Posts
To all the wonderful mothers out there, this is for you!!!!
2 weeks ago
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Love is a Gentle Nudge
Love is...... A gentle nudge to stop my husband from snoring instead of shoving him clean out of the bed. And here’s why.
The clock now reads 1:30AM. "How long have I been lying here?" I wonder as I count back to when I first crawled in bed. “11:30, 12:30, 1:30, UGH! It’s been three hours!”
By this time my husbands snoring is doing a bit more than mildly grating on my nerves. The last three hours have included a multitude of tactical maneuvers which by now should qualify me for the Secret Service. It went down something like this.
At first, I softly brushed my foot against my husband’s leg, hoping it would wake him only enough to change his snoring to a light purr. After multiple attempts and thirty minutes pass, I decide the maneuver is a failure. Onward, I move to the next tactic.
With my foot, I lightly push on his calf. I retreat quickly, pretending like I did nothing, just in case he wakes completely. I proceed for the next hour, pushing randomly on different parts of his legs. Sometimes harder and occasionally multiple pushes during the same occurrence. This seems to work for short bursts but not long enough for me to fall into slumber.
Frustrated, I retreat to the living room for a small break. I surf the internet a while and check some emails. Half hour later and a little more optimistic, back to bed I go. This time I will sleep, I assured myself. Crawling back into bed I realize the snoring has gotten louder! I sigh loudly, toss and turn with exaggerated motion, bouncing the whole bed for effect. Doesn’t seem to phase him, he’s still snoring, louder than ever now.
Time for stronger tactics I decide. This time, I will use my hands. Firmly, yet lovingly I rub my hand against his back and right at the end I push slightly. Nothing happens. Through the next hour I use a variety of touches, rubs and nudges only to eventually, once again, fail miserably. As with the foot technique, some attempts with the hands also work temporarily. None though, for long enough to allow sleep to come.
Now we are at the pinnacle of frustration. “Do I shove?” Is the question running through my mind. “If I push really hard he will fall out of the bed and have to stop snoring.” I think. As I prepare my feet to push squarely in the middle of his back I realize just what I am about to do. “What am I thinking?” I ask myself. It’s amazing what sleep deprivation and a high level of frustration will push a person to consider doing.
After some thought and I believe what was probably was the Holy Spirit screaming at me STOP, I came to my full senses and realized there was a much more loving response to the whole situation. I was reminded right then of the scripture in I Corinthians 13 that tells us love is patient, love is kind…. So I decided to do something I should have done hours ago. I gently leaned over, put my hand on my husbands shoulder and whispered “Honey, roll over your snoring”. Immediately, he rolled over and the snoring stopped.
Now that’s love!
The clock now reads 1:30AM. "How long have I been lying here?" I wonder as I count back to when I first crawled in bed. “11:30, 12:30, 1:30, UGH! It’s been three hours!”
By this time my husbands snoring is doing a bit more than mildly grating on my nerves. The last three hours have included a multitude of tactical maneuvers which by now should qualify me for the Secret Service. It went down something like this.
At first, I softly brushed my foot against my husband’s leg, hoping it would wake him only enough to change his snoring to a light purr. After multiple attempts and thirty minutes pass, I decide the maneuver is a failure. Onward, I move to the next tactic.
With my foot, I lightly push on his calf. I retreat quickly, pretending like I did nothing, just in case he wakes completely. I proceed for the next hour, pushing randomly on different parts of his legs. Sometimes harder and occasionally multiple pushes during the same occurrence. This seems to work for short bursts but not long enough for me to fall into slumber.
Frustrated, I retreat to the living room for a small break. I surf the internet a while and check some emails. Half hour later and a little more optimistic, back to bed I go. This time I will sleep, I assured myself. Crawling back into bed I realize the snoring has gotten louder! I sigh loudly, toss and turn with exaggerated motion, bouncing the whole bed for effect. Doesn’t seem to phase him, he’s still snoring, louder than ever now.
Time for stronger tactics I decide. This time, I will use my hands. Firmly, yet lovingly I rub my hand against his back and right at the end I push slightly. Nothing happens. Through the next hour I use a variety of touches, rubs and nudges only to eventually, once again, fail miserably. As with the foot technique, some attempts with the hands also work temporarily. None though, for long enough to allow sleep to come.
Now we are at the pinnacle of frustration. “Do I shove?” Is the question running through my mind. “If I push really hard he will fall out of the bed and have to stop snoring.” I think. As I prepare my feet to push squarely in the middle of his back I realize just what I am about to do. “What am I thinking?” I ask myself. It’s amazing what sleep deprivation and a high level of frustration will push a person to consider doing.
After some thought and I believe what was probably was the Holy Spirit screaming at me STOP, I came to my full senses and realized there was a much more loving response to the whole situation. I was reminded right then of the scripture in I Corinthians 13 that tells us love is patient, love is kind…. So I decided to do something I should have done hours ago. I gently leaned over, put my hand on my husbands shoulder and whispered “Honey, roll over your snoring”. Immediately, he rolled over and the snoring stopped.
Now that’s love!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
A Day to Pray
Today is the official National Day of Prayer. Every day should be a day of prayer if we are to obey the command to pray without ceasing. Still, a national day to observe and focus us on prayer is a good thing. Actually, I think we should do it more than once a year, but I'll settle for this day.
Here are my prayers.....
I pray for great blessing over each of you that read this blog. That the Lord would bring much love and growth into your life. I pray each of you would become a leader among those around you. That your impact for the Kingdom of God would be great and far reaching. And you would be bold in your witness reaping a harvest of many souls for Jesus.
I pray for America and its leaders. I pray that America would turn back to the beliefs of the bible. That we would turn from the rampant sin and selfish behavior. The soft life has spoiled us and we are no longer strong and unbendable in faith. I pray we would return as a nation to the roots we came from, to the foundation America was built on. That we would return to the God that raised our nation out of the dust. I pray that our leaders would find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ so that they would begin to turn the moral current around. I pray that they would say no to abortion and yes to one man and one woman as the standard of marriage. I pray they would cast down the wave of hate speech understanding that belief is not hate, it is Gods law.
I pray for my community. That I would be an impact on the community around me. That the place that I live and gather with believers would know me and my love for Christ. Let me not make a name for myself, but instead make a name for Christ in my community. I pray that you, God, would pour out your spirit and bring great revival. That the body of Christ would seek to serve those in my community and make a lasting impact for the kingdom of God.
I pray for my local church. That we would put our own agenda's aside and look to what God would have us do. That we would seek to find where God is working and go there. That we search the community for needs and be the ones to fill them. That we would love and care for the poor, the hurt and the broken. That we would become a beacon of hope for a lost community, known only for the love of Christ we show. I pray that such a sweeping force of spirit comes over our congregation that the whole city will have to take notice and glorify God because of it. That we would be tools ready at all times to be picked up for His service.
I pray for the body of Christ throughout the world. That a great awakening will sweep the world. Time is short and we must act quickly. Many need the word of God, many need to hear the truth. I pray that the body of Christ will begin to act with urgency. That we would share with abandon the truth of Jesus Christ. Knowing that time is short and everyone around us needs the truth. I pray that the body of Christ would wake from its slumber and begin the greatest revival this earth has ever seen. Such a revival that Satan will quake in his boots and fear the coming of Christ. I pray that the foot soldiers of Christ would become battle ready and geared up to win souls at any cost. Let us go back Lord to a strong and unwavering body of believers ready for anything.
Lastly, I pray for my family. That each member of my family would surrender to Christ. For those that do not know Jesus, I pray that the Spirit would convict them until they fall to their knees before a merciful God. I pray that the conviction would be relentless until they would finally yield and turn to you. That they would give their life to you and live in the center of your will.
For those already knowing you, I pray they would become great servants of yours. That you would change them and mold them to do your will. That their lives would be in the center of your will doing your service. I pray that you would pour your blessing over each of them and give them what ever it is that they need today.
Today, mostly, I would like to give you praise. I praise your for the breath I take, for waking me up to a new day this morning. I praise you for your infinite love and grace. I praise you for the heavens and the earth you've given us to inhabit. You didn't have to paint it with an array of color that would take our breath away but you did. You didn't have to give to us but you did. I praise you for your glorious ways, all merciful, all loving, all just, you are God. All the heavens praise you and eventually every knee will bow to you. I bow to you now and say thank you. You are my love, you are my all. I Praise you!
Amen
Here are my prayers.....
I pray for great blessing over each of you that read this blog. That the Lord would bring much love and growth into your life. I pray each of you would become a leader among those around you. That your impact for the Kingdom of God would be great and far reaching. And you would be bold in your witness reaping a harvest of many souls for Jesus.
I pray for America and its leaders. I pray that America would turn back to the beliefs of the bible. That we would turn from the rampant sin and selfish behavior. The soft life has spoiled us and we are no longer strong and unbendable in faith. I pray we would return as a nation to the roots we came from, to the foundation America was built on. That we would return to the God that raised our nation out of the dust. I pray that our leaders would find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ so that they would begin to turn the moral current around. I pray that they would say no to abortion and yes to one man and one woman as the standard of marriage. I pray they would cast down the wave of hate speech understanding that belief is not hate, it is Gods law.
I pray for my community. That I would be an impact on the community around me. That the place that I live and gather with believers would know me and my love for Christ. Let me not make a name for myself, but instead make a name for Christ in my community. I pray that you, God, would pour out your spirit and bring great revival. That the body of Christ would seek to serve those in my community and make a lasting impact for the kingdom of God.
I pray for my local church. That we would put our own agenda's aside and look to what God would have us do. That we would seek to find where God is working and go there. That we search the community for needs and be the ones to fill them. That we would love and care for the poor, the hurt and the broken. That we would become a beacon of hope for a lost community, known only for the love of Christ we show. I pray that such a sweeping force of spirit comes over our congregation that the whole city will have to take notice and glorify God because of it. That we would be tools ready at all times to be picked up for His service.
I pray for the body of Christ throughout the world. That a great awakening will sweep the world. Time is short and we must act quickly. Many need the word of God, many need to hear the truth. I pray that the body of Christ will begin to act with urgency. That we would share with abandon the truth of Jesus Christ. Knowing that time is short and everyone around us needs the truth. I pray that the body of Christ would wake from its slumber and begin the greatest revival this earth has ever seen. Such a revival that Satan will quake in his boots and fear the coming of Christ. I pray that the foot soldiers of Christ would become battle ready and geared up to win souls at any cost. Let us go back Lord to a strong and unwavering body of believers ready for anything.
Lastly, I pray for my family. That each member of my family would surrender to Christ. For those that do not know Jesus, I pray that the Spirit would convict them until they fall to their knees before a merciful God. I pray that the conviction would be relentless until they would finally yield and turn to you. That they would give their life to you and live in the center of your will.
For those already knowing you, I pray they would become great servants of yours. That you would change them and mold them to do your will. That their lives would be in the center of your will doing your service. I pray that you would pour your blessing over each of them and give them what ever it is that they need today.
Today, mostly, I would like to give you praise. I praise your for the breath I take, for waking me up to a new day this morning. I praise you for your infinite love and grace. I praise you for the heavens and the earth you've given us to inhabit. You didn't have to paint it with an array of color that would take our breath away but you did. You didn't have to give to us but you did. I praise you for your glorious ways, all merciful, all loving, all just, you are God. All the heavens praise you and eventually every knee will bow to you. I bow to you now and say thank you. You are my love, you are my all. I Praise you!
Amen
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Silent Witness
If I came to you and said I wanted to spend a week with you, observe your life and at the end write your story, what would you say. I would be writing about what you loved most in your life, what your character was like and who you were. I would describe you and what you stood for. I would write the story of who you are.
Just one catch.....
You couldn't say a word to me. You couldn't tell me you story, instead, it would be written only by what I observed.
Who would you be? Would my story reflect who you are?
What we spend our time on is what we love in our heart. Or it should be. Do your actions reflect your heart?
Hmmmmm........... Much to ponder.
Just one catch.....
You couldn't say a word to me. You couldn't tell me you story, instead, it would be written only by what I observed.
Who would you be? Would my story reflect who you are?
What we spend our time on is what we love in our heart. Or it should be. Do your actions reflect your heart?
Hmmmmm........... Much to ponder.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Humility Vs Pride
Humility.... Something we lack here in America these days. Instead we see the opposite all around us, we see pride.
As I began to study the subject of humility, the picture it created was so far removed from what we see that it saddened me. How much more it must sadden our God. He must look down broken hearted on a country that was a gem in His eye, one with much promise to spread and extend the gospel. Only to now find a country full of indulgent and prideful people. Yes, we are materially wealthy, but how are we spiritually?
So how does a people return to humility when they don't even understand what it is anymore? I suppose we must first look at what it means to humble ourselves before God. Then it starts with each person submitting themselves.
Humility- not unfairly glorifying ones own self. It need not include timidity or becoming a wallflower. Instead, it simply requires us to think of our abilities and actions as no greater, and no lesser, than they really are. It mandates us to be completely honest with ourselves.
In the quest to become humble, often, people confuse humility with false modesty. "Oh, that old thing, it's nothing!" When it really was something that we took much time putting together.
So how do we practice humility?
First we give credit where credit is due. We don't try to gain credit for things that are not our, instead we humbly give the credit to the one responsible. When someone compliments you for something you did do, you simply say thank you. Then in your mind give the praise back to God who gave you the abilities you have.
Don't name/experience drop. Building an image of yourself larger than you are is lying to yourself and others. Also, do what’s expected of you without making a big deal about it. Perform service and charity work anonymously, without recognition from others. Don't try to one up others, you should be truly glad for others and there accomplishments. These are some practical things that we can begin to change to take pride from our lives.
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandment or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your father's know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
God cannot guide a prideful person. If you are to "follow" God, you must humble yourself. Believe me, to have God humble you is not a painless experience. Just like the nation of Israel in the desert we are stiff necked people. It took forty years for God to humble the people in the desert. We are much better off when we just humble ourselves and yield to God instead of Him having to humble us. Do you want to spend forty years in the desert just to learn the lesson of humility?
Psalm 25:9 - The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His ways.
When we are humble and seeking His ways, He begins to teach us, change us and we love His ways instead of our own. Breaking self pride can be difficult and painful but it is the only way to really be in God's will. If we really want to follow Christ, our pride must go.
Proverbs 29:23 - A mans pride will bring Him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.
I Timothy 3:6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fell into the same condemnation as the devil.
Pride will bring us low and in humility we will retain honor. God hates pride! Being puffed up with pride we will fall in the same condemnation as the devil. What a strong statement Timothy makes. It was pride that caused Satan to fall from grace. Do we really want that? Is having our own way really worth that? I would say not.
James 4:10 it says humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
I Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
When we humble ourselves we get lifted up by God himself. We get exalted not by our own means but by His. In due time of course, as scripture points out. It may not be right away, maybe not even in this lifetime. But we are promised that He will exalt us and make us heirs to the Kingdom of God. Isn't that worth our humility now?
As I began to study the subject of humility, the picture it created was so far removed from what we see that it saddened me. How much more it must sadden our God. He must look down broken hearted on a country that was a gem in His eye, one with much promise to spread and extend the gospel. Only to now find a country full of indulgent and prideful people. Yes, we are materially wealthy, but how are we spiritually?
So how does a people return to humility when they don't even understand what it is anymore? I suppose we must first look at what it means to humble ourselves before God. Then it starts with each person submitting themselves.
Humility- not unfairly glorifying ones own self. It need not include timidity or becoming a wallflower. Instead, it simply requires us to think of our abilities and actions as no greater, and no lesser, than they really are. It mandates us to be completely honest with ourselves.
In the quest to become humble, often, people confuse humility with false modesty. "Oh, that old thing, it's nothing!" When it really was something that we took much time putting together.
So how do we practice humility?
First we give credit where credit is due. We don't try to gain credit for things that are not our, instead we humbly give the credit to the one responsible. When someone compliments you for something you did do, you simply say thank you. Then in your mind give the praise back to God who gave you the abilities you have.
Don't name/experience drop. Building an image of yourself larger than you are is lying to yourself and others. Also, do what’s expected of you without making a big deal about it. Perform service and charity work anonymously, without recognition from others. Don't try to one up others, you should be truly glad for others and there accomplishments. These are some practical things that we can begin to change to take pride from our lives.
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandment or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your father's know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
God cannot guide a prideful person. If you are to "follow" God, you must humble yourself. Believe me, to have God humble you is not a painless experience. Just like the nation of Israel in the desert we are stiff necked people. It took forty years for God to humble the people in the desert. We are much better off when we just humble ourselves and yield to God instead of Him having to humble us. Do you want to spend forty years in the desert just to learn the lesson of humility?
Psalm 25:9 - The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His ways.
When we are humble and seeking His ways, He begins to teach us, change us and we love His ways instead of our own. Breaking self pride can be difficult and painful but it is the only way to really be in God's will. If we really want to follow Christ, our pride must go.
Proverbs 29:23 - A mans pride will bring Him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.
I Timothy 3:6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fell into the same condemnation as the devil.
Pride will bring us low and in humility we will retain honor. God hates pride! Being puffed up with pride we will fall in the same condemnation as the devil. What a strong statement Timothy makes. It was pride that caused Satan to fall from grace. Do we really want that? Is having our own way really worth that? I would say not.
James 4:10 it says humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
I Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
When we humble ourselves we get lifted up by God himself. We get exalted not by our own means but by His. In due time of course, as scripture points out. It may not be right away, maybe not even in this lifetime. But we are promised that He will exalt us and make us heirs to the Kingdom of God. Isn't that worth our humility now?
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