Thursday, June 26, 2008
New Auto Repair Shop in Auburn!
My dear friend, Becki McGinnis, and her husband Bryan have opened up their own auto repair business in Auburn. I know that this has been their dream for a long time. Congratulations, Becki and Bryan!
Monday, June 23, 2008
An Honorable Calling?
Yesterday I was talking with a group of friends about adoption. One lady started asking what kind of adoption each of us desires. I said that my heart is to adopt an African-American baby domestically. She responded, "That is honorable." I kind of did a double take and looked at her, so she repeated herself. "That is really honorable that you would do that." I know that she meant to express approval, but the comment actually bothered me quite a bit. Why should it be honorable to do what seems to me so obvious?
When my husband and I began researching domestic adoption, we heard that it took a long time because domestic babies were in high demand. We had no desire to stand in line to get a baby that will be adopted anyway, so we started asking where the area of need was. Who are the babies that end up being raised in the foster system? We quickly found out that one major group of children who have a hard time finding families are African-American babies. So we immediately decided that we would adopt in that demographic. Why not? Maybe we're naive (certainly some of the reading I have done would try to convince me that we are). Maybe there are issues that I don't understand. But bottom line, these are children who need a family, and we are a family who want more children to love.
Isn't it really that simple? I'm not saying easy; it is never easy to love. Laying down your life day in and day out for another person is always challenging. (I find that true with the four children I already have.) But I don't think Jesus said to love one another when it's easy or when it's convenient. He simply said to love. So why should I place conditions on whom I love? And why should it be more honorable to love one person more than another? Jesus made no such distinctions, and I pray that He will give me the grace to do the same.
So, while I appreciate the intention behind the compliment, I pray that all of our hearts will change until the first thing we see about another person is not the color of their skin, hair, eyes, or any other outward quality, though I find the differences beautiful and fascinating. (And, lest I sound holier-than-thou, let me point out that I still have much growing to do in this area myself.) When we look at one another, may we first see a brother to love.
Lord, please give us the grace to really love one another the way You love us.
When my husband and I began researching domestic adoption, we heard that it took a long time because domestic babies were in high demand. We had no desire to stand in line to get a baby that will be adopted anyway, so we started asking where the area of need was. Who are the babies that end up being raised in the foster system? We quickly found out that one major group of children who have a hard time finding families are African-American babies. So we immediately decided that we would adopt in that demographic. Why not? Maybe we're naive (certainly some of the reading I have done would try to convince me that we are). Maybe there are issues that I don't understand. But bottom line, these are children who need a family, and we are a family who want more children to love.
Isn't it really that simple? I'm not saying easy; it is never easy to love. Laying down your life day in and day out for another person is always challenging. (I find that true with the four children I already have.) But I don't think Jesus said to love one another when it's easy or when it's convenient. He simply said to love. So why should I place conditions on whom I love? And why should it be more honorable to love one person more than another? Jesus made no such distinctions, and I pray that He will give me the grace to do the same.
So, while I appreciate the intention behind the compliment, I pray that all of our hearts will change until the first thing we see about another person is not the color of their skin, hair, eyes, or any other outward quality, though I find the differences beautiful and fascinating. (And, lest I sound holier-than-thou, let me point out that I still have much growing to do in this area myself.) When we look at one another, may we first see a brother to love.
Lord, please give us the grace to really love one another the way You love us.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Reesa's Birthday
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| From 2008-06 Reesa... |
Reesa had such a fun birthday! She reveled in two whole days of being the self-proclaimed Birthday Queen, and we were all her willing subjects.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Expectations
Thoughts about me
Thoughts about others
Good, bad
Rehearsed
Over and over
Again and again
Poison
Fogging mind
Impairing thinking
Clouding emotions
Veiling eyes
Blinded
From Your Face
Deaf
To Your Voice
Disabled
From discernement
Cleanse me
From heady addiction
To praise and censure
Temporary highs
Terrible lows
Distracting from reality
Help me see, hear, know
Only You
Letting others' opinions go
Even my own
Hoarding no thoughts but Yours
Listening only to Your voice
Believing only what You say
For You alone are Truth
Freedom
Thoughts about others
Good, bad
Rehearsed
Over and over
Again and again
Poison
Fogging mind
Impairing thinking
Clouding emotions
Veiling eyes
Blinded
From Your Face
Deaf
To Your Voice
Disabled
From discernement
Cleanse me
From heady addiction
To praise and censure
Temporary highs
Terrible lows
Distracting from reality
Help me see, hear, know
Only You
Letting others' opinions go
Even my own
Hoarding no thoughts but Yours
Listening only to Your voice
Believing only what You say
For You alone are Truth
Freedom
Friday, June 20, 2008
Dancing at RHOP
My children had a fun time dancing at RHOP today. I thought this one looked cool - actioney!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Transformed by Joy
Last weekend at the RHOP Encountering God Service, Diane Parnell quoted Mike Bickle:
"Whatever we behold (by meditation unto revalation) in God's heart toward us becomes awakened in our heart back to God (transformation)."
My ears immediately perked up. What do I need most while battling depression these days (and what do I most feel that I lack)? Joy! Did I just hear a way for joy to be awakened in my heart - by meditating on the joy in God's heart toward me? That very evening I began looking up scriptures on joy, for where better to behold God's heart than through the verbal expression of His heart toward me, His Word?
This is the verse that I found this morning:
"Then Ezra told then, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold" (Nehemiah 8:10 AMP).
This is said in the context of guilt (oh, how I relate!)--the people had just read the law and realized that they had not been keeping it. They wanted to mourn. Yet at that very moment, the Lord was rejoicing over them. He desired to strengthen them by His joy. So instead of declaring a fast, He declared a feast. They feasted on the goodness of His love and mercy toward them, turning their hearts toward the One who gives good gifts, including the joy that gives the strength to obey.
Jesus does not want me to obey out of guilt or shame or even self-discipline--though, like crutches, these can help me along for a time. But when His joy has made me strong, I will cast them aside and "run the way of [His] commandments" (Psalm 119:32).
Jesus' greatest earthly act of obedience was done out of no lesser motivation than joy (Hebrews 12:2). I tend to think that joy is more of a childish motivation, and that "just because I have to" is more grown-up. But Jesus Himself, who told us to become like little children, was motivated by joy!
By joy I can run to my Papa-God, throw myself fearlessly into His arms, and receive His bear hugs and kisses. He is not frowning at me; no, He has sweet things in His pockets that He wants to lavish upon me. I can hear him saying to me, "Don't sit over there in the dark, dusty corner with your crust of bread, measuring it our carefully to make sure it will last. Lift up your eyes! Turn your face to me! Behold My joy! All around you is light and laughter and music and celebration. I am throwing this party for you! Come, join in my rejoicing. Don't be so cautious about with your feelings. Be My little girl again. Laugh and run and jump and play with Me. Let's have a tickle fight. I have so much for you. Come and get it!"
I have often heard that God does not look like Santa Claus. Doubtless that is true--He is so much more. But He is certainly not less! And right now, gazing upon His joy, He looks more like that jolly man than anything else I can picture. Rather than reducing God, it raises Santa to a place of holy significance as an image of God, the giver of all good gifts. And unlike Santa, He doesn't give them based on whether we are naughty or nice. In his joyful compassion, He simply gives out of His never-ending goodness.
I am coming, Big Papa. Hold Your arms out wide! I am hungry for Your love.
"Whatever we behold (by meditation unto revalation) in God's heart toward us becomes awakened in our heart back to God (transformation)."
My ears immediately perked up. What do I need most while battling depression these days (and what do I most feel that I lack)? Joy! Did I just hear a way for joy to be awakened in my heart - by meditating on the joy in God's heart toward me? That very evening I began looking up scriptures on joy, for where better to behold God's heart than through the verbal expression of His heart toward me, His Word?
This is the verse that I found this morning:
"Then Ezra told then, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold" (Nehemiah 8:10 AMP).
This is said in the context of guilt (oh, how I relate!)--the people had just read the law and realized that they had not been keeping it. They wanted to mourn. Yet at that very moment, the Lord was rejoicing over them. He desired to strengthen them by His joy. So instead of declaring a fast, He declared a feast. They feasted on the goodness of His love and mercy toward them, turning their hearts toward the One who gives good gifts, including the joy that gives the strength to obey.
Jesus does not want me to obey out of guilt or shame or even self-discipline--though, like crutches, these can help me along for a time. But when His joy has made me strong, I will cast them aside and "run the way of [His] commandments" (Psalm 119:32).
Jesus' greatest earthly act of obedience was done out of no lesser motivation than joy (Hebrews 12:2). I tend to think that joy is more of a childish motivation, and that "just because I have to" is more grown-up. But Jesus Himself, who told us to become like little children, was motivated by joy!
By joy I can run to my Papa-God, throw myself fearlessly into His arms, and receive His bear hugs and kisses. He is not frowning at me; no, He has sweet things in His pockets that He wants to lavish upon me. I can hear him saying to me, "Don't sit over there in the dark, dusty corner with your crust of bread, measuring it our carefully to make sure it will last. Lift up your eyes! Turn your face to me! Behold My joy! All around you is light and laughter and music and celebration. I am throwing this party for you! Come, join in my rejoicing. Don't be so cautious about with your feelings. Be My little girl again. Laugh and run and jump and play with Me. Let's have a tickle fight. I have so much for you. Come and get it!"
I have often heard that God does not look like Santa Claus. Doubtless that is true--He is so much more. But He is certainly not less! And right now, gazing upon His joy, He looks more like that jolly man than anything else I can picture. Rather than reducing God, it raises Santa to a place of holy significance as an image of God, the giver of all good gifts. And unlike Santa, He doesn't give them based on whether we are naughty or nice. In his joyful compassion, He simply gives out of His never-ending goodness.
I am coming, Big Papa. Hold Your arms out wide! I am hungry for Your love.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Food for Thought
“All reading of the Book is not reading of the Word. It was Jesus Christ, and not theology, that filled the hearts of the men who wrote those Epistles—Jesus Christ, whom I found not in the Epistles but in the Gospels. And until we understand the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ—until we understand Him, until we have His Spirit—all the Epistles are to us a sealed book.
“The Gospels then took hold of me as never before. I found out that I had known nothing at all—that I had only a certain surface knowledge which tended to ignorance, because it fostered the delusion that I did know. Know that Man, Christ Jesus? Ah, Lord, I would go through fire and water to sit at Thy table in Thy kingdom, but dare I say now I know Thee?
“I found, as I read, that His very presence in my thoughts smoothed the troubled waters of my spirit, so that even while the storm lasted, I was able to walk upon them to go to Him. And when those waters became clear, I most rejoiced in their clearness because they mirrored His form” (George MacDonald, The Parish Papers, p. 54).
“The Gospels then took hold of me as never before. I found out that I had known nothing at all—that I had only a certain surface knowledge which tended to ignorance, because it fostered the delusion that I did know. Know that Man, Christ Jesus? Ah, Lord, I would go through fire and water to sit at Thy table in Thy kingdom, but dare I say now I know Thee?
“I found, as I read, that His very presence in my thoughts smoothed the troubled waters of my spirit, so that even while the storm lasted, I was able to walk upon them to go to Him. And when those waters became clear, I most rejoiced in their clearness because they mirrored His form” (George MacDonald, The Parish Papers, p. 54).
Monday, May 05, 2008
1000 Gifts
As I have been struggling with depression recently, the Holy Spirit reminded me of 1000 Gifts, a list that many are making of a thousand things for which they are thankful. He reassured me that, as I focus on the many wonderful gifts He has given me, He will fight the battle for me against depression.
I started my list yesterday morning, thinking that I would write down four or five things to begin. I had over thirty before I could stop writing! My list is now over forty and growing. I will post it here to declare before God and every witness that He is good to me, and His love endures forever!
1. Geese honking an early morning wake-up call.
2. Baby's tummy full of manna.
3. A full night's sleep.
4. Birds chirping as sun rises.
5. Anticipation of worshiping with the Body.
6. Baby contentedly sleeping next to me.
7. Kissing soft baby skin.
8. Lifting up friends to Abba's throne.
9. Answered prayer for headache to be removed.
10. Sincere card from a dear friend.
11. Quiet house.
12. Mr. Incorruptible's appreciation for his morning juice and GummyVite (my 2-year-old son).
13. Long conversation with Salt Racer (my hubby/best friend) about anything and everything.
14. Being able to stop and lie down when I'm just too tired to keep going.
15. Referral to endocrinologist - hope for answers and healing.
16. Hearing my children laugh and play together.
17. Pushing Laughter Sun (my 3-year-old daughter) high, higher on swing.
18. Salt Racer BBQ'ing and serving dinner in backyard.
19. Baking perfect, tender scones.
20. Talking with a good friend.
21. Beloved Pearl's constant, loving help (my sister-in-law).
22. Mom's prayers.
23. Still being able to boss my little sisters. :)
24. Anticipation of time spent with Mama.
25. Husband waking to seek the Lord.
26. Daddy calling just to see how I'm doing.
27. Sound of simmering oatmeal.
28. Morning cup of tea with cream and sugar.
29. The pleasure of realizing how much I have to thank Abba for.
30. RHOP merging with The Rock!
31. Knowing that my God hears my prayers.
32. Teaching Sparkling Promise (my 5-year-old daughter) to read.
33. A husband who knows (and says) what he wants.
34. Frog conventions importantly discussing matters after dark.
35. Warm sunshine.
36. A freshly made bed.
37. The prayers of friends.
38. Salt Racer's kisses and back rubs.
39. Time alone.
40. Peaceful stillness.
41. Children's laughter.
42. Baby smiles.
43. A warm shower.
I hope that you will be inspired to start your own list.
I started my list yesterday morning, thinking that I would write down four or five things to begin. I had over thirty before I could stop writing! My list is now over forty and growing. I will post it here to declare before God and every witness that He is good to me, and His love endures forever!
1. Geese honking an early morning wake-up call.
2. Baby's tummy full of manna.
3. A full night's sleep.
4. Birds chirping as sun rises.
5. Anticipation of worshiping with the Body.
6. Baby contentedly sleeping next to me.
7. Kissing soft baby skin.
8. Lifting up friends to Abba's throne.
9. Answered prayer for headache to be removed.
10. Sincere card from a dear friend.
11. Quiet house.
12. Mr. Incorruptible's appreciation for his morning juice and GummyVite (my 2-year-old son).
13. Long conversation with Salt Racer (my hubby/best friend) about anything and everything.
14. Being able to stop and lie down when I'm just too tired to keep going.
15. Referral to endocrinologist - hope for answers and healing.
16. Hearing my children laugh and play together.
17. Pushing Laughter Sun (my 3-year-old daughter) high, higher on swing.
18. Salt Racer BBQ'ing and serving dinner in backyard.
19. Baking perfect, tender scones.
20. Talking with a good friend.
21. Beloved Pearl's constant, loving help (my sister-in-law).
22. Mom's prayers.
23. Still being able to boss my little sisters. :)
24. Anticipation of time spent with Mama.
25. Husband waking to seek the Lord.
26. Daddy calling just to see how I'm doing.
27. Sound of simmering oatmeal.
28. Morning cup of tea with cream and sugar.
29. The pleasure of realizing how much I have to thank Abba for.
30. RHOP merging with The Rock!
31. Knowing that my God hears my prayers.
32. Teaching Sparkling Promise (my 5-year-old daughter) to read.
33. A husband who knows (and says) what he wants.
34. Frog conventions importantly discussing matters after dark.
35. Warm sunshine.
36. A freshly made bed.
37. The prayers of friends.
38. Salt Racer's kisses and back rubs.
39. Time alone.
40. Peaceful stillness.
41. Children's laughter.
42. Baby smiles.
43. A warm shower.
I hope that you will be inspired to start your own list.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
My Baby
Morning sunlight streaming in
Illuminating baby face
Pink lips parted just a bit
Crooked grin responds to kiss.
Red-tinged eyelids close over
Wondering blue eyes, searching
For a loving face, finding
Me, he's satisfied.
Rounded tummy pressed to mine
Full of morning's manna
Little body cuddled close
Filling heart of Mama.
Illuminating baby face
Pink lips parted just a bit
Crooked grin responds to kiss.
Red-tinged eyelids close over
Wondering blue eyes, searching
For a loving face, finding
Me, he's satisfied.
Rounded tummy pressed to mine
Full of morning's manna
Little body cuddled close
Filling heart of Mama.
Monday, March 24, 2008
"Long Live Israel"
Magdi Allam, a recent convert from Islam to Christianity,
". . . explained his decision to title a recent book 'Viva Israele' by saying he wrote it after he received death threats from Hamas.
"'Having been condemned to death, I have reflected a long time on the value of life. And I discovered that behind the origin of the ideology of hatred, violence and death is the discrimination against Israel. Everyone has the right to exist except for the Jewish state and its inhabitants,' he said. 'Today, Israel is the paradigm of the right to life.'"
(Quoted from Yahoo News.)
". . . explained his decision to title a recent book 'Viva Israele' by saying he wrote it after he received death threats from Hamas.
"'Having been condemned to death, I have reflected a long time on the value of life. And I discovered that behind the origin of the ideology of hatred, violence and death is the discrimination against Israel. Everyone has the right to exist except for the Jewish state and its inhabitants,' he said. 'Today, Israel is the paradigm of the right to life.'"
(Quoted from Yahoo News.)
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Another Quote
We cannot kindle when we will
The fire which in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides;
But tasks in hours of insight willed
Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.
(Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3/22)
The fire which in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides;
But tasks in hours of insight willed
Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.
(Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3/22)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Quote from My Utmost for His Highest
“Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason—a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3/19).
Lord, lead us to success in Your kingdom. Help us to desire that more than success in the kingdoms of men. Let us not worry about where we are going, but to be content that we are going with You. We know Who is leading, so we need not be afraid of the destination.
Lord, lead us to success in Your kingdom. Help us to desire that more than success in the kingdoms of men. Let us not worry about where we are going, but to be content that we are going with You. We know Who is leading, so we need not be afraid of the destination.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 18:2
A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. (Pro 18:2 NKJV)
Ouch. That hits close to home. Too often, I answer before I listen. And even if I do hear and retain what the other person says, I don’t acknowledge their input, for I am more focused on “expressing [my] own heart.” I am sure that leaves them feeling unheard, for my husband has expressed that in many ways. In fact, he’s the reason I even know that I do it. Lord, please make me aware when I am conversing with others. Help me to “delight in understanding” more than in finding that perfect way to communicate what I am thinking.
Wow. That word “expressing” means “to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively to reveal: - + advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly, publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell, uncover” (Strong’s).
What are You saying to me, Lord?
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pro 18:21 NKJV)
Oh.
He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. (Pro 18:13 NKJV)
That’s me.
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Pro 18:15 NKJV)
Lord, help me to speak much less and to listen much more. Let my heart stop trying so hard to express itself (which merely exposes my foolishness) and instead love to acquire knowledge by hearing what my husband, my children, and others are saying. In fact, please help me to stop listening to my own thoughts as much and instead be attentive to Your voice.
Today, in Your strength, I will close my mouth and open my ears. “Zip your lips, little Michelle, and put on your listening ears.” How many times in my life have I heard similar words? Have I ever truly heeded them? Oh, that today might be the day that I begin to hear. Jesus, may it be so.
Ouch. That hits close to home. Too often, I answer before I listen. And even if I do hear and retain what the other person says, I don’t acknowledge their input, for I am more focused on “expressing [my] own heart.” I am sure that leaves them feeling unheard, for my husband has expressed that in many ways. In fact, he’s the reason I even know that I do it. Lord, please make me aware when I am conversing with others. Help me to “delight in understanding” more than in finding that perfect way to communicate what I am thinking.
Wow. That word “expressing” means “to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively to reveal: - + advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly, publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell, uncover” (Strong’s).
What are You saying to me, Lord?
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pro 18:21 NKJV)
Oh.
He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. (Pro 18:13 NKJV)
That’s me.
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Pro 18:15 NKJV)
Lord, help me to speak much less and to listen much more. Let my heart stop trying so hard to express itself (which merely exposes my foolishness) and instead love to acquire knowledge by hearing what my husband, my children, and others are saying. In fact, please help me to stop listening to my own thoughts as much and instead be attentive to Your voice.
Today, in Your strength, I will close my mouth and open my ears. “Zip your lips, little Michelle, and put on your listening ears.” How many times in my life have I heard similar words? Have I ever truly heeded them? Oh, that today might be the day that I begin to hear. Jesus, may it be so.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Crying Out
I cried out to God with my voice, to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah (Psa 77:1-3 NKJV)
“Days of trouble must be days of prayer, days of inward trouble especially, when God seems to have withdrawn from us; we must seek him and seek till we find him” (Matthew Henry, commentary on Ps.77:1-10).
Lord, I will cry out to You until You come and teach my heart to rejoice again in You. I am overwhelmed, but I will not distract myself from the pain. I will press in to You until I find You in this day, this house, these children, this work, and this body of flesh in which You dwell. Give me hope. Teach me patience. Pour Your love into my heart and my children’s.
“Days of trouble must be days of prayer, days of inward trouble especially, when God seems to have withdrawn from us; we must seek him and seek till we find him” (Matthew Henry, commentary on Ps.77:1-10).
Lord, I will cry out to You until You come and teach my heart to rejoice again in You. I am overwhelmed, but I will not distract myself from the pain. I will press in to You until I find You in this day, this house, these children, this work, and this body of flesh in which You dwell. Give me hope. Teach me patience. Pour Your love into my heart and my children’s.
Friday, March 07, 2008
A Home Educator's Prayer
Lord, You are holding everything in Your hands, perfectly in control. Please intervene on behalf of parents in California and in our nation. Please don’t let control of our children’s education pass from parents’ hands to the hands of the state. We have seen in socialist countries what that can do to a nation and to children. (In Germany, it turned them into Nazi Youth who supported the atrocities the government ordered.) That is diametrically opposed to Your way of training and educating children. You gave that right and responsibility to parents. We will stand before You and account for what we taught them and allowed them to be taught. Please wake up the church and parents to realize what a precious responsibility this is, and help us not to give up our rights without a fight. We stand in confidence before You, knowing that You are the one who can and will act on our behalf. Though we cannot move our government to act righteously, You can. Please be our advocate, and let those in places of influence be moved to correct this situation—no, let this even be turned from a defeat for home schooling into a great victory. Give us back the ground that the enemy has taken. Let this become a great defeat for the powers of darkness that would steal the hearts and minds of our children.
Sign this petition!
Sign this petition!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Imperfect Parenting
“It finally dawned on me that I had asked something of my parents that they could never be: I had wanted them to love me as only God can love me. And I wanted to love my kids as only God could love them.
“In short, either I was setting up rivals for God or I was trying to compete with God—both are efforts doomed to failure. I finally came to a major crossroads: instead of competing with God, I realized God had called me to focus my efforts on introducing my kids to God, even using my own failures and inadequacies as compelling causes for my children to find their refuge in him.
“What will it be for you? Will you try to compete with God, or will you work to introduce your children to the one true God?” (Gary Thomas, Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls, p. 44).
Lord, please help me give up trying to be the perfect parent, the perfect representative of You to my children. Instead, may I live repentant before my children to help them recognize that You are the only one who can love them perfectly.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. (Psalm 27:10 NKJV)
Though I do not want to, I know that I daily let my kids down in many ways. You, however, are the perfect parent that they need. Help them to find You and to be secure in Your love, and help me to forgive myself when I fall short.
“In short, either I was setting up rivals for God or I was trying to compete with God—both are efforts doomed to failure. I finally came to a major crossroads: instead of competing with God, I realized God had called me to focus my efforts on introducing my kids to God, even using my own failures and inadequacies as compelling causes for my children to find their refuge in him.
“What will it be for you? Will you try to compete with God, or will you work to introduce your children to the one true God?” (Gary Thomas, Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls, p. 44).
Lord, please help me give up trying to be the perfect parent, the perfect representative of You to my children. Instead, may I live repentant before my children to help them recognize that You are the only one who can love them perfectly.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. (Psalm 27:10 NKJV)
Though I do not want to, I know that I daily let my kids down in many ways. You, however, are the perfect parent that they need. Help them to find You and to be secure in Your love, and help me to forgive myself when I fall short.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
End of Day
I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too ignorant to be human, and I lack common sense. I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One. (Prov. 30:1b-2 NLT)
Wearily I come
To the end of today.
What wisdom I had this morning
Has fled.
I come before the throne,
Empty and ignorant,
Passion’s fire died
To flickering flame.
Welcome as I am,
Asking to be filled
From the ever-flowing river,
To be cleansed
With fire.
Wearily I come
To the end of today.
What wisdom I had this morning
Has fled.
I come before the throne,
Empty and ignorant,
Passion’s fire died
To flickering flame.
Welcome as I am,
Asking to be filled
From the ever-flowing river,
To be cleansed
With fire.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Poem by Whittier
This morning found this amazing poem, and I just have to share it. How have I never before discovered this Quaker poet?
The Fruit-Gift
by John Greeleaf Whittier
Last night, just as the tints of autumn's sky
Of sunset faded from our hills and streams,
I sat, vague listening, lapped in twilight dreams,
To the leaf's rustle, and the cricket's cry.
Then, like that basket, flush with summer fruit,
Dropped by the angels at the Prophet's foot,
Came, unannounced, a gift of clustered sweetness,
Full-orbed, and glowing with the prisoned beams
Of summery suns, and rounded to completeness
By kisses of the south-wind and the dew.
Thrilled with a glad surprise, methought I knew
The pleasure of the homeward-turning Jew,
When Eshcol's clusters on his shoulders lay,
Dropping their sweetness on his desert way.
I said, "This fruit beseems no world of sin.
Its parent vine, rooted in Paradise,
O'ercrept the wall, and never paid the price
Of the great mischief,--an ambrosial tree,
Eden's exotic, somehow smuggled in,
To keep the thorns and thistles company."
Perchance our frail, sad mother plucked in haste
A single vine-slip as she passed the gate,
Where the dread sword alternate paled and burned,
And the stern angel, pitying her fate,
Forgave the lovely trespasser, and turned
Aside his face of fire; and thus the waste
And fallen world hath yet its annual taste
Of primal good, to prove of sin the cost,
And show by one gleaned ear the mighty harvest lost.
The Fruit-Gift
by John Greeleaf Whittier
Last night, just as the tints of autumn's sky
Of sunset faded from our hills and streams,
I sat, vague listening, lapped in twilight dreams,
To the leaf's rustle, and the cricket's cry.
Then, like that basket, flush with summer fruit,
Dropped by the angels at the Prophet's foot,
Came, unannounced, a gift of clustered sweetness,
Full-orbed, and glowing with the prisoned beams
Of summery suns, and rounded to completeness
By kisses of the south-wind and the dew.
Thrilled with a glad surprise, methought I knew
The pleasure of the homeward-turning Jew,
When Eshcol's clusters on his shoulders lay,
Dropping their sweetness on his desert way.
I said, "This fruit beseems no world of sin.
Its parent vine, rooted in Paradise,
O'ercrept the wall, and never paid the price
Of the great mischief,--an ambrosial tree,
Eden's exotic, somehow smuggled in,
To keep the thorns and thistles company."
Perchance our frail, sad mother plucked in haste
A single vine-slip as she passed the gate,
Where the dread sword alternate paled and burned,
And the stern angel, pitying her fate,
Forgave the lovely trespasser, and turned
Aside his face of fire; and thus the waste
And fallen world hath yet its annual taste
Of primal good, to prove of sin the cost,
And show by one gleaned ear the mighty harvest lost.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Standing
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground] … (Eph. 6:12-13a)
I thank the Lord that my struggle is not with flesh and blood. I do not have to struggle, even against myself, but only yield myself to Him. He is my Master, and like a little puppy, I feel the touch of His hand and roll over in complete submission. He may do with me as He pleases. I trust Him without question. (Or at least, that is the desire of my heart. Make it true, Lord!) Sometimes He tickles my tummy and scratches behind my ears. Sometimes He spanks my little (well, maybe not so little) bottom. But always He loves me, and always I will come back to Him, trembling with eagerness to be near Him.
And as for the battle against the powers "of this present darkness," He provides all the armor I need. My task is not to fight, but to stand. I will stand my ground in His strength, confident that nothing can take me out when He is my Warrior. What is my ground? It is my confidence in Him. He is my Rock. He is my firm foundation. Nothing can shake me when I am standing on what is immovable.
I am so grateful for this encouragement today. I needed to hear it. For yesterday, as I read a couple of chapters is Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl, the Lord revealed so much garbage in my heart: a superior attitude and elements of a controlling spirit that I had not previously detected in myself. I was so grieved. As Paul and I drove around collecting gifts and party items for Rayne's birthday this weekend, I confessed to him and repented. I have been so resistant of his leadership. I have not realized what an amazing gift God has given me in being able to rest under his authority in my life. I have been striving to find God's will for myself, for Paul, and for our family, when all of that is not really my primary responsibility. It is my husband's! And my responsibility—which is to discover what he wants, to please him, and to pray for him as my heavenly authority—I have neglected. Instead, I have pushed him in directions that I felt we should go. Even if the direction might (at times) have been good, my attitude was not.
Paul was so gracious to me. He kept telling me what an incredible wife he has always thought that I am. He also kept saying that he feels again like he did when we were dating, when I just admired him so much. The difference, he said, is that now he is much less enamored with himself. Thank You, Lord, that You are now bringing me also to be less enamored with myself and my own spirituality. Thank You for bringing me to a place of being more appreciative of the spiritual (and natural) leadership of my husband. Please continue to give him wisdom for himself, for me, and for our family. And please continue to teach me to trust Your leadership through him. I am standing on You, trusting You to make me the bride You want me to be, both to my husband and to You.
I thank the Lord that my struggle is not with flesh and blood. I do not have to struggle, even against myself, but only yield myself to Him. He is my Master, and like a little puppy, I feel the touch of His hand and roll over in complete submission. He may do with me as He pleases. I trust Him without question. (Or at least, that is the desire of my heart. Make it true, Lord!) Sometimes He tickles my tummy and scratches behind my ears. Sometimes He spanks my little (well, maybe not so little) bottom. But always He loves me, and always I will come back to Him, trembling with eagerness to be near Him.
And as for the battle against the powers "of this present darkness," He provides all the armor I need. My task is not to fight, but to stand. I will stand my ground in His strength, confident that nothing can take me out when He is my Warrior. What is my ground? It is my confidence in Him. He is my Rock. He is my firm foundation. Nothing can shake me when I am standing on what is immovable.
I am so grateful for this encouragement today. I needed to hear it. For yesterday, as I read a couple of chapters is Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl, the Lord revealed so much garbage in my heart: a superior attitude and elements of a controlling spirit that I had not previously detected in myself. I was so grieved. As Paul and I drove around collecting gifts and party items for Rayne's birthday this weekend, I confessed to him and repented. I have been so resistant of his leadership. I have not realized what an amazing gift God has given me in being able to rest under his authority in my life. I have been striving to find God's will for myself, for Paul, and for our family, when all of that is not really my primary responsibility. It is my husband's! And my responsibility—which is to discover what he wants, to please him, and to pray for him as my heavenly authority—I have neglected. Instead, I have pushed him in directions that I felt we should go. Even if the direction might (at times) have been good, my attitude was not.
Paul was so gracious to me. He kept telling me what an incredible wife he has always thought that I am. He also kept saying that he feels again like he did when we were dating, when I just admired him so much. The difference, he said, is that now he is much less enamored with himself. Thank You, Lord, that You are now bringing me also to be less enamored with myself and my own spirituality. Thank You for bringing me to a place of being more appreciative of the spiritual (and natural) leadership of my husband. Please continue to give him wisdom for himself, for me, and for our family. And please continue to teach me to trust Your leadership through him. I am standing on You, trusting You to make me the bride You want me to be, both to my husband and to You.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Good Morning, God!
I didn't want to get up early this morning, but I did, and look what encouragement God had planned for me! I trust that you will be encouraged as well.
Coffee with God
Coffee with God
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