Lily did not get enough sleep last night, as evidenced by her morning of crying over every last thing she could possibly cry about. At one point, in the midst of an episode of tears, she said, "Mommy, can you say something that will make me laugh?"
She is a funny kid, that's for sure. Sensitive as all get out. And funny. But in that moment of upset, she was not able to channel her funny bone, AT ALL. She needed someone else to do it for her! Unfortunately I had no wit at that moment but rather scooped her up and put her down for a nap! Hopefully when she wakes up, all will be right in the world of Lily, and she can laugh again.
But it got me thinking, we need each other! No matter where we are in life, we need friends. We need people that we can call on at a moments notice and say, "hey, can you make me laugh please?" Do you have anyone like that in your life? If you don't, ask God to bring that for you. I have a few people that I could call and know that they would genuinely crack me up if I desperately needed a good laugh.
We all face junk in life; bad news, disappointments, hardships, the list goes on and on. It's not necessarily what the outcome of the situation is that makes the difference, although of course it's a huge part, but rather, it's the journey through the situation that makes the difference. If we can come out to the other side of the negative thing we are up against, then we have won! If we can stand with our head held high, albeit barely standing, then we have won. If we can laugh through the junk, then we have won.
So I guess I say all that to say this, we need friends. My goodness how we need buddies in our lives! I love friends. Funny friends. Dramatic friends. Smart friends. Quirky and kooky friends. And friends that like to eat ;)
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Certain Women
Luke 8:1-3
"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance."
I love this passage of Scripture! "Certain women" were following Jesus, as well as the disciples. Mary, Joanna & Susanna are mentioned in this portion, however, I imagine there were tons of others as well. They had experienced the love of Jesus and could not help but follow Him.
I have always loved the unique attributes that women possess. I love the characteristics that set us apart from men. I love that we are emotional and nurturing and talkative! I love when I see women interact with one another; I enjoy watching facial expressions while ladies talk and I love, love, love to see emotion. I bet Jesus did too. I bet He marveled at the species that God had created with such precision, not making a mistake in the slightest. I bet Jesus thought, way to go Dad, you done good!
Women are special. And yet, if you were to ask a group of women how many of them felt that way, nary a hand would be raised. Why? Well, there is a plethora of reasons but I think it boils down to this: we have forgotten that we are of the "Certain Women!"
If Jesus walked this earth in the flesh, you bet I'd be running to follow Him. Can you imagine what stuff they saw? And furthermore, can you imagine what a help those certain women must have been to Jesus. Had he been traveling simply with the disciples, I'd venture to say that Jesus would not have ate too well and His clothes would have been filthy! I'm sure the women there helped to meet the practical needs of Jesus, the passage of Scripture above confirms that, saying they provided for Him from their substance. But beyond the practical, I imagine the women to be the glue that held that group together, as we women do. They loved on people, they hugged, they laughed, they cried, they listened intently. No doubt they offered wisdom in areas that the men were unable to offer it. And again, I bet Jesus loved it.
He always was kind to women. He knew how special they were. In a culture that placed little to no value on women, Jesus wanted them around Him. He loved them. And He knew that they too were created for a purpose. He knew that they too had plans and gifts and talents and things that could be offered to the world. And so it was that certain women were there. Doing what we women do.
Obviously I can't follow His fleshly body today, but oh how I can follow Jesus. Oh how I can do my best to live for Him. Oh how I can do my best to be kind, to love deeply, to listen clearly, to serve wherever there is a need. My prayer today is that we women would realize that indeed we are part of the "certain women" that Jesus longs to have near Him. All of our flaws, all of our weakness', all of our quirky habits, He longs to have us with Him. Created in His image, to do something pretty cool with our lives. Because we have value. We are "Certain Woman."
"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance."
I love this passage of Scripture! "Certain women" were following Jesus, as well as the disciples. Mary, Joanna & Susanna are mentioned in this portion, however, I imagine there were tons of others as well. They had experienced the love of Jesus and could not help but follow Him.
I have always loved the unique attributes that women possess. I love the characteristics that set us apart from men. I love that we are emotional and nurturing and talkative! I love when I see women interact with one another; I enjoy watching facial expressions while ladies talk and I love, love, love to see emotion. I bet Jesus did too. I bet He marveled at the species that God had created with such precision, not making a mistake in the slightest. I bet Jesus thought, way to go Dad, you done good!
Women are special. And yet, if you were to ask a group of women how many of them felt that way, nary a hand would be raised. Why? Well, there is a plethora of reasons but I think it boils down to this: we have forgotten that we are of the "Certain Women!"
If Jesus walked this earth in the flesh, you bet I'd be running to follow Him. Can you imagine what stuff they saw? And furthermore, can you imagine what a help those certain women must have been to Jesus. Had he been traveling simply with the disciples, I'd venture to say that Jesus would not have ate too well and His clothes would have been filthy! I'm sure the women there helped to meet the practical needs of Jesus, the passage of Scripture above confirms that, saying they provided for Him from their substance. But beyond the practical, I imagine the women to be the glue that held that group together, as we women do. They loved on people, they hugged, they laughed, they cried, they listened intently. No doubt they offered wisdom in areas that the men were unable to offer it. And again, I bet Jesus loved it.
He always was kind to women. He knew how special they were. In a culture that placed little to no value on women, Jesus wanted them around Him. He loved them. And He knew that they too were created for a purpose. He knew that they too had plans and gifts and talents and things that could be offered to the world. And so it was that certain women were there. Doing what we women do.
Obviously I can't follow His fleshly body today, but oh how I can follow Jesus. Oh how I can do my best to live for Him. Oh how I can do my best to be kind, to love deeply, to listen clearly, to serve wherever there is a need. My prayer today is that we women would realize that indeed we are part of the "certain women" that Jesus longs to have near Him. All of our flaws, all of our weakness', all of our quirky habits, He longs to have us with Him. Created in His image, to do something pretty cool with our lives. Because we have value. We are "Certain Woman."
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Alone
Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
The Psalmist is telling himself to wait, quiet down. Be still. Too wait for God alone. God is who I need. God is the one with the answer. God is the one that will make the way. I don’t need to look to everyone else, I need to look to God, because, MY EXPECTATION is from Him.
What I expect Him to do, only He can do.
In the book of Genesis we read about Jacob and a time that He wrestled with God.
Genesis 32:24 says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with Him until the breaking of day.”
He was alone. His soul was waiting on God.
Jacob was returning to meet his brother Esau, who had become very rich. Esau had been blessed abundantly in the things of the world. He had authority and power to take all that Jacob had and to take vengeance on him. Jacob knew this. He also knew that there was only one way of deliverance, and that was that God would show him favor. He knew he needed God to intervene in this situation. God intervenes when conflict arises.
Our church is embarking on a 21 day fast tomorrow. We did it last year, for the first time, and look forward to this becoming a tradition each year. It’s when we get alone with God, when we set ourselves apart, as we are focusing on for these next 21 days, it’s in these times that we have the ability to see tremendous victory!
Jacob said, I will not let go unless you bless me! He was in a dark place and he knew without God’s intervention, he would not make it.
No matter where you find yourself today, press on. If you are in a dark place, press on. If you are sick in body, press on. If you need an answer from Heaven, press on. Dig down deep and hold fast to that strong will that’s inside all of us and press on until you get the victory. It may not come swiftly, but surely it will come.
Jacob wrestled all night with the Lord and in the end, God honored his determination. He blessed him. And when Jacob met Esau it was a wonderful reunion. Jacob sought after God’s will, after His favor. Will you? Will you seek to be in His will today? This 21 day fast has the potential to shave off the muck & mire we so easily get ourselves engrossed in. It’s a wrestling match, our will vs. God’s will. And in the end, when we tell our soul to wait quietly for the Lord, we not only will learn a whole lot about ourselves and become a better person, we not only will develop a greater love for people, but everything we expect God to do, our faith will grow to believe that He will do it.
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
The Psalmist is telling himself to wait, quiet down. Be still. Too wait for God alone. God is who I need. God is the one with the answer. God is the one that will make the way. I don’t need to look to everyone else, I need to look to God, because, MY EXPECTATION is from Him.
What I expect Him to do, only He can do.
In the book of Genesis we read about Jacob and a time that He wrestled with God.
Genesis 32:24 says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with Him until the breaking of day.”
He was alone. His soul was waiting on God.
Jacob was returning to meet his brother Esau, who had become very rich. Esau had been blessed abundantly in the things of the world. He had authority and power to take all that Jacob had and to take vengeance on him. Jacob knew this. He also knew that there was only one way of deliverance, and that was that God would show him favor. He knew he needed God to intervene in this situation. God intervenes when conflict arises.
Our church is embarking on a 21 day fast tomorrow. We did it last year, for the first time, and look forward to this becoming a tradition each year. It’s when we get alone with God, when we set ourselves apart, as we are focusing on for these next 21 days, it’s in these times that we have the ability to see tremendous victory!
Jacob said, I will not let go unless you bless me! He was in a dark place and he knew without God’s intervention, he would not make it.
No matter where you find yourself today, press on. If you are in a dark place, press on. If you are sick in body, press on. If you need an answer from Heaven, press on. Dig down deep and hold fast to that strong will that’s inside all of us and press on until you get the victory. It may not come swiftly, but surely it will come.
Jacob wrestled all night with the Lord and in the end, God honored his determination. He blessed him. And when Jacob met Esau it was a wonderful reunion. Jacob sought after God’s will, after His favor. Will you? Will you seek to be in His will today? This 21 day fast has the potential to shave off the muck & mire we so easily get ourselves engrossed in. It’s a wrestling match, our will vs. God’s will. And in the end, when we tell our soul to wait quietly for the Lord, we not only will learn a whole lot about ourselves and become a better person, we not only will develop a greater love for people, but everything we expect God to do, our faith will grow to believe that He will do it.
Friday, January 6, 2012
You are not your past
You are not your past. I am not my past. Sure, the history that has been my life plays a role, but it does not have to define me. We have certain quirks & habits about us, some that have been brought on by genetics and some that have been brought on by self; but they don't define me. Because I am not my past. You are not your past. We look a certain way, and we talk a certain way, and we have certain mannerisms, but that does not define us. That is not the sum of who we are.
The decisions we have made are powerful, of course, but they don't define us. While yes, it's true that our next step hangs on the hinges of our next decision and yes, it can be life altering for the good or the bad, BUT, it does not have to define us. It's up to you. And it's up to me.
We have all made poor choices in life; we have all said and done things that if given the chance to go back, we certainly would correct those things. But since we don't get the option of a re-do per se, we have to take today for what it is. And today is a day bathed in mercy, if we'll accept it. Today is a day bathed in grace, if we'll accept it. Today is a page that is yet to be written. You can choose today to be your past, or you can choose today to be your future!
I love Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Even in the midst of our worst choice, even perhaps when we did not know God, even while doing that very thing that we would change if given the opportunity, even then, Jeremiah 29:11 was still Jeremiah 29:11. Even in our past, God's thoughts toward us were peace. They were good and not evil. He still had a plan and a purpose for us. Even then.
And so in the today that we have been given, we make the choice. We either live in the past and allow our history to define us. Or we look at today and say "God, your will and not mine."
His mercies are new every morning. It's a new day, He is the God of new beginnings and this can be the best day of the rest of our lives, because of the amazing grace of God.
Let's not live another day in the valley of regret. Let's not allow the devil to make our mind a playground of our past mistakes or miseries. I am not my past. You are not your past.
It's a new day. The choice is yours. The choice is mine.
The decisions we have made are powerful, of course, but they don't define us. While yes, it's true that our next step hangs on the hinges of our next decision and yes, it can be life altering for the good or the bad, BUT, it does not have to define us. It's up to you. And it's up to me.
We have all made poor choices in life; we have all said and done things that if given the chance to go back, we certainly would correct those things. But since we don't get the option of a re-do per se, we have to take today for what it is. And today is a day bathed in mercy, if we'll accept it. Today is a day bathed in grace, if we'll accept it. Today is a page that is yet to be written. You can choose today to be your past, or you can choose today to be your future!
I love Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Even in the midst of our worst choice, even perhaps when we did not know God, even while doing that very thing that we would change if given the opportunity, even then, Jeremiah 29:11 was still Jeremiah 29:11. Even in our past, God's thoughts toward us were peace. They were good and not evil. He still had a plan and a purpose for us. Even then.
And so in the today that we have been given, we make the choice. We either live in the past and allow our history to define us. Or we look at today and say "God, your will and not mine."
His mercies are new every morning. It's a new day, He is the God of new beginnings and this can be the best day of the rest of our lives, because of the amazing grace of God.
Let's not live another day in the valley of regret. Let's not allow the devil to make our mind a playground of our past mistakes or miseries. I am not my past. You are not your past.
It's a new day. The choice is yours. The choice is mine.
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