"Behold, the eye of the LORD
is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy..."
Psalm 33:18
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
In the Midst of Trials
Just prior to King Saul’s death by the Philistines, David returned to his camp in Ziklag, only to find that the Amalekites had destroyed the camp and carried off all the women and children. Despite the fact that David’s family was among the captives, the men wanted to stone him to death.
No one anticipated such an action by their enemy. They were caught off guard; and in their despair and grief, they needed someone to blame. That someone was David: the man they had pledged their loyalty to in opposition to Saul, the king.
Those who chose to join with David were rebels to the throne. Death was the punishment for treason. Most of their time was spent moving from place to place, trying to keep a few steps ahead of the ever persistent Saul. They had no true place to call home; and until David sat upon the throne as God had promised, they had no real country to pledge themselves to.
So when their families were taken, the men’s loss was understandably great. They had nothing left. They put the blame squarely on David who they believed was supposed to protect them all.
David’s life was on the line. He was also grieving the loss of his family, and he felt burdened by the responsibility of the loss of hundreds of wives and children. Under such pressure, a strong man would certainly be fearful.
What would you do under the heaviness of life’s unexpected circumstances? Would you collapse under the weight of panic? Would you run and hide? Would you try to remove the liability of the situation by pinning it on others?
I find comfort in what the Bible says David did in 1 Samuel 30:6b: “But David found strength in the LORD his God.” He did not panic. He did not flee. He did not shirk the responsibility of leadership. He sought the Lord and found strength. In that strength, he found wisdom; and that was to ask the Lord if he should pursue the captors and would he be victorious. God told him to go and that everything would be returned.
In our hardest moments of life, when we feel the whole world has come up against us to the point of losing everything, we need to turn to Him who is in control and find our strength. Trusting God in our toughest trials gives us His peace so we can make the right decisions.
David followed God’s directions and chased after the Amalekites. All of the families and their possessions were returned unharmed. We can’t foretell the outcome of our circumstances, but we can seek the Lord, stand strong in Him, and find comfort in the situations we are called to pursue.
No one anticipated such an action by their enemy. They were caught off guard; and in their despair and grief, they needed someone to blame. That someone was David: the man they had pledged their loyalty to in opposition to Saul, the king.
Those who chose to join with David were rebels to the throne. Death was the punishment for treason. Most of their time was spent moving from place to place, trying to keep a few steps ahead of the ever persistent Saul. They had no true place to call home; and until David sat upon the throne as God had promised, they had no real country to pledge themselves to.
So when their families were taken, the men’s loss was understandably great. They had nothing left. They put the blame squarely on David who they believed was supposed to protect them all.
David’s life was on the line. He was also grieving the loss of his family, and he felt burdened by the responsibility of the loss of hundreds of wives and children. Under such pressure, a strong man would certainly be fearful.
What would you do under the heaviness of life’s unexpected circumstances? Would you collapse under the weight of panic? Would you run and hide? Would you try to remove the liability of the situation by pinning it on others?
I find comfort in what the Bible says David did in 1 Samuel 30:6b: “But David found strength in the LORD his God.” He did not panic. He did not flee. He did not shirk the responsibility of leadership. He sought the Lord and found strength. In that strength, he found wisdom; and that was to ask the Lord if he should pursue the captors and would he be victorious. God told him to go and that everything would be returned.
In our hardest moments of life, when we feel the whole world has come up against us to the point of losing everything, we need to turn to Him who is in control and find our strength. Trusting God in our toughest trials gives us His peace so we can make the right decisions.
David followed God’s directions and chased after the Amalekites. All of the families and their possessions were returned unharmed. We can’t foretell the outcome of our circumstances, but we can seek the Lord, stand strong in Him, and find comfort in the situations we are called to pursue.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Our Lord is Amazing
It's been a wondrous week. I have been blessed with some interesting news about some of my projects (it's too early to share right now), and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.
It's a good overwhelming feeling, though. Yet at the same time the possibility that certain doors may open is a bit frightening. As I sat in my car waiting for my kids to get out of school yesterday, I said a little prayer. I asked the Lord to give me some inspiration for the feelings I've been having. Then I pulled out my Bible, opened it, and read the first passage I came to: Isaiah 41:10.
What a perfect verse! What a wonderful encouragement! God is beyond awesome. He knows exactly how to meet our needs in the most timely moments.
God has all the answers. He is everything we need. Trust Him if you know Him. Seek Him if you don't. Love Him above all else. Your life will be blessed, and you will see that God is truly amazing.
It's a good overwhelming feeling, though. Yet at the same time the possibility that certain doors may open is a bit frightening. As I sat in my car waiting for my kids to get out of school yesterday, I said a little prayer. I asked the Lord to give me some inspiration for the feelings I've been having. Then I pulled out my Bible, opened it, and read the first passage I came to: Isaiah 41:10.
"Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
What a perfect verse! What a wonderful encouragement! God is beyond awesome. He knows exactly how to meet our needs in the most timely moments.
God has all the answers. He is everything we need. Trust Him if you know Him. Seek Him if you don't. Love Him above all else. Your life will be blessed, and you will see that God is truly amazing.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Un-Reality Shows
I don't understand why people go on reality shows. Are the verbal abuses, the public humiliations, and the lack of discretion worth the prize at the end? I personally don't think so. I guess it shows how much we will give up our dignity and self-respect for a fancy job title or for a big payoff.
Values don't seem to matter anymore. Maybe it's because people have accepted the lies that they are insignificant slime that oozed out of some mud pit. If they have such a small opinion of themselves, then it's easy to sell out to the highest bidder despite the personal insults or the backstabbing.
The reality, though, is not in these so-called reality shows. What is real is that we are creations. We are handcrafted by the God of the Universe. From the color of our eyes and hair to our specific skills and talents, we were personally designed to be unique individuals. Such special attention means we have worth.
Don't sell yourself short or drag yourself down into a sea of insults and abuses. You are treasured by God. We are the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8). If God finds us valuable, then maybe we should think twice about how we should be treated and how we should treat others.
Values don't seem to matter anymore. Maybe it's because people have accepted the lies that they are insignificant slime that oozed out of some mud pit. If they have such a small opinion of themselves, then it's easy to sell out to the highest bidder despite the personal insults or the backstabbing.
The reality, though, is not in these so-called reality shows. What is real is that we are creations. We are handcrafted by the God of the Universe. From the color of our eyes and hair to our specific skills and talents, we were personally designed to be unique individuals. Such special attention means we have worth.
Don't sell yourself short or drag yourself down into a sea of insults and abuses. You are treasured by God. We are the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8). If God finds us valuable, then maybe we should think twice about how we should be treated and how we should treat others.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Steps to Completion
Our front lawn has been in need of a major overhaul for a few years now. Time and money have been the primary reasons for our delay, but we decided this would be the year for our extreme makeover.
The groundbreaking took place this weekend. I don't expect the project to be done for at least several weeks. My husband and his friend are doing the labor themselves, with only weekends and afternoons to handle the task. Although the two have worked on many projects together, they don't always work efficiently; therefore, we expect delays.
But I have to be thankful that the project has started. Too many times we can talk about doing something; yet ultimately the job never gets done. We do too much talking and too little moving.
Sometimes God calls us to action, but because of insecurities, we fail to act. We can work out all the details in our heads about what we should do, but it is all talk if we never step out in faith to tackle the situation.
Our lawn is going to take time because we can only handle the job a little bit at a time. The key to its completion is being faithful to the work. God is calling us to be faithful to the plans He has for us. We need to take steps day by day (even if they are little ones) until the task is finished.
Ask God to help you step out in faith one foot at a time and see what He allows you to accomplish.
The groundbreaking took place this weekend. I don't expect the project to be done for at least several weeks. My husband and his friend are doing the labor themselves, with only weekends and afternoons to handle the task. Although the two have worked on many projects together, they don't always work efficiently; therefore, we expect delays.
But I have to be thankful that the project has started. Too many times we can talk about doing something; yet ultimately the job never gets done. We do too much talking and too little moving.
Sometimes God calls us to action, but because of insecurities, we fail to act. We can work out all the details in our heads about what we should do, but it is all talk if we never step out in faith to tackle the situation.
Our lawn is going to take time because we can only handle the job a little bit at a time. The key to its completion is being faithful to the work. God is calling us to be faithful to the plans He has for us. We need to take steps day by day (even if they are little ones) until the task is finished.
Ask God to help you step out in faith one foot at a time and see what He allows you to accomplish.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Memorial Weekend Reflection
We honor those who have sacrificed their lives so that we may still be free.
"Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one's life for his friends."
John 15:13
Sudden Storms
It had been a warm, muggy day. My husband was coming in on the train from Los Angeles to join the kids and me in Sante Fe, New Mexico where we had been visiting with relatives for the past week. We had all carpooled to the train station, but we had to sit around and wait since the train was late.
Clouds were gathering in the distance. Since it was July, the monsoon season of the area, we knew a shower could be expected. When the first drops began to fall, the train pulled in. Hugs and kisses later, we all piled into our cars and headed back to my relatives’ home a few miles away.
By the time we pulled onto the main highway, the sky seemed to explode. Rain fell in torrents, thunder boomed, and lightning lit up the darkened sky. Although this wasn’t the first storm the kids and I had experienced since we had arrived, it was the fiercest. What a welcome for my poor husband! Thankfully, the frightening storm lasted only about ten minutes and then rolled on to another area.
Sometimes life gives us storms. We may see the warning signs off in the distance, but pay little attention since the storm hasn’t affected us personally. When the storm hits, we may be surprised at its intensity since we didn't expect the fury. But like any storm, it will blow away, leaving only trickles instead of torrents; rainbows instead of rain.
I thank God that He is in the midst of every storm I experience. Whether a true rainstorm like last summer in New Mexico or a storm in my personal life, I know the Lord is by my side giving me comfort and strength as I call out to Him.
Who do you seek when life’s storms hit you? Try calling out to God. He will give you a peace that no storm can ever shake.
Clouds were gathering in the distance. Since it was July, the monsoon season of the area, we knew a shower could be expected. When the first drops began to fall, the train pulled in. Hugs and kisses later, we all piled into our cars and headed back to my relatives’ home a few miles away.
By the time we pulled onto the main highway, the sky seemed to explode. Rain fell in torrents, thunder boomed, and lightning lit up the darkened sky. Although this wasn’t the first storm the kids and I had experienced since we had arrived, it was the fiercest. What a welcome for my poor husband! Thankfully, the frightening storm lasted only about ten minutes and then rolled on to another area.
Sometimes life gives us storms. We may see the warning signs off in the distance, but pay little attention since the storm hasn’t affected us personally. When the storm hits, we may be surprised at its intensity since we didn't expect the fury. But like any storm, it will blow away, leaving only trickles instead of torrents; rainbows instead of rain.
I thank God that He is in the midst of every storm I experience. Whether a true rainstorm like last summer in New Mexico or a storm in my personal life, I know the Lord is by my side giving me comfort and strength as I call out to Him.
Who do you seek when life’s storms hit you? Try calling out to God. He will give you a peace that no storm can ever shake.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Being a Pioneer
Are you a pioneer? Are you one of those eager to step away from your comfort zone to explore beyond your realm? I am a pioneer to some degree. It must come from my ancestors who left Spain in the late 1600’s or early 1700’s to come the New World that would one day be called America. I think if I had an opportunity when I was younger to do something adventurous as that I might have signed up to go. But as I get older I tend to keep my pioneering limited to explorations via the internet.
I have always loved researching, so I think it’s amazing to have a wonderful research tool at my fingertips that’s accessible 24/7. With my computer I can explore countries I may never get to travel to, study archival books I may never be able to hold in my own hands, and find out tidbits of information about people I may never be able to meet. Family members and friends call me to dig up facts about all sorts of things because I know how to use the system effectively.
Am I a master at internet searches? Far from it; but I’m willing to learn. That’s half the battle when you are confronted with something new. Some people are not willing to learn beyond what they already know. They don’t want to be budged from their comfort zone because they are afraid life will change if they do. Sometimes, though, change is good, especially if it will help you grow.
God instills in us an inquisitive nature when it comes to knowing about Him and His plans for us. There are those who are eager to learn more about God and to find treasures that abound within the pages of His Word. Yet there are others who were raised a certain way with certain ideals and traditions that do not want to find out what else God has in store for them. They feel safe the way they are, not realizing they are missing out on the abundant blessings God has designed especially for them.
Be a pioneer of God’s Word. Explore its pages to learn more about the Omniscient and All-powerful God who orchestrated it. You might be surprised by all the amazing things God wants to show you.
I have always loved researching, so I think it’s amazing to have a wonderful research tool at my fingertips that’s accessible 24/7. With my computer I can explore countries I may never get to travel to, study archival books I may never be able to hold in my own hands, and find out tidbits of information about people I may never be able to meet. Family members and friends call me to dig up facts about all sorts of things because I know how to use the system effectively.
Am I a master at internet searches? Far from it; but I’m willing to learn. That’s half the battle when you are confronted with something new. Some people are not willing to learn beyond what they already know. They don’t want to be budged from their comfort zone because they are afraid life will change if they do. Sometimes, though, change is good, especially if it will help you grow.
God instills in us an inquisitive nature when it comes to knowing about Him and His plans for us. There are those who are eager to learn more about God and to find treasures that abound within the pages of His Word. Yet there are others who were raised a certain way with certain ideals and traditions that do not want to find out what else God has in store for them. They feel safe the way they are, not realizing they are missing out on the abundant blessings God has designed especially for them.
Be a pioneer of God’s Word. Explore its pages to learn more about the Omniscient and All-powerful God who orchestrated it. You might be surprised by all the amazing things God wants to show you.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Where Has the Time Gone?
The days are just zipping by. Even my teenage son has noticed. It was just Saturday, and now it's Wednesday. How time does fly!
But why does it seem like this? There are still only twenty-four hours in a day. We're not any busier than a normal school week. Yet we don't seem to be able to accomplish all that we have to do.
And there lies the problem. We have too many things on our to-do list. The days didn't shorten, our activities increased. We've become consumed by our busy-ness.
I don't think we even know how to relax anymore. We are constantly searching for some type of stimulation that even to sit and listen to the birds sing or watch a sunset seems like a waste of good time. But that is exactly what we need to do. We need to put on the brakes of our crazy lives and take time to relax and to refresh ourselves.
Is life passing by too swiftly? Slow it down and rest. If God placed such importance on it, then shouldn't you, too?
But why does it seem like this? There are still only twenty-four hours in a day. We're not any busier than a normal school week. Yet we don't seem to be able to accomplish all that we have to do.
And there lies the problem. We have too many things on our to-do list. The days didn't shorten, our activities increased. We've become consumed by our busy-ness.
I don't think we even know how to relax anymore. We are constantly searching for some type of stimulation that even to sit and listen to the birds sing or watch a sunset seems like a waste of good time. But that is exactly what we need to do. We need to put on the brakes of our crazy lives and take time to relax and to refresh ourselves.
Is life passing by too swiftly? Slow it down and rest. If God placed such importance on it, then shouldn't you, too?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
In a Crazy World
The world is going nuts. Values are being tossed aside for irresponsible behavior. What was once considered evil is now called good. Do these things make you want to just pull the covers over your head and hide?
Sometimes that would be refreshing to "escape" it all, but we cannot remove ourselves from the world we live in. It is easy to despair under the circumstances. It is easy to lose hope. But that is exactly what the devil wants us to do.
God is the one who is in control even though it doesn't look that way. The Bible is full of verses that tell us not to worry when it looks like evil will triumph. Christians need to remember to look to God, not to their circumstances. Psalm 112:7-8 (NLT) says, "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly."
God is our strong tower and our strength. He has promised to provide, even in famine. Don't despair when you hear all the bad news around you. Trust God, stand up for righteousness, and believe God will protect and provide.
Sometimes that would be refreshing to "escape" it all, but we cannot remove ourselves from the world we live in. It is easy to despair under the circumstances. It is easy to lose hope. But that is exactly what the devil wants us to do.
God is the one who is in control even though it doesn't look that way. The Bible is full of verses that tell us not to worry when it looks like evil will triumph. Christians need to remember to look to God, not to their circumstances. Psalm 112:7-8 (NLT) says, "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly."
God is our strong tower and our strength. He has promised to provide, even in famine. Don't despair when you hear all the bad news around you. Trust God, stand up for righteousness, and believe God will protect and provide.
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Bit of Sun
We've been experiencing a heat wave here in Southern California, so you would think that the last place to visit would be an outdoor amusement center. Because of a birthday celebration, however, we spent the better part of Sunday at one of the local theme parks.
We did our best to prepare for the weather. The ice chest was pulled out, filled with water bottles and ice to keep in the car in case we ran out of the water we both carried in hand and in a backpack. The kids were smeared with sunscreen when we arrived. Long hair was swept back in pony tails, and shorts were the favorite attire. Despite our efforts, however, we all experienced a bit of sunburn.
Although we take many precautions in our lives, there is always a risk of getting more than we've bargained for. We can try to predict and prepare, but ultimately we are at the mercy of things beyond our control. That's where it's vital to trust God.
God doesn't live within the realm of our world. He is not constrained to our time or to this planet; therefore, He knows exactly what's going to happen. Since we are limited in our vision for the future, we can never plan enough. When we trust God, however, we can have the confidence that although we may get a bit of a burn or may get hurt in the process, we have a God who loves us, who stands by us, and who works to bring out our best when we hand over our lives to Him.
Have you done all you could to prepare for your particular circumstance, yet it's still not enough? Trust the Creator of all to help see you through.
We did our best to prepare for the weather. The ice chest was pulled out, filled with water bottles and ice to keep in the car in case we ran out of the water we both carried in hand and in a backpack. The kids were smeared with sunscreen when we arrived. Long hair was swept back in pony tails, and shorts were the favorite attire. Despite our efforts, however, we all experienced a bit of sunburn.
Although we take many precautions in our lives, there is always a risk of getting more than we've bargained for. We can try to predict and prepare, but ultimately we are at the mercy of things beyond our control. That's where it's vital to trust God.
God doesn't live within the realm of our world. He is not constrained to our time or to this planet; therefore, He knows exactly what's going to happen. Since we are limited in our vision for the future, we can never plan enough. When we trust God, however, we can have the confidence that although we may get a bit of a burn or may get hurt in the process, we have a God who loves us, who stands by us, and who works to bring out our best when we hand over our lives to Him.
Have you done all you could to prepare for your particular circumstance, yet it's still not enough? Trust the Creator of all to help see you through.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Weekend Reflection
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth."
Psalm 115:1
Friday, May 16, 2008
Practice, Practice, Practice
My son has a piano recital coming up in the next few weeks. He’s playing two pieces and has known about this for months. Although he’s good, what I consider a natural talent, he still needs to practice. Unfortunately, practicing is not his favorite thing to do. In fact his piano teacher has admonished him to put in a little more effort to work on his pieces since he doesn’t have too much time left.
Many things can come easy for us, but it is the practice of that activity that makes us proficient. Our faith is an area of our lives that needs practice. If we are believers, but don’t exercise our Bible reading, praying, kindness and love for others, then our faith becomes stagnant. But if we practice our faith by demonstrating Christ’s love to all and studying God’s Word, then we become alive and active and bolder in our walk with the Lord.
Is your faith a bit rusty? Put it into practice and expect amazing things to happen.
Many things can come easy for us, but it is the practice of that activity that makes us proficient. Our faith is an area of our lives that needs practice. If we are believers, but don’t exercise our Bible reading, praying, kindness and love for others, then our faith becomes stagnant. But if we practice our faith by demonstrating Christ’s love to all and studying God’s Word, then we become alive and active and bolder in our walk with the Lord.
Is your faith a bit rusty? Put it into practice and expect amazing things to happen.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Making Mistakes
I made a big mistake the other day. A relative had given us an extra computer to use for the kids, so I had been in the process of cleaning up files and downloading software for them. An older computer game was not working on my computer, so the kids wanted it on the “new” one. The game was supposed to be compatible with the operating system of that computer, so I decided to load it in and see if it ran.
The download went smoothly. We had sufficient memory to cover the game. But when it came to launching the game, a screen came up telling me the driver was not set to receive the proper graphics. To make a long story short, as I tried to override the screen resolution to see if that would make the game work, everything went black. Then some words came up telling me the resolution was incorrect for the system. I tried escape, ctrl+alt+del, and all sorts of things to get into another mode, but the screen remained blank. Since I couldn’t see, I couldn’t change back the settings to fix the problem.
The kids of course were disappointed. I had just installed their new monitor and they were eager to try everything out. However, nothing I did helped. They ended up going to bed with no solution in sight.
I have a decent knowledge of computers, but not enough for this type of problem. With no one to call, I assumed we would have to end up spending money trying to fix my error. I was feeling a bit dejected until I realized I could look online for solutions. After about a good thirty minutes, I discovered an entry with a problem similar to mine. I implemented the suggestions, and Viola! It worked. I got the screen back to normal.
I don’t like making mistakes, but I am sure thankful when I can fix them. Sometimes, though, our mistakes have caused major damage and no amount of tweaking can fix the problem. In relationships our mistakes aren't always easy to solve. Oftentimes we “open mouth and insert foot,” doing more harm than good.
When our words get us into trouble, it’s very hard to fix the hurt feelings, the built up resentments, and the frustration that blocks out rational thought. The best solution is to go to the master problem solver – Jesus. He can set us straight and help us begin to repair the damage.
Will the person we hurt forgive us? It would be nice if that were always the case, but there is no guarantee. We just have to fall on our knees before the Lord and ask Him to work out the situation for His glory.
When you make a mistake, seek Jesus for help and healing. There’s no better solution than trusting in Him.
The download went smoothly. We had sufficient memory to cover the game. But when it came to launching the game, a screen came up telling me the driver was not set to receive the proper graphics. To make a long story short, as I tried to override the screen resolution to see if that would make the game work, everything went black. Then some words came up telling me the resolution was incorrect for the system. I tried escape, ctrl+alt+del, and all sorts of things to get into another mode, but the screen remained blank. Since I couldn’t see, I couldn’t change back the settings to fix the problem.
The kids of course were disappointed. I had just installed their new monitor and they were eager to try everything out. However, nothing I did helped. They ended up going to bed with no solution in sight.
I have a decent knowledge of computers, but not enough for this type of problem. With no one to call, I assumed we would have to end up spending money trying to fix my error. I was feeling a bit dejected until I realized I could look online for solutions. After about a good thirty minutes, I discovered an entry with a problem similar to mine. I implemented the suggestions, and Viola! It worked. I got the screen back to normal.
I don’t like making mistakes, but I am sure thankful when I can fix them. Sometimes, though, our mistakes have caused major damage and no amount of tweaking can fix the problem. In relationships our mistakes aren't always easy to solve. Oftentimes we “open mouth and insert foot,” doing more harm than good.
When our words get us into trouble, it’s very hard to fix the hurt feelings, the built up resentments, and the frustration that blocks out rational thought. The best solution is to go to the master problem solver – Jesus. He can set us straight and help us begin to repair the damage.
Will the person we hurt forgive us? It would be nice if that were always the case, but there is no guarantee. We just have to fall on our knees before the Lord and ask Him to work out the situation for His glory.
When you make a mistake, seek Jesus for help and healing. There’s no better solution than trusting in Him.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Faulty Feelings
When your life is overly stressed, do you seek the Lord for help? To be honest, I don't do this as often as I should. Depending on the situation, I may get caught up in the moment and let my selfish desires kick in, marring my judgment and causing me to make poor choices.
The devil loves these vulnerable moments of ours. He knows our exact weak spots and therefore will put feelings of doubt, insecurity, rejection, fear, and/or incompetence into our heads. We know deep down that these feelings aren't healthy or even true; yet we allow them to infiltrate and dominate our thoughts.
How then do we get ourselves out of such situations?
1. We call out to God and ask for His forgiveness for believing and acting on these lies.
2. We give Him those feelings of doubts, fears, etc., telling Him we cannot overcome these thought patterns on our own.
3. We dive into His Word. The Psalms are a wonderful place to start. King David struggled with many feelings. His psalms let us know we can overcome everything with God's help.
4. We pray constantly for renewal. Ezekiel 36:26 says, "'I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.'"
5. Be diligent. James 4:7 tells us to "...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." If our action and reaction is to go before the Lord in prayer and reach for His word when doubts try to invade our minds, then God's word will pervade our thoughts, hearts, and minds. There will be little room left for the bad thoughts to take hold.
6. Trust God. Nothing is impossible with Him.
Our mind can be a wonderful tool or a powerful enemy. When you find yourself full of faulty feelings, turn them over to the Lord. He is the only One who can bring us renewal.
The devil loves these vulnerable moments of ours. He knows our exact weak spots and therefore will put feelings of doubt, insecurity, rejection, fear, and/or incompetence into our heads. We know deep down that these feelings aren't healthy or even true; yet we allow them to infiltrate and dominate our thoughts.
How then do we get ourselves out of such situations?
1. We call out to God and ask for His forgiveness for believing and acting on these lies.
2. We give Him those feelings of doubts, fears, etc., telling Him we cannot overcome these thought patterns on our own.
3. We dive into His Word. The Psalms are a wonderful place to start. King David struggled with many feelings. His psalms let us know we can overcome everything with God's help.
4. We pray constantly for renewal. Ezekiel 36:26 says, "'I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.'"
5. Be diligent. James 4:7 tells us to "...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." If our action and reaction is to go before the Lord in prayer and reach for His word when doubts try to invade our minds, then God's word will pervade our thoughts, hearts, and minds. There will be little room left for the bad thoughts to take hold.
6. Trust God. Nothing is impossible with Him.
Our mind can be a wonderful tool or a powerful enemy. When you find yourself full of faulty feelings, turn them over to the Lord. He is the only One who can bring us renewal.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Full Description
The other day my son wanted me to bid on a trading card for him on ebay. He had the funds, and the maximum price he wanted to bid wasn't too expensive, so I agreed. I didn't bother reading the description. I saw the picture and what the payment terms were, so I was content to trust my son's decision on the matter. So at the appropriate time, I placed the bid during the last few minutes and ended up winning the card.
After I made the online payment, I waited for some word from the seller. It came quickly, but to my dismay. It turned out that I bought a "virtual" card. When I went back to read the description, it said it was for the online game and that I would have to meet the seller online to "receive" the card.
First of all, I had no idea that there were virtual cards for this game. Secondly, the boys don't play virtual games. I notified the seller that it was my error that I didn't read the description, so he just earned a free $2.51.
How often do we not take the time to read things through? I had no excuse in this case. I knew better than to accept information in blind faith; but I had been in a hurry and assumed my son had checked everything out. Thankfully it was only a few dollars.
Do you claim to be a Christian? Have you read the full description on what it means to be a believer? A person is not a Christian because he/she was born into a family of faith or because of regular church attendance. Jesus told Nicodemus, a very prominent religious leader in his day, that he could not receive eternal life unless he was born again. Nicodemus' knowledge of Scripture or his devotion to his faith were not enough. He needed to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Only then could he become part of God's kingdom.
Ask the Lord into your heart if you haven't already done so. Then make sure you read His word so you can get the full description of the wonderful promises of God.
After I made the online payment, I waited for some word from the seller. It came quickly, but to my dismay. It turned out that I bought a "virtual" card. When I went back to read the description, it said it was for the online game and that I would have to meet the seller online to "receive" the card.
First of all, I had no idea that there were virtual cards for this game. Secondly, the boys don't play virtual games. I notified the seller that it was my error that I didn't read the description, so he just earned a free $2.51.
How often do we not take the time to read things through? I had no excuse in this case. I knew better than to accept information in blind faith; but I had been in a hurry and assumed my son had checked everything out. Thankfully it was only a few dollars.
Do you claim to be a Christian? Have you read the full description on what it means to be a believer? A person is not a Christian because he/she was born into a family of faith or because of regular church attendance. Jesus told Nicodemus, a very prominent religious leader in his day, that he could not receive eternal life unless he was born again. Nicodemus' knowledge of Scripture or his devotion to his faith were not enough. He needed to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Only then could he become part of God's kingdom.
Ask the Lord into your heart if you haven't already done so. Then make sure you read His word so you can get the full description of the wonderful promises of God.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Gone Fishin'
Norman Rockwell painted a great picture of a man who decided he needed to get away from it all and go fishing. He is sitting in a very small boat with his dog, his fishing poles are plopped in the water, and he is peacefully snoozing away under the shade of his umbrella; his face a sign of perfect contentment.
There are times when I just want to put out my sign, "Gone Fishing," and take the day off. Instead of going fishing, though, I'd probably grab a good book, pack a nice lunch (maybe some sushi and some good summer fruits), find a nice comfortable tree, and climb up and read.
Too many responsibilities and too little opportunities keep me from following this dream. Being a wife and mother with young kids makes the possibility of taking a day off inconceivable. But I can dream; and the fact that I can dream of such moments is, in a sense, a form of relaxation to me.
Perhaps some day that dream can become a reality. In the meantime I will use the imagination God gave me and hang up my own little sign that reads, "Gone dreamin'."
There are times when I just want to put out my sign, "Gone Fishing," and take the day off. Instead of going fishing, though, I'd probably grab a good book, pack a nice lunch (maybe some sushi and some good summer fruits), find a nice comfortable tree, and climb up and read.
Too many responsibilities and too little opportunities keep me from following this dream. Being a wife and mother with young kids makes the possibility of taking a day off inconceivable. But I can dream; and the fact that I can dream of such moments is, in a sense, a form of relaxation to me.
Perhaps some day that dream can become a reality. In the meantime I will use the imagination God gave me and hang up my own little sign that reads, "Gone dreamin'."
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mothers' Day!
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD,
she shall be praised."
Proverbs 31:30
Friday, May 9, 2008
Life Streams
Have you ever followed a stream or bubbling brook? The water trickles along, slows down, and plunges quickly in various areas. There’s both serenity and chaos along its route, depending on the lay of the land and the rocks and pebbles it has to traverse.
A stream reminds me of life changes. Sometimes we are gently moving along, following the simple current that the Lord’s living water carries us on. Life then is smooth and easy. There is not much to rock our world.
Then there are times when we roughly cascade over rocky problems that send us twirling and swirling around in circles or cause us to receive bumps and bruises as we travel along. We cannot get ourselves out of the situation because the events are flowing rapidly and we can only cling to our lifesaver, Jesus.
Then there are times when the current pushes us out of the torrential flow and into a quiet pool where we can catch our breath and regain our strength for the next leg of our journey. However, if we refresh too long, we can become stagnant since we aren’t being used for our intended purposes.
A stream is vibrant only when it’s moving. Circulating water is healthy since it mixes in oxygen and keeps harmful bacteria from growing. Jesus is our living water. He travels with us in the whirlpools, the waterfalls, the depths and the shallows. He is our lifeboat and our life preserver. As we travel in life, make sure to hold onto Him so we can enjoy the ride.
A stream reminds me of life changes. Sometimes we are gently moving along, following the simple current that the Lord’s living water carries us on. Life then is smooth and easy. There is not much to rock our world.
Then there are times when we roughly cascade over rocky problems that send us twirling and swirling around in circles or cause us to receive bumps and bruises as we travel along. We cannot get ourselves out of the situation because the events are flowing rapidly and we can only cling to our lifesaver, Jesus.
Then there are times when the current pushes us out of the torrential flow and into a quiet pool where we can catch our breath and regain our strength for the next leg of our journey. However, if we refresh too long, we can become stagnant since we aren’t being used for our intended purposes.
A stream is vibrant only when it’s moving. Circulating water is healthy since it mixes in oxygen and keeps harmful bacteria from growing. Jesus is our living water. He travels with us in the whirlpools, the waterfalls, the depths and the shallows. He is our lifeboat and our life preserver. As we travel in life, make sure to hold onto Him so we can enjoy the ride.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Unexpected Blessings
There are many unexpected blessings in life, but one that we don't think about as unexpected are our friends. If we believe God is sovereign and all knowing, then we have to believe that everything that happens in our life is not by accident. He brought our friends to us, even before we knew they would be our friends.
I smile as I look back and see the now obvious orchestrations of our meetings: at school, at work, through the introduction of another friend, in a store, through a group, at church. All of these friendships were totally unexpected. When I first met many of them, I had no idea we would end up friends.
Some friendships clicked right away. Others took time to develop. Each one so different. Each one offering something unique. But all have been tremendous blessings. I am thankful that God handpicked these people just for me.
Have you thanked God for the friends in your life? Take the time to thank Him for your unexpected blessings.
I smile as I look back and see the now obvious orchestrations of our meetings: at school, at work, through the introduction of another friend, in a store, through a group, at church. All of these friendships were totally unexpected. When I first met many of them, I had no idea we would end up friends.
Some friendships clicked right away. Others took time to develop. Each one so different. Each one offering something unique. But all have been tremendous blessings. I am thankful that God handpicked these people just for me.
Have you thanked God for the friends in your life? Take the time to thank Him for your unexpected blessings.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Pads of Paper
When I was young, I loved going into the drugstore in town to buy a pad of writing paper. If memory serves me right, I used to pay 50 cents per pad. I didn't use it for writing, though. I used it to draw.
I would take my blue pen and draw all sorts of pictures: horses, hands, candles, faces. I had so much fun taking those blank pieces of paper and creating something from my imagination. Instead of looking at that blank page as empty, I saw it as waiting for something magical to happen when my ideas hit the page.
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where our lives feel empty. We seem as if nothing is written on the pages of our lives. Thoughts flee, emotions drain. However, when we hand ourselves over to God, He takes our emptiness and starts drawing and outlining His wonderful plans for us. We are no longer blank pages, but beautiful pieces of art personally designed by our master's hand.
I still have many of my old pads of paper. It's fun to flip through them every once in a while and look at all that I drew. Do you want your life to be full instead of empty? Do you want God to draw His perfect plan for you? Trust in Him. Hand Him the pen and then see all that He has planned just for you!
I would take my blue pen and draw all sorts of pictures: horses, hands, candles, faces. I had so much fun taking those blank pieces of paper and creating something from my imagination. Instead of looking at that blank page as empty, I saw it as waiting for something magical to happen when my ideas hit the page.
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where our lives feel empty. We seem as if nothing is written on the pages of our lives. Thoughts flee, emotions drain. However, when we hand ourselves over to God, He takes our emptiness and starts drawing and outlining His wonderful plans for us. We are no longer blank pages, but beautiful pieces of art personally designed by our master's hand.
I still have many of my old pads of paper. It's fun to flip through them every once in a while and look at all that I drew. Do you want your life to be full instead of empty? Do you want God to draw His perfect plan for you? Trust in Him. Hand Him the pen and then see all that He has planned just for you!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
God's Amazing Confirmations
I was down to the wire. I had told my publisher that I would present a proposal this month for a new project. After studying their catalog, praying, and jotting down ideas, I had three possibilities. But which one should I choose? Time was running out.
Yesterday morning I decided to literally lay my ideas before the Lord. I took my three potential projects, walked into my room, laid them on the floor, knelt down, and began to pray. I asked the Lord to make it clear during the day which one I was to choose since I wanted to contact the publisher the next day. My projects weren't normal everyday topics. If He chose to, He could make the choice apparent to me. I even asked that if these topics were wrong, then show me another one. After praying a bit and reading some Bible passages, I continued my day.
That afternoon I drove to pick up my eldest son from school. I usually go early, park in front of the school and do some work. This time I intended not to take any work with me, but to listen to one of the teaching messages on a Christian radio station. The message for that time was about making decisions. The pastor was explaining that often when people have a choice between several options, they usually have one in mind already. This was partially true for me since one of my ideas kept coming to mind more often than the others.
But when the program was over, a commercial came on. I had never heard this commercial before and it wasn't related to my ideas, so I was caught a bit off guard when it mentioned the very topic I was just thinking about. Like I stated earlier, the topics I had chosen were not ordinary topics; so it was a big thing for me to actually hear that particular term used at that time.
Okay. So I had my proposal idea. But when I went to pick up my other kids from school later that afternoon, I quickly prayed for the Lord to show me if I was to present one of the other two ideas to the publisher as well. As I was standing in front waiting for the school bell to ring, an older boy who was waiting for one of his siblings suddenly spoke out the exact phrase of one of my other topics! Out of the blue! I smiled and silently thanked the Lord for showing me so vividly what I was to do.
Do you have a choice to make? Take it directly to the Lord. Lay it before Him and ask Him to make it clear to you. You may be surprised at the way He shows you!
Yesterday morning I decided to literally lay my ideas before the Lord. I took my three potential projects, walked into my room, laid them on the floor, knelt down, and began to pray. I asked the Lord to make it clear during the day which one I was to choose since I wanted to contact the publisher the next day. My projects weren't normal everyday topics. If He chose to, He could make the choice apparent to me. I even asked that if these topics were wrong, then show me another one. After praying a bit and reading some Bible passages, I continued my day.
That afternoon I drove to pick up my eldest son from school. I usually go early, park in front of the school and do some work. This time I intended not to take any work with me, but to listen to one of the teaching messages on a Christian radio station. The message for that time was about making decisions. The pastor was explaining that often when people have a choice between several options, they usually have one in mind already. This was partially true for me since one of my ideas kept coming to mind more often than the others.
But when the program was over, a commercial came on. I had never heard this commercial before and it wasn't related to my ideas, so I was caught a bit off guard when it mentioned the very topic I was just thinking about. Like I stated earlier, the topics I had chosen were not ordinary topics; so it was a big thing for me to actually hear that particular term used at that time.
Okay. So I had my proposal idea. But when I went to pick up my other kids from school later that afternoon, I quickly prayed for the Lord to show me if I was to present one of the other two ideas to the publisher as well. As I was standing in front waiting for the school bell to ring, an older boy who was waiting for one of his siblings suddenly spoke out the exact phrase of one of my other topics! Out of the blue! I smiled and silently thanked the Lord for showing me so vividly what I was to do.
Do you have a choice to make? Take it directly to the Lord. Lay it before Him and ask Him to make it clear to you. You may be surprised at the way He shows you!
Monday, May 5, 2008
A New Tool
My new laptop arrived over the weekend. Well, it's not exactly new since it was a refurbished one from the factory; but it's new to me! I have been wanting one (and waiting patiently, I might add) for the longest time, and finally my husband gave me the go ahead.
I spent the better part of Saturday night reading through the manual and figuring out how everything works. Although I'm not an expert on it yet, I am becoming more comfortable with the touchpad instead of working with a mouse.
There is only one problem at the moment. I wanted a laptop primarily to work on stories when the kids are using my computer or I'm away from home. However, the software that came with the computer is not compatible with Microsoft Word, so I need to invest a little more money in order to get the right program I need.
Waiting is part of life. I had to wait to get this new tool, but now I have to wait a bit more to use it effectively. But that's okay. I am still blessed by my husband's thoughtfulness.
When God has us wait, there is always a purpose behind it. His delays are good and timely. He is never late. So if you find yourself waiting for something that He has promised, don't worry. God will deliver His goodness right when you need it!
I spent the better part of Saturday night reading through the manual and figuring out how everything works. Although I'm not an expert on it yet, I am becoming more comfortable with the touchpad instead of working with a mouse.
There is only one problem at the moment. I wanted a laptop primarily to work on stories when the kids are using my computer or I'm away from home. However, the software that came with the computer is not compatible with Microsoft Word, so I need to invest a little more money in order to get the right program I need.
Waiting is part of life. I had to wait to get this new tool, but now I have to wait a bit more to use it effectively. But that's okay. I am still blessed by my husband's thoughtfulness.
When God has us wait, there is always a purpose behind it. His delays are good and timely. He is never late. So if you find yourself waiting for something that He has promised, don't worry. God will deliver His goodness right when you need it!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Weekend Reflection
"I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD."
Psalm 116:17
Friday, May 2, 2008
Hope for Tomorrow
Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer, a time for us to go before the Lord, repent of our sins, and ask Him to heal our land. Some people think we are far too gone; nothing can turn this country around, not even prayer. There are rumors of a recession, our gas prices are sky high, groceries are getting more expensive, and companies are closing their doors. There seems to be little hope of a bright tomorrow.
I disagree. My God created the universe out of nothing. He can create the possible out of the impossible. His Word speaks of many promises of His amazing provision, even in the times of drought and difficulties. If we trust in Him there will always be hope.
We can look at the circumstances around us and feel panic and despair. Or we can do as we should have done yesterday: get on our knees and pray. James 5:16b says, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
Too many people look at the economy for their answers. I would rather look to the living God who can control the affairs of the world far better than any legislative or judicial or executive branch of government could ever do.
Who or what do you look at for your security in life? If it's manmade, it will fail. Turn to God. He never fails. He is all the security you will ever need.
I disagree. My God created the universe out of nothing. He can create the possible out of the impossible. His Word speaks of many promises of His amazing provision, even in the times of drought and difficulties. If we trust in Him there will always be hope.
We can look at the circumstances around us and feel panic and despair. Or we can do as we should have done yesterday: get on our knees and pray. James 5:16b says, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
Too many people look at the economy for their answers. I would rather look to the living God who can control the affairs of the world far better than any legislative or judicial or executive branch of government could ever do.
Who or what do you look at for your security in life? If it's manmade, it will fail. Turn to God. He never fails. He is all the security you will ever need.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A Sign of the Times
The other day while I was driving, I noticed the car in front of me had something etched on the rear window. As we pulled up to a stop sign, I was able to read the words: "Get Rich or Die Trying."
I couldn't help but chuckle when I read it. That saying seems to be the chief motivator for many. They think that getting rich is the answer to life's problems. Looking at the tragic lives of many young movie stars going in and out of rehab centers confirms that life is more than money. Money cannot fill the emptiness in our hearts and souls. Money will never make us truly happy.
True happiness can only come from the source of happiness, and that is from God. He created us. He placed in our hearts the desire to know Him and to glorify Him. We will only be happy when we've committed ourselves to Him and live for Him as our Lord and Savior.
Looking to get rich? You will only find true wealth when you invest yourself in Jesus.
I couldn't help but chuckle when I read it. That saying seems to be the chief motivator for many. They think that getting rich is the answer to life's problems. Looking at the tragic lives of many young movie stars going in and out of rehab centers confirms that life is more than money. Money cannot fill the emptiness in our hearts and souls. Money will never make us truly happy.
True happiness can only come from the source of happiness, and that is from God. He created us. He placed in our hearts the desire to know Him and to glorify Him. We will only be happy when we've committed ourselves to Him and live for Him as our Lord and Savior.
Looking to get rich? You will only find true wealth when you invest yourself in Jesus.
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