Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
2 Realizations Tests and Words
Ok, so I have been thinking much about tests/trials that God has us go through. My daughter Katie was talking to me about something to do with school--the specifics slip my mind right now. I was explaining to her that she would not have anything on her tests that I had not already taught her. That's not the purpose of tests---to introduce new material---then it hit me---the Lord may do the same. I would only be tested on the things He has already tried to teach me. Somehow, that relieves me of pressure...it is now my responsibility to be a good student of the Lord and not to predict new material or know the test material beforehand. So, as He teaches, I want to learn. I don't have to learn during the test, but before the test.
2nd realization
Last night, I was explaining a situation to a couple of friends of how I do not like to commit to something unless I really really mean to do it! My life parable is the story in the Bible of the two sons of one father...one sons commits to do work for his father, but doesn't, and the other one says he won't , but then in the end, he does the work. In my life, I would rather say no, then do it if I can. In my opinion, your word is your life--your reputation. I was reading in Jeremiah today---and Jeremiah 1:12 b says "I am watching over my word to perform it." So, that's where I get it! My heavenly father!!! He doesn't commit to anything that He doesn't remember to do! How awesome is this. I love it when I see a physical resemblance in me or my kids to my parents and/or brothers. Somehow, it makes me feel a very strong connection to them---that I am part of something bigger, that I belong in their family. Here, I see that some things that are really strong in me, really came from Him! Cool! I want there to be more of that in my life that resembles Him.
2nd realization
Last night, I was explaining a situation to a couple of friends of how I do not like to commit to something unless I really really mean to do it! My life parable is the story in the Bible of the two sons of one father...one sons commits to do work for his father, but doesn't, and the other one says he won't , but then in the end, he does the work. In my life, I would rather say no, then do it if I can. In my opinion, your word is your life--your reputation. I was reading in Jeremiah today---and Jeremiah 1:12 b says "I am watching over my word to perform it." So, that's where I get it! My heavenly father!!! He doesn't commit to anything that He doesn't remember to do! How awesome is this. I love it when I see a physical resemblance in me or my kids to my parents and/or brothers. Somehow, it makes me feel a very strong connection to them---that I am part of something bigger, that I belong in their family. Here, I see that some things that are really strong in me, really came from Him! Cool! I want there to be more of that in my life that resembles Him.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
An idea for you to try
I am often reminded that we need more of God in our daily lives. in our friendships. in, well, everything! So, why not read a book of the Bible together with a friend, a mom or a dad? I got this idea from my friend Bekah who meets on Skype with her friend every Tuesday for Bible Study! How cool is that? They are dedicated! I think they meet in the early, early morning too! Since I am in Russia, I have this privilege of sharing the word online when I cannot in person.
I first asked my friend Sarah to do this and we read Galatians together. Now, I am reading Colossians with my mom and friend Abby. We just write our thoughts down in an email and share. It's fun seeing a new perspective. I had done this a long time ago just before getting married. I read a book with my dad--it was one of the Pauline letters---but which one I can't recall. So, will you do the same? What are you reading right now? Are you almost ready to start a new book---if so, here's your chance!!
We should be reading the Word daily...so why not simultaneously read with a friend---even though not in the same room! Our friendships should always have a spiritual aspect to them. One should disciple and the other learn or both of you should be sharpening each other. If our friendships ever have zero growth toward God, you might consider adding that aspect to it. It can only improve it---when you both are growing or giving of the Lord!
I first asked my friend Sarah to do this and we read Galatians together. Now, I am reading Colossians with my mom and friend Abby. We just write our thoughts down in an email and share. It's fun seeing a new perspective. I had done this a long time ago just before getting married. I read a book with my dad--it was one of the Pauline letters---but which one I can't recall. So, will you do the same? What are you reading right now? Are you almost ready to start a new book---if so, here's your chance!!
We should be reading the Word daily...so why not simultaneously read with a friend---even though not in the same room! Our friendships should always have a spiritual aspect to them. One should disciple and the other learn or both of you should be sharpening each other. If our friendships ever have zero growth toward God, you might consider adding that aspect to it. It can only improve it---when you both are growing or giving of the Lord!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Trusting His methods
Ok, this is really John's revelation...but it was so good for me, that I had to write it.
Background:
I have often felt frustrated with "last minute" things that are done "by God." Sometimes, wondering---were they from God or did people just make it happen and it finally did. Ok, more than that, let me go even farther and say that I have chatted with the Lord(once or twice) about "why don't you do things ahead of time and prove Your Hand is in things, instead of being so last minute---it does terrible things to "God's reputation" when people think...well, you just have to wait for Him to act and it won't happen til the end." Yes, I did have this conversation with God---nope, He didn't take my advice:)....He didn't need to. I had this conversation before coming to Russia, b/c I felt that everything--well, visas...and invitations and such weren't falling into place until the month before coming...and oh, I almost forgot---our house had not sold---it was on the market for over a year!! Why??? Why did it have to sell in October??? Why didn't God show His hand earlier? Was it because it was His plan all along? Sometimes, these "plans" are called into question when they don't happen earlier---sometimes people may have thought...we shouldn't have come here to Russia b/c everything didn't happen earlier. Were we forcing things to happen so we could come to Russia? Yep, people thought things things and sometimes even voiced their concerns to us, we even wondered about it at times.
Ok, so on to another story---Corrie Ten Boom---seemed to question God's methods too. Her father used the example of not giving her a train ticket that he had bought for her until they reached the station. Why did he wait...she didn't need the ticket beforehand. He had done the prep work, bought the ticket, brought the ticket and yet, still had Corrie wait to get it in her hand. He said that God doesn't give us things until we need them. (By the way, we do the same thing with Katie and metro tokens)
On hearing this story told by John many times this year, I have felt much better about God's ways, but still thought that God should spare himself the "last minute" reputation til today.
We have been praying a lot lately and have both been hearing separately and together and from others that the Lord has our work set out, He will make it clear, and He is doing the prep work for it, but that we are not to worry but to wait, and trust Him. Vague? I thought so, but I WILL follow Him. So, on that note, John was praying and he felt that God said to him this morning...Trusting Me means also trusting my methods. Whoa!!! So, enough said...that's what we are doing!!! Trusting Him and His ways(b/c don't we always say that His ways are higher than ours???? Well, now we get to trust in them too and not knock the way He does things!).
Trusting Me means also trusting my methods.
Background:
I have often felt frustrated with "last minute" things that are done "by God." Sometimes, wondering---were they from God or did people just make it happen and it finally did. Ok, more than that, let me go even farther and say that I have chatted with the Lord(once or twice) about "why don't you do things ahead of time and prove Your Hand is in things, instead of being so last minute---it does terrible things to "God's reputation" when people think...well, you just have to wait for Him to act and it won't happen til the end." Yes, I did have this conversation with God---nope, He didn't take my advice:)....He didn't need to. I had this conversation before coming to Russia, b/c I felt that everything--well, visas...and invitations and such weren't falling into place until the month before coming...and oh, I almost forgot---our house had not sold---it was on the market for over a year!! Why??? Why did it have to sell in October??? Why didn't God show His hand earlier? Was it because it was His plan all along? Sometimes, these "plans" are called into question when they don't happen earlier---sometimes people may have thought...we shouldn't have come here to Russia b/c everything didn't happen earlier. Were we forcing things to happen so we could come to Russia? Yep, people thought things things and sometimes even voiced their concerns to us, we even wondered about it at times.
Ok, so on to another story---Corrie Ten Boom---seemed to question God's methods too. Her father used the example of not giving her a train ticket that he had bought for her until they reached the station. Why did he wait...she didn't need the ticket beforehand. He had done the prep work, bought the ticket, brought the ticket and yet, still had Corrie wait to get it in her hand. He said that God doesn't give us things until we need them. (By the way, we do the same thing with Katie and metro tokens)
On hearing this story told by John many times this year, I have felt much better about God's ways, but still thought that God should spare himself the "last minute" reputation til today.
We have been praying a lot lately and have both been hearing separately and together and from others that the Lord has our work set out, He will make it clear, and He is doing the prep work for it, but that we are not to worry but to wait, and trust Him. Vague? I thought so, but I WILL follow Him. So, on that note, John was praying and he felt that God said to him this morning...Trusting Me means also trusting my methods. Whoa!!! So, enough said...that's what we are doing!!! Trusting Him and His ways(b/c don't we always say that His ways are higher than ours???? Well, now we get to trust in them too and not knock the way He does things!).
Trusting Me means also trusting my methods.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
His intentions are GOOD!!!
We have all heard that God wants the best for us, but do we really believe it? I do. Look, God specifically reminds His people that He wanted to humble them and test them to do what? To do good to them in the end!!!! Sometimes the way to the good life is hard...but it is so worth it if it is God's good life!!!
Deut. 8:16who fed you in the wilderness with(T) manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you,(U) to do you good in the end.
Deut. 8:16who fed you in the wilderness with(T) manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you,(U) to do you good in the end.
Manna!
Deut 8:3 And he humbled you and(F) let you hunger and(G) fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that(H) man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word[a] that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Ok, I just left all the extra letter parts in here from BibleGateway.com...want to post quickly!
This is a scripture I came upon yesterday!! I have heard it in the NT quoted by Jesus, and I have read it before here, but obviously never really got it like I did yesterday! Our trials are to make us realize total dependence on Him. Ok, so maybe to some this is obvious...and maybe it should be? but I have a different perspective on it now...I will praise God through my trials, because I WANT more of HIM!!!
Ok, I just left all the extra letter parts in here from BibleGateway.com...want to post quickly!
This is a scripture I came upon yesterday!! I have heard it in the NT quoted by Jesus, and I have read it before here, but obviously never really got it like I did yesterday! Our trials are to make us realize total dependence on Him. Ok, so maybe to some this is obvious...and maybe it should be? but I have a different perspective on it now...I will praise God through my trials, because I WANT more of HIM!!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
An Eight Year Old's words!
When I fall, you are the one I need.
When I am thirsty you are the one I need.
When I'm about to die, you help me.
Lord, you're so wonderful.
What can I do good to you, You're not one of those statues.
You're my God. You're a real God.
I found this this morning by my Bible. I asked Katie where she got this from--she said she just wrote it. Whoa! She's on the right track. Ok, the die part...had me going hmmm....but at least she knows where to look!
When I am thirsty you are the one I need.
When I'm about to die, you help me.
Lord, you're so wonderful.
What can I do good to you, You're not one of those statues.
You're my God. You're a real God.
I found this this morning by my Bible. I asked Katie where she got this from--she said she just wrote it. Whoa! She's on the right track. Ok, the die part...had me going hmmm....but at least she knows where to look!
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