I often wonder if it's my high expectations of people that cause me to be disappointed in them or if people, in general, are just huge disappointments (and I'm including myself in the obscure people).
The last few months have been trying times, but to be truthful, life is a trying time. There are rarely moments of perfection. I've been trying to focus more on moments of perfection, but still... there are just times when disappointment supersedes the perfection.
So, if people disappoint and perfection is hard to find, where do I turn? I've been trying to focus more and more on JUST turning to the Lord. This morning I woke up and realized I needed a new motto: "Pray more. Talk less." I often want to tell people things that I'm thinking about and for them, but I don't spend nearly that time praying about and for these same things for them. I'm just such a "go to the source" kind of girl, but I seem to continue to forget who the actual source is... And thus, I get disappointed.
When I send cards, I want to know the cards are appreciated. When I write an inspiring e-mail for someone, I want to know that it's appreciated. When I call just to say "hello", I want to know it's appreciated.
Um... there are a lot of I's in that sentence.
My motivation can be so self-gratifying. I want to become more Christlike but still focus my actions around what will I get in return. Why? Why? Why?
Because I'm human. And humans are just a mess.
We do things for show even when we don't think we are. Jesus called us out on it in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:16-18): "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire then for fasting. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."
I'm trying harder these days to gage my motives. I walk through the steps of what could be the response(s) and see how I will react to any of the responses. Yes, it's tedious. Yes, I'm lacking some spontaneity. Yes, it seems lame. But, if I don't want to be disappointed in people, I must first not disappoint them. And before that, I must not disappoint my Lord.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
From a Friend
A friend of mine shared this song with me today. There's a lot going on around me and I continue to feel like I'm in the middle of a refining fire. What I dig most about this song is the first two lines: "Cloud by day, fire by night." God led the Israelites throughout the desert as a cloud by day and fire by night. Fire can purify, but fire also leads. I thought some of you guys could benefit from it too. Read it. Pray it.
Surrender to the Fire, by Lane Oliver: http://www.deezer.com/en/music/lane-oliver/surrender-to-the-fire-184505#music/lane-oliver/surrender-to-the-fire-184505
Cloud by day
Fire by night
Lead me to freedom again
Open my eyes
Purify
Come touch the cord of my lips
Be near me, Lord
Consume me more
Send down your fire
Send down your flame
Blow through this place so I'll never be the same
Burn in my heart
Cleanse every stain
I run from the ashes and I run to your face
I surrender
I surrender
I surrender to the fire
Come reveal
Who you are
Righteous and holy one
Crucify my desires
And all that I claim is my own
Ignite my soul
Consume me more
Send down your fire
Send down your flame
Blow through this place so I'll never be the same
Burn in my heart
Cleanse every stain
I run from the ashes and I run to your face
I surrender
I surrender
I surrender to the fire
Surrender to the Fire, by Lane Oliver: http://www.deezer.com/en/music/lane-oliver/surrender-to-the-fire-184505#music/lane-oliver/surrender-to-the-fire-184505
Cloud by day
Fire by night
Lead me to freedom again
Open my eyes
Purify
Come touch the cord of my lips
Be near me, Lord
Consume me more
Send down your fire
Send down your flame
Blow through this place so I'll never be the same
Burn in my heart
Cleanse every stain
I run from the ashes and I run to your face
I surrender
I surrender
I surrender to the fire
Come reveal
Who you are
Righteous and holy one
Crucify my desires
And all that I claim is my own
Ignite my soul
Consume me more
Send down your fire
Send down your flame
Blow through this place so I'll never be the same
Burn in my heart
Cleanse every stain
I run from the ashes and I run to your face
I surrender
I surrender
I surrender to the fire
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Temporary vs. Permanent
I've gotten in the habit of taking prayers walks a couple of times a week; just time to spend some intense time with God in his creation. There's been quite a lot of rain in my area the last few days so my prayer walks haven't happened. As a gal that lives in the outdoors, not being allowed outside has made me pretty stir crazy... especially when I've gotten so used to this designated time I get to spend with the Lord.
Today, the rain ceased for a bit and I took the moment of peace for a time to get out among my God's world. And boy howdy is was great!
There is something about walking around after a storm, especially in the fall. The leaves are all over the sidewalk and there are plenty of puddles over which I have to leap, but there's also something so peaceful about walking among the chaos. While walking I reflected upon the days prior to today and how purely chaotic they were. The wind and rain was a mess to get through making easy tasks like going to the gym a true adventure. Most of the time it just seemed easier to stay inside, curl up with a book, and hide.
Isn't that how we feel during our most trying times in life. We don't want to go through them. We fear the unknown though we spend our lives knowing very little. There's so little faith in a God that can ease the storm outside our window. I know I tend to wonder if he's spending so much time on the weather that he's forgotten about the storm raging in my life. But, then I take a walk and look around to see how he handled his creation in the middle of the storm.
The leaves are scattered but they always look so delicately laid on the ground. The ground is saturated but it never seems unnerved by the extra water. The clouds still hang about but they even seem to flow lightly knowing they'll soon be gone. And the sun begins to pop out, just a hint, to show that the foundation is still holding strong and almost a bit nicer than before the storm. The disheveled look works for the earth around me.
Storms are temporary. The foundation on which we walk is permanent.
God doesn't aim to keep us in rocky times forever. His goal is to deliver us from the storms. I continue to think about Daniel 3 and God delivering the three young men who stood up for him from the fiery furnace. He walked with them through the furnace. But, he wasn't physically with them when they were tossed into the fire. They each had to take that leap of faith and know that God would deliver them or they'd meet him in heaven with a clear conscience. They knew that the fire was temporary but their God was permanent.
That's what I want so much. The things that seem to be crumpling around me daily are most likely temporary. God doesn't set me up to be permanently sad. He takes away anything that is hindering my focus on him. It's hard to continue to see so much pulled away. It's hard to know I may not be done with the breaking. I'm sitting in the middle of the fire and it's hard not to just fold and settle for mediocrity. But then I ask myself - what the heck would all of this had been for if I don't see it through?
I'm tired of dealing with the temporary. My life is meant for more. I'm ready to see this fiery time through and get to where God is taking me. No more diversions. No more halfway jobs. No more letting anything or anyone take the place of my most Holy Father. It's time to put up or shut up.
Are you at that place today? Get on board with me! I pray you'll see this fiery walk through with the Lord by your side. If you do, you'll join the ranks of the three (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), "Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothes were not scorched. They didn't even smell like smoke!" Daniel 3:27
I love the last part - you won't even smell bad when you get done. There will be no trace of smoke when God gets done pressing you through.
Today, the rain ceased for a bit and I took the moment of peace for a time to get out among my God's world. And boy howdy is was great!
There is something about walking around after a storm, especially in the fall. The leaves are all over the sidewalk and there are plenty of puddles over which I have to leap, but there's also something so peaceful about walking among the chaos. While walking I reflected upon the days prior to today and how purely chaotic they were. The wind and rain was a mess to get through making easy tasks like going to the gym a true adventure. Most of the time it just seemed easier to stay inside, curl up with a book, and hide.
Isn't that how we feel during our most trying times in life. We don't want to go through them. We fear the unknown though we spend our lives knowing very little. There's so little faith in a God that can ease the storm outside our window. I know I tend to wonder if he's spending so much time on the weather that he's forgotten about the storm raging in my life. But, then I take a walk and look around to see how he handled his creation in the middle of the storm.
The leaves are scattered but they always look so delicately laid on the ground. The ground is saturated but it never seems unnerved by the extra water. The clouds still hang about but they even seem to flow lightly knowing they'll soon be gone. And the sun begins to pop out, just a hint, to show that the foundation is still holding strong and almost a bit nicer than before the storm. The disheveled look works for the earth around me.
Storms are temporary. The foundation on which we walk is permanent.
God doesn't aim to keep us in rocky times forever. His goal is to deliver us from the storms. I continue to think about Daniel 3 and God delivering the three young men who stood up for him from the fiery furnace. He walked with them through the furnace. But, he wasn't physically with them when they were tossed into the fire. They each had to take that leap of faith and know that God would deliver them or they'd meet him in heaven with a clear conscience. They knew that the fire was temporary but their God was permanent.
That's what I want so much. The things that seem to be crumpling around me daily are most likely temporary. God doesn't set me up to be permanently sad. He takes away anything that is hindering my focus on him. It's hard to continue to see so much pulled away. It's hard to know I may not be done with the breaking. I'm sitting in the middle of the fire and it's hard not to just fold and settle for mediocrity. But then I ask myself - what the heck would all of this had been for if I don't see it through?
I'm tired of dealing with the temporary. My life is meant for more. I'm ready to see this fiery time through and get to where God is taking me. No more diversions. No more halfway jobs. No more letting anything or anyone take the place of my most Holy Father. It's time to put up or shut up.
Are you at that place today? Get on board with me! I pray you'll see this fiery walk through with the Lord by your side. If you do, you'll join the ranks of the three (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), "Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothes were not scorched. They didn't even smell like smoke!" Daniel 3:27
I love the last part - you won't even smell bad when you get done. There will be no trace of smoke when God gets done pressing you through.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Struck... Interestingly Enough
Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right. Song of Solomon 3:5
A few people I know are reading this book, When God Writes Your Love Story, one of them being my roommate. I enjoy reading books at the same time as someone else so we can compare notes and I love my roommates perspective on anything. And after a botched couple of... well, 10 years or so, of relationships I finally just looked at her and said, "I'm no good at them. They're not worth it. I'm done." And her response was, "Read this book right this minute. It is helping me refocus everything I think about relationships."
Well, though I do feel quite done with relationships, I do want little Arden's one day (because I truly believe the world needs more of me!) and it does take two to tango and all, so I went to the dang bookstore and bought the dang book.
Sidebar - It was HIGHLY embarrassing calling to see if the stores had this book. The clerks went, "what?" I'm sure they thought - oh boy, here's comes another disgruntle girl looking for some sort of quick fix. I almost claimed it was for a friend. I didn't. I did buy cards to go along with it just so I didn't look too cynical. They were yellow. Happy, happy yellow.
Back to it.
While I've been reading the first few chapters, my roommate has gotten several text messages regarding the book and how I'm basically the character of first four pages.
[Confession time... I'm a little bitter towards God because I'm not sure why he continues to let me get into precarious situations. I mean, he could a) have the right man for me reveal himself ALREADY b) take away my desire my partner in crime and tiny Ardens or c) end the world tomorrow and this will all be for naught. ]
The gal in the first few pages had a relationship end again. And felt bitterly sad again. And found herself going, am I going to have to repeatedly go through this? Is this dating? Is this my life? Does real, godly love actually exist in this sex-exploiting, self-gratifying, sin-rich world? And that still quiet voice said:
"You have searched for true love in your own way. But My ways are not your ways. I want to script a beautiful tale just for you, but first you must trust Me with the pen of this precious area of your life. Will you let me write your love story?" --Leslie Ludy quoting what she felt God told her that nite.
AAAAHHHHHHHHH! What a kick in the rear end!!! I'm not sure I've ever looked at love that way. Now, I'm a firm believer in we have to act in God's will. God doesn't just move us around like puppets. But, we also get so caught up in the euphoria of meeting an amazing person and thanking God for that amazing person, that we don't always say, but God, is he for me?
Now, I have asked God that before and thought God was pointing me in the direction of "yep, go for it." Maybe he was and it was only temporary or maybe I heard him wrong. I'm not sure. Time really sorts out things like that. And sometimes you never know why things happen the way they do. It just kind of it was it is.
But, I'm sooooooooooo tired of hurting. I really am. I know so many of my friends that are just so tired of hurting. The older we get the easier it is to just say, I'm okay by myself. Things aren't too terrible. Yes, I'm lonely at times and when big things happen I want to share them with someone special, but for the most part, I'm okay.
I don't believe God wants us to be just okay. I think he wants us to be passionate about our lives! Excited to get up in the morning and see what the new day holds. And it's in his will for some of us to yearn for that someone with whom to share our the special and not so special moments. He knows the desires of our hearts and wants to fulfill them. But, he's selfish. He wants us to do it his way. I just wish I did a better job discerning what is his way, you know?
However, what inspired this blog wasn't this book's approach on dating with God leading the way; it was some Scripture reading I did at the urging of the book. If you've ever read Song of Solomon it's clear that God is a-0k with the friskies when done within the confines of marriage. In all honesty, there are parts that make a Gossip Girl threesome look mild. I blush reading it at times and don't read it that often. A Southern girl can only take so much! There was one verse that I glimpsed over right before shutting my Bible and I went... wait, did that just say what I thought it said?
"Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right."
I could be way off base, but I read that as in I, Arden, have a choice when to awaken love. I need to actually be aware of what's happening in my dating relationships to know if it's time to awaken love or let it lie for a bit longer. I guess I just thought love happened to you. You woke up one morning and thought, ohmygosh I love that man. That's what I did. I woke up and saw a text from him and said, I love him. It just happened to me. I wasn't prepared in any way, shape, or form for it.
And it ended with heartache.
So, I'm struck... intrigued... with this thought- promise me you won't awaken love until the time is right.
Which seems to means I'd have to include God throughout the whole process. Ask him - is the time right? Is what I'm feeling true? Do I reveal it? Can I make it dormant?
And I'm really asking here. Is this how you take it? Is there a preparing process? Is there a way to repress love? I'm just not sure and I may never know. But, I'm going to continue to read the book. Maybe I'll learn a few things. If I do, I'll share them. I'm in a true season of growing right now. It's hard. It hurts. But, I'd rather be growing than dying!
A few people I know are reading this book, When God Writes Your Love Story, one of them being my roommate. I enjoy reading books at the same time as someone else so we can compare notes and I love my roommates perspective on anything. And after a botched couple of... well, 10 years or so, of relationships I finally just looked at her and said, "I'm no good at them. They're not worth it. I'm done." And her response was, "Read this book right this minute. It is helping me refocus everything I think about relationships."
Well, though I do feel quite done with relationships, I do want little Arden's one day (because I truly believe the world needs more of me!) and it does take two to tango and all, so I went to the dang bookstore and bought the dang book.
Sidebar - It was HIGHLY embarrassing calling to see if the stores had this book. The clerks went, "what?" I'm sure they thought - oh boy, here's comes another disgruntle girl looking for some sort of quick fix. I almost claimed it was for a friend. I didn't. I did buy cards to go along with it just so I didn't look too cynical. They were yellow. Happy, happy yellow.
Back to it.
While I've been reading the first few chapters, my roommate has gotten several text messages regarding the book and how I'm basically the character of first four pages.
[Confession time... I'm a little bitter towards God because I'm not sure why he continues to let me get into precarious situations. I mean, he could a) have the right man for me reveal himself ALREADY b) take away my desire my partner in crime and tiny Ardens or c) end the world tomorrow and this will all be for naught. ]
The gal in the first few pages had a relationship end again. And felt bitterly sad again. And found herself going, am I going to have to repeatedly go through this? Is this dating? Is this my life? Does real, godly love actually exist in this sex-exploiting, self-gratifying, sin-rich world? And that still quiet voice said:
"You have searched for true love in your own way. But My ways are not your ways. I want to script a beautiful tale just for you, but first you must trust Me with the pen of this precious area of your life. Will you let me write your love story?" --Leslie Ludy quoting what she felt God told her that nite.
AAAAHHHHHHHHH! What a kick in the rear end!!! I'm not sure I've ever looked at love that way. Now, I'm a firm believer in we have to act in God's will. God doesn't just move us around like puppets. But, we also get so caught up in the euphoria of meeting an amazing person and thanking God for that amazing person, that we don't always say, but God, is he for me?
Now, I have asked God that before and thought God was pointing me in the direction of "yep, go for it." Maybe he was and it was only temporary or maybe I heard him wrong. I'm not sure. Time really sorts out things like that. And sometimes you never know why things happen the way they do. It just kind of it was it is.
But, I'm sooooooooooo tired of hurting. I really am. I know so many of my friends that are just so tired of hurting. The older we get the easier it is to just say, I'm okay by myself. Things aren't too terrible. Yes, I'm lonely at times and when big things happen I want to share them with someone special, but for the most part, I'm okay.
I don't believe God wants us to be just okay. I think he wants us to be passionate about our lives! Excited to get up in the morning and see what the new day holds. And it's in his will for some of us to yearn for that someone with whom to share our the special and not so special moments. He knows the desires of our hearts and wants to fulfill them. But, he's selfish. He wants us to do it his way. I just wish I did a better job discerning what is his way, you know?
However, what inspired this blog wasn't this book's approach on dating with God leading the way; it was some Scripture reading I did at the urging of the book. If you've ever read Song of Solomon it's clear that God is a-0k with the friskies when done within the confines of marriage. In all honesty, there are parts that make a Gossip Girl threesome look mild. I blush reading it at times and don't read it that often. A Southern girl can only take so much! There was one verse that I glimpsed over right before shutting my Bible and I went... wait, did that just say what I thought it said?
"Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right."
I could be way off base, but I read that as in I, Arden, have a choice when to awaken love. I need to actually be aware of what's happening in my dating relationships to know if it's time to awaken love or let it lie for a bit longer. I guess I just thought love happened to you. You woke up one morning and thought, ohmygosh I love that man. That's what I did. I woke up and saw a text from him and said, I love him. It just happened to me. I wasn't prepared in any way, shape, or form for it.
And it ended with heartache.
So, I'm struck... intrigued... with this thought- promise me you won't awaken love until the time is right.
Which seems to means I'd have to include God throughout the whole process. Ask him - is the time right? Is what I'm feeling true? Do I reveal it? Can I make it dormant?
And I'm really asking here. Is this how you take it? Is there a preparing process? Is there a way to repress love? I'm just not sure and I may never know. But, I'm going to continue to read the book. Maybe I'll learn a few things. If I do, I'll share them. I'm in a true season of growing right now. It's hard. It hurts. But, I'd rather be growing than dying!
Monday, November 9, 2009
In the Moment
You can know a moment's coming, but once you're in it, you'll never know how you'll react. We can prepare for certain moments as best we can, but still... there's nothing like being in the moment.
I came across this blog post (http://inallthingslove.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/blessed/) while perusing my Twitter updates today. The writer and her husband knew that their time at the church was done and had full faith that the Lord is taking them in a direction that works best for him, but still... the sadness of leaving a church behind is tough for all who are called into the ministry.
I've had some moments recently that I knew were coming but I didn't know how I'd react to them. I've spent more time in prayer of late than I have in a long time. Getting to the core of what God wants has been difficult to discern. I'm still not sure I've done exactly as he wanted in each moment, but I know that I did the best I could and he'll sort out the details (note previous blog).
So how do we get to doing our best with each moment? For me it's been about fully embracing Scripture that is laid before me along with clear and present "God winks" along the way. I have a tendency to rush into things. I get excited and want to consume everything NOW! I have a tendency to want to tell the world when I have great news and fall into a hole and tell no one when I've failed. I'm sure I'm not alone in these actions.
But there are times when our actions have to be deliberate. Whether it's planning a special event for someone, leaving something you love behind, or giving advice to someone who's desperate for counsel, our actions require our full concentration and attention. That's why we must be prepared at any moment for the moment.
I can't say that I've been completely prepared for moments in the past. I've truly botched some things beyond my ability to repair. I've allowed human feelings to interfere and truly overshadow Godly guiding. I've recently started giving myself a lot more grace in this area too. Yes, I screw up, but that doesn't mean I can't do it right the next time.
And that's the great thing about moments. They continue to happen. Each second is a moment we won't get back. Luckily, not all moments are heartbreaking, but all are precious beyond compare. Hold onto the moments of this day and those to come, especially as we head into the Christmas season. You'll never get this season back... make sure you spend it with those you love.
I came across this blog post (http://inallthingslove.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/blessed/) while perusing my Twitter updates today. The writer and her husband knew that their time at the church was done and had full faith that the Lord is taking them in a direction that works best for him, but still... the sadness of leaving a church behind is tough for all who are called into the ministry.
I've had some moments recently that I knew were coming but I didn't know how I'd react to them. I've spent more time in prayer of late than I have in a long time. Getting to the core of what God wants has been difficult to discern. I'm still not sure I've done exactly as he wanted in each moment, but I know that I did the best I could and he'll sort out the details (note previous blog).
So how do we get to doing our best with each moment? For me it's been about fully embracing Scripture that is laid before me along with clear and present "God winks" along the way. I have a tendency to rush into things. I get excited and want to consume everything NOW! I have a tendency to want to tell the world when I have great news and fall into a hole and tell no one when I've failed. I'm sure I'm not alone in these actions.
But there are times when our actions have to be deliberate. Whether it's planning a special event for someone, leaving something you love behind, or giving advice to someone who's desperate for counsel, our actions require our full concentration and attention. That's why we must be prepared at any moment for the moment.
I can't say that I've been completely prepared for moments in the past. I've truly botched some things beyond my ability to repair. I've allowed human feelings to interfere and truly overshadow Godly guiding. I've recently started giving myself a lot more grace in this area too. Yes, I screw up, but that doesn't mean I can't do it right the next time.
And that's the great thing about moments. They continue to happen. Each second is a moment we won't get back. Luckily, not all moments are heartbreaking, but all are precious beyond compare. Hold onto the moments of this day and those to come, especially as we head into the Christmas season. You'll never get this season back... make sure you spend it with those you love.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
In The Details
There are so many places to find God whether you're looking for him or not. Whether it's in an uber-tacky rearview window mobile (saw one this weekend that said, Wait for the Lord. Again I say, way for the Lord) or a note from a roommate or in a set aside quiet time, God is around us--just waiting to show his power.
My roommate is fond of saying, God is a God of details. And it's so true. There isn't a step not put into place in his plan for us. He works out each detail to the benefit of his kingdom. I love the fact that most of the time those details include blessing upon blessing for his disciples.
I was thinking about his details this morning while teaching my crazy 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School class. Our lesson today was out of the book of Daniel (one of my favorites) and it's possible I got a little too "in the details" with the story. Our lesson was about the 3 young men who refused to worship the king's statue and were rewarded with their loyalty to the Lord with a pissed off king and a fiery furnace. (Daniel 3) Now, though I think I can be a pretty good storyteller, the kids weren't that into the reasons the 3 didn't worship the statue. They really just cared whether Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego got burned up in the fire. Grusome is popular with 6 and 7 year olds.
A few have heard the story before and proceeded to tell me that they didn't burn in the furnace but an angel saved them. I laughed and said, no, an angel didn't save them and an angel didn't walk around with them. It was the Lord himself that came down to walk these three men through the fire. When we're at our worst, and walking through a fire is pretty much the worst, God doesn't send someone else to do his work--he comes directly to us.
And that is him being in the details. He knows when we're suffering and just need reassurance. He'll send a friend to ask you to pilates or bring you brownies. He'll put a rainbow in the sky at just the perfect angle. Or, if we allow it, he'll give you a peace that cannot be matched.
Life isn't easy. People break your heart. Disease infects your body. Jobs get lost. Debt piles up. But, faith in our God outlasts the pain of the fire. He works out the details of our lives for our big picture.
So, if you're in a fire right now, take a deep breath, force that first step of faith, know that whatever happens happens, but he'll be with you the whole way.
My roommate is fond of saying, God is a God of details. And it's so true. There isn't a step not put into place in his plan for us. He works out each detail to the benefit of his kingdom. I love the fact that most of the time those details include blessing upon blessing for his disciples.
I was thinking about his details this morning while teaching my crazy 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School class. Our lesson today was out of the book of Daniel (one of my favorites) and it's possible I got a little too "in the details" with the story. Our lesson was about the 3 young men who refused to worship the king's statue and were rewarded with their loyalty to the Lord with a pissed off king and a fiery furnace. (Daniel 3) Now, though I think I can be a pretty good storyteller, the kids weren't that into the reasons the 3 didn't worship the statue. They really just cared whether Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego got burned up in the fire. Grusome is popular with 6 and 7 year olds.
A few have heard the story before and proceeded to tell me that they didn't burn in the furnace but an angel saved them. I laughed and said, no, an angel didn't save them and an angel didn't walk around with them. It was the Lord himself that came down to walk these three men through the fire. When we're at our worst, and walking through a fire is pretty much the worst, God doesn't send someone else to do his work--he comes directly to us.
And that is him being in the details. He knows when we're suffering and just need reassurance. He'll send a friend to ask you to pilates or bring you brownies. He'll put a rainbow in the sky at just the perfect angle. Or, if we allow it, he'll give you a peace that cannot be matched.
Life isn't easy. People break your heart. Disease infects your body. Jobs get lost. Debt piles up. But, faith in our God outlasts the pain of the fire. He works out the details of our lives for our big picture.
So, if you're in a fire right now, take a deep breath, force that first step of faith, know that whatever happens happens, but he'll be with you the whole way.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Coffee & Chocolate
I adore coffee and chocolate together. I love coffee alone and I'm okay with chocolate alone, but together they are heavenly. At this moment I'm enjoying the delightful combination...
The truth is, most things are better in twos. Peas & carrots. Cheese & crackers. Wine & glass. But there is one thing you just can't share with anyone else and that's your relationship with Jesus. I recently finished, Your Own Jesus by Mark Hall, lead singer of the fabo Casting Crowns. I bought it at a time when I was absolutely at the end of my rope with life's punches. I had another book in my hand to purchase and saw his at the register. (You say splurge purchase, I say God's hand.)
The back cover read:
"Why do you feel close to God one minute and so far away the next?"
"Why does your faith seem empty?"
"Why is it so easy to compromise with the world?"
Perhaps it's because we have merely inherited someone else's Jesus, relying on what we've seen and heard from family, friends, and pastors.
Now, at that point, I wasn't sure if that's where I was, but I also wanted to make darn sure I wasn't! I've been a Christian since a very young age so I thought my relationship with Jesus was a working one-not perfect, but aiming towards that.
I bought the book.
The past few weeks, between the book, personal reflection, words spoken to me, and just investigating God more, I realized... Arden, you see God as the Santa Clause of your life--gimme my man, my family, my friends, my money, my happiness. I didn't see him as the God of the Universe who has a bigger plan than who I date and when I pay off debt. He wants the entire world to know Him. But more importantly, He wants me to know Him.
Further on the back cover Hall writes: "You need to discover your own Jesus. The real Jesus. The one who wants you to be honest, committed, and uncompromising. The one who is waiting to have a relationship with you."
How many times do we get caught up in finding relationships on Earth and forget that we have a more important relationship waiting for us in Heaven. I sometimes think we treat God like that guy or girl that we know digs us, but we're not quite ready to commit to her, so we leave her on the backburner until we're done playing around with the other girls in the sandbox.
GOD IS NOT ANOTHER GUY OR GIRL IN THE SANDBOX!
I've been the "on hold" girl and it stinks! I get just enough phone calls or text messages to keep me around, but not enough to move into a meaningful relationship. I'm sure I've put the guys "on hold" too. And that is wrong and selfish. So, why in the world would I do that to the Lord? Why would I put him on hold? Because I know he's always waiting on me. He'll always be there.
But that is me putting human parameters on a non-human God. Eventually "on holds" hang up the phone. They move on. God doesn't move on. But the thing is, we still do. We move further and further away from him until we're so covered in our own muck that we can't remember how we got there. And then we look for him. We also blame him for letting us get so far away in the first place.
Why do we do these things? Because we don't have our own Jesus. We have Joel Olsteen's Jesus or Billy Graham's Jesus or your mom's Jesus, but you don't have your own. Only my own Jesus can lead me to his will. And that's where I want to be! Believe me, I've been out in and out of his will so many times of my life. Being in it offers peace, clarity, and joy.
So, where do you start? Mark Hall started in James. I started at John 3:16 the first time around. This time, in a need to re up my commitment to Jesus (and my personal desire for a process) I went to 1 Peter 1:5-9:
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
If you're a believer, don't forget your calling. Don't let the muck cloud your relationship. He is pure, holy, and waiting on you. If you're not a believer, read James, read John 3:16, read Isaiah, read Hosea, read the Psalms, google Bible and see where you land. God adores you and wants to be the coffee to your chocolate.
The truth is, most things are better in twos. Peas & carrots. Cheese & crackers. Wine & glass. But there is one thing you just can't share with anyone else and that's your relationship with Jesus. I recently finished, Your Own Jesus by Mark Hall, lead singer of the fabo Casting Crowns. I bought it at a time when I was absolutely at the end of my rope with life's punches. I had another book in my hand to purchase and saw his at the register. (You say splurge purchase, I say God's hand.)
The back cover read:
"Why do you feel close to God one minute and so far away the next?"
"Why does your faith seem empty?"
"Why is it so easy to compromise with the world?"
Perhaps it's because we have merely inherited someone else's Jesus, relying on what we've seen and heard from family, friends, and pastors.
Now, at that point, I wasn't sure if that's where I was, but I also wanted to make darn sure I wasn't! I've been a Christian since a very young age so I thought my relationship with Jesus was a working one-not perfect, but aiming towards that.
I bought the book.
The past few weeks, between the book, personal reflection, words spoken to me, and just investigating God more, I realized... Arden, you see God as the Santa Clause of your life--gimme my man, my family, my friends, my money, my happiness. I didn't see him as the God of the Universe who has a bigger plan than who I date and when I pay off debt. He wants the entire world to know Him. But more importantly, He wants me to know Him.
Further on the back cover Hall writes: "You need to discover your own Jesus. The real Jesus. The one who wants you to be honest, committed, and uncompromising. The one who is waiting to have a relationship with you."
How many times do we get caught up in finding relationships on Earth and forget that we have a more important relationship waiting for us in Heaven. I sometimes think we treat God like that guy or girl that we know digs us, but we're not quite ready to commit to her, so we leave her on the backburner until we're done playing around with the other girls in the sandbox.
GOD IS NOT ANOTHER GUY OR GIRL IN THE SANDBOX!
I've been the "on hold" girl and it stinks! I get just enough phone calls or text messages to keep me around, but not enough to move into a meaningful relationship. I'm sure I've put the guys "on hold" too. And that is wrong and selfish. So, why in the world would I do that to the Lord? Why would I put him on hold? Because I know he's always waiting on me. He'll always be there.
But that is me putting human parameters on a non-human God. Eventually "on holds" hang up the phone. They move on. God doesn't move on. But the thing is, we still do. We move further and further away from him until we're so covered in our own muck that we can't remember how we got there. And then we look for him. We also blame him for letting us get so far away in the first place.
Why do we do these things? Because we don't have our own Jesus. We have Joel Olsteen's Jesus or Billy Graham's Jesus or your mom's Jesus, but you don't have your own. Only my own Jesus can lead me to his will. And that's where I want to be! Believe me, I've been out in and out of his will so many times of my life. Being in it offers peace, clarity, and joy.
So, where do you start? Mark Hall started in James. I started at John 3:16 the first time around. This time, in a need to re up my commitment to Jesus (and my personal desire for a process) I went to 1 Peter 1:5-9:
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
If you're a believer, don't forget your calling. Don't let the muck cloud your relationship. He is pure, holy, and waiting on you. If you're not a believer, read James, read John 3:16, read Isaiah, read Hosea, read the Psalms, google Bible and see where you land. God adores you and wants to be the coffee to your chocolate.
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