Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Deeper
Sunday, our family went to Darwin Wright park to swim in the lake. It's where I have been taking the kids almost every Friday since school let out. The boys have always had fun and look forward to going. They swim and have a wonderful time. I sit in the chair at the edge of the water where I can keep an eye on Lily, and grab her if she goes too far into the water. I don't swim when I take the boys, but inevitably, I end up knee deep with Lily every time we go. This time, Luis came with us, and he headed straight to the water with the boys as soon as we got settled on the beach. It was a hot day, blue sky with big puffy clouds. Ideal weather to be at the lake. I was so excited to show Luis our perfect swimming hole, since he had never been to that part of the Lake yet. I watched as he got in up to his mid-thigh, and then turned around and walked out of the water. He didn't look too thrilled to be swimming, which surprised me, fish that he is. He came back and put his sneakers on, and I asked him what was wrong. "Rocks" he said. "They hurt!" I didn't understand. I thought he was just having an overly sensitive foot issue. So I walked in the lake for myself to see first hand what the big deal was. Unbelievable. When the water reached a height that I had never gotten to before, the bottom was nothing but rocks. Hard, sharp, poking rocks. It was awful, and had it not been for the fact that we are more buoyant the deeper we are in the water, I wouldn't have gone any farther. What a disappointment.
Today, I was thinking about the rocks in the lake. I was thinking back to how the boys never complained about the rocks, and always had such a great time swimming. Thinking back to how I had only gone knee deep until Sunday, and never even knew the stones were there, just a few more feet in front of me. I had such a great opinion of this place, but it was just because I had only exposed myself to the surface and a very shallow portion of the beach. Once I waded in a little deeper, I realized why that beach was never really very crowded, and why people would choose to go to the other side of the lake that was almost a half hour away, and pay $4.00 more to get in. It was interesting how much I liked that place, until I ventured out a little deeper into the water. I had a shallow understanding of what the lake was really like.
How often we misjudge people around us and life in general, when we draw out conclusions from the surface. Often we condemn people without really knowing the whole story of that person's life, without seeing the bigger picture. We judge them based on what seems right to us. On the other hand, sometimes we are quick to make positive assumptions (as I did about the lake) before we take the time to really know who or what we are actually dealing with. Often, it is difficult to get past the surface with some people. I myself am very choosy about giving out too much information about myself too soon, to people I don't really know. It's wise to be cautious, since information is a form of intimacy, and we don't just go around being intimate with everyone we meet. So for the times I come across a situation or person that I really need to see for what or who they truly are, there is a great scripture that says, "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Cor. 2:10) God allows us, through His spirit, to discern all things, that which would otherwise stay hidden from us. Even the deep things of God. That is an amazing statement and just one more reason why we should strive to constantly stay filled with and walking in the Spirit.
Likewise, we can not expect to have any kind of real understanding of, or relationship with God, if we keep him at arms length. If our main purpose on this earth is to bring pleasure to the Lord, then we must allow ourselves to be close with Him. Many religions treat God as some sort of trophy or idol that sits high on shelf only to be thought of occasionally or when something is going wrong. Other's feel that God should be revered from a distance, as often they feel unworthy of being too close to the actual presence of the living God. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. God's deepest desire is to break through that surface of religiosity and come into an intimate fellowship with those He loves, those He created-us. He longs to be close to us, but waits on us to make the first move. Like it says in James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He'll draw near to you".
I long for an even deeper relationship with God. I desire to dwell in the secret place of the most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I am so thankful that I don't have to be perfect to approach God. Once I am forgiven, I know I can come boldly before God, assured that his love for me is eternal and unchanging, and there is nothing I can do or say that makes God love me any more than he already does. It is safe to come close to God. He will never mistreat us, or take advantage of us. We don't need to fear that He will have ulterior motives or use our past against us. We can come to him knowing that everything he is and stands for is truth. How very blessed we are to have a Creator who loves us so completely, and yearns for us to know Him even deeper.
Today, I was thinking about the rocks in the lake. I was thinking back to how the boys never complained about the rocks, and always had such a great time swimming. Thinking back to how I had only gone knee deep until Sunday, and never even knew the stones were there, just a few more feet in front of me. I had such a great opinion of this place, but it was just because I had only exposed myself to the surface and a very shallow portion of the beach. Once I waded in a little deeper, I realized why that beach was never really very crowded, and why people would choose to go to the other side of the lake that was almost a half hour away, and pay $4.00 more to get in. It was interesting how much I liked that place, until I ventured out a little deeper into the water. I had a shallow understanding of what the lake was really like.
How often we misjudge people around us and life in general, when we draw out conclusions from the surface. Often we condemn people without really knowing the whole story of that person's life, without seeing the bigger picture. We judge them based on what seems right to us. On the other hand, sometimes we are quick to make positive assumptions (as I did about the lake) before we take the time to really know who or what we are actually dealing with. Often, it is difficult to get past the surface with some people. I myself am very choosy about giving out too much information about myself too soon, to people I don't really know. It's wise to be cautious, since information is a form of intimacy, and we don't just go around being intimate with everyone we meet. So for the times I come across a situation or person that I really need to see for what or who they truly are, there is a great scripture that says, "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." (1 Cor. 2:10) God allows us, through His spirit, to discern all things, that which would otherwise stay hidden from us. Even the deep things of God. That is an amazing statement and just one more reason why we should strive to constantly stay filled with and walking in the Spirit.
Likewise, we can not expect to have any kind of real understanding of, or relationship with God, if we keep him at arms length. If our main purpose on this earth is to bring pleasure to the Lord, then we must allow ourselves to be close with Him. Many religions treat God as some sort of trophy or idol that sits high on shelf only to be thought of occasionally or when something is going wrong. Other's feel that God should be revered from a distance, as often they feel unworthy of being too close to the actual presence of the living God. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. God's deepest desire is to break through that surface of religiosity and come into an intimate fellowship with those He loves, those He created-us. He longs to be close to us, but waits on us to make the first move. Like it says in James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He'll draw near to you".
I long for an even deeper relationship with God. I desire to dwell in the secret place of the most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I am so thankful that I don't have to be perfect to approach God. Once I am forgiven, I know I can come boldly before God, assured that his love for me is eternal and unchanging, and there is nothing I can do or say that makes God love me any more than he already does. It is safe to come close to God. He will never mistreat us, or take advantage of us. We don't need to fear that He will have ulterior motives or use our past against us. We can come to him knowing that everything he is and stands for is truth. How very blessed we are to have a Creator who loves us so completely, and yearns for us to know Him even deeper.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Why?
Our Pastor is doing a series on "Why" at church and it is just so good! The last two weeks he touched on "Why am I even here". He has made some comments that made me feel like he was reading my mail!! I love when God does that! The bottom line to the question of Why am I even here is simple...We are here to bring pleasure to God.
Here are some highlights from the sermon:
My tomorrow is God's past...He's already seen it, and made a way for it to be victorious.
When we are under an attack, Satan is revealing the thing about you that he fears.
Anything that opposes God's purpose for you, becomes God's battle, not yours.
Here are some highlights from the sermon:
~~~~ ~~~~
When we deny what WE think life should be, and submit to what God SAYS life should be, we find true fulfillment.My tomorrow is God's past...He's already seen it, and made a way for it to be victorious.
When we are under an attack, Satan is revealing the thing about you that he fears.
Anything that opposes God's purpose for you, becomes God's battle, not yours.
~~~~ ~~~~
I REALLY like that last one. We spend so much time fighting battles that are not ours to fight. When we have people or things that try to come against the plan of God for our lives, all we have to do is stand back! God has His ultimate plan for us, a picture that he has painted for the perfect will for our lives. Nothing will ever be added or taken away from that ultimate picture. So, if someone is trying to altar that picture, that divine plan that God has for you, they, in actuality, are picking a fight with God. Thankfully, God is mighty enough to defend Himself without my help! There are many battles that we have to fight, but wisdom is knowing the difference, and stepping back to let God deal with those people and things himself. What a freedom in knowing that God has our back when it comes to His will for our lives!
If you are interested in hearing this or any other sermons in their entirety, just click here. Apostle Ron preaches like no one I have heard before. Relevant, real, Biblically sound and life changing!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Strength for the Weary
Luis and I were watching a documentary tonight called South of the Border. It's an Oliver Stone production. As I was watching, I found myself getting very frustrated inside, because of all the rederick that went against what we usually hear about such leaders as Hugo Chavez, the Castro brothers, and other South and Latin American leaders that have been portrayed as being leaders of evil socialist, borderline communist regimes. After sitting through more than an hour of handshakes and pleasantries, even I started thinking that these men looked like nice guys. Wait....what?? It's amazing how propaganda can really infiltrate our thinking. Everyone has their own agenda, from CNN to Fox, from Obama to Bush to Al Gore and his Global Warming talks. Every day we are forced to choose sides on issues from fracking to foreign policies, and everything in between, but the problem is that we live in a world of half truths. People spew their view, with their perspective and their details, but the big picture is incomplete. So many senseless crimes and lawlessness. So much anger and disrespect of elders, leaders and authority. Once black and white issues have fallen into a hazy shade of grey. I find myself getting very "world weary" as my Mom calls it.
But then, I remember 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 that says, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." and it give me peace knowing that I might not have all the answers, and the world might be filled with lies and immorality, but my Father in heaven is truth, and I can rest knowing that one day, He will set all things right. We don't see the big picture, but God does. We don't understand why we are going through what we are going through, but God has already seen how it ends, and he is working ALL THINGS together for good...the wonderful things, the hard things, the bad things, the confusing things, ALL THINGS.
I have also been very discouraged lately, realizing that a great number of the people that I knew from my childhood and college days not only have no relationship with God, but they have a great disdain for Christianity, Christian principles, and God-centered morality. But then I remember Romans 14:11-12 that says, "For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Every knee...yours, mine, everyone's. Whether you chose to bend and worship here on earth while you were alive or not. Every knee. Whether you were one of the greatest followers of Christ, or one of the biggest persecutor of Christians. Every knee. Whether you were a President or a pauper. Every knee.
So, instead of worrying my pretty little head about all the things in the world that I can't make sense of, I find great peace in knowing that the Lord holds my world in his hands. He knows all, and sees all. He is the ultimate truth. He has the last word. He is the beginning AND the end. There is nothing too difficult for Him. His promises are sure. His word is rock solid. I can trust Him. I can rest in Him. Thank you Father, for giving us peace in the middle of life's storms.
But then, I remember 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 that says, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." and it give me peace knowing that I might not have all the answers, and the world might be filled with lies and immorality, but my Father in heaven is truth, and I can rest knowing that one day, He will set all things right. We don't see the big picture, but God does. We don't understand why we are going through what we are going through, but God has already seen how it ends, and he is working ALL THINGS together for good...the wonderful things, the hard things, the bad things, the confusing things, ALL THINGS.
I have also been very discouraged lately, realizing that a great number of the people that I knew from my childhood and college days not only have no relationship with God, but they have a great disdain for Christianity, Christian principles, and God-centered morality. But then I remember Romans 14:11-12 that says, "For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Every knee...yours, mine, everyone's. Whether you chose to bend and worship here on earth while you were alive or not. Every knee. Whether you were one of the greatest followers of Christ, or one of the biggest persecutor of Christians. Every knee. Whether you were a President or a pauper. Every knee.
So, instead of worrying my pretty little head about all the things in the world that I can't make sense of, I find great peace in knowing that the Lord holds my world in his hands. He knows all, and sees all. He is the ultimate truth. He has the last word. He is the beginning AND the end. There is nothing too difficult for Him. His promises are sure. His word is rock solid. I can trust Him. I can rest in Him. Thank you Father, for giving us peace in the middle of life's storms.
Friday, July 8, 2011
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