The Process of Prayer
They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.” (Mark 14:32-36, NLT)
Do you ever struggle with prayer? I do. Not so much with whether God will answer, and certainly not with whether He is able to answer. It's more with how to pray in the first place. The Bible talks about bringing all of our requests to God, and yet we are also taught to pray that God's will and not ours be done. How do you do both? I often find myself afraid to pray boldly for anything and instead I just lay the problem before God and ask that His will be done. I don't utter my heart's wishes. The times that I do pour out my heart to God and really commune with Him are such intimate and special moments. But then later I second guess myself and go back to Him to make sure He knows that I want His will to be done.
I read verses in the Bible that talk about moving mountains with our prayer, that talk about praying boldly, and I want that but am not sure how to incorporate that with submitting myself to God's will.
One of my favorite authors is Philip Yancey. I am reading one of his newest books entitled "PRAYER Does It Make Any Difference?" Last night I read a passage that was so enlightening. Let me share it with you:
Jesus prayed "Your will be done" at the end of his struggle with God in Gethsemane, as a resolution to all that had gone before, including a clear request for another way out. I have become convinced that the phrase "Your will be done" belongs at the end of my prayers, not at the beginning. If I begin with that qualifier I am tempted to edit my prayers, to suppress my desires, to resign myself to whatever happens. I thus cut short what God wants from me: that I make known my requests, and in so doing make known my self.
Isn't that an awesome way to look at prayer? I am resolved today to spend some quality time with God making myself known to Him in the midst of seeking His will.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I am happy to report that my son came through surgery successfully and is resting comfortably at home! Thank you for your prayers...
-Becky
Faith Like a Child
People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." (Luke 18:15-17, The Message)
My 5 year old son had surgery today. On the way home I went through the pharmacy drive-thru to pick up his pain medication. I was sure that he would need some as soon as we got home. However, 3 hours later, he has still refused a single dose. I tried explaining to him that it would be better to take some now than to wait until the pain is bad because it will take the medication a while to start working. He simply looked up at us and said, "No thank you. I think that maybe God will do a miracle and just heal my body so I don't need any medicine." And off he went to lay on the couch and watch his movie.
Now that's faith, pure and simple.
-Becky
Faith Like a Child
People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." (Luke 18:15-17, The Message)
My 5 year old son had surgery today. On the way home I went through the pharmacy drive-thru to pick up his pain medication. I was sure that he would need some as soon as we got home. However, 3 hours later, he has still refused a single dose. I tried explaining to him that it would be better to take some now than to wait until the pain is bad because it will take the medication a while to start working. He simply looked up at us and said, "No thank you. I think that maybe God will do a miracle and just heal my body so I don't need any medicine." And off he went to lay on the couch and watch his movie.
Now that's faith, pure and simple.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Hi Girls!
In case you didn't get a chance to check out yesterday's comment by Lee, she has a great site for keeping an online LifeList.
I'd love to hear from more of you about sites you'd like to see us linked to. I will be working on putting some of those up in the next few days.
Before I put up today's post, I do have a prayer request... tomorrow morning my son goes in for surgery. It's considered routine (adenoid removal); however, he's only five and is very scared at the thought of an IV and being put to sleep.
Thanks, Girlfriends!
-Becky
Stir it Up
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it. (1 Peter 3:8,9)
OK, I have something for you to try. Go to your kitchen and get two clear glasses. Fill them both with water, but to one add just a little bit of dirt or pepper... basically a little bit of something that won't dissolve. Now walk away and leave them for a while. When you come back, the glasses of water should look identical. If you look at them from eye level, you won't be able to tell which one has the dirt. Now go get two spoons, one for each glass. Insert the spoons and stir vigorously. Voila! One will remain clear and the other will become very dirty and gross. Suddenly they no longer look identical.
We all have "spoons" in our lives... they're the people who have the ability to "stir us up". It could be your kids, your spouse, your co-worker, your boss, the checker at the store, a customer service rep, a family member, a church member, a slow driver... well, you get the idea. And let's face it, we don't just encounter "spoons"; sometimes we encounter whisks or beaters or Cuisinarts. When those people do things to stir us up, what is it that comes out of us? Do we respond with blessings, or does the crud that's been hiding in our hearts become evident? When we are stirred up, what is truly in our hearts will show itself.
This is something I need to work on. It's easy to go along thinking that I'm pretty holy and that my character is upright. And then someone stirs me up and I see the things in my heart that I need to allow God to remove and refine. It's not always very pretty.
It's hard to respond to insults and injustices with blessing. But that is what God has called us to do...
In case you didn't get a chance to check out yesterday's comment by Lee, she has a great site for keeping an online LifeList.
I'd love to hear from more of you about sites you'd like to see us linked to. I will be working on putting some of those up in the next few days.
Before I put up today's post, I do have a prayer request... tomorrow morning my son goes in for surgery. It's considered routine (adenoid removal); however, he's only five and is very scared at the thought of an IV and being put to sleep.
Thanks, Girlfriends!
-Becky
Stir it Up
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it. (1 Peter 3:8,9)
OK, I have something for you to try. Go to your kitchen and get two clear glasses. Fill them both with water, but to one add just a little bit of dirt or pepper... basically a little bit of something that won't dissolve. Now walk away and leave them for a while. When you come back, the glasses of water should look identical. If you look at them from eye level, you won't be able to tell which one has the dirt. Now go get two spoons, one for each glass. Insert the spoons and stir vigorously. Voila! One will remain clear and the other will become very dirty and gross. Suddenly they no longer look identical.
We all have "spoons" in our lives... they're the people who have the ability to "stir us up". It could be your kids, your spouse, your co-worker, your boss, the checker at the store, a customer service rep, a family member, a church member, a slow driver... well, you get the idea. And let's face it, we don't just encounter "spoons"; sometimes we encounter whisks or beaters or Cuisinarts. When those people do things to stir us up, what is it that comes out of us? Do we respond with blessings, or does the crud that's been hiding in our hearts become evident? When we are stirred up, what is truly in our hearts will show itself.
This is something I need to work on. It's easy to go along thinking that I'm pretty holy and that my character is upright. And then someone stirs me up and I see the things in my heart that I need to allow God to remove and refine. It's not always very pretty.
It's hard to respond to insults and injustices with blessing. But that is what God has called us to do...
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
I can't believe it's almost the end of January!! I have decided on two goals for the month of February. The first is to have my posts up early each morning. No more getting them up so late in the day. The second is to start a list of links to helpful and fun Christian sites for women. If you have any that you would like to see added, please let me know!
Oh, and I just thought of a third goal. I would also like to post a list of books that are great resources for us as women in our Christian walks and in our relationships with each other. I would love to have you help me by recommending books that have been helpful to you.
Thanks so much for continuing to visit my site!
-Becky
Eulogies
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Timothy 4:6, 7, NLT)
Two Sundays ago one of the pastors at our church was preaching on... okay, this is embarrassing; I have no idea what he was preaching on. Does that ever happen to you?? Although I couldn't tell you his topic to save my life, I do remember one thing he said that has stuck with me the past eight days. He said that he had done an exercise that had altered his way of thinking. No, not handweights or sit-ups or running or any of the machines at the gym. What he had done was to sit down and write out his eulogy. He wrote it in the third person as though he had died at the age of 94 and his family and friends were looking back on his life and his accomplishments.
For some of you, that may sound a little morbid. But really it's not. Life is short; shorter for some than for others. And truthfully, none of us have any idea what kind of lifespan God has granted us. Our days are numbered and only He knows the number.
This morning I visited a Christian website I now go to daily and the writer was talking about a fatal accident that occurred right at the end of her driveway yesterday. A woman fell asleep at the wheel and hit a cyclist before hitting their mailbox. The driver was severely injured; the 30 yr. old cyclist was killed, leaving behind a wife and two children. He had no idea when he left the house yesterday morning that it was the final day of his life. Life is short...
Our pastor's eulogy-writing exercise was similar to something I did this past New Year's Eve. I sat and wrote out my Life List, my goals I want to accomplish before I die. The difference between my LifeList and the eulogy is that my Life List didn't include what I hoped to accomplish as a daughter of God, as a mother, as a friend, as a sister.....
Life is short. We need to live our lives on purpose and with purpose. What kind of wife and mother and friend and sister and employee and neighbor and Christian do you want to be? What dreams has God placed in your heart? What passions has He given you? What talents? When your life is over, when God calls you home, who will people say that you were? What will you have accomplished? What legacy will you have left behind?
Why don't you grab a cup of coffee and let's sit down and write our eulogies. Let's fight the good fight and be able to finish our race knowing that we were faithful.
Oh, and I just thought of a third goal. I would also like to post a list of books that are great resources for us as women in our Christian walks and in our relationships with each other. I would love to have you help me by recommending books that have been helpful to you.
Thanks so much for continuing to visit my site!
-Becky
Eulogies
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Timothy 4:6, 7, NLT)
Two Sundays ago one of the pastors at our church was preaching on... okay, this is embarrassing; I have no idea what he was preaching on. Does that ever happen to you?? Although I couldn't tell you his topic to save my life, I do remember one thing he said that has stuck with me the past eight days. He said that he had done an exercise that had altered his way of thinking. No, not handweights or sit-ups or running or any of the machines at the gym. What he had done was to sit down and write out his eulogy. He wrote it in the third person as though he had died at the age of 94 and his family and friends were looking back on his life and his accomplishments.
For some of you, that may sound a little morbid. But really it's not. Life is short; shorter for some than for others. And truthfully, none of us have any idea what kind of lifespan God has granted us. Our days are numbered and only He knows the number.
This morning I visited a Christian website I now go to daily and the writer was talking about a fatal accident that occurred right at the end of her driveway yesterday. A woman fell asleep at the wheel and hit a cyclist before hitting their mailbox. The driver was severely injured; the 30 yr. old cyclist was killed, leaving behind a wife and two children. He had no idea when he left the house yesterday morning that it was the final day of his life. Life is short...
Our pastor's eulogy-writing exercise was similar to something I did this past New Year's Eve. I sat and wrote out my Life List, my goals I want to accomplish before I die. The difference between my LifeList and the eulogy is that my Life List didn't include what I hoped to accomplish as a daughter of God, as a mother, as a friend, as a sister.....
Life is short. We need to live our lives on purpose and with purpose. What kind of wife and mother and friend and sister and employee and neighbor and Christian do you want to be? What dreams has God placed in your heart? What passions has He given you? What talents? When your life is over, when God calls you home, who will people say that you were? What will you have accomplished? What legacy will you have left behind?
Why don't you grab a cup of coffee and let's sit down and write our eulogies. Let's fight the good fight and be able to finish our race knowing that we were faithful.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17b - 19)
Do you ever just stop and think about God's love? Not only His love for this world and for His children, but about His love specifically for you. I was considering that yesterday as I was driving in the car. I was thinking about some things coming up that are causing me anxiety and made a mental note that I needed to take some time in prayer to remind God of how I was feeling and of what outcome it was I desired. Instantly God Himself put His own reminder in my mind... a reminder of how much He loves me.
I have a special friend in my life who remembers everything I say. I never have to repeat anything, and his love is evident in the ways that he shows -- often days or weeks later -- that he has been listening. Why in the world do I live as though God -- God -- is less attentive or loving than my friend? On the contrary, my God is so much more than any human being! When He says to "pray without ceasing" it is because it is my communion with Him and because He wants me to be able to share everything with Him, not because He wasn't listening the first time around.
He listens to every word I say, and to the silent utterances of my heart.
He cares, more than I can ever comprehend.
He loves me with a love that surpasses knowledge.
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so...
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17b - 19)
Do you ever just stop and think about God's love? Not only His love for this world and for His children, but about His love specifically for you. I was considering that yesterday as I was driving in the car. I was thinking about some things coming up that are causing me anxiety and made a mental note that I needed to take some time in prayer to remind God of how I was feeling and of what outcome it was I desired. Instantly God Himself put His own reminder in my mind... a reminder of how much He loves me.
I have a special friend in my life who remembers everything I say. I never have to repeat anything, and his love is evident in the ways that he shows -- often days or weeks later -- that he has been listening. Why in the world do I live as though God -- God -- is less attentive or loving than my friend? On the contrary, my God is so much more than any human being! When He says to "pray without ceasing" it is because it is my communion with Him and because He wants me to be able to share everything with Him, not because He wasn't listening the first time around.
He listens to every word I say, and to the silent utterances of my heart.
He cares, more than I can ever comprehend.
He loves me with a love that surpasses knowledge.
Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Psalm 23 (The Message)
God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
You find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, You let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I'm not afraid when You walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Heavenly Compassion
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31, 32, NIV)
Jesus and His disciples are sitting around the table together. They have just shared the Passover Feast and, unbeknownst to anyone but Christ, this is the eve of the Crucifixion. Jesus' heart, I'm sure, was feeling very heavy. As if that weren't enough, He has just had to referee (and not for the first time!) an argument between the men as to who was the greatest.
Jesus explains to them that they must become as servants. And then He gives them the promise and the dream of sitting on thrones in Heaven because they have stood by Him. He then turns to Peter and utters these words of prophecy about Peter's denial of Him, only a few hours away.
When we read the words, "Simon, Simon", it's easy to picture Jesus using a tone of either annoyance or frustration or disappointment as He speaks to Peter. However, the opposite is true. In the culture of that day, when a name was spoken twice in a row it showed a sense of empathy, compassion, and concern on the part of the person speaking. Even though Jesus knew that Peter was about to deny Him (not once, but three times!), He wasn't condemning Peter when He spoke these words to him. In the face of abandonment, Jesus was still able to convey a heart of love and care because He knew Peter's humanness, He knew his weaknesses and fears, and He knew his heart. In essence He was telling Peter, "I know you're going to get scared and abandon Me. I know you're going to screw up. But I've already prayed for you. I know you will turn back to Me, and when you do I want you to get right back on the job and strengthen your brothers!"
How amazing is that?!
We all have times that we fail in our walk with God. And He knows that. But rather than standing ready to condemn us, He has instead given us the Holy Spirit Who is interceding our behalf. And His message to us is the same as His message to Peter.... when we turn back around and get back in the saddle, we need to get back to work and strengthen our sisters in Christ.
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31, 32, NIV)
Jesus and His disciples are sitting around the table together. They have just shared the Passover Feast and, unbeknownst to anyone but Christ, this is the eve of the Crucifixion. Jesus' heart, I'm sure, was feeling very heavy. As if that weren't enough, He has just had to referee (and not for the first time!) an argument between the men as to who was the greatest.
Jesus explains to them that they must become as servants. And then He gives them the promise and the dream of sitting on thrones in Heaven because they have stood by Him. He then turns to Peter and utters these words of prophecy about Peter's denial of Him, only a few hours away.
When we read the words, "Simon, Simon", it's easy to picture Jesus using a tone of either annoyance or frustration or disappointment as He speaks to Peter. However, the opposite is true. In the culture of that day, when a name was spoken twice in a row it showed a sense of empathy, compassion, and concern on the part of the person speaking. Even though Jesus knew that Peter was about to deny Him (not once, but three times!), He wasn't condemning Peter when He spoke these words to him. In the face of abandonment, Jesus was still able to convey a heart of love and care because He knew Peter's humanness, He knew his weaknesses and fears, and He knew his heart. In essence He was telling Peter, "I know you're going to get scared and abandon Me. I know you're going to screw up. But I've already prayed for you. I know you will turn back to Me, and when you do I want you to get right back on the job and strengthen your brothers!"
How amazing is that?!
We all have times that we fail in our walk with God. And He knows that. But rather than standing ready to condemn us, He has instead given us the Holy Spirit Who is interceding our behalf. And His message to us is the same as His message to Peter.... when we turn back around and get back in the saddle, we need to get back to work and strengthen our sisters in Christ.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I'm back!! I want to apologize for yesterday. I'm not sure what was going on with Blogspot, but each time I tried to post the devotional something was going wrong.... no font or color choices, the post showing up in pure HTML form, etc., etc. I'm not computer savvy enough to know what was going on with the site. All I know is that today we are back in business.
I hope that your week is going well so far. Here in Oregon the sun is shining (although it's cold!) and it is beautiful outside. That in and of itself lifts my spirits and energizes my body!
Today is good!
-Becky
Trust and Obey
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:3,4, NLT)
I have been searching for a job, for some kind of income, for several months. I have pursued different kinds of jobs, and have also been building up a Wedding & Event Planning business. I have dreams and plans and my "perfect vision" of exactly which jobs I would be happiest doing as I support my little family. At the same time, out of pure necessity and desperation, I have also been following up on jobs for which I am qualified but do not want to do. I have been doing this out of simple obedience to God, all the while praying and begging that none of those jobs will come to fruition. I'm willing to walk through whichever doors God opens, but inside I am pleading with God to keep those doors slammed shut and double-bolted.
It just so happens that I interviewed for one of those "less-than-desirable" social work jobs last week. It was a group interview and I have to admit that I was more than a little relieved to see that there were 25-30 very qualified people interviewing for that same lone position. I was sure that one of them would get the job and I would have nothing to worry about. I could have peace of mind knowing that I did my part to interview and that God did His part to keep the door closed.
I was caught off guard when the phone rang the next day and I was told that I was one of the finalists. I have my second interview this Friday. I have been filled with anxiety, scared that God will indeed open this door and have me walk through it, that I will be stuck in a job that I hate.
And then I was reminded of two things. God used one person to remind me that God is still in control, that I need to continue to obey and to trust that He knows exactly what He is doing. He will use everything to mold my character. And God used a second person to remind me that it is not all about me. If I am offered the job and God does ask me to walk through this door, perhaps it is not as much for my sake as it is for someone else's. Perhaps there is someone I will meet in my job who will need to see Jesus in me. Perhaps God will place me in a position simply because that is where He most needs to use me at that time.
I have no idea whether this door will open or close. It is still not my first choice (or even my second, third, or hundred and third choice); however, I now realize that my only job is to trust and obey. I need to be open to be used by God in whatever way He sees fit. He's not out to harm me, He's out to bless me.
So when you are tempted to worry and you feel anxiety coming on, remember the old hymn: "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey."
I hope that your week is going well so far. Here in Oregon the sun is shining (although it's cold!) and it is beautiful outside. That in and of itself lifts my spirits and energizes my body!
Today is good!
-Becky
Trust and Obey
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:3,4, NLT)
I have been searching for a job, for some kind of income, for several months. I have pursued different kinds of jobs, and have also been building up a Wedding & Event Planning business. I have dreams and plans and my "perfect vision" of exactly which jobs I would be happiest doing as I support my little family. At the same time, out of pure necessity and desperation, I have also been following up on jobs for which I am qualified but do not want to do. I have been doing this out of simple obedience to God, all the while praying and begging that none of those jobs will come to fruition. I'm willing to walk through whichever doors God opens, but inside I am pleading with God to keep those doors slammed shut and double-bolted.
It just so happens that I interviewed for one of those "less-than-desirable" social work jobs last week. It was a group interview and I have to admit that I was more than a little relieved to see that there were 25-30 very qualified people interviewing for that same lone position. I was sure that one of them would get the job and I would have nothing to worry about. I could have peace of mind knowing that I did my part to interview and that God did His part to keep the door closed.
I was caught off guard when the phone rang the next day and I was told that I was one of the finalists. I have my second interview this Friday. I have been filled with anxiety, scared that God will indeed open this door and have me walk through it, that I will be stuck in a job that I hate.
And then I was reminded of two things. God used one person to remind me that God is still in control, that I need to continue to obey and to trust that He knows exactly what He is doing. He will use everything to mold my character. And God used a second person to remind me that it is not all about me. If I am offered the job and God does ask me to walk through this door, perhaps it is not as much for my sake as it is for someone else's. Perhaps there is someone I will meet in my job who will need to see Jesus in me. Perhaps God will place me in a position simply because that is where He most needs to use me at that time.
I have no idea whether this door will open or close. It is still not my first choice (or even my second, third, or hundred and third choice); however, I now realize that my only job is to trust and obey. I need to be open to be used by God in whatever way He sees fit. He's not out to harm me, He's out to bless me.
So when you are tempted to worry and you feel anxiety coming on, remember the old hymn: "Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey."
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
I am hopeful that the issues with Blogspot all day have now been resolved. I'm ready to try to post Monday's devotional and pray that it appears as written!
-Becky
Enjoy Today
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, NLT)
My oldest son spent the last 3 years of his life longing to be five. He talked about it all the time. Five was some kind of magical age in his mind and he just couldn't wait to get there. I tried to tell him that he needed to enjoy his current age of 3 or 4 because he would never be that age again. It never seemed to sink in though. He wanted to be five. End of story.
Last week he finally reached his goal. And you know what happened? Two days after his birthday he was already using the phrase, "... since I'm almost six." WHAT??!! I couldn't believe that after achieving his elusive goal, he found himself so quickly dissatisfied and already looking ahead to his next birthday.
From my perspective his dissatisfaction has no basis. However, from his limited perspective he thinks that there is always something better up ahead. While it's true that life holds many blessings and surprises, he is robbing himself of the enjoyment of life as it is now.
We do the same thing. At least I do. Sometimes I find myself thinking the "if only" thoughts... if only I had a certain job, if only I had more money, if only my sisters lived closer, if only I wasn't so overwhelmed, if only I had more time to sleep, if only, if only, if only...
But today is the day God made for me to enjoy. Today, no matter what it brings, is the day I need to rejoice and honor God. Today is the day I need to thank God for. Today.
It is not dependent on my circumstances. Get out your Bible and read all of Psalm 118. You will see that it is not a psalm of pure praise and worship. On the contrary, it is David rejoicing in the midst of both good and bad. It is life.
Today is the day God made for you. What will you do with your today?
-Becky
Enjoy Today
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, NLT)
My oldest son spent the last 3 years of his life longing to be five. He talked about it all the time. Five was some kind of magical age in his mind and he just couldn't wait to get there. I tried to tell him that he needed to enjoy his current age of 3 or 4 because he would never be that age again. It never seemed to sink in though. He wanted to be five. End of story.
Last week he finally reached his goal. And you know what happened? Two days after his birthday he was already using the phrase, "... since I'm almost six." WHAT??!! I couldn't believe that after achieving his elusive goal, he found himself so quickly dissatisfied and already looking ahead to his next birthday.
From my perspective his dissatisfaction has no basis. However, from his limited perspective he thinks that there is always something better up ahead. While it's true that life holds many blessings and surprises, he is robbing himself of the enjoyment of life as it is now.
We do the same thing. At least I do. Sometimes I find myself thinking the "if only" thoughts... if only I had a certain job, if only I had more money, if only my sisters lived closer, if only I wasn't so overwhelmed, if only I had more time to sleep, if only, if only, if only...
But today is the day God made for me to enjoy. Today, no matter what it brings, is the day I need to rejoice and honor God. Today is the day I need to thank God for. Today.
It is not dependent on my circumstances. Get out your Bible and read all of Psalm 118. You will see that it is not a psalm of pure praise and worship. On the contrary, it is David rejoicing in the midst of both good and bad. It is life.
Today is the day God made for you. What will you do with your today?
Friday, January 18, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Daisies in the Valley
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, NIV)
About a year or so ago the small group (Bible study group) I was in was talking about going through hard times. One of the comments everyone agreed with was that sometimes you just need to see a little ray of hope to keep going. When there is something tangible, even the tiniest of things can become such a great source of hope and encouragement. My friend, who ironically has the exact same name as me, said that whenever life seems to be pressing in on her and she finds herself getting discouraged, she asks God to give her one little "daisy in the valley"... something that shows her that He is there, that He cares for her, that He's got it all under control, that she is loved. She said that He has never failed to answer her prayer.
I liked what she said and have found myself using that from time to time when I am feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. God our Father encourages us as His children to approach His throne with confidence. He loves us and it gives Him great pleasure to show us His love. Every good and perfect gift is from Him! Sometimes my "daisies" are small ... like an unexpected phone call, or a rebate in the mail, or someone calling out of the blue to watch my kids so that I can have a little alone-time. Sometimes my daisies come in big bouquets... like when an anonymous person gave me the exact amount of money I needed for my business laptop (and they had no way of knowing that!).
God must have a huge smile on His face each time He sends a "daisy" our way.
I know there are times that He wants to use us to send a daisy to someone else.
I don't know where you are emotionally and spiritually today. Perhaps today is a day that you are really in need of a daisy in the valley. Spend time with God and open your heart to Him. Then watch Him answer. The "daisy" will always be unexpected, but it will come because He longs to give us hope.
Or perhaps today life is good for you and you can look for ways to give a "daisy" to someone else. It doesn't have to be big to be meaningful and to put hope in someone's day. It could be a random act of kindness.... pay for the bill of the person behind you in the drive-thru, put your neighbor's trash cans out on the street for pick-up day, help a mother with small children get her groceries out to the car. Or it could be something more personal for someone you know... take a meal to someone who's sick, send a card or an email, make a call, surprise your stressed-out friend with a latte.
Our Father loves to give gifts to His children. We, His daughters, are made in His image. Let's be gift-givers too!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, NIV)
About a year or so ago the small group (Bible study group) I was in was talking about going through hard times. One of the comments everyone agreed with was that sometimes you just need to see a little ray of hope to keep going. When there is something tangible, even the tiniest of things can become such a great source of hope and encouragement. My friend, who ironically has the exact same name as me, said that whenever life seems to be pressing in on her and she finds herself getting discouraged, she asks God to give her one little "daisy in the valley"... something that shows her that He is there, that He cares for her, that He's got it all under control, that she is loved. She said that He has never failed to answer her prayer.
I liked what she said and have found myself using that from time to time when I am feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. God our Father encourages us as His children to approach His throne with confidence. He loves us and it gives Him great pleasure to show us His love. Every good and perfect gift is from Him! Sometimes my "daisies" are small ... like an unexpected phone call, or a rebate in the mail, or someone calling out of the blue to watch my kids so that I can have a little alone-time. Sometimes my daisies come in big bouquets... like when an anonymous person gave me the exact amount of money I needed for my business laptop (and they had no way of knowing that!).
God must have a huge smile on His face each time He sends a "daisy" our way.
I know there are times that He wants to use us to send a daisy to someone else.
I don't know where you are emotionally and spiritually today. Perhaps today is a day that you are really in need of a daisy in the valley. Spend time with God and open your heart to Him. Then watch Him answer. The "daisy" will always be unexpected, but it will come because He longs to give us hope.
Or perhaps today life is good for you and you can look for ways to give a "daisy" to someone else. It doesn't have to be big to be meaningful and to put hope in someone's day. It could be a random act of kindness.... pay for the bill of the person behind you in the drive-thru, put your neighbor's trash cans out on the street for pick-up day, help a mother with small children get her groceries out to the car. Or it could be something more personal for someone you know... take a meal to someone who's sick, send a card or an email, make a call, surprise your stressed-out friend with a latte.
Our Father loves to give gifts to His children. We, His daughters, are made in His image. Let's be gift-givers too!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Firefighter
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:5, 6, NIV)
You have to admit that James uses some pretty harsh words to describe the tongue. We don’t normally go around thinking of the source of our speech as being lit on fire by hell. We like to think that we are fairly in control of our tongue. And yes, the Bible is clear that as we grow in our relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit will help us to control our speech. We are constantly growing and learning and maturing as we travel on this walk in our relationship with God.
However, it is just as true that we are and will remain very imperfect beings while here on earth. For that reason, I believe we are called as Christians to be fire-fighters when it comes to our tongue. I know that sounds a little strange, but step back and think for a moment about the last careless word that came out of your mouth. What kind of destruction ensued? Or what about the last argument you were in? What small thing was said by another person that just set your insides ablaze?
I believe that there are times when our tongue may cause an accidental or unintentional “fire”, times that we speak without thinking and unintentionally cause pain to a friend or loved one. Think of it as the fire that is lit when you carelessly set a candle too close to a curtain. Just that one thoughtless, even accidental, act can very quickly start a blaze.
There are other times when we find ourselves speaking negatively about someone (all under the guise of a “prayer request”, of course) and we find that fire spreading quickly and out of control.
Other times we are even guilty of causing our own personal “9/11”’s. In those instances, the damage from our tongue is swift, purposeful and hard-hitting. It devastates many lives, often including our own.
Regardless of the scenario or circumstances, the call is the same. We must act quickly to put out the fire to keep it from causing major destruction. We cannot minimize or ignore our actions or the consequences that ensue, hoping that they will just go away. We are called to be salt and light, not fire and destruction.
Let's memorize three verses that will help us to direct our thoughts and our speech toward the things that are right and good and then spend a week meditating on these verses.
Who wants to throw out some verses?....
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (James 3:5, 6, NIV)
You have to admit that James uses some pretty harsh words to describe the tongue. We don’t normally go around thinking of the source of our speech as being lit on fire by hell. We like to think that we are fairly in control of our tongue. And yes, the Bible is clear that as we grow in our relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit will help us to control our speech. We are constantly growing and learning and maturing as we travel on this walk in our relationship with God.
However, it is just as true that we are and will remain very imperfect beings while here on earth. For that reason, I believe we are called as Christians to be fire-fighters when it comes to our tongue. I know that sounds a little strange, but step back and think for a moment about the last careless word that came out of your mouth. What kind of destruction ensued? Or what about the last argument you were in? What small thing was said by another person that just set your insides ablaze?
I believe that there are times when our tongue may cause an accidental or unintentional “fire”, times that we speak without thinking and unintentionally cause pain to a friend or loved one. Think of it as the fire that is lit when you carelessly set a candle too close to a curtain. Just that one thoughtless, even accidental, act can very quickly start a blaze.
There are other times when we find ourselves speaking negatively about someone (all under the guise of a “prayer request”, of course) and we find that fire spreading quickly and out of control.
Other times we are even guilty of causing our own personal “9/11”’s. In those instances, the damage from our tongue is swift, purposeful and hard-hitting. It devastates many lives, often including our own.
Regardless of the scenario or circumstances, the call is the same. We must act quickly to put out the fire to keep it from causing major destruction. We cannot minimize or ignore our actions or the consequences that ensue, hoping that they will just go away. We are called to be salt and light, not fire and destruction.
Let's memorize three verses that will help us to direct our thoughts and our speech toward the things that are right and good and then spend a week meditating on these verses.
Who wants to throw out some verses?....
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Well, Girlfriends, today's devotional is going to be something between you and God. I have two job interviews that will keep me away most of the day. For that reason, I am going to leave you with a Scripture passage for you to meditate on and carry with you. I hope you will use it to spend some quality time with God today. I know He would love that. You're His daughter and He cherishes you.
-Becky
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
-Becky
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
So don’t worry about these things, saying, "What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?" These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Good Morning! I am so sorry these posts have been getting up late. Life around the Simpson household can get kind of crazy. This week has been even crazier than normal. But it has been punctuated by God's surprise blessings as well. Something I need to go write down!
I hope that if your week is crazy or stressful or scary.... or if it's sweet and joyous and happy... that you always remember how much God loves you!
-Becky
God's Amazing Love
Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matt. 10:29-31, NLT)
We have a friend of the family named Don who was adopted into our family a little over 23 years ago. The story of when we found him is pretty incredible because it is such an amazing display of God's love.
It was November of 1984 and our family was living on Maui where my dad was pastoring a very small church. One evening he received a phone call from another pastor in Washington. This pastor had received a very long suicide letter from Don. Don had lived in Washington his whole life and had attended this pastor's church. But after losing everything he owned, Don had recently flown to Maui where he planned to end his life. In fact, only 3 days remained before Don's money ran out and he would carry out his plan of suicide. The Washington pastor asked my dad if he could please try to find Don before that happened.
Because of other obligations, my dad had only one shot at finding Don in time. The next day, Friday, around lunchtime he drove to Kihei on the other side of the island. The only information he possessed was the name of the condos where Don was likely staying, and a physical description of Don. He and several others were in prayer as he ventured into what seemed like an impossible mission.
He found the condo office rather easily and went inside to inquire about which unit Don was renting. The receptionist was very nice, but she stated that Don was often on the beach and was rarely in his quarters. My dad got back in the car and said a prayer before driving the short distance to where Don's unit was located.
My dad had no way of knowing that while he had been making the drive to Kihei, Don had indeed been on the beach taking a walk. He was contemplating his life and his plan to commit suicide. In just two days he intended to take a bottle of pills, lie down on the beach, and wait for the waves to carry his body out to sea. As he walked along the water’s edge, he turned to look at the long, green slopes of Haleakala. He didn’t notice the incoming wave. It struck him from behind, forcing him off balance and causing his glasses to fly off his face. He was blind as a bat without them. He looked but couldn’t see them anywhere. In anger he raised his fists to the sky and challenged, “Okay, God, if there really is a God, if you really do exist, then prove it and help me find my glasses.” He looked down just as the water receded and there were the glasses right at his feet.
Don was dumbfounded. He picked up the glasses, put them back on his face and made his way back to the second floor condo. He didn’t know what to do or where to go from there. He was going to be completely out of money on Sunday. He owned nothing and knew no one on the island. So if there really was a God, what now? He knelt down by the bed and began to pray. “God, I have no one. I have nothing. I’m at the end of my rope. If You really want me to live, You need to send someone to help me.” Having said that, he got up and walked out onto the lanai overlooking the parking lot.
At that exact same moment my dad was getting out of his car. He looked up in time to see a short, skinny man in his 50's walk out right above him. This man fit Don's description, right down to the color of clothes he was wearing.
“Don Larsen?” my dad called. Don could not have been more shocked as he looked down to see who was calling his name. He was very tearful and emotional when my dad told him who he was and why he was there. As he told my dad about the prayer he had prayed by the bed, they were both in awe, realizing that God’s timing had been perfect.
My dad brought Don home with him and Don lived with us for several months, becoming part of our family. Next month Don will turn 79 and he is again living with my parents for a while. God saw Don all those years agao and He had a plan to save his life, both physically and spiritually. Even today I never cease to be amazed at the lengths to which God went to show His love. He could have chosen to save Don’s life in so many different ways, but none would have said “I love you” quite like this one.
God loves you the same way. Look for it...
I hope that if your week is crazy or stressful or scary.... or if it's sweet and joyous and happy... that you always remember how much God loves you!
-Becky
God's Amazing Love
Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matt. 10:29-31, NLT)
We have a friend of the family named Don who was adopted into our family a little over 23 years ago. The story of when we found him is pretty incredible because it is such an amazing display of God's love.
It was November of 1984 and our family was living on Maui where my dad was pastoring a very small church. One evening he received a phone call from another pastor in Washington. This pastor had received a very long suicide letter from Don. Don had lived in Washington his whole life and had attended this pastor's church. But after losing everything he owned, Don had recently flown to Maui where he planned to end his life. In fact, only 3 days remained before Don's money ran out and he would carry out his plan of suicide. The Washington pastor asked my dad if he could please try to find Don before that happened.
Because of other obligations, my dad had only one shot at finding Don in time. The next day, Friday, around lunchtime he drove to Kihei on the other side of the island. The only information he possessed was the name of the condos where Don was likely staying, and a physical description of Don. He and several others were in prayer as he ventured into what seemed like an impossible mission.
He found the condo office rather easily and went inside to inquire about which unit Don was renting. The receptionist was very nice, but she stated that Don was often on the beach and was rarely in his quarters. My dad got back in the car and said a prayer before driving the short distance to where Don's unit was located.
My dad had no way of knowing that while he had been making the drive to Kihei, Don had indeed been on the beach taking a walk. He was contemplating his life and his plan to commit suicide. In just two days he intended to take a bottle of pills, lie down on the beach, and wait for the waves to carry his body out to sea. As he walked along the water’s edge, he turned to look at the long, green slopes of Haleakala. He didn’t notice the incoming wave. It struck him from behind, forcing him off balance and causing his glasses to fly off his face. He was blind as a bat without them. He looked but couldn’t see them anywhere. In anger he raised his fists to the sky and challenged, “Okay, God, if there really is a God, if you really do exist, then prove it and help me find my glasses.” He looked down just as the water receded and there were the glasses right at his feet.
Don was dumbfounded. He picked up the glasses, put them back on his face and made his way back to the second floor condo. He didn’t know what to do or where to go from there. He was going to be completely out of money on Sunday. He owned nothing and knew no one on the island. So if there really was a God, what now? He knelt down by the bed and began to pray. “God, I have no one. I have nothing. I’m at the end of my rope. If You really want me to live, You need to send someone to help me.” Having said that, he got up and walked out onto the lanai overlooking the parking lot.
At that exact same moment my dad was getting out of his car. He looked up in time to see a short, skinny man in his 50's walk out right above him. This man fit Don's description, right down to the color of clothes he was wearing.
“Don Larsen?” my dad called. Don could not have been more shocked as he looked down to see who was calling his name. He was very tearful and emotional when my dad told him who he was and why he was there. As he told my dad about the prayer he had prayed by the bed, they were both in awe, realizing that God’s timing had been perfect.
My dad brought Don home with him and Don lived with us for several months, becoming part of our family. Next month Don will turn 79 and he is again living with my parents for a while. God saw Don all those years agao and He had a plan to save his life, both physically and spiritually. Even today I never cease to be amazed at the lengths to which God went to show His love. He could have chosen to save Don’s life in so many different ways, but none would have said “I love you” quite like this one.
God loves you the same way. Look for it...
Monday, January 14, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Remember
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. (Psalm 103:2, NLT)
The Bible is full of admonitions to remember the blessings of the Lord. We are to praise Him for His blessings and we are to never forget what He has done for us. We are to tell them to our children and to our families, to our friends and to our neighbors. We are to shout them from the rooftops!
This seemed to be somewhat of a problem for the Israelites of the Old Testament who couldn’t seem to remember from one miracle to the next that God was powerful enough and loving enough to provide for all of their needs… even the seemingly impossible ones. God did absolutely amazing things on their behalf, but they quickly found their faith faltering when the next challenge presented itself.
We are very quick to point fingers at the Israelites and berate them for their lack of trust. However, we are really no different, are we? I think that’s exactly why God instructs us to never forget what He has done for us. He knows that life has a way of putting us on an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows. He knows that our memories are often short-lived. He also knows that our faith will grow by leaps and bounds if we are able to look back at every instance in our lives where the Hand of God has intervened.
One of the benefits of the Bible is that it is a compilation of God’s Hand at work in the lives of His children. It is a written record of His blessings and miracles, something tangible we can read in order to increase our own faith.
I think that we need something similar for our own lives; a written record of God’s provisions and blessings, something we can read and look at during the times that we are tempted to fear. I know if I had a written record of every single thing God had ever done for me, it would only take looking at that record for my fears to be banished. My faith would be monstrous! Not only that, but it would also be a faith-builder for my children, and for their children to come.
What about you? Are you able to remember every single thing God has ever done for you? Most likely not. Are you willing in 2008 to start keeping a written record of God’s blessings in your life?
Please share with us any creative ideas you have for keeping a personal record of God’s blessings!
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me. (Psalm 103:2, NLT)
The Bible is full of admonitions to remember the blessings of the Lord. We are to praise Him for His blessings and we are to never forget what He has done for us. We are to tell them to our children and to our families, to our friends and to our neighbors. We are to shout them from the rooftops!
This seemed to be somewhat of a problem for the Israelites of the Old Testament who couldn’t seem to remember from one miracle to the next that God was powerful enough and loving enough to provide for all of their needs… even the seemingly impossible ones. God did absolutely amazing things on their behalf, but they quickly found their faith faltering when the next challenge presented itself.
We are very quick to point fingers at the Israelites and berate them for their lack of trust. However, we are really no different, are we? I think that’s exactly why God instructs us to never forget what He has done for us. He knows that life has a way of putting us on an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows. He knows that our memories are often short-lived. He also knows that our faith will grow by leaps and bounds if we are able to look back at every instance in our lives where the Hand of God has intervened.
One of the benefits of the Bible is that it is a compilation of God’s Hand at work in the lives of His children. It is a written record of His blessings and miracles, something tangible we can read in order to increase our own faith.
I think that we need something similar for our own lives; a written record of God’s provisions and blessings, something we can read and look at during the times that we are tempted to fear. I know if I had a written record of every single thing God had ever done for me, it would only take looking at that record for my fears to be banished. My faith would be monstrous! Not only that, but it would also be a faith-builder for my children, and for their children to come.
What about you? Are you able to remember every single thing God has ever done for you? Most likely not. Are you willing in 2008 to start keeping a written record of God’s blessings in your life?
Please share with us any creative ideas you have for keeping a personal record of God’s blessings!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Good Morning, Girlfriends!
We all need days when we take time to just sit and worship. I thought that I would leave you with a Psalm for this weekend, something that puts everything else in perspective. May your weekend be filled with wonderful times of worship with God.
-Becky
P.S.
I took the liberty of adding some emphasis in the following Psalm. I hope you don't mind... Perhaps you could share with us which parts of this Psalm spoke to you the most. Or you could share with us another meaningful Psalm that causes you to stop and worship.
We all need days when we take time to just sit and worship. I thought that I would leave you with a Psalm for this weekend, something that puts everything else in perspective. May your weekend be filled with wonderful times of worship with God.
-Becky
P.S.
I took the liberty of adding some emphasis in the following Psalm. I hope you don't mind... Perhaps you could share with us which parts of this Psalm spoke to you the most. Or you could share with us another meaningful Psalm that causes you to stop and worship.
PSALM 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
He lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see the works of the LORD,
Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
He burns the shields with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God;
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD Almighty is with us;
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Hi Girls!
The story within this devotional is true; I merely changed the name of the man since I have no way of obtaining his permission to use his real name. Ironically this story happened the exact same year as yesterday's story. Obviously God was trying to teach me something that year.
I think I needed to be reminded of this truth today, maybe more than any of you. It is difficult when prayers go unanswered and life gets a little scary. But we need to remind each other that the God Who is in control loves us beyond compare. That's what these stories and our encouragements to each other are... reminders.
He loves you. He's got you in His arms. Believe it.
-Becky
God's Ways
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8,9)
“What?! You’ve got to be kidding!” My jaw dropped open in shock and amazement as I read the open email before me. The hushed words burst out of my mouth even though there was no one around to hear them. I felt the past swiftly coming back to me in vivid detail.
More than 12 years ago in January of 1988 I had been a college sophomore at Colorado Christian University. It was a Sunday morning and the roads had been slushy from the melting snow.
“Deb, are you ready yet?” There were 3 of us getting a ride with my roommate to church that morning and she was the only one not ready.
“Almost.”
When she finally appeared in the living room, we all hurried out to the car. We knew we had to be fast or we would be late. The ice in the parking lot was slick and I had to set my Bible on top of the car so that I could use both hands to climb in the backseat of the 2-door sedan.
When we arrived at church 20 minutes later, I reached for my Bible as I started to get out. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach when I realized the Bible wasn’t there. In my hurriedness I had left it on top of the car. I felt sick. I had used and loved that Bible for 5 years. My life was in there in the notes and highlights, and in the Daily Bread devotionals and church bulletins I had stuffed in the cover. And now it was gone. Forever.
I snapped back to the present and re-read the email that had been forwarded to me by my dad:
Dear Pastor Eckdahl,
I located your website on the internet. A couple months ago, a man named *Troy Gannon came into the Registrar’s Office at Colorado Christian University. He was carrying a large brown Bible with a fish on the front. The name inscribed in it was Rebecca Lyn Eckdahl. He said that sometime in the late ‘80’s he had found the Bible in the middle of Alameda Avenue, in front of the University. He was not a Christian at the time, but he kept the Bible anyway. Since then he has come to know the Lord. One day he found the Bible again, and thought it might have belonged to a student at CCU, so he brought it in. Sure enough, I located Rebecca’s records in our archives … I would be happy to return the Bible to Rebecca, if you would tell me how to locate her. It is in excellent condition …
Excellent condition?? Remembering those slushy roads, I thought she surely must be exaggerating.
It all seemed surreal as I anxiously awaited that Bible in the mail. It arrived about 3 days later. As I looked at that Bible again in my hands, I couldn’t believe that there was no damage. Not even a water spot where the brown cover left the top and bottom edges of the pages exposed. The Registrar had been right; it was in excellent condition.
The Registrar had included a handwritten note with the Bible. It had Troy Gannon’s phone number. The note stated that he would like to hear from me to tell me how he had found the Bible. I was very nervous about calling a total stranger, but I couldn’t resist. I needed to know where my Bible had been all those years. I wanted to hear his story. Most of all, I wanted to tell him thank you.
My hands were sweaty and shaking as I dialed his Colorado phone number. He answered and I’m sure my voice was shaky as well when I said, “Troy Gannon?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Becky Eckdahl. You found my Bible several years ago. I wanted to tell you thank you for returning it to me after all this time. You have no idea how much that meant to me.”
He in turn thanked me. He said he had found my Bible that January Sunday during a low point in his life. When he saw it there on the side of the road, he immediately felt that it was God speaking to him. He picked it up and took it home. He flipped through the pages, reading my notes and highlighted verses. Although it took another 3 years before he committed his life to Christ, the Bible had been like a message from God when he needed it most.
I was stunned. I remembered how upset I had been when my prayers to find the Bible had gone unanswered. How could I have known that God was simply borrowing it for a greater purpose?
I made a silent vow to begin to my view unanswered prayers a little differently, realizing that He might just be using those unanswered prayers to draw someone else to Him. After all, with God anything is possible.
When your prayers seem to go unanswered, trust that God has a higher plan. He won't disappoint.
The story within this devotional is true; I merely changed the name of the man since I have no way of obtaining his permission to use his real name. Ironically this story happened the exact same year as yesterday's story. Obviously God was trying to teach me something that year.
I think I needed to be reminded of this truth today, maybe more than any of you. It is difficult when prayers go unanswered and life gets a little scary. But we need to remind each other that the God Who is in control loves us beyond compare. That's what these stories and our encouragements to each other are... reminders.
He loves you. He's got you in His arms. Believe it.
-Becky
God's Ways
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8,9)
“What?! You’ve got to be kidding!” My jaw dropped open in shock and amazement as I read the open email before me. The hushed words burst out of my mouth even though there was no one around to hear them. I felt the past swiftly coming back to me in vivid detail.
More than 12 years ago in January of 1988 I had been a college sophomore at Colorado Christian University. It was a Sunday morning and the roads had been slushy from the melting snow.
“Deb, are you ready yet?” There were 3 of us getting a ride with my roommate to church that morning and she was the only one not ready.
“Almost.”
When she finally appeared in the living room, we all hurried out to the car. We knew we had to be fast or we would be late. The ice in the parking lot was slick and I had to set my Bible on top of the car so that I could use both hands to climb in the backseat of the 2-door sedan.
When we arrived at church 20 minutes later, I reached for my Bible as I started to get out. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach when I realized the Bible wasn’t there. In my hurriedness I had left it on top of the car. I felt sick. I had used and loved that Bible for 5 years. My life was in there in the notes and highlights, and in the Daily Bread devotionals and church bulletins I had stuffed in the cover. And now it was gone. Forever.
I snapped back to the present and re-read the email that had been forwarded to me by my dad:
Dear Pastor Eckdahl,
I located your website on the internet. A couple months ago, a man named *Troy Gannon came into the Registrar’s Office at Colorado Christian University. He was carrying a large brown Bible with a fish on the front. The name inscribed in it was Rebecca Lyn Eckdahl. He said that sometime in the late ‘80’s he had found the Bible in the middle of Alameda Avenue, in front of the University. He was not a Christian at the time, but he kept the Bible anyway. Since then he has come to know the Lord. One day he found the Bible again, and thought it might have belonged to a student at CCU, so he brought it in. Sure enough, I located Rebecca’s records in our archives … I would be happy to return the Bible to Rebecca, if you would tell me how to locate her. It is in excellent condition …
Excellent condition?? Remembering those slushy roads, I thought she surely must be exaggerating.
It all seemed surreal as I anxiously awaited that Bible in the mail. It arrived about 3 days later. As I looked at that Bible again in my hands, I couldn’t believe that there was no damage. Not even a water spot where the brown cover left the top and bottom edges of the pages exposed. The Registrar had been right; it was in excellent condition.
The Registrar had included a handwritten note with the Bible. It had Troy Gannon’s phone number. The note stated that he would like to hear from me to tell me how he had found the Bible. I was very nervous about calling a total stranger, but I couldn’t resist. I needed to know where my Bible had been all those years. I wanted to hear his story. Most of all, I wanted to tell him thank you.
My hands were sweaty and shaking as I dialed his Colorado phone number. He answered and I’m sure my voice was shaky as well when I said, “Troy Gannon?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Becky Eckdahl. You found my Bible several years ago. I wanted to tell you thank you for returning it to me after all this time. You have no idea how much that meant to me.”
He in turn thanked me. He said he had found my Bible that January Sunday during a low point in his life. When he saw it there on the side of the road, he immediately felt that it was God speaking to him. He picked it up and took it home. He flipped through the pages, reading my notes and highlighted verses. Although it took another 3 years before he committed his life to Christ, the Bible had been like a message from God when he needed it most.
I was stunned. I remembered how upset I had been when my prayers to find the Bible had gone unanswered. How could I have known that God was simply borrowing it for a greater purpose?
I made a silent vow to begin to my view unanswered prayers a little differently, realizing that He might just be using those unanswered prayers to draw someone else to Him. After all, with God anything is possible.
When your prayers seem to go unanswered, trust that God has a higher plan. He won't disappoint.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
You Never Know...
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)
I was still very shy back in high school. Somehow, in spite of that, my circle of friends included some of the more popular kids on campus. I was never included as being "popular" by any of my peers, but my friends never left me out of anything during our school hours. Anything except for lunch, that is. While I can't remember the reasons for this, I know one factor was that there was an on-campus lunchtime Bible study a couple of times a week that I attended. When I wasn't at the Bible study, I spent my lunch hour fairly alone under some trees in the middle of the Maui High campus. There were a couple of other girls who ate alone under those trees as well and we developed a "lunchtime friendship". I used to ask them to come with me to the Bible study, but none of them ever took me up on it. After graduation, I don't know that I ever gave any thought to those lunchtime buddies again. Life simply moved on.
About 12 or 13 years later I received an email from one of those lunchtime buddies. Her name was Susie. She had gone to great lengths to track me down because she wanted me to know that she had recently become a Christian. She said that there were two factors that came into play in her accepting Christ as her Savior. One of those factors had been my lunchtime friendship with her all those years ago. She said that she never forgot me asking her to the Bible study or offering her friendship that no one else would offer. When life became very difficult for her, she decided that maybe she needed to give God a try. There was another person in her life who God used to actually lead her to salvation, but she still felt that God had used me all those years ago to plant a seed in her heart and to show her His love.
I was dumbfounded. I would have never in a million years guessed that my simple gestures would have had any lasting impact on her. I realized in a new and mighty way that God can and does use us in even the smallest of situations. More often than not, we don't have people searching us out to tell us how our actions played a part in showing them God's love in a tangible way. And so we go about our lives feeling as if we are not making a difference. But that is not true. The verse above says it best: "...nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."
Live each day with an awareness that your actions and words could be working in a profound way on someone's heart and life. Allow God to love through you. Someday, up in heaven, you may just be amazed at the fruit of your life.
Do you remember anyone in your life who was instrumental in showing God's love when you needed it most? Take some time today to see if you can track them down to say thank you. It will be an amazing encouragement to them.
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)
I was still very shy back in high school. Somehow, in spite of that, my circle of friends included some of the more popular kids on campus. I was never included as being "popular" by any of my peers, but my friends never left me out of anything during our school hours. Anything except for lunch, that is. While I can't remember the reasons for this, I know one factor was that there was an on-campus lunchtime Bible study a couple of times a week that I attended. When I wasn't at the Bible study, I spent my lunch hour fairly alone under some trees in the middle of the Maui High campus. There were a couple of other girls who ate alone under those trees as well and we developed a "lunchtime friendship". I used to ask them to come with me to the Bible study, but none of them ever took me up on it. After graduation, I don't know that I ever gave any thought to those lunchtime buddies again. Life simply moved on.
About 12 or 13 years later I received an email from one of those lunchtime buddies. Her name was Susie. She had gone to great lengths to track me down because she wanted me to know that she had recently become a Christian. She said that there were two factors that came into play in her accepting Christ as her Savior. One of those factors had been my lunchtime friendship with her all those years ago. She said that she never forgot me asking her to the Bible study or offering her friendship that no one else would offer. When life became very difficult for her, she decided that maybe she needed to give God a try. There was another person in her life who God used to actually lead her to salvation, but she still felt that God had used me all those years ago to plant a seed in her heart and to show her His love.
I was dumbfounded. I would have never in a million years guessed that my simple gestures would have had any lasting impact on her. I realized in a new and mighty way that God can and does use us in even the smallest of situations. More often than not, we don't have people searching us out to tell us how our actions played a part in showing them God's love in a tangible way. And so we go about our lives feeling as if we are not making a difference. But that is not true. The verse above says it best: "...nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."
Live each day with an awareness that your actions and words could be working in a profound way on someone's heart and life. Allow God to love through you. Someday, up in heaven, you may just be amazed at the fruit of your life.
Do you remember anyone in your life who was instrumental in showing God's love when you needed it most? Take some time today to see if you can track them down to say thank you. It will be an amazing encouragement to them.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
True Friendship
Job 6:14:
A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (NIV)
For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty. (NASB)
When desperate people give up on God Almighty, their friends, at least, should stick with them. (The Message)
To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (NKJV)
Job 6:14:
A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (NIV)
For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty. (NASB)
When desperate people give up on God Almighty, their friends, at least, should stick with them. (The Message)
To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (NKJV)
I had a best friend for many years. Although it was long-distance, we saw each other through many important periods in our lives... dating, break-ups, marriage, college, children, moving, etc. We were very close and very much alike.
A few years ago she had a crisis in her life that I didn't know how to handle. I even thought at the time that she was turning her back on God. I didn't agree with some of her decisions and, instead of loving her and sticking by her, I abandoned her. I let my feelings of being uncomfortable end our friendship. I justified my actions by her actions in the situation.
A couple of years passed and I started to feel uncomfortable for a very different reason. I began to look at my actions in the light of God's love and I was not proud of what I had done. Ironically, my friend contacted me before I even acted on God's nudging to be the one to reach out and contact her. I was able to apologize for what I had done and our friendship was restored. Our friendship is now much stronger than it ever was in the past, she and I each have much stronger relationships with God as we have each grown over the past couple of years, and we are able to encourage each other. We share more now in terms of similarities in our experiences and relationships than we did before. I think that was partly God teaching me humility.
We all have times in our lives when we make poor choices, when life beats us up, even when we feel a little far from God. We can't give up on each other during those times. God has clearly told us that friendship means loving regardless of the situation.
Do you have a friend who could use your love today?
Monday, January 7, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Wow! It has taken me several hours today to bring this post to fruition. I had it all written out (although not saved, of course) and when I went to answer the phone, my youngest son snuck into my office and managed to delete everything. I then sat down to rewrite it and my interruptions were too numerous to count. Perhaps Satan didn't want any of us rejoicing today. But he's no match for our faith and our God.
You lose, Satan.
Happy Monday, fellow Girlfriends!
-Becky
Joy in Leaning
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:4-6, NIV)
These verses seem to sum up the theme of my weekend. Rejoicing in the midst of everything, no matter what the situation.
My family seems to be inundated with difficult situations right now... loss of jobs, inability to find jobs, loss of property and home, financial difficulties, loss of foster babies, homes sitting on the market with no potential buyers in sight. Why we are getting hit so hard, I have no idea. But I do know this: we are choosing to rejoice because we know that we have a God Who sees the big picture, a God Whose hand is at work in ways we can't even see, a God Who can make a miracle, a God Who sees how these situations are molding our character and creating within us a deeper faith and trust in Him.
When we choose to rejoice, our actions are making a statement about our trust in God. When we choose to rejoice, we defeat any anxiety or depression that tries to come our way. When we choose to rejoice, we inspire and encourage each other. When we choose to rejoice, we wait with excitement and anticipation to see what God is going to do.
It's not a magic answer to the problems that we face. Rejoicing does not ensure that everything is going to instantaneously be resolved. In fact, things may get worse before they get better. It's a possibility that must be acknowledged.
God doesn't let any experience go to waste. He uses everything. And we believe and stand on His promises to take care of our needs. It is with that belief, and with hearts full of joy, that we continue to bring our requests and needs before Him.
In yesterday's sermon, the pastor mentioned the old hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms". He said that he always pictured it as leaning back into God's chest as His arms encircle us. However, he then realized that leaning does not have to be leaning back, it can be leaning forward. He used the illustration of snow skiing. In skiing, you have to lean forward into the hill (the very thing that's scary!) and allow the momentum to propel you forward. If you lean backward, you'll get nowhere and you'll fall. So he said that now he pictures "leaning on the Everlasting arms" as God's strong and mighty arms around us as we lean forward into the scary and unknown. Just picture a child sitting on her father's lap leaning forward toward the ground, arms outstretched, and laughing. Her father's arms are what prevents her from falling.
That's us! With God's arms encircling us, we can lean forward into the scary parts of life, with joy and laughter, knowing that He will never let us go.
God's got you in His arms today... rejoice!
You lose, Satan.
Happy Monday, fellow Girlfriends!
-Becky
Joy in Leaning
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:4-6, NIV)
These verses seem to sum up the theme of my weekend. Rejoicing in the midst of everything, no matter what the situation.
My family seems to be inundated with difficult situations right now... loss of jobs, inability to find jobs, loss of property and home, financial difficulties, loss of foster babies, homes sitting on the market with no potential buyers in sight. Why we are getting hit so hard, I have no idea. But I do know this: we are choosing to rejoice because we know that we have a God Who sees the big picture, a God Whose hand is at work in ways we can't even see, a God Who can make a miracle, a God Who sees how these situations are molding our character and creating within us a deeper faith and trust in Him.
When we choose to rejoice, our actions are making a statement about our trust in God. When we choose to rejoice, we defeat any anxiety or depression that tries to come our way. When we choose to rejoice, we inspire and encourage each other. When we choose to rejoice, we wait with excitement and anticipation to see what God is going to do.
It's not a magic answer to the problems that we face. Rejoicing does not ensure that everything is going to instantaneously be resolved. In fact, things may get worse before they get better. It's a possibility that must be acknowledged.
God doesn't let any experience go to waste. He uses everything. And we believe and stand on His promises to take care of our needs. It is with that belief, and with hearts full of joy, that we continue to bring our requests and needs before Him.
In yesterday's sermon, the pastor mentioned the old hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms". He said that he always pictured it as leaning back into God's chest as His arms encircle us. However, he then realized that leaning does not have to be leaning back, it can be leaning forward. He used the illustration of snow skiing. In skiing, you have to lean forward into the hill (the very thing that's scary!) and allow the momentum to propel you forward. If you lean backward, you'll get nowhere and you'll fall. So he said that now he pictures "leaning on the Everlasting arms" as God's strong and mighty arms around us as we lean forward into the scary and unknown. Just picture a child sitting on her father's lap leaning forward toward the ground, arms outstretched, and laughing. Her father's arms are what prevents her from falling.
That's us! With God's arms encircling us, we can lean forward into the scary parts of life, with joy and laughter, knowing that He will never let us go.
God's got you in His arms today... rejoice!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Happy Friday! I was thinking that in light of yesterday's post, I might continue for a few days to use verses we have unfortunately come to think of as cliches. Oftentimes verses get overused or thrown around when someone can't think of the right thing to say in a given situation. When this happens, we tend to push aside or overlook the truth behind the verses. Perhaps we can take some time to look at them again and rediscover their truths, remembering that they are God's words to us.
If you know of a verse like this that you would like me to use, please feel free to let me know!
-Becky
MIGHTY PLANS
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
I remember this verse being "big" when I was in college in the late '80's. It was a verse that gave us a sense of security as we prepared to enter the "real world". We wrapped our arms around it and let it envelop us like a big security blanket. It was a promise of hope in a world of uncertainty.
It still is a promise of hope. We are a people who believe that we have a purpose here on earth. We discover our passions and talents and spiritual gifts and then delve into ministry and service and relationships. We are excited and energized. And then life throws us a curve... the loss of a job, the loss of a home, an illness, a death, troubled relationships, a dream that is shattered or put off... and we lose hope.
This verse restores that hope. It reminds us that God's plans for us cannot be thwarted by any of life's curves. It reminds us that He loves us so much that He does indeed have a plan for us; He's not just leaving us out to hang. He wants us to have hope! His plans for us include greatness and a future. How awesome is that?
This verse is God's cheer whispered in our ear: Don't lose hope! I have amazing things planned for you...
If you know of a verse like this that you would like me to use, please feel free to let me know!
-Becky
MIGHTY PLANS
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)
I remember this verse being "big" when I was in college in the late '80's. It was a verse that gave us a sense of security as we prepared to enter the "real world". We wrapped our arms around it and let it envelop us like a big security blanket. It was a promise of hope in a world of uncertainty.
It still is a promise of hope. We are a people who believe that we have a purpose here on earth. We discover our passions and talents and spiritual gifts and then delve into ministry and service and relationships. We are excited and energized. And then life throws us a curve... the loss of a job, the loss of a home, an illness, a death, troubled relationships, a dream that is shattered or put off... and we lose hope.
This verse restores that hope. It reminds us that God's plans for us cannot be thwarted by any of life's curves. It reminds us that He loves us so much that He does indeed have a plan for us; He's not just leaving us out to hang. He wants us to have hope! His plans for us include greatness and a future. How awesome is that?
This verse is God's cheer whispered in our ear: Don't lose hope! I have amazing things planned for you...
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Beyond Our Wildest Dreams
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us… (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)
There are times that we read verses over and over again without ever letting the truth of them sink in. This verse is one of them for me. I was in my teens the first time I remember reading something that made the enormity of this verse come alive for me. It went something like this:
Now to Him who is able to do all we ask…
Now to Him who is able to do all we ask or imagine…
Now to Him who is able to do more than all we ask or imagine…
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…
Do you see it?? Our God is so much bigger than anything we could comprehend. We foolishly allow ourselves to believe that He is confined and constrained by the things that we view as impossible. But He’s not.
There is nothing too big for our God.
Do you believe it?...
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us… (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)
There are times that we read verses over and over again without ever letting the truth of them sink in. This verse is one of them for me. I was in my teens the first time I remember reading something that made the enormity of this verse come alive for me. It went something like this:
Now to Him who is able to do all we ask…
Now to Him who is able to do all we ask or imagine…
Now to Him who is able to do more than all we ask or imagine…
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…
Do you see it?? Our God is so much bigger than anything we could comprehend. We foolishly allow ourselves to believe that He is confined and constrained by the things that we view as impossible. But He’s not.
There is nothing too big for our God.
Do you believe it?...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy 2008!
As we go into each new year, many of us stop and take stock of our lives and that often includes some New Year's resolutions. Our resolutions are made with good intentions but we are notorious for letting those slip to the side somewhere along the way.
I thought that today we could focus more on the smaller intentions that come our way, the ones that can come up at any time as we go about our daily lives. The ones that can come from the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts. I even listed one of mine that I will let you hold me accountable for.
I hope that your holiday week was wonderful and that you are prepared for great and awesome things in 2008!
-Becky
GOOD INTENTIONS
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ And he answered and said, ‘I will, sir’; and he did not go. And he came to the second and said the same thing. But he answered and said, ‘I will not’; yet he afterward regretted it and went. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The latter.” (Matthew 21:28-31a, NASB)
If you’re anything like me, it is so easy to have good intentions and then not follow through. I’m not talking about one or two here or there. I’m talking about the good intentions that we seem to have on an almost daily basis. The intention to pray for someone, the intention to call someone, the intention to exercise, the intention to send someone a note, the intention to answer an email, the intention to get together with someone, the intention to read the Bible, the intention to do the floors, the intention to scrapbook, the intention to clean out the closet, the intention to put away the clean clothes that have been sitting in a pile on the floor… and on and on and on.
We’re busy, plain and simple. We really, truly do intend to follow through on all of those things, but then we reach the end of the day and find that none of them have happened. And that’s if we even remember about them at all by the end of the day.
How does our relationship with God fit into this? God is often at the heart of the good intentions that arise out of the tugs to our heart… the ones that nudge us to call or write someone, the ones that nudge us to help someone in need, the ones that nudge us to pray with or for someone. We are the hands and feet of Christ and at times it is God Who places those tugs on our heart so that we can be Jesus to someone who needs His love at that very moment. The good news is that it’s not too late to follow through on those good intentions that have been lost in the shuffle of life. We can still be obedient to those things that God has placed on our hearts.
For me, it’s a little 3 year old red-headed girl. Just before Thanksgiving our local paper ran a story on the homeless here in our city. They focused on a family of three; a grandmother, a mother and a little red-haired girl. They stay in the library for warmth during the day and sleep in their car at night. They fear the little girl being taken from them if Social Services were to decide that their homelessness is grounds for neglect. It’s been on my heart to find them and offer them what little I have to give… a couple of extra blankets, some extra food from my pantry, some books or toys. I’ve had good intentions to find them for almost two months. They’ve been on my heart but I haven’t taken the time to follow through. This week I will.
What about you? What good intention have you had that you need to follow through on this week?
As we go into each new year, many of us stop and take stock of our lives and that often includes some New Year's resolutions. Our resolutions are made with good intentions but we are notorious for letting those slip to the side somewhere along the way.
I thought that today we could focus more on the smaller intentions that come our way, the ones that can come up at any time as we go about our daily lives. The ones that can come from the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts. I even listed one of mine that I will let you hold me accountable for.
I hope that your holiday week was wonderful and that you are prepared for great and awesome things in 2008!
-Becky
GOOD INTENTIONS
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ And he answered and said, ‘I will, sir’; and he did not go. And he came to the second and said the same thing. But he answered and said, ‘I will not’; yet he afterward regretted it and went. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The latter.” (Matthew 21:28-31a, NASB)
If you’re anything like me, it is so easy to have good intentions and then not follow through. I’m not talking about one or two here or there. I’m talking about the good intentions that we seem to have on an almost daily basis. The intention to pray for someone, the intention to call someone, the intention to exercise, the intention to send someone a note, the intention to answer an email, the intention to get together with someone, the intention to read the Bible, the intention to do the floors, the intention to scrapbook, the intention to clean out the closet, the intention to put away the clean clothes that have been sitting in a pile on the floor… and on and on and on.
We’re busy, plain and simple. We really, truly do intend to follow through on all of those things, but then we reach the end of the day and find that none of them have happened. And that’s if we even remember about them at all by the end of the day.
How does our relationship with God fit into this? God is often at the heart of the good intentions that arise out of the tugs to our heart… the ones that nudge us to call or write someone, the ones that nudge us to help someone in need, the ones that nudge us to pray with or for someone. We are the hands and feet of Christ and at times it is God Who places those tugs on our heart so that we can be Jesus to someone who needs His love at that very moment. The good news is that it’s not too late to follow through on those good intentions that have been lost in the shuffle of life. We can still be obedient to those things that God has placed on our hearts.
For me, it’s a little 3 year old red-headed girl. Just before Thanksgiving our local paper ran a story on the homeless here in our city. They focused on a family of three; a grandmother, a mother and a little red-haired girl. They stay in the library for warmth during the day and sleep in their car at night. They fear the little girl being taken from them if Social Services were to decide that their homelessness is grounds for neglect. It’s been on my heart to find them and offer them what little I have to give… a couple of extra blankets, some extra food from my pantry, some books or toys. I’ve had good intentions to find them for almost two months. They’ve been on my heart but I haven’t taken the time to follow through. This week I will.
What about you? What good intention have you had that you need to follow through on this week?
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