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.
Friday, May 16, 2008
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.
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