How often have people said the sentence, "If God is so good, then how come He kills all those people in the Old Testament?" I bet this thought has been used hundreds of times to explain why someone does not believe in or follow Christ. Or they may say, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" My first question to that is what is your definition of good, but that is a whole other post. The thing is, people want God to be nice, loving and sweet. I think we want to picture Him like a sweet grandmother who is always there with hugs, kisses, candy and a comforting story to read to us. We want Him to rock us to sleep at night and fix our boo boos when we fall down and hurt ourselves. We want Him to love us no matter what and fix all our problems, whether we caused them or not. We love the God is Love part. We bask in the God is gracious, kind, and slow to anger part. We relish the God will work everything out for our good part. And we want all of this without the God is Justice, Creator, Avenger of the Faith, and Holy part. We like God to be sweet and soft, not big and mean.
But can God truly be sweet and soft without being big and mean? We live in a world that is ruled by the devil. The bible says the earth is Satan's domain. Is a God who will not or cannot defend us from evil truly a God of love? If you were a child that grew up in a rough neighborhood with gangs and criminals all around you, what was more comforting for you: your grandmother's hugs and stories or your father's ability to handle his gun and defend your home?
Here is the bottom line: We live in a big ugly world full of people and spirits that are out to get you. If I am going to survive life in this rough of a neighborhood, I want to know that my Daddy can defend me before I will feel safe. I want a God who can beat Goliath, who can destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, who can wipe out entire armies and nations for that matter. I want the God who can part the Red Sea and feed me for 40 years. I want the God who expects me to stay within His fortress and doesn't ask me to fend for myself.
Yes, I also want God to be loving, patient and long suffering with me. I want God to meet me at my shortcomings and shore up my doubts and unbelief, but I do not want a God that is weak. I already know all too well how weak I am. I want my God to be big, scary and without weakness. I want Him to be Love so completely that He is willing to protect me and all of His children at any cost.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
All Things Work Together For Good
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
All things; God says all things.
Absolutes are not a successful part of the human experience. We are far too flawed to do anything consistently all the time, good or bad. We are equally unsuccessful at not doing things all the time. How many times have we said to ourselves, "wow, I will never do that again," only to turn around and in fact do it again.
So as a human, who is intimately acquainted with my inability to "always" or "never" do something, this verse stopped me in my tracks the other day. I couldn't help but ask God the question, "Really? All things? All the good ones and the bad? You really are going to use everything in my life, past, present and future for good? The truth is, I just can't see how that is possible."
But God very gently answered me, "You don't have to be able to see how that is possible, because I do know how it's possible."
So why is it so hard for me to see how it is possible? Do I doubt God's ability? Well, if I am being completely honest, I guess I do. Not so much because I think He's inadequate, but because I know the darkness of the things that have happened in my life and in the lives of other people whom I know are believers! I mean, let's face it, some really horrible things have happened in the world to people. People are abused, victimized and hurt everyday. And on the other side of that coin, people are abusers, aggressors and even murderers. Yet some of those very people come to know Christ and are in fact "called according to His purpose." Paul, who actually wrote Romans, is a perfect example of that. He was a murderer and yet was called by God. So if I am to take the Bible, and God, at His word, that means that all those things work together for good too. Do you blame me for being skeptical? Are you skeptical too?
But thankfully, I am not the final say on whether what God says is true. As God reminded me, I don't have to know how, I just have to know WHO. As I have grown in my relationship with Christ, I have learned who He is. Studying the old testament has taught me a great deal about God's character and through prayer and personal experience, I have learned that God has never let me down. He has in fact carried me when I needed carrying, walked beside me when I needed a companion and worked through me once I finally came to the end of myself and gave it all over to Him. The Creator is much smarter than the creation. God doesn't need me to understand how He does things in order for Him to be capable of being consistent and successful with absolutes such as ALL.
So do I know how God will use all of my past, present and future for good? no. But I do know that He will and on that promise, I can rest.
As a matter of fact, He has never failed. He has always been and He has never contradicted Himself. So I will sit back, rest on Him and watch how He can turn ugly to beautiful and grief into Joy.
All things; God says all things.
Absolutes are not a successful part of the human experience. We are far too flawed to do anything consistently all the time, good or bad. We are equally unsuccessful at not doing things all the time. How many times have we said to ourselves, "wow, I will never do that again," only to turn around and in fact do it again.
So as a human, who is intimately acquainted with my inability to "always" or "never" do something, this verse stopped me in my tracks the other day. I couldn't help but ask God the question, "Really? All things? All the good ones and the bad? You really are going to use everything in my life, past, present and future for good? The truth is, I just can't see how that is possible."
But God very gently answered me, "You don't have to be able to see how that is possible, because I do know how it's possible."
So why is it so hard for me to see how it is possible? Do I doubt God's ability? Well, if I am being completely honest, I guess I do. Not so much because I think He's inadequate, but because I know the darkness of the things that have happened in my life and in the lives of other people whom I know are believers! I mean, let's face it, some really horrible things have happened in the world to people. People are abused, victimized and hurt everyday. And on the other side of that coin, people are abusers, aggressors and even murderers. Yet some of those very people come to know Christ and are in fact "called according to His purpose." Paul, who actually wrote Romans, is a perfect example of that. He was a murderer and yet was called by God. So if I am to take the Bible, and God, at His word, that means that all those things work together for good too. Do you blame me for being skeptical? Are you skeptical too?
But thankfully, I am not the final say on whether what God says is true. As God reminded me, I don't have to know how, I just have to know WHO. As I have grown in my relationship with Christ, I have learned who He is. Studying the old testament has taught me a great deal about God's character and through prayer and personal experience, I have learned that God has never let me down. He has in fact carried me when I needed carrying, walked beside me when I needed a companion and worked through me once I finally came to the end of myself and gave it all over to Him. The Creator is much smarter than the creation. God doesn't need me to understand how He does things in order for Him to be capable of being consistent and successful with absolutes such as ALL.
So do I know how God will use all of my past, present and future for good? no. But I do know that He will and on that promise, I can rest.
As a matter of fact, He has never failed. He has always been and He has never contradicted Himself. So I will sit back, rest on Him and watch how He can turn ugly to beautiful and grief into Joy.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Top Ten Parenting Tips
Some of these I have learned on my own, some are from the bible, my mom and my mentors.
1. Put your kids to bed! One of the biggest factors in a child's behavior is lack of sleep. Children need 10 - 14 hours of sleep each 24 hour period. Give a child a consistent bedtime and give them enough time to sleep. Give younger kids a nap everyday. I promise, this will help improve their behavior!
2. Never name your child Grace. Not even the middle name! It is a self fulfilling prophecy that means you will need more grace for that child! Don't believe me? ask anyone who has a child named Grace!
3. Let your yes be yes and no be no. If you say it, mean it. If you threaten it, do it. It sounds simple, but I know it's hard. You are a parent now and can't afford to be too tired or too busy to follow through. Just think of it this way, you can either deal with it when they are 2 or 3 or you can deal with it when they are teenagers. I am not saying that if you are consistent when they are young, they will be perfect as teenagers, but if your kids know that you mean what you say, your word will go alot further when they are teenagers.
4. Yes, it is more important to play Barbie, hide and seek or star wars than to have a clean house. Your child and your friends don't care if your house isn't perfect. Your child won't even remember! But they will remember that you built a tent out of sheets in their bedroom or that you use to hide in the closet for hide and seek. I don't think you have to be your child's only playmate, but I do think parents should play, really play with their children everyday.
5. I think it is more important to have family time together than to be in a sport or other activity. If your family doesn't have at least 3 or 4 meals a week together, you or your kids are probably over scheduled.
6. The single most important gift you can give your child is an excellent relationship with Christ. Be a witness for Christ to your children by having a vibrant active relationship with Him!
7. The second most important gift you can give your child is to have an excellent relationship with your child's other parent. If you are married to them, love them with everything in you! Wake up every morning thinking about how you can out serve and show love to your spouse today. If you are not married to your child's other parent, never, never, NEVER speak badly of them! respect them and keep the lines of communication open with them. It is no longer about you, it is about raising your kids.
8. Teach your children how to handle failure, disappointment and injustice by handling it well when it happens to you. Own up to your mistakes. Sometimes, it really is your fault, not the circumstance or someone else's fault.
9. Allow your children's grandparents to spoil them. Everyone should have someone in their life that thinks they can do no wrong. It may take some "detoxing" once the child comes back home after a stay with the grandparents, but I think that is a small price to pay for the benefit of having another group of people that pour love into your child. Take it from someone who grew up without grandparents! It is an amazing gift.
10. PRAY specific, bold extraordinary prayers for your children everyday. God has great plans for them! Put them in His hands everyday.
1. Put your kids to bed! One of the biggest factors in a child's behavior is lack of sleep. Children need 10 - 14 hours of sleep each 24 hour period. Give a child a consistent bedtime and give them enough time to sleep. Give younger kids a nap everyday. I promise, this will help improve their behavior!
2. Never name your child Grace. Not even the middle name! It is a self fulfilling prophecy that means you will need more grace for that child! Don't believe me? ask anyone who has a child named Grace!
3. Let your yes be yes and no be no. If you say it, mean it. If you threaten it, do it. It sounds simple, but I know it's hard. You are a parent now and can't afford to be too tired or too busy to follow through. Just think of it this way, you can either deal with it when they are 2 or 3 or you can deal with it when they are teenagers. I am not saying that if you are consistent when they are young, they will be perfect as teenagers, but if your kids know that you mean what you say, your word will go alot further when they are teenagers.
4. Yes, it is more important to play Barbie, hide and seek or star wars than to have a clean house. Your child and your friends don't care if your house isn't perfect. Your child won't even remember! But they will remember that you built a tent out of sheets in their bedroom or that you use to hide in the closet for hide and seek. I don't think you have to be your child's only playmate, but I do think parents should play, really play with their children everyday.
5. I think it is more important to have family time together than to be in a sport or other activity. If your family doesn't have at least 3 or 4 meals a week together, you or your kids are probably over scheduled.
6. The single most important gift you can give your child is an excellent relationship with Christ. Be a witness for Christ to your children by having a vibrant active relationship with Him!
7. The second most important gift you can give your child is to have an excellent relationship with your child's other parent. If you are married to them, love them with everything in you! Wake up every morning thinking about how you can out serve and show love to your spouse today. If you are not married to your child's other parent, never, never, NEVER speak badly of them! respect them and keep the lines of communication open with them. It is no longer about you, it is about raising your kids.
8. Teach your children how to handle failure, disappointment and injustice by handling it well when it happens to you. Own up to your mistakes. Sometimes, it really is your fault, not the circumstance or someone else's fault.
9. Allow your children's grandparents to spoil them. Everyone should have someone in their life that thinks they can do no wrong. It may take some "detoxing" once the child comes back home after a stay with the grandparents, but I think that is a small price to pay for the benefit of having another group of people that pour love into your child. Take it from someone who grew up without grandparents! It is an amazing gift.
10. PRAY specific, bold extraordinary prayers for your children everyday. God has great plans for them! Put them in His hands everyday.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
How old were the disciples?
This past year in BSF, we studied the book of John. I have never done such an in depth study of this book and I have to say, it has been an amazing life changing experience. (side note: every encounter with God's word should be life changing, shouldn't it?) Anyway, because of this, I have decided to study Acts over the summer. For the past few days I have been thinking about the disciples and the huge responsibility that was placed on them by Jesus and I wondered: how old were they? This is what I have come up with and I WELCOME and encourage those of you with far more theological and historical knowledge to add input.
It looks to me like all of them, but Peter, were between the ages of 16 - 20. I am basing my conclusion on a couple passages of scripture. Exodus 30:11-16 explains the Temple Tax and it says that all men over the age of 20 had to pay half a shekel. In Matthew 17:24-27, we are given the story of when Jesus and Peter pay the Temple Tax with a shekel that was in the mouth of a fish that Peter had caught. All the disciples were with Jesus at this time, so if they all owed the tax, why wouldn't he pay the tax for all of them? This led me to believe that all but Peter are age 20 and under.
The other thing I saw in my research and a sermon that Michael Lukaszewski preached recently, was that all Jewish males went to Hebrew school to study under a rabbi and to learn the scriptures until the age of 12. At that time, only the "cream of the crop" went on to continue studying to eventually become a rabbi and the others went to start a trade. Since the disciples were all in a trade, they would have started it at about the age of 12, so by 16 they would have been completely entrenched in that trade as these guys were.
So what does it matter? Well, it probably doesn't, but I think it's interesting. The fate of the entire church and the spreading of the gospel was put into the hands of a group of teenagers and young adults. Oh, and the Holy Spirit, which is the lesson for me: dependence on the Holy Spirit is the ONLY way to accomplish what God has put me on this earth to do.
Let's face it, I am completely inadequate to do just about everything that God has charged me to do: raise my children, be a good wife, be a good friend, be a witness for God. I am comforted by the fact that the disciples were inadequate too and they were still able to accomplish the task that God had given them, because of the filling of the Holy Spirit. I think for this, their youth may have been an advantage! I remember at that age thinking I could do anything, be anything and that I knew everything. This attitude of invincibility probably helped them to not focus on the magnitude of the task at hand. At the same time, knowing that they were young and small in number, probably helped them to lean harder and become more dependent on the Holy Spirit.
This is my lesson: Yes, I am inadequate, but I am serving and working for a completely adequate God! I must lean hard on the Holy Spirit and never take credit as if I had anything to do with it, besides having the priviledge of witnessing His work first hand as it happens through me.
It looks to me like all of them, but Peter, were between the ages of 16 - 20. I am basing my conclusion on a couple passages of scripture. Exodus 30:11-16 explains the Temple Tax and it says that all men over the age of 20 had to pay half a shekel. In Matthew 17:24-27, we are given the story of when Jesus and Peter pay the Temple Tax with a shekel that was in the mouth of a fish that Peter had caught. All the disciples were with Jesus at this time, so if they all owed the tax, why wouldn't he pay the tax for all of them? This led me to believe that all but Peter are age 20 and under.
The other thing I saw in my research and a sermon that Michael Lukaszewski preached recently, was that all Jewish males went to Hebrew school to study under a rabbi and to learn the scriptures until the age of 12. At that time, only the "cream of the crop" went on to continue studying to eventually become a rabbi and the others went to start a trade. Since the disciples were all in a trade, they would have started it at about the age of 12, so by 16 they would have been completely entrenched in that trade as these guys were.
So what does it matter? Well, it probably doesn't, but I think it's interesting. The fate of the entire church and the spreading of the gospel was put into the hands of a group of teenagers and young adults. Oh, and the Holy Spirit, which is the lesson for me: dependence on the Holy Spirit is the ONLY way to accomplish what God has put me on this earth to do.
Let's face it, I am completely inadequate to do just about everything that God has charged me to do: raise my children, be a good wife, be a good friend, be a witness for God. I am comforted by the fact that the disciples were inadequate too and they were still able to accomplish the task that God had given them, because of the filling of the Holy Spirit. I think for this, their youth may have been an advantage! I remember at that age thinking I could do anything, be anything and that I knew everything. This attitude of invincibility probably helped them to not focus on the magnitude of the task at hand. At the same time, knowing that they were young and small in number, probably helped them to lean harder and become more dependent on the Holy Spirit.
This is my lesson: Yes, I am inadequate, but I am serving and working for a completely adequate God! I must lean hard on the Holy Spirit and never take credit as if I had anything to do with it, besides having the priviledge of witnessing His work first hand as it happens through me.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
IJP4U
IJP4U - I just prayed for you. My mom texts me this often and I cannot tell you how good it makes me feel! It is better than an "I love you" or an "I miss you." It is the ultimate expression of love in my eyes. Think about it. My mom just stopped her day to enter the throne room of the living God and instead of asking for something for herself or for world peace, she asked God to think of me. The very same God that knows the names of all the stars and the number of grains of sand lining the ocean.
I think we as Christians tend to say we will pray for people rather flippantly. How many times have I told someone I would pray for them and never did? How many times have I thought, "I really don't want to get myself involved in that situation so I will just tell them I am praying instead of actually helping." The truth is, truly praying for a situation is the ultimate act of service, IF you actually do the praying. On the flip side of that, saying we will pray for someone and not actually doing it is the ultimate act of betrayal. It's like telling someone who just lost their job that you will hand deliver their resume to the owner of a company that you have an intimate relationship with and then never actually doing it, but saying you did. What kind of friend does that? And yet, I have to admit I am guilty. I have told people I would pray and never done it. I have asked people to pray for me knowing full well they would not do it either.
I found that the answer goes back to that text from my mom. My mom once told me to never tell someone that you are going to pray for them, only tell them after you have done it. This way, you aren't setting yourself up for failure before it even happens and when you do deliver the news, that you have prayed, they don't have to wonder, "Are you really going to pray for me?"
Prayer is the single most important tool we have as Christians. Only God changes hearts, only God controls the consequences of life that is around us and only God is in charge of the universe. Going to Him for help, comfort, provision and support is the most effective thing we can do to help those around us. Thanking Him for caring about us is vital to our own well being.
Don't lie about praying. REALLY PRAY! IJP4U
I think we as Christians tend to say we will pray for people rather flippantly. How many times have I told someone I would pray for them and never did? How many times have I thought, "I really don't want to get myself involved in that situation so I will just tell them I am praying instead of actually helping." The truth is, truly praying for a situation is the ultimate act of service, IF you actually do the praying. On the flip side of that, saying we will pray for someone and not actually doing it is the ultimate act of betrayal. It's like telling someone who just lost their job that you will hand deliver their resume to the owner of a company that you have an intimate relationship with and then never actually doing it, but saying you did. What kind of friend does that? And yet, I have to admit I am guilty. I have told people I would pray and never done it. I have asked people to pray for me knowing full well they would not do it either.
I found that the answer goes back to that text from my mom. My mom once told me to never tell someone that you are going to pray for them, only tell them after you have done it. This way, you aren't setting yourself up for failure before it even happens and when you do deliver the news, that you have prayed, they don't have to wonder, "Are you really going to pray for me?"
Prayer is the single most important tool we have as Christians. Only God changes hearts, only God controls the consequences of life that is around us and only God is in charge of the universe. Going to Him for help, comfort, provision and support is the most effective thing we can do to help those around us. Thanking Him for caring about us is vital to our own well being.
Don't lie about praying. REALLY PRAY! IJP4U
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Christianity should not be safe
There is a local Christian radio station who's tag line is "safe for the whole family." I totally understand what they mean and I love the station, but when I hear that, I automatically think, "my brother wouldn't think so." My brother is not a Christian and so all things Christian or even things about God get him fired up. When my nephew was young, my brother would not let my mom take him to bible study with her because my nephew would then come home and start asking his dad questions that my brother was not ready to answer.
This got me to thinking. Christianity is not safe and quite frankly, it shouldn't be! Jesus was crucified on a cross! Peter was crucified upside down for being a Christian. Stephen was stoned to death, Paul spent most of his life in jails. Ask the Christian in China how safe it is. Jesus himself said that they persecuted me, they will persecute you.
So why is it that we tell people to come to Jesus and your life will be great! That is a lie! What we should be saying is come to Jesus, life will be harder, you will experience pain, hardship, persecution and probably die because of it, but it's so worth it! Because your life will have purpose, meaning and your soul will be filled. You will realize that this life is just a game and the real deal is coming after death.
I feel sorry for people who wear Jesus like a suit. They just put Him on when they need to look good or get out of a particular situation and then put Him back in the closet when they want to do things their own way. I know, I used to be that person. What an empty, sad life! How alone they feel. I pray that every person who lives this way will have something major rock their world so they can come face to face with the true power of Christ and they can learn to live authentically through Him.
I pray that we as Christians will stop lying to people to try and get them "on the side of God" and start telling them the truth so they too can have a real relationship with the one true living God. It is a dangerous life to live, but I for one like danger! Especially when I know we already won.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Immigration
I am not very political but I feel strongly about immigration. It seems that the liberals are up in arms about the new Arizona immigration law and the conservatives are somehow offended that the liberals don't like the law. First, I want to point out that on a scale, I lean more liberal than I do conservative on many things, I am a tree-hugging recycler who thinks we should care about people, all people, so I am not about to bash anyone, liberal or conservative, but I want to say my opinion.
The truth is, it has nothing to do with this law. It is the fact that this law got passed and real reform is at a stand still. As it has been pointed out by many, there is no real need for this law. It is already a Federal crime to be in this country illegally. I mean really, what part of Illegal don't we understand? If Arizona, and all states would simply enforce the laws we have on the books, they would be able to detain and deport who ever they wanted. The problem is, no one wants to pass or enforce a law that punishes the companies that actually employ illegals. We get very self righteous about this topic and say that if someone wants to be in this country they should go through the proper channels, and fundamentally, I agree with that, but our ridiculously screwed up immigration system makes that nearly impossible for the average person. If you are face to face with an actual person who is here illegally and they tell you their story, it will most likely be that they are here to work, to provide food, clothing and shelter for their family and an education for their children. Most people are not here to become drug dealers or to blow anything up, yet we are making them the enemy, when in fact the enemy is already a US citizen. It is the person who employs the people who are here illegally. They employ them for less than minimum wage, don't provide them benefits and don't pay taxes for them. They do it because if the company gets caught, they might get fined, but the fine is far less than what they would have to pay if they had to pay each person what they were worth. How is it that we can say we care about people, and also say it is OK for employers to treat them like, well, slaves?
I have heard the argument that we need these laborers, who else would spend all day picking strawberries, avocados, onions, etc., but if we need then, then lets make the process of getting into this country legally accessible to all people and then let's pay them as if they are a real person, not just a "laborer." Instead, we want them to come here and pick our strawberries for $2 an hour but don't want to provide them with health care, education or basic human rights? How is that respecting human life? How is that treating everyone with dignity? I have heard that if we don't use this cheap labor force then our economy will collapse. All I have to say about this is that is the EXACT same argument that the south used to try and keep slavery alive.
If every person who is here illegally and is working had to go through a process to get documented, and then paid taxes and then every company had to provide at least minimum wage, pay taxes and pay for basic benefits, we would probably solve most our economic woes.
I think the problem is we are trying to correct this problem by punishing the people on the bottom of the problem instead of the top. I understand why, the people on the bottom don't contribute to political campaigns and they don't vote. That, however, doesn't make it right, and it certainly doesn't make the problem go away.
The truth is, it has nothing to do with this law. It is the fact that this law got passed and real reform is at a stand still. As it has been pointed out by many, there is no real need for this law. It is already a Federal crime to be in this country illegally. I mean really, what part of Illegal don't we understand? If Arizona, and all states would simply enforce the laws we have on the books, they would be able to detain and deport who ever they wanted. The problem is, no one wants to pass or enforce a law that punishes the companies that actually employ illegals. We get very self righteous about this topic and say that if someone wants to be in this country they should go through the proper channels, and fundamentally, I agree with that, but our ridiculously screwed up immigration system makes that nearly impossible for the average person. If you are face to face with an actual person who is here illegally and they tell you their story, it will most likely be that they are here to work, to provide food, clothing and shelter for their family and an education for their children. Most people are not here to become drug dealers or to blow anything up, yet we are making them the enemy, when in fact the enemy is already a US citizen. It is the person who employs the people who are here illegally. They employ them for less than minimum wage, don't provide them benefits and don't pay taxes for them. They do it because if the company gets caught, they might get fined, but the fine is far less than what they would have to pay if they had to pay each person what they were worth. How is it that we can say we care about people, and also say it is OK for employers to treat them like, well, slaves?
I have heard the argument that we need these laborers, who else would spend all day picking strawberries, avocados, onions, etc., but if we need then, then lets make the process of getting into this country legally accessible to all people and then let's pay them as if they are a real person, not just a "laborer." Instead, we want them to come here and pick our strawberries for $2 an hour but don't want to provide them with health care, education or basic human rights? How is that respecting human life? How is that treating everyone with dignity? I have heard that if we don't use this cheap labor force then our economy will collapse. All I have to say about this is that is the EXACT same argument that the south used to try and keep slavery alive.
If every person who is here illegally and is working had to go through a process to get documented, and then paid taxes and then every company had to provide at least minimum wage, pay taxes and pay for basic benefits, we would probably solve most our economic woes.
I think the problem is we are trying to correct this problem by punishing the people on the bottom of the problem instead of the top. I understand why, the people on the bottom don't contribute to political campaigns and they don't vote. That, however, doesn't make it right, and it certainly doesn't make the problem go away.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Bake him a cake!
I strive to be a good wife to my husband and a good mother to my children. I have found that for most women, those are our two top goals! So I have decided to start writing the things I have learn about marriage and family in my blog. I hope this can be a blessing to you!
Two of my friends, Naomi and Tina, went to the pool together and were talking. Tina said she had to go home to bake a cake, Naomi asked what was the special occasion. Tina said, "There is no occasion, but my husband has been out of town and comes home today, so I want him to come home to the house smelling good so I am going to bake a cake."
When Naomi was telling me the story, she said she felt bad because she had never baked a cake for her husband when he came home from being out of town. But I told her that I beg to differ! She has "baked a cake" for him plenty of times! When he is out of town, she weeds his garden, keeps his tomato plants in their cages and ensures he comes home to a clean house. For Naomi's husband, that is what speaks love to him. For my hubby, when he comes home to a house that smells like bleach, that speaks love to him. I have another friend who's husband smiles from ear to ear when he comes home to a house that smells like dinner and the kids are playing together because they have all finished their homework.
I think the lesson is, it's not about trying to become someone else and mimicking their actions, but about seeing someones biblical character traits and reflecting that.
So I ask you, how do you bake your husband a cake?
(Thanks for being an inspiration, Tina!)
Two of my friends, Naomi and Tina, went to the pool together and were talking. Tina said she had to go home to bake a cake, Naomi asked what was the special occasion. Tina said, "There is no occasion, but my husband has been out of town and comes home today, so I want him to come home to the house smelling good so I am going to bake a cake."
When Naomi was telling me the story, she said she felt bad because she had never baked a cake for her husband when he came home from being out of town. But I told her that I beg to differ! She has "baked a cake" for him plenty of times! When he is out of town, she weeds his garden, keeps his tomato plants in their cages and ensures he comes home to a clean house. For Naomi's husband, that is what speaks love to him. For my hubby, when he comes home to a house that smells like bleach, that speaks love to him. I have another friend who's husband smiles from ear to ear when he comes home to a house that smells like dinner and the kids are playing together because they have all finished their homework.
I think the lesson is, it's not about trying to become someone else and mimicking their actions, but about seeing someones biblical character traits and reflecting that.
So I ask you, how do you bake your husband a cake?
(Thanks for being an inspiration, Tina!)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
John - 7 Signs
The book of John has 7 miracles, which John call signs. Each miracle highlights a different aspect of Jesus’ character as well as proving that He is in fact the Christ, the True Messiah. I focused on the character traits of Christ and what they meant to me. I hope they will bless you to see Jesus in this way as well.
1. Jesus the Problem Solver – John 2:1 - 11 – Jesus turns water into wine
- He meets us at our shortcomings and completely satisfies the need with excellence.
- The only people who knew what Jesus had done were the servants, the disciples, Mary and the host. Jesus performed this miracle, not to prove his deity to the wedding party, but to the disciples. Sometimes Jesus does big things for just a few people. That is how important we are to Him.
2. Jesus the Healer – John 4:43-54 – Jesus heals the official’s son
- There is no medicine like His Living Water
- He shows he can heal anytime, anywhere. He doesn’t have to be present to heal, and the person receiving the healing doesn’t have to meet a certain criteria. The official and his son were not Jews.
- Jesus says that He knows that people won’t believe unless they see miraculous signs and wonders and so He does just that.
- The official took Jesus at His word and took the two day journey home. He didn't have any proof that Jesus had done anything. He just believed Him. Do I do that?
3. Jesus the Merciful – John 5:1-15 – Jesus Heals at the Pool
- We are not deserving and yet He gives
- Jesus shows mercy to a random person who is so busy complaining about his circumstances, he doesn’t even see that Jesus is there to make him well.
- Jesus abolishes the religious tradition that interferes with the spirit of the law.
- this is also the first time He says plainly that He is the Son of God.
4. Jesus the Provider – John 6:1-15 – Jesus feeds 5,000
- He is able and wants to provide for all our needs in abundance!
- If we will give Him everything, no matter how big or how small, Jesus will use it in a great and mighty way to meet our needs and to do great things!
- Only 2 people had faith that Jesus could solve the problem – The little boy and the disciple Andrew – but Jesus used the faith of those 2 to bless everyone and increase the faith of everyone. I wonder if that little boy knew he would have such a huge impact on eternity when he took that food with him to hear a new teacher speak?
5. Jesus the Deliverer – John 6:16-24 – Jesus walks on water
- He meets us in the middle of the storm.
- The disciples were afraid, but that didn’t stop Jesus from saving them. Once we are in His hands, our fear and even our lack of faith cannot stop Jesus from delivering me from evil.
6. Jesus the Authority – John 9:1-12 – Jesus heals the man born blind
- His words, His rules come before all else.
- Jesus had already proven he could heal people, this time it wasn’t about the healing, but about getting rid of false doctrine and tradition. Jesus once again healed on the Sabbath, and he healed a man that was born blind. It was widely thought that a person born with an illness or disability were that way because of the sins of their parents. Jesus corrects this thought as well.
7. Jesus the Savior – John 11:1-44 – Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
- He brings us from death to life.
- John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
- This shows Jesus’ authority over death and is the end of His public ministry. After this, He is preparing for His own death and resurrection.
We serve an amazing and mighty God. He truly does supply every need. Do I allow Him to do so? Do I really live as if I serve a God with all of these characteristics? There is an amazing Hymn that comes to mind:
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know thus sayeth the Lord."
1. Jesus the Problem Solver – John 2:1 - 11 – Jesus turns water into wine
- He meets us at our shortcomings and completely satisfies the need with excellence.
- The only people who knew what Jesus had done were the servants, the disciples, Mary and the host. Jesus performed this miracle, not to prove his deity to the wedding party, but to the disciples. Sometimes Jesus does big things for just a few people. That is how important we are to Him.
2. Jesus the Healer – John 4:43-54 – Jesus heals the official’s son
- There is no medicine like His Living Water
- He shows he can heal anytime, anywhere. He doesn’t have to be present to heal, and the person receiving the healing doesn’t have to meet a certain criteria. The official and his son were not Jews.
- Jesus says that He knows that people won’t believe unless they see miraculous signs and wonders and so He does just that.
- The official took Jesus at His word and took the two day journey home. He didn't have any proof that Jesus had done anything. He just believed Him. Do I do that?
3. Jesus the Merciful – John 5:1-15 – Jesus Heals at the Pool
- We are not deserving and yet He gives
- Jesus shows mercy to a random person who is so busy complaining about his circumstances, he doesn’t even see that Jesus is there to make him well.
- Jesus abolishes the religious tradition that interferes with the spirit of the law.
- this is also the first time He says plainly that He is the Son of God.
4. Jesus the Provider – John 6:1-15 – Jesus feeds 5,000
- He is able and wants to provide for all our needs in abundance!
- If we will give Him everything, no matter how big or how small, Jesus will use it in a great and mighty way to meet our needs and to do great things!
- Only 2 people had faith that Jesus could solve the problem – The little boy and the disciple Andrew – but Jesus used the faith of those 2 to bless everyone and increase the faith of everyone. I wonder if that little boy knew he would have such a huge impact on eternity when he took that food with him to hear a new teacher speak?
5. Jesus the Deliverer – John 6:16-24 – Jesus walks on water
- He meets us in the middle of the storm.
- The disciples were afraid, but that didn’t stop Jesus from saving them. Once we are in His hands, our fear and even our lack of faith cannot stop Jesus from delivering me from evil.
6. Jesus the Authority – John 9:1-12 – Jesus heals the man born blind
- His words, His rules come before all else.
- Jesus had already proven he could heal people, this time it wasn’t about the healing, but about getting rid of false doctrine and tradition. Jesus once again healed on the Sabbath, and he healed a man that was born blind. It was widely thought that a person born with an illness or disability were that way because of the sins of their parents. Jesus corrects this thought as well.
7. Jesus the Savior – John 11:1-44 – Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
- He brings us from death to life.
- John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
- This shows Jesus’ authority over death and is the end of His public ministry. After this, He is preparing for His own death and resurrection.
We serve an amazing and mighty God. He truly does supply every need. Do I allow Him to do so? Do I really live as if I serve a God with all of these characteristics? There is an amazing Hymn that comes to mind:
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know thus sayeth the Lord."
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