When I reflect on the daily blessings I receive from God, I wonder some things. Are blessings only "good" things? Is what we consider "good" in this life the same as what God considers good? Can "bad" things in his life be a blessing in disguise? Is what we consider a "bad" thing the same as what God considers bad? My mind tends to think way outside the box......so I'll try to think through this a little better.
What do you consider good? A sunny day.....a day where you experience no drama from anyone......your kids behaved well......a healthy child......a car that gets you to work without problems.....you woke up with no pain......had enough money to get a cheeseburger.....
Just some ideas, but everyone's idea of "good" things in this life is not going to be the same. I believe all these things in the right context are good. And God loves to give blessings to His children. It's all a way for Him to get glory from His creation......that's the only reason we get or have anything at all. It's His....for Himself....for us to give recognition to Him and praise Him for letting us use what rightfully belongs to Him. So to answer my own question, what God considers "good"....in my opinion.....is anything he lets us see, experience, love, etc and we give Him the glory for it all.
Now, "bad" things.....we don't have to explain bad things of this life, but I will tell you that as I reflect on my own life, I realize that what I thought was "bad" turned out for good. The time I went through certain situations in my life that were not pleasant, God allowed me to experience to make me more like Jesus. He allows us to be in the valley to mold us there to be more like His Son. Think of the hardest, worst thing you've gone through in your life. Are you through that period? If so....look at the situation from the other side. Are you a better person because of what you dealt with? Are you more like Jesus after it than you were before it began? If so, that's God. Be prepared though....the Bible tells us we will have trouble in this life. That is promised to us, but we can rejoice in our suffering because it is intended for His purpose. We can also relate to others when they experience things we have gone through. We can then help them and show them how God worked in our life during this rough time to show how awesome He is. So.....again to answer my own question.....I believe blessings can come from "bad" things.
Again, the purpose of anything we go through in this life is for our God to receive His glory from us.
What we consider good or bad is all intended for good if we love our God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 explains this further). We can have peace in this life. We don't have to have a reason for everything we go through other than God is in control and will allow different things to happen to each of us at different times in our life. It all comes down to trust. Do we trust Him who knows us best? Do we trust He will allow what He needs to for His glory? Do we trust He knows what He's doing even when we don't? That's faith.....and all we go through builds our faith and this faith is worth more than gold. (1 Peter 1:6-7). Then it all becomes a blessing!
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
Teachers
I'm pretty sure all of us have our favorite teachers. If you think about it though.....our teachers aren't just the men and women we had for our school years, but all our life we have teachers. All our life we are learners.
I've had plenty of teachers in my life. I can't say I had a favorite school teacher growing up because I wasn't the best student. A funny is that when I was in 5th grade we used to have to read books and do oral book reports. We had to stand up front and give an assessment of the book we read, to the class. This is the funny part....or parts. Back then I hated reading. (Now, that's NoT the case). So....I read the front cover, back cover, and a page in the middle of the book and made up the rest. The day came to give my report and I was hoping my teacher never read it cause I would have failed for sure, but I stood up front. Then, I had gum in my mouth.....which was a no-no back in the day. My teacher spotted the gun and told me about it I'm front of the class. Then I had to give this crazy made up report. So I spoke and lied all the way through. Then she started asking questions about the book and I had to make up more stuff. I did pass.....barely and I was thankful she never read my book and bought most of my nonsense. Was this the right thing to do.....of course not, but for a kid who wanted a boyfriend more than books.....I didn't care.
Teachers are all around us. I have plenty of friends who teach school, but think about parents. Parents are the first teachers we have. Then we have kids (when we were kids) who know more than us and help tutor us in our areas of weakness. We have music teachers, coaches who teach sports, church teachers who study and teach every Sunday......all to those who want to learn. We have jobs and have a teacher to help us learn the ropes.
Everywhere we go and whatever we do, there is always someone who knows more than we do. There is always something we can learn from others. We are called to be humble and teachable. What does this look like? Well....I would say to be humble is to recognize I don't know it all. To accept help and direction from others who know better than me without an attitude or arrogance. Being teachable is that we recognize we need to be taught things no matter our age or what we have experienced. Asking questions and going to those who know better than we do is key.
I have an elder friend at my church that I call on to help me learn. He is an excellent teacher and I know I am learning a lot from him, as are others. He spends time preparing lessons and making sure what he teaches is truth. If I have questions, I can ask and he helps me to understand. I have come to appreciate this man in a mighty way.
I have many people in my life right now that teach me. In fact I have learned a lot from my pastor, my mentor, my friends, my coworkers, my family, and especially my husband who without meeting him 21 years ago I wouldn't be humble or teachable today. He brought me to Jesus and I've never been the same.
As Christians, Jesus tells us to go into the world and make disciples. What this means is we have to be taught and be a humble learner to be able to teach others and make a disciple for Jesus. This is not
an easy task, but it is a command. We have to know what we are teaching others, same as our teachers had to know what they were teaching us. It comes full circle. Learning from a good teacher is giving us the ability to teach someone else down the road. Then they in turn, can do the same.
We are never to old to be teachable. We will never be totally mature in this life as that maturity is reserved for heaven. All we can do is keep loving forward and giving God all the glory for what we are able to learn from our teachers.
I've had plenty of teachers in my life. I can't say I had a favorite school teacher growing up because I wasn't the best student. A funny is that when I was in 5th grade we used to have to read books and do oral book reports. We had to stand up front and give an assessment of the book we read, to the class. This is the funny part....or parts. Back then I hated reading. (Now, that's NoT the case). So....I read the front cover, back cover, and a page in the middle of the book and made up the rest. The day came to give my report and I was hoping my teacher never read it cause I would have failed for sure, but I stood up front. Then, I had gum in my mouth.....which was a no-no back in the day. My teacher spotted the gun and told me about it I'm front of the class. Then I had to give this crazy made up report. So I spoke and lied all the way through. Then she started asking questions about the book and I had to make up more stuff. I did pass.....barely and I was thankful she never read my book and bought most of my nonsense. Was this the right thing to do.....of course not, but for a kid who wanted a boyfriend more than books.....I didn't care.
Teachers are all around us. I have plenty of friends who teach school, but think about parents. Parents are the first teachers we have. Then we have kids (when we were kids) who know more than us and help tutor us in our areas of weakness. We have music teachers, coaches who teach sports, church teachers who study and teach every Sunday......all to those who want to learn. We have jobs and have a teacher to help us learn the ropes.
Everywhere we go and whatever we do, there is always someone who knows more than we do. There is always something we can learn from others. We are called to be humble and teachable. What does this look like? Well....I would say to be humble is to recognize I don't know it all. To accept help and direction from others who know better than me without an attitude or arrogance. Being teachable is that we recognize we need to be taught things no matter our age or what we have experienced. Asking questions and going to those who know better than we do is key.
I have an elder friend at my church that I call on to help me learn. He is an excellent teacher and I know I am learning a lot from him, as are others. He spends time preparing lessons and making sure what he teaches is truth. If I have questions, I can ask and he helps me to understand. I have come to appreciate this man in a mighty way.
I have many people in my life right now that teach me. In fact I have learned a lot from my pastor, my mentor, my friends, my coworkers, my family, and especially my husband who without meeting him 21 years ago I wouldn't be humble or teachable today. He brought me to Jesus and I've never been the same.
As Christians, Jesus tells us to go into the world and make disciples. What this means is we have to be taught and be a humble learner to be able to teach others and make a disciple for Jesus. This is not
an easy task, but it is a command. We have to know what we are teaching others, same as our teachers had to know what they were teaching us. It comes full circle. Learning from a good teacher is giving us the ability to teach someone else down the road. Then they in turn, can do the same.
We are never to old to be teachable. We will never be totally mature in this life as that maturity is reserved for heaven. All we can do is keep loving forward and giving God all the glory for what we are able to learn from our teachers.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Provisions
I heard a message last weekend and in part of it, the pastor mentioned God's provisions. He spoke of how God made provisions for us. When I sit and think of this I am amazed.
A provision is an act of providing or supplying things we need. This can be food, clothes, shelter, water, etc. This does not mean things we want. No where does God ever say he will provide our wants. He gives us blessings, but I've found the blessings I receive usually aren't materialistic.
So what would a provision for me look like? Well......I think of what I need to live. I need water, food, and clothes. I need strength to do my job to make money for my family. I need not to be too sick so I can go to work. I need transportation to get to my job. I need food to pack for my lunch each shift. I need money to pay bills.
I could go on and on about my needs. Each of us have different needs. Maybe your kids are small and you need daycare or a babysitter to watch them while you go to work. Maybe you have an elderly parent living with you that you need strength to help each day. Maybe you need direction and guidance. Maybe you just need someone to come alongside and relate to what you are going through. Each of us are different in what we need each day.
One thing I've come to realize and get great strength from is the fact God has full control over the universe.....including what we go through or don't go through. Once I realized rhis, my need to worry over things was gone. I don't need to worry how I will get food or water each day.....God already has it figured out for me. When someone talks to me in a not so nice way......God knew that and made a way for me to handle it. When I need to get to work on time.....God allows me to wake up and get ready so I'm on time for my shift. All our day he's paved the way. He's ahead of us clearing the path. He's beside us walking with us. He's blind us to catch us when we need him to carry us along. He's made provisions. Nothing that comes to us In a days time is beyond what he doesn't have control of.
Now some people would say that satan can control things too and have his way with us. I agree with this to a point. When I come into hard situations, I need to look at it. Did I sin and cause this situation? Di I react properly to it? If I didn't I need to ask God to help and forgive me. Sometimes what we go through and what we allow will continue. Sometimes the hard time we are dealing with is a result of our own desires and not Gods.....so he needs to rein us back in.
Back to what I was saying......when things happen that aren't so good, I try to look at it as my God is just reminding me he is still there. Sometimes I forget that and go about my own way......but when the trials come, he uses them to remind me he hasn't gone anywhere and I need to come back to him. I don't believe in saying "satan is attacking me" because I feel that we are giving glory to him and not to God. God uses all kinds of situations to draw us to himself and make us more like Jesus. His provisions for us are perfect.....even if we don't agree....they still are perfect. Who am I to question a holy God for what happens in my life when all over the Bible we are told to trust and obey......and all things work for good for those who are called. How can we not have peace in the provisions he has made for us? I spent too much of my life worrying about things that never came into existence. I now trust that someone way bigger and more powerful than me can handle all I need to go through. For that peace in my life.....I am forever grateful.
A provision is an act of providing or supplying things we need. This can be food, clothes, shelter, water, etc. This does not mean things we want. No where does God ever say he will provide our wants. He gives us blessings, but I've found the blessings I receive usually aren't materialistic.
So what would a provision for me look like? Well......I think of what I need to live. I need water, food, and clothes. I need strength to do my job to make money for my family. I need not to be too sick so I can go to work. I need transportation to get to my job. I need food to pack for my lunch each shift. I need money to pay bills.
I could go on and on about my needs. Each of us have different needs. Maybe your kids are small and you need daycare or a babysitter to watch them while you go to work. Maybe you have an elderly parent living with you that you need strength to help each day. Maybe you need direction and guidance. Maybe you just need someone to come alongside and relate to what you are going through. Each of us are different in what we need each day.
One thing I've come to realize and get great strength from is the fact God has full control over the universe.....including what we go through or don't go through. Once I realized rhis, my need to worry over things was gone. I don't need to worry how I will get food or water each day.....God already has it figured out for me. When someone talks to me in a not so nice way......God knew that and made a way for me to handle it. When I need to get to work on time.....God allows me to wake up and get ready so I'm on time for my shift. All our day he's paved the way. He's ahead of us clearing the path. He's beside us walking with us. He's blind us to catch us when we need him to carry us along. He's made provisions. Nothing that comes to us In a days time is beyond what he doesn't have control of.
Now some people would say that satan can control things too and have his way with us. I agree with this to a point. When I come into hard situations, I need to look at it. Did I sin and cause this situation? Di I react properly to it? If I didn't I need to ask God to help and forgive me. Sometimes what we go through and what we allow will continue. Sometimes the hard time we are dealing with is a result of our own desires and not Gods.....so he needs to rein us back in.
Back to what I was saying......when things happen that aren't so good, I try to look at it as my God is just reminding me he is still there. Sometimes I forget that and go about my own way......but when the trials come, he uses them to remind me he hasn't gone anywhere and I need to come back to him. I don't believe in saying "satan is attacking me" because I feel that we are giving glory to him and not to God. God uses all kinds of situations to draw us to himself and make us more like Jesus. His provisions for us are perfect.....even if we don't agree....they still are perfect. Who am I to question a holy God for what happens in my life when all over the Bible we are told to trust and obey......and all things work for good for those who are called. How can we not have peace in the provisions he has made for us? I spent too much of my life worrying about things that never came into existence. I now trust that someone way bigger and more powerful than me can handle all I need to go through. For that peace in my life.....I am forever grateful.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Gold
In reading through 1 Peter.....I came across chapter 1 verses 6-9. These verses have to do with trials and grief and how they end up being a blessing to us. Well....this got me thinking.
Trials aren't fun. Think of the trials you face on a daily basis. Maybe you don't like your job very much.....maybe you don't like your kids at the moment.......maybe you are mad at your spouse......maybe your car will be repossessed if you don't come up with the money to keep it. These are examples of trials. But, there are trials of another nature such as worry, bitterness, cold heartedness, anger......you get the idea. Grief is another one that isn't fun. I get grief when i need to pay a ill I don't have the money for, or my friend won't be near me at work on a particular day, or I have to miss church due to other circumstances. But trials and grief build our faith. Let me explain.
When I was a kid, my grandmother passed away the day before my 16th birthday. While other girls my age wanted a sweet 16 party with boys and a DJ.....I was attending a funeral. I was mad at God and wanted my Nana back with me. I didn't care about a party or any of that. This was great grief to me back then in 1989. I got very bitter.....bitter at my God. I put myself in that mess. I chose that road. I chose to be bitter and angry.....so the grief I experienced was self inflicted. At the time I didn't see it that way. Who would at an immature 16 years of age? But now, I see things differently. These verse helped me see where I was and where I am now.
Verse 7 tells us that trials and grief come for a little while to produce faith.....and our faith is worth more than gold. Gold is very valuable as we all know.....but out faith is MORE valuable than gold. This faith will be proved genuine and may result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus is is revealed. This is saying that all we are going through at this minute, day, month, year.....is to build our faith so that when Jesus returns one day, we can give Him his due glory! Verse 8 tells us how we can't see Jesus but we love Him, believe in Him, and are filled with joy that is inexpressible.
The definition of faith is believing in what we cannot see. We can't see Jesus but through our trials and grief.....we are purifying our faith so His glory will be known to all!
This comes full circle for me. My 16th birthday and the years to follow were trials I never want to relive. However, had I not had them, my faith would not be where it is today. I can't see my God, but He has helped me know Him through my mess and build my faith. I can still have joy in my trials knowing they are meant for my good. We need to focus on eternal things and not temporary things of this short life we have on earth. One day I'll see His face and give Him His glory! While I'm
waiting for that day, I'll continue to seek Him, learn about Him, and follow Him the best I can with the people He has placed in my life to help me do just that!
Trials aren't fun. Think of the trials you face on a daily basis. Maybe you don't like your job very much.....maybe you don't like your kids at the moment.......maybe you are mad at your spouse......maybe your car will be repossessed if you don't come up with the money to keep it. These are examples of trials. But, there are trials of another nature such as worry, bitterness, cold heartedness, anger......you get the idea. Grief is another one that isn't fun. I get grief when i need to pay a ill I don't have the money for, or my friend won't be near me at work on a particular day, or I have to miss church due to other circumstances. But trials and grief build our faith. Let me explain.
When I was a kid, my grandmother passed away the day before my 16th birthday. While other girls my age wanted a sweet 16 party with boys and a DJ.....I was attending a funeral. I was mad at God and wanted my Nana back with me. I didn't care about a party or any of that. This was great grief to me back then in 1989. I got very bitter.....bitter at my God. I put myself in that mess. I chose that road. I chose to be bitter and angry.....so the grief I experienced was self inflicted. At the time I didn't see it that way. Who would at an immature 16 years of age? But now, I see things differently. These verse helped me see where I was and where I am now.
Verse 7 tells us that trials and grief come for a little while to produce faith.....and our faith is worth more than gold. Gold is very valuable as we all know.....but out faith is MORE valuable than gold. This faith will be proved genuine and may result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus is is revealed. This is saying that all we are going through at this minute, day, month, year.....is to build our faith so that when Jesus returns one day, we can give Him his due glory! Verse 8 tells us how we can't see Jesus but we love Him, believe in Him, and are filled with joy that is inexpressible.
The definition of faith is believing in what we cannot see. We can't see Jesus but through our trials and grief.....we are purifying our faith so His glory will be known to all!
This comes full circle for me. My 16th birthday and the years to follow were trials I never want to relive. However, had I not had them, my faith would not be where it is today. I can't see my God, but He has helped me know Him through my mess and build my faith. I can still have joy in my trials knowing they are meant for my good. We need to focus on eternal things and not temporary things of this short life we have on earth. One day I'll see His face and give Him His glory! While I'm
waiting for that day, I'll continue to seek Him, learn about Him, and follow Him the best I can with the people He has placed in my life to help me do just that!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Disciplines #11
I've been talking of spiritual disciplines we can practice. These are things we do as Christians to get closer to God. The idea is that they are a discipline, so they won't come naturally. We have to work at them, but as we work, God works in our life and molds us through our time with Him. He molds us to be more like Jesus. Eventually the discipline just happen......it's a delight we have, not a duty anymore. They become a way of Christian life without us having to think of them too much. Now, this takes time to cultivate. It's not easy....but most things in life aren't easy if they are important to us.
Think of a baby. When I had my first baby I was scared. I was scared I couldn't do it. She didn't sleep well at night. I was a single mom with a full time job. With lack of sleep and working.....I was tired in those days. However, she was my child and I had to discipline myself to take care of this new little life I was given. I had to adjust my schedule......my whole routine.....and she was my top priority. It didn't matter if I was tired......she needed fed and attention. I had to do it. I had to be the one to take care of her. Those days weren't easy.....but she was my whole life. She was my responsibility and taking care of her was a duty that was very much delight at the same time. Watching her grow and crawl and walk was amazing. I matured a lot that first year of her life. My dad told me so......he noticed back then how I "grew up". I had to. Being a mom isn't easy, but it's worth it. Hard things in life don't seem that hard when they are important to us.
Another example....in 2012 I had a desire to help people in a way i never expected. God put that desire there.....I'm sure of that. I went to EMT school. It was the hardest thing I ever did. Again....I had to adjust my schedule, my routine, my whole way of living for the months I had class. I had to discipline myself to put this class in priority so I could pass and become an EMT. It wasn't easy, but important to me and it became a delight after it was a duty.
We all face difficulties each day, but when we can persevere our God will show us what we are made of. He shows us we need Him. I didn't know Jesus back in the early days of my daughters birth and first years of life. I look back and wonder how much more peace I could have had in those days had I known Him, but I can't change the past. Only learn from it and move towards the future. That is where theses disciplines I write about come into play. Learning from God and about God is a passion of mine. When I borrowed that book of the disciplines, I made notes and try to put to practice what I wrote about, hoping to help someone else in the process.
Think of a baby. When I had my first baby I was scared. I was scared I couldn't do it. She didn't sleep well at night. I was a single mom with a full time job. With lack of sleep and working.....I was tired in those days. However, she was my child and I had to discipline myself to take care of this new little life I was given. I had to adjust my schedule......my whole routine.....and she was my top priority. It didn't matter if I was tired......she needed fed and attention. I had to do it. I had to be the one to take care of her. Those days weren't easy.....but she was my whole life. She was my responsibility and taking care of her was a duty that was very much delight at the same time. Watching her grow and crawl and walk was amazing. I matured a lot that first year of her life. My dad told me so......he noticed back then how I "grew up". I had to. Being a mom isn't easy, but it's worth it. Hard things in life don't seem that hard when they are important to us.
Another example....in 2012 I had a desire to help people in a way i never expected. God put that desire there.....I'm sure of that. I went to EMT school. It was the hardest thing I ever did. Again....I had to adjust my schedule, my routine, my whole way of living for the months I had class. I had to discipline myself to put this class in priority so I could pass and become an EMT. It wasn't easy, but important to me and it became a delight after it was a duty.
We all face difficulties each day, but when we can persevere our God will show us what we are made of. He shows us we need Him. I didn't know Jesus back in the early days of my daughters birth and first years of life. I look back and wonder how much more peace I could have had in those days had I known Him, but I can't change the past. Only learn from it and move towards the future. That is where theses disciplines I write about come into play. Learning from God and about God is a passion of mine. When I borrowed that book of the disciplines, I made notes and try to put to practice what I wrote about, hoping to help someone else in the process.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Sick
It's funny.....I work in a hospital, yet very seldom visit the doctor. What can I say, I am my fathers daughter. He and I are alike in that the doctor isn't as necessary as some think it is. This probably isn't a good way to view doctors, but it is what it is for us.
Last week I went to work on a Sunday feeling achy and just "different". I felt something coming on.....but tried to push it away. Well, by 2am Tuesday morning I was in rough shape. I had to call off work and take a visit to my family doc. Turns out I had a sinus infection......who knew a sinus infection would hit that hard and that fast? The achy body I had was not fun. In fact as soon as the Tylenol wore off.....look out. I'd never experienced that type of thing before.
I laugh because overall my immune system is good. But as I lay in my bed trying to get comfortable when I was sick, I couldn't help but smile a little. I told God....."well, I guess it's my turn and this is just the best you have for me today". I'm always telling others we have no need to worry about this life or what we face. Our God is ahead of us paving our way. He knows what we will face and has made provisions for us as we face it.
I smiled that day because me getting a sinus infection is small compared to some who get much worse diagnosis than that, but He did make provisions for me. He gave me a clean bed to rest in......enough PTO to cover my hours for the 2 days I missed of work......money to pay for the doctor visit and the meds.......food and Gatorade to drink......and family to help me and have compassion for me. And He did all this while working in other people's lives too!
He is concerned with the little details of our life. He wants to be involved in every aspect of our life. He wants us to need him, to ask him, and seek him. This is amazing to me. To think that little sinus infection was just as important to him as a car accident or a cancer diagnosis or a broken heart. No detail is too small for a God who created us. Wow! When I think of Him this way, I can't help but love Him so much more! Amen!
Last week I went to work on a Sunday feeling achy and just "different". I felt something coming on.....but tried to push it away. Well, by 2am Tuesday morning I was in rough shape. I had to call off work and take a visit to my family doc. Turns out I had a sinus infection......who knew a sinus infection would hit that hard and that fast? The achy body I had was not fun. In fact as soon as the Tylenol wore off.....look out. I'd never experienced that type of thing before.
I laugh because overall my immune system is good. But as I lay in my bed trying to get comfortable when I was sick, I couldn't help but smile a little. I told God....."well, I guess it's my turn and this is just the best you have for me today". I'm always telling others we have no need to worry about this life or what we face. Our God is ahead of us paving our way. He knows what we will face and has made provisions for us as we face it.
I smiled that day because me getting a sinus infection is small compared to some who get much worse diagnosis than that, but He did make provisions for me. He gave me a clean bed to rest in......enough PTO to cover my hours for the 2 days I missed of work......money to pay for the doctor visit and the meds.......food and Gatorade to drink......and family to help me and have compassion for me. And He did all this while working in other people's lives too!
He is concerned with the little details of our life. He wants to be involved in every aspect of our life. He wants us to need him, to ask him, and seek him. This is amazing to me. To think that little sinus infection was just as important to him as a car accident or a cancer diagnosis or a broken heart. No detail is too small for a God who created us. Wow! When I think of Him this way, I can't help but love Him so much more! Amen!
Disciplines #10
Compassion is the act of feeling with and for others by extending mercy to help them. It's basically putting yourself in someone else's shoes and trying to envision what they are going through while not being judgemental. By being compassionate we can show the healing presence of Jesus to people.
This again is not a trait that comes naturally because as humans we are selfish by nature. The closer we become to Jesus the more compassionate we become......at least that's how I see it. We see verses where Jesus had compassion for people. By His example we need to do the same.
I know it's hard to have compassion when we are hurt. It's hard to have compassion for others when our own world is falling apart because we just like to stay in our own misery. The thought of someone else going through a rough time is not what our priority is at that moment......but it should be. I've learned that when we do for others and take the focus off "me" we can not only be a blessing to the other person, but we glorify God in the process. We end up knowing that what we are going through is relatively not so bad compared to some people and their situations.
As Christians, we need to have compassion. What people live in or experience day to day is something to take into consideration when displaying compassion. There are reasons people act and do what they do and the reasons may not be as simple as we think. Just because we may be able to handle tougher situations with ease doesn't mean others can do the same.
Some friends and I are meeting new people in our church neighborhood by asking if they want prayer. Interacting with people begins a connection and after the connection is made, we can talk and know what the person is going through. We offer prayer for them and intend to return to build a relationship with them in the upcoming weeks. Most seem open to this. Some we meet are struck with illness....some are lonely....some are worried......some are angry at the world.....some don't know Jesus. This is true with anyone you meet. You just never know what is going on in someone's life.
Think of the person(s) in your life who just drive you nuts......now think of how you could change your mindset and have compassion for them. What are they doing that drive you nuts? How is their home life? Are they saved? Do they have a relationship with Jesus? Have they lost their way? Do they know you care? Can you relate to their situation? Do you know them well enough to put yourself in their shoes?
All these things take the focus off "me" and my feelings and turn it back to the other person. In doing things for others we can feel better also. that way we can be a blessing to others.
Verses.....
Mark 1:41
Matthew 15:32
1 Peter 3:8-9
This again is not a trait that comes naturally because as humans we are selfish by nature. The closer we become to Jesus the more compassionate we become......at least that's how I see it. We see verses where Jesus had compassion for people. By His example we need to do the same.
I know it's hard to have compassion when we are hurt. It's hard to have compassion for others when our own world is falling apart because we just like to stay in our own misery. The thought of someone else going through a rough time is not what our priority is at that moment......but it should be. I've learned that when we do for others and take the focus off "me" we can not only be a blessing to the other person, but we glorify God in the process. We end up knowing that what we are going through is relatively not so bad compared to some people and their situations.
As Christians, we need to have compassion. What people live in or experience day to day is something to take into consideration when displaying compassion. There are reasons people act and do what they do and the reasons may not be as simple as we think. Just because we may be able to handle tougher situations with ease doesn't mean others can do the same.
Some friends and I are meeting new people in our church neighborhood by asking if they want prayer. Interacting with people begins a connection and after the connection is made, we can talk and know what the person is going through. We offer prayer for them and intend to return to build a relationship with them in the upcoming weeks. Most seem open to this. Some we meet are struck with illness....some are lonely....some are worried......some are angry at the world.....some don't know Jesus. This is true with anyone you meet. You just never know what is going on in someone's life.
Think of the person(s) in your life who just drive you nuts......now think of how you could change your mindset and have compassion for them. What are they doing that drive you nuts? How is their home life? Are they saved? Do they have a relationship with Jesus? Have they lost their way? Do they know you care? Can you relate to their situation? Do you know them well enough to put yourself in their shoes?
All these things take the focus off "me" and my feelings and turn it back to the other person. In doing things for others we can feel better also. that way we can be a blessing to others.
Verses.....
Mark 1:41
Matthew 15:32
1 Peter 3:8-9
Monday, September 5, 2016
Ice Truck #11
Truck #11 is the one my husband, Dustin, used to drive when he was an ice delivery man. It's the one we spent a lot of summer days in. When our kids were small, I worked jobs that allowed me to be home with them. Dustin worked in the day and I worked at night. We never needed daycare or a babysitter. When Nick, our youngest, went to first grade, I got a job in the school cafeteria. While this was an ideal job for the school year, it left me with no work for the summer months. We were not eligible for unemployment in the summer, so I needed to find other work to help my husband make ends meet.
All the years he worked in the ice industry, I would go along on the summer holidays.....Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day were a given for him and I to go as a team. Once the kids were old enough to stay home alone, I picked up more days during the week for the whole summer with him. Usually it was Tuesdays and Thursdays and other days as needed.
Tuesdays were spent in Maryland. Thursdays were spent in Lancaster. When you deliver ice, you have regular routes and customers you see every week. Dustin is a very outgoing and caring person. Every stop he had, the people knew him and he knew them. He established relationships with the people at each stop. It was amazing to watch him. He knew what to ask as a lot of the people looked forward to his visits each week. He knew when this one was struggling, when this one needed to talk out a problem, when that one just needed one of his hugs. He knew when they needed prayer and sometimes prayed for them right on the spot. He took the time to get to know these people who were once strangers. The customers treated me well also, but back in the day, I had a jealous streak. Some of the women at his stops were quite smitten with his niceness. I could see through them, but he always assured me he was just being friendly. Dustin is one of those men you just can't help but like instantly. His genuine concern for people is amazing. I have learned how to love others by watching his example for 20+ years.
My job in the ice delivery business was to help him. I got to ride in the truck and when we got to a stop, lots of times I had to jump out and save the parking spot right in front of the ice box so he could back in right in front of it. This made the delivery much easier. But this job was not for the weak. I built muscles every summer. The skids of ice weighed 2000 pounds and Dustin and I would push the skids into freezers or unload the whole thing at once into the box. Other times we would have to load a cart with bags and take them into a store or warehouse.
I can't say I enjoyed this job.....or looked forward to it each day we went to work, but the days spent with him in that truck #11 are ones I will never forget. We would have such meaningful talks while driving. We would pray and I would read a lot of books (driving to Maryland takes awhile) and share with him what the words were on the page. We would sing to the radio together. We would talk about what our life would be like once our kids were grown. We would talk of things we want to do that night when we got home. We would talk of a weekend getaway to the campground or the beach once he wasn't so busy. Sometimes we got agitated with one another. Sometimes we didn't talk at all and other times we laughed. Sometimes we laughed so hard we cried. One time at a stop at a Turkey Hill, I was on the ground behind the truck and he was in the back of the truck. An older man was in his car beside the truck. It was a 90 degree day, so we were both hot. Dustin cut the end of one of the ice bags and dumped it on my head and back....without me seeing he was going to do this. Ice came tumbling down my neck and the back of my shirt. I looked over at the man in the car and his face was priceless. He was in shock, but all Dustin and I could do is laugh at the whole thing, including the man's reaction. Those times in that truck with him I wouldn't have traded for anything. Nothing could have kept me away from those summers and being his helper. While I didn't really enjoy the job, I did enjoy those precious hours with him.
When I look back on those summer days with him, I am thankful for the opportunity to have gone with him and experience the job he did all year. Most wives have no clue of what their husbands do on a daily basis, but I was fortunate to be right alongside him. By doing this I could appreciate his hard work and how he needed rest when he had the chance. He always amazed me though. As tired as he was, when he got home, he made time to play with our kids or take them to the park. He never told them "not now" when they wanted to throw football, play a board game, or play on the swings at the park. He figured he could rest later, but the time our kids were little would quickly pass and he had to make the most of it while he could.
While those summer days in the truck are long gone, the memory of them stays with me. I am writing this today, on Labor Day, because this day, in the past was the ending of our summer times in that truck. It was the end of a good thing, but we always knew we had the next year waiting for us. God is good in allowing us seasons of time to live this life. To experience and grow closer to Him and each other. I learned so much from Dustin in that time together and continue to do so. This season is over, but new seasons are always changing.....coming and going. God is in full control and knows where we need to be at what particular time. In those days, I needed to be right next to my husband......working together.
All the years he worked in the ice industry, I would go along on the summer holidays.....Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day were a given for him and I to go as a team. Once the kids were old enough to stay home alone, I picked up more days during the week for the whole summer with him. Usually it was Tuesdays and Thursdays and other days as needed.
Tuesdays were spent in Maryland. Thursdays were spent in Lancaster. When you deliver ice, you have regular routes and customers you see every week. Dustin is a very outgoing and caring person. Every stop he had, the people knew him and he knew them. He established relationships with the people at each stop. It was amazing to watch him. He knew what to ask as a lot of the people looked forward to his visits each week. He knew when this one was struggling, when this one needed to talk out a problem, when that one just needed one of his hugs. He knew when they needed prayer and sometimes prayed for them right on the spot. He took the time to get to know these people who were once strangers. The customers treated me well also, but back in the day, I had a jealous streak. Some of the women at his stops were quite smitten with his niceness. I could see through them, but he always assured me he was just being friendly. Dustin is one of those men you just can't help but like instantly. His genuine concern for people is amazing. I have learned how to love others by watching his example for 20+ years.
My job in the ice delivery business was to help him. I got to ride in the truck and when we got to a stop, lots of times I had to jump out and save the parking spot right in front of the ice box so he could back in right in front of it. This made the delivery much easier. But this job was not for the weak. I built muscles every summer. The skids of ice weighed 2000 pounds and Dustin and I would push the skids into freezers or unload the whole thing at once into the box. Other times we would have to load a cart with bags and take them into a store or warehouse.
I can't say I enjoyed this job.....or looked forward to it each day we went to work, but the days spent with him in that truck #11 are ones I will never forget. We would have such meaningful talks while driving. We would pray and I would read a lot of books (driving to Maryland takes awhile) and share with him what the words were on the page. We would sing to the radio together. We would talk about what our life would be like once our kids were grown. We would talk of things we want to do that night when we got home. We would talk of a weekend getaway to the campground or the beach once he wasn't so busy. Sometimes we got agitated with one another. Sometimes we didn't talk at all and other times we laughed. Sometimes we laughed so hard we cried. One time at a stop at a Turkey Hill, I was on the ground behind the truck and he was in the back of the truck. An older man was in his car beside the truck. It was a 90 degree day, so we were both hot. Dustin cut the end of one of the ice bags and dumped it on my head and back....without me seeing he was going to do this. Ice came tumbling down my neck and the back of my shirt. I looked over at the man in the car and his face was priceless. He was in shock, but all Dustin and I could do is laugh at the whole thing, including the man's reaction. Those times in that truck with him I wouldn't have traded for anything. Nothing could have kept me away from those summers and being his helper. While I didn't really enjoy the job, I did enjoy those precious hours with him.
When I look back on those summer days with him, I am thankful for the opportunity to have gone with him and experience the job he did all year. Most wives have no clue of what their husbands do on a daily basis, but I was fortunate to be right alongside him. By doing this I could appreciate his hard work and how he needed rest when he had the chance. He always amazed me though. As tired as he was, when he got home, he made time to play with our kids or take them to the park. He never told them "not now" when they wanted to throw football, play a board game, or play on the swings at the park. He figured he could rest later, but the time our kids were little would quickly pass and he had to make the most of it while he could.
While those summer days in the truck are long gone, the memory of them stays with me. I am writing this today, on Labor Day, because this day, in the past was the ending of our summer times in that truck. It was the end of a good thing, but we always knew we had the next year waiting for us. God is good in allowing us seasons of time to live this life. To experience and grow closer to Him and each other. I learned so much from Dustin in that time together and continue to do so. This season is over, but new seasons are always changing.....coming and going. God is in full control and knows where we need to be at what particular time. In those days, I needed to be right next to my husband......working together.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
1 Peter 1:22
I have been studying through 1 Peter, very slowly. I have reasons for going slow. One is that I want to read it and research the passage and ask questions when I need to. The other one is that working 12 hours a day leaves not a whole lot of extra time to get studying done......and I get tired....and sore...and thankful. :)
Anyway, in reading through the beginning of this great book, I came upon chapter 1 and in verse 22, there are words like purified, obey, sincere, love one another deeply. I had to look up some words in this passage.
Purify means to cleanse; make free from something. I know this is referring to sin, but we can be purified in many ways. We take a shower and get purified from all the germs on ourselves. We purify our body from illness by taking medicines when we get sick, but this passage is referring to the sin in our life. When we are purified by Jesus (after accepting Him) we are cleansed of all our past, present, and future sin. It's like being washed cleaner than we have ever been in our life.....even after a wonderful day at the spa. What am I saying? I've never been to the spa, but hear it's wonderful.
Next we see the word obey. We all know what obedience is. When our kids were small, they knew to be obedient. I must say they were much more obedient to their father than to me, but when he talked, they knew to pay attention and do as he said. They also knew not to back talk or ask "why". That did no good. When my own dad would tell my brother and I to knock off the fighting or else, we knew he meant business. Obedience is essential for a parent/kid relationship. But, the type of obedience talked of here is obeying God. We obey Him by living by His Word, praying, and loving one another....among other things.
When we are sincere in life, we are not fake. We can usually spot people who are sincere. I've gotten to know a dear lady and now friend at my work, named Ruthie. She is the sweetest lady and always has a smile for me when I see her. She recently went to the beach and brought my family and I a tub of caramel corn from Fischer's. She knows we don't get to the beach much and also knows its a favorite in our house, so she made sure to bring a tub back for us. She is sincere in her love for not only me, but everyone she comes in contact with. She is one of those people you can't help but want to be around. She called me yesterday and told me I better get to pick up my popcorn or else.....haha. Being sincere means you hurt when someone else is hurting and feel empathy for them. Ruthie is one of those people in my life. I can tell her anything and she prays and encourages me.
Loving one another deeply isn't easy, but all over the Bible we are commanded to love others. God loves and forgives us, so we are to do the same, if we call ourselves a Christian. This is not always easy to do as we get hurt by people so often. It takes a lot of prayer and concern for others to love them in this way. It means looking past the way they hurt you to get to the reason behind the way they act the way they do. It may mean apologizing for our own actions in a situation, even if we aren't guilty of anything. It's being a peacemaker to restore the broken relationship. It's loving people despite our feelings. It's putting their need for Jesus above our own. I could go on and on.....but you get the idea.
So....to sum up all this, verse 22 tells us that....
We are purified by obedience to God's Word, and in turn we have sincere love for our brothers and sisters in Christ by loving them deeply from the heart.
:) God is good!!
Anyway, in reading through the beginning of this great book, I came upon chapter 1 and in verse 22, there are words like purified, obey, sincere, love one another deeply. I had to look up some words in this passage.
Purify means to cleanse; make free from something. I know this is referring to sin, but we can be purified in many ways. We take a shower and get purified from all the germs on ourselves. We purify our body from illness by taking medicines when we get sick, but this passage is referring to the sin in our life. When we are purified by Jesus (after accepting Him) we are cleansed of all our past, present, and future sin. It's like being washed cleaner than we have ever been in our life.....even after a wonderful day at the spa. What am I saying? I've never been to the spa, but hear it's wonderful.
Next we see the word obey. We all know what obedience is. When our kids were small, they knew to be obedient. I must say they were much more obedient to their father than to me, but when he talked, they knew to pay attention and do as he said. They also knew not to back talk or ask "why". That did no good. When my own dad would tell my brother and I to knock off the fighting or else, we knew he meant business. Obedience is essential for a parent/kid relationship. But, the type of obedience talked of here is obeying God. We obey Him by living by His Word, praying, and loving one another....among other things.
When we are sincere in life, we are not fake. We can usually spot people who are sincere. I've gotten to know a dear lady and now friend at my work, named Ruthie. She is the sweetest lady and always has a smile for me when I see her. She recently went to the beach and brought my family and I a tub of caramel corn from Fischer's. She knows we don't get to the beach much and also knows its a favorite in our house, so she made sure to bring a tub back for us. She is sincere in her love for not only me, but everyone she comes in contact with. She is one of those people you can't help but want to be around. She called me yesterday and told me I better get to pick up my popcorn or else.....haha. Being sincere means you hurt when someone else is hurting and feel empathy for them. Ruthie is one of those people in my life. I can tell her anything and she prays and encourages me.
Loving one another deeply isn't easy, but all over the Bible we are commanded to love others. God loves and forgives us, so we are to do the same, if we call ourselves a Christian. This is not always easy to do as we get hurt by people so often. It takes a lot of prayer and concern for others to love them in this way. It means looking past the way they hurt you to get to the reason behind the way they act the way they do. It may mean apologizing for our own actions in a situation, even if we aren't guilty of anything. It's being a peacemaker to restore the broken relationship. It's loving people despite our feelings. It's putting their need for Jesus above our own. I could go on and on.....but you get the idea.
So....to sum up all this, verse 22 tells us that....
We are purified by obedience to God's Word, and in turn we have sincere love for our brothers and sisters in Christ by loving them deeply from the heart.
:) God is good!!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Knowing Scripture
I recently finished a book called, Knowing Scripture, by R.C. Sproul. I was given this book about 2 years ago and tried to read it when it was first given to me, but I quickly put it down, because I didn't understand it. Well, to reword that, I didn't put my mind into comprehending it. Through all my reading and studying in the past 2 years, I came to a place where I wanted to try the book again to see if it made sense. Well.....guess what? It did make a lot of sense and it only took me about 3 days to finish it.
Now, I don't know much about the author, other than he is writer of many books, a pastor, and a teacher....but as far as his personal life, I know nothing. However, this book was a real eye opener as far as the Scriptures are concerned. He gave tips and pointers on how to read and dig deeper into the Bible to find true meaning in the passages.
Before any Bible reading, it is important to pray and first ask forgiveness for any unconfessed sin in our life, then ask the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart to receive the Word. This will make the reading time so much more beneficial to your life.
Some things stuck out at me as I read......
- There are myths as to why we don't read the Bible
- Sometimes we rely on "feelings" over what the Bible tells us to be true
- Greek and Hebrew are important in understanding the meaning of the passage
- A study Bible is good to have
- Duty becomes delight
Myths - The biggest myth why we don't read the Bible is because we can't understand it. Well, I know for a fact that if you are in high school, or already graduated high school, the Bible can be understood for you. Actually, according to the author, the newspaper is more difficult to read than the Bible is.
Another myth is that the Bible is boring. Actually, I thought this too at one point, but not anymore. It's full of history and adventure. Anything but boring.
Relying on feelings in any aspect of our life is not in our best interest. Feelings often times lead us astray from the truth of the matter. The same is the Bible. If we are only looking to what we "feel" in our heart and not leaning on His Word, problems will occur. We will be looking for something we may never experience and miss out on the truth that the Word holds.
I don't know much about Greek or Hebrew other than that was the original language of the Bible and many words in those languages cannot be translated. We should appreciate those who study these languages to better understand the Scriptures. A lot of books I've been reading lately have Greek translated in them to explain the passage better. One in particular is God is Able, by Priscilla Shirer. She translates Greek in the book to help the reader better understand Ephesians 3:20. In the big picture, those that study these languages are better equipped to teach.....at least in my opinion.
A study Bible is very good to have, but to keep one thing in mind. The notes and descriptions listed by the verses, are for us to understand the passage better. However, the notes were subjective to the one who wrote them. For instance, I have an NIV study Bible and a John MacArthur study Bible. Both have very good notes, but from different viewpoints. The John MacArthur one has his thoughts on the text. This is something I found out recently in a class. It makes sense why each study Bible has similar, yet different notes. This doesn't change the words of the actual Bible, just the notes.
We all, as Christians, have a duty to read the Bible and apply it to our life. We all have reasons why we don't want to read it or study it, myself included at times. All I can envision is, at my judgement day, when my God asks why I didn't know His Word the way He intended, what will I say for myself? What reason could I give a holy God for NOT knowing His Word better? (I admit this scares me a little).
Our duty is to read it, study it, live it.......and through this duty, we get delight. We end up delighting in The Word and in our God in a way we would never know if we weren't diligent in our time with Him through the Bible. This is amazing to me. That the more we spend with Him, the more we WANT to spend with Him!!
Summing up....the best line in the whole book got me really thinking....the author writes,
"The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in".
We can say we believe in God all we want, but if we question His word, do we really believe in Him? Do we really trust Him if we question the very book He so intricately wove together....for us? Do we really have faith if we never open His word, yet say we live by it?
These are questions I asked myself. I have a long way to go. I have work to do for the kingdom. I am thankful I have a God who is patient with me in my study....and am thankful for those who know more than me and can help me learn. :)
Now, I don't know much about the author, other than he is writer of many books, a pastor, and a teacher....but as far as his personal life, I know nothing. However, this book was a real eye opener as far as the Scriptures are concerned. He gave tips and pointers on how to read and dig deeper into the Bible to find true meaning in the passages.
Before any Bible reading, it is important to pray and first ask forgiveness for any unconfessed sin in our life, then ask the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart to receive the Word. This will make the reading time so much more beneficial to your life.
Some things stuck out at me as I read......
- There are myths as to why we don't read the Bible
- Sometimes we rely on "feelings" over what the Bible tells us to be true
- Greek and Hebrew are important in understanding the meaning of the passage
- A study Bible is good to have
- Duty becomes delight
Myths - The biggest myth why we don't read the Bible is because we can't understand it. Well, I know for a fact that if you are in high school, or already graduated high school, the Bible can be understood for you. Actually, according to the author, the newspaper is more difficult to read than the Bible is.
Another myth is that the Bible is boring. Actually, I thought this too at one point, but not anymore. It's full of history and adventure. Anything but boring.
Relying on feelings in any aspect of our life is not in our best interest. Feelings often times lead us astray from the truth of the matter. The same is the Bible. If we are only looking to what we "feel" in our heart and not leaning on His Word, problems will occur. We will be looking for something we may never experience and miss out on the truth that the Word holds.
I don't know much about Greek or Hebrew other than that was the original language of the Bible and many words in those languages cannot be translated. We should appreciate those who study these languages to better understand the Scriptures. A lot of books I've been reading lately have Greek translated in them to explain the passage better. One in particular is God is Able, by Priscilla Shirer. She translates Greek in the book to help the reader better understand Ephesians 3:20. In the big picture, those that study these languages are better equipped to teach.....at least in my opinion.
A study Bible is very good to have, but to keep one thing in mind. The notes and descriptions listed by the verses, are for us to understand the passage better. However, the notes were subjective to the one who wrote them. For instance, I have an NIV study Bible and a John MacArthur study Bible. Both have very good notes, but from different viewpoints. The John MacArthur one has his thoughts on the text. This is something I found out recently in a class. It makes sense why each study Bible has similar, yet different notes. This doesn't change the words of the actual Bible, just the notes.
We all, as Christians, have a duty to read the Bible and apply it to our life. We all have reasons why we don't want to read it or study it, myself included at times. All I can envision is, at my judgement day, when my God asks why I didn't know His Word the way He intended, what will I say for myself? What reason could I give a holy God for NOT knowing His Word better? (I admit this scares me a little).
Our duty is to read it, study it, live it.......and through this duty, we get delight. We end up delighting in The Word and in our God in a way we would never know if we weren't diligent in our time with Him through the Bible. This is amazing to me. That the more we spend with Him, the more we WANT to spend with Him!!
Summing up....the best line in the whole book got me really thinking....the author writes,
"The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in".
We can say we believe in God all we want, but if we question His word, do we really believe in Him? Do we really trust Him if we question the very book He so intricately wove together....for us? Do we really have faith if we never open His word, yet say we live by it?
These are questions I asked myself. I have a long way to go. I have work to do for the kingdom. I am thankful I have a God who is patient with me in my study....and am thankful for those who know more than me and can help me learn. :)
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