, or talk to a friend, I am finding that more and more people are going to church, and putting their faith in Jesus. This is turning out to be an awesome time in my life. I wanted to share this little story I heard today on a Christian radio station:
A man had been going to church for many years, and knew the Pastor quite well. One day the man didn't show up to church on Sunday. The Pastor noticed, but thought maybe the man was out of town that weekend. The next Sunday, the man again did not show up for church. The Pastor decided to go to the man's house to check on him.
When the Pastor arrived at the man's house, the man let him in, knowing of the reason for his visit. The Pastor came in, and they both sat infront of the hearth, where the man had made a nice fire for the evening. Neither of them said a word to eachother.
The Pastor got up, took the iron for stoking the fire, and pulled one of the large coals out from the middle, and pushed it to the side. The coal burned for a few minutes, but slowly it died down and the flame went out.
The Pastor waited for a minute, and let the man contemplate what he was watching. Then he pushed the coal back into the fire, and immediatly the coal caught fire again.
The Pastor stood up to leave, and the man said, "Thank you for the fiery sermon."
What an easy way to give us encouragement to be around others that are 'on fire for the Lord'. I have been sending links to my blog to friends that seem to need a pick me up. Not because I want everyone to read my blog so I can be the coolest..but because maybe they will read something that will spark that flame in them. Nothing can be more powerful to a friend than seeing someone that they have known for years to be a 'party girl', change into someone that has found true happiness in God. I think it gives them hope that they may find the same.
I have always been a happy person, but I have always had trials in my life. If you didn't know me before I married Seth, then you have only heard short stories, or maybe none at all. I was definitly the 'bad influence'. Thank God, that he sent me the most awesome soul mate to help me become who I am today, and to grow together in our walk with Jesus.
I can say that today has been a day of thankfulness, and I wish I could pour my feelings onto you, so you could feel the peace I am feeling right now. Nothing major has happend today, nor do I anticipate anything..I just feel like great things are at work. I truly am ready, and willing to be with God.
A man had been going to church for many years, and knew the Pastor quite well. One day the man didn't show up to church on Sunday. The Pastor noticed, but thought maybe the man was out of town that weekend. The next Sunday, the man again did not show up for church. The Pastor decided to go to the man's house to check on him.
When the Pastor arrived at the man's house, the man let him in, knowing of the reason for his visit. The Pastor came in, and they both sat infront of the hearth, where the man had made a nice fire for the evening. Neither of them said a word to eachother.
The Pastor got up, took the iron for stoking the fire, and pulled one of the large coals out from the middle, and pushed it to the side. The coal burned for a few minutes, but slowly it died down and the flame went out.
The Pastor waited for a minute, and let the man contemplate what he was watching. Then he pushed the coal back into the fire, and immediatly the coal caught fire again.
The Pastor stood up to leave, and the man said, "Thank you for the fiery sermon."
What an easy way to give us encouragement to be around others that are 'on fire for the Lord'. I have been sending links to my blog to friends that seem to need a pick me up. Not because I want everyone to read my blog so I can be the coolest..but because maybe they will read something that will spark that flame in them. Nothing can be more powerful to a friend than seeing someone that they have known for years to be a 'party girl', change into someone that has found true happiness in God. I think it gives them hope that they may find the same.
I have always been a happy person, but I have always had trials in my life. If you didn't know me before I married Seth, then you have only heard short stories, or maybe none at all. I was definitly the 'bad influence'. Thank God, that he sent me the most awesome soul mate to help me become who I am today, and to grow together in our walk with Jesus.
I can say that today has been a day of thankfulness, and I wish I could pour my feelings onto you, so you could feel the peace I am feeling right now. Nothing major has happend today, nor do I anticipate anything..I just feel like great things are at work. I truly am ready, and willing to be with God.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A Confounding Question
When I was going through confirmation at 14, we had an opportunity to speak with the pastor. There were about 10 of us, and we all gathered in a small meeting room, with the pastor. He told us we could ask him anything we had questions about regarding the Bible, God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. Everyone had there turns, and then it was mine. I can't remember exactly how I phrased the question, but this was the jist of it:
Supposedly Heaven is a paradise, where we will recognize eachother, and be ourselves, but follow and worship God. If we are going to be ourselves, but there is no sin (meaning nothing to rack our brains, or cause us to scientificaly judge eachother, or our actions), how will we be ourselves? How can someone who solves crimes for a living, and who loves their job of hunting down the criminal, be themselves, when there is no criminal to hunt?
The pastor starred at me. Everyone starred at me...like I was crazy. He kind of looked at me, pondered for a minute..then said, "Well, some things are left up to God to explain."
So, I never got my answer..and it is something that has plagued me for years. You see, I was never a person that wanted to go to church, nor did I have much interest in learning about God becuase it was forced on me. This small discussion group had confirmed my suspicions that when you got to Heaven, you were basically a slave, made to worship God. And that was definitly not on my adgenda. I was more interested in boys, moving far far away to college, and getting the heck out of there.
Well, as you have probably read in my previous posts..I have come to know Jesus. I have been soaking up all the knowledge that he will give me, and passing it on to you. I pray that it never ends. So back to the point.
One of the things that the Spirit has recently moved me to is an understanding (although it is small), of what Heaven will be like. I am an artist, photographer, "architect", interior designer, mother, wife, and general lover of life. What will my Heaven be like? There will be no big oil companies to build buildings for. There will be no runny noses to clean, or hands to hold when my baby is scared. I won't see a homeless man on the side of the road, sitting and smiling at the flowers to make me smile inside. What will the detective's Heaven be like? He won't have any criminals to keep his mind and heart racing.
Well, I have an idea. Instead of chasing a criminal to solve a crime, he will be trying to unlock the mysteries of all of God's creation. He will be studying the depths of His knowlege, and wondering how such a powerfull being came into existence. I will be constructing houses in God's kindom, and wiping the tears of joy from my child's face after he meets Jesus. And then we will hold hands as we run through the grass and see a spiritually wealthy man sitting and smiling at the flowers.
You see..God has helped me to realize that it is not sin that peeks our curiosity. It is happiness. The real reason the detective is hunting the criminal is to solve the crime. Then he can help the person the criminal harmed, making him satisfied in his work.
When you belive in Jesus, and the Spirit comes to dwell within you, you begin to realize a whole miriad of things that seemed impossible before. You realize that life is not worth living unless you have a true reason for living it. I am currently reading a book called "The Slumber of Christianity". It is full of ideas to help you get excited, and understand why you should be excited about your pass into the afterlife. Don't worry, when I finish the book, I will tell you all about it.
Just know that every time I think about being in Heaven I get a little butterfly of excitement in my stomach. The days of disbelief are over, and a new world of possiblities is opening for me. I can't wait to see Jesus in Heaven and thank him for teaching me how to truly appreciate the world around me as a foretaste of what is to come.
***
Supposedly Heaven is a paradise, where we will recognize eachother, and be ourselves, but follow and worship God. If we are going to be ourselves, but there is no sin (meaning nothing to rack our brains, or cause us to scientificaly judge eachother, or our actions), how will we be ourselves? How can someone who solves crimes for a living, and who loves their job of hunting down the criminal, be themselves, when there is no criminal to hunt?
The pastor starred at me. Everyone starred at me...like I was crazy. He kind of looked at me, pondered for a minute..then said, "Well, some things are left up to God to explain."
So, I never got my answer..and it is something that has plagued me for years. You see, I was never a person that wanted to go to church, nor did I have much interest in learning about God becuase it was forced on me. This small discussion group had confirmed my suspicions that when you got to Heaven, you were basically a slave, made to worship God. And that was definitly not on my adgenda. I was more interested in boys, moving far far away to college, and getting the heck out of there.
Well, as you have probably read in my previous posts..I have come to know Jesus. I have been soaking up all the knowledge that he will give me, and passing it on to you. I pray that it never ends. So back to the point.
One of the things that the Spirit has recently moved me to is an understanding (although it is small), of what Heaven will be like. I am an artist, photographer, "architect", interior designer, mother, wife, and general lover of life. What will my Heaven be like? There will be no big oil companies to build buildings for. There will be no runny noses to clean, or hands to hold when my baby is scared. I won't see a homeless man on the side of the road, sitting and smiling at the flowers to make me smile inside. What will the detective's Heaven be like? He won't have any criminals to keep his mind and heart racing.
Well, I have an idea. Instead of chasing a criminal to solve a crime, he will be trying to unlock the mysteries of all of God's creation. He will be studying the depths of His knowlege, and wondering how such a powerfull being came into existence. I will be constructing houses in God's kindom, and wiping the tears of joy from my child's face after he meets Jesus. And then we will hold hands as we run through the grass and see a spiritually wealthy man sitting and smiling at the flowers.
You see..God has helped me to realize that it is not sin that peeks our curiosity. It is happiness. The real reason the detective is hunting the criminal is to solve the crime. Then he can help the person the criminal harmed, making him satisfied in his work.
When you belive in Jesus, and the Spirit comes to dwell within you, you begin to realize a whole miriad of things that seemed impossible before. You realize that life is not worth living unless you have a true reason for living it. I am currently reading a book called "The Slumber of Christianity". It is full of ideas to help you get excited, and understand why you should be excited about your pass into the afterlife. Don't worry, when I finish the book, I will tell you all about it.
Just know that every time I think about being in Heaven I get a little butterfly of excitement in my stomach. The days of disbelief are over, and a new world of possiblities is opening for me. I can't wait to see Jesus in Heaven and thank him for teaching me how to truly appreciate the world around me as a foretaste of what is to come.
***
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