I am blessed to have several Christian radio stations around Southern California, allowing me to fill my drives with inspiring music. There have been times when the words of a song will touch my heart, confirming God's love, and encouraging me in my walk with the Lord. I love how my kids will join in on a song, giving praise to God. It comforts me to know that truths of the gospel are being inscribed deep in their hearts and minds.
Worship plays a vital role in our faith. It allows us to be intimate with our Lord and God by stirring our souls for a deeper fellowship with Him. I am always amazed at those who come to church late so they don't have to sit through worship. They miss the whole point of getting into an attitude of praise and wrapping themselves in the hope of His grace and mercy.
Take time to give honor to God through your singing. Take time to worship.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sitting Still
I was at a piano recital the other day for young inspiring, and perhaps not so inspiring, pianists. Even though the recital didn't last more than an hour and fifteen minutes, it was difficult to sit still for that amount of time. We are so used to getting up and running here and there, rarely stopping for a breather, that we find it hard to sit for longs period of time. Even church service creates a challenge at times.
Yet God wants us to be still with Him. In Psalm 46:10a it says to "Be still and know that I am God..." The Hebrew phrase here means to leave off handling things by our own efforts. We are to give ourselves completely to God, and that often requires us to spend time "listening" to Him. When was the last time you spent some quiet time with God? When did you last get on your knees and just listen? It's hard to sit still, but if we want intimacy with our God, then we need to make that time to get to know Him better.
Yet God wants us to be still with Him. In Psalm 46:10a it says to "Be still and know that I am God..." The Hebrew phrase here means to leave off handling things by our own efforts. We are to give ourselves completely to God, and that often requires us to spend time "listening" to Him. When was the last time you spent some quiet time with God? When did you last get on your knees and just listen? It's hard to sit still, but if we want intimacy with our God, then we need to make that time to get to know Him better.
Friday, April 24, 2009
First Response
We all have bad days. None of us are immune to issues that cause anger or frustration or pain. But how should we deal with these days? Should we hide in a corner? Should we call all our friends and express our anguish and our woes? Should we confront the issue? I say none of the above. We should pray first.
If God is our Lord, He needs to be our first source of help. We need to rely on His wisdom and guidance. Sure we may have godly friends who give wonderful advice; but God should be our first-response team. Our godly friends can participate later.
Will God answer right away? It really depends on the situation. But when we entrust our cares and concerns to Him, He will take the circumstance and work it for His glory. Giving Him the problem helps to strengthen us because we are sharing it with Someone big enough to handle anything and everything.
The prophet Jeremiah had many bad days. Yet He wrote in Lamentation 3:22-23, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
You can have a new morning after a bad day. But you must first give your problem to the Lord.
If God is our Lord, He needs to be our first source of help. We need to rely on His wisdom and guidance. Sure we may have godly friends who give wonderful advice; but God should be our first-response team. Our godly friends can participate later.
Will God answer right away? It really depends on the situation. But when we entrust our cares and concerns to Him, He will take the circumstance and work it for His glory. Giving Him the problem helps to strengthen us because we are sharing it with Someone big enough to handle anything and everything.
The prophet Jeremiah had many bad days. Yet He wrote in Lamentation 3:22-23, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
You can have a new morning after a bad day. But you must first give your problem to the Lord.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Full Length View
I dread clothes shopping. It's not because of long lines or high prices; I know a few bargain places where I can find clothes at decent prices with quick lines. I dread buying clothes because I have to look in the mirror to try on the articles I wish to purchase.
It's no secret. I'm in my mid-forties. I no longer have the nice figure I had twenty years ago, way before my four children. But gravity and age seems to be ganging up on me lately. I gave a heavy sigh when I had to try on some capris the other day, and it wasn't because I was struggling to pull the pants on, either. It was because of the image I saw reflecting back at me.
Now, I know that the outside isn't the most important feature of a person. The inside is what counts. But sometimes it would be nice if the two would match up more often, especially as we age.
Thankfully God only will judge me for the inside. To Him I am beautiful because I am His child. And, I have a new body to look forward to in Heaven that won't sag in all the wrong places. So, I say, let's stop looking in those full length mirrors, and let's start seeing ourselves the way God sees us: as the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).
It's no secret. I'm in my mid-forties. I no longer have the nice figure I had twenty years ago, way before my four children. But gravity and age seems to be ganging up on me lately. I gave a heavy sigh when I had to try on some capris the other day, and it wasn't because I was struggling to pull the pants on, either. It was because of the image I saw reflecting back at me.
Now, I know that the outside isn't the most important feature of a person. The inside is what counts. But sometimes it would be nice if the two would match up more often, especially as we age.
Thankfully God only will judge me for the inside. To Him I am beautiful because I am His child. And, I have a new body to look forward to in Heaven that won't sag in all the wrong places. So, I say, let's stop looking in those full length mirrors, and let's start seeing ourselves the way God sees us: as the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).
Monday, April 20, 2009
Spring Cleaning
Yesterday we took on a major spring cleaning project that was way overdue. We started the long laborious process of organizing and cleaning out our garage.
It took us several hours in over ninety degree weather. We pulled everything out from the middle of the garage, and then started sorting through boxes and reorganizing shelves. The job was dusty, grimy, and tiring. The main problem was that there was just so much stuff, most of which was junk. Our neighbor was gracious enough to let us use one of his trash cans because ours were filled beyond the brim.
I was reminded of how much junk we keep in our lives. Bad habits, unforgiveness, grudges, and bitterness are just a few examples. As Christians we need to clean out the things that drag us down spiritually. When we confess these to the Lord, He cleanses us, allowing for more room in our hearts for the things that matter.
It takes time to clean out everything. Our garage will take a few more days, but if we are persistent and consistent, then we will soon be able to find what we're looking for instead of bumping into all the clutter.
Do you have too much junk in your life? Try a bit of spring cleaning Jesus style.
It took us several hours in over ninety degree weather. We pulled everything out from the middle of the garage, and then started sorting through boxes and reorganizing shelves. The job was dusty, grimy, and tiring. The main problem was that there was just so much stuff, most of which was junk. Our neighbor was gracious enough to let us use one of his trash cans because ours were filled beyond the brim.
I was reminded of how much junk we keep in our lives. Bad habits, unforgiveness, grudges, and bitterness are just a few examples. As Christians we need to clean out the things that drag us down spiritually. When we confess these to the Lord, He cleanses us, allowing for more room in our hearts for the things that matter.
It takes time to clean out everything. Our garage will take a few more days, but if we are persistent and consistent, then we will soon be able to find what we're looking for instead of bumping into all the clutter.
Do you have too much junk in your life? Try a bit of spring cleaning Jesus style.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Following the Sun
My little sprouts of tomatoes and sweet peppers are a lesson in faith. They have struggled up from very small seeds and continue to grow with the water that I give them. But they also follow the sun. Each morning, as they sit on the ledge of my south-facing window, they stretch to gather the warmth from the rays of sunshine that come streaming through. As the sun traverses the sky, the plants slowly creep in that direction, making sure they catch every available drop of light.
We need to be as diligent to follow the true Son, Jesus. We are strongest when we align ourselves to receive His full amount of love, strength, wisdom, and peace. Through Him we grow so that we may be a benefit to those around us. When we turn to Him we get stronger; when we ignore Him and turn our backs on Him, we face the danger of withering away.
Be like a plant and follow the true source of life: follow Jesus.
We need to be as diligent to follow the true Son, Jesus. We are strongest when we align ourselves to receive His full amount of love, strength, wisdom, and peace. Through Him we grow so that we may be a benefit to those around us. When we turn to Him we get stronger; when we ignore Him and turn our backs on Him, we face the danger of withering away.
Be like a plant and follow the true source of life: follow Jesus.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Putting the Pieces Together
While my oldest daughter was away at camp last week, my youngest daughter wanted me to play with her. She decided she wanted to put a puzzle together. So we brought out a new puzzle of a very colorful and old fashioned farmers' market and set to work.
First, we sifted through all the pieces and removed the edges. Once we put the edges together, we starting filling in from the sides. We also separated sections by color or patterns as we saw matching areas. My sons would join in now and again. My oldest daughter did, too, once she returned from camp.
It's a good thing we had the box with the completed picture to look at. There were times when we'd take a funny looking piece and compare it with the picture to find out exactly where it belonged. We probably looked at the box a hundred times before it was all done.
Our life in many ways is like a puzzle being put together without the box. We don't know the outcome; we only know the experiences day by day which are meant to mold and shape us into the person God wants us to become. He knows the complete picture; we only get glimpses as the pieces are being put together bit by bit until it starts making more sense. It would be nice if God would give us the box sometimes, but perhaps we'd get too lazy or too cocky and we'd loose our need to depend on God to carry us through until the end.
Thankfully, we can trust the Lord with our lives if we surrender ourselves to Him. The pieces will fit perfectly if we allow Him to lead, to encourage, and to strengthen. Let God direct your life. You won't be disappointed with the completed picture.
First, we sifted through all the pieces and removed the edges. Once we put the edges together, we starting filling in from the sides. We also separated sections by color or patterns as we saw matching areas. My sons would join in now and again. My oldest daughter did, too, once she returned from camp.
It's a good thing we had the box with the completed picture to look at. There were times when we'd take a funny looking piece and compare it with the picture to find out exactly where it belonged. We probably looked at the box a hundred times before it was all done.
Our life in many ways is like a puzzle being put together without the box. We don't know the outcome; we only know the experiences day by day which are meant to mold and shape us into the person God wants us to become. He knows the complete picture; we only get glimpses as the pieces are being put together bit by bit until it starts making more sense. It would be nice if God would give us the box sometimes, but perhaps we'd get too lazy or too cocky and we'd loose our need to depend on God to carry us through until the end.
Thankfully, we can trust the Lord with our lives if we surrender ourselves to Him. The pieces will fit perfectly if we allow Him to lead, to encourage, and to strengthen. Let God direct your life. You won't be disappointed with the completed picture.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Little Seeds
Several weeks ago I started work on a small garden. I bought a bag of planting mix and several packets of herb and vegetable seeds. Then I pulled out some pots, filled them with mix, and with the help of my daughers, scattered seeds into the outside containers. We planted lettuce, oregano, basil, and cilantro. Taking some fish cans and a few bottoms from plastic water bottles, we planted some tomato and sweet pepper seeds for inside.
We have been diligent to water them everyday. A few seedlings are thriving from the outdoor containers. One of the tomato seeds has already grown into a 1 inch plant. A few of the containers have had no activity at all, which I find fascinating since they all had the same kind of soil, the same amount of water and sun, and the same amount of care.
It must be the seeds. Some seeds are ready for growth. You plant them and before you know it they have sprouted into a strong plant. Others are slow starters, like the little pepper seed I noticed that is just beginning to peek out of the dirt. Then there will be many others that, no matter what you do, they will not grow at all.
God's Word is the same for everyone. Some hearts will immediately take His Word in and you will see growth and vibrancy. Some hearts will take awhile for the message to absorb, but eventually you will see a new life begin. Then there will be other hearts that will refuse to take in the message, denying the potential life they could have had.
Which seed are you? The strong vibrant one that accepts God and all He has to offer; the one that needs a bit more time to "get it", but eventually finds the answers they have been looking for that have been there all along; or the one that refuses to grow at all because you deny the free eternal gift of God? You are one of these seeds, whether you want to admit it or not. Let God give you life, growth, and hope for your future.
We have been diligent to water them everyday. A few seedlings are thriving from the outdoor containers. One of the tomato seeds has already grown into a 1 inch plant. A few of the containers have had no activity at all, which I find fascinating since they all had the same kind of soil, the same amount of water and sun, and the same amount of care.
It must be the seeds. Some seeds are ready for growth. You plant them and before you know it they have sprouted into a strong plant. Others are slow starters, like the little pepper seed I noticed that is just beginning to peek out of the dirt. Then there will be many others that, no matter what you do, they will not grow at all.
God's Word is the same for everyone. Some hearts will immediately take His Word in and you will see growth and vibrancy. Some hearts will take awhile for the message to absorb, but eventually you will see a new life begin. Then there will be other hearts that will refuse to take in the message, denying the potential life they could have had.
Which seed are you? The strong vibrant one that accepts God and all He has to offer; the one that needs a bit more time to "get it", but eventually finds the answers they have been looking for that have been there all along; or the one that refuses to grow at all because you deny the free eternal gift of God? You are one of these seeds, whether you want to admit it or not. Let God give you life, growth, and hope for your future.
Friday, April 10, 2009
What's So "Good" About It?
What's so "good" about Good Friday? An innocent man was killed on this day. The religious establishment was thrilled since the threat to its authority was eliminated. The ruling government felt it had handled the situation diplomatically to promote peace.
The man's followers did not consider this day good. They were discouraged, fearful, and hopeless. The promise of a new kingdom had been crushed before their eyes. They went into hiding, frightened that the very powers that had killed this man would come after them.
But it was a good day -- in God's eyes. The death of this Man had been foretold by the prophets of old. His death was the ultimate sacrifice for a People destined to destruction because of their disobedience to and their rejection of God. Without the sacrificial death of this one man, Jesus, there would be no hope of Heaven. Our debts, brought on by a sinful nature, was paid in full because One Man, the Son of God, allowed Himself to die in our place.
It is a Good day, because God gives us a chance to be at peace with Him. It will be a Good day, when you accept this chance and ask Jesus into your heart and into your life. Then it will be a better day because you will now be able to enter eternity with hope.
Have you made the decision to make Jesus your Lord and Savior. Remember, He died for you!
The man's followers did not consider this day good. They were discouraged, fearful, and hopeless. The promise of a new kingdom had been crushed before their eyes. They went into hiding, frightened that the very powers that had killed this man would come after them.
But it was a good day -- in God's eyes. The death of this Man had been foretold by the prophets of old. His death was the ultimate sacrifice for a People destined to destruction because of their disobedience to and their rejection of God. Without the sacrificial death of this one man, Jesus, there would be no hope of Heaven. Our debts, brought on by a sinful nature, was paid in full because One Man, the Son of God, allowed Himself to die in our place.
It is a Good day, because God gives us a chance to be at peace with Him. It will be a Good day, when you accept this chance and ask Jesus into your heart and into your life. Then it will be a better day because you will now be able to enter eternity with hope.
Have you made the decision to make Jesus your Lord and Savior. Remember, He died for you!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Landmark Post
This is my 333rd post. Every time I see that number, I instantly think of my freshman year of college since 333 was my dorm room number. It also reminds me of my old roommate, Bridget.
Bridget was a junior transfer student who belonged to one of the nearby sororities. She had a great personality, which made her rather popular. What I loved about my roommate was that although she was much older with different interests, she would include me in a few of her activities. One of them was to join her and her friends to a super late night hot dog run at a 24 hour stand several miles away.
Bridget became a Christian not too long afterwards. She became involved with Campus Crusades and I saw a big change in her life. There was a fresher attitude, more peace, more joy. She veered away from the party life of college, and started to become more serious about her life and her goals. I lost touch with her many years ago, but the last note I had from her told about her marriage, her walk with the Lord, and how important God was in her and her husband's life.
Christ brings change into people's lives. He bring direction, hope, peace, joy, love, and fulfillment. It would have been nice to be able to tell Bridget so many years later of my personal commitment to the Lord. I think she would have been pleased for her little "roomie."
Bridget was a junior transfer student who belonged to one of the nearby sororities. She had a great personality, which made her rather popular. What I loved about my roommate was that although she was much older with different interests, she would include me in a few of her activities. One of them was to join her and her friends to a super late night hot dog run at a 24 hour stand several miles away.
Bridget became a Christian not too long afterwards. She became involved with Campus Crusades and I saw a big change in her life. There was a fresher attitude, more peace, more joy. She veered away from the party life of college, and started to become more serious about her life and her goals. I lost touch with her many years ago, but the last note I had from her told about her marriage, her walk with the Lord, and how important God was in her and her husband's life.
Christ brings change into people's lives. He bring direction, hope, peace, joy, love, and fulfillment. It would have been nice to be able to tell Bridget so many years later of my personal commitment to the Lord. I think she would have been pleased for her little "roomie."
Monday, April 6, 2009
Easter is Coming
Easter is just six days away. I used to love going on Easter egg hunts when I was a kid. Memories of running around looking for the dyed eggs come flooding into my mind. For weeks afterward, I'd ask my mother for an Easter egg for breakfast instead of referring to them as hardboiled eggs (of course, she made fresh eggs; the ones from Easter had long been thrown away).
Even as a young child, I had an idea of the main reason for all the celebration: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But I didn't truly understand the significance until I was much older. I didn't quite realize that it was not just Jesus' death on the cross that was of major importance, it was also the fact that His resurrection made it possible for us to go to Heaven when we die.
Easter is a great time for family get-togethers: for ham and fried chicken; for Easter egg hunts and chocolate candies; for Peeps and jelly beans. But we must never forget that it's all about Jesus, whose death and resurrection opened up the pathway to Heaven.
Even as a young child, I had an idea of the main reason for all the celebration: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But I didn't truly understand the significance until I was much older. I didn't quite realize that it was not just Jesus' death on the cross that was of major importance, it was also the fact that His resurrection made it possible for us to go to Heaven when we die.
Easter is a great time for family get-togethers: for ham and fried chicken; for Easter egg hunts and chocolate candies; for Peeps and jelly beans. But we must never forget that it's all about Jesus, whose death and resurrection opened up the pathway to Heaven.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Learning to Love
Let's be honest. It's not easy to follow the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. Sure, it's easier to do so with our family and friends, but what about the irritating guy on the freeway who cut you off, or the bank teller with the bad attitude, or someone in the office with an annoying habit? We're still called to love them, because as the Good Samaritan parable teaches, our neighbor is everyone, even those we find difficult to love.
Only God can love unconditionally; therefore, He is the one who can help us love those who rub us the wrong way. He can change our hearts into hearts of compassion. He can make us see others through His eyes, showing us that they, too, need that extended hand of fellowship and caring.
We all have people in our lives who could benefit from God's love through us. Why not ask the Lord to teach you how to love them His way?
Only God can love unconditionally; therefore, He is the one who can help us love those who rub us the wrong way. He can change our hearts into hearts of compassion. He can make us see others through His eyes, showing us that they, too, need that extended hand of fellowship and caring.
We all have people in our lives who could benefit from God's love through us. Why not ask the Lord to teach you how to love them His way?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Opportunities and Blessings
My friend and I were supposed to meet for breakfast yesterday morning. Plans changed and we had to cancel. We were a bit disappointed because we enjoy the infrequent times we can get together to chit chat, share what the Lord is doing in our lives, and develop new story ideas. Yet at the same time, we had to be thankful that God had allowed us to have one of our rare more-than-an-hour-long phone conversations the day before.
If we believe God is in control of our lives, then we have to believe nothing is by accident. That being the case, God knew our breakfast would be cancelled, so He allowed us to have some valuable phone time instead.
Be thankful for the little opportunities God puts in your life. They are really unexpected blessings.
If we believe God is in control of our lives, then we have to believe nothing is by accident. That being the case, God knew our breakfast would be cancelled, so He allowed us to have some valuable phone time instead.
Be thankful for the little opportunities God puts in your life. They are really unexpected blessings.
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