Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Rest
I have just started back running and it is kicking my butt. I know that I need to do it but each day is a struggle. I love it when I am done and feel much better but the process is lots of work. I know why running gets results - it is painful and takes much discipline, just like our walks with the Lord.
Most of you know that I have been reading one chapter a day through various books of the bible following Professor Horners's Bible Reading Plan. I would like to tell you that everyday I look forward to my readings but some days I just don't. Some days I have to make myself read but I can tell you that everytime I am done, like running, I feel better. God has spoken to me every time I do. I am learning that so much of our life is a discipline that we have to make ourselves do things that we just don't want to do.
Another very important lesson I learned while running, you have to rest. I am very much a jump in with both feet kind of girl. If I am going to do something, I am going to do it well. I felt like I should just run everyday and not take a break and it would get easier. However, the opposite happened, it got harder. My legs felt like I couldn't even pick them up. I finally decided that I needed a "day of rest" (sound familiar) and the day after my rest I felt so much better and actually enjoyed part of the run.
I have a feeling that God has much more to teach me while running my neighborhood. The discipline of running is teaching me much in my relationship with the Lord.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Most of you know that I have been reading one chapter a day through various books of the bible following Professor Horners's Bible Reading Plan. I would like to tell you that everyday I look forward to my readings but some days I just don't. Some days I have to make myself read but I can tell you that everytime I am done, like running, I feel better. God has spoken to me every time I do. I am learning that so much of our life is a discipline that we have to make ourselves do things that we just don't want to do.
Another very important lesson I learned while running, you have to rest. I am very much a jump in with both feet kind of girl. If I am going to do something, I am going to do it well. I felt like I should just run everyday and not take a break and it would get easier. However, the opposite happened, it got harder. My legs felt like I couldn't even pick them up. I finally decided that I needed a "day of rest" (sound familiar) and the day after my rest I felt so much better and actually enjoyed part of the run.
I have a feeling that God has much more to teach me while running my neighborhood. The discipline of running is teaching me much in my relationship with the Lord.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Missionary Support!
I want to start a new thing and focus on a missionary every month or so! Our first missionary is Annie French and she and her husband are serving the Lord faithfully in Peru. I had the privilege of getting to personally meet her and Darwin when I went to Peru. I fell in love with her immediately!
They are about to take a step of faith and move to a new city in Peru with some other dear friends of ours and help with a church plant there! God is doing such exciting things there!
Click on her link to see all that God is doing!
http://www.annitafrench.com/
Monday, June 15, 2009
Touch My Soul; Direct My Steps
While going through my daily bible reading this verse just stood out to me. I Samuel 10:6 "And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord His God."
I just wonder if I would have reacted the way David did. I am sure I wouldn't have. David is following God, doing what He thinks God wants him to do and the result is not what he desires. The wives, sons, and daughters had all been captured while David and his men were gone.
Haven't we all been there, following God and disaster strikes. I know I have, I am sure you have too! What I learned from David was that David turned to God and strengthened himself in the Lord. No wonder God says David is a man after his own heart. Instead of realying on others to fill his needs, he went straight to the Lord.
There will be many times in our lives when others are out for our blood, when we have led them where they didn't want to go or it didn't turn out the way we thought. What are we going to do? Let's be like David and get our strenth in HIM!
After allowing God to strengthen him, David took the time to seek the Lord in how to handle the situation. He not only allowed the Lord to touch his soul but to direct his steps. The Lord spoke and told him exactly how to handle the situation and David did what God asked. God rewarded him and he was able to bring back all that was taken. (1 Samuel 30:19).
Aren't these two of the greatest leadership atributes out there. David didn't allow the people he commanded to get under his skin but let the Lord strengthen him. Then he earnestly pursued God's plan in how to handle the situation. Oh, that we would follow David and his ways!
I just wonder if I would have reacted the way David did. I am sure I wouldn't have. David is following God, doing what He thinks God wants him to do and the result is not what he desires. The wives, sons, and daughters had all been captured while David and his men were gone.
Haven't we all been there, following God and disaster strikes. I know I have, I am sure you have too! What I learned from David was that David turned to God and strengthened himself in the Lord. No wonder God says David is a man after his own heart. Instead of realying on others to fill his needs, he went straight to the Lord.
There will be many times in our lives when others are out for our blood, when we have led them where they didn't want to go or it didn't turn out the way we thought. What are we going to do? Let's be like David and get our strenth in HIM!
After allowing God to strengthen him, David took the time to seek the Lord in how to handle the situation. He not only allowed the Lord to touch his soul but to direct his steps. The Lord spoke and told him exactly how to handle the situation and David did what God asked. God rewarded him and he was able to bring back all that was taken. (1 Samuel 30:19).
Aren't these two of the greatest leadership atributes out there. David didn't allow the people he commanded to get under his skin but let the Lord strengthen him. Then he earnestly pursued God's plan in how to handle the situation. Oh, that we would follow David and his ways!
Books of the Bible
In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our High Priest
In Numbers, the Fire by Night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel’s guide
Joshua, He’s salvation's choice
Judges, He’s Israel’s guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's Redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted Prophet
In Kings and Chronicles, He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the Re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai's courage
In Job, the Timeless Redeemer
In Psalms, He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah, He is the Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet
Lamentations, the Cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the Call from Sin
Daniel, the Stranger in the Fire
Hosea, the Forever Faithful
Joel, the Spirit’s Power
Amos, the Strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great Missionary
Micah, the Promise of Peace
Nahum, our Strength and Shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai, He restores that which was lost
In Zachariah, He’s our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the Son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the Power of Love
Galatians, Freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our Glorious Treasure
Philippians, the Servant's Heart
Colossians, He’s God and the Trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the Everlasting Courage
In James, the One who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our Faithful Shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord
HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!
- Taken from Priscilla Shrier www.goingbeyond.com
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our High Priest
In Numbers, the Fire by Night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel’s guide
Joshua, He’s salvation's choice
Judges, He’s Israel’s guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's Redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted Prophet
In Kings and Chronicles, He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the Re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai's courage
In Job, the Timeless Redeemer
In Psalms, He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah, He is the Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet
Lamentations, the Cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the Call from Sin
Daniel, the Stranger in the Fire
Hosea, the Forever Faithful
Joel, the Spirit’s Power
Amos, the Strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great Missionary
Micah, the Promise of Peace
Nahum, our Strength and Shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai, He restores that which was lost
In Zachariah, He’s our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the Son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the Power of Love
Galatians, Freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our Glorious Treasure
Philippians, the Servant's Heart
Colossians, He’s God and the Trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the Everlasting Courage
In James, the One who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our Faithful Shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord
HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!
- Taken from Priscilla Shrier www.goingbeyond.com
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Warning!
"Please beware! A head full of biblical knowledge without a heart passionately in love with Christ is terribly dangerous- a stronghold waiting to happen. The head is full, but the heart and soul are still unsatisfied. Satan knows that we all long for passion. If we are not given to godly passion, we will be tempted by counterfits.". Taken from When Godly People Do Ungodly Things.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Jackson's First Baseball Game
Me: Jackson, did you have fun playing your baseball game?
Jackson: No, I didn't play for fun!
Me: You didn't play for fun? Why did you play?
Jackson: I played for Jesus, I don't need to play for fun!
Oh yes! We had a conversation after that. I wanted him to realize that playing for Jesus was fun. When we play for an audience of One, we don't have to worry about much - just what He thinks. How simple our lives would be if we played for Jesus? Forget what man thinks, what society says, just what Jesus says.
Let's live today like we are playing for Jesus, it will change our whole day!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Been Too Long!
I know! I know! I have been a horrible blogger these last few months! I have all these things I want to tell you and then I get home and don't want to do anything!
It is finally getting warm in Colorado. I was able to sit outside and enjoy the sun today! I needed it so much. Kids are out of school and enjoying the summer. Both boys are playing baseball. We are praying that Drew loves baseball and football will not be so important. Pray with me will ya?
I am still doing the Bible Reading Plan and loving it each day. It is just what I need each day to stay in the Word! I am not doing a bible study right now which is very unusual, just reading the Word. I am amazed how each book always fits with the other books I am reading. God's message is the same over and over again. I was just in Romans 10 (we are in this chapter at church too) and I am amazed how God used the Gentiles to spur on the Israelites. Romans 10:19 says "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." God is provoking Israel so they will come back to relationship with Him. Do you feel like you are at the end of your rope? Maybe God is provoking you to come back to Him? Israel kept disobeying and God used whatever necessary to turn them back to Him. I am so thankful for a God who wants me to turn back to Him and will order events in my life to get me in His direction! He is so faithful. I am reminded tonight that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. Are you lacking in faith? Get in God's word, hearing and doing will increase your faith.
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