Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
John 16:33 (NIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Yesterday (Wednesday), was rather a blah day again...and not just because of the weather. It is amazing how fast my emotions can take control and drag me under. I was even reminded on Tuesday that the light God gives us isn't just around us....it is IN us! I was sure doing my best to be in the dark. Hubby brought up maybe we're suffering from T.M.S. (Too Much "Stuff"). Luckily, hubby and I are not down on the same days! God is good.
So I'm finding some verses to remind me to look for the light and STAND even when I feel like laying down and giving up. I had heard this song before, but it sure fit the mood. The song is "Stand In the Rain" by SuperChick.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV) You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
1 Corinthians 15 : 57-58 (NIV) 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Ephesians 6:12-13 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Keep the faith. God knows and cares even on the darkest days, even when we don't look to him first, and even when we want to stand on our own strength instead of borrowing His. Be strong and courageous! STAND!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Pray anyway......
I have had this thought lately that I read about prayer, talk about prayer, even write about prayer....but when it comes right down to it....I don't actually pray a lot. Oh sure, little sentence prayers as something comes up or I say someone will be in my prayers, but a REAL conversation like I'd have with a friend? It's been awhile.
I have come to the conclusion that I'm afraid that if I have a REAL conversation I'm going to find out things about myself that I really don't want to deal with. I've already come across these feelings when I read the Bible and there will be a verse or section that I really need to hear at that particular time. How many times has God been trying to get my attention for me to spend some time talking to him about my problems instead of talking about my problems? Then there is always the fear that I'll get what I ask for, what I think I want, and I'll find out it is not what I thought it would be.
So, I'm doing some research. Being afraid to talk to God is nothing new. It's mentioned in
Genesis 3:9-10 (New International Version)
9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
Daniel was afraid when his prayers were answered by an angel. I like the rest of this verse...set your mind to gain understanding and humble yourself. Maybe that's the part I need to work on!
Daniel 10:12 (NIV)
12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
From my favorite spiritual armor verses:
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
God loves me so what am I afraid of? Anything He shows me will end up being for my own good. So, no matter what starts to get in the way, I'm going to pray anyway!
Some resources I found:
ACTS, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (praying for others) some good info here http://www.crmin.org/prayerguide/acts_acrostic.htm
The 5 finger prayer http://biblestudyplanet.com/studies/s/s34.aspx (looks like some other cool info at this site too)
http://www.allaboutprayer.org/
I have come to the conclusion that I'm afraid that if I have a REAL conversation I'm going to find out things about myself that I really don't want to deal with. I've already come across these feelings when I read the Bible and there will be a verse or section that I really need to hear at that particular time. How many times has God been trying to get my attention for me to spend some time talking to him about my problems instead of talking about my problems? Then there is always the fear that I'll get what I ask for, what I think I want, and I'll find out it is not what I thought it would be.
So, I'm doing some research. Being afraid to talk to God is nothing new. It's mentioned in
Genesis 3:9-10 (New International Version)
9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
Daniel was afraid when his prayers were answered by an angel. I like the rest of this verse...set your mind to gain understanding and humble yourself. Maybe that's the part I need to work on!
Daniel 10:12 (NIV)
12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
From my favorite spiritual armor verses:
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
God loves me so what am I afraid of? Anything He shows me will end up being for my own good. So, no matter what starts to get in the way, I'm going to pray anyway!
Some resources I found:
ACTS, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (praying for others) some good info here http://www.crmin.org/prayerguide/acts_acrostic.htm
The 5 finger prayer http://biblestudyplanet.com/studies/s/s34.aspx (looks like some other cool info at this site too)
http://www.allaboutprayer.org/
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Mirror, Mirror.....You won't define me.....
I heard this on the radio this evening. It is the song, Mirror by Barlow Girl. The whole theme is what I've been thinking that we as women buy into the world's view of what women "should" be. The line that caught my attention was: "I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect"
There are still days where I have to remind myself that it is OK to not be a perfectionist. It's good to relax and enjoy time with my kids or just finish a job and know it's done!
I have some other thoughts rumbling around up in my head, but for now, I think we all could use a little anti-mirror...and I have some jobs to finish. I couldn't decide which version I liked better. They are both good, so I put them both here for your viewing pleasure.
As Stuart Smalley used to say on Saturday Night Live, I will not should all over myself....and that's OK...... ;)
There are still days where I have to remind myself that it is OK to not be a perfectionist. It's good to relax and enjoy time with my kids or just finish a job and know it's done!
I have some other thoughts rumbling around up in my head, but for now, I think we all could use a little anti-mirror...and I have some jobs to finish. I couldn't decide which version I liked better. They are both good, so I put them both here for your viewing pleasure.
As Stuart Smalley used to say on Saturday Night Live, I will not should all over myself....and that's OK...... ;)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
She's got personality......
Did you ever wonder how someone describes you when you're not around? Did you ever pay attention to how you answer when you are asked to describe someone? Why does it always seem like such a negative if a blind date is described as having a nice personality?
People have a conversation, one doesn't recognize the name so the other goes on to describe how that person looks and will probably say, "you'd know him/her if you saw him/her". I suppose it's a given that you need to describe how a person looks as that is how someone will recognize the person mentioned. However, there is a difference between recognition and truly knowing someone.
Taken to the extreme, as in television or movies, looks are such an unfair way to describe someone. It doesn't tell the person anything about their qualities. Once you get to start really knowing someone you want to know ABOUT them.
TV, movies and beauty pageants (oops, I mean scholarship opportunities, smile) set such an unfair standard. We can feel so self conscious about how we look, we forget all the wonderful inner qualities God has given us. Things people will never see if they don't take the time to get to know us. When we give compliments, it is often about how a person looks that particular day or a haircut or new outfit. All things that are based on outward appearance.
1 Samuel 16:7 (New Living Translation)
The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
I challenge us to look beyond looks and find something that you really like about a person and LET THEM KNOW. It may mean more than you realize. Who knows? You may find a friend that at first glance may not have been someone you would take the time to see their heart and soul.
When it comes to people we know, quality is better than quantity! AND take it as a compliment if someone says you have a nice personality! :)
People have a conversation, one doesn't recognize the name so the other goes on to describe how that person looks and will probably say, "you'd know him/her if you saw him/her". I suppose it's a given that you need to describe how a person looks as that is how someone will recognize the person mentioned. However, there is a difference between recognition and truly knowing someone.
Taken to the extreme, as in television or movies, looks are such an unfair way to describe someone. It doesn't tell the person anything about their qualities. Once you get to start really knowing someone you want to know ABOUT them.
TV, movies and beauty pageants (oops, I mean scholarship opportunities, smile) set such an unfair standard. We can feel so self conscious about how we look, we forget all the wonderful inner qualities God has given us. Things people will never see if they don't take the time to get to know us. When we give compliments, it is often about how a person looks that particular day or a haircut or new outfit. All things that are based on outward appearance.
1 Samuel 16:7 (New Living Translation)
The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
I challenge us to look beyond looks and find something that you really like about a person and LET THEM KNOW. It may mean more than you realize. Who knows? You may find a friend that at first glance may not have been someone you would take the time to see their heart and soul.
When it comes to people we know, quality is better than quantity! AND take it as a compliment if someone says you have a nice personality! :)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Questioning......
Luke 2 : 45-47 (New International Version)
45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When Jesus was a boy, he stayed in the temple when his parents moved on. It took them 3 days to find him. He was asking questions and answering questions with an understanding that was well beyond his physical years. They were amazed.
Do you ever question why something happens? Why it happened now? Why? Why?, etc. and many times it does not seem like we get a good answer. Is it OK to feel unsure and want an answer even if it means questioning God?
I wrote this awhile ago when I was in one of those moods. It seems a little intimidating to question God. Maybe we need to remember from our school days...there's no such thing as a dumb question. For some reason, I felt like I was supposed to post this now. If it's for you, know that God is OK with the questions and you may not get the answer you want right now, but He'll listen and answer in a way you might not expect. Sometimes we look....but we don't see.
Why do I question?
Why do I doubt?
Why do I feel I need
to figure it all out?
You said I could question
You said I could ask
You said that you are up for the task
I don’t have to do it all on my own.
You made a promise
I’m never alone.
Help me not let my feelings rule
Know that you’re loving
Not far away or cruel
Search for answers inside the Book
You’re always around
I need to see when I look
kjjalsweet
10-19-07
Thinking of you and hugs too!
PS I can't even count the number of times that surrender came up today! On talk radio, in songs, in conversations with other people. Must be the word for 2008!
45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When Jesus was a boy, he stayed in the temple when his parents moved on. It took them 3 days to find him. He was asking questions and answering questions with an understanding that was well beyond his physical years. They were amazed.
Do you ever question why something happens? Why it happened now? Why? Why?, etc. and many times it does not seem like we get a good answer. Is it OK to feel unsure and want an answer even if it means questioning God?
I wrote this awhile ago when I was in one of those moods. It seems a little intimidating to question God. Maybe we need to remember from our school days...there's no such thing as a dumb question. For some reason, I felt like I was supposed to post this now. If it's for you, know that God is OK with the questions and you may not get the answer you want right now, but He'll listen and answer in a way you might not expect. Sometimes we look....but we don't see.
Why do I question?
Why do I doubt?
Why do I feel I need
to figure it all out?
You said I could question
You said I could ask
You said that you are up for the task
I don’t have to do it all on my own.
You made a promise
I’m never alone.
Help me not let my feelings rule
Know that you’re loving
Not far away or cruel
Search for answers inside the Book
You’re always around
I need to see when I look
kjjalsweet
10-19-07
Thinking of you and hugs too!
PS I can't even count the number of times that surrender came up today! On talk radio, in songs, in conversations with other people. Must be the word for 2008!
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