Psalm 103:1-5
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Did you see that in verse 4? The Lord crowns me with His love and compassion! I am his princess! This verse jumped out at me after I watched the movie Enchanted. During the movie I was thinking that I wanted to be like the princess, I wanted to stick out and be different than the world. I wish I were as naive as she...I wish there were some things in this world that I weren't exposed to. We are to be in this world not of it. I want to believe the best about people and situations like the princess did.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
outside
Matthew 6: 25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I think If we really go outside to actually look at the birds and see the flowers our worries may become smaller. If we can focus on God's creation and see how he takes care of things it bring us back into perspective. It is so refreshing to me to spend time outside in God's creation.
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I think If we really go outside to actually look at the birds and see the flowers our worries may become smaller. If we can focus on God's creation and see how he takes care of things it bring us back into perspective. It is so refreshing to me to spend time outside in God's creation.
Monday, May 26, 2008
At Night
Gideon was afraid to destroy the Asherah poles during the day....he did it at night, even though he knew God had empowered him and commanded him to do it. How often are we, like Gideon, afraid of the reaction of other people? Judges 6:27
Like Gideon in verse 39, I am often asking God, "are you sure...show me!" Thankfully God does not grow impatient with his children in the same way we do with ours! It seems like I am always asking God to show me again!
Thank you Lord that you can give us the freedom in Christ to not be a people pleaser. Enable us to do what you have called us to do without letting what others think stand in our way. Thank you for being so patient with me when I want to know you mean business!
Like Gideon in verse 39, I am often asking God, "are you sure...show me!" Thankfully God does not grow impatient with his children in the same way we do with ours! It seems like I am always asking God to show me again!
Thank you Lord that you can give us the freedom in Christ to not be a people pleaser. Enable us to do what you have called us to do without letting what others think stand in our way. Thank you for being so patient with me when I want to know you mean business!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
News
I used to watch the news all the time. I think it's something I learned growing up. My dad loved to know what was going on in the world. I don't watch the news much anymore because it is depressing and I have a toddler who doesn't need to see these things yet. I was working around the house after I put her to bed and I heard this on the TV in the background. It stood out to me and I watched the rest of the broadcast. It was about controlling the thoughts we have.
They might have the latest news, but they're not going to share the greatest news!www.changinglives.org/ Gregory Dickow Ministries
They might have the latest news, but they're not going to share the greatest news!www.changinglives.org/ Gregory Dickow Ministries
Laminin
This is from a sermon by Louie Giglio (please clickthe name to check out the video!)! I want to share what I learned.
Louie was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is...how He spoke the universe into being...how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire...etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) .....and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork.
I remember so many times thinking: "How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this?" Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. It was because he started talking about laminin. I knew about laminin. Here is how Wikipedia describes them: "Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue." You see....laminins are what hold us together....LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already.
But what I didn't know is what laminin LOOKED LIKE. But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since....Here is what the structure of laminin looks like...AND THIS IS NOT a "Christian portrayal"' of it. If you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see:
Louie was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is...how He spoke the universe into being...how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire...etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) .....and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork.
I remember so many times thinking: "How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this?" Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. It was because he started talking about laminin. I knew about laminin. Here is how Wikipedia describes them: "Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue." You see....laminins are what hold us together....LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already.
But what I didn't know is what laminin LOOKED LIKE. But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since....Here is what the structure of laminin looks like...AND THIS IS NOT a "Christian portrayal"' of it. If you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see:
Amazing!
The glue that holds us together....ALL of us....is in the shape of the cross!!
Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, And in him all things HOLD TOGETHER."
Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. The Creator knew EXACTLY what laminin "glue" would look like long before Adam even breathed his first breath!!
And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together one cell to another....BY THE CROSS!!
Our God is SO AMAZING!!!
The Trip Home
A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on:*Fasten Your Seat Belts.*
Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."
As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive.
Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm broke . . .
The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.
"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and every- thing within her small world was calm and orderly.
"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.
When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.
It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.
The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."
Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.
Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don't worry!
- Gerald M. Costello, Interim Director, The Christophers
Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."
As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive.
Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm broke . . .
The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.
The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.
"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and every- thing within her small world was calm and orderly.
"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.
When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.
It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.
Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.
The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."
Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.
Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don't worry!
- Gerald M. Costello, Interim Director, The Christophers
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
where to start?
4-13-08
Passions
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
People:
Children (abused and neglected)
Parents
teen parents
teens
women
families of prisoners
health-lifestyles
elderly
Ways:
encourage
teach
give
education
physical needs (health care)
missions
technology
Experiences:
marriage
pregnancy
death
Ministries:
New Heart Fellowship
John 3:16
OBHC
Margaret Hudson
Tulakogee
Samaritan's purse
Focus on the Family
Free in Christ
Joyce Meyer Ministries
Life Outreach
Compassion International
Fun:
Read
make things
technology
websites/podcasts/etc
run
Lord, How do these things work together? Have you created me to be interested and involved in so many things? I know that you are a big God-your ways and your thoughts are higher than mine and I can't comprehend how all this foes together or how you could use my past for your glory. Lord, I know I have to trust you. I know you have called me to your service, for your glory. Teach me to trust you because I can't do anything without you.
John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Passions
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
People:
Children (abused and neglected)
Parents
teen parents
teens
women
families of prisoners
health-lifestyles
elderly
Ways:
encourage
teach
give
education
physical needs (health care)
missions
technology
Experiences:
marriage
pregnancy
death
Ministries:
New Heart Fellowship
John 3:16
OBHC
Margaret Hudson
Tulakogee
Samaritan's purse
Focus on the Family
Free in Christ
Joyce Meyer Ministries
Life Outreach
Compassion International
Fun:
Read
make things
technology
websites/podcasts/etc
run
Lord, How do these things work together? Have you created me to be interested and involved in so many things? I know that you are a big God-your ways and your thoughts are higher than mine and I can't comprehend how all this foes together or how you could use my past for your glory. Lord, I know I have to trust you. I know you have called me to your service, for your glory. Teach me to trust you because I can't do anything without you.
John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
take it
As I poured the last of the milk for Zaleigh this morning, I relaized how much God gave for me. Like Zaleigh, who didn't drink the milk (when I would have) How often do we not take and use what the Father has given to us? He has gifted me, but I leave it in a sippy cup.
completely white
God sees me as completely white-spot free-no stains...all because of Jesus! I can't even imagine!
As the mother of a toddler, I am constantly trying to remove stains, food, grass, marker...you name it! I can wash and scrub, and wash, and wash, and it may still be there. Thank God, through Jesus my stains are gone!
A few weeks ago, I went though some of Zaleigh's clothes from when she was an infant. I couldn't believe that some of them were yellowed and stained! I just put them away a little over a year ago....and I made sure that they were clean when I put them in storage!
How often do we, even though we have been washed white as snow, allow ourselves to become yellowed and stained? Do we walk around contaminated by this world and forget that Jesus paid the price to make us completely white?
As much as I love Zaleigh, even at her precious young age, I know that she is not perfect. It will be impossible for me to see her that way, I will always know the wrong she has done even when I forgive her and want to forget. But the Father looks at us and sees no wrong, because of Jesus. I have been forgiven completely!
Lord help me to forgive others the way you do! Help me to see them the way you do because of Jesus. Let me not see and judge your people the way the world does. Father, I thank you that because of Jesus you see me as completely white. Let me receive your cleansing and forgiveness. In Jesus Name-Amen.
As the mother of a toddler, I am constantly trying to remove stains, food, grass, marker...you name it! I can wash and scrub, and wash, and wash, and it may still be there. Thank God, through Jesus my stains are gone!
A few weeks ago, I went though some of Zaleigh's clothes from when she was an infant. I couldn't believe that some of them were yellowed and stained! I just put them away a little over a year ago....and I made sure that they were clean when I put them in storage!
How often do we, even though we have been washed white as snow, allow ourselves to become yellowed and stained? Do we walk around contaminated by this world and forget that Jesus paid the price to make us completely white?
As much as I love Zaleigh, even at her precious young age, I know that she is not perfect. It will be impossible for me to see her that way, I will always know the wrong she has done even when I forgive her and want to forget. But the Father looks at us and sees no wrong, because of Jesus. I have been forgiven completely!
Lord help me to forgive others the way you do! Help me to see them the way you do because of Jesus. Let me not see and judge your people the way the world does. Father, I thank you that because of Jesus you see me as completely white. Let me receive your cleansing and forgiveness. In Jesus Name-Amen.
Doubting
It used to be that when I would think deeply about salvation that I would question mine. I asked the Lord to show me if I needed to deal with something or if it was the enemy trying to stop me from moving forward. Hebrews 11:6 came to my mind 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. I asked God to increase my faith and help me to earnestly seek him. I rejoiced greatly when God's truth revealed to me that it was the enemy trying to keep me from joy...if I doubt my salvation I can't live in in the chara (joy) that comes from the fruit of the Spirit. I will have joy in the salvation Christ bought for me!
Thank you Father for revealing to me that you have chosen me to be redeemed by the King. Thank you for giving me the faith to believe and accept your gift and promise. I am so thankful that you have revealed your Truth to me and reminded me that I am your daughter, that you have adopted me. Lord, I pray that you would clarify and remove doubt from any of your children in this area. Let the redeemed of the Lord rejoice in their salvation!!! Amen
Thank you Father for revealing to me that you have chosen me to be redeemed by the King. Thank you for giving me the faith to believe and accept your gift and promise. I am so thankful that you have revealed your Truth to me and reminded me that I am your daughter, that you have adopted me. Lord, I pray that you would clarify and remove doubt from any of your children in this area. Let the redeemed of the Lord rejoice in their salvation!!! Amen
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