Do It

I'd like to say it's not hard, but I think we make it hard and our brains make it harder. We talk about it. Our pastor's preach about it. We desire it, or at least I think we do. It sounds good in theory, but it actually is more difficult in reality.

It's necessary. It allows the Spirit of God to come in closer and do His work more deeply. It's an act of obedience. It shows a desire for Christ to be a priority. It makes Him a priority. It's cleansing. It centers us for the day, the week.

Being Monday we all begin again in the hustle and bustle and we all need to do this, not just because it's Monday, but because it's the only time we have to do it. Now, is our reality so what are we going to do with it? We need to do this because it's a New day, not just Monday, but a New day. Tomorrow will be another New day and we need to do it then.

Find time today to do it. Find time everyday to do it. You will discover it is the greatest treasure next to knowing His great love. However, by doing this, you might discover that even more.










Be still and know that He is God.

Grow a Brain

I love that saying! I used to use it all the time with my brother and sister. We'd laugh and laugh.

Now, however, I wonder how many of God's created don't use the one He's given them. If you are a follower of Christ, you have an obligation to use your brain, not just your emotion, which are wonderful, not just your experiences, which are vital to our growth, you must use your brain.

Here's what I mean. The Bible teaches us that we, through the Spirit, can have wisdom, insight, knowledge, understanding, discernment. These are all found in our intellect. However, these are wrapped up in the Spirit and many times fall outside the parameters of our own human knowledge. The point is that we need and should make the study of God's word, and outside sources, something we love, something we desire, and something we give priority to.

I'm not saying we should all go get a theology degree, but I do believe that we need to be able to answer to anyone why we have our hope. We also need to have the humility to say, "I don't know...but I'll find out."

The Bereans, in Acts, were commended for their study of the Scripture to see if what they were being told about Jesus was correct. Many times believers will take a Pastor's word or a teacher's word for it without having a clear Biblical understanding of a topic. Thousands follow false teachers and false prophets because of a lack of Biblical knowledge.

Biblical knowledge goes beyond knowing chapter and verse. God has provided many men and women who understand the original language of the Bible and have taken great pains to make sure we get those resources in hand. On top of that, there are many other resources that, though might need some explanation, are easy to use: concordances, study books, commentaries, web sites. Each of these will not only enhance your study of the Word, but enrich it!

Finding out the original words or the author's original intent, or even the connection between the ancient Jewish beliefs and our beliefs, is only found in taking time to study the works of those who have given their time and careers to offer us such great resources.

All in all, study of the Word is valuable, necessary and down right awesome!

Microwave Mentality

Have you ever noticed that it seems like God does not, or will not, move at the speed we'd like? I mean, He created light, certainly He could move at the speed of it now and again.

Let's take a look-see at our culture:

Cell phone's that text, email, find your favorite restaurant, take pictures, blog, and could track Dorothy in a tornado.

Microwaves make our food hot and toasty in a matter of seconds.

Computers connect us with one another in lightning speed.

We have fast cars and drive thru's.

We have everything so very convenient. So very fast. (That is to say, at least in the US we do.)

But the Bible teaches that our ways are not His ways. Our ways might be quick and we might get responses faster than a click of a mouse or keypad, but in the ways of the Spirit, life does not always work like that.

It's something we know, but we might not like it. Even the idea of waiting on God for weeks is hard. What about months? Years? Has it ever occurred to us that God might with hold something for more than a day?

He sent Moses to go get the Israelites FORTY years after He met him at the burning bush. 40!

Jesus didn't start his ministry until he was 30. Paul waited 14 years before he really hit the scene.

Time in our minds is not like God's. Things do not always happen quickly and we must heed the word when it tells us to Be still and know that He is God.

In our waiting we must learn to see Him, and know Him, not for what He's going to do, but really learn His character. Listen for His voice to direct you.

It could be hours, it could be years, but we must learn to be still and wait. The work is not what is going on around us, the real work of God is what's going on inside of us.

The Taming of the Shoe

Learning how to walk isn't easy. I've watched my baby girl figure this out just recently. One afternoon after her nap, she took off walking. It was like she thought, "Welp, I'm going to start walking now." It was crazy!

Since she is a little human, it's perfectly natural for her to start walking. And even though she had figured it out, she still has some troubles. Balance, stability, strength, turning, stopping. She simply has to practice. What I notice in babies, however, is they don't get mad about it. They just get up and keep going.

As followers of Christ, we can learn a lot from toddlers. We too are admonished to learn to walk in the Spirit.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

If you have given your life to Christ, it's perfectly natural for you to start learning how to walk with Christ. Even if you have followed him for years, there is always more to learn. There are always new places to go, bigger faith to learn, disappointments to go through, and joys to run in.

Keeping in step with the Spirit looks much like a toddler at first. We hang on and fall down...but we get back up. Soon, walking with Christ becomes the norm. Walking in the Spirit becomes so natural that falling down is surprising and difficult. However, as we grow in Christ, just as a baby's body grows, we become stronger, more determined and more able to discern what will cause us to fall.

If you feel you are still a toddler in Christ, keep walking. Get up, look up at your Father and keep going. He loves you more than you know.

For those of you who have walked this road with him for a long time, reach back and help the newbies, will you? Oh, our Father loves you more than you know too. Don't let being all grown up cause you to forget!

Punk!

I've heard people call someone "Punk!" usually in fun. For instance, I was wandering into my bedroom to go to bed, and on the way I was picking up random things off the floor. So, my head was down as I entered the room. As I turned into the room, my husband had placed a blanket over his head and was standing very still just around the corner. Need less to say, it startled me.

Perfect example of a "punk." It was a punk move and I might have to retaliate.

I wonder, however, if too often I give the label "punk" to too many undeserving people. Someone who cuts me off in traffic. The teller who might be moving a bit too slow. The person on the other line wanting to sell me something.

Feeling that someone is a punk or is being punk-ish shows us that we are being easily offended.

Now, that's not to say there aren't things to be offended by. What I'm talking about is the offense taken when it inconveniences us. I wonder if being offended all to often is simply an indication that we are feeding our ravenous flesh and those who get in the way or slow that self-gratification down are worthy then of being labeled "punk" in our book.

Consider then going after the things of the Spirit. Feeding the appetite of the flesh for things to go our way in our time will make us quick tempered, prideful and easily offended. Before you call someone a punk (either out loud or in your mind) consider this:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19,20

and

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 6:16

Zip It, Lock It, Put It in Your Pocket

I have three kids, two of which talk well. I have to remind them in certain situations we must "zip it, lock it, put it in your pocket" when it comes to talking. Library, movies, you know the drill. However, it's a great reminder for you and me.

There are too many times I should keep my mouth shut and I just don't. For instance, someone really bugged me the other day and instead of keeping it to myself and Jesus I decided a few friends needed to know about the audacity of this other person.

First of all, it was at a grocery store and I didn't even know the person. Secondly, it did nothing to bring any kind of encouragement to the group I was talking to. It was just ugly. Of course, I justified it telling myself that anyone in their right mind would have felt the same way, so I just kept on talking. Talk, talk, talk, blah, blah, blah, complain, complain, complain!

Next time I feel the need to complain about someone I don't know and about something that has no relevance what so ever, I need to "Zip It, Lock It, Put It in My Pocket!"

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Cornnuts or Peppermint

Welcome back! It's a new month, May, obviously, but that means that school is winding down and summer is winding up. It's sort of like Christmas. There seems to be a lot to do in the month of May and so for this month, I thought I would do short, yet thought-provoking posts for you.

We'll stick to the three times a week, but hopefully, you'll be able to read them in about two minutes. Whew, that will be a challenge for me to keep them short! Still, the point is to get you to focus on God in all things. Picture these as though we have met on the sidewalk, you have a map in hand, and I point down the street. We've briefly exchanged information, but it points in One direction: to Christ.

So, this weeks?



Corn nuts or Peppermint

Have you ever been in the car when someone opens up a bag of Corn nuts? Oh mercy those stink! What's worse is the person's breath when they start talking after they've consumed the already stinky food. They speak after corn nuts and we scrunch up our face. Eew.

I have to be honest, I like them. But, to save my family from dragon breath I don't buy them. I stick to little waxy chocolate donuts and all is well.

On the other mouth, peppermint is never really a bad thing. Someone starts sucking on a little peppermint and the whole car smells better, not to mention their breath. (Note to self: buy corn nuts and peppermint.)

They speak after peppermint and we smell the freshness. Aww.

Both flavors produce strong, bold scents. They are not subtle or inconspicuous like lettuce. I mean, you don't really know when someone has been chompin' on a bit of iceberg.

Read what James 3:5 &9-10 say:

Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but is makes great boasts (think corn nuts and peppermint, boastful scents). With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.

So, the next time you open your mouth consider what the other person might be smelling.

Praise (peppermint)
or
cursing (corn nuts: gossip, bickering, complaining, etc.).

It's your choice.