After writing that last post two things happened; one I instantly felt relieved, as if I had gotten something off my mind, off my chest, out into the open. Two, I felt selfish, as if crying out for attention.
This was not my purpose, but still may seem to be the result of such a blog. For anyone who reads my blog, please do not take the previous blog to be a plea for compliments. That is not what I am, far from it actually. I tend to respond negatively to compliments.
Rather its a baring of my feelings. Yes it seems silly to me to write out such personal things to such a public domain. However, I know relatively few people actually read this, and of those who do y'all would probably just ask me if you had any major concerns.
Please do not think I am depressed, I am not, thanks be to my glorious loving heavenly Father.
I do have moments of sadness, and confusion. Things I am trying to figure out.
Maybe I am just dramatic in my writing...though when I look back on things they accurately reflect the way I felt/feel. Maybe my emotions about the topic are just too strong. This I do not know.
Anyways, I am just writing this because I felt like I needed to write an explanation or maybe just write in general. I have this urge to just put my thoughts onto the screen right now. I can't really explain it. But oh well, not all things in this life can be explain.
Its really late and I should be sleeping, but I don't want to.
I love sleep, but am almost afraid of sleeping right now. It doesn't make sense. I just feel apprehensive. I should try anyways.
OK.
Dear Lord, as I try to sleep tonight, give me Your peace. Help my thoughts to be glorifying to You. May my focus be on Your glory and love.
With love, to Love, Amen.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
value?
A question keeps going through my head and I don't know the answer to it.
This question was sparked by a conversation I had with one of my friends.
This question has actually shifted slightly from one that is very similar to it. The first question was "Do you consider yourself valuable?", which has now shifted to "why don't you consider yourself valuable?"
Why don't I?
The Lord of the entire universe says He loves me, has given me value, says I am worth His life. If that isn't value, then nothing is.
Yet these are truths I know, but they don't sink in.
Can I not accept that I am so loved?
I know what the Lord says about me. He delights in me (Zephaniah 3:17). He loves me enough to send His son to live and die for me. For me.
Yet, I feel worthless. I honestly feel like I am not worth the time of day to anyone. I often feel that if I were not here then it really would not make a difference in anyone's life.
People have told me differently, but I don't see what they are talking about.
I do not think I have any skills or gifts that really benefit people.
I want to, I desire to care and love and really be able to help others. I want to do things that make a difference, but I feel incapable.
I lack the gifts of so many around me. I am not brave, or creative, or of wise counsel, or generous, or intellect.
This is one of the reasons why I've decided to carry on with my no dating in college. It isn't so much that I am in college, but that I am too much of an emotional wreck, too confused and lacking in confidence to want to put a guy (or well man) through that crazy roller coaster. It simply would not be fair, nor would it be healthy or good.
I sit here with tears in my eyes, because I don't want people to read this and then just say "oh, but you are so great at this or that". That's not what I want. I want to know that God can use me. I believe He can use anyone...but myself. I feel as though I possess nothing in which can further God's kingdom.
Oh I hate that I believe the lies of Satan. God can use me. I know He can. I want Him to. Why do I despair? Why is my soul downcast? Why do I have such little faith?
I can think of plenty of days in which I greatly dislike myself, but very few in which I see myself as having any value.
Why can't I find value when looking at myself. I see the value of others. Do I not have value as well?
Dear Lord, help me to not focus on myself. On my shortcomings, lack of gifts. OH Lord, help me. Help me to be satisfied in You. For this life is not about me, it's about Your glory and love. Why am I so frustrated within myself. Redirect my focus, teach me Your ways, to see life through Your eyes. Give me the grace to rejoice in the gifts of others without sadness for the lack of being able to see mine. Christ Jesus, You are good, great, gracious and glorious. In You is all satisfaction. Teach this to my heart.
with love, to Love, in Your glorious name, Amen.
This question was sparked by a conversation I had with one of my friends.
This question has actually shifted slightly from one that is very similar to it. The first question was "Do you consider yourself valuable?", which has now shifted to "why don't you consider yourself valuable?"
Why don't I?
The Lord of the entire universe says He loves me, has given me value, says I am worth His life. If that isn't value, then nothing is.
Yet these are truths I know, but they don't sink in.
Can I not accept that I am so loved?
I know what the Lord says about me. He delights in me (Zephaniah 3:17). He loves me enough to send His son to live and die for me. For me.
Yet, I feel worthless. I honestly feel like I am not worth the time of day to anyone. I often feel that if I were not here then it really would not make a difference in anyone's life.
People have told me differently, but I don't see what they are talking about.
I do not think I have any skills or gifts that really benefit people.
I want to, I desire to care and love and really be able to help others. I want to do things that make a difference, but I feel incapable.
I lack the gifts of so many around me. I am not brave, or creative, or of wise counsel, or generous, or intellect.
This is one of the reasons why I've decided to carry on with my no dating in college. It isn't so much that I am in college, but that I am too much of an emotional wreck, too confused and lacking in confidence to want to put a guy (or well man) through that crazy roller coaster. It simply would not be fair, nor would it be healthy or good.
I sit here with tears in my eyes, because I don't want people to read this and then just say "oh, but you are so great at this or that". That's not what I want. I want to know that God can use me. I believe He can use anyone...but myself. I feel as though I possess nothing in which can further God's kingdom.
Oh I hate that I believe the lies of Satan. God can use me. I know He can. I want Him to. Why do I despair? Why is my soul downcast? Why do I have such little faith?
I can think of plenty of days in which I greatly dislike myself, but very few in which I see myself as having any value.
Why can't I find value when looking at myself. I see the value of others. Do I not have value as well?
Dear Lord, help me to not focus on myself. On my shortcomings, lack of gifts. OH Lord, help me. Help me to be satisfied in You. For this life is not about me, it's about Your glory and love. Why am I so frustrated within myself. Redirect my focus, teach me Your ways, to see life through Your eyes. Give me the grace to rejoice in the gifts of others without sadness for the lack of being able to see mine. Christ Jesus, You are good, great, gracious and glorious. In You is all satisfaction. Teach this to my heart.
with love, to Love, in Your glorious name, Amen.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Something to think about
So lately I have heard a lot about short term missions trips. Whether with my home church or the church I attend while in college. So it got me thinking, what is the reason most people go on short-term missions trips? Why are they going and what are they expecting?
I sent out a question to a lot of my friends and family and these were the responses (many of which had follow up comments and discussions, but I am not going to include those because it would just be confusing):
The original question "What do you believe is the main point of short term missions trips"
Answers:
JCA- " To go aid a long0term missionary and gain mission experience, loving people and being stretched out of your comfort zone."
JH -"Hmm, a good question...I have never been on one myself, but my answer would have to be so that we as Christians get to exhibit the hands, heart and head of Christ to others and share his love and reflect his character... Additionally so we as Americans get the opportunity to remove our "blinders" in order to see what life is like in a different area of the world to help put our "position" more into perspective"
JVA- "To connect the church with the rest of the body, to transform the lifestyle and outlook of those who go on theses trips, to financially bless those who are doing long term missions. It is a way for people to love Christ in a tangible way: doing what they know they should do. I' sure there are other reasons."
JA- "Okay. Well, I think that short term mission trips affect the people going on the trip more than the people they are going to serve. It helps people see that there is another World out there that people live in. There is poverty and strife in the world. God is already working inthe place you visit. He does not need your help to serve people and "fix" their lives. We cannot go to Mexico for a week and expect to change their lives. It is pretty arrogant of us to think we can change anybody's life in a week."
MD- "Short term I think is mainly spiritual development/missions awareness for the person going on the trip as well as development of relationship in the universal church... I think it raises important awareness of yourself, God, and other believers"
VG- "I think its more for us to open our eyes, to prepare us for bigger things, and to feel the spirit. Also to expose other people to us, a people willing to act and be lead by the spirit"
VA- "I think that if you do go on one God can show you something that is eye opening in that way if that makes sense. It's a good experience to be able to be in that setting and delve in that culture too if you are going to a different country"
DC- "So [my sister] went on a short term mission trip, and it changed her life completely. God seriously got a hold of her heart once she was disconnected from America and americana. That's why she is where she is now, trying to get a missions degree. It became so obvious to her, to the point of her never being able to ignore it again, that Jesus bleeds for this world, and that there can't possibly be anything more important in life than fighting to accomplish the deepest dreams and desires of your lover and master"
LB- "To have a large number of ppl that lay down some work that can be followed up on later. To glorify God."
CM- "Hm. I probably will know better after I get back from {short term mission trip}. Maybe to rely on God more than your own abilities."
BV- "I believe the main point is to get a glimpse of the work the Lord is doing in another part of the world on a smaller scale. I know before I went on SP I had never considered doing long-term missions, but now after going on both SP's I am totally open to doing long-term missions if God opens that door for me after graduation. I also think SP's re a great way to see whether or not you feel like the Lord is putting missions on your heart! :)"
AD- "I think probably to understand how blessed we are and to learn humbleness and servitude"
NA- "Developing personal passion for cross cultural ministry"
JC- "In most cases it seems to do more for the person going than anything. I think it opens eyes to what's really going on in the world. It also gives people a chance to go & serve ministries that need the help. That's my in a nutshell version I guess."
JRA- "Short term missions makes me think that potentially Gos has set up things needed and like a revival, maybe the spark is needed. So the effect I guess would be the people you are able to reach in that short time. Empowerment of the locals in the knowledge of Christ. I guess then a long term mission would be for a much more grand scale. Establishing a church and literally harvesting the sowing."
AC- "Reaching out to people and planting seeds"
LC- "To experience something uncomfortable and to challenge you to do something way out of your comfort zone. Since God doesn't call us to live a comfortable life, it's a good way to experience that discomfort to serve others. Meeting people that are nothing like you and being able to form those relationships is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. The month I spend in {country} changed my life and I think about the people I met everyday. It's just amazing. And the discomfort turned into comfort when I really got to know those people and loved on these orphans that felt like they had no one that loved them or cared about them and being able to show God's love to them through you. I could go on and on. I'm pretty sure that is where I want to end up one day."
JN- "to glorify God through serving either by assisting in the spread of evangelism (though the usefulness of short term missionaries is debated in this regard) or by work projects and visiting/encouraging the local church. it might be fair to at least be aware that such adventures can drive home the realities of the outside world and encourage believers in advancing their own faith though such advancement should be done for the sake of others or, more correctly, for God's sake. but it's all theory. I'm really too young and inexperienced to be sure."
JD- "To expose people to condition in the rest of the world, meet the physical needs of others, and hopefully have spiritual change/renewal in those going"
BS- "To spread the love of Christ to anyone you can reach and grow your own relationship with Christ by sharing him with everyone else :)"
SS- "Well I think we should always be ministering but I think a short term mission trip is where you go somewhere you normally wouldn't go and your purpose isn't to sight see but to spend your time telling anyone willing to listen about Jesus. About getting you out of your comfort zone. Being willing to take up your cross and follow him. We come back on fire for God because we've given him all our time and then we lose our passion by rejoining our old busy lives. Sometimes he sends us away to remember our passion and love for him. So many benefits. You teach people about Jesus and he further teaches you who he is."
EH- "To pop the bubble of those who go on them...Give them eyes for real struggles, real opportunities to serve, real need for Jesus..in a universal way. Those who go and those who they serve."
DM- "Short term missioning, if they're successful. You goob... seems like same point as regular, only condensed. So maybe serving practical, spiritual needs quickly"
MD- "I don't know that I do think there is a "main point" of them that applies in general to all of them except for simply following God's direction. I think the purpose and reason for each one can be so different. I believe God uses those experiences to grow and shape the people who are on them as well as to bless others by being encouraged, or giving them the opportunity to encourage and challenge others."
My response: "I think its so God can open our eyes, teach us how to really love, especially in situations where we are not in our comfort zone. To teach us to rely on Him and be willing to serve Him anywhere He puts us".
.... more to come, still waiting on some replies then I will finish this out with some thoughts and questions. =)
I sent out a question to a lot of my friends and family and these were the responses (many of which had follow up comments and discussions, but I am not going to include those because it would just be confusing):
The original question "What do you believe is the main point of short term missions trips"
Answers:
JCA- " To go aid a long0term missionary and gain mission experience, loving people and being stretched out of your comfort zone."
JH -"Hmm, a good question...I have never been on one myself, but my answer would have to be so that we as Christians get to exhibit the hands, heart and head of Christ to others and share his love and reflect his character... Additionally so we as Americans get the opportunity to remove our "blinders" in order to see what life is like in a different area of the world to help put our "position" more into perspective"
JVA- "To connect the church with the rest of the body, to transform the lifestyle and outlook of those who go on theses trips, to financially bless those who are doing long term missions. It is a way for people to love Christ in a tangible way: doing what they know they should do. I' sure there are other reasons."
JA- "Okay. Well, I think that short term mission trips affect the people going on the trip more than the people they are going to serve. It helps people see that there is another World out there that people live in. There is poverty and strife in the world. God is already working inthe place you visit. He does not need your help to serve people and "fix" their lives. We cannot go to Mexico for a week and expect to change their lives. It is pretty arrogant of us to think we can change anybody's life in a week."
MD- "Short term I think is mainly spiritual development/missions awareness for the person going on the trip as well as development of relationship in the universal church... I think it raises important awareness of yourself, God, and other believers"
VG- "I think its more for us to open our eyes, to prepare us for bigger things, and to feel the spirit. Also to expose other people to us, a people willing to act and be lead by the spirit"
VA- "I think that if you do go on one God can show you something that is eye opening in that way if that makes sense. It's a good experience to be able to be in that setting and delve in that culture too if you are going to a different country"
DC- "So [my sister] went on a short term mission trip, and it changed her life completely. God seriously got a hold of her heart once she was disconnected from America and americana. That's why she is where she is now, trying to get a missions degree. It became so obvious to her, to the point of her never being able to ignore it again, that Jesus bleeds for this world, and that there can't possibly be anything more important in life than fighting to accomplish the deepest dreams and desires of your lover and master"
LB- "To have a large number of ppl that lay down some work that can be followed up on later. To glorify God."
CM- "Hm. I probably will know better after I get back from {short term mission trip}. Maybe to rely on God more than your own abilities."
BV- "I believe the main point is to get a glimpse of the work the Lord is doing in another part of the world on a smaller scale. I know before I went on SP I had never considered doing long-term missions, but now after going on both SP's I am totally open to doing long-term missions if God opens that door for me after graduation. I also think SP's re a great way to see whether or not you feel like the Lord is putting missions on your heart! :)"
AD- "I think probably to understand how blessed we are and to learn humbleness and servitude"
NA- "Developing personal passion for cross cultural ministry"
JC- "In most cases it seems to do more for the person going than anything. I think it opens eyes to what's really going on in the world. It also gives people a chance to go & serve ministries that need the help. That's my in a nutshell version I guess."
JRA- "Short term missions makes me think that potentially Gos has set up things needed and like a revival, maybe the spark is needed. So the effect I guess would be the people you are able to reach in that short time. Empowerment of the locals in the knowledge of Christ. I guess then a long term mission would be for a much more grand scale. Establishing a church and literally harvesting the sowing."
AC- "Reaching out to people and planting seeds"
LC- "To experience something uncomfortable and to challenge you to do something way out of your comfort zone. Since God doesn't call us to live a comfortable life, it's a good way to experience that discomfort to serve others. Meeting people that are nothing like you and being able to form those relationships is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. The month I spend in {country} changed my life and I think about the people I met everyday. It's just amazing. And the discomfort turned into comfort when I really got to know those people and loved on these orphans that felt like they had no one that loved them or cared about them and being able to show God's love to them through you. I could go on and on. I'm pretty sure that is where I want to end up one day."
JN- "to glorify God through serving either by assisting in the spread of evangelism (though the usefulness of short term missionaries is debated in this regard) or by work projects and visiting/encouraging the local church. it might be fair to at least be aware that such adventures can drive home the realities of the outside world and encourage believers in advancing their own faith though such advancement should be done for the sake of others or, more correctly, for God's sake. but it's all theory. I'm really too young and inexperienced to be sure."
JD- "To expose people to condition in the rest of the world, meet the physical needs of others, and hopefully have spiritual change/renewal in those going"
BS- "To spread the love of Christ to anyone you can reach and grow your own relationship with Christ by sharing him with everyone else :)"
SS- "Well I think we should always be ministering but I think a short term mission trip is where you go somewhere you normally wouldn't go and your purpose isn't to sight see but to spend your time telling anyone willing to listen about Jesus. About getting you out of your comfort zone. Being willing to take up your cross and follow him. We come back on fire for God because we've given him all our time and then we lose our passion by rejoining our old busy lives. Sometimes he sends us away to remember our passion and love for him. So many benefits. You teach people about Jesus and he further teaches you who he is."
EH- "To pop the bubble of those who go on them...Give them eyes for real struggles, real opportunities to serve, real need for Jesus..in a universal way. Those who go and those who they serve."
DM- "Short term missioning, if they're successful. You goob... seems like same point as regular, only condensed. So maybe serving practical, spiritual needs quickly"
MD- "I don't know that I do think there is a "main point" of them that applies in general to all of them except for simply following God's direction. I think the purpose and reason for each one can be so different. I believe God uses those experiences to grow and shape the people who are on them as well as to bless others by being encouraged, or giving them the opportunity to encourage and challenge others."
My response: "I think its so God can open our eyes, teach us how to really love, especially in situations where we are not in our comfort zone. To teach us to rely on Him and be willing to serve Him anywhere He puts us".
.... more to come, still waiting on some replies then I will finish this out with some thoughts and questions. =)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Out of darkness into light.
Darkness is not so much a surrounding nothingness, but more so an inward despair.
Darkness is the absence of light. Christ is the Light of the world. Without Him we are in darkness. Even if we do live in Texas, where the sunshine makes itself very well known, we can still be sitting in darkness.
In Christ is the Light of Life.
Darkness can be an inward feeling, it can swallow us up. We can be blinded by the darkness of this world. We can be so focused on our failures or the evil in the world that we surround ourselves with darkness. But God in His goodness has provided us with light. All we are called to do is to walk into it. Move into the realm of light. Into LIFE.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." -John 8:12
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." -Colossians 1:13-14
All we have to do is chose Him, to find our satisfaction in Him. We walk in the light. I am afraid of the dark, but perfect love casts out fear. And God is perfect love. In Him is no darkness at all.
Oh Lord, teach me to be satisfied in You. Nothing of this world can satisfy me. I need You. I need to see my desperate need of You. Let me walk in Your light. I do not like the dark. I want to follow You. Lead me in the Light "that leads to Life. Teach my heart to focus on You and not my failures. When I focus on my failures, I look into the darkness. Turn my eyes to the light. "When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me." Lord teach me to look at Your goodness, Your grace, Your love, Your greatness, and not on earthly things or my failures. I am dust, but You love me. It is Your love that makes my life worthwhile. Help me Lord Christ Jesus keep my eyes on You.
With love, to True Love
Amen
"I once was fatherless,
A stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep
Your love it beckons deeply,
A call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take your life.
Sin has lost it's power,
Death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!
Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way
My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. now I'm free!
Lift my hands and spin around,
See the light that i have found.
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light
Lift my hands and spin
See the light within..." -Marvelous Light (Charlli Hall)
Darkness is the absence of light. Christ is the Light of the world. Without Him we are in darkness. Even if we do live in Texas, where the sunshine makes itself very well known, we can still be sitting in darkness.
In Christ is the Light of Life.
Darkness can be an inward feeling, it can swallow us up. We can be blinded by the darkness of this world. We can be so focused on our failures or the evil in the world that we surround ourselves with darkness. But God in His goodness has provided us with light. All we are called to do is to walk into it. Move into the realm of light. Into LIFE.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." -John 8:12
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." -Colossians 1:13-14
All we have to do is chose Him, to find our satisfaction in Him. We walk in the light. I am afraid of the dark, but perfect love casts out fear. And God is perfect love. In Him is no darkness at all.
Oh Lord, teach me to be satisfied in You. Nothing of this world can satisfy me. I need You. I need to see my desperate need of You. Let me walk in Your light. I do not like the dark. I want to follow You. Lead me in the Light "that leads to Life. Teach my heart to focus on You and not my failures. When I focus on my failures, I look into the darkness. Turn my eyes to the light. "When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me." Lord teach me to look at Your goodness, Your grace, Your love, Your greatness, and not on earthly things or my failures. I am dust, but You love me. It is Your love that makes my life worthwhile. Help me Lord Christ Jesus keep my eyes on You.
With love, to True Love
Amen
"I once was fatherless,
A stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep
Your love it beckons deeply,
A call to come and die.
By grace now I will come
And take this life, take your life.
Sin has lost it's power,
Death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!
Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way
My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. now I'm free!
Lift my hands and spin around,
See the light that i have found.
Oh the marvelous light
Marvelous light
Lift my hands and spin
See the light within..." -Marvelous Light (Charlli Hall)
Lord I confess that I do not trust You enough.
That I too often try to hold onto control.
I despair Lord, I crumble, I am lowly.
You humble me by Your grace.
You allow affliction for Your glory and my good.
You allow me to fall, so that I will learn that it is while on my knees, on my face, that I can most clearly see the wonder of Your glory.
I thank You for reminding me I am lower than dust.
I am unworthy.
I am despicable.
I am a sinner.
I thank You Lord for not leaving me there.
Thank You dear Lord Jesus, You have redeemed me.
You have cleansed me, so that I can stand by Your side.
You have allowed me to be Your daughter, oh God.
You have allowed me to fall down, that I may lift my eyes up.
Teach my heart Your truth.
Teach my heart Your love oh Lord.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
You alone are worthy.
You gather Your lamb in Your arms
You gently lead me.
Bring me back to You.
You will renew my strength, strength alone is in You.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
You, oh God, alone are worthy of all glory, honor, praise and love.
May the eyes of my heart be fixed on You, my Savior and Father.
May my heart sing Your praises.
In my weakness, You are strong.
You have delivered me from darkness
May my eyes stay fixed upon the Life, the Light, the Love, the Lord of my salvation.
You work all things for my good, and for Your glory.
Thank You dear Father, Savior, Redeem, Joy and Life.
You are good.
Amen
That I too often try to hold onto control.
I despair Lord, I crumble, I am lowly.
You humble me by Your grace.
You allow affliction for Your glory and my good.
You allow me to fall, so that I will learn that it is while on my knees, on my face, that I can most clearly see the wonder of Your glory.
I thank You for reminding me I am lower than dust.
I am unworthy.
I am despicable.
I am a sinner.
I thank You Lord for not leaving me there.
Thank You dear Lord Jesus, You have redeemed me.
You have cleansed me, so that I can stand by Your side.
You have allowed me to be Your daughter, oh God.
You have allowed me to fall down, that I may lift my eyes up.
Teach my heart Your truth.
Teach my heart Your love oh Lord.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
You alone are worthy.
You gather Your lamb in Your arms
You gently lead me.
Bring me back to You.
You will renew my strength, strength alone is in You.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
You, oh God, alone are worthy of all glory, honor, praise and love.
May the eyes of my heart be fixed on You, my Savior and Father.
May my heart sing Your praises.
In my weakness, You are strong.
You have delivered me from darkness
May my eyes stay fixed upon the Life, the Light, the Love, the Lord of my salvation.
You work all things for my good, and for Your glory.
Thank You dear Father, Savior, Redeem, Joy and Life.
You are good.
Amen
Monday, September 19, 2011
well?
"The fear of the LORD is the BEGINNING of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding" (Psalm 111:10)...But..."There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).
As we grow in His love, we realize that we will not have the punishment due to us, because of His glorious sacrifice. So whom and what shall we fear? We will not have to fear. As we become perfected in and by His love, we lose the fear of punishment.
There will still be awe, stunning, beauty that leaves us speechless. Our respect for our glorious father shall increase, our understanding of our depravity will become clearer to us. But we shall not fear in the sense that we expect to be cast away. Do we deserve it? Absolutely. But we have access to the great, free gift of mercy. Thanks be to God!
Lord, You are so good. Why do You love me? I am so lowly and dirty. Yet You love me, You give me Your peace that surpasses understanding, and is everlasting. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. I am undeserving of all good and deserving of all punishment, yet, I receive goodness, love, blessings, kindness. You are good. You have given me good gifts. Thank You. You are glorious. You alone are worthy. Thank You for Your love.
With love, to Love,
in Your wonderful glorious name,
Amen.
As we grow in His love, we realize that we will not have the punishment due to us, because of His glorious sacrifice. So whom and what shall we fear? We will not have to fear. As we become perfected in and by His love, we lose the fear of punishment.
There will still be awe, stunning, beauty that leaves us speechless. Our respect for our glorious father shall increase, our understanding of our depravity will become clearer to us. But we shall not fear in the sense that we expect to be cast away. Do we deserve it? Absolutely. But we have access to the great, free gift of mercy. Thanks be to God!
Lord, You are so good. Why do You love me? I am so lowly and dirty. Yet You love me, You give me Your peace that surpasses understanding, and is everlasting. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. I am undeserving of all good and deserving of all punishment, yet, I receive goodness, love, blessings, kindness. You are good. You have given me good gifts. Thank You. You are glorious. You alone are worthy. Thank You for Your love.
With love, to Love,
in Your wonderful glorious name,
Amen.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Repeating Truth, so that my heart will learn to recognize it.
I had a conversation a few weeks ago with a good friend of mine, and here for a few of the ideas/thoughts/things that came out of it:
Relationships, our stupidity in them and sin, can be very frustrating. It is so hard to do things the right way, in the right timing, however it is so beautiful when that is the case. It is so much harder to do things the wrong way. We easily get deceived that giving in is much easier, but if we ever genuinely evaluate a situation, we see this is not truth. God's timing is always best. To trust that means to daily lay our desires in His hands. It means laying down the cross of relationships (romantic and otherwise) in His hands, and saying "Lord I trust You with the most precious things to me". I have to stress, this is a DAILY thing. Sometimes even hourly. "Lord, I give you my day today. I know You are good and I trust and rejoice in that truth". I have to repeat this, so that my heart will learn to recognize the truth.
In addition it is good to recognize that for those who do not know our Lord, Love Himself, they are even more easily deceived that those of us, whom God has blessed to already become His children. Without Him (the source of Life and Love)what you would feel would be nothing...in the sense of there being no point, only confusion, sadness, despair. And the point is every girl who knows not the savior is in that position which is why the run to boys to help them not be scared, to not feel alone. Its something to keep in mind when talking to girls who do not believe, or refuse to, in God. To realize that if we were in their place, our emotions would control us, for without God we can do nothing, but with God we can do all things.
In God is the ability to overcome.
Lord, I thank You for the privileged and blessing it is to know You. To be loved by You, and be able to love You in return (no matter how inadequate love from me may be). That You give me the resources to be able to please You, for in it of myself I can do nothing good. I thank You for the relationships You have put in my life. Help me to continually hand them back to You...to lay them at Your feet. You are love, power, majesty. You alone are worthy of all praise. The alpha and omega. All that is good. I thank You for the gift of Your Son, and the gift to be called Your daughter.
With love, to Love.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Relationships, our stupidity in them and sin, can be very frustrating. It is so hard to do things the right way, in the right timing, however it is so beautiful when that is the case. It is so much harder to do things the wrong way. We easily get deceived that giving in is much easier, but if we ever genuinely evaluate a situation, we see this is not truth. God's timing is always best. To trust that means to daily lay our desires in His hands. It means laying down the cross of relationships (romantic and otherwise) in His hands, and saying "Lord I trust You with the most precious things to me". I have to stress, this is a DAILY thing. Sometimes even hourly. "Lord, I give you my day today. I know You are good and I trust and rejoice in that truth". I have to repeat this, so that my heart will learn to recognize the truth.
In addition it is good to recognize that for those who do not know our Lord, Love Himself, they are even more easily deceived that those of us, whom God has blessed to already become His children. Without Him (the source of Life and Love)what you would feel would be nothing...in the sense of there being no point, only confusion, sadness, despair. And the point is every girl who knows not the savior is in that position which is why the run to boys to help them not be scared, to not feel alone. Its something to keep in mind when talking to girls who do not believe, or refuse to, in God. To realize that if we were in their place, our emotions would control us, for without God we can do nothing, but with God we can do all things.
In God is the ability to overcome.
Lord, I thank You for the privileged and blessing it is to know You. To be loved by You, and be able to love You in return (no matter how inadequate love from me may be). That You give me the resources to be able to please You, for in it of myself I can do nothing good. I thank You for the relationships You have put in my life. Help me to continually hand them back to You...to lay them at Your feet. You are love, power, majesty. You alone are worthy of all praise. The alpha and omega. All that is good. I thank You for the gift of Your Son, and the gift to be called Your daughter.
With love, to Love.
In Jesus name, Amen.
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