I went home for lunch today and turned on the tube. Found my girl Beth and was so stoked. She was on Life Today talking about a series they are promoting. Beth was sharing about one of her dogs--those sweet dogs that have taught so many women about our own habits and the character of Jesus--and how the pooch was so obsessed with the ball she loved that she constantly took the ball everywhere in her mouth. For example, if she wanted to get a drink from the quality spring called Le Toilet, she would push the ball out of her mouth for a quick slurp and then have to patter around the bowl in order to get her ball back. She would take it inside, outside, upside and downside. That ball went where the dog went.
Beth then said she realized that she was much like her pup because she had things in her life from which she could not let go. Much like the ball, she was carrying the hurt or unforgiveness or pain or frustration or habitual sin or anger wherever she went, consumed by its' presence and unable to let it go, even for a few seconds.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord prompt me...
Lauren, what is your ball? He asked in that sweet still small voice.
eh, which one, Lord? I responded in a slightly less graceful voice.
There are things in our lives that we allow to consume our time, energy, money and resources.
BUT
Those things don't deserve our time, energy, money, and resources. Yet we continue to feed on this unhealthy obsession until it takes on a life of its own.
I read this quote in a fiction book a month ago:
"You're a child of the Most High God. You just don't realize it. You keep eating out of the garbage bin when you could be at the banquet." Double Minds by Terri Blackstock
So whaddya say we quit dumpster diving and show up at the table of the Lord?
I know you are thinking, Oh fiddlesticks--now I have to be different. But girl (or fella), you got the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you!! You can do ANYTHING.
I wouldn't tell you all this if I didn't love you more than the St. Louis Cardinals and baby dolphins.
Showing posts with label Sin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sin. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Purpose In Your Heart.
I saw the film Taken the other night with Jami and Nicole. We were on the edge of our seats and at some precarious points in the movie, all three of us may or may not have been holding hands because of the suspense, which happens to break the rules our guy friends made for us in college. (More on that list in another post...)
Disclaimer: This movie isn't for everyone. There is A LOT of violence and some language, as well as a very strong storyline regarding human trafficking. So please don't think this is an endorsement at all.
The main character, Bryan, who is an ex CIA agent/spy/Chuck Norris meetsJasonBourne kinda guy. He learns that his daughter, who traveled overseas for the summer has been kidnapped, and he goes to Paris to get her back.
Unfortunate events that Bryan could not control were raging all around him. But he made a decision that he was going to get his daughter back, no matter the cost. Come Hills of Snow or High Water, the man has purposed in his heart to find her.
Reminds me of another guy. You may have heard of him. His name was Daniel, and there's a little book tucked away in the Old Testament about him and a couple of other famous guys. You see, Daniel also found himself in a situation he could not control.
The Israelite people, God's chosen people in the OT, had been warned and warned and warned and threatened and scolded and warned some more about their disobedient ways. God has spoken to them through the prophets, telling them to turn from idolatry and to pursue justice for the widows, orphans, and the oppressed. If they didn't, they were told repeatedly that things would get hairy for them.
My dad had this saying when Biggser and I were growing up:
"That's whatcha get when ya get get get."
It generally was spoken in close proximity to a spanking, and I knew when that phrase came out it was time to put on extra underoos.
God must have felt that same way as my dad: broken-hearted at having to give corporal punishment, but knowing that was the only way to teach at that juncture. God kept telling the Hebrew people to obey and turn from idols, but they refused. After all, they had the best of both worlds--God's chosen ones, doing whatever they wanted, and then turning back to God with their insincere "repentance" right before the final straw. So God took away His hand of protection, and before they could say Hannah Montana they were in a heap of trouble.
At that time there was a divided Kingdom, so the Northern Kingdom was Israel and the Southern Kingdom was called Judah.
The Big Bad Assyrians conquered Israel, and many of them were placed into exile in a foreign country. Judah had a reprieve but the people did not learn from it as the prophets cried out for repentance and nothing changed. They still bowed to idols, they still disrespected the less fortunate and their blatant disobedience was clear.
When we pick up the story of Daniel in chapter 1, we are told that the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzer, has taken over the Hebrew holy city of Jerusalem, which is the capital of Judah.
Not only that, but ole Neb has laid claim to the things in the Temple WHERE GOD'S GLORY DWELLS. Not a smart move, kid.
King Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebbie, as I like to call him, also calls up his homeboy and asks for a few Hebrew men with clean teeth and snazzy muscles and quick learning skills so that he can prepare them for leadership in the Babylonian empire.
(Just a side note: they totally would have picked Seth. Wise and handsome, that one :D)
Daniel is obviously something special, as are the men who come to be known as Rack, Shack, and Benny ('member that hot little boiler room?). They are all chosen to be groomed for King Nebulizer's court.
Wrap your mind around this. The men are about to go to a pagan country where it will be almost impossible to be faithful to the I AM, and they are having to leave behind family, friends, and everything they know in order to serve a foreign king who has ransacked all they hold dear. Judging by the character of these four men, I do not think that they would have been people to bring about the wrath of God by their disobedience, so they are influenced heavily by circumstances out of their control as well as the sins of others.
YET.
this verse:
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
a couple of other translations say it this way:
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank....
That. Blows. My. Mind.
Think about it.
Danny Boy has a lot of reasons to be bitter and ignore God's commands. He is being sent to a foreign land against his own will.
YET.
He purposes in his heart to OBEY GOD. The food laws in the OT would have been hard to live by in any society except that of the Hebrews. So he makes a choice to forgo any food that could potentially break the laws. Because of Daniel's obedience, the other three jump on board as well and provide accountability for one another.
What an amazing concept.
There are things in my life about which I need to get serious. Places in my life that I have held as idols. I have been disobedient, and so have you. (sorry to burst your bubble, sister.)
I came clean about one of those areas last week right here on the blog.
What do you need to purpose in your heart to change? What in your life deserves a cry of "Enough is Enough! I will kick this sin habit and honor my God!"
What must you choose to do and/or to avoid?
no longer giving way to insecurities about yourself?
ending that adulterous relationship?
giving that idol the boot?
reading God's Word more?
avoiding destructive people and places?
ending that addiction's hold over your life?
learning to appropriately deal with that anger issue you've got?
forgiving someone who doesn't deserve it?
loving that co-worker that drives you mad?
patience with your children?
What do you need to purpose in your heart in order to obey God?
Remember that we show we love him by our obedience... Don't act like we have to do it alone. He promises to HELP US!
Purpose in your heart. Right now.
and cling to this promise:
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. deuteronomy 30:11
Disclaimer: This movie isn't for everyone. There is A LOT of violence and some language, as well as a very strong storyline regarding human trafficking. So please don't think this is an endorsement at all.
The main character, Bryan, who is an ex CIA agent/spy/Chuck Norris meetsJasonBourne kinda guy. He learns that his daughter, who traveled overseas for the summer has been kidnapped, and he goes to Paris to get her back.
Unfortunate events that Bryan could not control were raging all around him. But he made a decision that he was going to get his daughter back, no matter the cost. Come Hills of Snow or High Water, the man has purposed in his heart to find her.
Reminds me of another guy. You may have heard of him. His name was Daniel, and there's a little book tucked away in the Old Testament about him and a couple of other famous guys. You see, Daniel also found himself in a situation he could not control.
The Israelite people, God's chosen people in the OT, had been warned and warned and warned and threatened and scolded and warned some more about their disobedient ways. God has spoken to them through the prophets, telling them to turn from idolatry and to pursue justice for the widows, orphans, and the oppressed. If they didn't, they were told repeatedly that things would get hairy for them.
My dad had this saying when Biggser and I were growing up:
"That's whatcha get when ya get get get."
It generally was spoken in close proximity to a spanking, and I knew when that phrase came out it was time to put on extra underoos.
God must have felt that same way as my dad: broken-hearted at having to give corporal punishment, but knowing that was the only way to teach at that juncture. God kept telling the Hebrew people to obey and turn from idols, but they refused. After all, they had the best of both worlds--God's chosen ones, doing whatever they wanted, and then turning back to God with their insincere "repentance" right before the final straw. So God took away His hand of protection, and before they could say Hannah Montana they were in a heap of trouble.
At that time there was a divided Kingdom, so the Northern Kingdom was Israel and the Southern Kingdom was called Judah.
The Big Bad Assyrians conquered Israel, and many of them were placed into exile in a foreign country. Judah had a reprieve but the people did not learn from it as the prophets cried out for repentance and nothing changed. They still bowed to idols, they still disrespected the less fortunate and their blatant disobedience was clear.
When we pick up the story of Daniel in chapter 1, we are told that the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzer, has taken over the Hebrew holy city of Jerusalem, which is the capital of Judah.
Not only that, but ole Neb has laid claim to the things in the Temple WHERE GOD'S GLORY DWELLS. Not a smart move, kid.
King Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebbie, as I like to call him, also calls up his homeboy and asks for a few Hebrew men with clean teeth and snazzy muscles and quick learning skills so that he can prepare them for leadership in the Babylonian empire.
(Just a side note: they totally would have picked Seth. Wise and handsome, that one :D)
Daniel is obviously something special, as are the men who come to be known as Rack, Shack, and Benny ('member that hot little boiler room?). They are all chosen to be groomed for King Nebulizer's court.
Wrap your mind around this. The men are about to go to a pagan country where it will be almost impossible to be faithful to the I AM, and they are having to leave behind family, friends, and everything they know in order to serve a foreign king who has ransacked all they hold dear. Judging by the character of these four men, I do not think that they would have been people to bring about the wrath of God by their disobedience, so they are influenced heavily by circumstances out of their control as well as the sins of others.
YET.
this verse:
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
a couple of other translations say it this way:
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank....
That. Blows. My. Mind.
Think about it.
Danny Boy has a lot of reasons to be bitter and ignore God's commands. He is being sent to a foreign land against his own will.
YET.
He purposes in his heart to OBEY GOD. The food laws in the OT would have been hard to live by in any society except that of the Hebrews. So he makes a choice to forgo any food that could potentially break the laws. Because of Daniel's obedience, the other three jump on board as well and provide accountability for one another.
What an amazing concept.
There are things in my life about which I need to get serious. Places in my life that I have held as idols. I have been disobedient, and so have you. (sorry to burst your bubble, sister.)
I came clean about one of those areas last week right here on the blog.
What do you need to purpose in your heart to change? What in your life deserves a cry of "Enough is Enough! I will kick this sin habit and honor my God!"
What must you choose to do and/or to avoid?
no longer giving way to insecurities about yourself?
ending that adulterous relationship?
giving that idol the boot?
reading God's Word more?
avoiding destructive people and places?
ending that addiction's hold over your life?
learning to appropriately deal with that anger issue you've got?
forgiving someone who doesn't deserve it?
loving that co-worker that drives you mad?
patience with your children?
What do you need to purpose in your heart in order to obey God?
Remember that we show we love him by our obedience... Don't act like we have to do it alone. He promises to HELP US!
Purpose in your heart. Right now.
and cling to this promise:
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. deuteronomy 30:11
Thursday, May 21, 2009
God and That Girl in Checkout Line.
So I went to the grocery today intent on buying some quality food. So I bought greens, some dairy, and lots of fruit and nuts.
I avoided my "trouble aisles" and pretty much anything that wasn't on the perimeter, like all the weight-loss gurus say to do.
And as I was pulling my cart into my friend Marion's check out line, I looked down at my cart, pleased with the plethora of color and health that would soon be filling my fridge and my body.
Then I heard God speak as clearly as I have heard him in months.
"It's all well and good to eat better foods. But if you really want to get healthy, we need to deal with this food addiction you have."
You see, food has been one of my "golden calves" or an idol that takes the place of where Jesus needs to be in my life. Sometimes if I am sad, or afraid, or upset, or missing my mom, or happy, or excited, or nervous, I head to the cupboard or the freezer for the comfort I need instead of opening my Bible, turning on some praise music, or talking to God.
Because of this, my lifestyle is unhealthy and my body, the Temple of the Most High God, scripture says, is not glorifying God. Granted, Jesus tells us it's not what goes in that makes us polluted but what comes out. However, eventually what we put into our minds, bodies, and spirits is going to come out into our lives.
When I did the No Other Gods study last semester with the OCU Women's Bible Study last year, God began showing me that I could no longer go at the pace I was going ministry-wise, pursue my passions, love my family well, and be a good wife and mom someday unless I chose to give up the idol of food in my life.
It's many moons later, and still, That Girl, That Girl two-by-four can barely fit into her pants anymore. Something's gotta give. (Providence girls are hoping it's not the button on my gauchos!)
This has very little to do with outward appearances and much more to do with the state of the heart. God wants a relationship with us no matter what size we are. And I'm convinced that those people I love don't really care what the scale reads as long as I am healthy and happy.
It has more to do with my relationship with Jesus and how I don't want anything, not even afreaking blessed bonbon, getting in the way of knowing Him and He knowing me.
So I am asking you to pray for me, Bloggerotsky. I need the power of Christ to overcome my addiction to food so that God is honored in every single part of who I am, not just the parts that are already surrendered. Right now I am working on developing some good habits, but mostly I will hopefully be using A LOT of prayer and reliance on Jesus. I expect an all-out war from the enemy, so a little battle would be a nice surprise. However, I have allowed the Enemy a stronghold in my life for many years now and it will take lots of work, trial, error, and forgiveness through God's grace to overcome.
I imagine it will also take a few more checkout line conversations between The Big Guy and That Girl.
I avoided my "trouble aisles" and pretty much anything that wasn't on the perimeter, like all the weight-loss gurus say to do.
And as I was pulling my cart into my friend Marion's check out line, I looked down at my cart, pleased with the plethora of color and health that would soon be filling my fridge and my body.
Then I heard God speak as clearly as I have heard him in months.
"It's all well and good to eat better foods. But if you really want to get healthy, we need to deal with this food addiction you have."
You see, food has been one of my "golden calves" or an idol that takes the place of where Jesus needs to be in my life. Sometimes if I am sad, or afraid, or upset, or missing my mom, or happy, or excited, or nervous, I head to the cupboard or the freezer for the comfort I need instead of opening my Bible, turning on some praise music, or talking to God.
Because of this, my lifestyle is unhealthy and my body, the Temple of the Most High God, scripture says, is not glorifying God. Granted, Jesus tells us it's not what goes in that makes us polluted but what comes out. However, eventually what we put into our minds, bodies, and spirits is going to come out into our lives.
When I did the No Other Gods study last semester with the OCU Women's Bible Study last year, God began showing me that I could no longer go at the pace I was going ministry-wise, pursue my passions, love my family well, and be a good wife and mom someday unless I chose to give up the idol of food in my life.
It's many moons later, and still, That Girl, That Girl two-by-four can barely fit into her pants anymore. Something's gotta give. (Providence girls are hoping it's not the button on my gauchos!)
This has very little to do with outward appearances and much more to do with the state of the heart. God wants a relationship with us no matter what size we are. And I'm convinced that those people I love don't really care what the scale reads as long as I am healthy and happy.
It has more to do with my relationship with Jesus and how I don't want anything, not even a
So I am asking you to pray for me, Bloggerotsky. I need the power of Christ to overcome my addiction to food so that God is honored in every single part of who I am, not just the parts that are already surrendered. Right now I am working on developing some good habits, but mostly I will hopefully be using A LOT of prayer and reliance on Jesus. I expect an all-out war from the enemy, so a little battle would be a nice surprise. However, I have allowed the Enemy a stronghold in my life for many years now and it will take lots of work, trial, error, and forgiveness through God's grace to overcome.
I imagine it will also take a few more checkout line conversations between The Big Guy and That Girl.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Resting on God: A Puritan Prayer.
Have you ever spoken from your wounds?
Meaning, you said or did something that was a direct result of being hurt
or perhaps it was a defense mechanism for you to keep from admitting that it really did affect you...
This is what I have done this week. I blew it. I goofed. I spoke and acted from my wounds. I should have spoken and acted toward others from the perspective of His great love for me. I let my hurts get the best of me, instead of letting Jesus deal with the worst of me. And yet, He never, ever, ever gives up.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I love Puritan prayers. They are eloquent and beautiful and are often exactly what my heart wants to say but can't find the words.
Here is one entitled Resting on God. It has been a great comfort to me today.
O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfillment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
amen.
pray for my sweet friend Tyler, who is in the hospital now. Thanks.
Meaning, you said or did something that was a direct result of being hurt
or perhaps it was a defense mechanism for you to keep from admitting that it really did affect you...
This is what I have done this week. I blew it. I goofed. I spoke and acted from my wounds. I should have spoken and acted toward others from the perspective of His great love for me. I let my hurts get the best of me, instead of letting Jesus deal with the worst of me. And yet, He never, ever, ever gives up.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I love Puritan prayers. They are eloquent and beautiful and are often exactly what my heart wants to say but can't find the words.
Here is one entitled Resting on God. It has been a great comfort to me today.
O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfillment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
amen.
pray for my sweet friend Tyler, who is in the hospital now. Thanks.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Responding with Purpose.
A situation reminded me today that we need to be careful to always represent the character of Christ in all of our dealings, including when we are frustrated.
Someone is always watching. Or in this case, listening. When we say things about other people that are not good or right or true (or may be true but need not be said), it doesn't necessarily harm our reputation as much as it harms the reputation of the One whose name we bear.
It's really easy to fly off the handle and use bad language or speak ill of someone, isn't it?
What would happen if the opposite (speaking well of others and being gentle in our speech) was always our first reaction? What if we learned to respond with purpose to every situation?
please, let's all keep in mind that we are ambassadors of Christ (Ephesians 5) and when people meet us, it would be great if they could meet Him.
Someone is always watching. Or in this case, listening. When we say things about other people that are not good or right or true (or may be true but need not be said), it doesn't necessarily harm our reputation as much as it harms the reputation of the One whose name we bear.
It's really easy to fly off the handle and use bad language or speak ill of someone, isn't it?
What would happen if the opposite (speaking well of others and being gentle in our speech) was always our first reaction? What if we learned to respond with purpose to every situation?
please, let's all keep in mind that we are ambassadors of Christ (Ephesians 5) and when people meet us, it would be great if they could meet Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
