Friday, November 27, 2009
Today's Playlist 11-27
"Ringing the Bells of Christmas" Michelle Pillar
"We Will Glorify" Twila Paris
"Mighty to Save" Laura Story - "Great God Who Saves"
"From the Rising" Shannon Wexelberg
2:15 A Quick Word ~ Beth Moore
"Go Tell It On the Mountain" Phillips, Craig & Dean
"How Great Thou Art" Passon Artist, Charlie Hall - "Hymns, Ancient & Modern"
2:30
(Secrets of the Secret Place, © 2001 by Bob Sorge. Published by Oasis House. Used by permission. All rights reserved)
"Treasure" Desperation Band - "From the Rooftops"
"Holy is the Lord" Chris Tomlin - "Arriving"
2:45 Seeking Him ~ Nancy Leigh DeMoss
"While You Were Sleeping" Casting Crowns - "Lifesong"
Selah Moment w/music by Dan & Sandy Adler - "Wind of the Spirit"
"Your Faithfulness" Brian Doerksen - "You Shine"
"You Are" Mark Roach
3:00 PM
"You Are Good" Point of Grace
"Zechariah's Song" Go Fish
"With His Love (Sing Holy)" David Phelps
3:15 Proverbs 31 ~ Renee Swope - "If Only You Knew"
"My Will" DC Talk - "Exodus"
"Call to Worship" Vicky Beeching - "Yesterday, Today and Forever"
3:30
"Bless the Lord" Laura Story - "Great God Who Saves"
"Glory to God in the Highest" Buddy Greene
"I Stand Amazed" Bart Millard - "Hymned Again"
3:45 Birthday and Anniversary Club
"God Almighty" Chris Tomlin - "Hello Love"
A Time of Loss
A time to be born, And a time to die;A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;A time to kill, And a time to heal;A time to break down, And a time to build up;A time to weep, And a time to laugh;A time to mourn, And a time to dance;A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;A time to gain, And a time to lose;A time to keep, And a time to throw away;A time to tear, And a time to sew;A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;A time to love, And a time to hate;A time of war, And a time of peace. (:2-8 NKJ)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Out of Your Element
"Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful."
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Fear or Faith?
Just what is your motivator? There is something within each one of us that keeps us going, keeps us taking one step forward and another step after that one. I am speaking specifically of our Christian journey here on this terrestrial ball. Our walk is something we either just do without much thought given to it or it is proactive and spurned onward from the motivation of either fear or faith.
The basics are the daily routine we find ourselves in with its nuts and bolts of dealing with everyday life. Our family, job and those unexpected interruptions (negative or positive) that we may just cruise through. But that can be so mundane. I don’t know about you but I want more! I want more of God, His power, love, experience and His blessings to accompany me while on the journey.
I like this verse in Proverbs 16:9 “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Oh how we can get in the way of His will for our lives! You see, it could be that He has planted something within you that could potentially rock your world and raise the bar of excitement and fulfillment as you walk out His plan for you. Then along comes an anchor of doubt that will try to rob you of the joy of the journey.
I am so afraid that…
It scares me to even think of going there…
But what if I fail and can’t do it…
What will people say if I do that…
It seems to me that more often than not, we move forward dragging an anchor of fear instead of allowing faith to ignite our passion and propel us forward into that to which God has called us. We shrink back in fear and stay quite comfortable in our complacency! I know, I have done it myself and then I look back and wonder what could have been had I gone forward with that certain dream or vision.
God’s word tells us that “…without FAITH it is impossible to please God”. Yet time and time again I make the choice to opt out because of the risks involved. I truly believe that we know when the Lord confirms in our heart a particular direction to take and how sad it is when the excuses come and we do not proceed. We miss out on the blessings and possibly the blessings intended for others by playing it safe.
We all (Christian or non) go about our day with a certain measure of certainty that as we enter our cars to go where needed that the vehicle will get us to our destination, I am not talking about that kind of faith. What I am addressing is the kind found in Hebrews 11:1:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Could it be that God has laid something on your heart that seems a bit out of the box for you to undertake? Has he called you to a mission trip or to lead a small group, sing in the choir, start a new business venture or home school your children? These all have the potential to make some of us shake in our boots don’t they! But if you want to walk in obedience you need to get out of your comfort zone and act upon that calling. Even if you cannot see the finished product or end of the journey! He just calls us to action, to put one foot in front of the other as we lean into Him for direction!
God has given me some dreams and confirmed some things that seemed rather ‘scary’ for me to undertake. Like being willing to share my story and love for Him with others whether it is in written form, at a speaking engagement or on the air. Lately He confirmed in me to write my story out and immediately my thoughts were who cares about my story? That is a lot of time and energy expended for something nobody would be interested in reading. But after the confirmation was settled in me I knew that I was not to worry about who or if anyone would read it, I was just to begin the process of writing my life story. God knows what will happen with it and I am to act, not shrink back and decline His request. My part is to trust in what Hebrews 11:1 tells me, even if I can’t see or visualize the outcome.
Are you one of those folks who needs to have your “ducks in a row” before you proceed? Some would argue that you would be taking precautions and securing your venture before moving forward. Please, I am not talking about being foolish throwing caution to the wind. I am talking about the calling upon you that keeps nagging at the back of your mind and you can’t seem to let it go. Then someone says something or a thing happens that really just settles in your mind that yes, you are to move forward. Your next step is to put one foot in front of the next even if you cannot see exactly where you are headed.
Thinking back to when I was first asked if I would be interested in working part-time at the Christian radio station, I walked into the control room and looked at all the stuff (equipment) on the walls and said uh, I don’t think so! I wasn’t trained in radio. I didn’t have a clue regarding electronic stuff and there were eight knobs on that control board that completely ‘scared me’ to think of having to operate. I agreed to pray about it and willingly said, “God, if You want me to do this then I trust You will guide me through the process of learning how.” I didn’t go off to broadcasting school or take a class in electronics but I did willingly say yes. Just about 20 years later I am still in radio and some amazing doors of opportunity have opened as a result of saying yes to God.
Now, what about you? Let me encourage you not to miss out on the blessing of walking in obedience and allowing God to use You for His glory. Think of it as sowing into God’s kingdom.
Father, I am so excited to be serving You in several of the ways that You have called me to serve. I am even pumped to see what You have in store for the next 20 years. I ask that You would keep me from complacency and the fleshly desire to take the easy way out instead of trusting You to lead me into Your way of everlasting! Everlasting joy and fulfillment knowing that I am in Your will, being used by You to introduce You to those who don’t know who You are and encouraging those who know You to walk in the abundant life You have for them. Let me keep pressing on till Jesus returns, in Your name, Amen.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Called to Make a Difference
You’ve Been Supernaturally Planted
I live in International Falls, MN. People have said to me “why would you want to live in that ‘God forsaken’ part of the world? After all, our slogan is the “Ice Box of the Nation.” Can you imagine being in one of the coldest parts of the lower 48? Funny thing is I love to tell people when they ask that I love where I have been planted! One year when the Weather Channel was here reporting on our Ice Box Days festivities (the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run, etc.) one of the camera men caught me going in to our early church service (yes, before 8:00 AM in January) and briefly asked me how I liked being out on such cold mornings to go to church. I can't remember how cold it was but enough that most folks would shudder at the temperature. I said something to the effect that I loved it and that we are a hearty group of people up here because we endure the cold even to go to church on an early Sunday morning. How funny when I got a call from a lady that was originally from here (but now residing in the warm and sunny Florida Keys) who said she saw me on television at church! Although, I can honestly share with you that I did not always have that positive of an attitude. Having been here now for 36 years there have been a wide range of emotions affiliated with the reality that this is home. Some are great, but the reality of my children and their children leaving the area makes it not so great. In some ways it is the end of the world (well the United States that is) as Canada is right across the bordering Rainy River.
My first twenty years of life were filled with many short-lived stops along the way and no, I was definitely not a military brat. From being born in Connecticut, to Columbus, Ohio, (living in various apartments for my first ten years of life) then New York City (Manhattan Island) for four years. It was then…four more years of bopping around the country which brought me up to Minnesota. Yes, Minnesota. When I am asked how I ended up here I always say that it is just too long a story to go into! Ultimately, I have come to know without a shadow of a doubt that it was the providential hand of God that brought me here. After all, I met God in the "Ice Box of the Nation"! And I have grown quite partial to my little neck of the woods (literally speaking.) Funny thing is there sure are a lot of people I know who would rather not be here. It is usually weather related—too cold, too rainy, to smelly, etc. Yes, it is frustrating at times that you have to drive for almost two hours (four hours of drive time round trip) to find something more than a Kmart to do your shopping and spring may come early but count on at least one snow shower in May!
What I would like you to know is that even with its lack of amenities, God has given me an incredible love for where I live, my community and the people who live here. Think about this. I'm sure you find it so easy and comfortable to pray for friends and loved ones. Now, let me stretch you a bit. Can you honestly pray for a place you do not love? Or how about a place you hate or feel trapped in? Maybe, you do not like the politics in your community or it seems like the area is drying up. We certainly have justification to give up, do we not? But why not do the uncomfortable thing by stepping out and praying for everything that is 'wrong' with where you live? You know that it probably will not warm up if it is the weather you dislike or there may never be a “Target” (or whatever your favorite place to shop is) in the area. But, God can help you focus less on how cold it is which might divert your attention (so to speak) when you pray and ask God for His kingdom to come and His will to be done in your area as it is in heaven!
This is a fun way of looking at Matthew 5:14 from the Message:
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.”
The Irish Worship group BlueTree says it well in this music video, God of This City. You see, we--because we know Jesus as Lord and Savior--have been called out of the darkness and been brought into God’s marvelous light, through Jesus Christ and His shed blood for you and me.
Here is what it says about who we are as God's chosen people:
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Friend, there is a city, town or community that needs the reality and saving knowledge of Christ. We are the brightly shining light God is using to expose the darkness and introduce to the Savior, those who are in need.
If you feel as though you live in a “God forsaken” environment, I would like to challenge you to start to pray—to pray for God’s visitation in your area. If love is what stops you, why don’t you ask God to give you a love for or deepen your love for your area and its people. A great place to start is with prayer walking. Do you frequently walk? Maybe for your daily exercise routine you are out and about your neighborhood hoofing it up and down streets, roads, etc. Try praying for various families you might walk by on your daily regimen. You might even be able to have access to a map of your community and you could even start to log the areas you have extended ‘prayer covering’ over.. As you are walking, ask the Lord to burden your heart for the people in the coverage area you take in. You might walk by someone’s home that you do not particularly care for or feel that they do not care for you. Well, ask the Lord for an open heart toward that one, that family or business and I guarantee that you are going to change. Something is going to well up within you and you are going to develop a love for your community because you have started to pray for the life blood of your area, its people.
Is your area suffering from this economic downturn? If possible get to your down town business area and start praying for the Lord’s blessings and prosperity over the businesses in your community. I like to include in my prayer time the words Jesus used in teaching us how to pray, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Praying God’s will on Earth as it is in Heaven is a powerful prayer and that is what we need to be about doing! Maybe where you have been planted is specifically for this very time. You have been called to pray and walk on the hardened ground of unbelief, pride and independence. You will be amazed how your heart will turn as you exercise the loving act of prayer for your location. Do not give up! You will begin to see how God is always up to something, and it is always good!
Lord, thank you for teaching me how to pray for the area I live in and giving me hope to see that You care very much for this place. If you desire that no man should perish then how can I believe the lie that I live in a God-forsaken area? I am asking you to break my heart with the things that break Yours. Let me see the people, places and businesses with Your eyes because there is always hope there. It is pretty exciting to see things begin to change when we expend time and energy praying for our communities. And don't let me stop there. Continue to burden me with prayer for my state, country and beyond and thank You for the change that can happen when we just pray in Your name!
Friday, May 29, 2009
You Changed Your Name!
Now that I have changed my name to Kimberly Dawn, I am forever being asked why. I thought of how we can spend hours deciding what to name our children, our pets and whatever else that we care about, even our car. We pour over the meanings especially when we name our children. We want them to have a name that has a really cool meaning or sometimes we just like the sound of it, or the name is elegant and dignified.
My little mother (she is only five feet tall to my five foot eight) reminds me frequently of how she picked my name. My given name is Kimberly. Apparently my father was not too convinced, but mom hung in there. Being a bit of a trend setter in her day, she always did things a bit out of the ordinary. I would call her creative. I am not so sure that I understand being named after a diamond mine in South Africa but...far be it from me to argue with the one who fought hard to give me that name. (After all, it is better than Kimberly Clark, the Kleenex manufacturer.)
At fourteen years of age, I ran away from home for the second and final time. I needed an alias to go by, so I gave myself the name of Dawn. I liked it because of the beautiful morning sky. Since then I have used Dawn as my first name. When finally reunited with my mom after three years, my mother was not very happy to find out that I had changed my name but had to resign herself to the fact I was now Dawn. I have a couple of those Biblical name cards and the one for Dawn says "The Break of Day" and has the Scripture from Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer." (which I love.) Mom, on the other hand, loved to tell people (when I would introduce her), "Her real name is Kimberly!" That really used to bug me something fierce.
Well, my mom is not a believer in Jesus Christ and as I have watched her climb into her upper 70's and begin to struggle with her health, I asked the Lord to show me what part I could play in her coming to Christ. After all, I pray diligently for her salvation. The Lord spoke to my heart a couple of years back and said to just love, serve and bless her. Okay, Lord, show me how because You know how strong willed and independent this little woman is. Unfortunately, as she is aging she is also losing her vision from macular degeneration and because of that she has been forced to give up much of her independence. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, that can be very trying for the one going through it! She also has some internal issues that are a bit humiliating for her to have to contend with. Hey, life can get difficult as we age!
Two summers ago (mom stays with us in the summer months when she is feeling well enough), the first day she was here she injured her leg exercising her "I don't need any help" attitude. She fell off a counter and gouged her leg up terribly and we ended up in the ER. This became a very unique opportunity for me to do 'hands on' care for 'Miss Independent'. I had to change her dressing twice a day throughout most of the summer. It took four months for this wound to heal! But, in the process, I was able to care for her tenderly with that thing we all love and that is human touch. At one point I even asked her if I could anoint her with oil and pray for her healing and amazingly she said yes! When I was done, she had tears in her eyes and could not explain why. God is indeed up to something, don't you think?
Last fall, my radio program was going into its fifth year and it is kind of fun to do something new now and again to keep things fresh. Well, I asked the guys what they would think if I changed my on air name to Kimberly Dawn. It was such a God thing that I would even go there. They liked the newness of it and said go for it. This was a real blessing to my mom and she periodically asks if I am still going by that name and I am always so pleased to tell her "Of course!" The funny thing is that I am actually enjoying being called by that name, as well, although I do not expect those that only know me as Dawn to change how they address me unless they want to. A little side note - my boss and former boss always teased me by calling me Kimberly Dawn now and again. Here is what Kimberly means - "From the Royal Meadow." Nice, huh? And the Scripture is also delightful from Psalm 119:73 (NASB) "Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments." I just know this is softening my mom's heart and I am believing that God is making a way into her heart where there seems to be no way!
Please pray with me that God will continue to show me ways that I can be Jesus to her and that she will come to know the One Who will never leave her or forsake her and Who will love her with His everlasting love. I am believing the Holy Spirit is wooing her and that it will not be long now for her to take her rightful place in God's Kingdom. And I thank God for bringing me to a place where I would want to be obedient even to the point of going back to a name I did not care for!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
National Day of Prayer ~ May 7, 2009
By the President of the
A Proclamation.
Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.
And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.
And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!
It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.
Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.
All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the
Done at the City of
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
God gives a distinct warning to Solomon as he finished the house of the Lord just as God had instructed him to do (Solomon's palace as well), he then visits Solomon in the night with a specific warning and proclamation:
II Chronicles 7:13-15 (NASB)
"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people.We love our freedom and the country that provides for that freedom of expression to be lived out but our obligation as His redeemed is to remain faithful and true to the One who gave it to us.
And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place."
Pressing on toward the goal!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Clean Hands and a Pure Heart
Back in November I needed to have some professional pictures taken and this gave me a good excuse to get acrylics. Now I don't just mean the 'Lee Press Ons', no, these are the 'spendy' ones. Wow, they are great and oh, they look so nice. Finally, I have these lovely nails and they are amazingly durable too. I only had to tend to them once a week, usually on a Saturday night before bed. I was quite surprised at how long they lasted too. Now to justify the cost I gave up my weekly white chocolate mocha coffee treat for the next couple of months. There is some maintenance that is required to keep the nails looking really great but that would cost another month or so of my coffee treats so I opted to file them down myself and then just paint them.
As it goes with time, they were filed down to the point where they could be gently picked off and I was horrified at what I found underneath the exterior. My poor nail base was not only paper thin but shredded to bits and they looked horrible. What a sad discovery that I may have ruined my real nails for a fleeting couple of months with acrylics.
Ah, lessons for life, you gotta love it!
To what extent do we go about attempting to make ourselves look great on the outside? After all there are tons of beauty magazines filled with all the details on what it takes for us to 'look great' and after all, isn't this is how the world tends to measure our success. Yet when I think of the time, energy and money it takes to look great on the outside I wonder what we have neglected or covered up on the inside? It is possible that masked by the lovely exterior is bitterness, resentment, jealousy and or unforgiveness? It could also be just the lack of growing in our spiritual maturity, still needing the milk like an infant.
This reminds me of the Pharisees who were so adapt at looking great on the outside but their insides proved their hypocrisy. They wore their lovely robes, prayer shawls and their phylacteries, while saying all their prayers on the street corners. Looking great on the outside but listen to these strong words from Jesus in Matthew 23
Six times Jesus begins by saying "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites..."
- ...you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men; for you do not enter in yourselves...
- ...you devour widows' houses, even while for a pretense you make long prayers;
- ...have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness;
- ...you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
- ...you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
Now don't get me wrong. There really is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself and looking a great as you can provided you are not neglecting taking care of the stuff on the inside.
David said in Psalm 139:23,24:
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
and see if there be any hurtful way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way."
There are so many things that take up our time and keep us just too busy to clean the inside of the house or tent as Paul referred to it. I do believe that we need to inventory on a regular basis to assure that we have properly dealt with the things that build up the plaque. And it does take a certain amount of quality time to do so. So as an exercise, see how much time you spend on your exterior, the things that help you look your best. (Please, I am in no way suggesting that we would do otherwise.) We of course know that God wants great representation. Is that which is on the inside a balanced representation for our exterior? I believe that is what God desires. If we don't live it, then what is reflected means nothing. I don't know about you but I sure desire to have a balanced life that reflects an interior filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Abba Father, I am so humbled to be Your work in progress. This growing into maturity takes time and can be difficult. I want David's heart that because he was willing to be exposed out of his love for You. It is not pleasant to see the plaque that is within but thank You for helping me to deal with whatever crud is in there and keeps me from reflecting You. It is Your kindness that leads me to repentance and Your Holy Spirit that teaches me along the way. Keep me teachable and growing in Your way of everlasting. Amen.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Was Paul an Athlete?
Was Paul an athlete?
Who’s to know if Paul was an athlete or a wanna be or was he an observer to the Roman Olympics? When you read the descriptions of this man we don’t really find our mind wandering to pictures of a buff, athletic form of a man. On the contrary, we read stuff like that he was a tent maker (Acts 18:3). So he sat and sewed tents and people who sit a lot...well you get my drift. No real physical prep going on here. He was raised at the feet of the famous Jewish teacher, Gamaliel which meant hours of pouring over the Pentateuch, learning all of the Scriptures. Paul was particularly known for his knowledge and obedience of the Mosaic law. I see a picture of a man who did much reading and reciting. Now you can recite on the run but...highly improbable in his day and no ipods and such with the recorded Word drumming in his ear either. In 1 Corinthians 2:1,3 we see mentioned that Paul's inadequacies include not being an excellent orator and being weakened in his flesh. So how interesting it is that he draws a spiritual picture of the life of faith as one of a physical race we run even to the extent of competing!
Let's look at a few verses from 1 Corinthians 9
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?" :24
The exhortation is to run in such a way as you would as if you were in a competition. He has compared this journey to a marathon! Life can surely be a long one at that. Then he continues on to tell us that we have to exercise self-control throughout this marathon.
"Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." :25
Wow, now he is really hitting home. Oh how I struggle with the speaking before thinking it through thing. Or the doing before praying thing. Lord, this is the hard part and yet I know that this is where the Lord completely shows me that I can save many steps by checking in with Him first! Okay, I am seeing the picture here. Now on to the prize thing. We are not running this race to add a trophy or another trophy to our display case. No, this one is a forever, in full living color kind of a trophy that is too big for my little pea-sized brain to imagine. For an eternity with my Father is just too big to put to words, but this is it, this is the goal. And I just can't afford to get sidetracked with the minuscule issues of life that the enemy of my soul uses to pull me off course. You know, sidetracked by disappointments (in myself or others), relationship issues or every little stinky thing that comes along to persuade me to stop for just a while till I get this thing ironed out. (That one just cost me three miles!)
Now Paul gets into the ring and he really puts purpose to each swing, jab and punch:
"I run is such a way as not without aim, I box in such a way as not beating the air;" :26
So I can then ask myself, why am I doing this anyway? What is it all about that I should go through all the rigorous training, denying and pushing myself beyond my capabilities anyway? Have I really got the end in mind? This is a good time to reflect and make sure I fully comprehend what it is all about. And is it really all about me and my goals anyway? Or is there a bigger picture here than me getting to the finish line. I think we all would adamantly agree that it is! I was brought to the Scripture in 2 Peter 3:9 that tells us that God desires that no man would perish and that all would come to repentance. I know that I repeat this a lot but here we go again. We get saved and on our way but then it is about those out there who also need to know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ before it is too late. The hurting out there need to know that there is a God who is big enough to heal their pain and wipe their tears and bring peace to their calamity. To bring salvation to their souls!
So here we go with the last verse that is going to really drive it home as I wrap my brain around the fact that Paul was a spiritual athlete!
Bob Carlisle sings a song called "We Fall Down" that really brings this struggle to light. I hope you will take the opportunity to listen at the link here and let me know how you receive what he sings. Friends, we are going to stumble and it may throw us off course for a time (hopefully not too long) but the thing is we must get back up and continue on pursuing the race set before us. My life verse really solidifies the entire message here. I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead; I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14 And that's it. I am not disqualified if I press on. When I see the winners of those marathon races as they hit the finish ribbons, they ain't very pretty and they look like they are in mega pain to boot but they made it. I too will get weary and worn but...it is going to be well worth it at the end when I hear my Abba say "Well done!"
Friend, whatever you do, don't loose heart. Let's keep pressing on, you see over there, up ahead, we are getting closer!
Father, I see that it is all for You that I am even alive. Thank you for loving me and making a way for me to be reconcile to You through Your Son, Jesus. I just ask that You help me up when I stumble and my knees are pretty scuffed up from tripping but I will not give up. You have called me to dance for You and I am going to give You my best. Use me Lord as You see fit for I am excited to see that the fields are white unto harvest and that Your return is very soon!
Friday, March 27, 2009
I Need an Attitude Adjustment!
Well, just in case you don’t live in northern
I haven’t even begun to talk about the mud, and have I told you how much I hate mud? (strong language I know, but expressing my feelings to a tee) This more than anything is my contention of with spring. Mud everywhere, in my car, in the garage, on my deck, in my mud room! And every where I walk—until the frost leaves the ground—there is mud. Do you think I need an attitude adjustment? I know I do but how in the world do I get it? Shall I just begin to speak to my self and say its okay and it will soon dry up and yada…yada…yada? No, it will be here for another month or longer. Help me! Don’t think you can talk me out of it either.
For my sanity sake I need to reconcile this very bad attitude and turn it into some sort of appreciation for what I have and where I live. It’s because I’m an outdoor kind of girl that it is just so hard to have no where to walk around and enjoy God’s creation without hip waders. Help me Lord! I know that God created all things and to every thing there is a purpose but…
I just have to go to Paul’s words regarding contentment in Philippians 4:11-12:
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content (the Amplified adds satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
Paul, didn’t have to necessarily deal with mud and excess water but he did have to contend with beatings, shipwreck and imprisonment. So what in the world am I complaining about? Because I don’t want to wash my floor every day, or wash the puppy’s paws off and dry her every time she goes out for a walk, or look outside to a very dreary, dirty environment? Honestly, bring on the attitude adjustment!
So how can I get back some joy and do the things I mentioned above with out grumbling to myself or out loud? I may have mentioned that my husband just says when he hears me, girl, just get over it. Much easier said than done but…let me continue with the very next verse of Paul’s, verse 13:
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
And in the Amplified it reads:
“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].”
In Christ Jesus, I have been infused with his strength, I can do anything! And that means even see my circumstances around me in a much brighter light. Okay, so the sun is shining today and that indeed helps things. And it is colder so all the water has tightened up somewhat. But the bottom line is I have the ability to change my attitude which will ultimately change my circumstance simply because of Christ who lives in me.
Some of you may be thinking boy, if that is all she has to worry and complain about she should know what I am going through. Oh friend, I hear exactly what you are saying. I am not currently dealing with a life and death emergency or trauma type of situation but I can tell you that there will come a time when I will and I certainly have had to deal with some of these things in the past. Let me just say that the Scripture above is sufficient for any and ALL circumstances that we could ever imagine to suggest. And if we chose not to believe that then we all need that attitude adjustment!
Father God, You know then I get myself in that funk, my own self-created pity party where I think I just want to camp on being miserable. When I do, I am settling for so much less than you desire for me. I know that dire circumstances have and will come into my life. There may be a season of distress over these times but I cannot allow myself to fall into the pit of despair and act as if You are not already there to show me the way out. You are and each time this happens I have an opportunity to grow my faith a little bit more. For when my faith grows I am able to see things through a different lens. Somewhat the way You do. I know that for a season I will have to endure probable difficulties but that You won’t let them, consume me. Today I chose to quietly wash my floor and dry off the pup’s paws four or more times and know that the dryer days of summer are not that far off. It isn’t easy Pappa, but I am going to lean into Your promises and be content in every circumstance that I encounter. Thank you for Your patience and understanding of this—sometimes—very whiny daughter of Yours.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
And When I Am Old...
Far be it from me to be concerned or fearful of aging and growing old. After all, many things are so much better with age, cheese, wine, and what about those things we call classics? Worth a bundle today! And look what the Word has to say about growing old, I've read those verses and think someday, I will be wise and have beautiful snow white hair, like it says in Proverbs 16:31,
I remember hearing someone on the news recently mention how Ann Graham Lotz, the famous preacher's daughter, say that should she live out a normal life (she is now 60) that she expects to see the return of Jesus Christ. Wow, what a statement to make. And many are talking about the end times as well. This is quite remarkable, even as we see the face of America "change" (I think that has been the new president's mantra) it certainly seems as though we are witnessing first hand the set up for the final round. After all, look what it says in Matthew 24:6:
See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end."
Don't you appreciate the part of the verse that says to see that we are not frightened? It indeed isn't the end but I think we are on the precipice, now able to begin to peak over the top and view the valley of what's ahead.
So all this to say to those of you who still think that 20 to 30 years is forever a long ways off, for now it is. But let me add that even so, Christ could return at any time now. And that being said, have we really given our all for Him? Have we taken up the commission to follow after Him and to be the salt and light around us? Maximizing the opportunities that He sends our way? Or do we just look at what we have and think thank God I am where I am and I sure hope those others can make it. What soul is out there that needs to have extended to them--through you--Jesus' hands and feet? I really like Casting Crowns' song "If we are the body" I just says it so succinctly doesn't it? I thought I would put a YouTube link above just so you can here the song for yourself.
So the next time you think to yourself ah, that's way down the road, just remember that every year that now ticks by is like counting backwards, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20...and friends, there are a whole lot of people out there who haven't a clue. Don't wait until you retire to do a mission outreach project. If you can make your neighborhood your "mission" outreach. Do you know just how many people out there need to hear a kind word because their life is in a shambles? Or how about children that need a positive influence in their lives? Believe me, I am speaking to myself too. Surely there is a way to make a difference in your sphere of influence. And it doesn't have to be a BIG thing. Just tell someone the difference that Christ has made in your life. It might just be God's perfect timing as you provide a solution to their pain!
Let's make it count! My life verse is from Philippians 3:13,14
"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I see the goal and it's just ahead...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Because it is the Right Thing to Do!
Before I continue, I want to put in a disclaimer. As I was laying in bed last night the Lord prompted me to do so because some of you are going to react negatively to this...I am not referencing people who have issues with being abusive, neglectful, or controlling. I do address the issue of confronting one caught in sin later. I am saying that all of us at some time or another have either mistreated or observed one who has mistreated a brother or sister-in-the-Lord. If you want to discuss this further with me please feel free to email me personally. I do understand your concern.
It really takes a person that is mature in their walk to respond correctly--in love--in situations like this. Most of the time we begin to gather the troops, spread the scenario around like jam so it gets good and sticky and make the offender out to be a horrible person. Even though they really aren't horrible they merely treated another horribly.
You have to love when the Holy Spirit does a number on you as you enter into the battle zone and suddenly you are heavily impressed upon to see the error of the way you are thinking and responding toward an offender. (I will call the person an offender simply because they mistreated another brother or sister-in-the-Lord. This time it was someone else not me so I could really rise in indignation toward that 'offender'.) My first reaction was to stir the pot of gossip. Do you know what so-and-so just did...I can't believe they treated _______ like that!
Don't we typically think that Christians wouldn't treat each other that way? Oh is that a wrong assumption. Let's face it, we all walk in the flesh from time to time but the bottom line is we shouldn't. Here is a passage of Scripture that hits this on the mark:
- Galatians 5:13-16
- For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Let's go to an interesting story in the Old Testament where we see Noah enjoying the fruit of his labor, from his vineyard.
Genesis 9:20-24
Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard. And he drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were turned away, so that they did not see their father's nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him.At this point Noah has done something foolish and been found out by his youngest son Ham. Ham then goes and make issue of it with his brothers Shem and Japheth. But they, instead of embarrassing their father, chose to cover his nakedness. As a cross reference to verse 21 we read in Proverbs 20:1 that "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise." The two brothers were looking out for their father's reputation and they wouldn't even look upon him in his embarrassing state.
Let me ask you, have you done foolishly as a believer? There are many scenarios in my mind that I can replay and wish they weren't there. Times where I opened my mouth and inserted my foot and wish I could take back the things I said. That being said, if we love God and love others then why wouldn't we want to do the same for our brothers and sisters? In our own eyes we might look better, we might be a better "Christian" or maybe we are the somebody that really needs to set that person straight! For whatever reason another verse in the Proverbs (6:19) says "A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers." We really are to look after one another aren't we.
Now I can hear someone say wait a minute. Are you saying that we don't expose their sin? There is a mandate on how to handle that. In Matthew 18 it talks directly of confronting one caught in sin. But before I go there I better be sure that the log is out of my eye and my motives are only out of love and for the betterment of my brother or sister.
I wonder what happens when a non-believer witnesses the correct response to the outrageous behaviour of another? I would like to think they see a woman who loves God and loves others. I have not brought shame to the offender and I am not being antagonistic or a false witness. Although, I confess that this is still not easy stuff to appropriate! For the worldly way and our natural tendency is self motivated but the Christlike way is selfless. The world says to expose, embarrass and sling the insults because it makes us appear better and they the fool. Christ's way is just the opposite, we do not damage the reputation of our brother or sister.
So I'm certain I won't pass every test that comes along in this area. But, when I do act correctly and look out for the well being of my brother or sister-in-the Lord, as obnoxious as they can be sometimes, I have peace with myself and God. And interestingly enough even with that offensive person.
Father God, these aren't always easy lessons to learn but this is a battle I want to win for Christ's sake. I ask for wisdom and discernment to quicken immediately within me through the Holy Spirit so I can see when I am headed in the wrong direction with my thinking. When I feel like I have every right to be angry at someone for whatever reason, let me hear Your still small voice speak "not I, but Christ.." We are not in this to win battles but to win others to Christ and to exhibit Christ's love in all kinds of situations in life. How else will they know we are different? Like the old song says, "they will know we are Christians by our love..." Thank you for teaching me these hard lessons and giving me the heart's desire to love You and love others. I surrender once again my rights for Your will. In the powerful, life-changing name of Jesus!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Lessons from a Schnauzer
I have been going through this huge test--simply put--because I always think I know what's best for me! What comes with that is trouble though, and I am ashamed to admit it, because surely by now I should know better. And it is not fun to admit that I am a slow learner. But I am going to risk some vulnerability because I have a feeling that I'm not alone! Maybe you have a decision you are getting ready to make that could change the direction of your life. It could involve a serious relationship, a financial investment or job opportunity. Whatever it is let me urge you to read this (yes, it is somewhat humorous) and ponder its implications as you cautiously proceed.
I have been a determined sort ever since I can remember. Although not growing up as a Christian, Mom did teach me right from wrong. I have always been and still am a very investigative sort. Yes, that can have a very positive aspect to it (when channeled in the 'right' direction.) How else would we ever know that there are (for example) planets that are part of a 'solar system' and that we (planet Earth) belong to one of them? Unfortunately, in my life it has become a stronghold that has gotten me into lots of trouble and this spirit of independence has plagued me even as a more 'mature' Christian. You see when I get something on my mind or in my head, I am not easily deterred. One might just reason it away saying I lack common sense at times. But what I really need to have is a plan before taking action and lets not forget how vital it is to have a witness in agreement of two or more to help discern whether or not we are really hearing from God.
You would certainly think that a few hard lessons would reign in the young lass who stepped out into some pretty bizarre situations. Like leaving home at 12 and again at 14 (not to return the second time.) Argh! My younger years were strange years and I grew up rather quickly. Yes, I was rather impulsive. Half the battle is recognizing there's a problem!
Gratefully, I became a Christian at the age of 30 and God began His deep work in me as I have learned to surrender the many areas of my will with the baggage of its consequences (and the deep pain in my heart) to Him. I am learning that as it says in John 15:5 "I am the vine, You are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." And this is where I want to begin, now that you have a bit of background.
Let me begin by honestly saying that I really am beginning to like who God is creating me to be. "Lord, please keep me teachable so I don't quit growing!" I also add that there is a whole lot of refining to be done. As with all of us, I am in process and will be until Christ calls me up or home. So most of the time I really do appreciate what God is teaching me and doing in my life. Now here's where I will reveal one of my strongholds to you--I still like to call the shots and think I know what is best for me. I forget Whose I am and Who knows best!
My husband and I now have a darling little puppy that I totally obsessed over until I got. You see, after having to put down our sweet old "Chelsey" dog of 13 two years ago, and then putting down our inherited Sheltie we acquired from Jerry's dad when h
So you ask "What's the point?" Let me tell you how God has used this little dog to teach me some stuff! I have learned some vital stats about 'Kimberly Dawn', like don't make me wait and don't tell me no! And I have had to pay the price for my resistance to learn. Old Frank Sinatra may have sung the song but I keep living it out, 'doing it my way'.
Our little Elsa is a smart little Fraulein and she really learns quickly the fun things. But...there is a very stubborn and determined
(She is pretty cute don't you think?)
- Coming off the farm, everything about city living scares her. (I should have named her Skiddles and when she first came through the door of the house, the cat greeted us as she always does and little Elsa freaked and poop went everywhere!)
- She had a horrible case of round worm--yuck. We had to deal with diarrhea issues for several weeks and that was no pleasure to clean up! (Two doses of medicine took care of that and we were good to go although the vet blamed the kennel rearing--how would I know?)
- We got her at 3.5 months which gave her head start in nurturing her strong will not to mention that the housebreaking took forever (we are finally making headway at 7.5 months)
- This little dog has a strong will that runs competitive with mine.
So what's all the fuss anyway? First of all, I forgot the time involved with a puppy. For a time and a season I have had to give up some pretty precious time that God and I spend together. I must say that that has been the biggest adjustment for me. Especially our first three months together. I have missed my time to write, read and study or do the little extra things around the house and I so look forward to once again being able to have time back. My mornings and evenings have involved puppy sitting while I try to read my Bible in between disciplining her for snatching the newspaper or pillow when I'm not looking. I know, this is all very typical puppy stuff.
I am also concerned that I am getting old and cranky! A few frustrating times of training--the experts always say don't push it if you're frustrated--have given way to some harsh reactions on my part. I hate that! And have had to cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy for being so harsh. I don't want to ruin her sweet spirit and cause her to be afraid of me. That has been very hard for me to deal with. Who wants to think of themselves as a harsh disciplinarian? Firm and loving, that's the way.
But I forget the rest of the story when I read verse :7
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil."
Ouch, the Proverbs can really make the tough calls! Old Solomon was in tune to his maker! So when will Kimberly Dawn realize that God, Abba, knows what's best for His girl and that it is so much better to wait than to regret? His best is always for our best even if it doesn't seem like it at the time or that it can't be 'cause it is just taking too long.
Elsa is turning into a lovely Fraulein at 7.5 months
I have prayed that God has redeemed the jump-start kid once again and I know that He alone can bring beauty from ashes. Our little Elsa is learning and becoming a bit more grown up these days. I love her and her sweet little spirit and look forward to her maturing into a tremendous companion to me and my husband. The ride is slowing just a bit and as you can see I even have some time to do a bit of writing these days, yeah!
Well, if you can identify with my plight, let's pray and ask God to give us what is ultimately His very best and nothing less and the courage and patience to wait on the Lord. Let's pray
Pappa, once again I jumped ahead of You and You have gently reminded me that Father knows best! I really do want to give You my strong will and I also want to give You that part of me that thinks I know what is best for me. You know how impatient I can be when I don't get my way. Just let me learn this time as I surrender. Thank you for your word in Isaiah 40:31 that says we really do gain great strength from waiting upon You. Mounting up with wings like eagles, running and not becoming weary and walking without fainting. What a promise awaits those who are willing to hold on for Your best. I want that and I am so tired of the learning curve as I traipse around the mountain again and again in this area. Please deliver me and give me the courage to stand fast as I wait on You, in Your powerful Name, Amen!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Power of Praise
Well, work did not go much better. The newsletter copy was due and I could not make the deadline, the network connections went down when I needed to save the overnight news and weathers (for later airplay) and I even bashed my hand into the printer while flying into my office too fast. Looking back, it seemed as though there were many other snafus that occurred and I just wanted to put my head down and cry.
It was time to do my radio program, "the Vertical Connection", and I said, God, I am so unworthy to do this program today. How can I bring You glory when I have such a yucky attitude? The very first verse that popped into my head was from 2 Corinthians 12:10 b--"...for when I am weak then I am strong." Let's look at the context of this for a moment. Paul mentions the words of Christ in verse 9 as Paul wrestles with his "thorn in the flesh". "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Christ's grace and strength. This man Paul, with all of his knowledge of the Torah humbled himself to say he would gladly rather boast in his infirmities that the power of Christ might rest upon him. Now I'm no Paul but, God, through Christ Jesus offers us that same empowerment with grace and strength for the task ahead of us daily (and sometimes moment by moment!)
I bring this to light because I just felt so utterly worthless and incapable of being the "worship leader" my program requires. Preparing to begin I started of the program off confessing my need for God to step in and work on my behalf. I began to praise my way through the program as song after song ministered to my spirit. In so doing this I got the focus off of me and my stinky morning and on to the One it should have been on and I began to 'feel' much better.
My hypothesis is simply this, praising God diminishes anxiety. Indeed! Praising God--helped put an end to my difficult morning. Now I don't mean to say that my problems left but...they indeed were minimized as I brought God glory and praise. I brought God to the forefront of my problems.
Oh, if only that happened every time I found myself in a quandary like that. And it can, when all the attention is turned outward, reflecting upon my most glorious King! We all have those times when nothing seems to go as it should. Simply put, we need to acknowledge that each day is a gift from our Father. Let's rejoice in His faithfulness to us and allow His joy to fill us full to overflowing. For then in our weakness, Christ steps in with grace and His strength. That is what carries us through!
Lord Jesus, I don't want to operate in my own strength for I am inadequate. Your word affirms the fact that apart from You I can do nothing (John 15:5). Give me the grace to come to You in my weakness and as I choose to focus on all that You are, then You will indeed show Yourself strong on my behalf. Thank You for making my awful day manageable through the power of praise, Amen.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Sheri Rose's "His Princess Diet Plan for Victory"
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and athat you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."1 Corinthians
6:19,20
If ever there was a battle taking place within me it is definitely my battle with either over-excess or indulgence in the wrong things. Do you know what I'm talking about here? I hate it because depending on the time-frame of my cycle and I am postmenopausal I still struggle, big-time. Typically for one week out of four my eating is out of control. And I crave sweets. But...God has made me a conqueror in ALL things and if I could only figure out how to apply that to my fourth week...wow! Take a peek at what Sheri Rose has to say for us below:
(My Prince Will Come, © 2005 by Sheri Rose Shepherd. Published by Multnomah Publishers, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved)
Father, you know how tired I am at wrestling with this. For the most part I confess that I want to talk myself into or out of or convince myself that it is okay to indulge. But then my indulging leads to gluttony and I become so ashamed of myself for slipping into such a slump. Then I spend the next three weeks of my four week cycle rebuilding what I have essentially crumbled. How discouraging this is. I can really see how important it is to have someone in the same boat to hold me accountable or to hold each other accountable as we struggle through. What a crazy thing to have as a stumbling block. Would you give me a partner who would help me through this and that I could help in turn? What a blessing to be able to win this one for you Pappa! I can imagine the smile on Your face when I have success and give You the glory! Amen
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Another Lesson in God's Amazing Grace
The first week found me intrigued by Chapter six and pondering the marvelous grace of God yet the warning (in Paul's fashion) to not take advantage of it! With an aire of sarcasm he says, "what shall we say then? and, what then?" several times to get our attention. Followed by the phrase, "may it never be!" Below are some of his well known quips to help us understand that by God's grace our sins are covered but not so that we can continue in sin but so that we can be free from the bondage of sin.
:1 "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?"I like the wrap here. Paul says that we are to be obedient from the heart. God knows the heart doesn't He. We can't hide a thing from Him. We can 'do' all the right stuff we want but unless our heart's motive is pure it doesn't mean a thing.
:12-14 "There fore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts...but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace."
:15 "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!"
One of my weaknesses is dealing with the issue of food and how it affects my body. I honestly enjoy food and the tastes it has to offer. But, I have struggled with weight issues since my early 30's and over the years I am working on taking off the poundage I have aquired along the way.
In later years as part of my weekly ritual of being involved in a prayer and worship night on Tuesdays, I would fast. I believe in fasting and it really is an incredible thing when done with a pure motive, but I have done it with and without pure motives. When the Lord spoke to me one morning as I was preparing to begin my fast (sometimes no food, sometimes fruit, or sometimes no evening meal) He simply said to my spirit that I was really fasting to maintain my weight instead of for the spiritual reasons I liked to maintain I was doing it for. This was a real slap because I had reasoned it out that I was doing a very godly thing by denying my food for the day. To have my Father tell me that it has been many times for the wrong reasons was like, well, getting busted. I was rather amazed at how this 'good' thing became sin because I was not doing it for its original intent. So how could Dawn, who died to sin still live in it? How contrived can one become!
Well, the lesson here is that I need to check my reasons for doing what I do. I was doing a good thing that became a tool to help keep my weight in check and to 'look good' or impress those who observed my denial. Wrong motive! I was so embarrassed by the obvious game I was playing with myself and God that I have been very hesitant to fast and I don't very often as a matter of fact. I know that God has forgiven me or He wouldn't have pointed it out to me. I was becoming enslaved to sin. And here is the beauty of God's amazing grace, by my own admission of that sin, God has gently corrected me and helped me to move beyond it so that when I do fast it truly is for the right reasons. God is glorified and I am operating out of obedience and a desire to present myself as a living sacrifice. I still have a long way to go in regard to my eating issues as I learn to eat to live and not live to eat but that is just part of the process that I am going through to be more Christ-like.
Here is the basis of my gleaning in Romans six:
obedience = righteousness (right standing with God)
righteousness = sanctification (set apart for God)
sanctification = eternal life (to be forever with my King)
Chapter six concludes beautifully stating that we have been freed from sin, and enslaved to God (whom we willing serve with a pure heart) with the outcome of our obedience being eternal life.
Lord I thank you for your amazing grace that sets us free from the life we live in sin. This process that we must endure hurts especially when the truth is pointed out and we have been living enslaved to something that doesn't glorify You. I love the final verse of chapter six where Paul tells us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." I don't understand it all completely but I am getting a glimps the picture and I just ask that You would continue to show me when I am not serving You with a pure heart. I love You Father and I want You to smile when You look at me and I love what Paul Young put in his book "The Shack" when he wrote of You saying that You are particularly fond of that one." May that one be me!
Love, Your girl
Friday, April 25, 2008
You are Ready for Spring Aren't You?
Well friends, winter is dealing us another blow. April 25th and another spring snow storm promising to deliver 6" - 15" so say the meteorologists. Argh...I have crocuses already blooming and they are going to be covered with a blanket of snow tomorrow morning. On top of that, we will probably have to postpone a trip to Bemidji to see the grandsons. How discouraging is it when our plans don't work out. I have this Scripture taped in main control at work that says:
"The Mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand" Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)
Now I just looked up the meaning of whim in Websters Dictionary and the meaning is a bit odd and not nearly as fun as I always though of it being as when we us it as the adjective, whimsical. So the first meaning of this noun is: a freakish pattern of ideas and their associated emotions as a motive of action. I am thinking that this is not the best laid plan for myself or anyone who desires to live a Spirit filled and controlled life. Why do I want to act on emotions based on freakish ideas? In essence that is what I'm doing by missing out on God's best for my daily living when I forsake my time with Him as I plan my 'whatever.'
By the way, it is Saturday morning, April 26th and the snow has (so far) produced slick roads with a dump of about 6+ inches on top. Good thing my husband didn't put that snow blower away for the spring! There are all these tiny, little spring birds flitting around trying to find fall's leftovers that are now covered in several inches of snow. And the worse part is that the snow is expected to continue for several more hours and the temperature is only 23 degrees with a wind chill making it feel like only 10! What's up with that? And just to let you know that this is the third snowstorm in northern Minnesota this month, April alone! The other two deposited anywhere from a couple to 30+ inches of wet sloppy snow in some areas of the northland on the first and second weekends of the month. I'll bet you are glad you don't live here. But if you do, we just say, "Well, that's northern Minnesota! You never know what you are going to get."
The bottom line for me is that I need to quit running ahead of God, and slide into His plans for my 'whatevers.' So much easier said than done especially if that is the way I have done it all my 24 years as a believer. Those old habits are so hard to break but God has amazing things to say about the man who indeed walks in God's ways like this:
When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord i the One who holds his hand."
Psalm 37:23, 24
"Father, I sure frustrate myself time and time again when my best laid plans go awry! How frustrating because I am so convinced that I have laid them perfectly yet without Your approval and consultation, I miss the cracks and weaknesses that can literally trip me up. I am humbly asking, Father, for You to help me come to You the first thing with my days and events, allowing You to shape and mold them as You do when I ask. Even more importantly though is to help me to wait and listen for Your reply when I do ask for Your direction. I am tired of being in a hurry, rushing out the door without Your approval and then asking why when things get weird. I pay dearly every time I do that. Thank You that You are so concerned with my little life that You will show me the way when I ask. You truly are an amazing Abba God, Amen"
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
Love ~
To be young, wealthy and in love--all in the third century. And to be a Christian.
Such was young Valentine. He would consummate his great love by taking her as his bride. Soon he would be wed. But his world came crashing down around him when the Roman emperor declared all Christians illegal citizens and guilty of treason. All they had to do was to say, "Caesar is Lord!" Rather than deny Christ, young Valentine was arrested.
In jail, awaiting his execution, he wrote love letters to his girlfriend...beautiful, passionate letters assuring her of his great love for her. But theirs would be a love not lived out. On February 14, 269, Valentine was put to death, martyred for Jesus Christ.
Since then, Christians have celebrated his fidelity to Christ and romantic love on the 14th of February by sending our own love letters to special people. And we do so this year, let us resolve to live for Christ unashamedly.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
I know my tendencies and I know how hard it is to look beyond me and see others in the light of God's love, forgive me Lord. As Your creation it should be a natural to do likewise--as You do unto us--to those around us. But I get in the way.
Father, when I am struggling with my spouse, my friends and even the poky driver ahead of me who thinks I should live my life at his speed, help me to think LOVE. Forgive all the "but...'s" that I throw out as excuses to justify my unloving attitude. Lord, if I could always have on my mind the love You showed Your unworthy child, I just might remember. And how do I really show Your love to that unlovable person we all seem to have in our lives? Whatever it takes Lord, I need Your grace and mercy so that I would remain that humble servant who desires to walk in love and does. I am so weary of asking and then turning around and reneging. Give me authenticity that will reveal who You are through me. I love you Abba and my desire is to live for You. In Jesus Name, Amen
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
A Gift of Life
Praise be to God who allowed us the amazing privilege of being grafted into the lineage of Abraham, God's friend, Isaac and Jacob, by simply receiving His gift, His precious Son, Jesus. For God Himself, became flesh to dwell among us, making a way where there was no way because of sin. Coming to earth as a humble little baby, born of a virgin (young Mary) as was told so long ago so that you and I could become God's sons and daughters. Do you realize just how incredible that reality is? Can you wrap your brain around the fact that the Creator of the universe, our Father, made a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him? I will honestly tell you that I don't understand it. It makes me crazy to think that the love of my heavenly Father exceeded all imagination just to restore me to a right standing with Him! How could I ever expect to comprehend this one? But...by faith, I must. I must simply believe because after all He has saved my life, given me hope and a chance to walk with purpose in my gait, giving me a reason to wake up and live!
You know that you too can have life that is intended to be full and rich and abundant filled with purpose. You do know that don't you? If not, friend, I can't say enough of what it would take to convince you of this truth. I know, you can't see it, taste it, smell it or see it but...it is yours for the taking. So here, here is the gift of hope, wrapped up in love and not only love but the Father's love. A gift of life the life of His Son, Jesus. Here, it is for you, I want so much for you to have it, no strings attached! He loves you so much that words are inadequate to even explain it! I pray you receive the blessings of being welcomed into the family of God, friend. Take it from someone who has been so topsy turvy through her first 34 years of life, it will turn your world right-side up!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Make Me a Change Agent
A change agent, or agent of change, is someone who intentionally or indirectly causes or accelerates social, cultural, or behavioral change.If we apply that to kingdom work...Wow, that's it! I want to make a difference in the lives of other people to the extent that they will become more Christ-like. It is not about me, but about God using me and working through me, His vessel or conduit!
Likewise, a History Maker is one who obviously has such an affect on their environment that they can actually change the course of history, wow! That is pretty powerful stuff! By the way, you can check out the song above on the YouTube link.
Like I told the folks this morning, "we didn't get saved to live a cushy, comfy life with all the amenities, we got saved to make a difference in the kingdom as we come alongside of those who don't know the King of kings." We were saved to show others Christ!
Father, I am asking You to do such a work in me that I would become one who can make a difference in my environment for you. As I go about the day-to-day stuff I want people to see You and that You really do make a difference in people's lives. After all, I am not who I used to be, praise be to God! Let others see You when they observe me so that You will be glorified and others will desire to know You. It is only through You that I can be the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus. As You perfect in me the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, I will make a difference for Your kingdom and change the course of history, Amen.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Praise is Prayer
Praise is prayer. When I lift up my heart to God to praise him, I talk to him and commune with him. Prayer is not all asking. As Thomas Watson, the seventeenth-century Puritan, quaintly put it, "Many have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouth, but few have harps in their hand, blessing and glorifying God. Let us honor God this way. Praise is the quitrent we pay to God: while God renews our lease, we must renew our rent."
True prayer is in itself part of our praise of God. We go to him in a way we go to no one else. He is able to help us as no one else can. Furthermore, in prayer we submit ourselves to God's will--we pray "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mathew 6:10) as the foundation of all our other prayers. By our acknowledgment that God's will is best, we praise God indirectly for his infinite and perfect wisdom. -- from "Praise Is Prayer" by Derek Prince
Father, let me lay down all of the concerns that I am having. I truly want to be void of all things that are worldly and reek of me. Give me, even if for just a few minutes, the opportunity to dwell in Your presence and let me linger there as I simply place my attention full on You, Lord. Gazing upon Your beauty and acknowledging all that You are. I know that You will then fill my heart with Your purposes, Your will for my life, my environment, and my community as I radiate Your love. In Jesus' Name, Amen
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Out of the Desert
This ugly cactus plant of mine is rather similar to the plants that grow in the desert.
How in the world do I come to an end of my desert journey? Thanks be to God for the power of the Holy Spirit in spite of quenching His Spirit with my "me-ness" mentality. Something jogs my heart and I begin to see that I am the problem not the other party. I'm the one who is holding on to the bitterness, unforgiveness, anger and resentment because all I can see is how mistreated I have been. God's Word has sooo...much to say about the above list of excuses we use to stay in our desert land:
This Scripture from Matthew 5:23,24 really sheds a spotlight on relational issues out of sync:
And this includes along with all sorts of immoralities, strife and envy.
And once again from Mark 12:25
Galatians 5:22,23
- "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law."
Monday, September 10, 2007
Encouragement for You!
Are you hungering and thirsting for more of the Lord? Are you tired of lagging behind and weary from going round and round the mountain? Friend, let's seek the Lord like never before! The prize is just ahead of you, you must not be discouraged to the point of giving up and giving in. Continue to press in and pray like never before!
“Revival is not found by urging repentance (even though God wants us to repent). It does not result from seeking unity (although unity is important). It does not come by seeking the harvest. It is not achieved by seeking city transformation. In fact, revival is not found by seeking revival. Revival comes--God’s presence comes--when we seek Him with allof our hearts!" Robert Heidler, from Chuck Pierce's book, Reordering Your Day: Understanding and Embracing The Four Prayer Watches
In His presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him.
As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains,
Like the spring rains that refresh the earth.” – Hosea 6:2-3
This encouragement comes from Kimberly Roelofs, the Administrative Assistant for the Capitol Prayer Network and Midwest Chaplains!
There really is no reason to give up, just keep praying and we will birth the breakthroughs!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Undignified Worshipper
This afternoon I played Matt Redman's song "Undignified." It is a captivating song that gets right to the heart of King David who danced with all his might upon bringing the ark finally back to Jerusalem. It was a public display of a heart passionate to serve God and it disturbed his wife Michal so much that their relationship was never the same, she came to despise David for his unruly public display of worship.
In the book Matt says:"One of the Hebrew words for praise, hallal, means to be clamorously foolish or mad before the Lord. (That's where we get our word "hallelujah.") In a "reasons to be passionate" competition, the church of God should come an easy first; yet too often we find ourselves lagging way behind in this area. Isn't it time we saw a bit more holy mayhem in our worship?"
Lord, teach me to withhold nothing from when I come to worship and praise You. Let my praise be a delight to Your ears as I worship You with all my might!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Searching for God with Skin
Searching for God with skin on is sort of like looking for love in all the wrong places. I can be an emotionally charged woman who can sometimes go up and down depending…on a lot of things. It could be a hormonal thing, a crisis or just a wrong reaction on someone’s part and bam…I’ve reacted, and negatively. When things are out of wack in my world it would be a wonderful thing to just have God with skin on to wrap His arms around me and speak words of comfort and encouragement to my spirit. But that is just it, I can’t “feel” the comfort or the healing so then I just feel very alone. I know I am not the only one who has been here, you girls know what I’m talking about!
What I need I can’t seem to find. I want my Papa because to hear Him would give me comfort. But I can’t hear His voice audibly. Of course if I did it would scare me half to death! So what am I to do? I can’t run to man, for he is just like me, weak and vulnerable and easily persuaded. Not always wise in his ways and, or given to discernment. No, I can’t go there--although many times I am so tempted to do just that! And maybe, just like me, when you have given in to what the flesh wants you in turn get burned. Instead of the hope and encouragement you were looking for, the fix becomes temporary. Leaving a hollow in your spirit.
Girls, (please don't think I am minimizing the problem here) this is what I can choose to do. I can run to my Daddy, my Abba. The One who will never, ever let me down. The One who gives comfort to my spirit and causes me to soar once again where I belong. No, it may not be the fleshly comfort that would “feel” so welcoming but, my spirit would be ministered to and I would receive a healing touch that would alter the outlook of my situation. So I run to Him, and I crawl upon His lap that is more than roomy enough for this big girl to snuggle in and I receive his love. Here is where the healing begins.
There was a time when I truly needed a real encounter with my heavenly Father. I will let you in on a time when I learned that I wasn’t an orphan after all.
“I remember one morning when I felt so lonely and longed for an earthly father to receive comfort from. You see, I am very alone most of the time. At this time in my life, my husband and I are at different places spiritually. We aren’t always on the same page when it comes to the Lord. I tend to spiritualize things a bit more and my man is down to earth and very basic in his faith. Sometimes that makes me feel a bit alone. One morning after my husband went off to work (he is the early bird and leaves the house like clockwork every work morning at 5:05 and sometimes I sneak back to bed but other times I can have good times with the Lord when I stay up. Although it was an unusual thing to do, I heard my ‘Abba’ Father beckon me to come and crawl up on His lap and bury my head in His shoulder. I am just about sure that I looked around to make sure that no one could see me and actually it was only the animals and me home at that time. So I did what the Lord invited me to do! I covered myself with a quilt and envisioned being in my daddy’s lap and I cried out to Him pouring my heart out to Him. I told Him how very lonely and sad I felt. There are times when we do not get the emotional response we need from our parents or spouse and that can pull us into a down time—maybe even throwing us out of whack emotionally. But god, You are there and You hear my cries and my pain, You don’t become weary of hearing me whine and carry on. You listen and comfort me, You, the God of Jacob, hear my prayers. This is something so amazing. Had anyone been able to see me that morning and heard my weeping, they would have wondered if there was something drastically wrong with me. But, my Daddy, My Abba Father, held me close and was very attentive to my sorrows and provided me with comfort and peace. To my spirit He assured me of His love and acceptance of me—which is so what I needed at that moment. You know, it could have been PMS or feeling sorry for myself for whatever reason. But God, my God, was there for me when no else was for my husband surely would have thought I lost my mind. My God knows the heart of His girl and how she just gets lonely and sad sometimes.”It indeed seems odd that this could bring the peace needed in a dire straights moment, but for me it was a true epiphany that would forever change the way I perceive my heavenly Father. Girls, guard your heart and don’t let your emotions rule, run to the right thing and you will receive the comfort that only your Daddy, your Abba, can give you. You will find healing and peace that passes all understanding and you will have the courage to go on!
(from Worshiping in the Psalms, Psalm 84)
Resting in His perfect peace,
~ Dawn
Friday, June 15, 2007
Father to the fatherless
I don't mean to sound sarcastic about this, I really don't, I am however standing for those of us who either had poor examples of fatherhood inflicted upon us or didn't have a father at all such as myself. Now listening to the gentleman on our program give the most illustrious talk about the man he looked up to and admired with the utmost of respect, his father, made me long for that missing link in my life. I really cried to think that there can be an earthly man that fills that mold of 'father' so wonderfully as the speaker's father did. Wow! The respect and admiration was more than evident as he shared of losing his father and spending those last days with his hero.
Okay, you are thinking what is this girl's problem that she can't be thrilled for a shining example of an earthly father. Really, I do think it is wonderful but my heart is empty for the father that I never had. I always heard what a wonderful man he was but funny, that wonderful man couldn't take care of my mother and me. I was always told he was such a pioneer type, rugged and fun-loving, but I have only seen pictures of me with him as a one-year old. I understand he came from a family of good fortune but mom went to work to support us because that great guy that my father was couldn't hold a job. When I wrote an aunt to see if she had anything wonderful to share about my father she told me he was a disgrace to her family and poor excuse for a human being. Argh, there was no love lost there! Needless to say, my image of this wonderful man was somewhat skewed and the whole scenario of fatherhood seemed quite a mystery to a little girl who remained curious and longing for what she thought others had and she had not.
It took many years of very difficult circumstances to realize that I was looking for 'love' (father's love) but that I was going at it all backwards. At the age of 42 my life took a 'right' turn by realizing that I had a root of bitterness I wasn't even aware of that had settled itself deep in my heart. It was 12 years earlier that I had opened myself to the gift of salvation and received Jesus Christ into my heart. But that didn't make my life 'happy.' A series of circumstances brought about by my pride, dysfunction and strong will found me miserable and ready to give it all up. It is rather remarkable to think that God had a different plan. And part of this journey was acknowledging that the pain in my heart was--for the most part--due to anger toward a man I never even knew. Quite an amazing thing to think about how someone you never knew could have such an impact on your life, but he really did. It was in large part because of the Freedom in Christ ministry that I was able to release that bitterness and begin to see that I have a perfect Father now. I still have twinges of longing for "God with flesh" like when you want a great big hug from arms that can just pull you in and hold you so you can snuggle your head into his chest and feel the comfort of all comforts. For now that can't be, but someday, I am going to run to my Abba Father, my Daddy and He is going to embrace me and never let me go.
I am longing for that day! And friend, if you have that emptiness in your heart, that hole that just runs on empty because there was no father love to fill it up, I have an answer for you. Will you let the Father of all fathers begin to fill the hole with love that will begin to heal as a balm does on a wound? He is the Father to the fatherless, the husband to the widow and He will never let you down, leave or forsake you! Cry out to Him right now, something just like this:
Father in heaven, I am longing to have this hole in my heart be healed.
I have looked for love in all the wrong places and have paid dearly for my poor choices.
I am so tired of running from one thing to another as I look for whatever it takes to keep the pain from overwhelming me.
There are times when I just want to kill myself and be done with this life.
As I look up to You, will you receive me just as I am and forgive me for doing my own thing as I searched for something to bring me happiness.
Forgive me for the mess I have made of my life and help me to have a clean, new beginning with You.
Thank you that by Your Son Jesus, I can come to You and You will hear me and answer and You won't turn away from but will welcome me into Your family.
I look forward to the plan that You have had for me since I was being formed in my mother's womb and I am going to trust You to be my guide as I learn to love and live for You.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Friend, you will never regret making this new beginning. Welcome to the family of God, you are now a child of the Most High God! If you made the decision to receive the free gift of salvation will you let someone know? You can even let me know and I will do my best to send you something to help you on your new journey just email your response to vertical.connection@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
~ Northern Minnesota May ~
The flowers of Spring
that we have waited for so long.
As winter decides on one last fling
A last attempt, then to be gone.
Beloved lilac and the flowering fruits,
Shiver while longing to release their fragrance.
Tender new leaves, buds and shoots
As the cold north wind blows, they dance.
A prelude to the promise of all things new
they anxiously await the warm summer season.
Then it's here, the longed for months but few!
It won't be long, too quickly fall will beckon.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:16
Thursday, May 3, 2007
More Like Him
Imitators of Christ, little Christs, Christ likeness, I want this to be my goal and I long for the day when my striving will be done. You see, I am becoming more aware that I am to be an example to others, a model if you will of Christ. Not perfect (heavens!) but one who shows Christ through her strengths and weaknesses. I conduct Bible studies and am on the air each weekday with a radio program where I can use my gift of exhortation and encourage others along their way.
While pondering and working on this week's memory verse,
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NASB)My thoughts became filled with a deeper understanding and longing to be more like Christ. The first part of 2 Corinthians 7:1 tells us that we have promises from God. I looked back to chapter 6:14-18 to see just what these promises were all about,
I remember well as a young, new Christian (divorced mother of three) how convinced I was that the man I was living with (a good man) was the man I would spend the rest of my life together with. Although he knew what the Christian life was all about (walking away in his early twenties) he was not living like one then and basically would have called himself a 'backslider' when we began our relationship together. As a brand new Christian, I was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was right and good and we ended up getting married. My choice superceded God's best for me and my children to the point that we really had some very trying years ahead of us...But God! The long and short of it is that we have now been married for 22 years and God has definately restored the years the locust destroyed but I learned a tremendous lesson first hand about being with one of a different alliance than myself. And the lesson was literally driven home. I tell you, our Abba Father knows what He is doing when He tells us not to be bound to those things that are not of Him. The good news is when we come to that hard place in the road as a result of our poor choices, we can cry out and turn back to the One who will lead us home. God will reward your faithfulness to do the right thing and make the right choice by waiting on Him. Then you will reap the benefits referred to in that memory verse, those promises Paul says we have because we are God's children.
Father God, so many of us have to learn the hard way from our wrong choices. We have received many bumps, and scrapes along the way that result in scars (like my being divorced) that can sometimes be unsightly. For that one today who is getting ready to make a life changing decision, I pray that she would stop, be still and listen to Your Holy Spirit. Father, it is not only just hearing Your voice in our spirits, it is then making the choice to respond in obedience to Your instruction. I pray that their desires would not have the upper hand in their decision making today. Give them the grace to pull back if necessary until You can direct them in the pathway that will be that best choice for all involved. I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-7 ,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.Thank You Lord for loving me enough to be my guide as I become more like you.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil."
May you know His blessings!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
One Man's Description of Worship
"is the submission of all of our nature to God,
it's the quickening of conscience by His holiness,
nourishment of mind by His truth,
purifying of imagination by His beauty,
opening of the heart to His love,
submission of will to His purpose,
All this gathered up in adoration...is the greatest of human expressions."
~Ravi Zacharias
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Thought for Today
So my former co-worker Gene and I discussed the portion of Scripture above. And having gone through some studies that deal with 'offense' that came to light again today. First of all how important it is that we have right relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ (not to mention all the other wonderful and not so wonderful people in our lives.)
Here is the Scripture in its context:
"You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.
"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown in jail. I assure you that you won't be free agian until you have paid the last penny."
I am now understanding that I just don't have a 'right' to carry a grudge or to hold on to a misunderstanding with another person. But...why is it so hard to set these things right with a brother or sister I may have offended or royally ticked off? Well, what about that person who observes my actions and sees me as a 'goody two shoes Christian' yet can't get along with my brothers and sisters? What am I showing them? Probably that I am no different from the rest of the world. But aren't I supposed to be? I am sanctified and set apart. It means I should operate and not be holier than thou but holy unto God. I think it means that I need to look different (actions reveal my heart) to those who observe how I behave, more like Christ!
Father, will you forgive me for my reactions to people, and help me to see we are on this journey of becoming more like You and that means that I need You to teach me how to forgive and ask to be forgiven. These aren't easy lessons, Father, and my spirit is sometimes very wounded, but I want the transformation into Christlikness to grow and continue even if it hurts. Thank you for Your love and patience towards me, Your daughter who so often times blunders her way through life! I love You, Father and know you are working all things together (in my life) for good. Amen


