"Jesus loves me, this I know..... ". I had the pure and utter delight of listening to, and singing with, a group of 7 toddlers in Sunday school recently. And you know, when toddlers sing, they really SING. Raise the roof loud kind of singing. I wish that every one of you reading this could have been there. Loved it!
It is one of those moments to hang onto. The moment to remember when life doesn't sing. Like when the new sheet doesn't fit the mattress. Or when the spaghetti sauce adorns your new spring shirt. Or when your best laid plans are interrupted. Little things or big things. Whether it is a blip on the screen of your day or a life altering event, unexpected, unplanned, and even dreaded things happen in our lives.
There are not many things in this world that we can count on to be fitting, true, or lifelong. But this one thing I KNOW: Jesus loves me. And He loves you too!Isn't it wonderful to have that kind of surety. Isn't it wonderful to hear the voices of young children remind you of this truth! The God we serve, we can count on! Forever!
Exodus 6:7 "I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians."
1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. ..."
Praise HIM!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Treasure
I have a red-headed daughter who is now 22 years old. Oh, but just the blink-of-an-eye ago, she was a mere little angel girl. Like many little girls, my Ashley loved to dance. We enrolled her in a pre-tap class. I'll never forget her first recital at four years old. All dressed up in her turquoise satin and spandex outfit, accented with gold sequins, Ashley was ready to show us what she had practiced each week over the past year. We could not wait.
Large, bulky first generation video camera in hand, my husband and I joyously looked forward to filming her feat(or feet). Out came her class parading to the music. The dance began. And the shimmery gold sequins began flying off the costumes as the girls tapped away. Chuck panned the camera to make sure he got the entire class on film and then zeroed in on our own cutey pie. And there she was. Dancing? Why, NO. She was down on her hands and knees scraping up the fallen gold sequins. Scooping them up and tossing them back into the air. Having an absolute blast as we watched and wondered why we paid the lesson fees each month. Would have been a lot cheaper to hand her a bottle of shimmering sequins just to throw around! But Ash was happy as a lark! Our little red headed sweetheart had discovered gold while all her classmates continued to dance for the audience.
So maybe Ashley was right. Maybe we are all so busy dancing for the applause of man that we miss out on the real treasure. What a blast is in store for those who find it!
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Large, bulky first generation video camera in hand, my husband and I joyously looked forward to filming her feat(or feet). Out came her class parading to the music. The dance began. And the shimmery gold sequins began flying off the costumes as the girls tapped away. Chuck panned the camera to make sure he got the entire class on film and then zeroed in on our own cutey pie. And there she was. Dancing? Why, NO. She was down on her hands and knees scraping up the fallen gold sequins. Scooping them up and tossing them back into the air. Having an absolute blast as we watched and wondered why we paid the lesson fees each month. Would have been a lot cheaper to hand her a bottle of shimmering sequins just to throw around! But Ash was happy as a lark! Our little red headed sweetheart had discovered gold while all her classmates continued to dance for the audience.
So maybe Ashley was right. Maybe we are all so busy dancing for the applause of man that we miss out on the real treasure. What a blast is in store for those who find it!
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Don't Forget
Our family language has been unofficially replaced. "Sneeze, sneeze, cough, cough" have become the most oft uttered sounds heard in our home. Along with teenage angst, traffic jams and temper tantrums, the proverbial winter yucks are some things I would just rather forget.
But there are some things I don't ever want to forget:
I don't want to forget that I was chosen.
I don't want to forget that I am loved.
I don't want to forget that I am valuable.
I don't want to forget that my life came at a high price.
And so I will remember that He gave His life.
For Me. And for You.
So let us, you and I, never forget to praise His HOLY NAME!
Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
But there are some things I don't ever want to forget:
I don't want to forget that I was chosen.
I don't want to forget that I am loved.
I don't want to forget that I am valuable.
I don't want to forget that my life came at a high price.
And so I will remember that He gave His life.
For Me. And for You.
So let us, you and I, never forget to praise His HOLY NAME!
Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Conversations
Friend: Hey, sorry I couldn't get up to run this morning. I was so tired after traveling yesterday.
Me: That's OK, I was tired too. I'll walk or run later.
Friend: So... Libby picked me up yesterday in Charlotte and we went shopping.
Me: I bet that was fun!
Friend: (Laughingly)Hey, I thought I may get a job at J.Crew. Libby told me that you get 75% off three items a month because they want you to wear their clothes. But I found about 150 things I would like to buy.
Me: You get 75% off?? Wow! That is great! And you would be great in retail. You know how to talk to people so well.
Friend: Yeah, but .....
And the dialogue moved from the light-weight surface chat to the deepest thoughts and concerns that are only shared between good friends. Quickly immersed into a conversation that runs the gamut from shopping to politics to family concerns, all in the span of 30 minutes. This particular conversation is one that began over 37 years ago. It matters not that we live in different states. Or whether it has been 10 minutes or 10 days since our previous talk-fest. It is easy. Comfortable. Truthful.
Conversations. Rich repartees over politics. Whispers of secrets told in the dark. Recollections of youth leading to the inevitable return of muscle-aching belly laughter. Or deep discussions of life that begin at the dinner table and continue well into the late night. Conversations with friends.
Oh, what a blessing these are!
I am especially thankful for the conversation with the ONE who "sticks closer than a brother". Who has listened and responded throughout the peaks and ebbs of my life. Sometimes the conversation consists of an admonishment resonating from a Mighty God to this obstinate child. Other times it is the gentle utterance of encouragement as I cry out in despair. Always a resounding of HIS Word as I seek direction. Not always comfortable. But always truthful.
This particular conversation is one that began many years ago between a girl and her Savior. One that started with a merciful whisper penetrating to the very depths of a young girl's soul:
"Step close child. Step close to the cross. It is ME. I AM your Savior. I came for you. Now come to me."
Praise HIM!
Lord, I pray for the one who is reading this post who is not already in conversation with You. I ask that they will have ears that will hear You calling them! So that they can begin a life-changing conversation that will forgive, save, heal. A conversation like no other!
Proverbs 18:24 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Luke 23-24
If you haven't begun a conversation, please talk to someone who is a Christian. Seek out a Bible believing church in your area. OR email me at the address on my profile. HE calls to you friend!
Me: That's OK, I was tired too. I'll walk or run later.
Friend: So... Libby picked me up yesterday in Charlotte and we went shopping.
Me: I bet that was fun!
Friend: (Laughingly)Hey, I thought I may get a job at J.Crew. Libby told me that you get 75% off three items a month because they want you to wear their clothes. But I found about 150 things I would like to buy.
Me: You get 75% off?? Wow! That is great! And you would be great in retail. You know how to talk to people so well.
Friend: Yeah, but .....
And the dialogue moved from the light-weight surface chat to the deepest thoughts and concerns that are only shared between good friends. Quickly immersed into a conversation that runs the gamut from shopping to politics to family concerns, all in the span of 30 minutes. This particular conversation is one that began over 37 years ago. It matters not that we live in different states. Or whether it has been 10 minutes or 10 days since our previous talk-fest. It is easy. Comfortable. Truthful.
Conversations. Rich repartees over politics. Whispers of secrets told in the dark. Recollections of youth leading to the inevitable return of muscle-aching belly laughter. Or deep discussions of life that begin at the dinner table and continue well into the late night. Conversations with friends.
Oh, what a blessing these are!
I am especially thankful for the conversation with the ONE who "sticks closer than a brother". Who has listened and responded throughout the peaks and ebbs of my life. Sometimes the conversation consists of an admonishment resonating from a Mighty God to this obstinate child. Other times it is the gentle utterance of encouragement as I cry out in despair. Always a resounding of HIS Word as I seek direction. Not always comfortable. But always truthful.
This particular conversation is one that began many years ago between a girl and her Savior. One that started with a merciful whisper penetrating to the very depths of a young girl's soul:
"Step close child. Step close to the cross. It is ME. I AM your Savior. I came for you. Now come to me."
Praise HIM!
Lord, I pray for the one who is reading this post who is not already in conversation with You. I ask that they will have ears that will hear You calling them! So that they can begin a life-changing conversation that will forgive, save, heal. A conversation like no other!
Proverbs 18:24 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Luke 23-24
If you haven't begun a conversation, please talk to someone who is a Christian. Seek out a Bible believing church in your area. OR email me at the address on my profile. HE calls to you friend!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Just shoot
I'm upstairs in our playroom listening to the bounce, bounce, bounce of the basketball just outside. It is my son. It is a good sound, the continuous dribbling with an occasional pause as he shoots. He practices out there a lot of evenings between homework and waiting for Dad to arrive home from work. Dribble, dribble, shoot. Dribble, dribble, dribble, shoot. Never moving the ball down the court; it is just a driveway with a hoop. But dribbling just the same. I suppose he is waiting to get his nerve up or just waiting for the perfect timing or perhaps that sweet sense that occurs just as the ball "needs to be shot". Whoosh! There it goes again!
How much time we spend waiting for the perfect shot. Dancing around the edges rather than stepping confidently into our place of purpose. Half-hearted attempts to know Him more. A Hokey-Pokey type of existence summed up with "you put your right foot in, you take your right foot out". Never fully committing to that which we have been called to. Our purpose.
So as for me, well it's time to stop dribbling around the court. It's time to turn my eyes toward the goal and take the shot. Releasing control of the ball. Putting aside the desire for my own perfect game. Surrendering all fear of failure. Giving my all over to this God that has proved Himself over and over. It is time to trust Him fully. Time to seek HIM earnestly. Time to live wholeheartedly for HIM and in HIM. Time to let HIM bring me into my own land of milk and honey. My purpose place. The purpose He created me for, that which will bring HIM glory.
Praise HIM!
Numbers 14:24 "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."
1 Kings 8:22-24 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today."
Joshua 14:7-9 "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' "
How much time we spend waiting for the perfect shot. Dancing around the edges rather than stepping confidently into our place of purpose. Half-hearted attempts to know Him more. A Hokey-Pokey type of existence summed up with "you put your right foot in, you take your right foot out". Never fully committing to that which we have been called to. Our purpose.
So as for me, well it's time to stop dribbling around the court. It's time to turn my eyes toward the goal and take the shot. Releasing control of the ball. Putting aside the desire for my own perfect game. Surrendering all fear of failure. Giving my all over to this God that has proved Himself over and over. It is time to trust Him fully. Time to seek HIM earnestly. Time to live wholeheartedly for HIM and in HIM. Time to let HIM bring me into my own land of milk and honey. My purpose place. The purpose He created me for, that which will bring HIM glory.
Praise HIM!
Numbers 14:24 "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."
1 Kings 8:22-24 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said:"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today."
Joshua 14:7-9 "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' "
Hebrews 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. "
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Time Well Spent
As many of you know, I spent this past week touring Washington, DC with my son and his 8th grade school group. I boarded a bus loaded with 13 and 14 year olds and rode for nine hours in a somewhat cramped seat. But the long drive with limited leg room was well worth it. It was a spectacular visit!(Although a bit frigid for this child of the sunny south.)
I felt like we took a quick tour through the history of America. Our visit began at the FDR memorial. Next, we visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and viewed the many changes in flight that have taken place throughout history. We toured the United States Capitol and spoke with our Congressman who was busy making policy and law. We marched up the steps of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. We even treked along the same ground that George Washington once plod, Mt. Vernon. The docents there shared that in just one year, George Washington had over 612 visitors to spend at least one night on this plantation. Can you imagine the conversations that must have taken place as this young country began! But you know the most amazing aspect of this trip...it was that everytime I looked over I beheld this slender, bright eyed, red-headed young man alongside of me!
I loved being so near to him as he learned, as he explored, and as he interacted with his many friends and teachers. I was especially delighted when he occasionally ran up and swung his gangly 14 year old arm around my shoulder and and quietly told me "I'm glad you came, Mom!" Just a few simple acts allowed me to hear those precious words. Setting aside time from work. Packing a bag. Pulling out my snow boots. Three little things to prepare me for the great pleasure of walking alongside my boy. To know him better. That friends, is joy! Time well spent!
I love the fact that we have a Father who invites us to walk alongside Him. And all it takes are just a few simple acts. Setting aside a time. Finding a quiet place. Pulling out our Bible and partaking in the conversation He begins in His word. Three little things to allow us to know better this Creator of the Universe. This Savior of the world. To know Him more. My friends, that is joy! That is time well spent!
Deuteronomy 4:7 " What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?"
Matthew 4:18-20 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him."
Lord, thank you for inviting us to walk alongside you! For inviting us to know You more. Your word is a "lamp unto my feet" and I praise you for that light. I thank you that I live here in America where I am free to read your Word. Let me never forget that freedom. Lord, continue to give me and others the desire to spend time with YOU. For Lord, every minute with You is time well spent! I praise YOU!
Praise HIM!
I felt like we took a quick tour through the history of America. Our visit began at the FDR memorial. Next, we visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and viewed the many changes in flight that have taken place throughout history. We toured the United States Capitol and spoke with our Congressman who was busy making policy and law. We marched up the steps of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. We even treked along the same ground that George Washington once plod, Mt. Vernon. The docents there shared that in just one year, George Washington had over 612 visitors to spend at least one night on this plantation. Can you imagine the conversations that must have taken place as this young country began! But you know the most amazing aspect of this trip...it was that everytime I looked over I beheld this slender, bright eyed, red-headed young man alongside of me!
I loved being so near to him as he learned, as he explored, and as he interacted with his many friends and teachers. I was especially delighted when he occasionally ran up and swung his gangly 14 year old arm around my shoulder and and quietly told me "I'm glad you came, Mom!" Just a few simple acts allowed me to hear those precious words. Setting aside time from work. Packing a bag. Pulling out my snow boots. Three little things to prepare me for the great pleasure of walking alongside my boy. To know him better. That friends, is joy! Time well spent!
I love the fact that we have a Father who invites us to walk alongside Him. And all it takes are just a few simple acts. Setting aside a time. Finding a quiet place. Pulling out our Bible and partaking in the conversation He begins in His word. Three little things to allow us to know better this Creator of the Universe. This Savior of the world. To know Him more. My friends, that is joy! That is time well spent!
Deuteronomy 4:7 " What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?"
Matthew 4:18-20 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him."
Lord, thank you for inviting us to walk alongside you! For inviting us to know You more. Your word is a "lamp unto my feet" and I praise you for that light. I thank you that I live here in America where I am free to read your Word. Let me never forget that freedom. Lord, continue to give me and others the desire to spend time with YOU. For Lord, every minute with You is time well spent! I praise YOU!
Praise HIM!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Love Letter (re-post)
This is a repost from last fall. I'm off to Washington, DC with my youngest on a one week field trip. To my Chuckles, see you on Thursday!
Dear sweet precious one,
I remember the day you were born. You and I both labored for you to make your way into the world. Each of us struggling with one final push and then there you were. That moment everything changed. I was captivated by you. Oh, how I cherish that first moment when the doctor handed you to me. I held you close and watched you breathe. I felt your little heart beating so quickly under your tiny chest. I looked at your tiny fingers and toes, counted them one by one. I breathed deeply the sweet scent of your freshly born baby skin. I touched your nose and lips and precious downy hair. I peered deeply into your eyes and wondered what you must be thinking. I remember whispering "Hello little one. I am your mommy and I love you. Your daddy and I love you." Yes, precious one, everything changed.
It has been a while since we were first introduced. I no longer have to count your fingers and toes. But sweet child of mine, I still like to step into your room at night and watch you breathe peacefully as you sleep, or smell your sweet skin, or touch your hair. O child you are more precious to me than you were even the day we first met. I have watched you walk and stumble, pray and fall, wound and be wounded. I am still watching, waiting, hoping and loving. I love you dear child. A love that at times completely overwhelms me.
I am at once struck by both amazement and peace to know that I have a Heavenly Father who chooses to love me like that. A FATHER who has watched me walk and stumble and pray and fall. One who has watched me wound and be wounded. A Father who still watches and waits, who hopes and loves. Who calls me His child. Who loves me. A love that at times completely overwhelms me.
Father, thank you for choosing to love me. Sometimes it is easy, so easy to love my own beautiful children and yet so difficult to understand how you could love me. But I thank you that you do and I humbly accept your love Lord. I thank you for the moment that YOU changed everything.
Romans 8:38-39For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Praise Him!
Dear sweet precious one,
I remember the day you were born. You and I both labored for you to make your way into the world. Each of us struggling with one final push and then there you were. That moment everything changed. I was captivated by you. Oh, how I cherish that first moment when the doctor handed you to me. I held you close and watched you breathe. I felt your little heart beating so quickly under your tiny chest. I looked at your tiny fingers and toes, counted them one by one. I breathed deeply the sweet scent of your freshly born baby skin. I touched your nose and lips and precious downy hair. I peered deeply into your eyes and wondered what you must be thinking. I remember whispering "Hello little one. I am your mommy and I love you. Your daddy and I love you." Yes, precious one, everything changed.
It has been a while since we were first introduced. I no longer have to count your fingers and toes. But sweet child of mine, I still like to step into your room at night and watch you breathe peacefully as you sleep, or smell your sweet skin, or touch your hair. O child you are more precious to me than you were even the day we first met. I have watched you walk and stumble, pray and fall, wound and be wounded. I am still watching, waiting, hoping and loving. I love you dear child. A love that at times completely overwhelms me.
I am at once struck by both amazement and peace to know that I have a Heavenly Father who chooses to love me like that. A FATHER who has watched me walk and stumble and pray and fall. One who has watched me wound and be wounded. A Father who still watches and waits, who hopes and loves. Who calls me His child. Who loves me. A love that at times completely overwhelms me.
Father, thank you for choosing to love me. Sometimes it is easy, so easy to love my own beautiful children and yet so difficult to understand how you could love me. But I thank you that you do and I humbly accept your love Lord. I thank you for the moment that YOU changed everything.
Romans 8:38-39For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Praise Him!
Monday, February 4, 2008
You are what you eat!
In my house, we love Italian food. I mean we really love it. We have a theory that the greater the amount of garlic in a recipe, the greater the satisfaction to the palate! The only thing better than the enticing fragrance as the dish cooks is the savoring of each delicious bite. But tomorrow always comes. The garlic that delighted the previous evening greets everyone you meet with its noxious odor for the next couple of days. You try scrubbing. You try soaking. You try brushing. But try as we may, we can't get rid of the smell. Each breath delivers a whiff to those who dare to stand close. In short, we stink!
Did you know that when we fill ourselves up with Christ and His power, we can smell up a room for HIM. Not the noxious odor that comes along with last night's spaghetti. But the sweet, sweet aroma of a saving GOD who reaches to all the senses of the lost! The "fragrance of the knowledge of him" that "through us" Christ "spreads everywhere". Why that makes me hungry! For HIM! A hunger that is satisfied only with this God who fills up our lives, and penetrates all our senses. I want to be the child that with just one sniff, others will know whose I am. I want each exhaling breath to deliver a whiff, a whiff of an incomparable God! Who, when we are in HIM, makes us a new creation. Not a fixed up reproduction of our old selves, but a totally new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!")
So breathe deep. What do you smell? May each breath deliver a whiff of Christ who is in you. Anything else just stinks.
2 Corinthians 2:15 "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
Praise HIM!
Did you know that when we fill ourselves up with Christ and His power, we can smell up a room for HIM. Not the noxious odor that comes along with last night's spaghetti. But the sweet, sweet aroma of a saving GOD who reaches to all the senses of the lost! The "fragrance of the knowledge of him" that "through us" Christ "spreads everywhere". Why that makes me hungry! For HIM! A hunger that is satisfied only with this God who fills up our lives, and penetrates all our senses. I want to be the child that with just one sniff, others will know whose I am. I want each exhaling breath to deliver a whiff, a whiff of an incomparable God! Who, when we are in HIM, makes us a new creation. Not a fixed up reproduction of our old selves, but a totally new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!")
So breathe deep. What do you smell? May each breath deliver a whiff of Christ who is in you. Anything else just stinks.
2 Corinthians 2:15 "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
Praise HIM!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A Little Help
We all need a little help sometimes. On Sunday evening, after a good bowl of home-made vegetable soup, we all sat down to watch old home movies. It was so much fun. A memory walk down over twenty-two years of our family life. We purchased our camera shortly after the birth of our first child. And like every Dad with a new gadget, my husband filmed everything Ashley, our first, did.
He documented on film her laughing, her crying, her crawling, her walking, and her eating out of the dog bowl....Yikes! (You could hear me scolding him in the background on that one!) We filmed Chad our youngest when he was able to participate in his first Easter egg hunt. We would ask, "do you see an egg?" and he would respond the same way everytime in his 2 year old delighted and oh so squeally voice "Yes, I doooo!" Adorable, at least to us.
But one of my very favorite memories that we relived Sunday night was when Ashley, who was about 3 and 1/2 years old, tried to teach her one year old sister how to play golf. Our own budding Tiger Woods first tried explaining directions on how to hit the golf ball. Next, she tried showing Molly by example. " See, you put your hand here and here. Then you swing at the ball. Look Molly!" She finally grabbed Molly's hands and put them on the club "Like this Molly". Attempts by the young student to remove her hands from the vice grip were thwarted handily by Ashley. Determined , Ash continued on. At last, the teacher was able to keep the bare tips of her young pupils fingers on the club and actually swung for her. Encourager that she was, she then said "that was great Molly!"
We all need a little help sometimes. There are times when we need some explanation. Other times we need to be shown by example. But sometimes, sometimes when we just can't do something by ourself, we need a fellow sojourner to grab us by the hand and swing for us!
Lord, I am thankful that when we need help, You are there. I praise you for your Word which instructs us, giving us directions and DIRECTION. I am overwhelmed by how over and over You show us by example how to live. How to love. So that all men will know that we are your disciples. And in those times when we keep trying to do life on our own, attempting failed swing after failed swing, you gently grab us by the hand and swing for us! I Praise You LORD!
John 13:34, 35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Praise HIM!
He documented on film her laughing, her crying, her crawling, her walking, and her eating out of the dog bowl....Yikes! (You could hear me scolding him in the background on that one!) We filmed Chad our youngest when he was able to participate in his first Easter egg hunt. We would ask, "do you see an egg?" and he would respond the same way everytime in his 2 year old delighted and oh so squeally voice "Yes, I doooo!" Adorable, at least to us.
But one of my very favorite memories that we relived Sunday night was when Ashley, who was about 3 and 1/2 years old, tried to teach her one year old sister how to play golf. Our own budding Tiger Woods first tried explaining directions on how to hit the golf ball. Next, she tried showing Molly by example. " See, you put your hand here and here. Then you swing at the ball. Look Molly!" She finally grabbed Molly's hands and put them on the club "Like this Molly". Attempts by the young student to remove her hands from the vice grip were thwarted handily by Ashley. Determined , Ash continued on. At last, the teacher was able to keep the bare tips of her young pupils fingers on the club and actually swung for her. Encourager that she was, she then said "that was great Molly!"
We all need a little help sometimes. There are times when we need some explanation. Other times we need to be shown by example. But sometimes, sometimes when we just can't do something by ourself, we need a fellow sojourner to grab us by the hand and swing for us!
Lord, I am thankful that when we need help, You are there. I praise you for your Word which instructs us, giving us directions and DIRECTION. I am overwhelmed by how over and over You show us by example how to live. How to love. So that all men will know that we are your disciples. And in those times when we keep trying to do life on our own, attempting failed swing after failed swing, you gently grab us by the hand and swing for us! I Praise You LORD!
John 13:34, 35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Praise HIM!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)