With things running like crazy at Hunter Vision and the stupid cold I am fighting....I have taken a little break. Sorry I got too sidetracked to mention it until I was just reminded a few minutes ago :)
I'll be back in the groove soon.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
HEB 10:35, 36
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
It's a put one foot in front of the other kind of week. There are seasons of life when these days come and they aren't all that fun. No major issues, just not much zip or momentum in the right direction. But, there is one thing I know that will turn it around...just keep walking through it until you are on the other side.
Good days ahead (at some point)... I'm certain of it. God promised it :)
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
It's a put one foot in front of the other kind of week. There are seasons of life when these days come and they aren't all that fun. No major issues, just not much zip or momentum in the right direction. But, there is one thing I know that will turn it around...just keep walking through it until you are on the other side.
Good days ahead (at some point)... I'm certain of it. God promised it :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Worth Emulating
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
I'm reading a lot in Hebrews. Not sure why, but I am glad I am. Today I realize how blessed I am to have leaders in my life who spoke the word of God to me at a young age. It was reinforced throughout our family, but I began to listen for real when I hit high school. I decided as a sophomore in high school that I would try to live as those around me had. I accepted Christ at about 4 years old, but didn't really understand what that meant for me until 10th grade.
I watched my parents, Grandma and Uncles and Aunts closely. They lived lives committed to Christ and full of integrity. The closer I got the more I saw how closely they followed. Now, I listen to my pastor, my brother, each weekend. He leads me as I follow his example and teaching.
Imitating the faith of those who seem to be giants can be intimidating, but they walk one step at a time just like we do. They may be a few paces ahead, but they got there the same way. One right decision at a time.
In the year of productivity, it's easy to want a magic bullet to get me where I want to be. I must remember as my leaders taught me... 1 step then another...a long obedience in the same direction.
***sidenote: It's my brother, Joel's birthday. I am grateful to be able to work along side such an incredible man. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with both my brothers and my dad. Happy Birthday, brother. I love you.
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
I'm reading a lot in Hebrews. Not sure why, but I am glad I am. Today I realize how blessed I am to have leaders in my life who spoke the word of God to me at a young age. It was reinforced throughout our family, but I began to listen for real when I hit high school. I decided as a sophomore in high school that I would try to live as those around me had. I accepted Christ at about 4 years old, but didn't really understand what that meant for me until 10th grade.
I watched my parents, Grandma and Uncles and Aunts closely. They lived lives committed to Christ and full of integrity. The closer I got the more I saw how closely they followed. Now, I listen to my pastor, my brother, each weekend. He leads me as I follow his example and teaching.
Imitating the faith of those who seem to be giants can be intimidating, but they walk one step at a time just like we do. They may be a few paces ahead, but they got there the same way. One right decision at a time.
In the year of productivity, it's easy to want a magic bullet to get me where I want to be. I must remember as my leaders taught me... 1 step then another...a long obedience in the same direction.
***sidenote: It's my brother, Joel's birthday. I am grateful to be able to work along side such an incredible man. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with both my brothers and my dad. Happy Birthday, brother. I love you.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Faith
Hebrew 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Living for and believing in that which I cannot see is sometimes tough. Sometimes it doesn't make earthly sense. Sometimes it's easier not to believe it. But always it is right to believe.
I want to live a life that is pleasing to God. I want to live a life that honors the legacy left by one little girl who touched many. I realize I cannot do that without faith. Not just a belief in some giant, unseen being that is untouchable, but a belief in the God of the universe who sent his son so that we could actually touch him.
I know God knows what it's like to lose a child. He willingly sacrificed His own. He did it for all of us. It's worth telling people about. It's worth living for.
I've never met a man who has fervently given his whole life to Jesus come back and say, "I wish I would have lived for myself more."
There is one way to perfection, one way to holiness and fulfilled purpose. It's a faith in Jesus that is unmoved. There may be days of misstep, but never death of commitment to Him. I will continue to have faith in Christ. It's the only place that faith is righteous.
In a year focused on productivity, and a life focused on making a difference, faith in anything else is futile.
Faith in Jesus promises I'll see Ava fully whole again. Like the saints before me, I will serve the Lord my best each day. It's a great day for me to remember this...
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Living for and believing in that which I cannot see is sometimes tough. Sometimes it doesn't make earthly sense. Sometimes it's easier not to believe it. But always it is right to believe.
I want to live a life that is pleasing to God. I want to live a life that honors the legacy left by one little girl who touched many. I realize I cannot do that without faith. Not just a belief in some giant, unseen being that is untouchable, but a belief in the God of the universe who sent his son so that we could actually touch him.
I know God knows what it's like to lose a child. He willingly sacrificed His own. He did it for all of us. It's worth telling people about. It's worth living for.
I've never met a man who has fervently given his whole life to Jesus come back and say, "I wish I would have lived for myself more."
There is one way to perfection, one way to holiness and fulfilled purpose. It's a faith in Jesus that is unmoved. There may be days of misstep, but never death of commitment to Him. I will continue to have faith in Christ. It's the only place that faith is righteous.
In a year focused on productivity, and a life focused on making a difference, faith in anything else is futile.
Faith in Jesus promises I'll see Ava fully whole again. Like the saints before me, I will serve the Lord my best each day. It's a great day for me to remember this...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
One of my Favorites
Hebrews 11 13-16 (The Message Translation)
Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
Cool, huh? I love it that this is what we look forward to. Each day living is one day closer. God has us here for a purpose. It's His purpose, not ours. I'm working to be faithful to Him and productive for Him until the homecoming. I'll be keeping my eye on the goal, but doing my work in the meantime.
We'll chat more tomorrow.
Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.
Cool, huh? I love it that this is what we look forward to. Each day living is one day closer. God has us here for a purpose. It's His purpose, not ours. I'm working to be faithful to Him and productive for Him until the homecoming. I'll be keeping my eye on the goal, but doing my work in the meantime.
We'll chat more tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Oops
I have been slightly lax in my blog duties...my bad.
Here is something that I have been thinking about since I read it. It's from my Uncle Mark's blog...and it's awesome. I'll be pondering this today.
1 Corinthians 4:17a - I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding...
John Wesley instructed the members of his "Holy Club" to ask these questions every day in their private devotions.
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
Here is something that I have been thinking about since I read it. It's from my Uncle Mark's blog...and it's awesome. I'll be pondering this today.
1 Corinthians 4:17a - I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding...
John Wesley instructed the members of his "Holy Club" to ask these questions every day in their private devotions.
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Fire
Exodus 13:21-22
"By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."
Fire is fascinating. I sat by a campfire last night with my neighbor, Kyle. He's good people. It's interesting to me that God chose a pillar of fire to guide His people. I stare at a fire in our little fire-pit on most cold nights. It's soothing, calm, and a great reminder. It reminds me of God and the way he took care of His people in Exodus. It reminds me of the Holy Spirit and the symbol often used in scripture to depict him. It reminds me of Ava since she's hanging with them.
I'm gonna build another fire tonight. We aren't wandering aimlessly. Fire reminds me of that.
***This blog could have been about 40 pages long. You are lucky I cut it off here.***
"By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."
Fire is fascinating. I sat by a campfire last night with my neighbor, Kyle. He's good people. It's interesting to me that God chose a pillar of fire to guide His people. I stare at a fire in our little fire-pit on most cold nights. It's soothing, calm, and a great reminder. It reminds me of God and the way he took care of His people in Exodus. It reminds me of the Holy Spirit and the symbol often used in scripture to depict him. It reminds me of Ava since she's hanging with them.
I'm gonna build another fire tonight. We aren't wandering aimlessly. Fire reminds me of that.
***This blog could have been about 40 pages long. You are lucky I cut it off here.***
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