Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Great Things. E is for...
End
All good things must come to a end my mother always told me. Sometimes though the bad things finally do come to a end and you aren't sorry to see them go. I'm thankful of course for the way God uses things in our lives, but I'm grateful that He will bring a end to the storm and cover the sky a rainbow.
Days that feel blissfully normal because the hard times have had a end are wonderful. I do not know how to cherish the normal until it has been taken away from me.
Things end and you don't want them too, because they were just too wonderful. If things were wonderful all the time though would we really know how to be thankful for wonderful. Does wonderful perhaps have to end, so we can know what we really have?
There are two kinds of end. One I'm happy to see and one I would rather not see, but I'm thankful for them both.
Great Things: Scripture
There were the verse I turned too over and over again. Some verses I unexpectedly found, because they were part of my devotional reading for the day. I cling to God Word's, but yet not often enough to make my Bible fall apart.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
(Philippians 3:12-16 )
(Philippians 3:12-16 )
It was the very last sermon I heard before I left my home church for my last few months of my senior year, but I carried that scripture with me for the rest of the year.
There is no way to describe how thankful I am that what lies behind me does not shape my standing with God. I can have a reason to get up on those tired mornings. There is a reason to smile and to just do something because this life is not simply meaningless, but we can look to the goal. One purpose. One reason. Growing in Christ. Serving Christ. I need to be reminded of that...every day.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Great Things: R is for...
Rage
I'm thankful that God lets the storm rage around me.
There are the times I want to call it quits. Say I'm through learning this lesson and that I simply can't handle the turmoil anymore. I'm thankful though that God brings me to His word and shows me comfort and truth. He makes me realize that I need this storm. I need to grow. Maybe its a tiny rain storm or a roaring hurricane, but each storm is a gift from God. Aches and pains are just part of the process of the Potter molding the clay.
I do not ask for storms, but I do want to see them as a gift when them come. Sometimes the rain blinds me and all I hear is the thunder and I do not let my soul be quieted by God alone. Instead I seek temporary fixes until I'm near drowning and only the mercies of God pull me up.
How has God taught you a lesson this year through a raging storm?
Written for Great Things.
I'm thankful that God lets the storm rage around me.
"Sometimes God lets the storm rage but calms his Child"
There are the times I want to call it quits. Say I'm through learning this lesson and that I simply can't handle the turmoil anymore. I'm thankful though that God brings me to His word and shows me comfort and truth. He makes me realize that I need this storm. I need to grow. Maybe its a tiny rain storm or a roaring hurricane, but each storm is a gift from God. Aches and pains are just part of the process of the Potter molding the clay.
I do not ask for storms, but I do want to see them as a gift when them come. Sometimes the rain blinds me and all I hear is the thunder and I do not let my soul be quieted by God alone. Instead I seek temporary fixes until I'm near drowning and only the mercies of God pull me up.
How has God taught you a lesson this year through a raging storm?
Written for Great Things.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Great Things: Moments and Memories
Moments and Memories.
This year was the one with the wow moments, the I can't believe this is happening moments and there was the moments that I wished weren't happening. All through it all God was more then faithful.
1. New Job. Just a few days into the year and on the very first day of my last semester at college, my heart nearly stopped beating in the president's office. Did I have plans for after grad he asked and I told him nothing had been set. I was asked to stay and work for the school and also minister there. I was astounded and knew the only reason I had been asked was because of God's grace. Really I was the most unlikely person in the world to do what I'm doing now. Several months later I found myself continuing my education, by finding out what ministry was really like. Some things I wish I didn't have to learn, but those are the things God is using the most.
2. That day. The one where into my nervous sweaty palms was placed a certificate of completion of school. We stood in a straight line across the stage, and we sang "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow". I could hardly sing at all. I was in awe of the glorious grace that had graduated us all from school. When I look back on that day though it sometimes makes me want to cry. Oh it was a wonderful day, but it was the day where the precious season of me being student came to a close. I did not fathom then how much life would change and how I would sometimes long for the old days back.
3. Opened Eyes. The boarder guard handing us back our passports and we were officially in Canada land. Two weeks later we crossed back into the USA. I was exhausted physically and mentally, but encouraged spiritually. The eyes of the children we interacted with are seared into my memory. My eyes were opened to a mission field I knew little of before. I had new compassion for the missionaries there and understanding of the stamina it takes to work there.
4. Family. From around the world my big happy and ice cream loving family gathered for a few days. Cousins played together and the aunts and uncles shared stories and even though many of us hardly see each other we fellowshiped over the common bond of simply being family. Looking at our family I am so humble of what I can call me heritage. It seems rare to say you come from a family who has always sought after the Truth. A family who when together who will always get along with the help of lots of ice cream and cookie.
Those are just a few of the memories. Some of the moments happened deep in my heart where no one could see, but God alone as He taught me His faithfulness. Each day God gave this year has been a beautiful one...some of them have no been pretty at first sight, but more of pain. Looking back though I can now see "the pretty and the pain".
Written for Great Things 2012
This year was the one with the wow moments, the I can't believe this is happening moments and there was the moments that I wished weren't happening. All through it all God was more then faithful.
1. New Job. Just a few days into the year and on the very first day of my last semester at college, my heart nearly stopped beating in the president's office. Did I have plans for after grad he asked and I told him nothing had been set. I was asked to stay and work for the school and also minister there. I was astounded and knew the only reason I had been asked was because of God's grace. Really I was the most unlikely person in the world to do what I'm doing now. Several months later I found myself continuing my education, by finding out what ministry was really like. Some things I wish I didn't have to learn, but those are the things God is using the most.
2. That day. The one where into my nervous sweaty palms was placed a certificate of completion of school. We stood in a straight line across the stage, and we sang "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow". I could hardly sing at all. I was in awe of the glorious grace that had graduated us all from school. When I look back on that day though it sometimes makes me want to cry. Oh it was a wonderful day, but it was the day where the precious season of me being student came to a close. I did not fathom then how much life would change and how I would sometimes long for the old days back.
3. Opened Eyes. The boarder guard handing us back our passports and we were officially in Canada land. Two weeks later we crossed back into the USA. I was exhausted physically and mentally, but encouraged spiritually. The eyes of the children we interacted with are seared into my memory. My eyes were opened to a mission field I knew little of before. I had new compassion for the missionaries there and understanding of the stamina it takes to work there.
4. Family. From around the world my big happy and ice cream loving family gathered for a few days. Cousins played together and the aunts and uncles shared stories and even though many of us hardly see each other we fellowshiped over the common bond of simply being family. Looking at our family I am so humble of what I can call me heritage. It seems rare to say you come from a family who has always sought after the Truth. A family who when together who will always get along with the help of lots of ice cream and cookie.
Those are just a few of the memories. Some of the moments happened deep in my heart where no one could see, but God alone as He taught me His faithfulness. Each day God gave this year has been a beautiful one...some of them have no been pretty at first sight, but more of pain. Looking back though I can now see "the pretty and the pain".
Written for Great Things 2012
Great Things 2012
This month is one of the most wonderful times of the year. Pardon me for saying that, I do know the phrase is supposed to be reserved for Christmas, but taking some extra time to count your blessings I think makes a very wonderful time of year. During the next days I'll be sharing with you my Great Things from this past year. Last year as you may recall I did the same thing and I'm so thankful for the blog Beautiful Song that is hosting this link up.
I would love to hear about your Great Things as well. All the details of how you can participate are explained here.
You can find the links for them on this page...which people in the tech world call a landing page. Thanks for tagging along on my little journey of the big and little things of my life from this past year.
Day One: Moments and Memories
Day Two: R is for...
Day Three: Scripture
Day Three again: E is for...
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Held
This week we had an election which helps me remember that this week is also my dad's birthday because you see poor dad often had to share his birthday party with an election party. Still I quite forgot that today was the big day, because I'm sorry dad, but I've never good with remembering dates.
I don't remember the first time my dad held me. It was in a hospital room in the wee hours of the morning and dad had just watched his last child come into the world.
I remember the many other times dad held me though.
He held me on his lap. Probably to make his silly little girl sit still, but I felt safe and loved perched on dad's knee. When I was too big to sit on dad's lap I would lean on his shoulder, because it felt safe and good.
When I was a teenager and in the chaos of emotional storms dad would hug me and told me he loved me.
And then one day dad helped me carry my earthly belongings into a empty dorm room. Dad hugged me good bye and then I was alone in an big parking lot knowing that dad left me there because he loved me.
Three very long and very short years later I was hugging a lot of people (some I didn't even know!) as I stood in the receiving line at my graduation. And then dad was there. Holding me tight and everything around us seemed to stop.
When dad held me his touch said more then words ever could. I knew I was loved. I knew that I would always be daddy's girl. I knew that there was no need to perform for love...it was given to me freely. Dad was showing me the love of Christ. No matter what I did my father would always love me, because he saw no the faults in me, but instead his little girl.
My father gave me a gift that is more valuable to me then words or riches. His love.
Happy Birthday Dad. And yes your card is coming, but well maybe you can just read this while you wait for it.
I don't remember the first time my dad held me. It was in a hospital room in the wee hours of the morning and dad had just watched his last child come into the world.
I remember the many other times dad held me though.
He held me on his lap. Probably to make his silly little girl sit still, but I felt safe and loved perched on dad's knee. When I was too big to sit on dad's lap I would lean on his shoulder, because it felt safe and good.
When I was a teenager and in the chaos of emotional storms dad would hug me and told me he loved me.
And then one day dad helped me carry my earthly belongings into a empty dorm room. Dad hugged me good bye and then I was alone in an big parking lot knowing that dad left me there because he loved me.
Three very long and very short years later I was hugging a lot of people (some I didn't even know!) as I stood in the receiving line at my graduation. And then dad was there. Holding me tight and everything around us seemed to stop.
When dad held me his touch said more then words ever could. I knew I was loved. I knew that I would always be daddy's girl. I knew that there was no need to perform for love...it was given to me freely. Dad was showing me the love of Christ. No matter what I did my father would always love me, because he saw no the faults in me, but instead his little girl.
My father gave me a gift that is more valuable to me then words or riches. His love.
Happy Birthday Dad. And yes your card is coming, but well maybe you can just read this while you wait for it.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Roots
I wonder where those thoughts came from, a horrible mess of thoughts that would shame me if anyone knew them. How did they simply sprout into my mind without warning?
I had a warning. Deep inside my heart long ago roots of sinfulness had began to grow. Sometimes I saw them so I would tend to them with confession to God.
Sin though is like a bind weed. Its roots go so far down that if not treated properly the roots soon take over your whole life.
The sin is fun and seemingly delightful. I don't care about the roots it has taken and let them flourish and then I am degusted at myself. Realizing I'm a vile sinner with no good in me at all.
Sin did not suddenly appear in my life...I let the roots grow. How much more pleasent would life simply be if the roots of sin were squelched quickly before the damage in my life began to damage the lives of others?
I think I need to go do some root pulling in my heart and seek the forgiveness of God and restoration.
I had a warning. Deep inside my heart long ago roots of sinfulness had began to grow. Sometimes I saw them so I would tend to them with confession to God.
Sin though is like a bind weed. Its roots go so far down that if not treated properly the roots soon take over your whole life.
The sin is fun and seemingly delightful. I don't care about the roots it has taken and let them flourish and then I am degusted at myself. Realizing I'm a vile sinner with no good in me at all.
Sin did not suddenly appear in my life...I let the roots grow. How much more pleasent would life simply be if the roots of sin were squelched quickly before the damage in my life began to damage the lives of others?
I think I need to go do some root pulling in my heart and seek the forgiveness of God and restoration.
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