You know those TV shows where there are 7 million plot lines and twists and turns, and you forget things? Life is way more complicated than that. But, thankfully, God has it all under control.
Today was one of those days where funny things happened, and I was reminded of God's timing. And his humor. I think I forget sometimes. No, let me take that back, I forget a lot of times. Apparently we're all wired like that.
This afternoon my friend posted a picture she'd posted today a long time ago, thanks to the new Facebook thing, and I laughed out loud because it was a picture of the sky/clouds that looked really purple, unnaturally purple. And it was in 2012, when I didn't know her yet. I took a picture at some point, of a really purple sky! I searched and searched through my pictures until I came across my picture, so similar to hers, and it was in 2012 as well, but a different day. Different month too.
Tonight I went to Arby's for dinner. On my drive back to work, I was thinking about and praying about someone. I glanced over and saw their car driving the opposite way of me on 41! (Yep, with their bumper sticker that makes it their car.)
When I was leaving work, two of my engaged friends, Jessie and Grant, were at Starbucks and budgeting / working on wedding stuff. We talked some, and I said how the other day I remembered that I was standing there with Jessie and our other friend Lacey when Grant had walked up and asked Jessie out the first time! She said yes... and then the next day said no. They were friends for a year before he asked her again, and this time she said yes and they did start dating. I listened to their story and it was cool to see what God did in their lives.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Colossians 2
Colossians 2
Verse 6-7 is good. Paul tells the Colossians to continue following Jesus, and let our roots grow down into Him and let our lives be built on him. Then our faith will grow strong and we will overflow with thankfulness. How do I let my roots grow deep in Him? And how do I make sure my life is build on Jesus? I feel like it is already. But maybe a sign of it weakening is when I am less thankful, or when I feel less secure in God. Not secure that He is real or that He loves me, but the feeling that "life's not fair" or when my problems begin to affect my attitude more than it should. I think one thing I need to work on more is praying more and reading the bible more. I go through seasons where I do it a lot but then not as much. I think that's normal for most people, but I want to be more consistent in it. I pray a lot throughout my day, but not as much sitting down for serious prayer time or writing it out.
In verse 8 Paul says not to be tricked into empty philosophies and nonsense from human thinking instead of Christ. I'm pretty quick to be like, "Nope. That doesn't come from the bible." That's not something I struggle with, but I know people who do.
Verse 11-12 say how we were circumcised not in a physical way but in a spiritual way when we came to Christ. Jesus was cutting away our sinful nature. This is the verse about being buried with Christ in baptism and being raised again to new life in Him. I think what is hard for me to understand about this is that even though we have a new life in Christ, we still sin and may still have the same kind of sin as non-believers (or the same sins we had before we knew Him, even though that's not the case for me since I have known Him my whole life). I know that before Christ, we don't fight against sin or we don't see the need to, but in Christ we do fight against sin and with the help of God as well. However, some sin is still huge in our lives.
In the following verses Paul says how Jesus' death on the cross is what "canceled the record of the charges against us." I think about having police show up to my door and saying, "You're going to jail for the rest of your life," and then Jesus showing up and saying, "Even though I didn't commit a crime, I will go to jail in place of Jennifer." And that sounds so crazy! Thankfully, metaphorically, He busts out of jail and then nobody has to go to jail in the end! :-)
In verses 20-23, it talks about how we don't have to follow the world's rules about things to eat or touch or handle, because those may seem wise and require strong devotion to make a selfless, "but they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires." Sometimes I think that I should eat better and exercise more, and while I should, it is not the most important thing in the world. I could be super fit and healthy, but struggle with sins in a deeper way than I am now because of my attention to how I look instead of my attention to how I fight against sin in my life. To someone who is focused on the physical aspect of things they may be thinking about how to eat gluten free, no carbs, no sugar, certain amounts of protein, certain amount of minutes a day that they exercise... and those rules and counting calories can consume someone! They can become obsessed about it - I've seen it! And in the end they have been striving after a goal for their body that will die instead of a goal for their soul which will last forever. Yes, it's great to be healthy and I want that more in my life. But am I focusing on goals in my spiritual life that enrich my life more?
"'Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.' This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it." - 1 Timothy 4:8-9
I've always liked that verse, partly because I'm like, "Yeah! I can eat chocolate and not feel bad about it!" LOL. But mostly because it is so beautifully true, that sharpening our spiritual life is so much more important than any other goals in our lives including our careers, our hobbies, and more. To get to the end of my life and say, "These are the goals I accomplished: I finished college, I had a great career, a great family, great hobbies..." will hopefully be cool things to say. But ultimately I want to say, "I gave and served in every way that I could in my life. I spread the gospel not only in other countries, but in my home in raising my children and grandchildren, and in my job and community. I fought sin, and although it won sometimes, I kept on fighting it, so I had many victories. I knew Christ in a deeper way throughout my life, and the bible became so well known to me - the only book I studied over the course of my entire life!"
Verse 6-7 is good. Paul tells the Colossians to continue following Jesus, and let our roots grow down into Him and let our lives be built on him. Then our faith will grow strong and we will overflow with thankfulness. How do I let my roots grow deep in Him? And how do I make sure my life is build on Jesus? I feel like it is already. But maybe a sign of it weakening is when I am less thankful, or when I feel less secure in God. Not secure that He is real or that He loves me, but the feeling that "life's not fair" or when my problems begin to affect my attitude more than it should. I think one thing I need to work on more is praying more and reading the bible more. I go through seasons where I do it a lot but then not as much. I think that's normal for most people, but I want to be more consistent in it. I pray a lot throughout my day, but not as much sitting down for serious prayer time or writing it out.
In verse 8 Paul says not to be tricked into empty philosophies and nonsense from human thinking instead of Christ. I'm pretty quick to be like, "Nope. That doesn't come from the bible." That's not something I struggle with, but I know people who do.
Verse 11-12 say how we were circumcised not in a physical way but in a spiritual way when we came to Christ. Jesus was cutting away our sinful nature. This is the verse about being buried with Christ in baptism and being raised again to new life in Him. I think what is hard for me to understand about this is that even though we have a new life in Christ, we still sin and may still have the same kind of sin as non-believers (or the same sins we had before we knew Him, even though that's not the case for me since I have known Him my whole life). I know that before Christ, we don't fight against sin or we don't see the need to, but in Christ we do fight against sin and with the help of God as well. However, some sin is still huge in our lives.
In the following verses Paul says how Jesus' death on the cross is what "canceled the record of the charges against us." I think about having police show up to my door and saying, "You're going to jail for the rest of your life," and then Jesus showing up and saying, "Even though I didn't commit a crime, I will go to jail in place of Jennifer." And that sounds so crazy! Thankfully, metaphorically, He busts out of jail and then nobody has to go to jail in the end! :-)
In verses 20-23, it talks about how we don't have to follow the world's rules about things to eat or touch or handle, because those may seem wise and require strong devotion to make a selfless, "but they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires." Sometimes I think that I should eat better and exercise more, and while I should, it is not the most important thing in the world. I could be super fit and healthy, but struggle with sins in a deeper way than I am now because of my attention to how I look instead of my attention to how I fight against sin in my life. To someone who is focused on the physical aspect of things they may be thinking about how to eat gluten free, no carbs, no sugar, certain amounts of protein, certain amount of minutes a day that they exercise... and those rules and counting calories can consume someone! They can become obsessed about it - I've seen it! And in the end they have been striving after a goal for their body that will die instead of a goal for their soul which will last forever. Yes, it's great to be healthy and I want that more in my life. But am I focusing on goals in my spiritual life that enrich my life more?
"'Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.' This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it." - 1 Timothy 4:8-9
I've always liked that verse, partly because I'm like, "Yeah! I can eat chocolate and not feel bad about it!" LOL. But mostly because it is so beautifully true, that sharpening our spiritual life is so much more important than any other goals in our lives including our careers, our hobbies, and more. To get to the end of my life and say, "These are the goals I accomplished: I finished college, I had a great career, a great family, great hobbies..." will hopefully be cool things to say. But ultimately I want to say, "I gave and served in every way that I could in my life. I spread the gospel not only in other countries, but in my home in raising my children and grandchildren, and in my job and community. I fought sin, and although it won sometimes, I kept on fighting it, so I had many victories. I knew Christ in a deeper way throughout my life, and the bible became so well known to me - the only book I studied over the course of my entire life!"
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Our leadership retreat
As I was getting on the interstate, I was trying to kill a spider, but my friend Bryan had to get it. We played a game called telephone pictionary that made me laugh so hard I cried. We had good discussions and times of planning. We hung out on a dock, looking out at a giant lake. We had great conversations that left me feeling enriched and blessed. I played some card games. I drank coffee and ate breakfast on the back porch looking out at the lake, while having great conversations with friends. We talked about our lives, cried with each other, prayed for each other, and encouraged one another. We made and ate sandwiches in the car, like a moving picnic.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
People in life
I think it's interesting to see what makes people stressed, sad, and excited, to see what they are passionate about, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and what quirks they have. We all have the unique and intricate things about us that make us who we are. Sometimes other people make us want to be better people, or inspire us and refresh us. It's great to find someone who is not only encouraging but also challenges us to pursue God more and change our outlook on life.
Because of our uniqueness, it is so helpful to have other people around you that balance you out or that you work well with. Where my weaknesses are, it's someone else's strengths. Where we feel attacked by lies, others can show you what the truth is. When we are complaining too much or stuck in a rut, others can help us change our perspective and/or pray for us.
I'm so thankful for the friends I have in my life who are those people to me. It's not easy to find, and it's not easy to keep. It takes intentionality and persistence. It takes grace for others, and grace for yourself, forgiving and forgetting, and unconditional love. It means being humble enough to say, "I am wrong, and you are right." It means being patient enough to say, "You're getting on my nerves, but I love you anyways." It means being honest enough to say, "You hurt me. But I'm not giving up on you."
Sometimes it's hard for me not to stay friends with ALL the friends I've ever had! I want to keep in touch with them and hang out with them. And as life moves on and we aren't in each other's lives that is HARD for me. But I want to make the most of the friends I have in my life right now. I don't ever want to take them for granted or let silly things get in the way.
You know those times when you had a major scrape or cut, like falling and skinning your knees on the pavement, and you keep a bandaid on it for like a week for it to heal? And then you see that it's pretty much healed, like 95%, and it's time for the bandaid to stay off, but you're afraid something will happen and you'll hurt it again? Sometimes that's my heart. Sometimes it gets wounded and I emotionally stay closed off to people or don't "wear my heart on my sleeve." Even after my heart is pretty much healed, I think, "But what if it gets hurt again? What if someone says things that hurt me again or decides I'm not worth being friends with?" And I want to keep the bandaid on my heart. I remember watching, "Once Upon A Time," and someone said, "That wall of yours may keep out the pain, but it also keeps out love." Oh so true.
Because of our uniqueness, it is so helpful to have other people around you that balance you out or that you work well with. Where my weaknesses are, it's someone else's strengths. Where we feel attacked by lies, others can show you what the truth is. When we are complaining too much or stuck in a rut, others can help us change our perspective and/or pray for us.
I'm so thankful for the friends I have in my life who are those people to me. It's not easy to find, and it's not easy to keep. It takes intentionality and persistence. It takes grace for others, and grace for yourself, forgiving and forgetting, and unconditional love. It means being humble enough to say, "I am wrong, and you are right." It means being patient enough to say, "You're getting on my nerves, but I love you anyways." It means being honest enough to say, "You hurt me. But I'm not giving up on you."
Sometimes it's hard for me not to stay friends with ALL the friends I've ever had! I want to keep in touch with them and hang out with them. And as life moves on and we aren't in each other's lives that is HARD for me. But I want to make the most of the friends I have in my life right now. I don't ever want to take them for granted or let silly things get in the way.
You know those times when you had a major scrape or cut, like falling and skinning your knees on the pavement, and you keep a bandaid on it for like a week for it to heal? And then you see that it's pretty much healed, like 95%, and it's time for the bandaid to stay off, but you're afraid something will happen and you'll hurt it again? Sometimes that's my heart. Sometimes it gets wounded and I emotionally stay closed off to people or don't "wear my heart on my sleeve." Even after my heart is pretty much healed, I think, "But what if it gets hurt again? What if someone says things that hurt me again or decides I'm not worth being friends with?" And I want to keep the bandaid on my heart. I remember watching, "Once Upon A Time," and someone said, "That wall of yours may keep out the pain, but it also keeps out love." Oh so true.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Standing
Today at work
As I stood washing dishes,
I was actually standing before the Lord,
Telling him my wishes,
And hopes, and dreams, and struggles.
I came to a moment of anger
Because of an unanswered prayer.
I said, "God since I can't have the loaf of bread
Can you at least give me crumbs while I'm waiting there?
I'm not even sure what to say
Or how to pray
Or what to do
But all I know is I'm giving this up to you.
I know that I'm sometimes actually praying for mud
When you want to give me cake,
And I just sit here complaining
As you bake.
So God, in the midst of my pain,
I just lay it down at Your feet.
Your will be done,
Your plan be complete."
As I stood washing dishes,
I was actually standing before the Lord,
Telling him my wishes,
And hopes, and dreams, and struggles.
I came to a moment of anger
Because of an unanswered prayer.
I said, "God since I can't have the loaf of bread
Can you at least give me crumbs while I'm waiting there?
I'm not even sure what to say
Or how to pray
Or what to do
But all I know is I'm giving this up to you.
I know that I'm sometimes actually praying for mud
When you want to give me cake,
And I just sit here complaining
As you bake.
So God, in the midst of my pain,
I just lay it down at Your feet.
Your will be done,
Your plan be complete."
Friday, April 3, 2015
Things that make me happy
Things makes me happy:
Holding a baby. Chocolate. Retreats. Coffee. Silence (sometimes). The sound of thunder and rain. Snow. Rainbows. Laughing til you cry. Good time with God. Computer games. Board games. Card games. Books. Taking pictures. Editing pictures. Posting pictures. Writing in my journal. Writing letters. Receiving letters. Playing piano. Singing. Going new places. Flying. Hugs. Holding hands. Talking for hours with friends. Visiting my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins in WA. Kenya. The beach. Beach houses. Islands of Adventure. Cheesy jokes. Helping someone who needs it. Cajun chicken pasta at Chili's. Going to new coffee shops. Places that are all decked out for Christmas. Baby shoes. Good tv shows. Talking to my parents. Someone remembering small things about me. Dancing (just for fun, not for real). When someone gives me something, big or small. Giving something to someone, big or small. Compliments. Laser tag. Cabins on mountains. Bright colors. Reuniting with old friends. Naps. Seeing pictures of people when they're younger. Friends visiting me at work. Sitting at the park on a gorgeous day. Leadership meetings with bible study. Bible study. Swings of all kinds.
Holding a baby. Chocolate. Retreats. Coffee. Silence (sometimes). The sound of thunder and rain. Snow. Rainbows. Laughing til you cry. Good time with God. Computer games. Board games. Card games. Books. Taking pictures. Editing pictures. Posting pictures. Writing in my journal. Writing letters. Receiving letters. Playing piano. Singing. Going new places. Flying. Hugs. Holding hands. Talking for hours with friends. Visiting my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins in WA. Kenya. The beach. Beach houses. Islands of Adventure. Cheesy jokes. Helping someone who needs it. Cajun chicken pasta at Chili's. Going to new coffee shops. Places that are all decked out for Christmas. Baby shoes. Good tv shows. Talking to my parents. Someone remembering small things about me. Dancing (just for fun, not for real). When someone gives me something, big or small. Giving something to someone, big or small. Compliments. Laser tag. Cabins on mountains. Bright colors. Reuniting with old friends. Naps. Seeing pictures of people when they're younger. Friends visiting me at work. Sitting at the park on a gorgeous day. Leadership meetings with bible study. Bible study. Swings of all kinds.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Sabbath
I'm reading /going through a bible study called, "Breathe," by Priscilla Shirer. It's about the Sabbath.
"The purpose of God's Sabbath day was not to put up His proverbial feet, take a load off, and chill out after creating the universe in the previous days. He wasn't tired. He was expressing His satisfaction. Creation was complete, so He rested. An in doing so, He introduced the concept of rest to humanity."
God himself rested - why do I think I'm exempt from that??
One of the questions in the book is, "In what ways have you experienced difficulty or harm as a result of rejecting God's command to stop and practice tranquility?" Not hearing from God clearly or knowing His direction for me, not spending as much time with Him, allowing sin to grow, not having peace, and not having the fruit of the spirit (like joy! and self-control!).
"Some of us have made an idol of exhaustion. The only time we know we have done enough is when we're running on empty and when the ones we love most are the ones we see the least." - Barbara Brown Taylor
I am currently in a season of life that is not packed out with things to do all the time - praise the Lord. But as Shirer points out, it's not just about your time, it's also about too much going on in your heart / mind. I don't "work" on Sundays, but it's so much more than just refraining from work on Sundays. It's about having margin in all areas of your life. When your schedule is too packed, your relationships suffer, you don't work at 100% at whatever you are currently doing, you get sick more often, and your brain / heart gets too full and distracted. Everything gets affected in your life.
I love how Shirer pointed out that it wasn't just about stopping work, but it's about stopping anything that you think is becoming an idol so that it doesn't become an idol. That includes SLEEP and social media and things we find as "restful" that might be something that is actually taking too much precedence in our lives.
"The purpose of God's Sabbath day was not to put up His proverbial feet, take a load off, and chill out after creating the universe in the previous days. He wasn't tired. He was expressing His satisfaction. Creation was complete, so He rested. An in doing so, He introduced the concept of rest to humanity."
God himself rested - why do I think I'm exempt from that??
One of the questions in the book is, "In what ways have you experienced difficulty or harm as a result of rejecting God's command to stop and practice tranquility?" Not hearing from God clearly or knowing His direction for me, not spending as much time with Him, allowing sin to grow, not having peace, and not having the fruit of the spirit (like joy! and self-control!).
"Some of us have made an idol of exhaustion. The only time we know we have done enough is when we're running on empty and when the ones we love most are the ones we see the least." - Barbara Brown Taylor
I am currently in a season of life that is not packed out with things to do all the time - praise the Lord. But as Shirer points out, it's not just about your time, it's also about too much going on in your heart / mind. I don't "work" on Sundays, but it's so much more than just refraining from work on Sundays. It's about having margin in all areas of your life. When your schedule is too packed, your relationships suffer, you don't work at 100% at whatever you are currently doing, you get sick more often, and your brain / heart gets too full and distracted. Everything gets affected in your life.
I love how Shirer pointed out that it wasn't just about stopping work, but it's about stopping anything that you think is becoming an idol so that it doesn't become an idol. That includes SLEEP and social media and things we find as "restful" that might be something that is actually taking too much precedence in our lives.
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