Sometimes I get really wrapped up in the circumstances of my life. In good ones and negative ones. The Lord has given me many blessings and for that I am so thankful. However, I do not want to start building my joy on nature of these things. The Lord is so good and wants us to embrace His blessings. But, I know if I'm not careful, the state of my joy will start to depend on how the circumstances of my life are going. I will bask to often in the light of blessing and not in the light of my Savior.
No matter the situation and no matter the people I have in my life, the only one true constant in my life is the Lord. He is never changing and always there. I sometimes go through phases where I allow life's joys to carry me through each day. But, it only takes one word of hurt, one inconsistency, to make my joy come tumbling down. I am reminded in that instance that the only true thing I can build my joy on is Christ. Whether I am soaring on a cloud of blessing or down in the dumps of discouragement, the Lord's promises still ring true. His Word is good and unchanging. It is always constant and consistent. I pray we can all build joy on His Truth daily.
"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." Isaiah 40:8
My dad and step mom once gave me a lesson while I was in college about choosing joy daily. We are freely given joy each day in Christ. Sometimes, we can just feel it and are overflowing with it. Other days...we really have to choose to have it. We have access to a fountain of joy...it is in Christ, in Truth, in His Spirit. If we are not readily feeling joyful....we just have to dig for it. It's there in His promises. So..when you are at the point where you can either snap or walk away...choose joy. When you are faced with a new day and you can either be grateful or despaired...choose joy. When you are faced with a rude employee or classmate...choose joy :) It will change your daily outlook and will keep you grounded on Who really is constant in your life.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
A Taste Of Grace...And A Good Book To Check Out
My boss, Sharon, and I decided to read a book together back in Novemeber to discuss weekly over some dripolater coffee goodness. Seeing how it is March and we just finished, you can tell it's been a crazy couple months. However, the book was fantastic, and I totally recommend it. It is called "The Prodigal God" by Timothy Keller. This book is a good read if you need a little bit of redefinition of God's grace in your life and need a healthy soul check up.
The author bases the book off of a the well known parable of the prodigal son. Except, he does not focus on the younger son messing up then returning to the father....he focuses on the bad attitude and pharisee type attitude of the older brother. Hearing the story of the prodigal son in church growing up, I never once thought about the older brother. The parable isnt taught in a way that brings attention to him. However, the author points out how the older brother has just as big of a problem as the younger brother. Some may ask, "why? the older brother isnt the one who demanded his inheritance early, left, then squandered all of his riches!". That's exactly the mentality that makes the older brother just as spritually in trouble as the younger brother. You will have to read it to see why! (I actually wrote out a little summary...but erased it..I dont want to spoil it for you!)
But, I will tell you some things I learned from reading this book. I took a lot away about grace. I was reminded that grace is not cheap. Grace that the Lord gives to us is undoubtably free and is received from no doing of our own, BUT it came at a cost. The cost of Jesus dying on the cross. We can't earn grace and we don't deserve it, but it is given. It got me thinkng how we are called to extend grace to others. It is harder then it sounds sometimes. If there is no such thing as cheap grace...and it is free to who we are giving it to...then there must be a cost on our end. Forgiveness and mercy always require some kind of sacrifice. A good example is if someone stole from you (whether it be a material object or pieces of your heart...you decide). If you show that person true grace and forgive them...they owe you nothing anymore. You dont require your necklace back, any of your wasted time back, or any kind of apologies after you have truly extended grace. It's finished. Was it free?..sure for them. It came at a cost to you though...financially, mentally, emotionally, spiritually...whatever. But you do it becuase that is grace. There is no cheap grace. But that should remind us and identify us with Christ and the sacrifice He made so we could have grace and be forgiven.
Also, a prerequisite for receiving and giving grace is knowing you need it. Lately, grace has been blowing my mind!! I have some sweet blessings in my life which I know I did nothing to deserve (believe me, not one thing did I do). Yet, why does the Lord continue to bless and provide for me? Merciful grace. Ugh..just makes me speechless. I hope my heart understands that His grace is enough for me and that I need it daily!
The author bases the book off of a the well known parable of the prodigal son. Except, he does not focus on the younger son messing up then returning to the father....he focuses on the bad attitude and pharisee type attitude of the older brother. Hearing the story of the prodigal son in church growing up, I never once thought about the older brother. The parable isnt taught in a way that brings attention to him. However, the author points out how the older brother has just as big of a problem as the younger brother. Some may ask, "why? the older brother isnt the one who demanded his inheritance early, left, then squandered all of his riches!". That's exactly the mentality that makes the older brother just as spritually in trouble as the younger brother. You will have to read it to see why! (I actually wrote out a little summary...but erased it..I dont want to spoil it for you!)
But, I will tell you some things I learned from reading this book. I took a lot away about grace. I was reminded that grace is not cheap. Grace that the Lord gives to us is undoubtably free and is received from no doing of our own, BUT it came at a cost. The cost of Jesus dying on the cross. We can't earn grace and we don't deserve it, but it is given. It got me thinkng how we are called to extend grace to others. It is harder then it sounds sometimes. If there is no such thing as cheap grace...and it is free to who we are giving it to...then there must be a cost on our end. Forgiveness and mercy always require some kind of sacrifice. A good example is if someone stole from you (whether it be a material object or pieces of your heart...you decide). If you show that person true grace and forgive them...they owe you nothing anymore. You dont require your necklace back, any of your wasted time back, or any kind of apologies after you have truly extended grace. It's finished. Was it free?..sure for them. It came at a cost to you though...financially, mentally, emotionally, spiritually...whatever. But you do it becuase that is grace. There is no cheap grace. But that should remind us and identify us with Christ and the sacrifice He made so we could have grace and be forgiven.
Also, a prerequisite for receiving and giving grace is knowing you need it. Lately, grace has been blowing my mind!! I have some sweet blessings in my life which I know I did nothing to deserve (believe me, not one thing did I do). Yet, why does the Lord continue to bless and provide for me? Merciful grace. Ugh..just makes me speechless. I hope my heart understands that His grace is enough for me and that I need it daily!
Anyway..the book is a good quick little read..despite how long it took me and Sharon to read. So, definitely give it a read!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Lessons Learned from the Best Teachers :)
This weekend, I get to go home for a week! I'm so ready to see my family and just be in their company. My boyfriend gets to come with me and meet the gang. I'm pretty stoked. At one point though, I was worried about all the ways that I could possibly be embarrassed at home..because..lets face it, who knows you better then your family? But, as time goes on and the longer it's been since I've been home...I'm constantly reminded how my family has made me who I am and how God has used them each in a special way to teach me great things. So, in honor of going home to be with the fam..this blog is for them.
My dad has been a vessel in my life. Not only was he the one that guided me into a personal relationship with Christ, but he has been there for me in every step of my walk with Him. When he had to move to ATL, he would send encouraging cards and letters every week to keep us connected. We had a cute teddy bear with a picture of a clock on it (weird, but we won it at a fair) and we would trade every time we saw each other and take turns having the bear to pass the time. Something my dad has taught me, and still teaches me, is what seeking God looks like. Through him I see what it means to desire a life lived for the Lord. He is humble, hardworking, and loving..and I know he brings glory to God in all of it. I also think my dad has contributed a lot to my sillyness. He is always saying goofy things and making funny faces. He used to wake my brother and I up sometimes by acting like a dog or singing the "good morning" song in a funny voice. It was awesome. We send each other text messages with movie quotes in them all the time, just to relive funny moments. Thats just a small dose of the wonderful things I've learned from dad. I hope I have all the cool things Im proud of my dad for in me!
My momma! What a strong and brave woman! You would never believe all the things she has been through if you met her. She is strong, determined..really funny, kinda sassy, and so loving. She never ever gives up and in everything she seeks to help others. My mom has taught me what it means to persevere in the Lord and give and live out hope. I remember going through some of the roughest of times, but she made them better somehow just in her attitude. A house of no electricity or running water turned into a game of "little house on the prairie". Her hope in the Lord is contagious. She can take just about anything and turn it into something cool. Shes super artsy and creative. I remember one night when I was younger, my brother and I were upset about something (could have been anything..a storm, etc) and we stayed up way past our bed times singing "On Top of Spaghetti" with her. We were making up new ridiculous verses and trying to rhyme..and laughing really hard. Im pretty sure we still do crap like that all the time at home. My mom also taught me how to be there for people and how to listen. She's always there for others, and even in her own trials..she has taken a back seat to be there for someone else. I have learned many other countless and amazing things from my mom and I pray I have many qualities like her!
My brudda. Gosh, he's great. Kevin is funny, talented, loyal and has the biggest heart. Kevin never ceases to amaze me with his generosity and loyalty to the people he cares about. My brother and I are super close, and that is something I am so thankful for. My mom used to yell at me when I was little because when she wasnt looking I'd pull him out of the play pen so we could play. We have never really had a phase where we couldnt stand each other. We've had our moments like normal siblings. He likes telling the story about how when he was 2 and I was 4, I sent him to the hospital (on accident of course!) by hitting him with a toy purse..I was pretty sure at the time he was trying to steal it from me. One time, we were fighting over the last bagel in the house, and I grabbed it and stuck it in my mouth..thinking "ha, he cant have it now". He pulled it out anyway..ripping one of my not-yet- loose teeth out with it. But, Kevin and I laugh a lot when were together and it has always been that way! Kevin has taught me what it means to be true to yourself. He has never been anything he isnt and he is always honest. He has also taught me to have no fear. He has dealt with a lot for such a young man, but he never once has turned away from challenges. He faces them whether he wants to or not. And in all of it, he stays humble and kind hearted. He is always helping people out, and that is another thing I admire about my bro. I wish I got some of the same genetics he got.
Im really blessed and Im thankful for the family I have been given. God is GOOD and He shows me His love and grace through my awesome family everyday. I cant wait to see them in a few short days!
My dad has been a vessel in my life. Not only was he the one that guided me into a personal relationship with Christ, but he has been there for me in every step of my walk with Him. When he had to move to ATL, he would send encouraging cards and letters every week to keep us connected. We had a cute teddy bear with a picture of a clock on it (weird, but we won it at a fair) and we would trade every time we saw each other and take turns having the bear to pass the time. Something my dad has taught me, and still teaches me, is what seeking God looks like. Through him I see what it means to desire a life lived for the Lord. He is humble, hardworking, and loving..and I know he brings glory to God in all of it. I also think my dad has contributed a lot to my sillyness. He is always saying goofy things and making funny faces. He used to wake my brother and I up sometimes by acting like a dog or singing the "good morning" song in a funny voice. It was awesome. We send each other text messages with movie quotes in them all the time, just to relive funny moments. Thats just a small dose of the wonderful things I've learned from dad. I hope I have all the cool things Im proud of my dad for in me!
Im really blessed and Im thankful for the family I have been given. God is GOOD and He shows me His love and grace through my awesome family everyday. I cant wait to see them in a few short days!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Taped to the Steering Wheel of My Car
Life has been busy. At work we've been making lots of decisions on staff to hire, answering and sending crazy numbers of emails, and I've been working on writing devotional guides for the counselors to use with their campers over the summer. Some of us from the office even did a little "research project" on scoping out a possible new camper trip to a Zipline tour (if you've never been ziplining..you need to find a way to do it!). Along with all the physical busy-ness, I've been mentally busy with figuring out grad school stuff, meditating over cabin devotions, and anticipatiing going home to see my familly and boyfriend. It's been a happily productive week. But, today...I felt the blow of it all hit me. Because my mind has been so busy...lies from the enemy and confusion found their way into my thoughts. I started to worry and feel discouraged about all that I have been doing. I felt overwhelmed and panic stricken with all I'm responsible for and confused about where my future is going. With me, when I start to worry about one thing...it opens a floodgate for everything else going on (I guess my subconscious figures if Im worrying..might as well worry about it all).
As I was walking home from work, I looked up to the sky and let a out a huge sigh..aka..a distress call to the Lord. I told Him that I need Him to make Himself known. I then became aware of my time spent with Him lately. Not cool. My time spent with the Lord has not been fruitful or still. I haven't been seeking out His presence daily in my life. I had a verse...one that got me through some rough times last year...taped to the steering wheel of my car.
Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Why is that not still taped to my steering wheel? (I actually think I had my window open and it blew off somewhere...anyway...) We know fully and believe He will make our paths straight. We know He gives us joy, and not only knows our desires, but make them His own. What I love about this verse is "IN YOUR PRESENCE". The Lord is always with us. But, when I'm seeking out His presence, will, and path for my life...I find joy. When I'm still with Him in a quiet place...the confusion of life dissolves. When I'm in His presence daily among the busy-ness of life...He makes known to me the path of life. It never ceases to amaze me all the clarity I get when I actually spend time with my God and seek His face.
It is usually during these crazy times of worry and discouragement when we are drawn back to the Cross. Christ totally shows up in our doubts and fears and pulls us back. So...Im going out in the cold to tape that verse back up in my car to remind me to seek His presence. God knows I need that daily!
(Listen to "Lead Me to the Cross" by Chris and Conrad...Ive been listening to it over and over tonight)
As I was walking home from work, I looked up to the sky and let a out a huge sigh..aka..a distress call to the Lord. I told Him that I need Him to make Himself known. I then became aware of my time spent with Him lately. Not cool. My time spent with the Lord has not been fruitful or still. I haven't been seeking out His presence daily in my life. I had a verse...one that got me through some rough times last year...taped to the steering wheel of my car.
Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Why is that not still taped to my steering wheel? (I actually think I had my window open and it blew off somewhere...anyway...) We know fully and believe He will make our paths straight. We know He gives us joy, and not only knows our desires, but make them His own. What I love about this verse is "IN YOUR PRESENCE". The Lord is always with us. But, when I'm seeking out His presence, will, and path for my life...I find joy. When I'm still with Him in a quiet place...the confusion of life dissolves. When I'm in His presence daily among the busy-ness of life...He makes known to me the path of life. It never ceases to amaze me all the clarity I get when I actually spend time with my God and seek His face.
It is usually during these crazy times of worry and discouragement when we are drawn back to the Cross. Christ totally shows up in our doubts and fears and pulls us back. So...Im going out in the cold to tape that verse back up in my car to remind me to seek His presence. God knows I need that daily!
(Listen to "Lead Me to the Cross" by Chris and Conrad...Ive been listening to it over and over tonight)
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