I realize it has been a while since I've posted anything to this blog. It bothers me to a great extent. I very much want to be diligent and committed in this effort. And yet I have been distracted by changes in routine and travels over Spring break. But here's the truth - when I've thought about writing - I have been unmotivated and feel somewhat spiritually drained. I have no topic or "Godly inspiration" which moves me to share. But as I thought further on my situation - I found the topic was right in front of me. Why the void? Why the drain? The reason is simple. Building our faith takes time. It takes effort. Over the last couple of weeks I have neglected to read my Bible (the main faith building source available). I, also, generally have at least two other books going at the same from other Godly authors. I haven't been reading any of them. My Godly focus has been distracted by life and in a sense, I haven't been refueling my faith.
I set out to do this blog, in part, as an effort to build my faith - to help keep my faith strengthened. And ironically, even though I haven't been writing in it for a while - it still has managed to reveal to me the very thing I need most in order to build my faith. Time with God and time in His word. Life has seemed chaotic the last couple of weeks. I have not felt grounded or peaceful. My focus has been lost. But at least I know why! And the great thing is - it is a correctable condition. So I will pick up my Bible and reconnect with my God. It is that very connection that gives me strength, peace, and hope (precious gems that God longs to share with us).
Building faith is a process. It's not about one day having faith to match the physical strength of Samson. It's about being stronger one day than the previous day. It is undeniable that our faith will take hits. Sometimes it's about taking two steps forward and one step back. The more we go forward the less damage the steps back will create in their wake.
My tidbit for the day: Focus on God, not on life!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Abundant Living
Recently, I read a book which is about receiving abundant blessings from God. Although the book's main focus is on the blessings given as a result of financial giving, it touches on other areas of giving as well. The idea is that when we tithe we receive blessings. Furthermore, when we give over and beyond a tithe we receive abundant blessings. Reading the author's point of view led me down a thought process I would like to share with you.
I truly believe God wants us to be givers - not just of our money but of ourselves and of our time. It has been said that our money really belongs to God. I would argue that the same holds true of our time? Everything we have on this earth is a gift from our Creator - including time. Which do you suppose is more valuable to Him?
I would venture to guess our time is what God craves more. After all, where and how we spend our time is a greater reflection of what's in our hearts. Money can help with a human need (shelter, hunger, clothing) but time can heal a heart need. When you spend time with someone you make them feel valued. They feel good inside. Your time tells them they are important enough to take you away from something you might rather be doing. Think about what it says to your child when you turn off the TV and play with them. What does you sick neighbor think when you mow their lawn for them or run their errands for them? Or how does a lonely person feel when you make a road trip to spend time with them? On the other side, what does it say when you isolate yourselves from others (family, friends, neighbors, strangers)? Does God want us to touch the lives of others or ourselves?
I don't want to leave the impression that because time may be more valuable to God that we don't need to be concerned about financial giving. Tithing is very important on many levels. For one, I believe there is a work done in our spirit when we give financially. It's a work of trust. We continually need to be made aware that God is our provider and not money. In addition, it may be true that God doesn't need our money but He does use it. God uses money to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, provide medicines for the sick and the list goes on and on. Both ways of giving are important. It's just that one may speak to the heart more than the other.
I think it's rare for someone to be really good at giving in both of these areas. For some it is much easier to write a check than to give a loved one, a neighbor or stranger their time. For some it is much easier to give time than money. Either way - doing what isn't easy for us probably means stepping out of a comfort zone that may be holding us captive. I have a feeling that truly giving may be truly freeing.
For me, I would like to be a better giver. I would like the ability to give both time and money without ever cringing. I would like to say that nothing has that much of a hold on me - that losing it would be nothing compared to the greater joy of giving.
I truly believe God wants us to be givers - not just of our money but of ourselves and of our time. It has been said that our money really belongs to God. I would argue that the same holds true of our time? Everything we have on this earth is a gift from our Creator - including time. Which do you suppose is more valuable to Him?
I would venture to guess our time is what God craves more. After all, where and how we spend our time is a greater reflection of what's in our hearts. Money can help with a human need (shelter, hunger, clothing) but time can heal a heart need. When you spend time with someone you make them feel valued. They feel good inside. Your time tells them they are important enough to take you away from something you might rather be doing. Think about what it says to your child when you turn off the TV and play with them. What does you sick neighbor think when you mow their lawn for them or run their errands for them? Or how does a lonely person feel when you make a road trip to spend time with them? On the other side, what does it say when you isolate yourselves from others (family, friends, neighbors, strangers)? Does God want us to touch the lives of others or ourselves?
I don't want to leave the impression that because time may be more valuable to God that we don't need to be concerned about financial giving. Tithing is very important on many levels. For one, I believe there is a work done in our spirit when we give financially. It's a work of trust. We continually need to be made aware that God is our provider and not money. In addition, it may be true that God doesn't need our money but He does use it. God uses money to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, provide medicines for the sick and the list goes on and on. Both ways of giving are important. It's just that one may speak to the heart more than the other.
I think it's rare for someone to be really good at giving in both of these areas. For some it is much easier to write a check than to give a loved one, a neighbor or stranger their time. For some it is much easier to give time than money. Either way - doing what isn't easy for us probably means stepping out of a comfort zone that may be holding us captive. I have a feeling that truly giving may be truly freeing.
For me, I would like to be a better giver. I would like the ability to give both time and money without ever cringing. I would like to say that nothing has that much of a hold on me - that losing it would be nothing compared to the greater joy of giving.
But what about that abundant living? Let's say you faithfully tithe and your life is blessed as a result. That would be good, right? But what if there is a correlation between the giving of our finances and the giving of our time? What if they are tied together? What if you give financially and yet never give of your time (or vice versa)? On the other hand, what if you gave faithfully in both areas? Could that mean the difference between living a blessed life versus living an abundant life?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Secret of Being Content
"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." - Written by Paul in Philippians 4:12
I've read these words many times but one day one word in particular caught my attention. It was the word "secret". My thought was this: 'if there is a secret to being content, why didn't Paul share it with us?' Did he not think this was something valuable to know? Think of all the discontented people out there that could have taken that secret knowledge and made themselves content. I would venture to guess crime rates, suicide rates, road rage incidents, etc. would go down. I would also guess that people would smile more, yell less, and love better. The 'secret of being content' seems invaluable and yet it's buried deep in Paul's mind. Or is it? Maybe we were meant to search for the secret.
I started looking at Paul's life to see if I could figure out what it was that made him content. He clearly didn't travel the path of least resistance. After his conversion experience on the road to Damascus, he could have simply accepted Christ, retired from persecuting Christians, and lived out the rest of his life as a good person. But that would not do for this man. That would not have satisfied him. He would not have been, shall we say, content. Paul went full steam ahead sharing the message of Christ. He endured many trials and hardships along the way (he was imprisoned, shipwrecked, and snake bitten to name a few). We could try to argue that no one could possibly be content in those situations and yet Paul said those words. And I believe him. What was your secret, Paul?
Did it have to do with the choices he made? Life is full of forks in the road - choices that have to me made. Choice A might be less desirable and a little painful. Choice B sounds better. But in your spirit you know choosing Choice A will please God more. That's the choice Paul would have made (over and over). And the reason why, I believe, is because he recognized that pleasing God would bring him greater satisfaction than pleasing himself. Think about when you were a child and you did something that pleased your mom or dad. Or when as an employee you caught the thankful eye of your boss for something you did which wasn't altogether easy. The reward in your hard work was the feeling of pleasure your received in pleasing those who matter to you. And, frankly, who matters more than God? How much greater is that reward - that feeling of pleasing our heavenly Father - the Creator of life itself? Does that feeling make the difficulties we endure on His behalf worth it?
Two synonyms for content (and I think theses are profound) are fulfilled and gratified. I believe those words say a lot about how Paul lived his life. The conclusion I come to in figuring out Paul's secret is that being content means finding your focus in God. It's living your life with an undeniable focus on pleasing God. When that becomes our life's ultimate goal we may just discover it is, indeed, the secret to being content. Referring back to our choices above: Choice B may not necessarily be a wrong or sinful choice - just a different path to choose. Choosing B could very well be good and safe. The difference, however, between the choices we make could mean the difference between feeling "pleased" and feeling "fulfilled". The benefit of one far outweighs the other.
I've read these words many times but one day one word in particular caught my attention. It was the word "secret". My thought was this: 'if there is a secret to being content, why didn't Paul share it with us?' Did he not think this was something valuable to know? Think of all the discontented people out there that could have taken that secret knowledge and made themselves content. I would venture to guess crime rates, suicide rates, road rage incidents, etc. would go down. I would also guess that people would smile more, yell less, and love better. The 'secret of being content' seems invaluable and yet it's buried deep in Paul's mind. Or is it? Maybe we were meant to search for the secret.
I started looking at Paul's life to see if I could figure out what it was that made him content. He clearly didn't travel the path of least resistance. After his conversion experience on the road to Damascus, he could have simply accepted Christ, retired from persecuting Christians, and lived out the rest of his life as a good person. But that would not do for this man. That would not have satisfied him. He would not have been, shall we say, content. Paul went full steam ahead sharing the message of Christ. He endured many trials and hardships along the way (he was imprisoned, shipwrecked, and snake bitten to name a few). We could try to argue that no one could possibly be content in those situations and yet Paul said those words. And I believe him. What was your secret, Paul?
Did it have to do with the choices he made? Life is full of forks in the road - choices that have to me made. Choice A might be less desirable and a little painful. Choice B sounds better. But in your spirit you know choosing Choice A will please God more. That's the choice Paul would have made (over and over). And the reason why, I believe, is because he recognized that pleasing God would bring him greater satisfaction than pleasing himself. Think about when you were a child and you did something that pleased your mom or dad. Or when as an employee you caught the thankful eye of your boss for something you did which wasn't altogether easy. The reward in your hard work was the feeling of pleasure your received in pleasing those who matter to you. And, frankly, who matters more than God? How much greater is that reward - that feeling of pleasing our heavenly Father - the Creator of life itself? Does that feeling make the difficulties we endure on His behalf worth it?
Two synonyms for content (and I think theses are profound) are fulfilled and gratified. I believe those words say a lot about how Paul lived his life. The conclusion I come to in figuring out Paul's secret is that being content means finding your focus in God. It's living your life with an undeniable focus on pleasing God. When that becomes our life's ultimate goal we may just discover it is, indeed, the secret to being content. Referring back to our choices above: Choice B may not necessarily be a wrong or sinful choice - just a different path to choose. Choosing B could very well be good and safe. The difference, however, between the choices we make could mean the difference between feeling "pleased" and feeling "fulfilled". The benefit of one far outweighs the other.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Ten on Ten (March)
It is that time again. I can hardly believe it's been a month already. Well - here is my list of ten things I'm thankful for:
1 - "Tiny Blessings" (see previous blog article): There is a danger when our lives get clouded by busyness and/or emotions. It's easy to miss the little ways in which God is working around us. And when we stop looking or stop seeing the tiny blessings we can tend to feel abandoned. I'm thankful that I am looking again and have the pleasure and joy of seeing God's hand in my life (in the simplest of things).
2 - Lessons from God: Learning lessons from God can often be very difficult - not because of stubbornness to learn but because of the pain of self-reflection. I'm thankful that God helps me become, not only, the person I want to become, but also, the daughter He knows I can be. He loves me enough not to leave me where I am. If I am willing He will help me grow.
3 - Music - Christian music in particular: It can heal, inspire, remind me of God's wonderful and amazing existence, or simply allow me to offer my praise. I only wish I could sing.
4 - Chocolate, Pepsi, popcorn, Chick-fil-a and the like: The little pleasures of life should not be overlooked or taken for granted. These are simple, simple things and yet they make me smile. And all those little smiles add up to a great big warm fuzzy. My joy in these little things has an added benefit: my husband is thankful that I'm not high-maintenance. (Enstrom's Almond Toffee, by the way --- um! um! ---little bit of heaven.)
5 - TV: I know what you're thinking (or are you?). In reality it's not the TV that I'm thankful for - it's the simple "dates" my husband and I have while watching some of our favorite shows together.
6 - Friends: Sadly - most of my long-time friends live in other states. I don't get to see them much or at all. But - I am thankful that time and space hasn't taken away the value we have in each other.
7 -How do I put this? I'm thankful that I don't live in the same crazy world as the people on some "reality" shows. When I see clips of some of these people on the news or other programs I try to reassure myself that these idiotic, immoral, self-aggrandizing people don't actually exist - that it's all an act. But then I think - maybe I live in a bubble and these people do exist. And if that's the case - I'm glad I don't live where they live.
8 - Things that make me laugh: It could be just about anything. Laughter is good for the soul. And it's contagious. When my daughter finds something fall-down funny - it makes us all laugh. Try watching America's Funniest Home Video's with a child. You will have more fun watching them than the show.
9 - Answered prayers: I continue in my journey to be faithful in prayer for others. I have found it a true pleasure to see God working in their lives.
10 - The gym: - although I don't get there as often as I'd like (or should) I am thankful that I have the opportunity to work out and take care of my body. When I do get to go - my body and my mind feel refreshed.
1 - "Tiny Blessings" (see previous blog article): There is a danger when our lives get clouded by busyness and/or emotions. It's easy to miss the little ways in which God is working around us. And when we stop looking or stop seeing the tiny blessings we can tend to feel abandoned. I'm thankful that I am looking again and have the pleasure and joy of seeing God's hand in my life (in the simplest of things).
2 - Lessons from God: Learning lessons from God can often be very difficult - not because of stubbornness to learn but because of the pain of self-reflection. I'm thankful that God helps me become, not only, the person I want to become, but also, the daughter He knows I can be. He loves me enough not to leave me where I am. If I am willing He will help me grow.
3 - Music - Christian music in particular: It can heal, inspire, remind me of God's wonderful and amazing existence, or simply allow me to offer my praise. I only wish I could sing.
4 - Chocolate, Pepsi, popcorn, Chick-fil-a and the like: The little pleasures of life should not be overlooked or taken for granted. These are simple, simple things and yet they make me smile. And all those little smiles add up to a great big warm fuzzy. My joy in these little things has an added benefit: my husband is thankful that I'm not high-maintenance. (Enstrom's Almond Toffee, by the way --- um! um! ---little bit of heaven.)
5 - TV: I know what you're thinking (or are you?). In reality it's not the TV that I'm thankful for - it's the simple "dates" my husband and I have while watching some of our favorite shows together.
6 - Friends: Sadly - most of my long-time friends live in other states. I don't get to see them much or at all. But - I am thankful that time and space hasn't taken away the value we have in each other.
7 -How do I put this? I'm thankful that I don't live in the same crazy world as the people on some "reality" shows. When I see clips of some of these people on the news or other programs I try to reassure myself that these idiotic, immoral, self-aggrandizing people don't actually exist - that it's all an act. But then I think - maybe I live in a bubble and these people do exist. And if that's the case - I'm glad I don't live where they live.
8 - Things that make me laugh: It could be just about anything. Laughter is good for the soul. And it's contagious. When my daughter finds something fall-down funny - it makes us all laugh. Try watching America's Funniest Home Video's with a child. You will have more fun watching them than the show.
9 - Answered prayers: I continue in my journey to be faithful in prayer for others. I have found it a true pleasure to see God working in their lives.
10 - The gym: - although I don't get there as often as I'd like (or should) I am thankful that I have the opportunity to work out and take care of my body. When I do get to go - my body and my mind feel refreshed.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Too Tired To Worry
Matthew 6:25, 34 and 27
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes.
Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
I admit it. I'm a worry wort. Let's just say my "normal" is probably somebody else's "high stress level". There never seems to be a shortage of things for me to worry about. Granted a lot of the things I worry about are small ticket items where my worry lasts for a short amount of time. But in the last several years I've been faced with lots of big ticket worry items. My worry meter has been off the charts. Frankly, I'm exhausted! I'm so completely tired of feeling stressed. I long for peace which seems like it should be a simple thing. And yet, by my own doing, it is hard to find.
The idea is to be strong in times of trial but the irony is that it's hard to find strength when you're weak. But maybe we wouldn't be so weak in times of trial if we didn't worry. Have you ever thought about the amount of strength it takes to worry? Worry is not an idle feeling. It's a consuming parasite. It consumes countless amounts of energy as well as hope. It eats away at, not only, our physical body, but our soul as well.
Not too long ago something happened that set me into a panic state. I could feel my insides shrinking with tension. I managed to get my daughter off to school even though my mind was elsewhere. But something happened as I was returning from dropping her off. I began to pray. That wasn't unusual. My custom is to pray when things get in panic mode. But this time - I hit my worry wall. My limit had been reached. It was like everything in me said "Enough!". I was exhausted - spiritually, physically and emotionally. I had no more strength. I said to God: "I can't do this anymore. I can't worry about this. I'm tired." As if God was somehow my worry coach saying, "Come on girl. You can do it. Keep on worrying." Of course that's a crazy image because God doesn't want us to worry. It's contradictory to His plan. Instead of Him encouraging me to worry more I can imagine Him sighing in relief and saying the following: "There you go, my child. Now you're getting it. I've never asked you to take on this burden. I have always been here to take on the burden for you. You can't carry this alone and I don't want you to. That's what trust is about. Trust in me and be at peace."
Why is it that we find it so hard to let go and to be at peace. Why do we worry? I think, for me, it's because I confuse responsibility with control. I want to be a responsible Godly person but at some point, I fear, my efforts to be responsible blur into control. And once I start controlling things, the harder it is to leave them in God's hands.
I may have hit my worry wall but knowing me there will likely be a time when I'll be tempted to rev up my worry motor once again. But hopefully, before that happens again I'll figure out whether I'm trying to be responsible or trying to be in control.
For now - I'm content with letting God take the wheel. He knows my life better than I do. He knows every situation I face. He knows where He wants me to go. He knows how He wants me to live. And most importantly, He loves me as His child whom He can't bear to see in pain. I will gladly let Him lead. Besides - I need the rest.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes.
Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
I admit it. I'm a worry wort. Let's just say my "normal" is probably somebody else's "high stress level". There never seems to be a shortage of things for me to worry about. Granted a lot of the things I worry about are small ticket items where my worry lasts for a short amount of time. But in the last several years I've been faced with lots of big ticket worry items. My worry meter has been off the charts. Frankly, I'm exhausted! I'm so completely tired of feeling stressed. I long for peace which seems like it should be a simple thing. And yet, by my own doing, it is hard to find.
The idea is to be strong in times of trial but the irony is that it's hard to find strength when you're weak. But maybe we wouldn't be so weak in times of trial if we didn't worry. Have you ever thought about the amount of strength it takes to worry? Worry is not an idle feeling. It's a consuming parasite. It consumes countless amounts of energy as well as hope. It eats away at, not only, our physical body, but our soul as well.
Not too long ago something happened that set me into a panic state. I could feel my insides shrinking with tension. I managed to get my daughter off to school even though my mind was elsewhere. But something happened as I was returning from dropping her off. I began to pray. That wasn't unusual. My custom is to pray when things get in panic mode. But this time - I hit my worry wall. My limit had been reached. It was like everything in me said "Enough!". I was exhausted - spiritually, physically and emotionally. I had no more strength. I said to God: "I can't do this anymore. I can't worry about this. I'm tired." As if God was somehow my worry coach saying, "Come on girl. You can do it. Keep on worrying." Of course that's a crazy image because God doesn't want us to worry. It's contradictory to His plan. Instead of Him encouraging me to worry more I can imagine Him sighing in relief and saying the following: "There you go, my child. Now you're getting it. I've never asked you to take on this burden. I have always been here to take on the burden for you. You can't carry this alone and I don't want you to. That's what trust is about. Trust in me and be at peace."
Why is it that we find it so hard to let go and to be at peace. Why do we worry? I think, for me, it's because I confuse responsibility with control. I want to be a responsible Godly person but at some point, I fear, my efforts to be responsible blur into control. And once I start controlling things, the harder it is to leave them in God's hands.
I may have hit my worry wall but knowing me there will likely be a time when I'll be tempted to rev up my worry motor once again. But hopefully, before that happens again I'll figure out whether I'm trying to be responsible or trying to be in control.
For now - I'm content with letting God take the wheel. He knows my life better than I do. He knows every situation I face. He knows where He wants me to go. He knows how He wants me to live. And most importantly, He loves me as His child whom He can't bear to see in pain. I will gladly let Him lead. Besides - I need the rest.
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