Something new...being obedient to all the Psalms that command us to meditate both day and night on the Word.
Psalm 1 is a good place to start.
Well, I am finally obeying it. In his strength, for His glory in my life, mind, heart, and then eventually hopefully in the lives of others, in my writing, and in the world...the Word takes root.
Here is the plan: simple. I read a Psalm before going to bed - helping me rejoice in the day and worship the One who made it. A proverb before going about my day - wanting wisdom, practical ways I can live in obedience today.
Random ways this has been good: day 1 I was able to text a verse to a friend who is praying through many different options for her life right now. It was a good verse for her - Prov 1.33. Psalm 1 helped me remember why I needed to do this in the first place. Ps 3 - last night I fell asleep on the couch and I dreamed about people being able to break into my screen door from my porch. I woke up, went to bed, reading Ps 3 about dwelling in safety and Him providing sound sleep. God is wonderful.
This morning: feeling horrible from my Italian dinner last night both in mind and in body - I read Prov 3. I thanked God for his mercies, grace, forgiveness, and a new day. Here are some wys that is evident to me in that proverb:
1. Do not forget teaching (mind, I know what I need to eat, not eat to live my body in a way glorifying to God), but heart keep commands (but I crave in my heart things that aren't good for me). But I need to remember that the heart is deceitful and above all desparately wicked.
2. Steadfast love and faithfulness need to be how I relate to everyone I come in contact with: to find favor and good success with men.
3. If I turn away from my own wisdom (and worthless rationale) and seek the wisdom that comes from God (which is found in this Book), then it will bring healing to my flesh and refreshment to my bones. Do you take the Word literally. Most people claim that the Word has nothing really to say about health and our bodies and what we do we them or how we treat them by what we intake. We live this out in most of our churches actually. In most of our homes. But, this passage: Prov 3.7-8 speaks to just that. If we turn away from seeking our own wisdom and evil things (over eating, indulgent and seeking our worth in food) then it will bring healing to our bones, refreshment to our bodies. I love that promise!
4. Honor the Lord with your wealth...here is a recapture of Mal 3. God is blessing me in many ways and I've seen the truth of this played out in my life. Neat how God says He will reward obedience - and He really does. When He tells us to "test him in this" (Mal 3) He actually will come through. That is the amazing God we serve.
5. Do not grow tired of His reproof: I even was so glad He gave me an upset stomach this morning and wiggly vision last night (after eating so much white pasta and white bread). This is part of his reproof in my life for overeating and not heading my body and how He has made it. I want to be obedient in this way. I desire the Lord's correction in that.
6. He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. This last proverb in chapter 3 brought to mind two others. Often times we'll see signs that "Bless This House" - sorta the welcome sign on most southern doors. But, do we think about this verse. He blesses the home of the righgteous. I think in light of Proverbs and preceeding verses he is talking about those who make righteous choices and seek wisdom and understanding. But, also and most importantly...our righteousness is found in Christ - we must abide there. If we abide there, part A will come.
Do you meditate on Scripture day and night - do you see it impacting your day?
Showing posts with label disciplines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disciplines. Show all posts
Thursday, May 06, 2010
B90x Update
Some of you may recall that back in January I started B90x - a reading plan from Elevate Church in Charlotte for reading through the entire Bible in 90 days. Started off well, like most New Year's Resolutions and Bible reading plans.
March is where I really slacked off - as I was preparing to move, pack, late nights, working much - it was tough - I was sinful and lazy in forgetting this daily need.
Well - here is my update. I finished the OT the end of April. I start the NT. Hopefully the NT won't take me as long as the OT took. I doubt it.
Here are good things about the B90x reading plan:
1. It makes you prioritize the Word. It takes about 50 minutes each day to read the allotted segment. I'm not a fast reader.
2. It helps to give a bigger picture to the Word. One thing I dislike about most reading plans is that you get 2 chapters here and there in 4 different places. I like seeing complete pictures. It helps me follow story lines better. One day I think I read the whole story of Abraham from Ur to death. Joseph followed a day later. It helps when all of Genesis is done in 4 days. You see the connectedness of Scripture.
3. Themes. It also helps because you can draw out themes or words that help in preparing Bible studies or seeing the Big Picture of the Word of God. This was probably my fave part.
I will keep going. His Word is important.
March is where I really slacked off - as I was preparing to move, pack, late nights, working much - it was tough - I was sinful and lazy in forgetting this daily need.
Well - here is my update. I finished the OT the end of April. I start the NT. Hopefully the NT won't take me as long as the OT took. I doubt it.
Here are good things about the B90x reading plan:
1. It makes you prioritize the Word. It takes about 50 minutes each day to read the allotted segment. I'm not a fast reader.
2. It helps to give a bigger picture to the Word. One thing I dislike about most reading plans is that you get 2 chapters here and there in 4 different places. I like seeing complete pictures. It helps me follow story lines better. One day I think I read the whole story of Abraham from Ur to death. Joseph followed a day later. It helps when all of Genesis is done in 4 days. You see the connectedness of Scripture.
3. Themes. It also helps because you can draw out themes or words that help in preparing Bible studies or seeing the Big Picture of the Word of God. This was probably my fave part.
I will keep going. His Word is important.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Redeeming the Time (Guest Post)
I don't know of any woman (single, married, young, not as young, with kids, no kids) who will tell me that she is not busy. We have iPhones, calendars, outlook, post-it notes, etc to help keep us organized! Unfortunately, every day we live, most of us are just getting busier.
There are many Scriptures that tell us how to redeem our time - in every area of life. But, I want to concentrate on your time at home today.
There are a few books that have helped me see this reality a bit clearer: Girls Gone Wise, Shopping for Time, and The Gentle Ways of a Beautiful Woman. Of course there are more, but these three come to mind.
I want to live most of my life at home. Ok, yes, I work a full time job, in ministry, so that often means that it is well over 40 hours and even when at home I'm doing work for work. However, since i've been here, that has not been a reality for me. Some of the personal disciplines that I had in Louisville have not translated well to Raleigh living. Why - busy-ness and lack of strategical planning my day.
My friend Courtney wrote a fantastic blog post on her site about how the Spirit is sanctifying her in this area right now:
"Today has been a lazy day. And boy, do I like it! About a month or two ago a dear friend encouraged me to examine my schedule and cut things out that took me away from my husband and my home. As she wisely observed, I had begun to fill my evenings, and even my Saturdays, with a lot of other things that had very little to do with my husband. I had assumed that since he was studying I could just do whatever I wanted. He didn't need me around, right? Well, what happened was these other things became overwhelming. Suddenly, I was just away from home too much, but I was exhausted and moody when I was home. Not good."
To read the rest...go visit Courtney:
Here are a few exhortations from Scripture:
Prov 31.10, 15, 27: "An excellent wife, who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. She rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household and portions for her maiden. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
These commands and characteristics of the excellent wife (or excellent woman as Carolyn McCulley points out and illustrates in her book Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye) will look different depending on what life stage you are currently in. But, each of us must strive, in and through grace, to live these out. God has given us His Word to live out by the strength of His grace for his fame and glory in the world (or in our home, or to our friends, or our husbands).
May you be strengthened in His grace today!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Winner's Mudhouse Sabbath
There is more to this book than just a cool title.
My friend Janel had this book at her apt when I went to visit in January. I had just started reading through the Bible doing B90x (which I'm still doing by the way) and this aided in my understanding of some of the Jewish laws. With all the fun that we had that wknd, I only got about halfway through it before I left (I'm not a fast reader). But, I was so intrigued by it that I had to pick it up later and finish it. I just did.
This book was helpful in learning more about the laws and customs of Judaism, modern and ancient. This was helpful in seeing a Christian Jew live out her faith but not be under the obligations of the law. Helped to see how community and the law are so important to folks who are devout Jews.
Winner covers many different aspects: food, the sabbath, hospitality, death, doorposts, weddings, candles, etc. All offered insight into what was practiced, what is still being practiced, and how a Christian can incorporate these practices into her life.
On Fasting: "People who have fasted for years tell me there will come a time when I look forward to fasting." (88). Man - this is hard. I remember in recent churches I have been in when the pastors would call the church to a corporate fast. I would try to do it. Most of the tie, I did it out of trying to please certain pastors. Not in an effort to pray and seek the face of God as part of the beautiful Bride of Christ. So, I did it more out of pride, man-pleasing, and legalism and I always failed at it.
On Fasting: "When I am sated, it is easy to feel independent. When I am hungry, it is possible to remember where my dependence lies." (91) This applies to more than just food. Yes, food is the way Lauren talks about it here - but more recently I come to recognize this in finances and material goods. God has been more than gracious to me in so many ways and there is nothing for which I want. But, even toward the end of the month where I have to be more careful and rely on him for guidance on spending and scheduling - I realize that I need to do that all through the month and not just the last week. God is good.
On Aging: "Christianity and Judaism both offer narratives that make sense of death." (101). A few months ago I thought about this paragraph (yes, before I read it). There were a coupld of deaths in my life that occurred all in a short span of time. And I was also helping others through greiving, etc. I started to think that we would never understand death. I came to the conclusion that we were never meant to understand death because we weren't created with death in mind. Adam and Eve were created to live with God in the garden in perfect harmony forever. Then...SIN. Sin is what brought death. God made a way to conquer death - but He never said he would explain it to us.
On Candles: "Even when I am lighiting two thin tapers over dinner, I like to think about the light of Christ rectifying the sin by which came death to the world. The Light of Christ, I sometimes say to myself, Thanks be to God." (119) Most of the time when we have lit candles in our homes they are to create ambience or help eliminate odor. I wonder what would happen if Glade or Yankee Candle Co started marketing to Christians as way a remember this Light of the World. Probably what would be the result is some cheezy fish candle or cross candle just like Testamints or other silly things like that. But, what would happen if we lit candles in our home and made it an intential part of that lighting to thank God for sending the Light of the World to use so that we could behold his glory and truth?
My friend Janel had this book at her apt when I went to visit in January. I had just started reading through the Bible doing B90x (which I'm still doing by the way) and this aided in my understanding of some of the Jewish laws. With all the fun that we had that wknd, I only got about halfway through it before I left (I'm not a fast reader). But, I was so intrigued by it that I had to pick it up later and finish it. I just did.
This book was helpful in learning more about the laws and customs of Judaism, modern and ancient. This was helpful in seeing a Christian Jew live out her faith but not be under the obligations of the law. Helped to see how community and the law are so important to folks who are devout Jews.
Winner covers many different aspects: food, the sabbath, hospitality, death, doorposts, weddings, candles, etc. All offered insight into what was practiced, what is still being practiced, and how a Christian can incorporate these practices into her life.
On Fasting: "People who have fasted for years tell me there will come a time when I look forward to fasting." (88). Man - this is hard. I remember in recent churches I have been in when the pastors would call the church to a corporate fast. I would try to do it. Most of the tie, I did it out of trying to please certain pastors. Not in an effort to pray and seek the face of God as part of the beautiful Bride of Christ. So, I did it more out of pride, man-pleasing, and legalism and I always failed at it.
On Fasting: "When I am sated, it is easy to feel independent. When I am hungry, it is possible to remember where my dependence lies." (91) This applies to more than just food. Yes, food is the way Lauren talks about it here - but more recently I come to recognize this in finances and material goods. God has been more than gracious to me in so many ways and there is nothing for which I want. But, even toward the end of the month where I have to be more careful and rely on him for guidance on spending and scheduling - I realize that I need to do that all through the month and not just the last week. God is good.
On Aging: "Christianity and Judaism both offer narratives that make sense of death." (101). A few months ago I thought about this paragraph (yes, before I read it). There were a coupld of deaths in my life that occurred all in a short span of time. And I was also helping others through greiving, etc. I started to think that we would never understand death. I came to the conclusion that we were never meant to understand death because we weren't created with death in mind. Adam and Eve were created to live with God in the garden in perfect harmony forever. Then...SIN. Sin is what brought death. God made a way to conquer death - but He never said he would explain it to us.
On Candles: "Even when I am lighiting two thin tapers over dinner, I like to think about the light of Christ rectifying the sin by which came death to the world. The Light of Christ, I sometimes say to myself, Thanks be to God." (119) Most of the time when we have lit candles in our homes they are to create ambience or help eliminate odor. I wonder what would happen if Glade or Yankee Candle Co started marketing to Christians as way a remember this Light of the World. Probably what would be the result is some cheezy fish candle or cross candle just like Testamints or other silly things like that. But, what would happen if we lit candles in our home and made it an intential part of that lighting to thank God for sending the Light of the World to use so that we could behold his glory and truth?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Choosing Gratitude Part 2
Honestly, the reason this blog follow-up has taken so long from the previous one, is because this book got tucked away in a bag and I just now found it.
Well, here are some quotes from the newly released Nancy Leigh Demoss book, Choosing Gratitude. I have definitely loved and benefited from this book and already recommended it to many ladies. One random benefit is if I wake up in the middle of the night or am having trouble falling asleep - I choose to be thankful and start listing things in my head. Good way to fall asleep.
"I've seen that if I'm not ceaselessly vigilant about rejecting ingratitude and choosing gratitude, I all-too-easily get sucked into the undertow of life in a fallen world. I start focusing on what I don't have that I want, or what I want that I don't have. My life starts to feel hard, wearisome, and overwhelming." (p. 16)
"Its a choice that requires constantly renewing my mind with the truth of God's Word, setting my heart to savor God and his gifts, and disciplining my tongue to speak words that reflect His goodness and grace - until a grateful spirit becomes my reflexive response to all of life." (p 17)
I love her word choice of "choosing". We can choose what we want to do. We can either live a joyful hectic life or we can choose to live a bitter life. Take our pick. So often its our outlook on life that makes all the difference in the world.
She starts with a look at the base of our gratitude: the cross. Our only hope in this life of being grateful is the cross of Christ. She then presses us to be grateful and honoring of Christ to others:
"Forgive me for the many times and ways I reflect negatively on Your character and Your goodness, by verbalizing discontent and murmuring to others." (p 58).
I think about this now. Do I cause You grief to others - do others get a wrong picture of Christ because of what comes out of my mouth? Think about it. You interact with non-Christians throughout every day: whether its the checkout lady at Walmart, the bank teller, co-worker, neighbor. If its raining out and your neighbor says something negatively - you can either react negatively back or you can "I thank God for the rain, it makes everything shiny" or something about the full parking lot at the new Target or the mall during Christmas time. They can comment on how hectic it is and you can say, "its providing good business for the stores and I was able to get extra walking in because of having to park way out." Just think of little ways you can choose to be grateful.
"Gratitude does become a reliable measure for where our hearts are with Him." (p 69). I know if I am bitter and critical - I haven't spent much time in the Word or praying because my heart becomes very much like the world. Turn. Stop. Be grateful. Repent. Praise.
She has a saying in here that her dad used to say "I'm better than I deserve!" when people asked him how he was. A friend of mine that I worked with in seminary, Bryan, used to say this too. It was contagious. Everytime he said it it brought me back to thinking of my salvation and the grace that God graciously bestowed on me because of His good favor and kindness.
"Grateful people are loving people who seek to bless others, while ungrateful people are bent on gratifying themselves." (p. 84) Another great test of motivation and purpose.
Dt 8.11-14 - such powerful verses! Meditate on these!
"The guilt-to-grace-to-gratitude model we talked about earlier is not only keeping with a biblical theology and lifestyle, it is crucial to our joy." (p. 147) I'm reminded of John Piper's book When I Don't Desire God.
"I believe that a humble, grateful woman who walks in community with other believers will become increasingly gracious, warm, large-hearted, and yes, beautiful - inside and out." (p. 155) I am thankful for women in my life who live this truth and choice out every day. You can tell a difference in their lives and attitudes, jobs and marriages, and families. I love being around them. Thank you ladies for being a witness and life model!
Well, here are some quotes from the newly released Nancy Leigh Demoss book, Choosing Gratitude. I have definitely loved and benefited from this book and already recommended it to many ladies. One random benefit is if I wake up in the middle of the night or am having trouble falling asleep - I choose to be thankful and start listing things in my head. Good way to fall asleep.
"I've seen that if I'm not ceaselessly vigilant about rejecting ingratitude and choosing gratitude, I all-too-easily get sucked into the undertow of life in a fallen world. I start focusing on what I don't have that I want, or what I want that I don't have. My life starts to feel hard, wearisome, and overwhelming." (p. 16)
"Its a choice that requires constantly renewing my mind with the truth of God's Word, setting my heart to savor God and his gifts, and disciplining my tongue to speak words that reflect His goodness and grace - until a grateful spirit becomes my reflexive response to all of life." (p 17)
I love her word choice of "choosing". We can choose what we want to do. We can either live a joyful hectic life or we can choose to live a bitter life. Take our pick. So often its our outlook on life that makes all the difference in the world.
She starts with a look at the base of our gratitude: the cross. Our only hope in this life of being grateful is the cross of Christ. She then presses us to be grateful and honoring of Christ to others:
"Forgive me for the many times and ways I reflect negatively on Your character and Your goodness, by verbalizing discontent and murmuring to others." (p 58).
I think about this now. Do I cause You grief to others - do others get a wrong picture of Christ because of what comes out of my mouth? Think about it. You interact with non-Christians throughout every day: whether its the checkout lady at Walmart, the bank teller, co-worker, neighbor. If its raining out and your neighbor says something negatively - you can either react negatively back or you can "I thank God for the rain, it makes everything shiny" or something about the full parking lot at the new Target or the mall during Christmas time. They can comment on how hectic it is and you can say, "its providing good business for the stores and I was able to get extra walking in because of having to park way out." Just think of little ways you can choose to be grateful.
"Gratitude does become a reliable measure for where our hearts are with Him." (p 69). I know if I am bitter and critical - I haven't spent much time in the Word or praying because my heart becomes very much like the world. Turn. Stop. Be grateful. Repent. Praise.
She has a saying in here that her dad used to say "I'm better than I deserve!" when people asked him how he was. A friend of mine that I worked with in seminary, Bryan, used to say this too. It was contagious. Everytime he said it it brought me back to thinking of my salvation and the grace that God graciously bestowed on me because of His good favor and kindness.
"Grateful people are loving people who seek to bless others, while ungrateful people are bent on gratifying themselves." (p. 84) Another great test of motivation and purpose.
Dt 8.11-14 - such powerful verses! Meditate on these!
"The guilt-to-grace-to-gratitude model we talked about earlier is not only keeping with a biblical theology and lifestyle, it is crucial to our joy." (p. 147) I'm reminded of John Piper's book When I Don't Desire God.
"I believe that a humble, grateful woman who walks in community with other believers will become increasingly gracious, warm, large-hearted, and yes, beautiful - inside and out." (p. 155) I am thankful for women in my life who live this truth and choice out every day. You can tell a difference in their lives and attitudes, jobs and marriages, and families. I love being around them. Thank you ladies for being a witness and life model!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Gratitude Part 1
I just finished Nancy Leigh Demoss' newest book, Choosing Gratitude. My thoughts on that book will be part 2 of the Gratitude blogs. (I'm very thankful that it was a free book - thank you!)
This weekend has just been grand. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I wanted to share with you (whoever you are) some of the blessings that God has poured out on my life this wknd.
1. Work on Friday night. I work in the housing office to get some money taken off my rent each month. This easy, do-nothing job has been great. And it has given me opp to see some Boyce girls and buid a better relationship with them.
2. Whole Foods - I've gotten to go twice this weekend. What a great place. I'm not rich enough to buy all my groceries there, but I do buy a few things there each week.
3. Fall weather. This is one thing that I like better in both KY and NC rather than FL. I like waking up on crisp fall mornings. Then, I am ready for Spring. Yes - I'm fickle!
4. Apple Picking with a sweet friend. It worked out very well to only have one lady be able to go apple picking. One of the joys of being at Crossing last year was to meet Ben and Cynthia - Cynthia is wonderful (Ben too). She juiced all these great fruits and veggies to go along with the pumpking muffins I brought for our breakfast. She is an encouragement to me, and pushed me for the sake of the gospel. And we just had FUN!
5. Cooking. God has given me talent and enjoyment in this - and having fun stuff to bake and cook for others is such a pleasure to me.
6. Football and friends. I love FLORIDA football. And I love my friends, Brad and Lindsay Weldy. We have moved 3 states together. They have 3 of the most darling kids. I got to hang out with them last night while they had a date. I loved on the baby, then watched football in HD. What a blessing. They are amazing friends - ones I can be completely honest with and let down my guard around, one who encourage me, ones who love me, ones who let me love on their kids, ones who display the gospel boldly in the lives and home and marriage. They are the biggest blessing in this city to me.
7. Down Comforter. When my brother and sister in law moved to Africa, I got their down comforter. I love it. It is so warm and comfy and weighted. I love to snuggle under it. Unfortunately - I didn't get enough time under it last night.
8. Serving Communion. Communion in and of itself is amazing. But, serving it is a joy as well. Sojourn is a fairly big church, and I definitely don't know tons of people. This morning, the quote from Princess Bride came to my mind before I served "Love her, as I love her, and there will be peace" - from Prince Humperdink announcing his choice of a bride. I got to serve a faculty member and his family, a friend who does everything at Sojourn including waving the magic parking wand, a dude from the Summit whose birthday is today, a new friend from the seminary. The wonderful thing is - folks looking you in the eye when you say "the Body of Christ, broken for you", claiming it, accepting it, and voicing it back to you. Behold, the family of Christ!
9. Beautiful weather. It was cool and clear and sunny today in Louisville. So, I got my camera out and sauntered down Frankfort Avenue - snapping pictures, and just enjoying the weather.
10. Friend for a good lunch. I love friends. One of my dearest ones here, again from Crossing, is Sarah. Sarah has been a fantastic friend, we go to lunch about once a month, and text encouraging things to each other. We share prayer requests, and the joys that God has in our lives. And we ate at a new fave of mine in the Ville - North End Cafe (locally grown, great food, warm fun atmosphere - perfect for sitting for 2 hours for a relaxing lunch).
11. Fresh baked bread. A friend who give me a bagel recipe - and then smelling the yeast as it rises and then baking it off.
12. A laptop with a strong battery. I love my little Samsung portable Netbook. Its great. I carry it like a book - and it is perfect to use while sitting in Mullins checking ID. (Thanks Dad!)
Learn to be grateful in and for all things. Voice these praises! Ok - more from NLD later this week.
So, even though I am praying about many things: future, relationships, control issues, - God is so good.
"I will bless the Lord at all times - His praise will continuously be in my mouth." - Ps 34.1 (again, I am thankful for Chris Gaynor who got that verse drilled into my head at the Summit.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Cast Net Fishing Prayers
A few weeks ago I traveled to the beautiful part of Western North Carolina for a prayer retreat. Many things are happening with family, friends, personal, etc and hearing Mary Kassian definitely was a highlight (as well as just being in North Carolina).
My brother is a fantastic writer. I love how he writes about another good state, Florida. I know he loves to fish with my grandfather, so I asked him to write a little blurb about cast net fishing. You'll soon see how the two tie together:
Cast netting is an art form from making it, to throwing it, to eating the treasures that lie underneath. My grandpa and his fishing buddies taught me this art form. It wasn’t easy, but I was motivated to learn it because it was one of those traditions that unless my generation learns it will be gone forever.
Making a cast net is hard work. There’s no other way to put it. Your fingers cramp. Your back aches from hunching over the linen net. You mind wanders causing you to screw up a knot and then have to either cut it out or spend the next 30 minutes untangling the knot. It is tedious. But once you are finished a sense of satisfaction follows because now, as a fellow cast netter said, you’ll be able to put food on the table if the need arises.
Throwing a cast net is something beautiful to behold. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not the best at it. Others that go on mullet fishing trips have such a fluid motion that they look akin to a grungy camouflaged Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It—which in our case should be A Back Bay Runs Through It. The nets sings off their shoulder, down their scrawny forearms, through their sinewy fingers, and onto the salt water in the likeness of making pizza dough.
Once the net hits the water the weights drag it to the bottom covering what you hope is a few black mullet. And you’ll know right quick if they are under there, because they’ll begin jumping just like they do without a net over them. From here, goodness and excitement seep into your bones like a warm Florida night. You gently kneel in the water grabbing each mullet with your cramped hands, and break their neck so as to drain the blood hereby preserving the meat and preventing it from getting a strong odor. Once you’ve done that to all the mullet under the net, you’ll place them on a stringer that is hopefully getting full.
Although the mullet are still now, your stomach is jumping knowing that soon and very soon you’ll taste their scrumptious meat after a long day of mullet hunting.
Cast net fishing for mullet is much like prayer. And the weights and burdens. Here are the similarities:
1. Its hard work. It is a discipline. My fmr pastor, J. D. Greear, always says that no one brags about their prayer life - but if you really wanna know how someone is doing spiritually - ask them about it. I know a couple good "pray-ers" in my life - and they have been a blessing to me - but they also know it is hard work.
2. Prayer is a weighty thing. This is where I camped out for a while. The weights and burdens I carry are heavy - not as heavy as some, but these things are important to me and to my family and friends. Hymns of old speak of this:
Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Scripture speaks of this: Ps 55.22a:
Cast your burden on the Lord,and he will sustain you.
3. Prayer is an exciting thing. I remember well the thrill of catching fish. I also remember well the thrill when God answers prayers in such dynamic ways. Yes, of course, I like it better (at the time) when God answers the way I see fit - but how much better it is in the long wrong when He answers as He sees fit.
4. Prayer is a continual thing. I remember when my Papa and his friends would bring home tons of mullet to smoke. Those mullet didn't come from one casting. They came from casting after casting after casting. What rang true with me that wknd at the prayer conference is that God does not grow weary of my asking. He will never tire of me coming to him with my requests. He doesn't think it too large of a thing for him to manage: my cares, burdens, and weights.
I do not pray like I should. I have tried to be more Ps 34.1 in my prayers lately. Even driving across town this morning - the sky dark from looming storm clouds at 7:30am - just voicing praise that the skies declare His praise.
I wish I prayed more - but that requires hard work. And when I don't see answers (I've been praying some prayers for over 10 years now and still have gotten a "no"), I grow weary or just stop altogether.
Right now, I'm praying specifically for 3 personal matters, 1 family matter, and 1 friend matter. Those are the big things - then there is the daily stuff.
I am so thankful that my God is so much bigger than me, stronger than any net to catch mullet in, and that He never grows tired of hearing (or reading) my prayers.
My brother is a fantastic writer. I love how he writes about another good state, Florida. I know he loves to fish with my grandfather, so I asked him to write a little blurb about cast net fishing. You'll soon see how the two tie together:
Cast netting is an art form from making it, to throwing it, to eating the treasures that lie underneath. My grandpa and his fishing buddies taught me this art form. It wasn’t easy, but I was motivated to learn it because it was one of those traditions that unless my generation learns it will be gone forever.
Making a cast net is hard work. There’s no other way to put it. Your fingers cramp. Your back aches from hunching over the linen net. You mind wanders causing you to screw up a knot and then have to either cut it out or spend the next 30 minutes untangling the knot. It is tedious. But once you are finished a sense of satisfaction follows because now, as a fellow cast netter said, you’ll be able to put food on the table if the need arises.
Throwing a cast net is something beautiful to behold. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not the best at it. Others that go on mullet fishing trips have such a fluid motion that they look akin to a grungy camouflaged Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It—which in our case should be A Back Bay Runs Through It. The nets sings off their shoulder, down their scrawny forearms, through their sinewy fingers, and onto the salt water in the likeness of making pizza dough.
Once the net hits the water the weights drag it to the bottom covering what you hope is a few black mullet. And you’ll know right quick if they are under there, because they’ll begin jumping just like they do without a net over them. From here, goodness and excitement seep into your bones like a warm Florida night. You gently kneel in the water grabbing each mullet with your cramped hands, and break their neck so as to drain the blood hereby preserving the meat and preventing it from getting a strong odor. Once you’ve done that to all the mullet under the net, you’ll place them on a stringer that is hopefully getting full.
Although the mullet are still now, your stomach is jumping knowing that soon and very soon you’ll taste their scrumptious meat after a long day of mullet hunting.
Cast net fishing for mullet is much like prayer. And the weights and burdens. Here are the similarities:
1. Its hard work. It is a discipline. My fmr pastor, J. D. Greear, always says that no one brags about their prayer life - but if you really wanna know how someone is doing spiritually - ask them about it. I know a couple good "pray-ers" in my life - and they have been a blessing to me - but they also know it is hard work.
2. Prayer is a weighty thing. This is where I camped out for a while. The weights and burdens I carry are heavy - not as heavy as some, but these things are important to me and to my family and friends. Hymns of old speak of this:
Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Scripture speaks of this: Ps 55.22a:
Cast your burden on the Lord,and he will sustain you.
3. Prayer is an exciting thing. I remember well the thrill of catching fish. I also remember well the thrill when God answers prayers in such dynamic ways. Yes, of course, I like it better (at the time) when God answers the way I see fit - but how much better it is in the long wrong when He answers as He sees fit.
4. Prayer is a continual thing. I remember when my Papa and his friends would bring home tons of mullet to smoke. Those mullet didn't come from one casting. They came from casting after casting after casting. What rang true with me that wknd at the prayer conference is that God does not grow weary of my asking. He will never tire of me coming to him with my requests. He doesn't think it too large of a thing for him to manage: my cares, burdens, and weights.
I do not pray like I should. I have tried to be more Ps 34.1 in my prayers lately. Even driving across town this morning - the sky dark from looming storm clouds at 7:30am - just voicing praise that the skies declare His praise.
I wish I prayed more - but that requires hard work. And when I don't see answers (I've been praying some prayers for over 10 years now and still have gotten a "no"), I grow weary or just stop altogether.
Right now, I'm praying specifically for 3 personal matters, 1 family matter, and 1 friend matter. Those are the big things - then there is the daily stuff.
I am so thankful that my God is so much bigger than me, stronger than any net to catch mullet in, and that He never grows tired of hearing (or reading) my prayers.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Thoughtful Thursday: Jerry Bridges
On living a godly life: (from The Practice of Godliness, p 17)
"Only a strong personal relationship with the living God can keep such a commitment from becoming oppressive and legalistic. John writes that God's commands are not burdensome, a godly life is not wearisom, but this is true only because a godly person is first of all devoted to God."
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Learning Obedience
I saw this on the Crossway blog this morning: it immediately hit me (not literally of course):
In the piece by John Owen in Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross Owen answers the question that stumps many a reader of the book of Hebrews when they read that Jesus “learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
“Here it says about the Lord Christ that he learned obedience, not that he learned to obey,” Owen writes. “The Lord Christ learned obedience when he experienced it in practice. One special kind of obedience is intended here, namely, a submission to great, hard, and terrible things, accompanied by patience and quiet endurance and faith for deliverance from them. This Christ could have not experience of, except by suffering the things he had to pass through, exercising God’s grace in them all. Thus, Christ learned obedience.”
I can learn to obey - an outward action of duty. But, when I learn obedience - I tend to think that has to do with the heart, the attitude being the action. As I've asked several ladies what they have learned during their marriage, some have said - submission is more than an action, its a heart - line. You can't just "submit" - you have to submit with your heart, actions, head, etc.
What are you just obeying and where do you need to learn the heart of obedience?
In the piece by John Owen in Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross Owen answers the question that stumps many a reader of the book of Hebrews when they read that Jesus “learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
“Here it says about the Lord Christ that he learned obedience, not that he learned to obey,” Owen writes. “The Lord Christ learned obedience when he experienced it in practice. One special kind of obedience is intended here, namely, a submission to great, hard, and terrible things, accompanied by patience and quiet endurance and faith for deliverance from them. This Christ could have not experience of, except by suffering the things he had to pass through, exercising God’s grace in them all. Thus, Christ learned obedience.”
I can learn to obey - an outward action of duty. But, when I learn obedience - I tend to think that has to do with the heart, the attitude being the action. As I've asked several ladies what they have learned during their marriage, some have said - submission is more than an action, its a heart - line. You can't just "submit" - you have to submit with your heart, actions, head, etc.
What are you just obeying and where do you need to learn the heart of obedience?
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Psalm 69 and Prayer
Lately I've been reading through Ephesians for my quiet times, but last night I had no desire to read it. So, I did something different. Sometime yesterday I read a blog on Psalm 69 - so I thought I might read that - and I did - and got so much stuff that tied in with JD's sermon on Sunday and community group last night.
I continued reading and outlining what God was teaching me this morning - so here you go:
Psalm 69 is written by David, the man after God's own heart. He was in some sort of affliction. We often as for intercessory prayer from others or our prayer lives pick up substantially when we are in affliction or experiencing hard times.
These are 5 things I learned about prayer from this psalm:
1. David prayed persistently. Verse 3: "I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God." He uses words like weary, parches, dim, waiting" - these are great words to describe his affliction - not ones of peace, harmony, and joy. These words are specifically used to relay the message of tiresome, long suffering, pain, uncomfortableness. These things aren't pleasant - Yet - he continues in his crying out - he keeps crying out - and he keeps crying out.
2. David acknowledges his sin. This is also something we don't like to do. First, we may recognize sin, but we don't like to confess it - especially to God (funny, because He already knows our sin whether we confess it or not - Ps 139). But, David sees that need. In verse 5, 19, 20 he says "O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none." He not only acknowledges his sin, but he also is brokenhearted over his sin (Psalm 51). This is also something else I have found. Christians get good at confessing our sin (Catholics in confessionals, Protestants in counseling sessions or small groups), but how often are we broken over our sin - or how often do we HATE SIN?
3. David trusts in the nature of God. Three things are seen in verses 13, 16: "But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me." Here we see three glimpses into the character of God: good, steadfast love (His covenant, unchangingness), saving faithfulness (how His faithfulness is salvation to us - think about that for a second), and abundant mercy (not just what we need, or just enough - but abundant, overflowing compassion).
4. David gives worship to His God in his time of need. Verses 30-32, 34 are evidence of David's worshipping heart: "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them." David praises and worships his God through son, thanksgiving (think about that as we celebrate Thanksgiving next week - Dustin is preaching on it this Sunday, can't wait!), in pleasing sacrifices, humility (obedient piety as Dr. Vogel preached on this morning), he even challenges all creation to worship their God (I think of the Summit Song - "Let the Sea and Everything in it" - that Will sings on the CD.) Oh, how God desires our worship in prayer - and prayer itself is an act of worship.
5. David recognizes God's faithfulness and His willingness to answer. How often would our prayers change if we actually believed God would answer them? How often do we pray with so little faith and so much disbelief - thinking we'll pray - but not counting on God to answer? Verse 33 says this: "For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners." He hears the needy (do you recognize yourself as needy - is that how we come to God or do we come to Him self-sufficient?). He doesn't despise us - He counts us as worthy, not as unworthy. I learned what it means to hold someone in contempt and despise them a few years ago - and then realized what that means in my relationship with Jesus. Oh, thank you Holy Spirit. He also knows our bondage and our need. Oh, how He has freed us from that bondage to sin and death. And He knows exactly what we need and when we need it!
So - my prayer life should change based on this teaching. What I loved about JD's sermon on Sunday - is prayer is not a matter of knowing how God will work or what He has pre-ordained. God tells us to pray - so we need to pray. And then in small group - how we pray for each other, care about each, follow-up with prayer requests. Amazing stuff.
So - pray, consistently pray, pray with worship, hate sin, and pray focused on the goodness and faithfulness of God! That's what this whole blog boils down to.
I continued reading and outlining what God was teaching me this morning - so here you go:
Psalm 69 is written by David, the man after God's own heart. He was in some sort of affliction. We often as for intercessory prayer from others or our prayer lives pick up substantially when we are in affliction or experiencing hard times.
These are 5 things I learned about prayer from this psalm:
1. David prayed persistently. Verse 3: "I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God." He uses words like weary, parches, dim, waiting" - these are great words to describe his affliction - not ones of peace, harmony, and joy. These words are specifically used to relay the message of tiresome, long suffering, pain, uncomfortableness. These things aren't pleasant - Yet - he continues in his crying out - he keeps crying out - and he keeps crying out.
2. David acknowledges his sin. This is also something we don't like to do. First, we may recognize sin, but we don't like to confess it - especially to God (funny, because He already knows our sin whether we confess it or not - Ps 139). But, David sees that need. In verse 5, 19, 20 he says "O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none." He not only acknowledges his sin, but he also is brokenhearted over his sin (Psalm 51). This is also something else I have found. Christians get good at confessing our sin (Catholics in confessionals, Protestants in counseling sessions or small groups), but how often are we broken over our sin - or how often do we HATE SIN?
3. David trusts in the nature of God. Three things are seen in verses 13, 16: "But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me." Here we see three glimpses into the character of God: good, steadfast love (His covenant, unchangingness), saving faithfulness (how His faithfulness is salvation to us - think about that for a second), and abundant mercy (not just what we need, or just enough - but abundant, overflowing compassion).
4. David gives worship to His God in his time of need. Verses 30-32, 34 are evidence of David's worshipping heart: "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them." David praises and worships his God through son, thanksgiving (think about that as we celebrate Thanksgiving next week - Dustin is preaching on it this Sunday, can't wait!), in pleasing sacrifices, humility (obedient piety as Dr. Vogel preached on this morning), he even challenges all creation to worship their God (I think of the Summit Song - "Let the Sea and Everything in it" - that Will sings on the CD.) Oh, how God desires our worship in prayer - and prayer itself is an act of worship.
5. David recognizes God's faithfulness and His willingness to answer. How often would our prayers change if we actually believed God would answer them? How often do we pray with so little faith and so much disbelief - thinking we'll pray - but not counting on God to answer? Verse 33 says this: "For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners." He hears the needy (do you recognize yourself as needy - is that how we come to God or do we come to Him self-sufficient?). He doesn't despise us - He counts us as worthy, not as unworthy. I learned what it means to hold someone in contempt and despise them a few years ago - and then realized what that means in my relationship with Jesus. Oh, thank you Holy Spirit. He also knows our bondage and our need. Oh, how He has freed us from that bondage to sin and death. And He knows exactly what we need and when we need it!
So - my prayer life should change based on this teaching. What I loved about JD's sermon on Sunday - is prayer is not a matter of knowing how God will work or what He has pre-ordained. God tells us to pray - so we need to pray. And then in small group - how we pray for each other, care about each, follow-up with prayer requests. Amazing stuff.
So - pray, consistently pray, pray with worship, hate sin, and pray focused on the goodness and faithfulness of God! That's what this whole blog boils down to.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Small Changes for a Better Life - Elizabeth George
I used to read everything Elizabeth George put out. And, I still think she is a great and practical writer - I just think she is not "thick" enough for me. If I need a quick practical book - I pick her's up. Usually I find many things that I need to work on from reading her work. I picked this from my boss' shelf and gave it a quick read - yes, still convicting. The points (18) are her chapters, followed by some thoughts of my own.
1. Wisdom - we must ask for it. This is a book on how to live wisely in your world. Solomon, the King, had to ask for it and was granted it. We need to ask for it today.
2. Ordering Life. I have been doing a little better at this. I do so through meal planning and weekly calendaring - trying to get in relationship building, church, outside time, and me time in every week. I've learned there is much good that comes from this - more later.
3. Purpose. A friend of mine who will soon be 25 asked me if life ever slows down. I told him you just have to prioritize your life and what you do. My life isn't near as busy as I let it get when I lived in Durham - and I like that. I am more intentional about what I do - but I also know I don't have to do everything! That is SO freeing!
4. The Word - Dwell on it. She brings up the three different stages of reading the Word: "cod liver oil, shredded wheat, peaches and cream". How o Lord I want to always be in the Peaches and Cream stage. As my mentor has always said though - even when you don't feel like it, read it anyway! "You'll never hear me say I am Christlike, but you will always hear me say I desire to be Christlike." (chapter 4)
5. Prayer Life. This is one I lack mostly. My prayer life isn't a sit down and pray type thing - it is more of a throughout the day, pray without ceasing type thing. I don't know which is better? I struggle with it. But, I love being reminded of things to pray for throughout my day - and praying for people - even if not aloud - then silently under my breath - God hears either way.
6. Spiritual Growth. She says to "recognize sin and overcome spiritual laziness". I do my quiet times at night. Sometimes it is earlier than others. Then sometimes, I spend too much time watching tv or being out with friends, that I am too tired to spend time in the Word. I rationalize it and say I'll spend more time tomorrow, or God doesn't want my tired time. How foolish is that reasoning?
7. Manage Your Life. Learn to Eliminate. (see number 3). I am trying to always have Friday nights to myself. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - but I try. That helps me usually to have a more productive weekend. I also look forward to Friday nights because of it. My brain is tired, but "being around people skills" are tired. I want to chill.
8. Live by a Schedule (see number 2). I want to do more of this if I ever have the ability to be a stay at home wife/mother. But, mostly now it is get up and go to work - then other things. I don't need to always plan my day.
9. Care for your home. I got a great compliment by my friend who stopped by the house the other day. And honestly, it wasn't even clean because I had been housesitting all week. She said "I'm glad to see you have made this into your home." And a friend of mine, Lindsay, is great at this. She loves to take care of her home. It is her place. Her husband loves her because of it (and for many other reasons of course). Everytime I go to their house, I find something new that she has done. She is a great inspiration! "Married or single, your home is an indicator of your spiritual maturity and a direct reflection of your care and character." (125) I actually agree with this statement now.
10. Invest in Your Marriage. Now, you may be thinking - how can a single woman invest in her marriage. I read books on marriage, I hang out with married people, I listen to sermons on marriage, etc. This is how I currently invest in my marriage.
11 and 12. Train and Love Your Children. I love being around families who do this well. Then when I see kids who aren't disciplined very well - I notice it. Dustin, in his sermon from Sunday, said when you see a child who isn't disciplined, you see a child usually who isn't loved.
13. Cultivate Inner Beauty. I've received two compliments that have meant a lot to me. One was back in seminary. A boss I worked for said the thing he appreciated most about me was my gentle and quiet spirit. And recently, a friend said he appreciated my joyful and gracious spirit. These two compliments make me strive more to God-please in this area! Thank you Lord for working it in me!
14. Tend to Your Appearance. I am working on this one for work every day - as I just told a friend who complimented my makeup.
15 and 16. Watch what you eat and eat just enough. This is definitely an area of growth for me - and one of constant struggle. I can eat whatever I want - but only in moderation - and sticking mostly with things that are helpful to my body - as it was given to me to be a steward over!
17. Grow in Discipline. Nuf said - from 1-16.
18. Work on Diligence. This is another one of my big struggles. God - continue to work in me in this area. I am weak in the flesh - but allow me to live by the Spirit.
1. Wisdom - we must ask for it. This is a book on how to live wisely in your world. Solomon, the King, had to ask for it and was granted it. We need to ask for it today.
2. Ordering Life. I have been doing a little better at this. I do so through meal planning and weekly calendaring - trying to get in relationship building, church, outside time, and me time in every week. I've learned there is much good that comes from this - more later.
3. Purpose. A friend of mine who will soon be 25 asked me if life ever slows down. I told him you just have to prioritize your life and what you do. My life isn't near as busy as I let it get when I lived in Durham - and I like that. I am more intentional about what I do - but I also know I don't have to do everything! That is SO freeing!
4. The Word - Dwell on it. She brings up the three different stages of reading the Word: "cod liver oil, shredded wheat, peaches and cream". How o Lord I want to always be in the Peaches and Cream stage. As my mentor has always said though - even when you don't feel like it, read it anyway! "You'll never hear me say I am Christlike, but you will always hear me say I desire to be Christlike." (chapter 4)
5. Prayer Life. This is one I lack mostly. My prayer life isn't a sit down and pray type thing - it is more of a throughout the day, pray without ceasing type thing. I don't know which is better? I struggle with it. But, I love being reminded of things to pray for throughout my day - and praying for people - even if not aloud - then silently under my breath - God hears either way.
6. Spiritual Growth. She says to "recognize sin and overcome spiritual laziness". I do my quiet times at night. Sometimes it is earlier than others. Then sometimes, I spend too much time watching tv or being out with friends, that I am too tired to spend time in the Word. I rationalize it and say I'll spend more time tomorrow, or God doesn't want my tired time. How foolish is that reasoning?
7. Manage Your Life. Learn to Eliminate. (see number 3). I am trying to always have Friday nights to myself. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - but I try. That helps me usually to have a more productive weekend. I also look forward to Friday nights because of it. My brain is tired, but "being around people skills" are tired. I want to chill.
8. Live by a Schedule (see number 2). I want to do more of this if I ever have the ability to be a stay at home wife/mother. But, mostly now it is get up and go to work - then other things. I don't need to always plan my day.
9. Care for your home. I got a great compliment by my friend who stopped by the house the other day. And honestly, it wasn't even clean because I had been housesitting all week. She said "I'm glad to see you have made this into your home." And a friend of mine, Lindsay, is great at this. She loves to take care of her home. It is her place. Her husband loves her because of it (and for many other reasons of course). Everytime I go to their house, I find something new that she has done. She is a great inspiration! "Married or single, your home is an indicator of your spiritual maturity and a direct reflection of your care and character." (125) I actually agree with this statement now.
10. Invest in Your Marriage. Now, you may be thinking - how can a single woman invest in her marriage. I read books on marriage, I hang out with married people, I listen to sermons on marriage, etc. This is how I currently invest in my marriage.
11 and 12. Train and Love Your Children. I love being around families who do this well. Then when I see kids who aren't disciplined very well - I notice it. Dustin, in his sermon from Sunday, said when you see a child who isn't disciplined, you see a child usually who isn't loved.
13. Cultivate Inner Beauty. I've received two compliments that have meant a lot to me. One was back in seminary. A boss I worked for said the thing he appreciated most about me was my gentle and quiet spirit. And recently, a friend said he appreciated my joyful and gracious spirit. These two compliments make me strive more to God-please in this area! Thank you Lord for working it in me!
14. Tend to Your Appearance. I am working on this one for work every day - as I just told a friend who complimented my makeup.
15 and 16. Watch what you eat and eat just enough. This is definitely an area of growth for me - and one of constant struggle. I can eat whatever I want - but only in moderation - and sticking mostly with things that are helpful to my body - as it was given to me to be a steward over!
17. Grow in Discipline. Nuf said - from 1-16.
18. Work on Diligence. This is another one of my big struggles. God - continue to work in me in this area. I am weak in the flesh - but allow me to live by the Spirit.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Walk - Michael Card
This is required reading in one of the classes here at Southern. So, once I heard a rave review about it - I thought I would pick it up as well. This book is mainly about discipleship - and living life together. And since that is my biggest heartbeat for the church, especially for women and for the ladies in my life - I really enjoyed it. It is also a quick read of 150 pages.
"Of all that makes our faith unique and true, one feature especially stands out: the Incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth" (22) One of the famous Young Life quotes we used in ministry was "be Jesus with skin on". Jesus was God with skin on - for us - to see the very face of God. No, none of us were there while He walked this earth, but we have very clear and true pictures of that life on earth from Scripture.
"Discipleship is peripatetic" (23)- I learned a new word. But, this just means living life - walking - with someone. This whole book is about a relationship between Michael Card and his mentor, Bill Lane. They modeled this - through the ups and downs of life, and eventually, even through Bill's death from cancer in 1999.
"You must develop a lifestyle of listening" (67) This is one of the things I struggle with most in life. I multitask so much in my life that when I am just sitting having a conversation one on one with someone (especially over the phone) - my mind wanders. I either think about how to help them (if they come to me with a problem) or I think about what I'm going to do when I get off the phone, or I think about what I'm going to say next (its all about me - see a problem).
"Trust His sufficiency" (86) This was indeed one of my profound statements in the book. Jesus is my sufficiency. I don't need knowledge, lots of friends, a busy schedule, a great job, great cooking skills, speaking engagements, a wedding ring, kids, long life...I just need Jesus.
"Let the excellence of your work be your protest" (96) Another aspect of my life that I don't like to admit to most people is how critical I am. I am critical of myself, of churches, of others, or situations. My Dad called me out on this not too long ago - and I know exactly from where it comes - but that is no excuse. So, instead of being critical of other things or people - I need to shut my mouth and let my life live out loud in response to what I see. Hopefully, others will see God's goodness and grace through me - and not here criticism always coming out of my mouth.
"Deeper down in a more selfish place, I am afraid of what my world will be like without him in it" (110). He was talking about his friend Bill here. But, this resonated with me today for some reason. It may be that I live far away from many friends and family who are very dear to me, but community with them is slightly harder now that I live so far away. It may be because my brother and sister in law are going on the mission field shortly and won' t just be a plane ride away. It may be because my parents are on vacation, so I haven't been in constant email communication with my Mom. How true, that even in death, we are selfish.
"Have a value system founded on God's Word" (143). My first mentor, Phyllis, taught me this more than anything else. The 3x5 cards in her house, on her walls. Journals everywhere of her prayers for her family (and thankfully me). Her mornings filled with the Word. This is where I learned to love the Word. I pray that this is one of the things I gave my girls - those who I have had the privilege to walk beside over the years.
Are you in a Paul/Timothy relationship with someone? If so, thank God for them and continue that. If not, pray God would lead someone to you or vice versa.
Great book.
"Of all that makes our faith unique and true, one feature especially stands out: the Incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth" (22) One of the famous Young Life quotes we used in ministry was "be Jesus with skin on". Jesus was God with skin on - for us - to see the very face of God. No, none of us were there while He walked this earth, but we have very clear and true pictures of that life on earth from Scripture.
"Discipleship is peripatetic" (23)- I learned a new word. But, this just means living life - walking - with someone. This whole book is about a relationship between Michael Card and his mentor, Bill Lane. They modeled this - through the ups and downs of life, and eventually, even through Bill's death from cancer in 1999.
"You must develop a lifestyle of listening" (67) This is one of the things I struggle with most in life. I multitask so much in my life that when I am just sitting having a conversation one on one with someone (especially over the phone) - my mind wanders. I either think about how to help them (if they come to me with a problem) or I think about what I'm going to do when I get off the phone, or I think about what I'm going to say next (its all about me - see a problem).
"Trust His sufficiency" (86) This was indeed one of my profound statements in the book. Jesus is my sufficiency. I don't need knowledge, lots of friends, a busy schedule, a great job, great cooking skills, speaking engagements, a wedding ring, kids, long life...I just need Jesus.
"Let the excellence of your work be your protest" (96) Another aspect of my life that I don't like to admit to most people is how critical I am. I am critical of myself, of churches, of others, or situations. My Dad called me out on this not too long ago - and I know exactly from where it comes - but that is no excuse. So, instead of being critical of other things or people - I need to shut my mouth and let my life live out loud in response to what I see. Hopefully, others will see God's goodness and grace through me - and not here criticism always coming out of my mouth.
"Deeper down in a more selfish place, I am afraid of what my world will be like without him in it" (110). He was talking about his friend Bill here. But, this resonated with me today for some reason. It may be that I live far away from many friends and family who are very dear to me, but community with them is slightly harder now that I live so far away. It may be because my brother and sister in law are going on the mission field shortly and won' t just be a plane ride away. It may be because my parents are on vacation, so I haven't been in constant email communication with my Mom. How true, that even in death, we are selfish.
"Have a value system founded on God's Word" (143). My first mentor, Phyllis, taught me this more than anything else. The 3x5 cards in her house, on her walls. Journals everywhere of her prayers for her family (and thankfully me). Her mornings filled with the Word. This is where I learned to love the Word. I pray that this is one of the things I gave my girls - those who I have had the privilege to walk beside over the years.
Are you in a Paul/Timothy relationship with someone? If so, thank God for them and continue that. If not, pray God would lead someone to you or vice versa.
Great book.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Feminism and Language
This has been a topic I've been thinking of recently. No matter what stage of life you are in as a woman - this applies to you (and to me).
How important is our language? I'm mostly talking about words and tones here - not body language (that is a whole different topic).
Why does it offend me more when I hear women using cuss words or speaking of sexual topics?
Why does it sadden me when I hear women arguing with or defaming their husbands or other male leaders in their lives?
This is what I am NOT saying: I am not saying that women can't talk about tools, cars, football, etc. I am not saying that women can only talk about babies, tea, shopping, baking, decorating, and makeup. As many of you know me - I love football and seldom talk about makeup. That kind of language is not what I am referring to.
I am more referring to warrior terms, battle terms, pastoral terms (pastor role in a church), cussing, language that tears down others, sexual language that is not meant to be talked about outside of a bedroom of a married (male/female) bedroom (and sometimes not even then because it belittles and secularizes the act of sex that God meant for our good as a husband and wife).
Why does it make me just a little uneasy when I hear of women going and fighting in the wars? Why do I cringe when I hear a woman in the pulpit? Why do I hate watching movies where women are in bars or gossiping about things that they shouldn't be talking about?
I think there are a couple of reasons:
1. We are not obeying Col 3.16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
2. We are not obeying Prov 4.24: Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
3. We are not obeying Prov 5.3: For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. (We are being the forbidden woman.)
4. We are not obeying Col 4.6: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
5. We are not being like the P31 woman in that we do not follow these three traits: The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life and she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (Prov 31.11, 12, 26).
So, how can we change this disobedience to obedience?
1. Build up the men in your lives. Encourage them in their masculinity, in the roles that God has created them for, in their walk with Christ. This applies to a Dad, husband, pastor, boss, and your brothers in Christ.
2. Think about what is going to come out of your mouth before it actually does.
3. Watch and read with eyes wide open. Engage your world with a biblical worldview.
4. Encourage other women in your life (your younger women) to be setting the example in speech (as 1 Tim 4.12 says).
How important is our language? I'm mostly talking about words and tones here - not body language (that is a whole different topic).
Why does it offend me more when I hear women using cuss words or speaking of sexual topics?
Why does it sadden me when I hear women arguing with or defaming their husbands or other male leaders in their lives?
This is what I am NOT saying: I am not saying that women can't talk about tools, cars, football, etc. I am not saying that women can only talk about babies, tea, shopping, baking, decorating, and makeup. As many of you know me - I love football and seldom talk about makeup. That kind of language is not what I am referring to.
I am more referring to warrior terms, battle terms, pastoral terms (pastor role in a church), cussing, language that tears down others, sexual language that is not meant to be talked about outside of a bedroom of a married (male/female) bedroom (and sometimes not even then because it belittles and secularizes the act of sex that God meant for our good as a husband and wife).
Why does it make me just a little uneasy when I hear of women going and fighting in the wars? Why do I cringe when I hear a woman in the pulpit? Why do I hate watching movies where women are in bars or gossiping about things that they shouldn't be talking about?
I think there are a couple of reasons:
1. We are not obeying Col 3.16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
2. We are not obeying Prov 4.24: Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
3. We are not obeying Prov 5.3: For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. (We are being the forbidden woman.)
4. We are not obeying Col 4.6: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
5. We are not being like the P31 woman in that we do not follow these three traits: The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life and she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (Prov 31.11, 12, 26).
So, how can we change this disobedience to obedience?
1. Build up the men in your lives. Encourage them in their masculinity, in the roles that God has created them for, in their walk with Christ. This applies to a Dad, husband, pastor, boss, and your brothers in Christ.
2. Think about what is going to come out of your mouth before it actually does.
3. Watch and read with eyes wide open. Engage your world with a biblical worldview.
4. Encourage other women in your life (your younger women) to be setting the example in speech (as 1 Tim 4.12 says).
Monday, June 16, 2008
"Don’t let summer make your soul shrivel"
This is a Piper quote that I found today on www.girltalk.blogs.com. They've been running a series, mostly for young families (though not designed that way) on summer fun, food, family activities, learning activities, etc. This was today's.
I really like this quote - even though I'm probably not doing too great it right now.
I am reading two books: A Passion for God - a biography on A.W. Tozer - so far it is great. I love biographies. And A Godly Man's Picture is the book I'm using the supplement my Psalms reading in the Word for my quiet time - this is a great book - thanks to Mike Hall for recommending it.
I'm still in the search for a church as well - that hasn't helped my soul all year since moving here - maybe by fall I'll have a better idea. This weekend I'll be at Clifton near campus.
One practical discipline I am engaging in this summer is hospitality. I am trying to plan my schedule so I can have one friend or couple over for dinner each week. This allows me to keep practicing my cooking, but also do better at engaging people, getting to know them, give them grace as they have shown me, etc. This week I am making dinner for a new prof and his family and having lunch with a girl from GA and then ending the week with dinner with Ali - a new friend who is dating an old friend.
So, what are you doing this summer to "not let your soul shrivel"?
I really like this quote - even though I'm probably not doing too great it right now.
I am reading two books: A Passion for God - a biography on A.W. Tozer - so far it is great. I love biographies. And A Godly Man's Picture is the book I'm using the supplement my Psalms reading in the Word for my quiet time - this is a great book - thanks to Mike Hall for recommending it.
I'm still in the search for a church as well - that hasn't helped my soul all year since moving here - maybe by fall I'll have a better idea. This weekend I'll be at Clifton near campus.
One practical discipline I am engaging in this summer is hospitality. I am trying to plan my schedule so I can have one friend or couple over for dinner each week. This allows me to keep practicing my cooking, but also do better at engaging people, getting to know them, give them grace as they have shown me, etc. This week I am making dinner for a new prof and his family and having lunch with a girl from GA and then ending the week with dinner with Ali - a new friend who is dating an old friend.
So, what are you doing this summer to "not let your soul shrivel"?
Thursday, June 05, 2008
The Welcoming Hearth - Skoglund
Contemplating Hospitality - this book has made that easier.
This is an older book (1993) I found at a used bookstore for 3$. It was worth it - even if just to give me ideas and help me think about what I need to be doing.
She peppered (no pun intended) the book with recipes and cooking/hostessing tips. She also shared much of her heritage and growing up tales with her readers as well. It was a very personable book - to fit in with the topic of hospitality.
"In contrast, true hospitality has the feeling of the hearth. It stands in opposition to the coldness and depersonalization of the world outside. It provides a temporary respite that remains in the memory and refurbishes long after it is past." (4) When I read these sentences, I thought back to the Robshaw home. I remember sitting in a chair in front of her fire place sipping green tea. Also, many times sitting at her counter in the kitchen or her dining room table. What treats they were for me. First time that I remember was months after meeting them, they invited me back to spend VBS week with them at their house - and I was asked to eat Jill's b-day with them as a family. This is true hospitality.
"The sense of hospitality has to start from within. The act of hospitality is the outgrowth of an attitude." (9) If you want to use this gift more - ask the Spirit to cultivate it within you - as it is a gift of the Spirit.
"We are to offer hospitality under the direction of him who has become the Lord of our lives in this area of service as well as every other." (31) We can not effectively share hospitality with others without having Jesus be Lord of our lives. It is not about impressing others, it is not about showing off skills (this is tough for me - an area of pride). But, live under the Spirit who has made us free from the bondage of sin.
This is an older book (1993) I found at a used bookstore for 3$. It was worth it - even if just to give me ideas and help me think about what I need to be doing.
She peppered (no pun intended) the book with recipes and cooking/hostessing tips. She also shared much of her heritage and growing up tales with her readers as well. It was a very personable book - to fit in with the topic of hospitality.
"In contrast, true hospitality has the feeling of the hearth. It stands in opposition to the coldness and depersonalization of the world outside. It provides a temporary respite that remains in the memory and refurbishes long after it is past." (4) When I read these sentences, I thought back to the Robshaw home. I remember sitting in a chair in front of her fire place sipping green tea. Also, many times sitting at her counter in the kitchen or her dining room table. What treats they were for me. First time that I remember was months after meeting them, they invited me back to spend VBS week with them at their house - and I was asked to eat Jill's b-day with them as a family. This is true hospitality.
"The sense of hospitality has to start from within. The act of hospitality is the outgrowth of an attitude." (9) If you want to use this gift more - ask the Spirit to cultivate it within you - as it is a gift of the Spirit.
"We are to offer hospitality under the direction of him who has become the Lord of our lives in this area of service as well as every other." (31) We can not effectively share hospitality with others without having Jesus be Lord of our lives. It is not about impressing others, it is not about showing off skills (this is tough for me - an area of pride). But, live under the Spirit who has made us free from the bondage of sin.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Prayer and Faith - blind praying...
How do you know how to pray when you don't even know what the answer will look like? It is very hard.
The subject of prayer has been on my mind lately - probably because I stink at it and God is trying to work that in me. My mind wanders during long prayers at church, I don't have a solid prayer time everyday - that is disciplined and structured.
But, I have a prayer request and don't know what the answer would look like - because I see no tangible evidence of an answer to that prayer. Does anyone know what I mean?
Prayer and faith...the two have to go hand in hand. But, it is so difficult. There are a couple of things - big things in my life right now - that I have no clue what it would look like if God did answer.
Thoughts? Prayer? Faith?
The subject of prayer has been on my mind lately - probably because I stink at it and God is trying to work that in me. My mind wanders during long prayers at church, I don't have a solid prayer time everyday - that is disciplined and structured.
But, I have a prayer request and don't know what the answer would look like - because I see no tangible evidence of an answer to that prayer. Does anyone know what I mean?
Prayer and faith...the two have to go hand in hand. But, it is so difficult. There are a couple of things - big things in my life right now - that I have no clue what it would look like if God did answer.
Thoughts? Prayer? Faith?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Psalm 40
Some people probably think I only read the Psalms. I want to assure you that it isn't true. But, if you want to listen to some good sermons on the psalms - Josh Harris at CovLife in Gaithersburg is currently preaching a series on them. There is so much life and theology in the psalms. One can find out so much about God's character and how we, as His children, are to interact with Him.
Even as I sent a prayer request to some folks this morning and used some of Ps 40 in my prayer - it made me so quickly reevaluate my prayer life (or the lack thereof). So, here we go...
Ps 40 (man, now that I've looked at it even more - I love it even more - I love the WORD)
1. David was waiting on the LORD. Period. How my prayers often work is I tell everyone else about the prayer request and my little brain thinking is - well, that works as me saying the prayer too. WRONG! I need to first and foremost look to my LORD as my audience for prayers. He is the only one who can answer, the only One to offer relief. And the answer came. Yes, there is biblical commands for intercession and community of prayer - but never should we forgo taking our requests to God first!
2. "He drew me up" - God is working on our behalf. It is not a we thing. It is a God only thing.
3. I love this verse! Praise! Praise to our God - I think also of Romans 11.33-36 (see I do read other books of the Bible). All of our praise is due Him and no other - this is where it all comes from. And for what purpose is our praise: (one of them) is that people will "see and fear and put their trust in God." One of the reasons God answers our prayers is so that people will see HIM (not just the answer).
4. "who makes the Lord his trust, and does not turn to the proud" - concentrated gaze on God!
5. "You have multiplied your thoughts toward us" I love the idea of that - God thinks about me. HIS very Words (God-breathed) says that - and God doesn't lie. There is thankfulness and praise as a result of answered prayers.
6. I like this in light of Ps 50 (see next blog entry).
7-10. Declaration of our immediate obedience. Delight to do your will, law is within my heart, told the glad news of deliverance, I have not restrained my lips.
10-11. David extols the character of God that he declares: deliverance, faithfulness, salvation, steadfast love, faithfulness (again), mercy, steadfast love (again), and faithfulness (yet, again). These are so important characteristics when we have waited and waited and waited to see God work in an area of our lives - and finally (or maybe not yet) have seen the movement of God.
13. He takes joy to deliver me! But the deliverance may not come in how we think it will come. But, God is so WISE (as I have definitely learned over the last month)!
16-17. "But may all who see you, rejoice and be glad in you, may those who love your salvation, say continually Great is the Lord! As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer, do not delay, O My God!" This is David's resounding confidence - not in the answer - but in the Answerer! (Ps 16.11)
Matthew Henry, great theologian that he was, said this: "From God he (David) expected relief, and he was BIG with expectation. Not doubting but it would come in DUE time. And resolved to continue believing, and hoping, and praying till it did come."
Even as I sent a prayer request to some folks this morning and used some of Ps 40 in my prayer - it made me so quickly reevaluate my prayer life (or the lack thereof). So, here we go...
Ps 40 (man, now that I've looked at it even more - I love it even more - I love the WORD)
1. David was waiting on the LORD. Period. How my prayers often work is I tell everyone else about the prayer request and my little brain thinking is - well, that works as me saying the prayer too. WRONG! I need to first and foremost look to my LORD as my audience for prayers. He is the only one who can answer, the only One to offer relief. And the answer came. Yes, there is biblical commands for intercession and community of prayer - but never should we forgo taking our requests to God first!
2. "He drew me up" - God is working on our behalf. It is not a we thing. It is a God only thing.
3. I love this verse! Praise! Praise to our God - I think also of Romans 11.33-36 (see I do read other books of the Bible). All of our praise is due Him and no other - this is where it all comes from. And for what purpose is our praise: (one of them) is that people will "see and fear and put their trust in God." One of the reasons God answers our prayers is so that people will see HIM (not just the answer).
4. "who makes the Lord his trust, and does not turn to the proud" - concentrated gaze on God!
5. "You have multiplied your thoughts toward us" I love the idea of that - God thinks about me. HIS very Words (God-breathed) says that - and God doesn't lie. There is thankfulness and praise as a result of answered prayers.
6. I like this in light of Ps 50 (see next blog entry).
7-10. Declaration of our immediate obedience. Delight to do your will, law is within my heart, told the glad news of deliverance, I have not restrained my lips.
10-11. David extols the character of God that he declares: deliverance, faithfulness, salvation, steadfast love, faithfulness (again), mercy, steadfast love (again), and faithfulness (yet, again). These are so important characteristics when we have waited and waited and waited to see God work in an area of our lives - and finally (or maybe not yet) have seen the movement of God.
13. He takes joy to deliver me! But the deliverance may not come in how we think it will come. But, God is so WISE (as I have definitely learned over the last month)!
16-17. "But may all who see you, rejoice and be glad in you, may those who love your salvation, say continually Great is the Lord! As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer, do not delay, O My God!" This is David's resounding confidence - not in the answer - but in the Answerer! (Ps 16.11)
Matthew Henry, great theologian that he was, said this: "From God he (David) expected relief, and he was BIG with expectation. Not doubting but it would come in DUE time. And resolved to continue believing, and hoping, and praying till it did come."
Monday, February 25, 2008
Desiring God - Prayer
As I continued to prepare for an upcoming DNOW in St. Augustine, I picked up Desiring God again and read the chapter on "prayer" - since prayer is a key component in our communication with God (communication is the DNOW theme).
Of course there was much that was already highlighted and even more that I underlined. Then I turned the page. Piper, as only he can do sometimes, put patience and prayer in a whole new light for me. One that was totally convicting - as I again am in a place of waiting for God to answer some questions...
"To wait! That means to pause and soberly consider our own inadequacy and the Lord's all sufficiency, and to seek counsel and help from the Lord, and to hope in Him. Israel was rebuked that they did not wait for his counsel. Why? Because in not seeking and waiting for God's help, they robbed God of an occasion to glorify Himself. The Lord says to Israel 'In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But Israel refused to wait for the Lord and said "No! We will speed our horses" - Is 30.15, 16.
Then in verse 18 the folly and evil of this self-initiated frenzy is revealed -
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting for God is that we oppose God's will to exalt himself in mercy. God aims to exalt himself by working for those who wait for Him. But, is there anything we can give him that won't belittle him to the status of beneficiary? Yes - our anxieties - it is a command. God will gladly receive anything from us that shows our dependence and his all-sufficiency."
How many times have I robbed God, not waited for him, sped my own horses - whatever they might be? Oh, Lord, again, grow in me patience in my prayer life. Knowing that you answer exactly how you have intended and chosen to answer - make my will satisfied with your will.
Then, I kept reading and picked up Catherine Marshall's Adventures in Prayer (an older book I have had for a while and never read):
"Waiting certainly plays an enormous role in the unfolding story of God's relationship to man. It is God's oft-repeated way of teaching us that His power is real and that He can answer our prayers without interference and manipulation from us!" Kim - butt out! :)
Then, kept reading...and kept underlining. This is an amazing book. So convicting - right where I am.
"Always His timing - we force and try to hurry the divine schedule at our peril. God does have his fullness of time for the answer to each prayer. It follow then that He alone knows the magnitude of the changes that have to be wrought un us before we can receive our hearts' desires. He alone knows the changes and interplay of external events that must take place before our prayers can be answered. Thus, the Lord seems sonstantly to use waiting as a tool for bringin us the very best of his gifts."
So, in other words - Kim - keep waiting, don't get impatient. He knows what is best for me!
Of course there was much that was already highlighted and even more that I underlined. Then I turned the page. Piper, as only he can do sometimes, put patience and prayer in a whole new light for me. One that was totally convicting - as I again am in a place of waiting for God to answer some questions...
"To wait! That means to pause and soberly consider our own inadequacy and the Lord's all sufficiency, and to seek counsel and help from the Lord, and to hope in Him. Israel was rebuked that they did not wait for his counsel. Why? Because in not seeking and waiting for God's help, they robbed God of an occasion to glorify Himself. The Lord says to Israel 'In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But Israel refused to wait for the Lord and said "No! We will speed our horses" - Is 30.15, 16.
Then in verse 18 the folly and evil of this self-initiated frenzy is revealed -
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting for God is that we oppose God's will to exalt himself in mercy. God aims to exalt himself by working for those who wait for Him. But, is there anything we can give him that won't belittle him to the status of beneficiary? Yes - our anxieties - it is a command. God will gladly receive anything from us that shows our dependence and his all-sufficiency."
How many times have I robbed God, not waited for him, sped my own horses - whatever they might be? Oh, Lord, again, grow in me patience in my prayer life. Knowing that you answer exactly how you have intended and chosen to answer - make my will satisfied with your will.
Then, I kept reading and picked up Catherine Marshall's Adventures in Prayer (an older book I have had for a while and never read):
"Waiting certainly plays an enormous role in the unfolding story of God's relationship to man. It is God's oft-repeated way of teaching us that His power is real and that He can answer our prayers without interference and manipulation from us!" Kim - butt out! :)
Then, kept reading...and kept underlining. This is an amazing book. So convicting - right where I am.
"Always His timing - we force and try to hurry the divine schedule at our peril. God does have his fullness of time for the answer to each prayer. It follow then that He alone knows the magnitude of the changes that have to be wrought un us before we can receive our hearts' desires. He alone knows the changes and interplay of external events that must take place before our prayers can be answered. Thus, the Lord seems sonstantly to use waiting as a tool for bringin us the very best of his gifts."
So, in other words - Kim - keep waiting, don't get impatient. He knows what is best for me!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Discipline: The Glad Surrender - Elisabeth Elliot
This book is a perfect glimpse into the personality and speaking mind of Elisabeth Elliot. I hold her in high respect - all for the grace of God that has been poured into her life: through suffering, missions, love, work, loss, etc.
I borrowed this book - so that means I couldn't write in it, so I copied down some of the quotes that I really enjoyed in it (enjoyed is a term I use "sarcastically" when it comes to discipline).
Before I started reading it today, I wrote at the top of my paper "conviction without repentance". I asked a friend what that leads to - but I answered my own question: a heart of stone. That is not something I want. Lord - give me a heart of flesh as only you can do.
She did an overview then hit on a sampling of areas of discipline we needed:
"They were furious at Moses for getting them into this mess." - p 35 - Speaking of the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness before entering into the Promised Land. We are the only ones who get ourselves into sin - no one else. Sin is our choice.
"When the will of man acts in accord with the will of God - that is faith. When the will of man acts in opposition to the will of God, that is unbelief." p 36
"He knows what he is doing, and all you need to do is follow directions. You do not rebel at his telling you what to do. you are glad to be told. He knows more than you do, knows the best way to accomplish what you want to accomplish. You are sure you will be better off with Him than without Him, happier by obeying than by disobeying." 38
TIME
"His timing is always perfect, though it seldom seems it at the time, for my temperament longs for a preview of the coming attractions." p 101 - Oh, this is oft where I live, but I'm trying to live more in Hab 2.2-4 - waiting.
POSSESSIONS
For me, I love books. I do lend them out, but I would love to get them back. Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I get upset and try to fuss with the person to give them back. But, recently, I've realized (that along with all my stuff) - they are the Lord's. And the other person might need the book (or whatever) more than I do.
WORK
"It is the one for whom a job is done who gives it meaning" p 131 I know she is meaning that we must work for the glory of God in all we do. But, I also love the men I work for. They are great and humble men of God. That is the main reason why I love my job!
FEELINGS
This is also a place I struggle with. But, I loved this quote
"Discipline feelings, not get rid of them. Rather bring them under control" - p 147
"What I ought to do and what I feel like doing are seldom the same thing." - p 149
BODY
"It is a good thing, it seems to me, to learn to do with less." p 47
"To offer my body to the Lord as a living sacrifice includes my unfulfilled longings." p 54
MIND
"A simple and orderly life represents a clean and orderly mind." - p 57
"The Holy Spirit re-minded me." p 67 - How we need our minds to be reprogrammed out of the world.
"On masculinity and femininity, how many discussions about roles, equality, and personhood would grind to a halt if sexuality were seen not as a biological question but as a theological one, a glorious mystery of two complementary beings who bear the image of the invisible God." p 72
PLACE
Dr. Patterson would always tell us that we must call professors at Southeastern as Doctors (if they had one). She talks about honor and respect in this. Before I read the chapter I couldn't figure out what she meant by place, but now I know.
"The submissiveness of a wife to her husband is the appropriate form of honor that she pays him." p 88 Immediately, in my flesh, I thought - yeah - if he deserves it. But, then that is how the world thinks to - we must think differently. The Bible doesn't say respect your husband if he is worthy of respect. No, it says wives, respect your husband. Now, the Bible also tells us to be mindful of the men we choose to marry. I want a man who I can respect. I love working for men I respect. I love having men in my life who I respect. Thank you for showing me what it means to respect. May God so grant.
This book is a tough one to read if one reads it with a pliable heart. This is Elisabeth Elliot in some of her finest work.
I borrowed this book - so that means I couldn't write in it, so I copied down some of the quotes that I really enjoyed in it (enjoyed is a term I use "sarcastically" when it comes to discipline).
Before I started reading it today, I wrote at the top of my paper "conviction without repentance". I asked a friend what that leads to - but I answered my own question: a heart of stone. That is not something I want. Lord - give me a heart of flesh as only you can do.
She did an overview then hit on a sampling of areas of discipline we needed:
"They were furious at Moses for getting them into this mess." - p 35 - Speaking of the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness before entering into the Promised Land. We are the only ones who get ourselves into sin - no one else. Sin is our choice.
"When the will of man acts in accord with the will of God - that is faith. When the will of man acts in opposition to the will of God, that is unbelief." p 36
"He knows what he is doing, and all you need to do is follow directions. You do not rebel at his telling you what to do. you are glad to be told. He knows more than you do, knows the best way to accomplish what you want to accomplish. You are sure you will be better off with Him than without Him, happier by obeying than by disobeying." 38
TIME
"His timing is always perfect, though it seldom seems it at the time, for my temperament longs for a preview of the coming attractions." p 101 - Oh, this is oft where I live, but I'm trying to live more in Hab 2.2-4 - waiting.
POSSESSIONS
For me, I love books. I do lend them out, but I would love to get them back. Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I get upset and try to fuss with the person to give them back. But, recently, I've realized (that along with all my stuff) - they are the Lord's. And the other person might need the book (or whatever) more than I do.
WORK
"It is the one for whom a job is done who gives it meaning" p 131 I know she is meaning that we must work for the glory of God in all we do. But, I also love the men I work for. They are great and humble men of God. That is the main reason why I love my job!
FEELINGS
This is also a place I struggle with. But, I loved this quote
"Discipline feelings, not get rid of them. Rather bring them under control" - p 147
"What I ought to do and what I feel like doing are seldom the same thing." - p 149
BODY
"It is a good thing, it seems to me, to learn to do with less." p 47
"To offer my body to the Lord as a living sacrifice includes my unfulfilled longings." p 54
MIND
"A simple and orderly life represents a clean and orderly mind." - p 57
"The Holy Spirit re-minded me." p 67 - How we need our minds to be reprogrammed out of the world.
"On masculinity and femininity, how many discussions about roles, equality, and personhood would grind to a halt if sexuality were seen not as a biological question but as a theological one, a glorious mystery of two complementary beings who bear the image of the invisible God." p 72
PLACE
Dr. Patterson would always tell us that we must call professors at Southeastern as Doctors (if they had one). She talks about honor and respect in this. Before I read the chapter I couldn't figure out what she meant by place, but now I know.
"The submissiveness of a wife to her husband is the appropriate form of honor that she pays him." p 88 Immediately, in my flesh, I thought - yeah - if he deserves it. But, then that is how the world thinks to - we must think differently. The Bible doesn't say respect your husband if he is worthy of respect. No, it says wives, respect your husband. Now, the Bible also tells us to be mindful of the men we choose to marry. I want a man who I can respect. I love working for men I respect. I love having men in my life who I respect. Thank you for showing me what it means to respect. May God so grant.
This book is a tough one to read if one reads it with a pliable heart. This is Elisabeth Elliot in some of her finest work.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
This is Mark Dever's latest book. He is the pastor of a church in DC (one of my favorite cities). This has been an easy to read book - but a highly convicting book, as I know I don't "do evangelism" like I should.
A friend of mine who was a missionary in East Asia once told me "you know, witnessing on the field as a missionary isn't always either. Unless we make it a discipline, a priority, we'll get into the same rut of not doing it as we do in the States". And the reason I like Don Whitney's Disciplines book more than Richard Foster's is because a discipline he includes is evangelism.
Chapter and thoughts:
1. Why We Don't Evangelize? Dr. Dever starts right out with a convicting chapter of asking his readers questions on why we don't evangelize. Do we really love ourselves that much - and hate others? Are we lazy? Do we not want to be rejected? All these are reasonable excuses - but they are just that - excuses.
2. What is the Gospel? Most Christians could probably give some form of the gospel - but they usually leave something out. God is love - but He is also just and a punisher of sin. Jesus wants to be our friend - yes, He does - but He also wants to be our Lord and King.
"For us to think that we can disregard Him sometimes, to set aside His way when it suits us - is to show that we haven't understood the nature of relationship at all." - p 34
"Do you see the reasons that all of these wrongs are so tragic? These sins are committed against a perfect, holy, loving God and they are committed by creatures made in His image." - p 35
"We must come to grips with the fact that we are unable to satisfy God's demands on us, no matter how normally we try to live." - p 41
3. Who Should Evangelize? This one's easy - ALL!
4. How Should We Evangelize? We make the gospel too easy sometimes. It is a costly gospel. Yes, it is free - but costly.
"Its beginning to value Jesus more than your immediate pleasure" - p 57
Acts 3.19-20a is a favorite verse of mine I started using going out on Doulos visitations while at Southeastern. It talks about repenting and how that will bring times of refreshment from the Lord. Such powerful verses to those who lives in the bondage of sin.
5. What Isn't Evangelism?
"In biblical evangelism, we don't impose anything. In fact, we really can't. According to the Bible, evangelism is simply telling the good news. Its not making sure that the other person responds to it correctly. I wish we could, but according to the Bible, this is not something we can do. According to the Bible, the fruit from evangelism comes from God." p 70
6. What Should We Do After We Evangelize?
"Wait is another form of no." - p 86 That's what I was thinking as I was reading about the undecideds and the waits. They are still rejections of the gospel. Maybe not forever - God can still draw them to Himself. But, at that moment - they are rejecting the gospel.
If they "accept" - bring them into church. He says to give them "family privileges and family responsibility." No one needs to just attend church. Just like every family member has chores at home: it is my Dad's job to take out the trash every time it gets full - that's just understood (if he is home). Same way with being a member of a local body. We all have responsibilities. One of JD and Danny's favorite quotes is about the church being like a football team - 80000 people who are desperately in need of exercise watching 12 men in desperate need of rest. Meaning - the church is usually lopsided in its allocation of responsibilities.
7. Why Should We Evangelize?
"You could have a selfish motive for evangelism." p 95 I think this is what often occurs for me. Why did I always go on Doulos meetings? Why did I get my 10 gospel presentations out of the way in evangelism class in seminary? Was it because I knew that people who don't know the gospel were going to spend an eternity in hell and have a joyless life? Not usually. It was because I wanted to look spiritual, or get an A on the assignment for Doc's class. Our motive should be to introduce other's to Jesus and to love Jesus (to be obedient to Him). Not to make ourselves look better.
Such a fantastic book. Very easy and quick read - but also one that needs time to meditate on. I think it would be a great one for beginner's in their faith as they learn how to share the gospel. Enjoy it.
A friend of mine who was a missionary in East Asia once told me "you know, witnessing on the field as a missionary isn't always either. Unless we make it a discipline, a priority, we'll get into the same rut of not doing it as we do in the States". And the reason I like Don Whitney's Disciplines book more than Richard Foster's is because a discipline he includes is evangelism.
Chapter and thoughts:
1. Why We Don't Evangelize? Dr. Dever starts right out with a convicting chapter of asking his readers questions on why we don't evangelize. Do we really love ourselves that much - and hate others? Are we lazy? Do we not want to be rejected? All these are reasonable excuses - but they are just that - excuses.
2. What is the Gospel? Most Christians could probably give some form of the gospel - but they usually leave something out. God is love - but He is also just and a punisher of sin. Jesus wants to be our friend - yes, He does - but He also wants to be our Lord and King.
"For us to think that we can disregard Him sometimes, to set aside His way when it suits us - is to show that we haven't understood the nature of relationship at all." - p 34
"Do you see the reasons that all of these wrongs are so tragic? These sins are committed against a perfect, holy, loving God and they are committed by creatures made in His image." - p 35
"We must come to grips with the fact that we are unable to satisfy God's demands on us, no matter how normally we try to live." - p 41
3. Who Should Evangelize? This one's easy - ALL!
4. How Should We Evangelize? We make the gospel too easy sometimes. It is a costly gospel. Yes, it is free - but costly.
"Its beginning to value Jesus more than your immediate pleasure" - p 57
Acts 3.19-20a is a favorite verse of mine I started using going out on Doulos visitations while at Southeastern. It talks about repenting and how that will bring times of refreshment from the Lord. Such powerful verses to those who lives in the bondage of sin.
5. What Isn't Evangelism?
"In biblical evangelism, we don't impose anything. In fact, we really can't. According to the Bible, evangelism is simply telling the good news. Its not making sure that the other person responds to it correctly. I wish we could, but according to the Bible, this is not something we can do. According to the Bible, the fruit from evangelism comes from God." p 70
6. What Should We Do After We Evangelize?
"Wait is another form of no." - p 86 That's what I was thinking as I was reading about the undecideds and the waits. They are still rejections of the gospel. Maybe not forever - God can still draw them to Himself. But, at that moment - they are rejecting the gospel.
If they "accept" - bring them into church. He says to give them "family privileges and family responsibility." No one needs to just attend church. Just like every family member has chores at home: it is my Dad's job to take out the trash every time it gets full - that's just understood (if he is home). Same way with being a member of a local body. We all have responsibilities. One of JD and Danny's favorite quotes is about the church being like a football team - 80000 people who are desperately in need of exercise watching 12 men in desperate need of rest. Meaning - the church is usually lopsided in its allocation of responsibilities.
7. Why Should We Evangelize?
"You could have a selfish motive for evangelism." p 95 I think this is what often occurs for me. Why did I always go on Doulos meetings? Why did I get my 10 gospel presentations out of the way in evangelism class in seminary? Was it because I knew that people who don't know the gospel were going to spend an eternity in hell and have a joyless life? Not usually. It was because I wanted to look spiritual, or get an A on the assignment for Doc's class. Our motive should be to introduce other's to Jesus and to love Jesus (to be obedient to Him). Not to make ourselves look better.
Such a fantastic book. Very easy and quick read - but also one that needs time to meditate on. I think it would be a great one for beginner's in their faith as they learn how to share the gospel. Enjoy it.
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