Last night my 8Th grade son, went to the high school to find out what classes he would like to take his freshman year. Our second born is vastly different than his older brother. But he has some similar traits; both of our sons knew what they were going to take before that meeting at the high school.
Our youngest son is taking some of the same classes his brother did, but he is taking classes that are uniquely suited to him. He wants to be a sports "something". He isn't quite certain if it is a sports reporter, broadcaster, physical therapist (not sure if that is still in the running), but he will be involved in sports.
He loves sports; playing, watching and fact gathering. You can ask him just about anything regarding sports and he will know it.
While much of his future is still unknown, he still has an idea of where his path is going to lead. It is much like our lives in Christ. We know where we are going, just not all the details regarding our path going there. We know that we will be going to heaven, but the path leading us here is sometimes difficult, lonely, full of hurt and blessed, comforting and full of grace.
As I sit here thinking about this son who has his whole high school career before him; I am filled with pride and love for him now and what he can be. I imagine God feels the same way about me. Filled with love and pride of what I have accomplished with his guidance.
May our travels be filled with love, grace and mercy.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Saying All The Right Things
Last Sunday, we were in the service and the pastor made mention a person he knew that was praying and everything that the person sid in their prayer was all the standard prayer phrases usually said by the majority of people. He made mention that he lost his concentration in the prayer and began waiting for another common phrase to be prayed in this person's prayer.
I think that really hit home with me, not only in prayer but in life. I saw a lady I knew from a church I used to belong too in the grocery store. She recognized me and I recognized her. We said hi, how are you and then went on our way. That encounter left me unaffected in the sense, if I had seen her or not seen her no impact would be made. My life is neither better nor worse for the encounter. I have to ask, should it be?
In that encounter, we said all the right things. We asked about each other, greeted and departed. No real emotion, no real commitment, no real anything.
How many times do I have that kind of encounter with God? How many times do I say all the right things, but with no emotion at all. I don't show any of the real me. I don't reveal what I am really thinking, really needing, really lacking in; I just say all the right things.
I walked away wondering about what I lacked, but did the other person also feel that way? Unfortunately, there is really no way to know if she felt the same way. There is no really polite way to say to someone, hey when you said all the right things to me with no real emotions, did you feel empty afterwards? There is really no way to explain what I mean face to face with the person without possibly offending them.
So, I feel convicted about my approach to others and more importantly, my approach to God. How much has God been hurt by my saying all the right things approach. God has to be saddened by my inability to be more real, honest and loving to him.
How much has he suffered by my selfish side? How much has he wanted more from me and had to settle for the bare minimum?
I know what I have to do, it is just the matter of doing it. I know that I need to share my heart with God and more than just what I want and what I need. I need to share my real desire to be his child, loving him and learning about him and how I can live with him being in the center of my life.
I need to learn how to live the right things, not just say the right things.
I think that really hit home with me, not only in prayer but in life. I saw a lady I knew from a church I used to belong too in the grocery store. She recognized me and I recognized her. We said hi, how are you and then went on our way. That encounter left me unaffected in the sense, if I had seen her or not seen her no impact would be made. My life is neither better nor worse for the encounter. I have to ask, should it be?
In that encounter, we said all the right things. We asked about each other, greeted and departed. No real emotion, no real commitment, no real anything.
How many times do I have that kind of encounter with God? How many times do I say all the right things, but with no emotion at all. I don't show any of the real me. I don't reveal what I am really thinking, really needing, really lacking in; I just say all the right things.
I walked away wondering about what I lacked, but did the other person also feel that way? Unfortunately, there is really no way to know if she felt the same way. There is no really polite way to say to someone, hey when you said all the right things to me with no real emotions, did you feel empty afterwards? There is really no way to explain what I mean face to face with the person without possibly offending them.
So, I feel convicted about my approach to others and more importantly, my approach to God. How much has God been hurt by my saying all the right things approach. God has to be saddened by my inability to be more real, honest and loving to him.
How much has he suffered by my selfish side? How much has he wanted more from me and had to settle for the bare minimum?
I know what I have to do, it is just the matter of doing it. I know that I need to share my heart with God and more than just what I want and what I need. I need to share my real desire to be his child, loving him and learning about him and how I can live with him being in the center of my life.
I need to learn how to live the right things, not just say the right things.
Monday, February 16, 2009
A Not So Dramatic Testimony
I was in my darkest hour when I called out to my Lord. Save me Lord from my sin. No scratch that, I wasn't in my darkest hour, I was in control of my life. I was living well. My family isn't as dysfunctional as most families are. My grades were good, friends were plenty, money comes in greater than I spend. My husband is kind and loving and my children are healthy and polite. I am healthy and in control, life is good.
Ahh, my sin. It could be called pride, self-reliance, and gossip to name a few. Not enough to captivate an audience. My testimony isn't going to cause goosebumps, tears and heart felt change. Let me tell you my testimony and you can confirm my bold statement. My testimony is of no use to anyone.
I grew up going to church, I don't know if my parents had a relationship with God, but we went to church each week eager to see our friends. I heard all the rules I needed to follow and to be a good person, I followed those rules. I followed those rules and life was good.
Thou shalt not kill, I didn't. Thou shalt not commit adultery, I didn't. You know the 10 commandments, I didn't break them. Thou shalt have no other gods before me, nope not me, I don't worship Buddha or any other idol.
I felt that I had a relationship with God, but I really didn't pay attention to one key theme-the relationship part.
I went for years thinking I was a good person who didn't have a need for God. Not like those who committed real sins or those who suffered a really hard life. I mean I was living the good life. I didn't need God for me to get through one day or a hardship that came my way. I didn't have many hardships other than maybe a bad hair cut that made me mad for a few weeks. I didn't need God, I was strong and I was not like those weak people suffering. I am Strong!
I continued going to church on Sundays, and on one particular Sunday the preacher was teaching us about the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
While I thought about how great those rewards will be, my stomach began to feel horrible. What's the matter with me? The preacher began to share how we have to read the Beatitudes in order to know what we will receive if we believe. He told us to turn to John 3:16-21. I turned to that passage-God so love-light comes to darkness-men loved darkness-everyone who does evil hates the light.
My mind was racing, my heart was beating fast and my stomach was killing me. But I don't do evil things. I am not perfect, but I am not evil either. I don't understand why I was feeling so ill. Maybe it was the flu or something I ate. I decided to put those thoughts aside.
A few weeks later, we learn about strongholds. I don't understand what he is talking about when he refers to all of us having strongholds. I don't do any major sins, my strongholds aren't compulsive shopping, drugs or gambling. I am able to handle things on my own.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
It is not a matter of having a horrendous and dramatic story. It's about having the strength to admit you need help from the Lord. Its not about making your sins an interesting story. It is about making sure that no matter what does or doesn't happen in your life, you need God. You need to know God and you need to submit yourself to God. Submit to God's will and not your own.
Do you know how hard it is to submit to someone you can't see when you can't see your need for Him. Everything is well and good and how do you determine you need help when you can't see that need.
That's what I struggled with the most. I didn't go to drugs, alcohol or sex to deal with things in my life. I relied on myself. Relying on myself alone was how I dealt with anything that happened. I wish I had a traumatic event that brought me to my knees and asking God for salvation. I didn't have that experience, I had a good life. I had to see my sin, my stronghold was my pride, my self-reliance and judging others. I judged what their sins were by the struggles they were going through. I prided myself on my self-reliance. I had the sin of pride. I wish I had gone to drugs or shopping as my sin. I had pride and self-reliance and how do you admit you need to give up your self in order to be made right in God's eyes.
I was still experiencing stomach aches and a racing heart every time I thought about having to give up my pride and self-reliance. I knew that I had to give it up to God. I had to let God take care of me even when it seemed like there was no reason to give anything over to God. I had to give it up and I couldn't. I had not experienced any extremely bad experience where I fell on my knees. I needed to give my heart over to God, but....
But there is no excuse for me not to give my heart over to God. Once I know that to deny God is sin, I was guilty of the worst sin ever. I knew that I needed a relationship with God and to deny that was a death sentence, I needed to repent. I needed to repent and know that I have the guarantee of eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him will have eternal life. That means that even if I never had a rebellion period, never had traumatic episodes in my life, or suffered as much as any other person, God still wants me to believe in His Son and have eternal life.
Oh God, how can it be,
That you would love a LITTLE sinner like me.
I didn't do drugs, drink or have sex with others,
I am loved dearly by my friends, father and mother.
Sometimes I think of something bad,
And at times make others feel hurt and sad.
My sins aren't as great as it could be,
My testimony isn't much for others to see.
How can I influence others to see your grace?
How can they see your love in my heart space?
My dear precious child don't you see,
My son is very precious to you and me.
He died for you and your every sin,
You don't have to suffer much for grace to begin.
Your story doesn't have to be dramatic for it to be told,
Because no matter what you go through, my grace is for you to hold.
Please note: This isn't my personal testimony, it was written to share with those who think they don't have a testimony to share. You do. Your personal testimony means as much to God as any other. The angels in heaven sang just as loudly for your salvation as they did any others. Your salvation is yours. God knew the days of your life before you were born. You are loved so dearly by God and others because of who you are and what you have become as God's child.
Ahh, my sin. It could be called pride, self-reliance, and gossip to name a few. Not enough to captivate an audience. My testimony isn't going to cause goosebumps, tears and heart felt change. Let me tell you my testimony and you can confirm my bold statement. My testimony is of no use to anyone.
I grew up going to church, I don't know if my parents had a relationship with God, but we went to church each week eager to see our friends. I heard all the rules I needed to follow and to be a good person, I followed those rules. I followed those rules and life was good.
Thou shalt not kill, I didn't. Thou shalt not commit adultery, I didn't. You know the 10 commandments, I didn't break them. Thou shalt have no other gods before me, nope not me, I don't worship Buddha or any other idol.
I felt that I had a relationship with God, but I really didn't pay attention to one key theme-the relationship part.
I went for years thinking I was a good person who didn't have a need for God. Not like those who committed real sins or those who suffered a really hard life. I mean I was living the good life. I didn't need God for me to get through one day or a hardship that came my way. I didn't have many hardships other than maybe a bad hair cut that made me mad for a few weeks. I didn't need God, I was strong and I was not like those weak people suffering. I am Strong!
I continued going to church on Sundays, and on one particular Sunday the preacher was teaching us about the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
While I thought about how great those rewards will be, my stomach began to feel horrible. What's the matter with me? The preacher began to share how we have to read the Beatitudes in order to know what we will receive if we believe. He told us to turn to John 3:16-21. I turned to that passage-God so love-light comes to darkness-men loved darkness-everyone who does evil hates the light.
My mind was racing, my heart was beating fast and my stomach was killing me. But I don't do evil things. I am not perfect, but I am not evil either. I don't understand why I was feeling so ill. Maybe it was the flu or something I ate. I decided to put those thoughts aside.
A few weeks later, we learn about strongholds. I don't understand what he is talking about when he refers to all of us having strongholds. I don't do any major sins, my strongholds aren't compulsive shopping, drugs or gambling. I am able to handle things on my own.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
It is not a matter of having a horrendous and dramatic story. It's about having the strength to admit you need help from the Lord. Its not about making your sins an interesting story. It is about making sure that no matter what does or doesn't happen in your life, you need God. You need to know God and you need to submit yourself to God. Submit to God's will and not your own.
Do you know how hard it is to submit to someone you can't see when you can't see your need for Him. Everything is well and good and how do you determine you need help when you can't see that need.
That's what I struggled with the most. I didn't go to drugs, alcohol or sex to deal with things in my life. I relied on myself. Relying on myself alone was how I dealt with anything that happened. I wish I had a traumatic event that brought me to my knees and asking God for salvation. I didn't have that experience, I had a good life. I had to see my sin, my stronghold was my pride, my self-reliance and judging others. I judged what their sins were by the struggles they were going through. I prided myself on my self-reliance. I had the sin of pride. I wish I had gone to drugs or shopping as my sin. I had pride and self-reliance and how do you admit you need to give up your self in order to be made right in God's eyes.
I was still experiencing stomach aches and a racing heart every time I thought about having to give up my pride and self-reliance. I knew that I had to give it up to God. I had to let God take care of me even when it seemed like there was no reason to give anything over to God. I had to give it up and I couldn't. I had not experienced any extremely bad experience where I fell on my knees. I needed to give my heart over to God, but....
But there is no excuse for me not to give my heart over to God. Once I know that to deny God is sin, I was guilty of the worst sin ever. I knew that I needed a relationship with God and to deny that was a death sentence, I needed to repent. I needed to repent and know that I have the guarantee of eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him will have eternal life. That means that even if I never had a rebellion period, never had traumatic episodes in my life, or suffered as much as any other person, God still wants me to believe in His Son and have eternal life.
Oh God, how can it be,
That you would love a LITTLE sinner like me.
I didn't do drugs, drink or have sex with others,
I am loved dearly by my friends, father and mother.
Sometimes I think of something bad,
And at times make others feel hurt and sad.
My sins aren't as great as it could be,
My testimony isn't much for others to see.
How can I influence others to see your grace?
How can they see your love in my heart space?
My dear precious child don't you see,
My son is very precious to you and me.
He died for you and your every sin,
You don't have to suffer much for grace to begin.
Your story doesn't have to be dramatic for it to be told,
Because no matter what you go through, my grace is for you to hold.
Please note: This isn't my personal testimony, it was written to share with those who think they don't have a testimony to share. You do. Your personal testimony means as much to God as any other. The angels in heaven sang just as loudly for your salvation as they did any others. Your salvation is yours. God knew the days of your life before you were born. You are loved so dearly by God and others because of who you are and what you have become as God's child.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Remembered In a Small Town Diner
One of our families favorite places to eat is Carolina Diner. It is a small diner with awesome food. Our family has been a frequent visitor for quite some time and we love it. The wait staff hasn't changed much since we started going, except for adding new wait staff. We recognize them and from what we found out today, they recognize us.
The waitress asked us where our youngest son was. The fact she remember us and the little guy who wasn't present tickled us. It is a great feeling when we are remembered. It is a great feeling when we are missed.
I have wondered in the past what impact I have made on others in my community and I have contact with on a regular or semi-regular basis. I have to wonder, how many times have I made a negative impact on others.
What does that say about me and my testimony if it was negative? How can I be sure that when I am remembered in a small town diner or anywhere the result is positive?
It requires me to make certain my testimony is Christ like. That I remember the words in the bible as more than just written words, but living words. Words to be lived through me and by me. The bible is a living instruction manual, teaching me what I need to know to live my life as Christ life as possible.
Will I ever be perfect? No, there will be times when I leave a not-so-good impression on those around me. But it is great to know that I can go to my Father and ask him to forgive me for those sins. I can go to my Father and ask him to teach me again what I need to know. I need to be willing to open my heart and my mind to his words. I need to be willing to change those behaviors that leave a negative impression on others. I need to, but sadly, I don't always do.
I want to be remembered by the wait staff at a small town diner in a positive manner. I want to be remembered as a Lady of Proverbs 31.
The waitress asked us where our youngest son was. The fact she remember us and the little guy who wasn't present tickled us. It is a great feeling when we are remembered. It is a great feeling when we are missed.
I have wondered in the past what impact I have made on others in my community and I have contact with on a regular or semi-regular basis. I have to wonder, how many times have I made a negative impact on others.
What does that say about me and my testimony if it was negative? How can I be sure that when I am remembered in a small town diner or anywhere the result is positive?
It requires me to make certain my testimony is Christ like. That I remember the words in the bible as more than just written words, but living words. Words to be lived through me and by me. The bible is a living instruction manual, teaching me what I need to know to live my life as Christ life as possible.
Will I ever be perfect? No, there will be times when I leave a not-so-good impression on those around me. But it is great to know that I can go to my Father and ask him to forgive me for those sins. I can go to my Father and ask him to teach me again what I need to know. I need to be willing to open my heart and my mind to his words. I need to be willing to change those behaviors that leave a negative impression on others. I need to, but sadly, I don't always do.
I want to be remembered by the wait staff at a small town diner in a positive manner. I want to be remembered as a Lady of Proverbs 31.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Jasper and Josie
Shortly after we moved to Hendersonville, our youngest son asked for a kitten. Our oldest son didn't want a cat in the house and didn't want to have anything to do with the cat once we brought it home. We went to the pet shelter and our little guy had found his kitten. Jasper, with his orange-red-yellow striped fur. I am not sure what the actual or official color is, but he has orange-red fur.
Josie is suppose to be his sister. She is grey with white patches and white paws. She was extremely little, most likely the runt of the bunch, tiny as she was. Well, we agreed to adopt Jasper, but Josie wouldn't let our oldest son move without showering him with attention. Our son bent down and began to pet Josie. He spent a lot of time with her and must have fallen in love with her immediately. Our son who wanted nothing to do with a cat for any reason looked up at his father and me. He simply asked, "Can we get two kittens"? I looked at my husband and I looked at the kitten and looked at my son. His kitten cold heart had melted, he wanted not just any kitten, he wanted the one who was desperately trying to get him to notice her.
Josie and her brother were adopted that day. Jasper knew which person in our family had chosen him. Jasper's loyalty was to Andrew. Andrew was his boy. He laid next to him, played with him, fed him, and slept with him. Jasper was his and Andrew was his boy.
The scrawny little Josie stole Tony's heart and just as her brother did she had spent all of her time and attention with Tony. She would run to the door when she hear him coming to the door. She would sit in his lap alone. She knew that he was hers and she was his.
Josie and Jasper both knew the rules that day we walked into the animal shelter. They knew that they needed to win the heart of whomever came looking for a kitten. Jasper by nature is friendlier with strangers than Josie is. Jasper looked healthy and robust for a little kitten. Josie, by all accounts was the lesser of the two kittens. Small in size, we found out shortly after arriving home, sickly. She doesn't like strangers. She will hide and wait until they are gone to come out to eat, potty or play. But that day, Josie knew her life laid in someone else's hands. She knew that she needed to step outside of her comfort zone and take that risk. That risk to show love to someone she just met. That risk to share of herself what she didn't want to lose. She wanted to be loved, cared for and taken home. She wanted to be saved from life in the animal shelter. She wanted to go where she would be loved forever.
Josie and Jasper wanted what we are all looking for. They wanted to be accepted, to be loved and cared for all their days. Don't we all have the same wants, needs and desires. We want to be loved, we want to be accepted and we want to be cared for all of our days. I know the only source of that love, acceptance and care, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God's perfect plan was to have his son come into the animal shelter (the world) and give us what we need to find him and let him know we need him to take us. The best part of all, Jesus takes us. Each and every one of is able to be adopted by Jesus. This is exciting, this is life altering and this is all we need to know that we will be loved, cared for and accepted. We are accepted no matter how sickly we may appear, he accepts us no matter what.
Do you have a desire to be loved, accepted and cared for? Go ahead and step outside your comfort zone and ask Jesus to take you with him.
Josie is suppose to be his sister. She is grey with white patches and white paws. She was extremely little, most likely the runt of the bunch, tiny as she was. Well, we agreed to adopt Jasper, but Josie wouldn't let our oldest son move without showering him with attention. Our son bent down and began to pet Josie. He spent a lot of time with her and must have fallen in love with her immediately. Our son who wanted nothing to do with a cat for any reason looked up at his father and me. He simply asked, "Can we get two kittens"? I looked at my husband and I looked at the kitten and looked at my son. His kitten cold heart had melted, he wanted not just any kitten, he wanted the one who was desperately trying to get him to notice her.
Josie and her brother were adopted that day. Jasper knew which person in our family had chosen him. Jasper's loyalty was to Andrew. Andrew was his boy. He laid next to him, played with him, fed him, and slept with him. Jasper was his and Andrew was his boy.
The scrawny little Josie stole Tony's heart and just as her brother did she had spent all of her time and attention with Tony. She would run to the door when she hear him coming to the door. She would sit in his lap alone. She knew that he was hers and she was his.
Josie and Jasper both knew the rules that day we walked into the animal shelter. They knew that they needed to win the heart of whomever came looking for a kitten. Jasper by nature is friendlier with strangers than Josie is. Jasper looked healthy and robust for a little kitten. Josie, by all accounts was the lesser of the two kittens. Small in size, we found out shortly after arriving home, sickly. She doesn't like strangers. She will hide and wait until they are gone to come out to eat, potty or play. But that day, Josie knew her life laid in someone else's hands. She knew that she needed to step outside of her comfort zone and take that risk. That risk to show love to someone she just met. That risk to share of herself what she didn't want to lose. She wanted to be loved, cared for and taken home. She wanted to be saved from life in the animal shelter. She wanted to go where she would be loved forever.
Josie and Jasper wanted what we are all looking for. They wanted to be accepted, to be loved and cared for all their days. Don't we all have the same wants, needs and desires. We want to be loved, we want to be accepted and we want to be cared for all of our days. I know the only source of that love, acceptance and care, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. God's perfect plan was to have his son come into the animal shelter (the world) and give us what we need to find him and let him know we need him to take us. The best part of all, Jesus takes us. Each and every one of is able to be adopted by Jesus. This is exciting, this is life altering and this is all we need to know that we will be loved, cared for and accepted. We are accepted no matter how sickly we may appear, he accepts us no matter what.
Do you have a desire to be loved, accepted and cared for? Go ahead and step outside your comfort zone and ask Jesus to take you with him.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Deep Cleaning
This morning, I did some deep cleaning around the house. I saw evidence that our poor little house needed it. I looked at the ceiling fan blades and couldn't believe how furry they were. I looked at the dining room table and buffet and there was no shine, it needed to be polished. It made me think of my own relationship with God.
I dust my house almost every week. Sometimes more than once a week, sadly sometimes less than I should. Very much like the relationship I have with God. Sometimes I have one more than a few times a week, most of the time much less.
It isn't really just the day to day bible reading, the praying, the bible study lessons that I need to do. It has a lot to do with the day by day or the minute by minute relationship with God. It is the depth of the relationship with God.
The depth is the faith that I can submit myself to Him and rest in the fact that the love He has for me is more than sufficient. Again it is the will or the won't coming back into play.
I need to remember that I need to submit daily in a new and deeper manner than the day before. If I keep building on the depth of my submission, I may be a fraction of where I need to be.
God wants us to have a deeper relationship with Him. He wants us to have a relationship with Him that compels us to want it deeper still.
Spring cleaning is not enough. We need to do deep cleaning every day of every week.
I dust my house almost every week. Sometimes more than once a week, sadly sometimes less than I should. Very much like the relationship I have with God. Sometimes I have one more than a few times a week, most of the time much less.
It isn't really just the day to day bible reading, the praying, the bible study lessons that I need to do. It has a lot to do with the day by day or the minute by minute relationship with God. It is the depth of the relationship with God.
The depth is the faith that I can submit myself to Him and rest in the fact that the love He has for me is more than sufficient. Again it is the will or the won't coming back into play.
I need to remember that I need to submit daily in a new and deeper manner than the day before. If I keep building on the depth of my submission, I may be a fraction of where I need to be.
God wants us to have a deeper relationship with Him. He wants us to have a relationship with Him that compels us to want it deeper still.
Spring cleaning is not enough. We need to do deep cleaning every day of every week.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Won't Or Will
I was sitting here thinking about what I was going to write about today. I pondered and pondered and then I remembered how much I wanted to start walking everyday. I think about doing it every now and then, but it is always too cold or raining. When it isn't raining or cold, I just don't want to go for a walk.
I am so tired of hearing about how exercise is good for you and feeling horrible when I don't. I am a smart enough person that I know if I would just do it and stop making excuses for myself, I could eliminate the whole horrible feeling stuff.
But I don't or should really say won't.
It's not simply that I don't go for a simple walk. I have reasons why I don't go for walks. The main one is the pain in my hip makes walking even standing and doing my dishes painful for me. So, I don't go for a walk.
But even on a day when my hip isn't hurting at all or as much as it has been, I won't go for a walk. Did you notice, I went back to won't.
WON'T means even if you do not have a reason for not doing something, you will not do it.
Can and can't
Do and don't
Will and won't
I looked up in the dictionary the word "WILL". The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action; volition. An instance of the exercising of will; choice.
So even when I need to do something I deliberately choose not to do it.
I think that I have the same issues when I am asked by God to do something or even something I am suppose to and I won't do it. It isn't a matter of not being able to do it. I simply won't do it.
How do I change my will so I will do what I should do? How do I look at will in a whole new way?
I am sad to say, it don't know the answer to that. I have been told the answers from the bible and those that have studied this issue, but the answers in my head haven't made too much of a dent in my will. I can only go back to this simple option, prayer.
I am fearful that I will have this prayer answered and I won't like the results. There's that word, won't.
I need to get busy praying right away.
I am so tired of hearing about how exercise is good for you and feeling horrible when I don't. I am a smart enough person that I know if I would just do it and stop making excuses for myself, I could eliminate the whole horrible feeling stuff.
But I don't or should really say won't.
It's not simply that I don't go for a simple walk. I have reasons why I don't go for walks. The main one is the pain in my hip makes walking even standing and doing my dishes painful for me. So, I don't go for a walk.
But even on a day when my hip isn't hurting at all or as much as it has been, I won't go for a walk. Did you notice, I went back to won't.
WON'T means even if you do not have a reason for not doing something, you will not do it.
Can and can't
Do and don't
Will and won't
I looked up in the dictionary the word "WILL". The mental faculty by which one deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action; volition. An instance of the exercising of will; choice.
So even when I need to do something I deliberately choose not to do it.
I think that I have the same issues when I am asked by God to do something or even something I am suppose to and I won't do it. It isn't a matter of not being able to do it. I simply won't do it.
How do I change my will so I will do what I should do? How do I look at will in a whole new way?
I am sad to say, it don't know the answer to that. I have been told the answers from the bible and those that have studied this issue, but the answers in my head haven't made too much of a dent in my will. I can only go back to this simple option, prayer.
I am fearful that I will have this prayer answered and I won't like the results. There's that word, won't.
I need to get busy praying right away.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
How Do We Really Know?
I received a prayer request the other day from someone in our bible study. The prayer request was for the knowledge and the peace about an assignment. The subject was race, the issue at heart was how to respond to someone quoting a verse about not mixing races. You see, the lady from our bible study felt that God was saying she should not mix races. Her children, you see are very precious to her. They are also very precious to God.
Would God not love her or her children if they are part of her and a part of someone from another race? My question would have to be, do we not love others who are of another race? Did not Jesus come to this earth as a babe and grew to be crusified on the cross for my sins and the sins of every man, woman, and child? Did He not die for each and every race? Let's go even further back. Didn't God create every single race known to man?
God tells us in the bible that He is pleased with His creations. Isn't he pleased with the little boy and the little girl whose mother is of one race and the father another?
In the bible it tells us that Jesus is the new covenant. That once Jesus came to die for us, He became the new covenant, and all the rules in the old testiment given to the people of that time to be clean and to present a sacrifice were no longer necessary. We only needed to be made whole, white as snow, clean because of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. No longer do we need to sacrifice an pure animal, the purest sacrifice had been made in our stead.
No, we no longer need to keep our races clean, we only need to keep our hearts as clean as we can by asking Jesus into our hearts. The God who created us, sent His son to die for us, and loves us does so not because of what race we are, but who we are. His children, there is no better title I would rather have.
Would God not love her or her children if they are part of her and a part of someone from another race? My question would have to be, do we not love others who are of another race? Did not Jesus come to this earth as a babe and grew to be crusified on the cross for my sins and the sins of every man, woman, and child? Did He not die for each and every race? Let's go even further back. Didn't God create every single race known to man?
God tells us in the bible that He is pleased with His creations. Isn't he pleased with the little boy and the little girl whose mother is of one race and the father another?
In the bible it tells us that Jesus is the new covenant. That once Jesus came to die for us, He became the new covenant, and all the rules in the old testiment given to the people of that time to be clean and to present a sacrifice were no longer necessary. We only needed to be made whole, white as snow, clean because of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. No longer do we need to sacrifice an pure animal, the purest sacrifice had been made in our stead.
No, we no longer need to keep our races clean, we only need to keep our hearts as clean as we can by asking Jesus into our hearts. The God who created us, sent His son to die for us, and loves us does so not because of what race we are, but who we are. His children, there is no better title I would rather have.
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