This month's topic for Marriage Monday is "Friendship in Christian Marriage".
Once again, I am going to head off on my own trail with this one. (The topics are so broad my mind can't be contained to just one path. I like to wander around and make my own way :)
When Bob and I got married twelve years ago, we didn't invite someone to the wedding. Luckily, he showed up as a plus one with some of our family and friends. Of course, he didn't sit in the front row, but he was out there in the crowd somewhere. He watched us "tie the knot", nodding his head and smiling this little half smile. He knew what had just begun, and where it would lead. He also knew what it would take to get us there.
You see, we never invited Jesus to our wedding. He managed to sneak in with some friends, but because we didn't ask for him to join us, he sat quietly in the crowd, watching.
Fast forward to about two years ago. We are both now completely dedicated to living our lives for Christ. We wanted to fix our marriage so Bob and I both read scripture, read books (OK, I read books, he looked at the covers ;), talked to friends, sought out council and so on, but we still were missing the big picture. We worked so hard on fixing our relationship that we didn't even notice that Jesus was always there, waiting to the side, just taking it all in; once again with that little half smile on his face.
On and on the struggle went, knowing how it should be but never able to GET there. Working in our own power.
By this time, we had a great relationship with Jesus. He joined us for meals, prayer time, celebrations and deep discussions. We asked his advice and direction on parenting, ministry, service, and even started to listen to his direction on finances. Our friendship with him had grown and deepened and become wider and higher. All of a sudden, there it was! The answer we had been struggling to find!
We still hadn't invited Jesus to the wedding. He was still sitting in the crowd, watching, and smiling that little half smile. He had to wait for us to realize that we had never asked him to join us.
Jesus is the best kind of friend. Always there, but never pushy, never overpowering. He wants us to take the step of trust that is required in all relationships. He wants us to lay it all out. The ugly, the dark and damaged, the forgotten and the hopeless. Then he can work in his power to repair, replace and redeem what was lost. But you see, he won't take it all. We have to willingly hand it to him and admit that we just aren't enough.
By removing Jesus from the guest list that kept him as a "plus one" and inviting him to be in the middle of our marriage, we found that all the broken places were made whole. The pieces that were missing suddenly were there to complete the picture. It took HIS light and healing to change our marriage. Not our power. We have none. It had to be his. Jesus needs to be THE one if our marriage is to work according to God's plan. The one that directs. The one that disciplines. The one that refines. The one that leads. The one that is glorified.
Bob and I will eventually renew our vows as an outward sign to our friends and family that we are still dedicated to each other. It will be a time of celebration with friends. But what matters most has already changed. Our commitment to each other and most importantly, removing Jesus as a "plus one" from the crowd and making him THE one in the middle of our marriage.
Oh, and that little half smile he seemed to always have? It's a full blown laugh now.
For more stories of Friendship in Christian Marriage, head over to marriage Monday by following the link in my right hand column.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Worship with Lee
I spent the weekend at a Dare 2 Share conference with teens from our youth goup, so I hope that you will be OK with my very late posting of my Saturday song.
As you know, I love Leeland. The depth of the lyrics and the melodies are exactly right for my worship style. They performed Saturday night and they were just as great as I had hoped they would be. We sang a couple of old hymns. They had been updated to fit Leeland's style, but still had the same beauty and richness that old hymns do. We sang "I have decided to follow Jesus" and it was just awesome (in the TRUE definition of the word).
I came across this video while looking for that song and just had to stop and worship for a few minutes. I hope you are as blessed by it as I was.
For more great worship songs, click on the TSMSS button in my right hand column.
As you know, I love Leeland. The depth of the lyrics and the melodies are exactly right for my worship style. They performed Saturday night and they were just as great as I had hoped they would be. We sang a couple of old hymns. They had been updated to fit Leeland's style, but still had the same beauty and richness that old hymns do. We sang "I have decided to follow Jesus" and it was just awesome (in the TRUE definition of the word).
I came across this video while looking for that song and just had to stop and worship for a few minutes. I hope you are as blessed by it as I was.
For more great worship songs, click on the TSMSS button in my right hand column.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thankful Thursday
Ok, I really and truly struggled this week to decide on my five. There was a lot of things to be thankful for. Here are my top of the tops...
1. Ok, I know that you guys have been waiting and praying for this one so get ready to laugh, cheer, praise God and just be happy...
our teen that was hit by the SUV was at youth group last night! He looks really good and is doing amazingly more than we ever expected, especially for just four weeks after the accident. He even fussed at us for telling Kevin the truth of his condition...he didn't like the fact that Kevin worried about him. I told him that we have seen Kevin grow in his understanding of prayer through this so we aren't sorry we told him. (I guess this is a two for one praise huh?)Our teen still has quite a way to go, but he is doing great!
2. We had several teens accept Christ last night at youth group. It is just awe-inspiring to see the Spirit move in such a mighty way.
3. Our banquet for the crisis pregnancy center where I work exceeded our goal! This is so exciting. We had several people indicate that they would like to volunteer, and from what I was told, there were a couple of people there that got to hear the message of salvation and hope for the first time! I got to hear the most amazing testimony. Our keynote speaker was Kathy Sparks. I would highly encourage you to follow the link by clicking on her name. I have linked it to her testimony she gave on Focus on the Family. It will be a blessing to you!
4. My wonderful husband. I don't need any qualifiers here. He just rocks and I am thankful for him. (ok, just one little one here: he thinks I am hot no matter what I look like. He REALLY does!)
5. There are some women in the church that I love and have had a friendship with for several years, but we are starting to push below the surface and get to know each other on a deeper, spiritual level. That is a blessing.
* I would like to add a prayer request: I don't know the person that was driving the SUV that struck our teen, but I know she was struggling with it. I don't know what she has dealt with or what feelings and emotions she is struggling with, but I just ask that you pray for God's peace on this situation. That if there is any guilt (we all know that she couldn't have done anything about it, it was NOT her fault)or lasting emotional or spiritual pain, that she would be healed and freed from those situations.
For more Thankful Thursday posts, please follow the link in my right hand column.
1. Ok, I know that you guys have been waiting and praying for this one so get ready to laugh, cheer, praise God and just be happy...
our teen that was hit by the SUV was at youth group last night! He looks really good and is doing amazingly more than we ever expected, especially for just four weeks after the accident. He even fussed at us for telling Kevin the truth of his condition...he didn't like the fact that Kevin worried about him. I told him that we have seen Kevin grow in his understanding of prayer through this so we aren't sorry we told him. (I guess this is a two for one praise huh?)Our teen still has quite a way to go, but he is doing great!
2. We had several teens accept Christ last night at youth group. It is just awe-inspiring to see the Spirit move in such a mighty way.
3. Our banquet for the crisis pregnancy center where I work exceeded our goal! This is so exciting. We had several people indicate that they would like to volunteer, and from what I was told, there were a couple of people there that got to hear the message of salvation and hope for the first time! I got to hear the most amazing testimony. Our keynote speaker was Kathy Sparks. I would highly encourage you to follow the link by clicking on her name. I have linked it to her testimony she gave on Focus on the Family. It will be a blessing to you!
4. My wonderful husband. I don't need any qualifiers here. He just rocks and I am thankful for him. (ok, just one little one here: he thinks I am hot no matter what I look like. He REALLY does!)
5. There are some women in the church that I love and have had a friendship with for several years, but we are starting to push below the surface and get to know each other on a deeper, spiritual level. That is a blessing.
* I would like to add a prayer request: I don't know the person that was driving the SUV that struck our teen, but I know she was struggling with it. I don't know what she has dealt with or what feelings and emotions she is struggling with, but I just ask that you pray for God's peace on this situation. That if there is any guilt (we all know that she couldn't have done anything about it, it was NOT her fault)or lasting emotional or spiritual pain, that she would be healed and freed from those situations.
For more Thankful Thursday posts, please follow the link in my right hand column.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
This is just Fabulous!
I was so honored when I saw my little name listed on Kelli's blog, Faithful Life! What a wonderful thing to say about a person! I invite you over to check out her blog and get to know her, she is really fun!
I was doubly honored when I visited Godsown at My Journey and saw that she had honored me with this award as well. It is a blessing indeed to be acknowledged by two such wonderful women.
OK, so there are two rules that accompany this award:
1. Confess 5 things you are addicted to.
2. Pass the award on to 5 deserving bloggers
Here are 5 random addictions that I have:
1. Chocolate (chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake or dove dark chocolate promises are my preferred methods of consumption!)
2. I absolutely LOVE The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, and Biggest Loser. I get really involved in these shows and then become sad, as if my friends have moved away, when the season is over.
3. being technologically connected. If you see me, I will generally be texting, blogging, twittering or checking my facebook or myspace, or my gmail or hotmail accounts.
4. I become addicted to "going". I don't care what I am doing as long as I am out of the house going. That isn't really a good addiction because it affects everyone and schedules get thrown off and eating times are not regular. Not healthy for toddlers and big kids alike.
5. Trying new health and beauty products (with the exception of my face powder, it works at keeping my skin from looking like a teenager's skin so I am ALL about loyalty on that one!). I love new colors, scents, textures, and formulas. I don't buy the hype, I just want to try it. I hardly ever buy anything the same twice. It is fun for me.
OK, now the really fun part. I get to introduce you to 5 people whom I enjoy "knowing" in the bloggy sense of the word.
1. First, you have to meet Tara at Giggles n' Gulps. She is so random and funny. And did you know she started her own resource website on post partum depression? She is inspiring as well, Ladies!
2. Shanda over at A Teachable Heart
is so inspiring and uplifting for me. She, along with Tara, are two ladies whom I would be honored to meet in the real world. I have really enjoyed getting Shanda's encouragement and insights over the past few months. I'm sure you will see what I mean after you spend some time on her blog.
3. No list would be complete without my friend April over at Ramblings of a Mother and Wife. She's frugal, crafty, creative in the kitchen, dedicated to being real about her life as a wife and mother, and also an advocate for RP. And yes, she is the same in the real world as she is on her blog!
4. I first met Gayle over at The Westie Crew a day before she started her blogging fast. Yes, ladies, this woman has not blogged since February 25th! I decided her blog would be on my top ten list when she posted the most amazing blog about making cake in a coffee cup in your microwave. I mean, how truly beautiful is that! She will be back after lent so make sure you check her out!
5. Finally, I want to introduce you to Kelly over at Kelly's Korner
I followed a link to her blog from another blog, and there I found the most amazing testimony in the making. Kelly's daughter Harper had some pretty serious stuff going on when she was born. Kelly's testimony through it all, and her unwavering faith in God to pull them through the situation, was a blessing to read.
If you have received the award already, then just accept it as confirmation of your blogs impact.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The BL-Thought Closet-Memorizing-Serving Spiritual Spring Cleaning...HUH?
What does all that title mean? Read on!
Over the past several months, I have been really "getting" scripture. It is like a light has been clicked on in my head. I am applying it better than ever before. I am retaining it better than I ever have. I am using it to enrich and deepen my relationships. I am just in a "get it" time in my life.
Before you think I have decided I am the Oh-Great-Enlightened-One, let me tell you, I have some pretty big strongholds that I just can't seem to allow God to break down. I have decided that this is the year to do it. And of course, any time the seasons change (such as springs arrival, along with Easter and warmer weather) I am inspired to "clean house". This time I am just going to clean house in ME.
How? I am taking a body-mind-soul approach.
Body: Biggest Loser (BL)
I am not healthy. I am overweight, under-strength, endurance and lung capacity challenged. I have had every excuse in the book as to why I can't or don't want to lose weight. Some were legit (under-active thyroid, now behaving nicely thanks so much, and shin splints which are still around and kicking) and others that were not so legit, like laziness, poor time management and just plain 'ol stubbornness.
I have come to see that the body is very important in pretty much every aspect of my spiritual life. I use it to serve, to learn, to build, to comfort, to entertain (I work with teens and I have kids, I'm either getting a laugh at my 80's dance moves or am a jungle gym for my toddler)and also to house the Holy Spirit. If I do not keep my body in good shape, I will not be ready and able to perform whatever task the Lord sets before me. So, I have enlisted some friends who will keep me accountable and I have actually committed and am sticking with a workout. We meet twice a week to do Biggest Loser workout DVDs and (prepare yourself for the horror!) I have been fasting from chocolate for the last three weeks! I still have three to go! I realized that I had turned chocolate into the major food group in my diet. And yes, Ladies, there IS something wrong with that. So, I promised God I would get chocolate under control in my life and to do that I had to say goodbye to it for awhile. Thanks to my friends it has been mostly fun, but there are days I desperately want some. That shows me that I still haven't given up that strong-hold to God, so I continue on.
Mind: (Thought Closet)
I am the very first person to tear myself down (and truthfully, probably about the ONLY person to do it) and I am pretty viscous about it. There is a whole litany of things that I constantly remind myself that I am just not good at, don't qualify for or have the power to influence in. Now, I KNOW what God says about me. I have read his thoughts over and over. But, I allow my own thoughts to drown him out. These thoughts go back a lot of years, and I just can't seem to get them out.
How do I fix that? I joined and committed to completing the new Bible study in the ladies ministry at my church. It is called Me, Myself, and Lies. It is all about the lies we speak to ourselves every day. I am determined to allow God's voice to boom out over the little mutterings of my own mind. This study is my chance to finally break down this stronghold of self-talk in my life and truly allow the word of God to be the voice I hear.
Soul: Memorizing and Serving
What am I feeding my soul with? Well, up until the first of the year, not much. I would read the Bible but not spend the time to really study it's content. It was not so much a love letter to me as it was a quick reference guide. In order to grow, I knew that had to change. I dedicated the next 12 months to learning 24 Bible verses. That's 2 a month. Now, for someone that can't even remember her husband's cell phone number (speed dial #2, thanks so much), this was a daunting task. But, I gave it to God and away I went. I am actually doing pretty well! I got a little enthusiastic with a couple and I am still trying to learn them, so I decided to keep to the shorter verses after that.
Amazingly enough, I don't struggle to decide what verse to commit to next. It always seems to just "pop up" in that way that you know God is giving you a hand. I have now committed 5 verses to memory. And yes, they do come to mind when I need to get a little reassurance or guidance from God.
I am also stepping out into some new service in my ministries. I continue to learn and develop the truth that to grow in Christ I need to be serving his people. I connect more deeply, love more strongly, and grow deeper the more I strive to have a servant heart.
So, I guess my spring cleaning is more of a complete overhaul, but if you are going to do something, the worst thing you can do is do it halfway.
I hope something I have mentioned here might spark a desire for you to check-in with your body-mind-spirit condition. Is everything in good working order? No clutter to work around? No junk that needs thrown out? Maybe you just want to re-organize or, better yet, make-over something that is worn out and just not working like it should. There is no better time than the spring, with the reminder of Easter just a few weeks away, to focus in on what matters most, and what needs to be gotten rid of.
Happy Cleaning ya'll!
Over the past several months, I have been really "getting" scripture. It is like a light has been clicked on in my head. I am applying it better than ever before. I am retaining it better than I ever have. I am using it to enrich and deepen my relationships. I am just in a "get it" time in my life.
Before you think I have decided I am the Oh-Great-Enlightened-One, let me tell you, I have some pretty big strongholds that I just can't seem to allow God to break down. I have decided that this is the year to do it. And of course, any time the seasons change (such as springs arrival, along with Easter and warmer weather) I am inspired to "clean house". This time I am just going to clean house in ME.
How? I am taking a body-mind-soul approach.
Body: Biggest Loser (BL)
I am not healthy. I am overweight, under-strength, endurance and lung capacity challenged. I have had every excuse in the book as to why I can't or don't want to lose weight. Some were legit (under-active thyroid, now behaving nicely thanks so much, and shin splints which are still around and kicking) and others that were not so legit, like laziness, poor time management and just plain 'ol stubbornness.
I have come to see that the body is very important in pretty much every aspect of my spiritual life. I use it to serve, to learn, to build, to comfort, to entertain (I work with teens and I have kids, I'm either getting a laugh at my 80's dance moves or am a jungle gym for my toddler)and also to house the Holy Spirit. If I do not keep my body in good shape, I will not be ready and able to perform whatever task the Lord sets before me. So, I have enlisted some friends who will keep me accountable and I have actually committed and am sticking with a workout. We meet twice a week to do Biggest Loser workout DVDs and (prepare yourself for the horror!) I have been fasting from chocolate for the last three weeks! I still have three to go! I realized that I had turned chocolate into the major food group in my diet. And yes, Ladies, there IS something wrong with that. So, I promised God I would get chocolate under control in my life and to do that I had to say goodbye to it for awhile. Thanks to my friends it has been mostly fun, but there are days I desperately want some. That shows me that I still haven't given up that strong-hold to God, so I continue on.
Mind: (Thought Closet)
I am the very first person to tear myself down (and truthfully, probably about the ONLY person to do it) and I am pretty viscous about it. There is a whole litany of things that I constantly remind myself that I am just not good at, don't qualify for or have the power to influence in. Now, I KNOW what God says about me. I have read his thoughts over and over. But, I allow my own thoughts to drown him out. These thoughts go back a lot of years, and I just can't seem to get them out.
How do I fix that? I joined and committed to completing the new Bible study in the ladies ministry at my church. It is called Me, Myself, and Lies. It is all about the lies we speak to ourselves every day. I am determined to allow God's voice to boom out over the little mutterings of my own mind. This study is my chance to finally break down this stronghold of self-talk in my life and truly allow the word of God to be the voice I hear.
Soul: Memorizing and Serving
What am I feeding my soul with? Well, up until the first of the year, not much. I would read the Bible but not spend the time to really study it's content. It was not so much a love letter to me as it was a quick reference guide. In order to grow, I knew that had to change. I dedicated the next 12 months to learning 24 Bible verses. That's 2 a month. Now, for someone that can't even remember her husband's cell phone number (speed dial #2, thanks so much), this was a daunting task. But, I gave it to God and away I went. I am actually doing pretty well! I got a little enthusiastic with a couple and I am still trying to learn them, so I decided to keep to the shorter verses after that.
Amazingly enough, I don't struggle to decide what verse to commit to next. It always seems to just "pop up" in that way that you know God is giving you a hand. I have now committed 5 verses to memory. And yes, they do come to mind when I need to get a little reassurance or guidance from God.
I am also stepping out into some new service in my ministries. I continue to learn and develop the truth that to grow in Christ I need to be serving his people. I connect more deeply, love more strongly, and grow deeper the more I strive to have a servant heart.
So, I guess my spring cleaning is more of a complete overhaul, but if you are going to do something, the worst thing you can do is do it halfway.
I hope something I have mentioned here might spark a desire for you to check-in with your body-mind-spirit condition. Is everything in good working order? No clutter to work around? No junk that needs thrown out? Maybe you just want to re-organize or, better yet, make-over something that is worn out and just not working like it should. There is no better time than the spring, with the reminder of Easter just a few weeks away, to focus in on what matters most, and what needs to be gotten rid of.
Happy Cleaning ya'll!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Yes You Have
As I look further and further into my realtionship with Jesus, I see more and more that I am drawn to him, not that I am seeking him. Once I accepted the grace that was offered to me, I began this relationship with Jesus that was so unbalanced. He gives and gives and pours into my life and refuses to leave me or give up on me. I have nothing to offer him. I never did. I never will. But he just doesn't care. I am his.
He died for me and therefore I am his.
The further I go in this relationship with Jesus, the less I can do without him. I love that my dependance on him grows and deepens with each passing day.
I can not highlight just one phrase or lyric in this song. They just speak my heart much better than I know how to say it myself.
Leeland ~ Yes You Have
Every tree and every stone
Every rushing wind that moans
They sing Your praise
My God, they sing Your praise
Every star and open sky
Tell of Your glory divine
They shout Your praise
They shout Your praise, yeah
You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes, You have!!
With Your love You set me free
Three nails gave me liberty
So I’ll sing Your praise
My God, I’ll sing Your praise
Oh, with Your love
You forgave my sin
Forgot my past
And brought me back again
So I’ll sing Your praise
I’ll sing Your praise, yeah
If I ascend into the sky
Or hide behind the night
I can not run Your love is chasing me
If I fall into the sea
Your hand will rescue me
No one will take Your place
Because
This is all for You
Yes, this is all for You
You’re the King of the world
You’re the King of the world
As always, there is much more worship to be found at the The Sings My Soul blog party. Just follow the link in my right hand column.
He died for me and therefore I am his.
The further I go in this relationship with Jesus, the less I can do without him. I love that my dependance on him grows and deepens with each passing day.
I can not highlight just one phrase or lyric in this song. They just speak my heart much better than I know how to say it myself.
Leeland ~ Yes You Have
Every tree and every stone
Every rushing wind that moans
They sing Your praise
My God, they sing Your praise
Every star and open sky
Tell of Your glory divine
They shout Your praise
They shout Your praise, yeah
You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes, You have!!
With Your love You set me free
Three nails gave me liberty
So I’ll sing Your praise
My God, I’ll sing Your praise
Oh, with Your love
You forgave my sin
Forgot my past
And brought me back again
So I’ll sing Your praise
I’ll sing Your praise, yeah
If I ascend into the sky
Or hide behind the night
I can not run Your love is chasing me
If I fall into the sea
Your hand will rescue me
No one will take Your place
Because
This is all for You
Yes, this is all for You
You’re the King of the world
You’re the King of the world
As always, there is much more worship to be found at the The Sings My Soul blog party. Just follow the link in my right hand column.
Learning how She-Speaks (scholarship give-a-way!)
Every year I see postings on Lysa TerKeurst's blog about the She Speaks conference.
If you have never heard of She Speaks you must immediately, I mean IMMEDIATELY go here (But come back when you are done!).
Are you back? OK, great! Now, doesn't that look like just the most AMAZING thing ever? Do you want to speak to women? There's encouragement and guidance for that! Do you want to write about God's grace and mercy lived out in your life? There's guidance for that! Do you want to grow your women's ministry into an amazing testimony of God's love through people? There's guidance for that! Besides that, a conference full of women who love God, love women, and want to grow in their gifts and callings? WOW!
I have been eyeing this conference for a couple of years because God is working this strange new gift in me, and I am not sure what to do with it or what direction I am supposed to go from here. I just know I absolutely LOVE when something that I have shared from my own life and journey impacts someone else. I truly believe that we each have an amazing, God-given ability to change the world through our life story. As for me, well, there will be some writers there that I would love to get some info from, as well as just seeking guidance as to what I am supposed to DO with this thing sitting in my head.
Now, as you know, I would love to win this scholarship (as you probably guessed, for the writing track) since I would never be able to afford it on my own. But, I may not be the person God has intended for this reward. It might be YOU! I would like to really encourage you (again, yes YOU!) to head over to Lysa's blog and get all the info and get yourself registered for the scholarship give-a-way. To find out what the scholarship includes, go here.
Ladies, We all have stories to share and people to influence in the name and cause of Christ, and this is a great opportunity for you to see just how you can do it!
Good Luck!
If you have never heard of She Speaks you must immediately, I mean IMMEDIATELY go here (But come back when you are done!).
Are you back? OK, great! Now, doesn't that look like just the most AMAZING thing ever? Do you want to speak to women? There's encouragement and guidance for that! Do you want to write about God's grace and mercy lived out in your life? There's guidance for that! Do you want to grow your women's ministry into an amazing testimony of God's love through people? There's guidance for that! Besides that, a conference full of women who love God, love women, and want to grow in their gifts and callings? WOW!
I have been eyeing this conference for a couple of years because God is working this strange new gift in me, and I am not sure what to do with it or what direction I am supposed to go from here. I just know I absolutely LOVE when something that I have shared from my own life and journey impacts someone else. I truly believe that we each have an amazing, God-given ability to change the world through our life story. As for me, well, there will be some writers there that I would love to get some info from, as well as just seeking guidance as to what I am supposed to DO with this thing sitting in my head.
Now, as you know, I would love to win this scholarship (as you probably guessed, for the writing track) since I would never be able to afford it on my own. But, I may not be the person God has intended for this reward. It might be YOU! I would like to really encourage you (again, yes YOU!) to head over to Lysa's blog and get all the info and get yourself registered for the scholarship give-a-way. To find out what the scholarship includes, go here.
Ladies, We all have stories to share and people to influence in the name and cause of Christ, and this is a great opportunity for you to see just how you can do it!
Good Luck!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Video on exercising
In honor of my not losing any weight yet, I give you a little Tuesday laugh.
Don't worry, I think my body is storing up the weight loss, and I will wake up one day a size 10. (Hey! It's my dream. Don't try to take it from me!)
Don't worry, I think my body is storing up the weight loss, and I will wake up one day a size 10. (Hey! It's my dream. Don't try to take it from me!)
Zephaniah 3:17 in the little things
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
~ Zephaniah 3:17
I picked this verse this week because one, it was referenced in half of the workshops I took over the weekend, and second, well, I need it.
When I read verses like this I feel like they are good to have in my memory bank for when the big stuff comes. However, I have recently really started to see how these "storms of life" verses apply to the day to day life we live as well.
"The Lord God is with you, he is mighty to save".
How wonderful to be able to remember this when you are frustrated with your children, or feel slighted by your husband, or let down by your friends.
It's times like that when you make little mistakes that could have big repercussions. You overreact in your punishment of your kids and then the whole family has to live with it (we have lost many weekends of fun because I didn't stop to consider the big picture and allow the molehill stay a molehill) , your bitter words to your spouse cause damage and heartache, or your response to a friend's action causes distance and hurt.
What if we remember that God is with us and allow him to save us from all of this junk in our relationships? A few minutes getting God's direction will have long term and lasting rewards in our relationships, instead of our snap human response tearing them down.
"He will take great delight in you"
We are still stuck in the belief that God expects the grand gesture every day to prove our love and commitment to him. How wrong we are! God delights in every right choice, every instant of compassion shown, and every struggle that we take another step out of. Of course he wants us to stop and help the jobless man on the corner, serve at the homeless shelter, donate our money to worthy and compassionate causes and preach the Gospel whenever we can. He wants us to finally lay down that addiction and give it to him completely, to respond naturally with compassion and love in every situation, and to proclaim our testimony of it all.
But...
He delights when we remember to hold our tongue instead of yelling at our children. When we stop ourselves from going back for that second helping at the dinner table. When we pass by the sale rack without even looking. When we dedicate that few moments of free time to reading our Bible instead of playing video games or watching TV. When we take a deep breath and ask the question that will push our relationship with someone else past the superficial and into the area where true growth in God happens. It's not always about the giant leaps (although they are important and should be taken when God gives us the opportunity). It's also about the little steps that seem so hard to commit to, to stick with, and to push past. He delights in us whenever we strive to glorify him, no matter what we do.
"He will quiet you with his love"
Have you ever had a day that just seems to be full of "little things"?
The kids were hard to get up and ready for school. You are stuck behind someone going below the speed limit or are cut off in traffic. You didn't get to get all of your errands done before the baby needed to go home for a nap. You realize that there is never going to be an end to the laundry, and it seems like your stuff is always the last to get washed. You stub your toe on just one more thing that was left out instead of put away. At 10:00 pm you are still looking at the dishes from dinner that didn't magically get washed and put away. Little things. But as they come along they grow in your heart a frustration and dissatisfaction with where you are in your life. These things can just keep building pressure in you until you blow. Then you have a lot of damage control to handle. What if we look to God when a "little thing" pops up? Allow him to quiet our thoughts and frustrations with his love? He wants to be a part of ALL of our life. Not just the big stuff that we know we need him to take, but for the little stuff that we think we can handle on our own.
"He will rejoice over you with singing"
We as parents rejoice over every smile, hand clap and step our child takes. Every right decision, every moment of perseverance, every time their Godly character takes them against the flow. How can we think that God does anything less with us? When we take a stand for God against popular opinion he rejoices. When we quietly open our Bible to correct our child instead of yelling, God rejoices. When we give God the victory over our habits and addictions, he rejoices. When we sit down and quietly tell him about our fears and joys, he rejoices.
How wonderful to know that God, the creator of the universe, rejoices over you with singing when you come to him in weakness, in joy, in pain, and in celebration. Nothing is too small for God to rejoice over. He loves us more than we can ever fathom!
As I strive to understand this scripture in my life, I feel more and more drawn to learning more about God and what he wants for my life.
~ Zephaniah 3:17
I picked this verse this week because one, it was referenced in half of the workshops I took over the weekend, and second, well, I need it.
When I read verses like this I feel like they are good to have in my memory bank for when the big stuff comes. However, I have recently really started to see how these "storms of life" verses apply to the day to day life we live as well.
"The Lord God is with you, he is mighty to save".
How wonderful to be able to remember this when you are frustrated with your children, or feel slighted by your husband, or let down by your friends.
It's times like that when you make little mistakes that could have big repercussions. You overreact in your punishment of your kids and then the whole family has to live with it (we have lost many weekends of fun because I didn't stop to consider the big picture and allow the molehill stay a molehill) , your bitter words to your spouse cause damage and heartache, or your response to a friend's action causes distance and hurt.
What if we remember that God is with us and allow him to save us from all of this junk in our relationships? A few minutes getting God's direction will have long term and lasting rewards in our relationships, instead of our snap human response tearing them down.
"He will take great delight in you"
We are still stuck in the belief that God expects the grand gesture every day to prove our love and commitment to him. How wrong we are! God delights in every right choice, every instant of compassion shown, and every struggle that we take another step out of. Of course he wants us to stop and help the jobless man on the corner, serve at the homeless shelter, donate our money to worthy and compassionate causes and preach the Gospel whenever we can. He wants us to finally lay down that addiction and give it to him completely, to respond naturally with compassion and love in every situation, and to proclaim our testimony of it all.
But...
He delights when we remember to hold our tongue instead of yelling at our children. When we stop ourselves from going back for that second helping at the dinner table. When we pass by the sale rack without even looking. When we dedicate that few moments of free time to reading our Bible instead of playing video games or watching TV. When we take a deep breath and ask the question that will push our relationship with someone else past the superficial and into the area where true growth in God happens. It's not always about the giant leaps (although they are important and should be taken when God gives us the opportunity). It's also about the little steps that seem so hard to commit to, to stick with, and to push past. He delights in us whenever we strive to glorify him, no matter what we do.
"He will quiet you with his love"
Have you ever had a day that just seems to be full of "little things"?
The kids were hard to get up and ready for school. You are stuck behind someone going below the speed limit or are cut off in traffic. You didn't get to get all of your errands done before the baby needed to go home for a nap. You realize that there is never going to be an end to the laundry, and it seems like your stuff is always the last to get washed. You stub your toe on just one more thing that was left out instead of put away. At 10:00 pm you are still looking at the dishes from dinner that didn't magically get washed and put away. Little things. But as they come along they grow in your heart a frustration and dissatisfaction with where you are in your life. These things can just keep building pressure in you until you blow. Then you have a lot of damage control to handle. What if we look to God when a "little thing" pops up? Allow him to quiet our thoughts and frustrations with his love? He wants to be a part of ALL of our life. Not just the big stuff that we know we need him to take, but for the little stuff that we think we can handle on our own.
"He will rejoice over you with singing"
We as parents rejoice over every smile, hand clap and step our child takes. Every right decision, every moment of perseverance, every time their Godly character takes them against the flow. How can we think that God does anything less with us? When we take a stand for God against popular opinion he rejoices. When we quietly open our Bible to correct our child instead of yelling, God rejoices. When we give God the victory over our habits and addictions, he rejoices. When we sit down and quietly tell him about our fears and joys, he rejoices.
How wonderful to know that God, the creator of the universe, rejoices over you with singing when you come to him in weakness, in joy, in pain, and in celebration. Nothing is too small for God to rejoice over. He loves us more than we can ever fathom!
As I strive to understand this scripture in my life, I feel more and more drawn to learning more about God and what he wants for my life.
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