It's no secret that Luke and I have had a strong conviction to make this Christmas totally different than any other Christmas in our past. This conviction came from a place of year after year going through all of the "excitement" of the season only to be left empty. I have heard so many say that they get depressed after the holidays are over. While all of the presents, food, family and games are all fun and great they are gone so quickly and you are left with a bunch of empty boxes and an extra 5 lbs. I know that there is so much more. My heart knows there is so much more and I am deeply convicted that I have made the celebration of the greatest gift mankind has ever received into something about me. So we have began a journey, our little family is going to seek solitude in the midst of chaos. What we want for Christmas is Jesus. Nothing more, nothing less. Because we know He is all that satisfies. We are unsure how this is going to look in years to come, but we know we want to give our children a piece of treasure that they can pass down to their children.. the real heart of Christmas. As this world changes, Christmas in America has nothing to do with Christ. If you don't believe me turn on your television. There is less and less "grey area". Believers are going to have to start taking a stand otherwise, generations to come will have to research Christmas to ever know it had anything to do with Jesus.
This step of faith we have taken has endured much persecution and for that we rejoice. Jesus has my heart and with that all my devotion. Because of a tiny baby that came to this world to grow, minister, die and then overcome, I am fully accepted by the Father. Understanding that I am fully accepted by my Father changes the response of my heart when I am rejected by man. That precious gift is the one I am most thankful for. He is my treasure and my prayer is that He would be yours also. Nothing else satisfies.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
where is your heart?
With all that God has been doing in our life lately, it comes as no surprise that Satan has put his attacks in over-drive. It would be very easy for me to start doubting and wondering if this is really what God is calling us to do. But I know my Father's voice and I know that this is His doing. I will rest in that. God knows we are made from dust. In the midst of the enemy's fit throwing, He is so gracious to continuously give us encouragement through confirmation. It's like a huge storm of doubts and questions roll in and He parts the clouds for a moment to shine his radiant smile into my heart and in an instant I feel Him saying "press on my sweet child and believe".
These past few days have been so busy and I have failed to find my special time to sit with Jesus. I pray in the morning and throughout the day but I schedule out a specific time with just He and I. In this time my heart is laid open bare and He speaks. Without this time, no one on the planet would want to be around me (no, really). This is my time of peace and restoration. So after a couple of days of not having this time, I couldn't get there quick enough today! I fell to my face and just told Him my heart and asked Him to show me His. He is such a wonderful and gracious God. I know that the only reason I desire so much to know His heart is because He put that desire there.
I then opened His Word and began to read. I turned to John chapter 7 about Jesus going to the Feast of Tabernacles. Overall, what stood out to me was the judgements and reactions that Jesus faced. We who have grown up in church know the stories of how Jesus was persecuted. Some believed He was the Christ, some a prophet and some thought He was demon-possessed. Although I have known this, there was a freshness that God gave me today. Jesus first of all did ONLY what the Father told Him to do. He spoke on God's behalf and for the glory of God not for himself. When He did this there were so many mixed reactions. I have been so guilty in the past of letting the judgments of others effect my view of myself and my decisions. Thank you Jesus that I have become much stronger in that area.
Another thing that stood out is His response to their accusations. I am "blessed" to be often put in conversations that are extremely frustrating. Those that breed frustration by pride and arrogance. The inability to actually listen because they are too worried about being "right" and making sure they feel superior. I am not at all threatened by this because I know my position as a child of God. But boy do I ever hate to be misunderstood! I have an ever-present urgency to try to make everyone understand my heart instead of just resting in who I am in Christ and letting Him make His love visible. I have a tendency to get frustrated in the conversations and act on emotions. I desire so much to respond like Jesus. He knew who He was and He knew not everyone was going to believe, but He loved them anyways. He called some a brood of vipers (yikes). He spoke truth with no apologies but He loved. I so desire to achieve this balance.
The bottom line is He knew what He came for. He did the will of the Father and did it perfectly. He knows that it hurts me when people misunderstand me and insult me but He told me to rejoice! All I need to do is keep my eyes on Him and remain in the Spirit.
I started thinking about the time of Jesus on this earth. Some loved him, some hated him, some believed in him, some tried to kill him but through it all He did the will of the Father. In the "Bible-belt" we have the tendency to grow up thinking that we can be like Jesus and still have everyone speak highly of you and life will be just grand. The truth is His word says the opposite. Luke 6:26 says "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.". Jesus was persecuted and you think you can live like Him and not endure that? If you believe that then you and I are not reading the same Bible. The truth is the gospel is offensive to the flesh. It is a light that exposes the darkness of this world. The more you look like Jesus the more this world is going to hate you. If you are living a comfortable little "Christian" life with no persecutions of any kind, I encourage you to evaluate your heart. Have you really given Him everything? Are you willing to go and do whatever the Father asks? What do you love more your comfort or Jesus? I say this not only to you but to me also!
His servant,
Melissa
These past few days have been so busy and I have failed to find my special time to sit with Jesus. I pray in the morning and throughout the day but I schedule out a specific time with just He and I. In this time my heart is laid open bare and He speaks. Without this time, no one on the planet would want to be around me (no, really). This is my time of peace and restoration. So after a couple of days of not having this time, I couldn't get there quick enough today! I fell to my face and just told Him my heart and asked Him to show me His. He is such a wonderful and gracious God. I know that the only reason I desire so much to know His heart is because He put that desire there.
I then opened His Word and began to read. I turned to John chapter 7 about Jesus going to the Feast of Tabernacles. Overall, what stood out to me was the judgements and reactions that Jesus faced. We who have grown up in church know the stories of how Jesus was persecuted. Some believed He was the Christ, some a prophet and some thought He was demon-possessed. Although I have known this, there was a freshness that God gave me today. Jesus first of all did ONLY what the Father told Him to do. He spoke on God's behalf and for the glory of God not for himself. When He did this there were so many mixed reactions. I have been so guilty in the past of letting the judgments of others effect my view of myself and my decisions. Thank you Jesus that I have become much stronger in that area.
Another thing that stood out is His response to their accusations. I am "blessed" to be often put in conversations that are extremely frustrating. Those that breed frustration by pride and arrogance. The inability to actually listen because they are too worried about being "right" and making sure they feel superior. I am not at all threatened by this because I know my position as a child of God. But boy do I ever hate to be misunderstood! I have an ever-present urgency to try to make everyone understand my heart instead of just resting in who I am in Christ and letting Him make His love visible. I have a tendency to get frustrated in the conversations and act on emotions. I desire so much to respond like Jesus. He knew who He was and He knew not everyone was going to believe, but He loved them anyways. He called some a brood of vipers (yikes). He spoke truth with no apologies but He loved. I so desire to achieve this balance.
The bottom line is He knew what He came for. He did the will of the Father and did it perfectly. He knows that it hurts me when people misunderstand me and insult me but He told me to rejoice! All I need to do is keep my eyes on Him and remain in the Spirit.
I started thinking about the time of Jesus on this earth. Some loved him, some hated him, some believed in him, some tried to kill him but through it all He did the will of the Father. In the "Bible-belt" we have the tendency to grow up thinking that we can be like Jesus and still have everyone speak highly of you and life will be just grand. The truth is His word says the opposite. Luke 6:26 says "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.". Jesus was persecuted and you think you can live like Him and not endure that? If you believe that then you and I are not reading the same Bible. The truth is the gospel is offensive to the flesh. It is a light that exposes the darkness of this world. The more you look like Jesus the more this world is going to hate you. If you are living a comfortable little "Christian" life with no persecutions of any kind, I encourage you to evaluate your heart. Have you really given Him everything? Are you willing to go and do whatever the Father asks? What do you love more your comfort or Jesus? I say this not only to you but to me also!
His servant,
Melissa
Monday, July 25, 2011
I have figured out what Victoria's Secret is..
Can I just say.. I'm ticked. That's right.. Melissa Gayle is ticked off. Who am I ticked at? Well, I'm so glad you asked.. I'm severely ticked off at Miss Victoria. Don't worry, im not slandering someone on the web, only voicing my strong opposition to the advertising campaign of Victoria's Secret. Since when is it okay to mail out soft core porn and call it a catalog? Granted, they mail those out to me every month because up until this point that was my go to place for all things underwear.. but it has recently hit me between the eyes just what Victoria's Secret is.. her secret is that she, like so many other things, is being used by Satan to creep into our homes and cause women to feel less than and men to lust. THAT IS NOT OKAY WITH ME! There are still men in this world who fear God almighty and want to honor their wives. This is a no doubt battle in this society of naked women plastered everywhere. Ladies, get this mess out of your house! Don't get the catalog in the mail and then leave it in the magazine basket by the toilet for your husband to have to battle the temptation to lust while he is taking a poop for crying out loud! We have got to aid our husbands in this battle.. don't be dumb to the fact that this is every mans battle.. as women who love God and love our husbands we must be a help and not a hindrance!
Also, I would love to be able to walk down the mall with my family without huge Goliath sized pictures of naked, airbrushed women shoved in our faces! FIRST of all I don't want to see your boobs.. I realize that there are many pervs out there who do.. and they can usually be found in a huddle right outside the doors.. but I don't! SECOND of all, DO NOT shove the message to my precious little girl, that she must look like that in order to be found beautiful! She was made absolutely perfect by her Heavenly Father and is His beautiful creation! Okay, allow me just take a second right here and say.. Ladies, I know what it is like to be sorting the mail sporting a t-shirt stained with peanut butter and jelly, your lovely hair in a nest on top of your head and wonderful coffee breath. You come across a Victoria Secret catalog and open it to find a plethora of 9 ft sticks with plastic boobs and airbrushed bodies sprawled out over a sandy beach wearing dental floss that they call "Very Sexy Bikinis". Okay, by this point you are feeling anything but "very sexy". Que ole fart head Satan who proceeds to tell you the lie he is always telling us women "You are not enough." Can I just say something from the bottom of my heart? Tell him to SHUT UP! (That is a no-no word in the Richardson house unless it is directed towards Satan.) Your heavenly Father created you absolutely beautiful! Find your security and worth in Him alone! Satan cant EVER take that away from you. He may try to deceive you into thinking he can.. but he cant. THIRD of all, my 3 year old son will soon enough be a young man... where do you get off plastering these images on your store front windows to catch his innocent little eye and cause him to lust. SHAME ON YOU. Shame on me for ever supporting your store.
Call me a prude.. if you haven't picked up on the tone of this blog.. I really don't care.. I will stand for purity, dignity and the protection of our minds! So Victoria, do me a favor, put some clothes on and leave our families alone.
Also, I would love to be able to walk down the mall with my family without huge Goliath sized pictures of naked, airbrushed women shoved in our faces! FIRST of all I don't want to see your boobs.. I realize that there are many pervs out there who do.. and they can usually be found in a huddle right outside the doors.. but I don't! SECOND of all, DO NOT shove the message to my precious little girl, that she must look like that in order to be found beautiful! She was made absolutely perfect by her Heavenly Father and is His beautiful creation! Okay, allow me just take a second right here and say.. Ladies, I know what it is like to be sorting the mail sporting a t-shirt stained with peanut butter and jelly, your lovely hair in a nest on top of your head and wonderful coffee breath. You come across a Victoria Secret catalog and open it to find a plethora of 9 ft sticks with plastic boobs and airbrushed bodies sprawled out over a sandy beach wearing dental floss that they call "Very Sexy Bikinis". Okay, by this point you are feeling anything but "very sexy". Que ole fart head Satan who proceeds to tell you the lie he is always telling us women "You are not enough." Can I just say something from the bottom of my heart? Tell him to SHUT UP! (That is a no-no word in the Richardson house unless it is directed towards Satan.) Your heavenly Father created you absolutely beautiful! Find your security and worth in Him alone! Satan cant EVER take that away from you. He may try to deceive you into thinking he can.. but he cant. THIRD of all, my 3 year old son will soon enough be a young man... where do you get off plastering these images on your store front windows to catch his innocent little eye and cause him to lust. SHAME ON YOU. Shame on me for ever supporting your store.
Call me a prude.. if you haven't picked up on the tone of this blog.. I really don't care.. I will stand for purity, dignity and the protection of our minds! So Victoria, do me a favor, put some clothes on and leave our families alone.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Lukewarm
Revelation 3:15-18
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
This is the letter to the church of Laodicea. Laodicea was the wealthiest of all the cities that Jesus addressed in Revelation. It was known for its banks, commerce, clothing and medical school that invented the salve that they put on their eyes to cure diseases. Although it was rich, it had a poor water supply. An aqueduct had been built to bring water to the city from a hot spring, but by the time it reached the city it was neither hot nor cold it was lukewarm and full of impurities that made it taste terrible.
I have been doing a study of the book of Revelation. After reading the seven letters to the churches, this is the letter that sounded so familiar to the country we live in today. The Laodiceans had everything but Jesus. They were so prideful in their money and science. They carried the attitude that they did not need God. I find this is the same attitude as most of America.
I was thinking today about verse 16... bear with me but I was thinking about lukewarm water. I started thinking about bacteria growth in lukewarm water so I researched it a little and found that most bacteria thrives at temperatures between 77 and 104 degrees. How interesting... also as most know, when you freeze water it slows the growth of bacteria and of course, when you boil it it kills the bacteria. So Jesus was referring to the spiritual state of the church when he told them that they were lukewarm. Is it any surprise that the creator would know this fact when he made this statement? Bacteria wasn't first observed until 1676 by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (sorry I had to copy and paste that brothers name lol). So you ask Melissa where are you going with this? Okay, my heart is so broken over the "lukewarmness" of the majority of churches in this country! We need an awakening!! Why is it so rare to find a believer who bears the name of Christ and actually lives for him?! I am not trying to be judgemental or condemning but growing up in the Bible belt where everyone is a Christian because they attend church every Sunday and then go out and live like the devil the rest of the week is the most detrimental thing to the Church of Jesus! It is like a breeding bacteria that turns more nonbelievers away from Christ than anything else. If your heart is cold to God and you are a self-proclaimed non believer then other non believers know that and are not surprised when you don't live like Christ. When one is on fire for God and is completely surrendered to Christ.. every bit of their being is consumed with Christ and walking in the Spirit.. in truth and love.. they are magnetic and bring God glory. They don't resemble the rest of the world. However, those that say they are Christians.. they say that they know Him yet live and look just like the rest of the world are a poison to the church. When someone who does not know him, sees this type of "Christian" they say "Why in the world would I need that?" Can I say I do not blame them?! As I said before, I am not trying to be condemning but come on people wake up! This is not a game and you are being a hindrance. Its not about you or me.. its about Christ and people are hurting and need Him. Stop playing games.
Verse 18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
I believe the gold he is referring to is "knowing him". The more fire we endure the more our hearts are refined and the closer we become to the Father. He burns away all of "us" and gives us all of Him. Praise you Jesus! Thank you!
Secondly, I believe the white clothes to cover our shameful nakedness is His grace. We are all shameful and naked until we are washed in the blood of Christ and instead of wearing our old flesh He gives us the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.. as Luke Allen calls it the "new man". Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy! Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit! Best outfit I have ever owned! (and it was free!!!!)
Lastly, the salve is the wisdom of God. Only God can give you the eyes to see Him. The wisdom that only comes from Him. Ask Him to reveal the secrets of His heart.. He will. "For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding!" Proverbs 2:6
We believers are all in the refining process but thank you God you gave us the Holy Spirit :)
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
This is the letter to the church of Laodicea. Laodicea was the wealthiest of all the cities that Jesus addressed in Revelation. It was known for its banks, commerce, clothing and medical school that invented the salve that they put on their eyes to cure diseases. Although it was rich, it had a poor water supply. An aqueduct had been built to bring water to the city from a hot spring, but by the time it reached the city it was neither hot nor cold it was lukewarm and full of impurities that made it taste terrible.
I have been doing a study of the book of Revelation. After reading the seven letters to the churches, this is the letter that sounded so familiar to the country we live in today. The Laodiceans had everything but Jesus. They were so prideful in their money and science. They carried the attitude that they did not need God. I find this is the same attitude as most of America.
I was thinking today about verse 16... bear with me but I was thinking about lukewarm water. I started thinking about bacteria growth in lukewarm water so I researched it a little and found that most bacteria thrives at temperatures between 77 and 104 degrees. How interesting... also as most know, when you freeze water it slows the growth of bacteria and of course, when you boil it it kills the bacteria. So Jesus was referring to the spiritual state of the church when he told them that they were lukewarm. Is it any surprise that the creator would know this fact when he made this statement? Bacteria wasn't first observed until 1676 by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (sorry I had to copy and paste that brothers name lol). So you ask Melissa where are you going with this? Okay, my heart is so broken over the "lukewarmness" of the majority of churches in this country! We need an awakening!! Why is it so rare to find a believer who bears the name of Christ and actually lives for him?! I am not trying to be judgemental or condemning but growing up in the Bible belt where everyone is a Christian because they attend church every Sunday and then go out and live like the devil the rest of the week is the most detrimental thing to the Church of Jesus! It is like a breeding bacteria that turns more nonbelievers away from Christ than anything else. If your heart is cold to God and you are a self-proclaimed non believer then other non believers know that and are not surprised when you don't live like Christ. When one is on fire for God and is completely surrendered to Christ.. every bit of their being is consumed with Christ and walking in the Spirit.. in truth and love.. they are magnetic and bring God glory. They don't resemble the rest of the world. However, those that say they are Christians.. they say that they know Him yet live and look just like the rest of the world are a poison to the church. When someone who does not know him, sees this type of "Christian" they say "Why in the world would I need that?" Can I say I do not blame them?! As I said before, I am not trying to be condemning but come on people wake up! This is not a game and you are being a hindrance. Its not about you or me.. its about Christ and people are hurting and need Him. Stop playing games.
Verse 18 "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see."
I believe the gold he is referring to is "knowing him". The more fire we endure the more our hearts are refined and the closer we become to the Father. He burns away all of "us" and gives us all of Him. Praise you Jesus! Thank you!
Secondly, I believe the white clothes to cover our shameful nakedness is His grace. We are all shameful and naked until we are washed in the blood of Christ and instead of wearing our old flesh He gives us the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.. as Luke Allen calls it the "new man". Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy! Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit! Best outfit I have ever owned! (and it was free!!!!)
Lastly, the salve is the wisdom of God. Only God can give you the eyes to see Him. The wisdom that only comes from Him. Ask Him to reveal the secrets of His heart.. He will. "For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding!" Proverbs 2:6
We believers are all in the refining process but thank you God you gave us the Holy Spirit :)
Monday, June 20, 2011
free from perfection
"Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called to them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:21-22
One would assume that day to be a lot like every other, Daddy Zebedee training his two sons in the family business. In walks Jesus and with just a few words and Zebedee's two sons are gone. I can only imagine what Zebedee's reaction must have been. Did he ask his sons "Where in the world are you going?!" "I am your Father! How can you just leave me?!" I wonder if he went home and told his wife, "Hunny, John and James have lost it". I wonder what her reaction was? Scripture doesn't tell us. Honestly, I have read this passage many, many times and I have often said to myself "Wow, I wonder if I would have turned my back on everything I had ever known.. all the plans that were laid before me and answered that call." Just recently that question was answered for me. Yes. Not because of my holiness but only because He is Jesus and at the sound of Him calling my name He had my heart.
As God reveals to me more and more His precious truths, the more I see so many things that I held dear, so many things that I longed for are not at all what I should treasure. Family. Everyone has a story, everyone has their issues. I will spare the details and just say that this very strong willed little girl grew up proclaiming "One day I will have a home of peace! I will never abandon or turn my back on my children! I will raise them in a godly home!" Well here I am. I am blessed beyond measure with a husband who loves Jesus and is on mission and two precious souls I have the opportunity to love and raise up in Christ. Somewhere along the way, my desire to do things differently became an idol that I put in place of where my desire to do ALL things for God's glory should be. I wanted to be the perfect mother and wife. Not for others, but because I wanted to give my children something better. Or maybe I should say, I never wanted them to experience the hurt and lonliness that I felt growing up. Although, you would think these are good motives with good intentions, still they are not done for the glory of God. Being convicted, I fell on my face in repentance. I fell a woman in chains of perfection and rose a woman of freedom in Christ. Since then I have been free to love my family like Jesus. Before I was always critiquing every word or action and because I am broken flesh that left me with a lot of frustration and disappointment. I ask God every morning to help me love my children the way He loves them. I pray that their little eyes would see His love shining through me. His love through patience with their catastrophes. His love through disciplining disobedience. His love through comforting a broken heart or a boo boo. His love through patience with people who don't know how to drive. His love through putting my plans on hold to help others. This is my heart's desire. I know that I am but dust and I will fall but by the power of the Holy Spirit I have everything living on the inside of me for all Godliness! Praise Jesus! Oh Lord I pray I never again get in the way!
Now, when Elijah, Halle or any other children God blesses us with comes to us when they are older and says, "Dad, Mom God has called me to move to Africa to share Jesus." I will remember ole' Zebedee and remind myself that they aren't mine and it's not about me. And of course say "When do we leave?" lol.
One would assume that day to be a lot like every other, Daddy Zebedee training his two sons in the family business. In walks Jesus and with just a few words and Zebedee's two sons are gone. I can only imagine what Zebedee's reaction must have been. Did he ask his sons "Where in the world are you going?!" "I am your Father! How can you just leave me?!" I wonder if he went home and told his wife, "Hunny, John and James have lost it". I wonder what her reaction was? Scripture doesn't tell us. Honestly, I have read this passage many, many times and I have often said to myself "Wow, I wonder if I would have turned my back on everything I had ever known.. all the plans that were laid before me and answered that call." Just recently that question was answered for me. Yes. Not because of my holiness but only because He is Jesus and at the sound of Him calling my name He had my heart.
As God reveals to me more and more His precious truths, the more I see so many things that I held dear, so many things that I longed for are not at all what I should treasure. Family. Everyone has a story, everyone has their issues. I will spare the details and just say that this very strong willed little girl grew up proclaiming "One day I will have a home of peace! I will never abandon or turn my back on my children! I will raise them in a godly home!" Well here I am. I am blessed beyond measure with a husband who loves Jesus and is on mission and two precious souls I have the opportunity to love and raise up in Christ. Somewhere along the way, my desire to do things differently became an idol that I put in place of where my desire to do ALL things for God's glory should be. I wanted to be the perfect mother and wife. Not for others, but because I wanted to give my children something better. Or maybe I should say, I never wanted them to experience the hurt and lonliness that I felt growing up. Although, you would think these are good motives with good intentions, still they are not done for the glory of God. Being convicted, I fell on my face in repentance. I fell a woman in chains of perfection and rose a woman of freedom in Christ. Since then I have been free to love my family like Jesus. Before I was always critiquing every word or action and because I am broken flesh that left me with a lot of frustration and disappointment. I ask God every morning to help me love my children the way He loves them. I pray that their little eyes would see His love shining through me. His love through patience with their catastrophes. His love through disciplining disobedience. His love through comforting a broken heart or a boo boo. His love through patience with people who don't know how to drive. His love through putting my plans on hold to help others. This is my heart's desire. I know that I am but dust and I will fall but by the power of the Holy Spirit I have everything living on the inside of me for all Godliness! Praise Jesus! Oh Lord I pray I never again get in the way!
Now, when Elijah, Halle or any other children God blesses us with comes to us when they are older and says, "Dad, Mom God has called me to move to Africa to share Jesus." I will remember ole' Zebedee and remind myself that they aren't mine and it's not about me. And of course say "When do we leave?" lol.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Rend your hearts
Joel 2:13
"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
One of my greatest struggles in this crazy busy life is time management. The days just don't seem to have enough hours in them... especially for sleep. This world gets faster and faster. I don't remember life ever being like this when I was a kid. Everything is instant.. instant message.. emails.. phone calls... texting... instant oatmeal for crying out loud... although all of these things are convenient.. it can begin to feel suffocating. When you are doing all you can to serve... be a good parent and spouse... friend... sister.. it begins to feel like that gnat that wont leave you alone. The other day ... I had my hands full... Halle was fussing... the t.v. was blaring and I was trying to buckle Elijah in the car seat and of course my cell phone starts blowing up... Elijah looked at me and said "Mommy do you want to throw your phone in the river?" lol I said "Yes sir I do" Something tells me he has heard me say that a time or two... Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way...
Today I was talking to the Lord about how my mind was so clouded with thoughts of all the stuff I had coming up... trying not to forget anything... and I couldn't focus on my time with Him... He led me to Joel 2:13... This was after Israel had turned away from God... The Lord says "return to me with all of your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." (Joel 2:12) Then He goes on to say "Rend your heart and not your garments" . In that day Israelites would tear their clothes as an outside expression of pain and sorrow...I could go on and on about this reference and how it applies to the text and to us today but the bottom line is this... He is more interested in their inside than the outside... if the inside is right ... the outside will follow.
More than sacrifice... more than service.. more than anything God wants our hearts. How amazing is that... In a work work work world... God says "I want your heart" .. Our time can be packed full of "good stuff" but if we neglect to give our hearts to Him daily we have missed the point. What a wonderful God.
"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
One of my greatest struggles in this crazy busy life is time management. The days just don't seem to have enough hours in them... especially for sleep. This world gets faster and faster. I don't remember life ever being like this when I was a kid. Everything is instant.. instant message.. emails.. phone calls... texting... instant oatmeal for crying out loud... although all of these things are convenient.. it can begin to feel suffocating. When you are doing all you can to serve... be a good parent and spouse... friend... sister.. it begins to feel like that gnat that wont leave you alone. The other day ... I had my hands full... Halle was fussing... the t.v. was blaring and I was trying to buckle Elijah in the car seat and of course my cell phone starts blowing up... Elijah looked at me and said "Mommy do you want to throw your phone in the river?" lol I said "Yes sir I do" Something tells me he has heard me say that a time or two... Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way...
Today I was talking to the Lord about how my mind was so clouded with thoughts of all the stuff I had coming up... trying not to forget anything... and I couldn't focus on my time with Him... He led me to Joel 2:13... This was after Israel had turned away from God... The Lord says "return to me with all of your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." (Joel 2:12) Then He goes on to say "Rend your heart and not your garments" . In that day Israelites would tear their clothes as an outside expression of pain and sorrow...I could go on and on about this reference and how it applies to the text and to us today but the bottom line is this... He is more interested in their inside than the outside... if the inside is right ... the outside will follow.
More than sacrifice... more than service.. more than anything God wants our hearts. How amazing is that... In a work work work world... God says "I want your heart" .. Our time can be packed full of "good stuff" but if we neglect to give our hearts to Him daily we have missed the point. What a wonderful God.
Monday, April 11, 2011
another facet of grace
The Word says that it's not by the work of man but by grace we are saved. (Ephesians 2:8) It is a gift that cannot be earned. This is something that God has revealed to me in the past but in the recent days, He has enlightened me to a whole new facet of this truth.
I am a stay at home mommy of two precious gifts of God. I am living my dream. This is what I have always wanted to be and I am so greatly appreciative that God has allowed me to be home with these kiddos. That being said, being a mom is quite exhausting and time consuming. You are in high-demand. Halle has been such a light to our lives. She is hilarious and precious and I already see that the Lord has answered my prayers and has blessed us with such a special mother-daughter relationship and bond. Her strong attachment to me has been so extremely demanding. This is not a complaint because as I said, this is an answered prayer, but this has left me in a struggle, over the past year, to get in a solid routine to spend time studying the Word and in prayer. I am a scheduled person. I like routine. Well Halle doesn't lol. I used to do it every day, at the same time, when Elijah napped. Well I tried that with Halle... she would throw a fit. I tried getting up at 5 am. This worked for a couple of weeks until she started waking up with me. Ha! Its like she can sense when I am awake!
I finally just went before the Lord with my frustration. In the past, I would condemn myself if I missed a day of my study time. I would feel distant from God... like He was mad at me or something. He showed me it is not about what I DO. He freed me from the sick cycle of the spiritual highs and lows caused by self-condemnation and showed me how to rest in Him and who I am in Christ. Since then my life and walk has changed dramatically. He unravelled a condemning message of works and "earn your salvation" that I had been fed all my life... but I wont go into that.. another day... another sermon lol.
Well over the past few weeks I have been so extremely busy.. there have been a few days where I said "Wow God, thank you so much... You allowed me to get all this stuff done in one day.. where my hours didn't match my accomplishments..." I have been grabbing time in the Word whenever I get a quiet second.. this may be 5 minutes or 20 minutes... or maybe no reading at all... but I have started my day mindful of Him.. asking Him to live through me.. truly dieing to myself and asking the Spirit to live through me for the day... acknowledging that I cant be the wife, mom, friend that I desire to be unless He does.
This is what I have found... despite how crazy my schedule is... I have remained so close and steadfast in Him. I am so extremely in love and captivated my Jesus. Its become less about scheduling and more about remaining in Christ... the revelations of God and the blessings of communion with Him is just that a blessing... a gift.. which we have because of who we are in Christ! Not because of what I do (with the exception of unconfessed sin)... which leads me to this... once again I find another ritualistic check box that I have been a slave to.. Its not how much I "study" its about remaining in Him. In no way am I down playing the utmost importance of saturating yourself in the Word ... I am just saying that doesn't save you.. beware of the boxes you check! This is a passage that the Lord has continuously led me to over the past few weeks and I didn't really understand why until now... I have committed myself to memorize this and more importantly LIVE IT!
John 15: 1-5
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoke to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
I am a stay at home mommy of two precious gifts of God. I am living my dream. This is what I have always wanted to be and I am so greatly appreciative that God has allowed me to be home with these kiddos. That being said, being a mom is quite exhausting and time consuming. You are in high-demand. Halle has been such a light to our lives. She is hilarious and precious and I already see that the Lord has answered my prayers and has blessed us with such a special mother-daughter relationship and bond. Her strong attachment to me has been so extremely demanding. This is not a complaint because as I said, this is an answered prayer, but this has left me in a struggle, over the past year, to get in a solid routine to spend time studying the Word and in prayer. I am a scheduled person. I like routine. Well Halle doesn't lol. I used to do it every day, at the same time, when Elijah napped. Well I tried that with Halle... she would throw a fit. I tried getting up at 5 am. This worked for a couple of weeks until she started waking up with me. Ha! Its like she can sense when I am awake!
I finally just went before the Lord with my frustration. In the past, I would condemn myself if I missed a day of my study time. I would feel distant from God... like He was mad at me or something. He showed me it is not about what I DO. He freed me from the sick cycle of the spiritual highs and lows caused by self-condemnation and showed me how to rest in Him and who I am in Christ. Since then my life and walk has changed dramatically. He unravelled a condemning message of works and "earn your salvation" that I had been fed all my life... but I wont go into that.. another day... another sermon lol.
Well over the past few weeks I have been so extremely busy.. there have been a few days where I said "Wow God, thank you so much... You allowed me to get all this stuff done in one day.. where my hours didn't match my accomplishments..." I have been grabbing time in the Word whenever I get a quiet second.. this may be 5 minutes or 20 minutes... or maybe no reading at all... but I have started my day mindful of Him.. asking Him to live through me.. truly dieing to myself and asking the Spirit to live through me for the day... acknowledging that I cant be the wife, mom, friend that I desire to be unless He does.
This is what I have found... despite how crazy my schedule is... I have remained so close and steadfast in Him. I am so extremely in love and captivated my Jesus. Its become less about scheduling and more about remaining in Christ... the revelations of God and the blessings of communion with Him is just that a blessing... a gift.. which we have because of who we are in Christ! Not because of what I do (with the exception of unconfessed sin)... which leads me to this... once again I find another ritualistic check box that I have been a slave to.. Its not how much I "study" its about remaining in Him. In no way am I down playing the utmost importance of saturating yourself in the Word ... I am just saying that doesn't save you.. beware of the boxes you check! This is a passage that the Lord has continuously led me to over the past few weeks and I didn't really understand why until now... I have committed myself to memorize this and more importantly LIVE IT!
John 15: 1-5
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoke to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
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