Contentment

Priscilla Shirer has written a book called The Resolution for Women.  On her blog she is doing a virtual book club.  In responce to her thoughts and challenages, I'm blogging about what I'm learning. 

On page 14 Priscilla shares that she has rushed through her life. I can so relate.  I'm a planner. I love to plan out all the details of events and times in my life so much so that when that event or time in my life happens I feel I've already been there and so I don't take time to enjoy it.  Case in point, every other year my husband, Rodney and I take a vacation with our closest friends. I'm the planner of the group and they are perfectly happy with that.  I plan everything from the flights to the hotels to the activities and points of interest we will see. I plan the routes we will travel from point A to point B to point C...and well you get the idea. I research the cost of every activity and plan it all out on a spreadsheet. I analyze each activity  and point of interest and see how best to plot them into the time we have while in that area. Are you starting to get just how much of a planner I am?  Once the itinerary is done, I upload it to my Ipod and then send it to the three of them. Every hour is accounted for, every day is planned. So what happens when we get there.  I feel I've already done or seen everything. If it wasn't for my camera, which I am a slave to, I would float through the whole week, just waited to plan the next trip. (and on our last trip I did just that!) What does it boil down too?  I'm not content with that time in my life. 

I struggle with this at work too.  As a staff member of our church, we are planning out activities, Bible studies, get togethers, big Sundays and more well in advance of the actual date. By the time one of these things happens, we've moved on to planning something else and hardly enjoy the actual activity.

 So my lesson from the first part of chapter 1 is to slow down and enjoy the things I plan.  I liked the questions at the end of the chapter. They really made me stop and think.  I'd like to share #4 with you.

1.      What can you do differently today to "scrape the plate"- to gather up all the good things around you and begin enjoying the journey of your life?

a.     Don't rush the work day along just because I want to be home.

b.    Linger with people. Talk to them, make I contact and really listen to them.

c.     Slow down. My life seems to be a race all the time. I need to slow down and enjoy each activity and not worry about planning for the next one.

d.     Savoy the time I spend with my loved ones. Really focus on them and our conversations. I think that will help me not need to rush through my day to get to the next time I can be with them.

Well, I've got to run.(he, he... here I go running again)  Time for work!  I've enjoyed our "time" together. 



What's Left Behind

As I drove home for lunch on Monday, I passed the spot where a carnival had been for the past ten days. Day after day the lights, sounds and smells had beckoned to the passerby. Come, enjoy! See what the carnival holds for you. What joys can it bring?

But now it was gone. All that was left was the trash that littered the ground.  The green field is barren. Where rides and games had once dotted the lot, now only garbage was left.

I pondered how that empty field is a reflection of what the earth will be like after the rapture.  In an instance, many of us will be gone. Gloriously caught up together to met the Lord in the air! The only evidence that we were here will be the stuff, the trash, we leave behind. 

It struck me that if you had been out of town, you might wonder why the lot was so dirty. What had caused this mess?  Like the empty lot, what will the stuff we leave behind say to the ones that are still here?  Most of them will wonder what happened.  Some will search through our stuff to find the answers.

What would that search revel to the ones left in the dark? What would the stuff I leave behind say? If they search my home they’ll find my well worn study Bible, study guides and notes I have written about Christ. The many Bible studies I have done line my shelf. Each holds the answers to their questions.

If they never enter my home, they could still find the answers they seek.  The internet can be a wonderful thing. A quick search would provide them with site after site about Christ and the rapture.  One of those links may even lead them to this very post. Amazing.

Driving on toward home, I was surprised to see the carnival had left behind their signs.  They were just plain white signs that said Carnival in red with a large arrow pointing the way. Our stuff will be like these signs. It will point to the reason for our disappearance.

But this is a future event. Right now, we are the signs that point to Jesus. Standing with red arrows, we point the lost towards salvation. Like the carnival, Christ fills us with the joy we seek. Those of us who have accepted Christ have been to the carnival. We know the joy and peace it brings.

So where’s your sign?  What stuff will point others to Christ after you are gone?

You're Useless

“…they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8

You’re useless.

How sharply those to words can sting. 

Looking back into my childhood I remember hearing those two words from other kids and even my teacher. I remember the pain and shame that came with them.

As I grew older those two little words weren’t said, but they were implied. Oh, we were older and somewhat more dignified when it came to insulting others, but I still remember the pain and shame that came with the implication.

Two little words… You’re useless.

It’s funny how two small words can strip us of our feelings of self worth.  The thought of being useless brings with it the crushing weight of not being loved or appreciated. Feeling incapable of contributing to anything overwhelms our thoughts.  I know, I’ve been there.

But….

Peter tells us how we can avoid being useless. “…they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8b) The word barren means lazy, useless, barren, idle or slow.  So how do we avoid being useless?

In the verses previous to number eight, Peter imparts a wealth of information from God on how to be useful.

 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: ⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ⁵And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. ⁸For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-8

First, we learn that God has given to us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Through God divine power we have been giving the tools we need to live a godly life.  The Bible Reader’s Companion gives this insight, “Salvation is a stunning gift. It provides a new and dynamic principle of spiritual life. It infuses us with power for a life of godliness. It lifts us beyond our human limitations so we can “escape the corruption in the world caused by the evil one.”

Secondly, we see that Christ has called us to glory and virtue through knowledge of Him. Glory is the honor, worship and praise for God. Virtue is having moral character.  Through the study of the life of Jesus we gain reasons to give Him glory and examples of godly moral character.

Lastly, Peter list the tools you need to add to your faith in Christ. These tools will, if applied diligently, will ensure you live a life that in not useless or unfruitful. “…add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; ⁷And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”  These tools are given to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  But it’s our responsibility to apply these tools.  “God gives us spiritual resources, but we’re responsible to use them. Thus Peter says “make every effort” to develop those qualities God’s Spirit will produce in our lives. He won’t work if we just sit, lethargic. But He will work in us if we do our part.” (The Bible Reader Companion.) God will work in us. If God is working in you, then your life is not useless.

So the next time you or I feel useless, we can remember that, through the power of the Holy Spirit we are called to glory and virtue and to partake in His divine nature so that we will not be useless or unfruitful.

Stubbornness

“For I strongly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of the land of Egypt until today, warning them time and time again: Obey My voice. Yet they would not obey or pay attention; each one followed the stubbornness of his evil heart. So I brought on them all the curses of this covenant, because they had not done what I commanded them to do.”Jeremiah 11:7-8 HCSB

Stubbornness.  Every parent’s nightmare. The hours spent arguing with a teenager trying to convince them that you’re only looking out for their best interest.  Or the struggle to get your seven year old to take a shower and get to bed on time. No matter what the task at hand, dealing with a stubborn person can be taxing and difficult.

Webster’s dictionary defines stubbornness as “performing or carrying on in an unyielding, obstinate, or persistent manner.” Sound familiar? I have seen that behavior rise up in both my boys from time to time. But to be fair, I’ve seen it in myself too. We all have that stubborn streak in us.

Last week, while looking up verses for a Bible study, I came across Jeremiah 11:7-8.  As I read it, the words “each one followed the stubbornness of his evil heart.”  jumped off the page at me. God had called His people to obey His voice, but instead they followed the stubbornness of their evil hearts.

So many times, I’ve look down on the children of Israel. I wonder how they could be so disobedient with God so close by their sides. How could they forget God and turn to idols when they saw the miracles God preformed.  I’ve found myself shaking my head in wonder of how rebellious they acted. Then I remember my life….

Stubbornness.  It comes from an evil heart.  A morally reprehensible heart. A heart that has turned from God.  Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”  Beating in our chest is an evil heart that God describes as desperately wicked. The root to our stubbornness is our evil heart. I shudder to think about it.

Thankfully, we don’t have to live with this condition.  Jesus came to reconcile us to Him. He has created in us a new creature. 1 Corinthians 5:17 ^“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 

I’m thankful for a God who loves me enough to forgive me for the disobedience that comes from evil heart that I have.  I’m thankful He loved me through my seasons of stubbornness. I’m thankful He drew me back to Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the kind compassion You show me.  Even though my heart is  desperately wicked You love me.  Guide me, Lord, to seek You daily so I won’t turn from You and grow stubborn.  Amen.

The Difference in Knowing

Do you know who Meg Ryan is?  What can you tell me about her?  I can tell you she an actress. She’s famous.  She’s a mother and wife. She’s meet some very famous people.

Do you know who Barack Obama is?  What can you tell me about him?  Obviously, he’s the president of the United States.  He’s married to Michelle Obama.  He has two daughters and a dog. He lives in the White House. He’s a democrat.

Do you know who Beth Moore is?  What can you tell me about her?  She is a Bible Study teacher.  She lives in Texas. She’s married to Keith Moore and has two grown daughters, Amanda and Melissa. She has a grandson named Jackson. She loves women’s ministry. She loves to study God’s word. She travels extensively to speak. She runs Living Proof Ministry.  She loves Starbucks. For her birthday, her staff took her to a painting class.

Do you know who Carol is? What can you tell me about her? I can tell you she’s been married for 30 years. She and her husband were high school sweethearts.  She has two children who are both adults. She has three sisters. Her dad has passed away.  She loves pastel colors.  She knows every actor and actress on the planet and what they have played in. She teaches in Awana. She enjoys her church family.  She lived in Chicago as a child. She knows Orlando like the back of her hand.  She loves old movies.  She enjoys hot tea.  She enjoys people and loves to go out to eat.  She can talk for hours.

Now of all the people above which one do I really know?  I’ve never met or even seen Meg Ryan or President Obama in person.  I know who they are, but do I really know them? No, not really.

I have seen Beth Moore in person. I’ve watched her teach many times, but I’ve never shook her hand.  I know who she is, but do I really know her?  No, not really.

Which one do I sit and talk for hours with?  Which one has been in my home, hugged my neck, laughed and cried with me?  You guessed it! Carol.  She and I have been friends for many years.  I love her and trust her with my heart.  She’s a true friend. 

As I read John 15:1-17 thoughts of my relationship with Christ came to mind. Recently I read a statement in Lysa TurKeurst’s book, Becoming More than Just a Good Bible Study Girl  that I can’t get out of my head. It’s had a profound affected on me for weeks.  She says, “I want to see Him (Jesus) in me, around me, and through me. I want to hear His voice so clearly that I won’t doubt when He asks for my obedience. I want to know Him- not just facts about Him- but really know Him personally and intimately.”  I got to thinking about my relationship with Christ.  Do I know Him or do I just know facts about Him?  Do I know Him like I do Meg, President Obama or Beth?  Or do I know Him like I do Carol?

Psalms 46:10a tells me to “Be still and know that I am God...”  In Psalm 100:3a God instructs me to “Know ye that the LORD he is God...” God desires a close personal relationship with each of us.  One in which when He speaks to us, we will know it’s Him. One that allows us to talk to Him about anything. A relationship that craves daily communication.

Knowing just the facts about God and knowing Him are vastly different.  I like this quote by Tim Hansel. “There is a difference between memorizing Scripture and thinking biblically. There’s a difference between knowing the words and experiencing their meaning. There is a difference between having sentences embedded in your head and having their impact embedded in your heart. There is a difference between “doing Christianity” and being a Christian.” It’s my prayer that I will seek to “know God” in a deep and intimate way.

John 15:1-17

I thought it fitting to begin my new blog with the verses that inspired me to live my life abiding in Christ.  I'm looking forward to this journey and I hope those of you who check in often will be inspired too.

John 15:1-17

¹I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ³Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁶If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ⁸Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

⁹As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ¹⁰If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. ¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ¹²This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ¹⁵Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. ¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. ¹⁷These things I command you, that ye love one another.