I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Galations 2:20-21
Knitting Socks
at least trying! pj's for all American Girl Doll clothes and bedding curtains, tablecloths and chair covers for the schoolroom, eating nook and sewing room
~ Family Read Alouds~
Danger!
Last Light
~Blessings~
~Join the Fun~
Oct. 26, 2009~ Eternity, secondary? ~
Last night we had our first meeting as a new church plant-kind of a precursor to the real date of Jan to be on our own. It was good. We discussed Col. 1-8. Which reads-
Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse:
Grace and peace to you from God out Father.
We always thank God , the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints--the faith and the love that spring from the hope that is stored up for yo in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing , just as it has been doing among you since the days you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
We discussed many things about this passage.But something that was said sounded loudly in my ears- and then made its way to my heart.
The question was brought up- When did eternity become secondary?
To self I have a very quick conversation that goes something like this---
What? How can that be? Eternity ? Secondary??? Hmmmmm...could that be true? Do I treat eternity as secondary when talking and sharing Christ with others? Nahhh..... Really??? I don't see how that is possible... Well, maybe.... You know I think it is possible. Actually I think I can see that exat thing that I do. WOW. Forgive me Lord.
When we talk to others, while we live each day and others see our actions, is eternity secondary? Has God become such a vending machine god that we are only concerned with putting in a token and expecting to receive gifts that abound and thus making us and our lives abundantly happy? Is God there to just satisfy our needs? Has this attitude permiated the way we share Christ with others? Just expressing to them what Christ can do for them? Save them from a life of pain, give them satisfaction, help them quit whatever nasty little habit we can all find ourselves doing... Is this the God we talk of? The God we expect?
What about the God that will save you from an eternity of seperation from himself, an eternity of ****ation to the pits of hell? Do we express that to others? Do we even understand it? Can our minds wrap around such a huge thing? Maybe not. But we need to. People are dying to know a God who will save them and have a relationship with them and love when no one else will. If we 'sell' this vending machine god we are selling a counterfiet god and one that will surely lead others to be let down as soon as things don't go the way they think they should. This vending machine god cannot sustain the storms that life so often brings.
So my challenge to you this day is to share your life, share your heart and what God is doing there. Share the fact that God is there to give us eternity, not just the here and now. Think how you share with people- you could be the only one that ever will share the gospel with them. Youmay only have a moment, but make the moment count in words and actions.
Have you ever though how in our modernization we have created a world of more struggles and not less?
I Love my gadgets- my kitchen-aide, rice cooker, washing machine. A stove that is ready almost immediately to cook on and an oven that is not far behind. My car. Our log splitter, chain saws, and my personal favorite- the cordless drill. and shop vacs. Don't we all love our refrigerators, freezers, popcorn makers, microwaves and on and on we can go.
But what about some of these others? I cannot believe I am the only one who struggles with our own selves and our kids over these 'things'. Video games- TV's-cell phones-ipods- and let's not forget the infamous computer.
Don't get me wrong-- I am not saying get rid of everything, live a life of seclusion and cut yourself off from everything modern- though at times it would be a refreshing respite -think retreats.
But what to do with all this input?
I'm not sure.
I struggle with this. I see that it has caused extra struggles that would not be here. All these things are so helpful, very enjoying and some are almost as necessary as our refrigerators.
What to do?
I do not know- there are no pat answers- nothing for and across the board solution (other than God's word) .
This verse comes to mind--- Matt 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than your whole body to go to hell.
As we each individually deal with our own very specific circumstances maybe a willingness to give up-get rid of- whatever it may be- will actually bring more satisfaction and fulfillment to our lives and those of our families than the item itself. What may seem drastic may be necessary for our spiritual health.
This is so hard.
If we start out with something like this- Psalm 139:24
See if there be any wicked(offensive) way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
If we learn from Jacob and Essau that we must be careful what we are willing to sacrifice for comfort and pleasure- because there is always a sacrifice. Gen 25:32-33
Then turn to the Lord every moment of everyday seeking guidance and direction as well as the strength to follow Him
--- because---
we can do all things throughChrist who strengthens us
-----and-----
Not by power and might (nor strenght of will-that is put in by me) but by my spirit says the Lord.
Because God's wisdom is by no means mans.
A closing thought- something that has encouraged me today-
Lead on , Oh King
Direct my path today oh Lord
I seek you with every fiber of my being
I trust in no other
for you alone are the most high God.
Your ways are right and pure,
they lead me into truth.
Be my vision that it may not be blurred.
Open my ears to hear a firm voice.
Take my hand and hold it tight.
Be sure to have your arm about me too.
This journey is yours, I see that now
Often before I have not allowed you to lead
This time to be:
The Captain of my life
The Guardian of my soul'
The Keeper of my dreams
Lead on, Oh King!
Oct. 28, 2008~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ~
That is the verse that is in my head right now. I cannot stop it from rolling over and over. It does not make me feel better. It does not encourage me. I do not 'feel' like this right now.
But I 'know' it to be true. I have faith in the One who inspired it.
So what to do when you don't know what to do? When the things around you are spinning out of your control. When something jumps out of life like an ugly monster. I recall the verse that says Satan is roaming the earth waiting to devour... He tries his best. I am weak. My Lord is stronger. He is the victor. We must continue to fight the good fight. I feel tired...
“Take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.” Susanna Wesley (Letter, June 8, 1725)
Could there be a better answer than this?
As I ponder this quote and all it entails I am almost overwhelmed at the realization of how much I sin. I am grieved that I take so much away from my Lord. I am also elated at the same time. Knowing that He loves me anyway- that He picks me up when I fall - that He not only walks beside me but in front of me to guide my very steps. He has walked every path before me.
We have been studying Nehemia for a while now. It is not one of the books I am craziest about. But I will tell you , you do not have to be crazy about a book in order to continually hear God speaking to you through it!
So tonight we talked about Tobiah, who he was and what he represents in our lives. Here is a quick rundown----
God tells His people to stay clear of certain things. One of them being Amonites-which is Tobiah. The people allow him to not just come and visit but to live in God's temple. (If you need/want to know more I encourage you to read the book- you should anyway just to make sure )
What is the Tobiah in your life-my life? HHHMMMMMM......
As I thought about this I had an epiphany-an epiphany puff as some would refer to it(Suzy).
Our (My) wisdom- that is my Tobiah. I get my self into trouble because I think that I know more than God. I would really like to say, "Nahhh-I don't think like that!" But obviously I do...I think you-maybe unwillingly- would have to agree the same is true for you if you examine your life.
Scenerio- God is very clear on taking in only that which is pure, good, righteous. Does that mean movies too???
But I watch movies that I would not invite Christ to(even though by my worlds standards there is very little if nothing wrong with it).
It only has a few curse words in it... Maybe a partial nudity that really does not show anything but is still too much skin... And there was a love scene but we are all adults and it was not too explicit... I know the story content is not glorifying God but is it really that bad????... Does it even matter???...
***disclaimer- I am only choosing this subject because it is something I struggle with. This is no way a judgment for anyone else but me...I am sure you have your own issues that no one needs to help you point out.***
I obviously know what I can handle and what will affect me...sheepishly I recognize it would be at this point if I were so bold that I would insert...more than God. Would I actually dare to say that out loud??? I am so very embarrassed to even think it! Yet, when I pull my heart out and ask the Holy Spirit to examine every spot, is this not what is being revealed to me that I do? After all do I not teach my children actions speak louder than words?
WOW!!! I am not sure if anyone else heard God in his still small voice sound like a trumpet in their ears tonight, but I did.
The fact is we all have our Tobiah's. The issue at hand is what will we ( I ) do about it? To coin a friends words- Are we going to let those things take up housekeeping in those areas of our lives or are we going to let the best housekeeper of all-God help us clean up? Better yet will we listen to God's word even when it does not seem to make sense to us and obey...Do you think He has our best interest at heart?? To this I shake my head at myself and have only one sound... DUH! Then I fall to my knees and ask God for wisdom, ears to hear Him and strength to follow through on what He tells me...maybe next time I will learn a little quicker than the last because I seem to find myself in this position over and over again.
Thank you God for loving such an unworthy person. Help me to get out of the way so that you may complete the work you have started in me. Help me to continually look to you for examination. Help me to quickly recognize areas I should not dare to tread in. There are no words that could exalt you enough.
(Thanks Scott for sharing about this wonderful animal! Your hard work is more than appreciated.)
Have you heard of the ermine?
In the forests of northern Europe and
Asia lives little animal called the ermine, known for his snow-white fur in winter. He instinctively protects his white coat against anything that would soil it.
Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait of the ermine. They don't set a snare to catch him, but instead they find his home, which is usually a cleft in a rock or a hollow in an old tree. They smear the entrance and interior with grime. Then the hunters set their dogs loose to find and chase the ermine. The frightened animal flees toward home but doesn't enter because of the filth. Rather than soil his white coat, he is trapped by the dogs and captured while preserving his purity. For the ermine, purity is more precious than life. (HGB, Our Daily Bread, April 21, 1997)
Are we a set apart people that desires God's purity so much that we are so driven as the ermine to stay pure? Do we make the choice that we would rather die than to become 'dirty' with sin, to ingest filth?
I talk to my girls a lot about music and movies right now. I try to explain that the age old addage 'garbage in, garbage out' does not just mean food we eat but things we hear and watch also. It is hard. It is hard to be the one that stands out of the crowd and says-I do not want to see this or I should not be listening to this. Or do I say- this is not so bad... I can know the difference between good and bad so this will not affect me... I am okay because so and so listens/watches much worse than this and she is still a good Christian...
These choices are difficult for an adult let alone a teen. I do not always make the right choices. But I am striving. I am challenged by our pastors sermon the other night that brought this little animal up as an example. What am I willing to let soil my fur? Why? More importantly am I willing to go the distance and 'suffer' in order for purity to reign in my life? For Christ to truly be the center? What is my plumbline and do I use it or abuse it? My mind continues to ask this question of myself.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:12-13)
"The things you allow in your life (that you "let" effect you), are the things you encourage.
By allowing them into your life you are, in fact, encouraging them in your own life and other people's life." quoted from Scott Cross during his sermon June 29th.
This touched my heart so deeply. I knew this. It is not a new concept. But it was an Ahh Hah experience. It was exactly what I needed to hear in the exact words I needed to hear them in.
What things do we not really think we are encouraging yet we allow into our lives? Is it a movie or tv show? Maybe a book? What if it is just an attitude?
I tell my children, " It is not what you say so much as how you say it."
Wouldn't this be the same concept?
It is not what I say but what I allow in my life that says it all. How can I say from one side I do not condone...This particular thing is offensive...
Yet on the other side I will watch those same(or worse) actions in a movie-sometimes with my kids around YIKES!!
Maybe I will read a book-even if it is'christian'- and things that I know are unacceptable are there-in black and white.
I need to keep this thought in the forefront of my mind-and act accordingly.
I am a wife to a man who can do everything (Lovingly referred to as MacGyver), mom of 10 (1 married in, 1 almost married in and one adopted in) and a Nana to 4.
I am all about growing in Christ, family, handcrafts and the art of homemaking. My newest passion is knitting.
We live on a small homestead in NE Washington. Raising pigs, chickens and goats, growing a garden and revamping an older home.
)
-an epiphany puff as some would refer to it
(Suzy).
Maybe a partial nudity that really does not show anything but is still too much skin...
Yet, when I pull my heart out and ask the Holy Spirit to examine every spot, is this not what is being revealed to me that I do?
After all do I not teach my children actions speak louder than words?
Then I fall to my knees and ask God for wisdom, ears to hear Him and strength to follow through on what He tells me...maybe next time I will learn a little quicker than the last because I seem to find myself in this position over and over again.
