Archives
June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
the best path is not the easiest path.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act--they will be blessed in their doing.-James 1:19-25 (NRSV)
how many times have I heard a sermon, teaching or read a passage that spoke to my heart or challenged my way of life? And then how quickly did I forget?
The encouragement is to not have a passive faith. Is to not take for granted the law of liberty. To be a person of action.
My act for today is to be merciful, graceful and loving. I guess I'm looking for a good challenge.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -2 Corinthians 3:17 (
NRSV)
interesting, how I know where the Spirit is, that there's power and change and direction. But not many times do I associate it with freedom.
Freedom is not easy, it comes with a price. But what other life would I want to live, but free? Interesting that I read this on the heels of watching "300" last night. That he lived his life to be free, no matter what the cost.
That I would hold that same passion for the Spirit of the Lord and the freedom that follows.
[300 is not an altogether positive movie so I'm not endorsing it, but I just find it
intriguing that the application came to me this morning...]
Thursday, January 17, 2008
the Lord is my hope - regardless.
The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."-Lamentations 3:19-24 (NRSV)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
encouragement.
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
-Hebrews 10:19-25 (NRSV)
I love how that reads.
Today's Scripture
Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
-Proverbs 12:25 (NRSV)
Friday, January 11, 2008
about giving
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.-2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (NRSV)
My parents never really emphasized to me what I would "get" from God when I gave. They told me if I was faithful to give, He would take care of my needs, regardless. But the emphasis was on the giving, not the recieving.
The main point of the devotional that went along with this passage was about what you recieve when you give. "Giving is like a boomerang; whatever we give usually comes back, just like the plate from Grandma always came back full. " Giving shouldn't be like a boomerang however, because you're always waiting for the boomerang to come back!
The other day I got an unexpected blessing, totally unexpected. It was something that I had been thinking about, but not praying about. Yet, I knew that it was God's provision. God has been dealing with me about giving, and wanting me to give more and more often. In light of this verse, I'm realizing that even though I did not pray for this blessing, it is quite possible that this blessing is the result of my obediance to God in the past few weeks.
enlightened once again. amazing.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Way I See It #291
" In a world where celebrity equals talent, and where make -believe is called reality, it is most important to have real love, truth and stability in your life."
- Bernie Brillstein
Film and television producer- couldn't have said it better myself. sigh.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
promise.
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
-Isaiah 55:1-12 (NRSV)God's never forgets His promises. Trusting in God is a lot of times not knowing or understanding, only trying to know and grasping onto the one thing you believe, that His ways are good. That He is good. That the plans He has for you are in His will, and if you seek Him through it all, He will be glorified.His glory isn't always our comfort or happiness. His glory is not of this world and all that it holds. As a follower of Christ, what am I seeking? Comfort? Happiness? Knowledge of the future or present? Or rather His glory. His eternal glory. What does He promise? For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.He promises glory.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
shaky but unshaken
i think about the words I spoke to a close friend recently, words I've said often. how my life has yet to be struck by tragedy and my faith truly shaken. they feel like they were said ominously without meant to be said that way.
i feel like there are circles of influence in my life, and each one of them is being shaken with tragedy or mishap. my grandfather's health is deteriorating rapidly, enough that they've had to put him in an assisted living situation. Which makes me think about life and it's hardships. When is it ever easy to take in those who need so much care? What am I personally willing to sacrifice so that he could spend his last years or months or days in a real home? Watching my mom have to walk through this is hard. When kids take care of parents, I see that it's so hard for both to adjust to the new roles. my parents are expressing their missing me in different ways. i'm not quite sure how to handle this. then Huey passes away. 34, that's only 10 years older than me, maybe 9 months and something days. i always thought of the term "widow" as something in the bible or a movie, not my coworker's wife or my mother in law. And taking care of them becomes so practical. I was telling another friend how I hate how expensive death is. it's just shitty. Maybe I should start a non prof, where we provide death services for those who are in poverty. I'm sure one exists already, I'm going to look it up. my google search fails me. Julianna, who is home but who knows how temporarily. my other grandmother, frail and mostly alone.
I don't know that these circle of influences are getting closer to my core, but I feel them none the less. That's life, and faith exists sometimes in forefront and sometimes in the shadow, of life.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
I've been challenged, called, commanded.
He's asking me to give of myself, unselfishly. This is so opposite of my natural desire. To surrender myself to those He's revealing. My life and my love.
I give to those who love easily in return. I'm drawn to those who do not
withhold love from me. He's calling me to love without restraint. To hold those who have not been held. To heal those who are hurting.
There are no clear steps or defined momentum to this new journey. I see He's been telling me this all along, and somehow once again I see I've deterred off the path. He's reminding me of the things He's been telling me, showing me since I was a little girl.
Jesus, this is hard for me. I hesitate in even telling others because I know that it holds me accountable. But I know this is where you want me, where my purpose lies and where my adventure begins. Afraid as I am, I ask for courage.
Archives
June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act--they will be blessed in their doing.-James 1:19-25 (NRSV)
how many times have I heard a sermon, teaching or read a passage that spoke to my heart or challenged my way of life? And then how quickly did I forget?
The encouragement is to not have a passive faith. Is to not take for granted the law of liberty. To be a person of action.
My act for today is to be merciful, graceful and loving. I guess I'm looking for a good challenge.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -2 Corinthians 3:17 (
NRSV)
interesting, how I know where the Spirit is, that there's power and change and direction. But not many times do I associate it with freedom.
Freedom is not easy, it comes with a price. But what other life would I want to live, but free? Interesting that I read this on the heels of watching "300" last night. That he lived his life to be free, no matter what the cost.
That I would hold that same passion for the Spirit of the Lord and the freedom that follows.
[300 is not an altogether positive movie so I'm not endorsing it, but I just find it
intriguing that the application came to me this morning...]
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall! My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."-Lamentations 3:19-24 (NRSV)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
-Hebrews 10:19-25 (NRSV)
I love how that reads.
Today's Scripture
Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
-Proverbs 12:25 (NRSV)
Friday, January 11, 2008
The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.-2 Corinthians 9:6-12 (NRSV)
My parents never really emphasized to me what I would "get" from God when I gave. They told me if I was faithful to give, He would take care of my needs, regardless. But the emphasis was on the giving, not the recieving.
The main point of the devotional that went along with this passage was about what you recieve when you give. "Giving is like a boomerang; whatever we give usually comes back, just like the plate from Grandma always came back full. " Giving shouldn't be like a boomerang however, because you're always waiting for the boomerang to come back!
The other day I got an unexpected blessing, totally unexpected. It was something that I had been thinking about, but not praying about. Yet, I knew that it was God's provision. God has been dealing with me about giving, and wanting me to give more and more often. In light of this verse, I'm realizing that even though I did not pray for this blessing, it is quite possible that this blessing is the result of my obediance to God in the past few weeks.
enlightened once again. amazing.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
" In a world where celebrity equals talent, and where make -believe is called reality, it is most important to have real love, truth and stability in your life."
- Bernie Brillstein
Film and television producer- couldn't have said it better myself. sigh.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
-Isaiah 55:1-12 (NRSV)God's never forgets His promises. Trusting in God is a lot of times not knowing or understanding, only trying to know and grasping onto the one thing you believe, that His ways are good. That He is good. That the plans He has for you are in His will, and if you seek Him through it all, He will be glorified.His glory isn't always our comfort or happiness. His glory is not of this world and all that it holds. As a follower of Christ, what am I seeking? Comfort? Happiness? Knowledge of the future or present? Or rather His glory. His eternal glory. What does He promise? For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.He promises glory.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
i think about the words I spoke to a close friend recently, words I've said often. how my life has yet to be struck by tragedy and my faith truly shaken. they feel like they were said ominously without meant to be said that way.
i feel like there are circles of influence in my life, and each one of them is being shaken with tragedy or mishap. my grandfather's health is deteriorating rapidly, enough that they've had to put him in an assisted living situation. Which makes me think about life and it's hardships. When is it ever easy to take in those who need so much care? What am I personally willing to sacrifice so that he could spend his last years or months or days in a real home? Watching my mom have to walk through this is hard. When kids take care of parents, I see that it's so hard for both to adjust to the new roles. my parents are expressing their missing me in different ways. i'm not quite sure how to handle this. then Huey passes away. 34, that's only 10 years older than me, maybe 9 months and something days. i always thought of the term "widow" as something in the bible or a movie, not my coworker's wife or my mother in law. And taking care of them becomes so practical. I was telling another friend how I hate how expensive death is. it's just shitty. Maybe I should start a non prof, where we provide death services for those who are in poverty. I'm sure one exists already, I'm going to look it up. my google search fails me. Julianna, who is home but who knows how temporarily. my other grandmother, frail and mostly alone.
I don't know that these circle of influences are getting closer to my core, but I feel them none the less. That's life, and faith exists sometimes in forefront and sometimes in the shadow, of life.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
I've been challenged, called, commanded.
He's asking me to give of myself, unselfishly. This is so opposite of my natural desire. To surrender myself to those He's revealing. My life and my love.
I give to those who love easily in return. I'm drawn to those who do not
withhold love from me. He's calling me to love without restraint. To hold those who have not been held. To heal those who are hurting.
There are no clear steps or defined momentum to this new journey. I see He's been telling me this all along, and somehow once again I see I've deterred off the path. He's reminding me of the things He's been telling me, showing me since I was a little girl.
Jesus, this is hard for me. I hesitate in even telling others because I know that it holds me accountable. But I know this is where you want me, where my purpose lies and where my adventure begins. Afraid as I am, I ask for courage.
