it's worth repeating that , "if you think taking care of yourself physically isn't "spiritual", think again!"
I love it when people go to McDonald's, Wendy's, Arby's, Taco Bell, etc... and order a huge, fat-laden meal, supersize it, then proceed to order a DIET coke!! Haha!! If you are one of those people, don't be offended, I just find it amusing.
It is sad that often times it takes a MAJOR wake-up call--stroke, heart attack, cancer, diabetes--to cause someone to start to take care of themselves. If we would treat our bodies with respect out of respect to our Heavenly Father, we may be able to avoid these horrible diagnoses. Now there are some cases where someone is just given a terrible prognosis, and they have taken extremely good care of themselves...but this is not rule..it's the exception.
Okay, so where does this get spiritual?? God has called each of us to a purpose, something He designed us to do for His glory to be revealed through us. If we are "sick", tired all the time, and weak...How can we fulfill His purpose for us??
Today, decide to not put yourself on the bench in this game of life by taking poor care of yourself. Be healthy...body, mind, and soul...in Jesus, and for the Kingdom of God...
Blessings!
4.28.2009
4.22.2009
april 22
it's worth repeating that "if you're not spending time with God, you're spending it on whatever has become more important to you than Him."
I have heard many people say that they just don't have enough time to be able to pray and read the Word. There were many days as a young mom I didn't think I would ever get back to a daily time of prayer and Bible reading. Someone encouraged me to do a time inventory. Keep track of what I do with every minute of my day...
I am a busy person with many responsibilities and three "needy" children. However, i saw in that time inventory that were some time-stealers in my life that, if better managed, would open the door for me to have that daily time of prayer and Bible study, even a time of meditation and solace.
One of my biggest time-stealers was the internet. I would justify it by saying that I am doing "ministry work" by keeping up relationships, researching for sermons, finding new ministry ideas...etc... When it came down to it though, I KNEW I needed my time in prayer and the Word MUCH more than I needed time on the Web...
I don't know what your time-stealers are, but whatever is keeping you from spending time with God is also zapping life from you, because there is no life apart from Him...
Blessings!
I have heard many people say that they just don't have enough time to be able to pray and read the Word. There were many days as a young mom I didn't think I would ever get back to a daily time of prayer and Bible reading. Someone encouraged me to do a time inventory. Keep track of what I do with every minute of my day...
I am a busy person with many responsibilities and three "needy" children. However, i saw in that time inventory that were some time-stealers in my life that, if better managed, would open the door for me to have that daily time of prayer and Bible study, even a time of meditation and solace.
One of my biggest time-stealers was the internet. I would justify it by saying that I am doing "ministry work" by keeping up relationships, researching for sermons, finding new ministry ideas...etc... When it came down to it though, I KNEW I needed my time in prayer and the Word MUCH more than I needed time on the Web...
I don't know what your time-stealers are, but whatever is keeping you from spending time with God is also zapping life from you, because there is no life apart from Him...
Blessings!
4.21.2009
april 21
it's worth repeating that "attitude determines whether you see life through the eyes of faith or the the lens of fear."
I have always tried to teach Annie, my 7 year old daughter, to not say "I can't". Annie can get pretty frustrated when she tried to do something and it's not working out. She often will start to cry and just say, "I just can't do it!"
Maybe you can relate...I know I can! In my life, I have been presented with opportunities, some bigger than others, but all great opportunities to show the glory of God in my life. Sometimes I find myself jumping up and down inside saying, "Bring it on!" and then other times, usually when the opportunity is something I have never tried before, I feel my spirit-man shrink back in fear, and saying "I just don't think I can do it."
When I feel myself giving into the voice of fear, I know there is only one place to turn....the Word of God! I love to read the narratives in the Bible of ordinary people doing extraordinary things because of the power of God! Some of my favorites are Elijah and Elisha, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel, and the apostle Paul....of course my favorite character in the Bible is Jesus! As I begin to read how God used these men, protected these men, showed his glory and power through these men, my spirit-man starts to rise up again and say, "With God's help, we can take this hill!" I force myself to remove the lenses of fear that are covering over my eyes of faith... I choose to see what God wants me to see!
Do you find yourself basically just scared of life, scared to be used by God, scared to say yes to what the Lord is asking you to do? Feed your spirit today from God's Word, and remember "It's not by might, nor by power, but by MY spirit", says the Lord.
Blessings!
I have always tried to teach Annie, my 7 year old daughter, to not say "I can't". Annie can get pretty frustrated when she tried to do something and it's not working out. She often will start to cry and just say, "I just can't do it!"
Maybe you can relate...I know I can! In my life, I have been presented with opportunities, some bigger than others, but all great opportunities to show the glory of God in my life. Sometimes I find myself jumping up and down inside saying, "Bring it on!" and then other times, usually when the opportunity is something I have never tried before, I feel my spirit-man shrink back in fear, and saying "I just don't think I can do it."
When I feel myself giving into the voice of fear, I know there is only one place to turn....the Word of God! I love to read the narratives in the Bible of ordinary people doing extraordinary things because of the power of God! Some of my favorites are Elijah and Elisha, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel, and the apostle Paul....of course my favorite character in the Bible is Jesus! As I begin to read how God used these men, protected these men, showed his glory and power through these men, my spirit-man starts to rise up again and say, "With God's help, we can take this hill!" I force myself to remove the lenses of fear that are covering over my eyes of faith... I choose to see what God wants me to see!
Do you find yourself basically just scared of life, scared to be used by God, scared to say yes to what the Lord is asking you to do? Feed your spirit today from God's Word, and remember "It's not by might, nor by power, but by MY spirit", says the Lord.
Blessings!
4.20.2009
april 20
it's worth repeating that "when it comes to understanding things, we have our territory, God has his."
In life, it's just as good to know what you can't do as knowing what you can do. One of the limitations we all have is our understanding. I don't always understand the move of God, the purposes of God, the discipline of God, or even the love of God. In all honesty, there are some things about God that I just can't understand.
I can't understand why God loves me. I can't understand why God shows so much grace. I can't understand why God doesn't instantly kill anyone that hurts a child. I can't understand why God would want to have a personal relationship with me instead of treating me like a slave or subject. I can't understand why God gave His son to die for people who spit in his face.
It's very good that God is God and I am not. After all, God has unlimited love, grace, patience, care, compassion.... much more than I ever will.
There are times I really wish I could understand more than I do. When a close friend shares with me a deep hurt, or a situation he or she is in, and I feel at a loss for words...I hate that. I wish I had the right words, the perfect prayer, the SOLUTION for them. It is in those times, I have to rely on the fact the the Lord understands, and I just need to show love....
It's okay that you don't understand everything....you can lean on a God who does!!
Blessings!
In life, it's just as good to know what you can't do as knowing what you can do. One of the limitations we all have is our understanding. I don't always understand the move of God, the purposes of God, the discipline of God, or even the love of God. In all honesty, there are some things about God that I just can't understand.
I can't understand why God loves me. I can't understand why God shows so much grace. I can't understand why God doesn't instantly kill anyone that hurts a child. I can't understand why God would want to have a personal relationship with me instead of treating me like a slave or subject. I can't understand why God gave His son to die for people who spit in his face.
It's very good that God is God and I am not. After all, God has unlimited love, grace, patience, care, compassion.... much more than I ever will.
There are times I really wish I could understand more than I do. When a close friend shares with me a deep hurt, or a situation he or she is in, and I feel at a loss for words...I hate that. I wish I had the right words, the perfect prayer, the SOLUTION for them. It is in those times, I have to rely on the fact the the Lord understands, and I just need to show love....
It's okay that you don't understand everything....you can lean on a God who does!!
Blessings!
4.15.2009
april 15--TAX DAY
it's worth repeating that "anger handled the right way doesn't have to destroy."
Speaking of anger, have you ever looked at how much money we pay the government and get angry...just a sidenote...haha!
Anger is one of the strongest emotions a human being can feel. It is right up there with fear. And if we're not careful, our anger can control us, instead of us controlling our anger. I have been VERY angry before, even for right reasons, but because of the way I handled my anger, I didn't end up looking very righteous.
At the beginning of the devotional today, it gives a great analogy of two forceful personalities in a relationship being like two rivers flowing into one...that would describe my marriage! Some people marry their opposite...opposite temperament, opposite spending style, etc... Matt and I are very similar, and we are both strong personalities...if you are nodding your head right now, then you know what I am talking about.
In the early years of our marriage, as we were trying to become one as a married couple, we had many clashes of our own. There were some smaller rumbles, and then there were some severe thunderstorm warnings. Over the years, we have had to learn many lessons in communication, servant leadership, selfless love...
And one of the most important things we have had to learn is to be honest with each other about our anger, our frustrations, our hurts...so that they don't take root into our marriage and turn into resentment, and bitterness...
In every relationship, there will be opportunities to get angry....and there will also be opportunities to then forgive, and find peace again... Take the high road!
Blessings!
Speaking of anger, have you ever looked at how much money we pay the government and get angry...just a sidenote...haha!
Anger is one of the strongest emotions a human being can feel. It is right up there with fear. And if we're not careful, our anger can control us, instead of us controlling our anger. I have been VERY angry before, even for right reasons, but because of the way I handled my anger, I didn't end up looking very righteous.
At the beginning of the devotional today, it gives a great analogy of two forceful personalities in a relationship being like two rivers flowing into one...that would describe my marriage! Some people marry their opposite...opposite temperament, opposite spending style, etc... Matt and I are very similar, and we are both strong personalities...if you are nodding your head right now, then you know what I am talking about.
In the early years of our marriage, as we were trying to become one as a married couple, we had many clashes of our own. There were some smaller rumbles, and then there were some severe thunderstorm warnings. Over the years, we have had to learn many lessons in communication, servant leadership, selfless love...
And one of the most important things we have had to learn is to be honest with each other about our anger, our frustrations, our hurts...so that they don't take root into our marriage and turn into resentment, and bitterness...
In every relationship, there will be opportunities to get angry....and there will also be opportunities to then forgive, and find peace again... Take the high road!
Blessings!
4.13.2009
april 13
it's worth repeating that "no matter how bad things may appear to be, when you set your eyes on Jesus, He will fill you with hope."
Yesterday in our Easter service we announced the new name for our church body, Journey Church. It is our belief that God has placed Journey church right where it is to help guide people from where they are in their life right now to hope in Jesus Christ.
There are all different kinds of people on the road of life: busy people that look important but are really wondering what their true purpose is, hurting people who are just wishing for one day without feeling emotional pain, depressed people who just long to see a glimmer of sunshine in thier life, empty people who would do anything to stop feeling lonely...
Jesus wants to seek out and save all those who are lost... lost in sin, lost in confusion, lost in busyness, lost and wandering...
Only Jesus can bring true hope to people.... a lasting peace... an eternal joy... but we have to have the eyes of our hearts opened to see who really is and what He can really offer...
Today, if you are struggling to feel any sense of hope... make your mind, soul, eyes, and heart focus on Jesus and only Jesus... even if the circumstances don't change...your perspective will!
Blessings!
4.11.2009
april 11
it's worth repeating that "Jesus conquered death!"
That is worth repeating to ourselves and everyone around us everyday!
No one that I have ever met is excited about dying...I HATE funerals! I HATE funeral homes! But just like Jesus, that is not our end, if we become a disciple of Jesus, the Christ! His resurrection guarantees our resurrection.
And all the anti-aging products that we use this side of heaven will only do us so much good. Even I use an anti-aging facial wash and moisturizer...haha! We all want to turn back the hands of time...but God will wipe out time, and wrinkles, and backaches, and headaches, and sickness, and disease, and depression, and despair, and DEATH!
What a hope we have...let's not keep it all bottled up and packaged..let's share it...TODAY, before it's too late...
Blessings!
That is worth repeating to ourselves and everyone around us everyday!
No one that I have ever met is excited about dying...I HATE funerals! I HATE funeral homes! But just like Jesus, that is not our end, if we become a disciple of Jesus, the Christ! His resurrection guarantees our resurrection.
And all the anti-aging products that we use this side of heaven will only do us so much good. Even I use an anti-aging facial wash and moisturizer...haha! We all want to turn back the hands of time...but God will wipe out time, and wrinkles, and backaches, and headaches, and sickness, and disease, and depression, and despair, and DEATH!
What a hope we have...let's not keep it all bottled up and packaged..let's share it...TODAY, before it's too late...
Blessings!
4.09.2009
april 9
it's worth repeating that "they (those who need salvation) will be forever grateful you took the time and made the effort to introduce them to Jesus."
Sometimes I think that if I tell someone about Jesus, they will just get offended and write me off as a religious fanatic. However, I know what my life would have been like without Jesus, so I also know that once that certain someone understands who Jesus is, and what He did for them, and how He can change their whole life around....then they will be thankful that I didn't keep my mouth shut to avoid rejection or embarrassment.
This weekend, many of us will see family members that need to know about Jesus more than they need an Easter Egg hunt, a ham and potatoes meal, or even to hear about all the latest family updates. They need to hear you talk about Jesus...who He is and what He's done in your life...
But, you will have to open your mouth and share.... I dare you!
Blessings!
Sometimes I think that if I tell someone about Jesus, they will just get offended and write me off as a religious fanatic. However, I know what my life would have been like without Jesus, so I also know that once that certain someone understands who Jesus is, and what He did for them, and how He can change their whole life around....then they will be thankful that I didn't keep my mouth shut to avoid rejection or embarrassment.
This weekend, many of us will see family members that need to know about Jesus more than they need an Easter Egg hunt, a ham and potatoes meal, or even to hear about all the latest family updates. They need to hear you talk about Jesus...who He is and what He's done in your life...
But, you will have to open your mouth and share.... I dare you!
Blessings!
4.06.2009
april 6
it's worth repeating that "confessing your sins...restores your emotional and physical energy."
Keeping a secret can be draining sometimes, especially when it is something you know will impact a lot of people or has the potential to hurt someone. When we sin, or fail, or mess up, we have a tendency to think that if no one finds out, it will be okay. Life can just go on as normal.
But then, all our energies are devoted to making sure no one finds out. We carry an enormous guilt and shame along with the sin. I can't imagine being a criminal on the run, always trying to cover up my identity, mask my features, pretend to be someone else, hide from everyone, and never be able to open up to anyone.
But that's what we do sometimes. We try to hide our sin from everyone, even God. We pretend nothing happened, but emotionally we are drained, and maybe even physically exhausted from carrying this load--our sin, shame, and guilt.
We were never intended to carry that load. Jesus took all of that on the cross. Now, we just need to confess our sins. The Bible says, "confess your sins one to another, and pray for eachother, so that you may be healed." And in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us, and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
There is such a freedom in being real--with God and others.
Do you find yourself emotionally drained or physically exhausted? Maybe there is unconfessed sin in your life. Don't be afraid to confess your sin to God-- He already knows about it anyway, and is just waiting for you to confess, so He can forgive and cleanse you. And then, find someone you trust that you know is serving the Lord, and be real with them, and pray together, then the Bible says you can be healed...
Blessings!
Keeping a secret can be draining sometimes, especially when it is something you know will impact a lot of people or has the potential to hurt someone. When we sin, or fail, or mess up, we have a tendency to think that if no one finds out, it will be okay. Life can just go on as normal.
But then, all our energies are devoted to making sure no one finds out. We carry an enormous guilt and shame along with the sin. I can't imagine being a criminal on the run, always trying to cover up my identity, mask my features, pretend to be someone else, hide from everyone, and never be able to open up to anyone.
But that's what we do sometimes. We try to hide our sin from everyone, even God. We pretend nothing happened, but emotionally we are drained, and maybe even physically exhausted from carrying this load--our sin, shame, and guilt.
We were never intended to carry that load. Jesus took all of that on the cross. Now, we just need to confess our sins. The Bible says, "confess your sins one to another, and pray for eachother, so that you may be healed." And in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us, and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
There is such a freedom in being real--with God and others.
Do you find yourself emotionally drained or physically exhausted? Maybe there is unconfessed sin in your life. Don't be afraid to confess your sin to God-- He already knows about it anyway, and is just waiting for you to confess, so He can forgive and cleanse you. And then, find someone you trust that you know is serving the Lord, and be real with them, and pray together, then the Bible says you can be healed...
Blessings!
4.03.2009
april 3
it's worth repeating that "building a good relationship at home is like building a wall: It's done brick by brick."
Relationships take time. They take work. They take blood, sweat, and tears. They take energy. They require sacrifice. And they only stay together if there is "unconditional, un-condemning, unselfish love".
We really find out whether or family relationships are strong enough when we face tough times. Events, news, failures that would rip apart some families don't have to rip yours apart. But today, think about if your relationships have roots. Do you love unconditionally? Do you forgive? Do you talk to eachother? Do you make time for each other? Do you eat dinner together? Do you pray together?
These are some questions to get you started... Decide today that your family relationships will have strong, deep roots, and pray together as a family to figure out how to get there. Don't start by blaming the other members of your family for the current state of affairs. Instead, take a look at yourself, and ask yourself how you can become the husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother, that God wants you to be.
Today, start building up your family and refuse to waste any time tearing down your hard work.
Blessings!
4.02.2009
april 2
it's worth repeating that "When people are serving, life is no longer meaningless."
When I read the book of Ecclesiastes (which I highly recommend), I see the word "meaningless" several times. In fact, I almost get tired of hearing the word. It does make me evaluate where my joy, peace, security, etc.. lie. The writer of Ecclesiastes had fame, fortune, and more wisdom than anyone had ever had before his time. Yet at the end of his life , he felt it wall all worthless.
We can accumulate stuff during this life, we can accelerate our careers, we can achieve great status, we can earn several educational degrees, but there we will find no inherent meaning for our lives in those things.
I don't know about you, but the times that I most feel like I am "living" are the times when I am serving. When I give to others. When I help someone in need. When I take a pot of soup to a sick person. When I help my little son or daughter do a puzzle. When I do something that helps my husband to have a better day. When I pitch in on a community or church project.
I find purpose and meaning for my life as I serve, just the way Jesus did. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and that is the highest calling...to walk as He did.
Blessings!
When I read the book of Ecclesiastes (which I highly recommend), I see the word "meaningless" several times. In fact, I almost get tired of hearing the word. It does make me evaluate where my joy, peace, security, etc.. lie. The writer of Ecclesiastes had fame, fortune, and more wisdom than anyone had ever had before his time. Yet at the end of his life , he felt it wall all worthless.
We can accumulate stuff during this life, we can accelerate our careers, we can achieve great status, we can earn several educational degrees, but there we will find no inherent meaning for our lives in those things.
I don't know about you, but the times that I most feel like I am "living" are the times when I am serving. When I give to others. When I help someone in need. When I take a pot of soup to a sick person. When I help my little son or daughter do a puzzle. When I do something that helps my husband to have a better day. When I pitch in on a community or church project.
I find purpose and meaning for my life as I serve, just the way Jesus did. Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and that is the highest calling...to walk as He did.
Blessings!
4.01.2009
april 1
it's worth repeating that "we spend our strength extinguishing fires that, if left alone, would burn out on their own."
With 3 young children at home, I spend a good amount of my day keeping them from physically harming one another...funny, but true. One takes a toy from the other, so that child finds a way to make the other child pay for their theft. And it usually involves some form of hitting or screaming. You get the point.
I have learned recently to let them work it out at times, and not intervene every time I hear an increase in volume and urgency in their voices. They need to learn how to be kind and respectful of each other, and sometimes they need to get through it on their own. There are still those times that Mom must intervene and extinguish the fire.
I was thinking today that if we would all do our part by being peacemakers then there wouldn't have to be so much time extinguishing fires... Just some food for thought!
Blessings!
With 3 young children at home, I spend a good amount of my day keeping them from physically harming one another...funny, but true. One takes a toy from the other, so that child finds a way to make the other child pay for their theft. And it usually involves some form of hitting or screaming. You get the point.
I have learned recently to let them work it out at times, and not intervene every time I hear an increase in volume and urgency in their voices. They need to learn how to be kind and respectful of each other, and sometimes they need to get through it on their own. There are still those times that Mom must intervene and extinguish the fire.
I was thinking today that if we would all do our part by being peacemakers then there wouldn't have to be so much time extinguishing fires... Just some food for thought!
Blessings!
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