quick update...
i made a big pot of black beans yesterday. we ate them over rice with a side of sweet potato "fries" (baked) last night. that isn't really that important, except it set me up for today...
i made jami nato's black bean brownies. epic failure. just fyi: don't forget the sugar. ugh. i will try again, with sugar next time. the texture was great, but it was like eating black beans with choc chips sprinkled on top. not so great.
i also made jami's home-made whole wheat tortillas. AWE-some. and relatively easy. time-consuming but easy. we used 'em to roll up some of the left-over beans, rice and sweet potatoes, with sour cream and hot sauce. i never would have tho't of putting sweet pots in my wrap, but it was yummy. thanks again to jami nato for that one.
i ALSO made a new granola recipe. AWE-some. thanks alton brown. i love you a little more with each one of your recipes. seriously, if you all try this, you will never want boxed cereal again. never.
(i omitted the coconut and almost doubled the oats so it wouldn't be quite as sweet, but if you love lots of sugary sweetness, i'm sure his ratios would be great!)
if one opinion isn't enough, my man says,
"i'll give you a pass on the tortillas, a triple A+ on the granola, and an F on the brownies." i didn't even argue. the brownies were g-ross!
My Fab Fam
Photo by Thousand Hills Photography. Click on photo to visit their site.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
It is for FREEDOM Christ set us free!
There is nothing like reading Leviticus for Lent. I know Lent is over, but I was reminded of something critical during that time that I am finally going to share. It was not intentional, but neither was it coincidental that I found myself reading the law (that I so faithfully break) right at the season I was pausing to remember how desperately I need a Savior.
I am reading through the Bible chronologically for 2013. But let me keep it very real: I am not staying on track. Some days I only read half of what I should read that day. Some days, none. I fall behind, then I read two or three or more days to catch up. But it's okay. God's Word is alive and active, each and every time I open it. Even if I don't stay on track by reading the suggested three or four chapters each day, He is ever faithful to speak to this prodigal, whether it be through 3 chapters or 3 verses.
So, Leviticus, chapter 5, verse 4...
4 “Or suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or for bad. When you realize its foolishness, you must admit your guilt.
I've done this. Oh boy, how I've done this. Two very specific incidents stick out in my mind...nope, make that four. But if I sat here for infinity, I'm sure that is exactly how many incidents of breaking my own vows I could recall.
Here is what David Guzik says about this verse.
(This particular excerpt can be found in his commentary on Leviticus. For more of his commentaries visit enduringword.com.)
I reread this portion of Scripture one day and just sat, pondering. The two incidents of vow breaking that I recalled immediately were not "thoughtless." They were thought out before I made them. And I made them to God. But eventually I realized that they were not Spirit-led. They were me, becoming Pharisaical, adding to God's law something He never intended to be a law. Like I could become holier by observing my own rules. Then I had this internal war over whether I should keep them. Then I broke them somewhere along the way. Then I felt horrible, horrible guilt. Then I wondered if I should try to keep them again!
I know this all sounds absurd and a bit crazy. But, as I was pondering all this, the thought occurred to me that perhaps we as Christians do this all the time. We make these rules for ourselves and if we keep them (and some of us are really good at following rules) then we feel a bit holier. And, if we see others breaking them, then they definitely are not as holy! Because we can pull this Scripture and that one and stack them all up to provide ample support for our rules and perfect reasoning to call into question anyone who doesn't agree with us.
Think about denominations. Sprinkle. Dunk. Speak in tongues. That's absurd! Don't drink alcohol. Sure, why not? Wear dresses. Pants are okay. Remarry. Don't. Let women be deacons, or preachers. Are you crazy? Worship on Sunday. Worship on Saturday. Have music in worship. Don't. Do. Don't. Do! Don't!
(And we get into intense theological debates about such issues and worry more about proving we are right than trying to understand the foundation for others' beliefs.)
Then we add to our denominational list of "do's" and "do not's" our own personal list, and before you know it, we are modern-day Pharisees, who have perfected rule following. Our personal convictions might be religious in nature, or not. See if any of these resonate with you...
don't watch TV
don't watch R-rated movies
only listen to Christian music
read through the Bible every year
don't eat meat
don't eat refined sugar
don't drink caffeine
take a bath everyday
don't wear make-up
use home-made or all-natural detergents/cleaners
don't eat out on Sunday
go to church every time the doors are open
raise your hands in worship
don't raise your hands in worship
home-school
send your kids to public school
Let's be honest; we all have our own convictions and it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking others are "less-than" if they don't share them. Perhaps yours aren't on this list, but I'm sure if you were willing to give it some thought, you could come up with at least one or two. I just tried to think of a few that I've been guilty of imposing on myself and/or others, or ones that I feel pretty safe in assuming others hold as universal standards because of things they have said/done.
Here's the thing, we have to be careful about the vows we make to ourselves/God and the rules/standards we say we are going to follow. Even if the vows are Spirit-led, we have to remember Romans 14, or else we find ourselves looking down our noses at others who do not share our convictions, or worse, we may feel that we have very little need for a Savior. I mean, we may feel and even look like the epitome of holiness. But I wonder if Christ would say...
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27)
Ouch. Every time I read that verse, I wonder in what areas it might be applied to me. We have to remember that keeping the law, be it God's law or our own, might make us look good but it won't save us. A real relationship with Christ will.
Good at keeping the law, or not, one thing we all are is this: in very great need of a Savior. And I would rather be in need than thinking I'm doing okay. Because sometimes I actually do think I'm doing okay, then I try to do "okay" without God, but okay is not good enough. And before long I find myself wanting more than just okay. And sometimes I come running to God, but other times a fall flat on my face and coming face-to-face with my ugly pride is required before I remember I can't save myself.
And I beg the Lord to destroy every last ounce of pride in me. Every. last. ounce. I still see it in sickening quantities in my heart and I want it gone. I see this blackness that plagues my heart and, like David, I cry out, "Create in me a pure, clean heart, O Lord!" (Psalm 51:10).
And then I just try to ignore all those pride promptings to make and follow unnecessary rules. We can't keep them anyway. And, even on the off chance that we do, our obedience to anything other than Christ won't do us one bit of good.
Lord, help me release my self-imposed rules. And forgive me for all the vows I've broken, all the rules I've made but couldn't keep. I acknowledge that there are matters in life that Your Word does not speak to in detail, "disputable matters" as Romans 14:1 calls them. Help me to be fully convinced in my own mind (v.5) and keep what I believe about these things between you and me (v. 22). Forgive me for judging others when they don't share my convictions (v. 13). And may I just love you more, Jesus. May I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love others as I love myself. Amen.
--------------------------
p.s. if you don't remember what's in romans 14, i encourage you to read it again. it is one of my favorite passages about "disputable matters." at the same time convicting and releasing. convicting, in that it reminds us not to judge others. releasing, in that it reminds us that there truly is freedom in Christ.
I am reading through the Bible chronologically for 2013. But let me keep it very real: I am not staying on track. Some days I only read half of what I should read that day. Some days, none. I fall behind, then I read two or three or more days to catch up. But it's okay. God's Word is alive and active, each and every time I open it. Even if I don't stay on track by reading the suggested three or four chapters each day, He is ever faithful to speak to this prodigal, whether it be through 3 chapters or 3 verses.
So, Leviticus, chapter 5, verse 4...
4 “Or suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or for bad. When you realize its foolishness, you must admit your guilt.
I've done this. Oh boy, how I've done this. Two very specific incidents stick out in my mind...nope, make that four. But if I sat here for infinity, I'm sure that is exactly how many incidents of breaking my own vows I could recall.
Here is what David Guzik says about this verse.
3. (4) Swearing a false oath.
Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it; when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters.
a. If a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly: A careless promise was still a promise before the LORD and had to be observed. If the promise was not kept it had to be atoned for by a sin offering.
b. When he realizes it, then he shall be guilty: When we are aware of our broken vows we must repent of them. It is common to make vows and promises in the Christian that are not kept, and when we see this we must repent and trust in the atoning, covering blood of Jesus to bring forgiveness.
i. Think of these common examples of broken vows:
· More time in prayer
· More intercession for others
· More devotional reading
· More intense Bible study
· More personal witness
· More faithful tithing
· Better example to others
· More patience with the children
· A vow to personal purity in sexual matters
ii. It may not be wrong to make such vows. They may be the legitimate expression of a move of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. Yet if the vow is not kept, it must be confessed as sin and repented of.
(This particular excerpt can be found in his commentary on Leviticus. For more of his commentaries visit enduringword.com.)
I reread this portion of Scripture one day and just sat, pondering. The two incidents of vow breaking that I recalled immediately were not "thoughtless." They were thought out before I made them. And I made them to God. But eventually I realized that they were not Spirit-led. They were me, becoming Pharisaical, adding to God's law something He never intended to be a law. Like I could become holier by observing my own rules. Then I had this internal war over whether I should keep them. Then I broke them somewhere along the way. Then I felt horrible, horrible guilt. Then I wondered if I should try to keep them again!
I know this all sounds absurd and a bit crazy. But, as I was pondering all this, the thought occurred to me that perhaps we as Christians do this all the time. We make these rules for ourselves and if we keep them (and some of us are really good at following rules) then we feel a bit holier. And, if we see others breaking them, then they definitely are not as holy! Because we can pull this Scripture and that one and stack them all up to provide ample support for our rules and perfect reasoning to call into question anyone who doesn't agree with us.
Think about denominations. Sprinkle. Dunk. Speak in tongues. That's absurd! Don't drink alcohol. Sure, why not? Wear dresses. Pants are okay. Remarry. Don't. Let women be deacons, or preachers. Are you crazy? Worship on Sunday. Worship on Saturday. Have music in worship. Don't. Do. Don't. Do! Don't!
(And we get into intense theological debates about such issues and worry more about proving we are right than trying to understand the foundation for others' beliefs.)
Then we add to our denominational list of "do's" and "do not's" our own personal list, and before you know it, we are modern-day Pharisees, who have perfected rule following. Our personal convictions might be religious in nature, or not. See if any of these resonate with you...
don't watch TV
don't watch R-rated movies
only listen to Christian music
read through the Bible every year
don't eat meat
don't eat refined sugar
don't drink caffeine
take a bath everyday
don't wear make-up
use home-made or all-natural detergents/cleaners
don't eat out on Sunday
go to church every time the doors are open
raise your hands in worship
don't raise your hands in worship
home-school
send your kids to public school
Let's be honest; we all have our own convictions and it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking others are "less-than" if they don't share them. Perhaps yours aren't on this list, but I'm sure if you were willing to give it some thought, you could come up with at least one or two. I just tried to think of a few that I've been guilty of imposing on myself and/or others, or ones that I feel pretty safe in assuming others hold as universal standards because of things they have said/done.
Here's the thing, we have to be careful about the vows we make to ourselves/God and the rules/standards we say we are going to follow. Even if the vows are Spirit-led, we have to remember Romans 14, or else we find ourselves looking down our noses at others who do not share our convictions, or worse, we may feel that we have very little need for a Savior. I mean, we may feel and even look like the epitome of holiness. But I wonder if Christ would say...
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean." (Matthew 23:27)
Ouch. Every time I read that verse, I wonder in what areas it might be applied to me. We have to remember that keeping the law, be it God's law or our own, might make us look good but it won't save us. A real relationship with Christ will.
Good at keeping the law, or not, one thing we all are is this: in very great need of a Savior. And I would rather be in need than thinking I'm doing okay. Because sometimes I actually do think I'm doing okay, then I try to do "okay" without God, but okay is not good enough. And before long I find myself wanting more than just okay. And sometimes I come running to God, but other times a fall flat on my face and coming face-to-face with my ugly pride is required before I remember I can't save myself.
And I beg the Lord to destroy every last ounce of pride in me. Every. last. ounce. I still see it in sickening quantities in my heart and I want it gone. I see this blackness that plagues my heart and, like David, I cry out, "Create in me a pure, clean heart, O Lord!" (Psalm 51:10).
And then I just try to ignore all those pride promptings to make and follow unnecessary rules. We can't keep them anyway. And, even on the off chance that we do, our obedience to anything other than Christ won't do us one bit of good.
Lord, help me release my self-imposed rules. And forgive me for all the vows I've broken, all the rules I've made but couldn't keep. I acknowledge that there are matters in life that Your Word does not speak to in detail, "disputable matters" as Romans 14:1 calls them. Help me to be fully convinced in my own mind (v.5) and keep what I believe about these things between you and me (v. 22). Forgive me for judging others when they don't share my convictions (v. 13). And may I just love you more, Jesus. May I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love others as I love myself. Amen.
--------------------------
p.s. if you don't remember what's in romans 14, i encourage you to read it again. it is one of my favorite passages about "disputable matters." at the same time convicting and releasing. convicting, in that it reminds us not to judge others. releasing, in that it reminds us that there truly is freedom in Christ.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Diet Change
So, some of you heard me lamenting my allergie/sinus issues in my last post. The very abbreviated version is this: I spent three days outside weekend before last then I could barely breathe the following Monday. I made an appointment with the doctor, to the bemusement of my husband. His prediction of the outcome: "Maybe he'll give you a prescription you won't take."
You were almost right, honey, but instead of one Rx, I was given four I wouldn't take.
You have to understand, I am not a medicine gal. I hate the thoughts of putting any more chemicals in my body than I already do with all the processed foods we eat. And medicines are just concentrated chemicals. Ugh. I asked both the nurse, who came back in the room to explain about the prescriptions, and the pharmacist if it was safe to take all four drugs together. The pharmacist literally laughed at me. I know they deal with drugs all the time; I do not. I can not tell you the last time I even took Tylenol or any OTC med.
And then I got home and read the bottles, which said things like, "May cause headaches," (I already had a whopper), "May cause dizziness," and, my favorite, "If you start having suicidal thoughts, call your doctor immediately." Hmmmm. Decision made--those things are not going in my body. Unsure if that was wisdom or fear talking, so...
I prayed from Tuesday through Friday for the wisdom/courage to try at least one of the meds, and Friday night I finally started the antibiotic for the sinus infection. Crazy, crazy.
Wow. That is really not where I meant to go with this post. What I was going to say was this: my insane allergies triggered the thought that perhaps I am not eating what I need to be eating. Here's why...
(1) When I was in college I had a garden and worked in it probably every day because I loved it! I also rode my bike or walked to school every day. So, I was outside every.day. I also ate fruits, veggies, nuts, grains, and NO processed foods except when I would occasionally go out to eat or go "home" to momma's. And I do not remember having allergies.
(2) I got married. I moved to the country. My diet changed. I started having insane allergy issues that have seemingly gotten worse each year. You may think, like me, that the move triggered the allergies. But let me throw a wrench in that theory...
(3) Two summers ago (still in the country), I took Zija, a nutrition supplement. It was a phenomenal because I had no allergies. None.
Do you see the diet factor? No processed foods, great nutrition, no allergies. Processed foods, allergies. Processed foods plus a great nutrition supplement, no allergies. See where I'm going?
While all this was swimming in my head, I read an article about a guy who was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer. Even after surgery to remove a huge mass, docs gave him 6 months to live. He decided to forego the chemicals, in which the doctors had little hope for prolonging his life. He instead chose to change his diet, eating only organic raw fruits and veggies and whole grains. He has been alive for nine years.
All the while, I was reading Jami Nato's blog posts about her reduction in sugar and how she felt so much better. And I thought, "I need to do this!"
I made a plan, which included some healthy recipes, made my grocery list and...Monday I went to the grocery and stocked up on all organic fruits and veggies, and other random "healthier" ingredients I needed to make my recipes, like grapeseed oil, rice vinegar, and local honey.
So far we have had granola or home-made bread (toasted) for breakfast...
fruit, raw veggies, and cheese for lunch...
(disclaimer: we did eat some whole grain crackers and use some Ranch. so sue me.)
and some type of whole grain/cooked veggie combo for dinner...
(like the quinoa recipe i shared recently).
On the menu for this weekend:
Veggie Omelets (the chopped veggies are bagged and frozen, ready to be dumped in an egg)...
Fruit smoothies (with some veggies hidden inside)...
Black beans and rice...
And with the left-over beans...
Black bean brownies and...
Black bean sweet potato quesadillas (roasted sweet potatos are already frozen and ready to go) with homemade tortillas (thanks to Jami Nato for these last three recipes)
And, let me be brutally honest. I am nearly always starving. I heard my neighbor mention Funyuns yesterday and I had to fight the urge to go buy a bag! But we did have a fully processed meal last night with my man's work crew (steak, baked potatoes with fake butter, salad with a mayo-based dressing, rolls, and cheesecake). You would think that would satisfy my "processed" cravings, but nooooo. I was banging the cupboards today looking for a morsel of processed SOMETHING. And, to be sure, there is still plenty of processed foods in our house that we will slowly eat and deplete, but not replenish. It's just that none of it sounds good to me. I want Funyuns! And I will have Funyuns again someday, but right now I need to purge my body or I'll never get over these cravings.
And here is my motivation to keep going...I've lost weight! Even if my allergies don't improve, that's enough to keep hanging with it. So here's to hunger pains (that I know are just my body's screams for things it wants but doesn't need, and they will go away), health, and hopes for a slimmer, allergy-free me.
You were almost right, honey, but instead of one Rx, I was given four I wouldn't take.
You have to understand, I am not a medicine gal. I hate the thoughts of putting any more chemicals in my body than I already do with all the processed foods we eat. And medicines are just concentrated chemicals. Ugh. I asked both the nurse, who came back in the room to explain about the prescriptions, and the pharmacist if it was safe to take all four drugs together. The pharmacist literally laughed at me. I know they deal with drugs all the time; I do not. I can not tell you the last time I even took Tylenol or any OTC med.
And then I got home and read the bottles, which said things like, "May cause headaches," (I already had a whopper), "May cause dizziness," and, my favorite, "If you start having suicidal thoughts, call your doctor immediately." Hmmmm. Decision made--those things are not going in my body. Unsure if that was wisdom or fear talking, so...
I prayed from Tuesday through Friday for the wisdom/courage to try at least one of the meds, and Friday night I finally started the antibiotic for the sinus infection. Crazy, crazy.
Wow. That is really not where I meant to go with this post. What I was going to say was this: my insane allergies triggered the thought that perhaps I am not eating what I need to be eating. Here's why...
(1) When I was in college I had a garden and worked in it probably every day because I loved it! I also rode my bike or walked to school every day. So, I was outside every.day. I also ate fruits, veggies, nuts, grains, and NO processed foods except when I would occasionally go out to eat or go "home" to momma's. And I do not remember having allergies.
(2) I got married. I moved to the country. My diet changed. I started having insane allergy issues that have seemingly gotten worse each year. You may think, like me, that the move triggered the allergies. But let me throw a wrench in that theory...
(3) Two summers ago (still in the country), I took Zija, a nutrition supplement. It was a phenomenal because I had no allergies. None.
Do you see the diet factor? No processed foods, great nutrition, no allergies. Processed foods, allergies. Processed foods plus a great nutrition supplement, no allergies. See where I'm going?
While all this was swimming in my head, I read an article about a guy who was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer. Even after surgery to remove a huge mass, docs gave him 6 months to live. He decided to forego the chemicals, in which the doctors had little hope for prolonging his life. He instead chose to change his diet, eating only organic raw fruits and veggies and whole grains. He has been alive for nine years.
All the while, I was reading Jami Nato's blog posts about her reduction in sugar and how she felt so much better. And I thought, "I need to do this!"
I made a plan, which included some healthy recipes, made my grocery list and...Monday I went to the grocery and stocked up on all organic fruits and veggies, and other random "healthier" ingredients I needed to make my recipes, like grapeseed oil, rice vinegar, and local honey.
So far we have had granola or home-made bread (toasted) for breakfast...
fruit, raw veggies, and cheese for lunch...
(disclaimer: we did eat some whole grain crackers and use some Ranch. so sue me.)
and some type of whole grain/cooked veggie combo for dinner...
(like the quinoa recipe i shared recently).
On the menu for this weekend:
Veggie Omelets (the chopped veggies are bagged and frozen, ready to be dumped in an egg)...
Fruit smoothies (with some veggies hidden inside)...
Black beans and rice...
And with the left-over beans...
Black bean brownies and...
Black bean sweet potato quesadillas (roasted sweet potatos are already frozen and ready to go) with homemade tortillas (thanks to Jami Nato for these last three recipes)
And, let me be brutally honest. I am nearly always starving. I heard my neighbor mention Funyuns yesterday and I had to fight the urge to go buy a bag! But we did have a fully processed meal last night with my man's work crew (steak, baked potatoes with fake butter, salad with a mayo-based dressing, rolls, and cheesecake). You would think that would satisfy my "processed" cravings, but nooooo. I was banging the cupboards today looking for a morsel of processed SOMETHING. And, to be sure, there is still plenty of processed foods in our house that we will slowly eat and deplete, but not replenish. It's just that none of it sounds good to me. I want Funyuns! And I will have Funyuns again someday, but right now I need to purge my body or I'll never get over these cravings.
And here is my motivation to keep going...I've lost weight! Even if my allergies don't improve, that's enough to keep hanging with it. So here's to hunger pains (that I know are just my body's screams for things it wants but doesn't need, and they will go away), health, and hopes for a slimmer, allergy-free me.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Catharsis, Part Two--Finally!
It's late and I'm working myself into a new schedule; so, this post is gonna hafta be short!
First of all, let me say I am sorry for turning "tomorrow" into more than a week. Little did I know that Satan would be so very conspicuously at work this past week, wreaking obvious havoc and inflicting intense pain on Christians and non-Christians alike. First with the death of Rick Warren's son, then a bombing at the Boston Marathon, and now an on-going trial for Dr. Gosnell, who has committed the most horrifying type of murder I can imagine, and not just once, but more times than any of us will probably ever know.
In my own very minor struggles with allergies and respiratory issues, the few times that I have felt physically well enough to blog, I really did not have the emotional strength to do so. It has been a very heavy week. Our struggles against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world have been very obvious. If ever there was a time to put on the full armor of God, sister, it is now.
More about that later, but first I will try to supply a relatively short summary of what could have been a very long conclusion to my "Catharsis" post...
A week ago Sunday, the morning message focused on Psalm 51: 1-17, the last part of which says this:
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
After expounding on the entire passage, our Minister of Education (who is a gifted teacher/speaker and was filling in for our pastor) played a song by Michael Card, "Come Life Up Your Sorrows." I could not believe how perfectly the message and song reiterated the message God had been giving me in the weeks prior to last Sunday. The song says,
If you are weary
If you're alone...
If you have fallen
If you are weak
Come find the word of God
That only the suffering seek
(Chorus)
Come lift up your sorrows
And offer your pain
Come make a sacrifice
Of all your shame
There in your wilderness
He's waiting for you
To worship Him with your wounds
For He's wounded too
When He said, "Come unto me"
You're not disqualified
When you're heavy laden
You may want to depart
But those who know sorrow
They're closest to His heart
(Chorus)
Our teacher/preacher/pastor (I never know what to call them, because they are teachers, but most people say preachers or pastors, but I think that's too formal and not personal, which is what I think a pastor should be, but enough about that) ...he explained that we are to make a sacrifice of our shame. That we are to offer it up, or lay it down, then let it go. Remember the passage that spoke to me back in Deuteronomy, chapter 2?
Then the Lord said to me, 3 “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north."
It's time to move on.
I have recently heard and whole-heartily agree that the church does not realize the power that is available to us in Christ. We are sitting on a gold mine and we keep looking around in the deserts and the wildernesses for riches. I think about Ephesians...
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His imcomparably great power for us who believe." (Emphasis mine.)
Paul was praying that the saints in Ephesus would have their eyes opened to the wealth that was already opened to them. They just had to seize it. They had to quit sitting on their hands and move forward in faith and, thus, power!
And that is exactly what God has been saying to me. And maybe to you too?
We have made our way around this desert long enough. We have been sitting on our hands too long. We were brought into the desert, yes, but perhaps we have hung around too long.
Why? Everybody's reason is different. We don't believe the promises are for us. Or we aren't aware of the power that goes before and and stands behind. Or the enemy has made us believe that we could not possibly ever have what we once had; we, after all, let go of a mighty good thing. The only good thing.
Shame.
And we start believing the lies. We are unforgivable. We are stuck in this place. We are not worthy of healing. We are...less than God says we are.
Stop moping around this mountain of lies! Move on! God has a promised land over there and it has your name written on it! "Come make a sacrifice of all your shame." Yes, you are wounded, but lovely, He was wounded too. He knows our pain.
And, you know what? The enemy is partially right (that is his expertise after all--half-truths); we don't deserve forgiveness. But that's the beauty of mercy and grace. In God's mercy, He doesn't give us what we deserve. In His grace, He gives us what we do not deserve. And that is how and why we can worship Him. We are a mess, sinful from birth, but He forgives us. There is no condemnation or shame in Christ. He lifts up our heads, points us toward the promises, then gives us the power to move forward.
This message was not only given to me in Deuteronomy and reiterated in last Sunday morning's message, but also carried through Sunday night as well!
I am in a four-week study by Andy Stanley, Taking Responsibility for Your Life. Let me tell you, it is painful. But, no time for that now. A couple that I greatly respect is leading this study and the man, Dave, spoke words to me, without a clue (I think) of what I have been going through, that could only have been facilitated by God. I can't quote exactly what He said, but basically He was using Scripture to define who I am. I felt like God was saying, once again, "Quit hanging around the mountain of lies, it's time to move on in truth!" I thanked Dave this past Sunday for His words of encouragement and he looked blankly, like he had no clue what I was talking about. I think he really didn't. God just used Him in a moment of spirit-led conversation to speak a word over me. I love, love, love when that happens.
So, sisters, I got moving. In the Sunday night study, we were asked to think about areas where we were not taking responsibility for our lives. The first area that came to mind was my relationship with Christ. Over and over, I ask Him to do things for me that He expects me to be responsible enough to do myself. Like get out of bed.
How many times have I been here? I get it, then I forget it. But giving our firstfruits is insanely important. I say insanely, because we go insane a little if we don't. We create our own troubles when we fail to be obedient in this area. The firstfruits of time is just a hard lesson for me because I am not, and never have been, a morning person. But, I have gotten up and in the Word before the girls have awoken more days than not since last Sunday. This morning I lay there praying, "Lord, please help me get up." And, quick as that, I felt in my spirit, "Just get up!" Not mean or hateful, but strong. And I realized that I was doing it again. Looking around for help when it was already within me--that incomparably great power for us who believe. What did I want Him to do? Roll me out of bed? I mean, there are just some things that He expects us to do. Some things are OUR responsibility in our relationship with Him. If He was doing everything all the time to sustain our relationship, then it wouldn't be much of a relationship at all. He wants to know if we want Him.
I got up. And, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that I will get up again. And again. And again. Because, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: He is worth the effort.
G'night sisters. Morning comes early. =)
First of all, let me say I am sorry for turning "tomorrow" into more than a week. Little did I know that Satan would be so very conspicuously at work this past week, wreaking obvious havoc and inflicting intense pain on Christians and non-Christians alike. First with the death of Rick Warren's son, then a bombing at the Boston Marathon, and now an on-going trial for Dr. Gosnell, who has committed the most horrifying type of murder I can imagine, and not just once, but more times than any of us will probably ever know.
In my own very minor struggles with allergies and respiratory issues, the few times that I have felt physically well enough to blog, I really did not have the emotional strength to do so. It has been a very heavy week. Our struggles against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world have been very obvious. If ever there was a time to put on the full armor of God, sister, it is now.
More about that later, but first I will try to supply a relatively short summary of what could have been a very long conclusion to my "Catharsis" post...
A week ago Sunday, the morning message focused on Psalm 51: 1-17, the last part of which says this:
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
After expounding on the entire passage, our Minister of Education (who is a gifted teacher/speaker and was filling in for our pastor) played a song by Michael Card, "Come Life Up Your Sorrows." I could not believe how perfectly the message and song reiterated the message God had been giving me in the weeks prior to last Sunday. The song says,
If you are weary
If you're alone...
If you have fallen
If you are weak
Come find the word of God
That only the suffering seek
(Chorus)
Come lift up your sorrows
And offer your pain
Come make a sacrifice
Of all your shame
There in your wilderness
He's waiting for you
To worship Him with your wounds
For He's wounded too
When He said, "Come unto me"
You're not disqualified
When you're heavy laden
You may want to depart
But those who know sorrow
They're closest to His heart
(Chorus)
Our teacher/preacher/pastor (I never know what to call them, because they are teachers, but most people say preachers or pastors, but I think that's too formal and not personal, which is what I think a pastor should be, but enough about that) ...he explained that we are to make a sacrifice of our shame. That we are to offer it up, or lay it down, then let it go. Remember the passage that spoke to me back in Deuteronomy, chapter 2?
Then the Lord said to me, 3 “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north."
It's time to move on.
I have recently heard and whole-heartily agree that the church does not realize the power that is available to us in Christ. We are sitting on a gold mine and we keep looking around in the deserts and the wildernesses for riches. I think about Ephesians...
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His imcomparably great power for us who believe." (Emphasis mine.)
Paul was praying that the saints in Ephesus would have their eyes opened to the wealth that was already opened to them. They just had to seize it. They had to quit sitting on their hands and move forward in faith and, thus, power!
And that is exactly what God has been saying to me. And maybe to you too?
We have made our way around this desert long enough. We have been sitting on our hands too long. We were brought into the desert, yes, but perhaps we have hung around too long.
Why? Everybody's reason is different. We don't believe the promises are for us. Or we aren't aware of the power that goes before and and stands behind. Or the enemy has made us believe that we could not possibly ever have what we once had; we, after all, let go of a mighty good thing. The only good thing.
Shame.
And we start believing the lies. We are unforgivable. We are stuck in this place. We are not worthy of healing. We are...less than God says we are.
Stop moping around this mountain of lies! Move on! God has a promised land over there and it has your name written on it! "Come make a sacrifice of all your shame." Yes, you are wounded, but lovely, He was wounded too. He knows our pain.
And, you know what? The enemy is partially right (that is his expertise after all--half-truths); we don't deserve forgiveness. But that's the beauty of mercy and grace. In God's mercy, He doesn't give us what we deserve. In His grace, He gives us what we do not deserve. And that is how and why we can worship Him. We are a mess, sinful from birth, but He forgives us. There is no condemnation or shame in Christ. He lifts up our heads, points us toward the promises, then gives us the power to move forward.
This message was not only given to me in Deuteronomy and reiterated in last Sunday morning's message, but also carried through Sunday night as well!
I am in a four-week study by Andy Stanley, Taking Responsibility for Your Life. Let me tell you, it is painful. But, no time for that now. A couple that I greatly respect is leading this study and the man, Dave, spoke words to me, without a clue (I think) of what I have been going through, that could only have been facilitated by God. I can't quote exactly what He said, but basically He was using Scripture to define who I am. I felt like God was saying, once again, "Quit hanging around the mountain of lies, it's time to move on in truth!" I thanked Dave this past Sunday for His words of encouragement and he looked blankly, like he had no clue what I was talking about. I think he really didn't. God just used Him in a moment of spirit-led conversation to speak a word over me. I love, love, love when that happens.
So, sisters, I got moving. In the Sunday night study, we were asked to think about areas where we were not taking responsibility for our lives. The first area that came to mind was my relationship with Christ. Over and over, I ask Him to do things for me that He expects me to be responsible enough to do myself. Like get out of bed.
How many times have I been here? I get it, then I forget it. But giving our firstfruits is insanely important. I say insanely, because we go insane a little if we don't. We create our own troubles when we fail to be obedient in this area. The firstfruits of time is just a hard lesson for me because I am not, and never have been, a morning person. But, I have gotten up and in the Word before the girls have awoken more days than not since last Sunday. This morning I lay there praying, "Lord, please help me get up." And, quick as that, I felt in my spirit, "Just get up!" Not mean or hateful, but strong. And I realized that I was doing it again. Looking around for help when it was already within me--that incomparably great power for us who believe. What did I want Him to do? Roll me out of bed? I mean, there are just some things that He expects us to do. Some things are OUR responsibility in our relationship with Him. If He was doing everything all the time to sustain our relationship, then it wouldn't be much of a relationship at all. He wants to know if we want Him.
I got up. And, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that I will get up again. And again. And again. Because, I've said it before, and I'll say it again: He is worth the effort.
G'night sisters. Morning comes early. =)
Catharsis Postponed for This
A week ago I said the second part of my "Catharsis" was coming tomorrow. We are now a week from "tomorrow" and part two has yet to be written. And still, it won't come today. Because I just feel the need to share this. How do we respond to this?
Dr. Gosnell's Trial
Ann tells us here.
And all I can think of is this, "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him..."
Lord, your children are begging you, use this for good in the lives of women who love you. Women who feel like they are left with no choices. May they trust you with what seems impossible. May they see that the precious lives knit together inside of us are a gift. To us, as the mommas. And to us, as the ones knit together. If one woman can read of this trial and have a heart change. If one life that was once unwanted is now seen and accepted as a gift. Even one. Then what the enemy intended for evil, You will have once again used for good. Act, Father! We beg your mercy on us and beg You to reveal truth to us once again. The enemy has tossed us a lie and we have accepted it. Show us the horror of the lie we hold. May we drop it quickly and run to You! How desperately the world needs Jesus. Please give those of us who are Your possession the great sense of urgency to share Your love with a hurting, dying world. May we envelope our sisters with grace. May we come alongside our sisters who choose life even when that life brings painful reminders or extreme difficulties. Bless those sweet mommas for their trust in You and their faithfulness to do the hard thing. May we be Your hands to carry them through the tough days. May we speak words of encouragement; there is enough criticism. May we offer words of life. Thank You that Your Word is Life. That Your Way is Life. That You give us Life. Life abundant.
Dr. Gosnell's Trial
Ann tells us here.
And all I can think of is this, "And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him..."
Lord, your children are begging you, use this for good in the lives of women who love you. Women who feel like they are left with no choices. May they trust you with what seems impossible. May they see that the precious lives knit together inside of us are a gift. To us, as the mommas. And to us, as the ones knit together. If one woman can read of this trial and have a heart change. If one life that was once unwanted is now seen and accepted as a gift. Even one. Then what the enemy intended for evil, You will have once again used for good. Act, Father! We beg your mercy on us and beg You to reveal truth to us once again. The enemy has tossed us a lie and we have accepted it. Show us the horror of the lie we hold. May we drop it quickly and run to You! How desperately the world needs Jesus. Please give those of us who are Your possession the great sense of urgency to share Your love with a hurting, dying world. May we envelope our sisters with grace. May we come alongside our sisters who choose life even when that life brings painful reminders or extreme difficulties. Bless those sweet mommas for their trust in You and their faithfulness to do the hard thing. May we be Your hands to carry them through the tough days. May we speak words of encouragement; there is enough criticism. May we offer words of life. Thank You that Your Word is Life. That Your Way is Life. That You give us Life. Life abundant.
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