January 14, 2012
Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satifying] reward for their labor; for if they fall he one will lift up his fellow.
Eccleasiastes 4:9, 10
This message hit especially close to home. This week has been a little more trying than usual. Brian has had to do a lot of work things for his new position, including working all day Saturday and going to company dinners every night until late at night. For me, this means that I don't have my number one teammate here to help me. With 3 kids (the youngest being 13 months old), my school starting back up, as well as the normal after school and extracurricular activities my oldest 2 kids are involved with- I have felt really alone.
When Brian came home the other night at 11:30 pm after a fun evening of dancing and having fun with his co-workers I prayed that I would try to be understanding and not let my feelings influence my actions. Despite my greatest efforts and staying up late to wait up for him, when he got home and went straight into the bedroom to go to bed, my feelings were even my damaged.
Luckily my dad and sister were visiting that night. I was able to rely on my "team" to be there to listen and support me through it. I realize now how truly blessed I am to have a team that not only supports me and what's important to me but who also love me. I have struggled with this situation and how to approach it and move on but it has left me in a state of awkward silence in the few moments that we are together since then. Of course, our spouse is supposed to be our biggest source of support but I am reminded that no one is perfect and when we put our faith in one single man (or woman)- we will get disappointed at times. That is why God intended for us to have a team, that's why he made us part of a family and put the friends in our lives that, despite our own flaws and mistakes, or the distance between you, are still a part of your "team".
When I confront the fact that I have such a wonderful team of support, I consider Brian's team. I have a very tight-knit family and handful of friends that I know would give me the shirt off their back in a heartbeat- even if it meant they would be left shirtless...I am truly blessed. Brian's family, although we still see them occasionally, aren't too involved in Brian's life. His friend with who he used to hang out drinking at the bar years ago, have all since moved on in life, just as Brian has- with new jobs, marriage, family, etc.. and we rarely see them anymore.
Who is Brian's team? I am. So I ask myself...what kind of teammate am I?
I pray: that God will help me to be a teammate that Brian can depend on. One that supports him and lifts him up when he's down. One that encourages him. Not just a spouse who is there to make sure he takes out the trash- but a friend who he knows he can count on for anything. That God will put a big "band-aid" on my heart and heal my hurt feelings but comfort me and help me to move forward in love and acceptance.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
A Sermon Walking
January 8, 2012
Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner."
John 5:19
What are my actions telling other people about who I am? About what's important to me?
As my son, Dylan, was saying the blessing before we ate dinner last night, I peeked to see what the rest of my family was doing. I noticed that Brian was motioning his hands in the "hurry this up" fashion and my daughter, Haylee, was nibbling at her food. It dawned on me that others, including my kids, are watching us- even when we don't realize it. A prayer before dinner by an 8 year old boy takes no more than 60 seconds, yet Brian and Haylee couldn't pause for a moment to participate in thanking God for the food they were about to eat.
I realized how important as parents it is to set a good example with our own actions. We can tell our kids to obey, to share, to be nice, to be responsible- but if we are not doing these things ourselves then we are not actually teaching them anything at all. Children will always look up to their parents for guidance in how to handle themselves in different situations. Even how they treat other people - including their future spouse- will greatly be dependent on how they see us treat people.
I am also convicted that my kids will only desire to love Jesus and have a close relationship with Him as much as they see me doing so. If I only go to church on the Sundays when I have nothing else going on or if I only pick up my Bible when I'm taking it to church- then they will learn that God is a secondary priority and is only supposed to fit into our lives when it's convenient.
I pray: that God will make me a walking sermon. That my actions will be an example to others and show my sincere heart of love and kindness. That I will not just "talk the talk" but will also "walk the walk".
Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner."
John 5:19
What are my actions telling other people about who I am? About what's important to me?
As my son, Dylan, was saying the blessing before we ate dinner last night, I peeked to see what the rest of my family was doing. I noticed that Brian was motioning his hands in the "hurry this up" fashion and my daughter, Haylee, was nibbling at her food. It dawned on me that others, including my kids, are watching us- even when we don't realize it. A prayer before dinner by an 8 year old boy takes no more than 60 seconds, yet Brian and Haylee couldn't pause for a moment to participate in thanking God for the food they were about to eat.
I realized how important as parents it is to set a good example with our own actions. We can tell our kids to obey, to share, to be nice, to be responsible- but if we are not doing these things ourselves then we are not actually teaching them anything at all. Children will always look up to their parents for guidance in how to handle themselves in different situations. Even how they treat other people - including their future spouse- will greatly be dependent on how they see us treat people.
I am also convicted that my kids will only desire to love Jesus and have a close relationship with Him as much as they see me doing so. If I only go to church on the Sundays when I have nothing else going on or if I only pick up my Bible when I'm taking it to church- then they will learn that God is a secondary priority and is only supposed to fit into our lives when it's convenient.
I pray: that God will make me a walking sermon. That my actions will be an example to others and show my sincere heart of love and kindness. That I will not just "talk the talk" but will also "walk the walk".
Be Friendly
January 7, 2012
Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith), [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all other who come your way who are of Christ's body..]
1 Peter 4:9
In today's society we are all in a big hurry. The busier we get, the more we simply go about our own business and shut others out. Even more so, we only tend to associate with the people we see as equals of ourselves. We look at other people and immediately judge their religious, social or economic status and (subconsciously) decide whether or not we will ackonwledge them.
Without the fellowship of others- along with the developments of advanced technology such as Facebook and texting- we are in danger of becoming relationally retarded! We are forgetting how to communicate with others..we simply want to be heard. Conversations have become somewhat one-sided. This, I feel, is part of the reason for so many failed marriages as well. We bury our heads into the computer or the cell phone where we can type or text our thoughts and feelings and don't ever actually have to consider anyone else. Then when times get tough and we need to talk things out - we excpect it to play out the same way.
I also recall the scripture:
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
We need to slow down and MAKE (not just TAKE) the time to find the positive and speak it. If we wait around on the perfect opportunity to say something- it may never come. Stop and make the time. There are even times when I am thinking something positive and I don't speak them- I keep them to myself. I think we have also been conditioned to not want others to "get a big head" so we compliment others less. I think that if we all started just giving a smile or compliment to one new person a day- we would also find ourselves a lot happier people.
I pray: that God will help me to slow down and find the positive in every situation and people- and to tell them. That I will not judge and will remember that every person is of Christ's body and regardless of who they are.
Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith), [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all other who come your way who are of Christ's body..]
1 Peter 4:9
In today's society we are all in a big hurry. The busier we get, the more we simply go about our own business and shut others out. Even more so, we only tend to associate with the people we see as equals of ourselves. We look at other people and immediately judge their religious, social or economic status and (subconsciously) decide whether or not we will ackonwledge them.
Without the fellowship of others- along with the developments of advanced technology such as Facebook and texting- we are in danger of becoming relationally retarded! We are forgetting how to communicate with others..we simply want to be heard. Conversations have become somewhat one-sided. This, I feel, is part of the reason for so many failed marriages as well. We bury our heads into the computer or the cell phone where we can type or text our thoughts and feelings and don't ever actually have to consider anyone else. Then when times get tough and we need to talk things out - we excpect it to play out the same way.
I also recall the scripture:
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
We need to slow down and MAKE (not just TAKE) the time to find the positive and speak it. If we wait around on the perfect opportunity to say something- it may never come. Stop and make the time. There are even times when I am thinking something positive and I don't speak them- I keep them to myself. I think we have also been conditioned to not want others to "get a big head" so we compliment others less. I think that if we all started just giving a smile or compliment to one new person a day- we would also find ourselves a lot happier people.
I pray: that God will help me to slow down and find the positive in every situation and people- and to tell them. That I will not judge and will remember that every person is of Christ's body and regardless of who they are.
Give the Gift of Freedom
January 6, 2012
Then you recently turned and did waht was right in my sight- every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name.
Jeremiah 34:15
I found an old cell phone charger to a phone I had a few years ago. The phone had a lot of texts messages and songs on it from right before my divorce from my ex-husband in 2007. They triggered some old feelings and memories of the pain and emotions I went through during that time.
Today's devotional and the scripture talk about freedom. I realize that I have lived with a lot of bottled up anger and bitterness from my first marriage. I have held onto feelings of jealousy and resentment towards him. I think because I still feel like I was never "good enough" for him. No matter how hard I tried or waht I did to try to show him how much I loved him- it wasn't enough to hold our relationship together.
Because of this- I have let it change me- I have become a person who tries to control people and change them into who I think they should be- or who I think God wants them to be. I am sure that this has played a part in the conflicts that I have had in my current marriage and in parenting my kids. I have set expectations of perfection on myself and the ones I love out of fear of rejection and abandonment. I'm afraid that if I'm not "perfect" or if someone does not do things the way that I think they should it will somehow end with them having negative feelings towards me.
I need to forgive and let go of the resentment I have held onto. It is not fair to me or my family. My husband is wonderful and I have amazing kids - I need to remind myself of this daily. Just because they may sometimes do things that I wouldn't necessarily do or agree with- does not mean that they hate me or are doing it to intentionally upset me. They are their own people- and ultimately they are God's children and I need to trust that God is a far better parent than I will ever be.
I pray: God will allows me to truly forgive and let of these feelings. I will trust that God will mold them into who He desires and give both myself and others the freedom to be ourselves.
Amen.
Then you recently turned and did waht was right in my sight- every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name.
Jeremiah 34:15
I found an old cell phone charger to a phone I had a few years ago. The phone had a lot of texts messages and songs on it from right before my divorce from my ex-husband in 2007. They triggered some old feelings and memories of the pain and emotions I went through during that time.
Today's devotional and the scripture talk about freedom. I realize that I have lived with a lot of bottled up anger and bitterness from my first marriage. I have held onto feelings of jealousy and resentment towards him. I think because I still feel like I was never "good enough" for him. No matter how hard I tried or waht I did to try to show him how much I loved him- it wasn't enough to hold our relationship together.
Because of this- I have let it change me- I have become a person who tries to control people and change them into who I think they should be- or who I think God wants them to be. I am sure that this has played a part in the conflicts that I have had in my current marriage and in parenting my kids. I have set expectations of perfection on myself and the ones I love out of fear of rejection and abandonment. I'm afraid that if I'm not "perfect" or if someone does not do things the way that I think they should it will somehow end with them having negative feelings towards me.
I need to forgive and let go of the resentment I have held onto. It is not fair to me or my family. My husband is wonderful and I have amazing kids - I need to remind myself of this daily. Just because they may sometimes do things that I wouldn't necessarily do or agree with- does not mean that they hate me or are doing it to intentionally upset me. They are their own people- and ultimately they are God's children and I need to trust that God is a far better parent than I will ever be.
I pray: God will allows me to truly forgive and let of these feelings. I will trust that God will mold them into who He desires and give both myself and others the freedom to be ourselves.
Amen.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Turn Your Possibilities into "Positivelies"
January 5, 2012
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Jeremiah 29:11
My husband, Brian, went to bed last night stressed about his current job situation. He recently changed jobs within he company but is in limbo with all of the paperwork and has yet to even find out his new salary. As we talked about it we reflected on our lives. Every time that we were uncertain about circumstances and didn't understand why things didn't go our way - we got frustrated in the moment, but in hindsight, we look back and see that things always work out.
When I read today's scripture I knew that I needed to share it with him. It's a reminder that God's plan for our life is perfect and far better than anything we can accomplish on our own. If we simply trust God to take charge of our lives and have faith that He will, we can be assured that He has a plan for us...a plan for good. Everything that happens-or doesn't happen- is in God's plan. Sometimes for protection, sometimes for discipline and growth, but always because He has far greater things planned for us!
We can't control the outcome of our situtaion, we only pray that God will help us to make the right decisions when needed to align ourselves with His will. Everything happens for a reason- it just may not be our reason.
Trust in God's provision- He knows what you want and what you need and know what tomorrow has in store. He wants us to be happy.
I pray: that we can trust in God with not only the big choices in our lives but also with the little things. That we won't spend our time worrying about whether things will go our way but instead trust that God's way is best and TRUST and BELIEVE that He is in charge.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Jeremiah 29:11
My husband, Brian, went to bed last night stressed about his current job situation. He recently changed jobs within he company but is in limbo with all of the paperwork and has yet to even find out his new salary. As we talked about it we reflected on our lives. Every time that we were uncertain about circumstances and didn't understand why things didn't go our way - we got frustrated in the moment, but in hindsight, we look back and see that things always work out.
When I read today's scripture I knew that I needed to share it with him. It's a reminder that God's plan for our life is perfect and far better than anything we can accomplish on our own. If we simply trust God to take charge of our lives and have faith that He will, we can be assured that He has a plan for us...a plan for good. Everything that happens-or doesn't happen- is in God's plan. Sometimes for protection, sometimes for discipline and growth, but always because He has far greater things planned for us!
We can't control the outcome of our situtaion, we only pray that God will help us to make the right decisions when needed to align ourselves with His will. Everything happens for a reason- it just may not be our reason.
Trust in God's provision- He knows what you want and what you need and know what tomorrow has in store. He wants us to be happy.
I pray: that we can trust in God with not only the big choices in our lives but also with the little things. That we won't spend our time worrying about whether things will go our way but instead trust that God's way is best and TRUST and BELIEVE that He is in charge.
Come As You Are
January 4, 2012
It is through Him that we have received grace...And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him.
Romans 1: 5-6
What a wonderful way to start: with a reminder that it does not matter what's in my past or what flaws I have today- God loves and accepts me for who I am! I don't need to be perfect. God will mold me into who He wants me to be using my the gifts He gave me.
I have not always - actually I have never- lived a life that would be considered completely righteous. I have made too many mistakes and bad decisions to count. If my life were a movie- it would not be one that I would let me kids watch. It saddens me that I have not always been the type of role model that I want to be for my kids. I can't undo the mistakes I've made; I can't even right all of the wrongs I've done to others. I have strained and broken some relationships in my life with bad choices. I am confused when people say that they have no regrets because it's helped to make them who they are today. I used to say the same thing. I have lots of regrets. I have learned that a lot of time the outcome of a situation is unavoidable but it is how we portray ourselves and our character in how we handle it. Nobody is perfect- we are not supposed to be.
I am not defined by my mistakes, they do not make me who I am. It's the good choices that I make that really show my true character.
Jesus did not die in vain! He died so that I could be forgiven- past, present, and future transgressions. God sees me thru the blood of Jesus- as perfect and flawless!
I pray: that I will truly have faith that God has forgiven my sins and give me peace to know that I am perfect in His eyes. That I will be mindful of the impact that my actions have on others and be an example so that God's light can be seen thru me. That I will allow God to mold me into the person He wants me to be and let go of the pressures of trying to be the person that I think everyone else wants me to be.
Amen.
It is through Him that we have received grace...And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to Him.
Romans 1: 5-6
What a wonderful way to start: with a reminder that it does not matter what's in my past or what flaws I have today- God loves and accepts me for who I am! I don't need to be perfect. God will mold me into who He wants me to be using my the gifts He gave me.
I have not always - actually I have never- lived a life that would be considered completely righteous. I have made too many mistakes and bad decisions to count. If my life were a movie- it would not be one that I would let me kids watch. It saddens me that I have not always been the type of role model that I want to be for my kids. I can't undo the mistakes I've made; I can't even right all of the wrongs I've done to others. I have strained and broken some relationships in my life with bad choices. I am confused when people say that they have no regrets because it's helped to make them who they are today. I used to say the same thing. I have lots of regrets. I have learned that a lot of time the outcome of a situation is unavoidable but it is how we portray ourselves and our character in how we handle it. Nobody is perfect- we are not supposed to be.
I am not defined by my mistakes, they do not make me who I am. It's the good choices that I make that really show my true character.
Jesus did not die in vain! He died so that I could be forgiven- past, present, and future transgressions. God sees me thru the blood of Jesus- as perfect and flawless!
I pray: that I will truly have faith that God has forgiven my sins and give me peace to know that I am perfect in His eyes. That I will be mindful of the impact that my actions have on others and be an example so that God's light can be seen thru me. That I will allow God to mold me into the person He wants me to be and let go of the pressures of trying to be the person that I think everyone else wants me to be.
Amen.
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