Of all the things to bring me encouragement today....I was in the car mindlessly thinking and I had the radio on. Katy Perry's song "Firework" was on and I wasn't really listening to it, but then my mind tuned in when the line played that says: "If you only knew what the future holds. After a hurricane comes a rainbow." It was just a reminder to me, and weird to me that that was the song that had to remind me of this, that I need to stop worrying about everything I worry about. I may feel like I'm in a hurricane, but I need to remember that there is a rainbow on the other side of it. I can't control a hurricane - when it comes, what it brings - just like I can't control most of the things I worry about, but I need to remember to look past it - to look to what the future really brings - to look to how God can use this hurricane to do amazing things.
Then tonight, I open up my Phillippians commentary devotional that I have been doing, and the topic of the day -- "You Don't Have to Worry!" Crazy!!! God really knew what He was doing today because I really did need the reminder. Worry does not solve anything. The book described worry in various ways -- to be pulled in different directions; wrong thinking (the mind) and wrong feeling (the heart) about circumstnaces, people, and things; the greatest thief of joy. I know how worry feels. I know it brings you down - to the point of feeling physically ill. Worry helps no one. It only defeats us into thinking we are worthless, we can't fix what is happening, we can't control what is happening, we are just helpless. We need to focus on what we can do. We can stop worrying. We can focus on God and remember his all powerfulness can handle any of our problems. The book pointed that out - the first step is right praying as laid out in Phillippians 4:6-7 - and the book said that the first step to right praying is adoration - seeing the greatest of the majesty of God and realizing that He really is big enough to solve our problems - even in ways we would never ever imagine. I forget this a lot. I hate being out of control and I worry when I feel out of control and helpless in situations. But I need to focus on the One who is ALWAYS in control. He knows my future and what will happen. As Jeremiah 29:11 says "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." How much clearer can God get with us??? He has given us hope and a future to look forward to. He has given us peace. All we have to do is accept it. All we have to do is give up control and let Him lead us. We need to think on the list of Phillippians 4:8 and not on the worries of this world that are temporary. We need to learn and RECEIVE as Paul points out in verse 9. We need to receive the truths of God inwardly and live them out in order to have the peace of God. And the peace of God is really all we need. Every day I want to strive to have the peace of God and not to be caught up in my worries, in my inconsistences, in my faults.
Phillippians 4:4-9 --> 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Let's Win the Race
Tonight, instead of studying Constitutional Law, I decided to continue on in my study of Phillippians - hey, my final exam isn't until Tuesday night, I have time to learn it by then right??? The thing I love about Phillippians is how much you can take out of every single verse. each verse has so much depth to it that a pastor could preach a sermon on each one - he could probably do a whole year of sermons on Phillippians. Tonight, I studied Phillippians 3:12-16.
Again, I am using Warren Wiersbe's "Be Joyful" Commentary to study Phillippians. He lays out the five things that the Christian needs to win the race.
First, DISSATISFACTION. This is for verses 12-13a. Paul writes - "not as though I had already attained." This is a statement of a great Christian who never permitted himself to be satisfied with his spiritual attainments. He was obviously satisfied with Jesus Christ based on Phillippians 3:10, but he was not satisfied with his own Christian life. Many Christians are self-satisfied with their Christian walks because they compare themselves with other Christians and their "race." Yes, you or I may think we are doing better in our walk with Christ than some other Christian - but who are we to judge the heart of others - and who are we to think that we should be satisfied with where we are in our walk with Christ. We should be continually striving to push forward in our walk and to grow deeper and deeper in love with Christ. It's not like when we start a new relationship with a friend or a boyfriend or spouse that we become satisfied with that relationship and think we don't need to continually foster it and grow it further. We don't stop talking to that person or hanging out with them because we are "satisfied" with the relationship. No. We want to continue the relationship and continue the growth and continue to know them on a deeper level. That's how it should be with Christ. We will never be perfect in this life and we will never reach a point of where we should be satisfied with where we are spiritually. Paul compared himself with himself and with Jesus and so should we.
Second, DEVOTION. This is off of verse 13b. Paul writes "one thing." No one succeeds when they are trying to do everything - we have to specialize in something to become great at it. Very few people are great at everything. The winners are those who concentrate, who keep their eyes on the goal and let nothing distract them. That is how we need to be. The things of this world may seem important to us now, but in the end our focus needs to be on following Christ and glorifying His name. That is what we need to be devoted to -- that one thing.
Third, DIRECTION. This is off of verse 13c. The unsaved person is controlled by the past, but the Christian running the race looks toward the future. Wiersbe states that in the Bible, when it says "to forget" it is not literally meaning to forget. It means to no longer be influenced by or affected by. As Christians, we need to look towards the future and not the past. We will remember our pasts - failures or successes - but we can not let that affect us or how we live in the present and future. If we failed in the past we can not let that bring us down and make us feel unworthy of God's grace and love and become down and depressed, unwilling to forgive ourselves and feel God's forgiveness poured out on us. If we succeeded in the past, that's great, but we can't let them make us so prideful that we forget to live in the present and continue to press on in the future. I think this is one of the most difficult things in life to not let the past affect you - how you feel about yourself and others. It is something I struggle with daily. We need to let go of the past and feel God's love pour over us and remember the future that is laid out for us.
Fourth, DETERMINATION. This is off verse 14. There are two extremes we need to avoid. First, thinking "I must do it all." Second, thinking "God must do it all." God works in us that He might work through us. We can't think that we will be able to do everything by ourselves - we need to lean on God and allow Him to work through us. But we also can't just think that God will do everything for us - we have to press on toward the goal as well. It would be like a football quarterback either saying - let's do it ourselves we don't need to listen to the coach; or saying the coach can do everything, we can just stand on the field and do nothing. No, neither of those ways would make the players winners. We need to press on, leaning on God's help, towards the goal - the goal of the high upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Fifth, DISCIPLINE. This is off verses 15-16. Here, Paul is emphasizing the importance of the Christian remembering the spiritual rules laid down in the Word. He reminds us that one day God will reveal where we followed and where we didn't follow - one day at the Bema judgment seat of Christ. The Bible is full of people who began the race with great success, but failed at the end because they disregarded God's rules. They didn't lose their salvation, but they did lose their rewards (1 Cor. 3:15). Examples would be Lot (Gen. 19), Samson (Judges 16), Saul (1 Samuel 28; 31), and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). We do not want to be one of the Christians who fail at the end of our race after starting out strong. Let us finish the race with endurance and strength, leaning on God, but pressing on towards the goal ahead.
Phillippians 3:12-16
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Again, I am using Warren Wiersbe's "Be Joyful" Commentary to study Phillippians. He lays out the five things that the Christian needs to win the race.
First, DISSATISFACTION. This is for verses 12-13a. Paul writes - "not as though I had already attained." This is a statement of a great Christian who never permitted himself to be satisfied with his spiritual attainments. He was obviously satisfied with Jesus Christ based on Phillippians 3:10, but he was not satisfied with his own Christian life. Many Christians are self-satisfied with their Christian walks because they compare themselves with other Christians and their "race." Yes, you or I may think we are doing better in our walk with Christ than some other Christian - but who are we to judge the heart of others - and who are we to think that we should be satisfied with where we are in our walk with Christ. We should be continually striving to push forward in our walk and to grow deeper and deeper in love with Christ. It's not like when we start a new relationship with a friend or a boyfriend or spouse that we become satisfied with that relationship and think we don't need to continually foster it and grow it further. We don't stop talking to that person or hanging out with them because we are "satisfied" with the relationship. No. We want to continue the relationship and continue the growth and continue to know them on a deeper level. That's how it should be with Christ. We will never be perfect in this life and we will never reach a point of where we should be satisfied with where we are spiritually. Paul compared himself with himself and with Jesus and so should we.
Second, DEVOTION. This is off of verse 13b. Paul writes "one thing." No one succeeds when they are trying to do everything - we have to specialize in something to become great at it. Very few people are great at everything. The winners are those who concentrate, who keep their eyes on the goal and let nothing distract them. That is how we need to be. The things of this world may seem important to us now, but in the end our focus needs to be on following Christ and glorifying His name. That is what we need to be devoted to -- that one thing.
Third, DIRECTION. This is off of verse 13c. The unsaved person is controlled by the past, but the Christian running the race looks toward the future. Wiersbe states that in the Bible, when it says "to forget" it is not literally meaning to forget. It means to no longer be influenced by or affected by. As Christians, we need to look towards the future and not the past. We will remember our pasts - failures or successes - but we can not let that affect us or how we live in the present and future. If we failed in the past we can not let that bring us down and make us feel unworthy of God's grace and love and become down and depressed, unwilling to forgive ourselves and feel God's forgiveness poured out on us. If we succeeded in the past, that's great, but we can't let them make us so prideful that we forget to live in the present and continue to press on in the future. I think this is one of the most difficult things in life to not let the past affect you - how you feel about yourself and others. It is something I struggle with daily. We need to let go of the past and feel God's love pour over us and remember the future that is laid out for us.
Fourth, DETERMINATION. This is off verse 14. There are two extremes we need to avoid. First, thinking "I must do it all." Second, thinking "God must do it all." God works in us that He might work through us. We can't think that we will be able to do everything by ourselves - we need to lean on God and allow Him to work through us. But we also can't just think that God will do everything for us - we have to press on toward the goal as well. It would be like a football quarterback either saying - let's do it ourselves we don't need to listen to the coach; or saying the coach can do everything, we can just stand on the field and do nothing. No, neither of those ways would make the players winners. We need to press on, leaning on God's help, towards the goal - the goal of the high upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Fifth, DISCIPLINE. This is off verses 15-16. Here, Paul is emphasizing the importance of the Christian remembering the spiritual rules laid down in the Word. He reminds us that one day God will reveal where we followed and where we didn't follow - one day at the Bema judgment seat of Christ. The Bible is full of people who began the race with great success, but failed at the end because they disregarded God's rules. They didn't lose their salvation, but they did lose their rewards (1 Cor. 3:15). Examples would be Lot (Gen. 19), Samson (Judges 16), Saul (1 Samuel 28; 31), and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). We do not want to be one of the Christians who fail at the end of our race after starting out strong. Let us finish the race with endurance and strength, leaning on God, but pressing on towards the goal ahead.
Phillippians 3:12-16
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Paul's Example
I've been studying Phillipians using Warren Wiersbe's "Be Joyful" lately. The other night I read Phillippians 3:4-11. Verses 4-6 really are talking about Paul's past and the example he is laying out of how he tried to gain righteousness through works. He knew the futility of trying to attain salvation through works. He was a Hebrew of the highest caliber. He had been circumcised. He was a Pharisee of the highest ideal that a Jew could hope to attain. He followed the rules to a tee. He persecuted any followers of Jesus because he saw them as the enemy of Israel and the Jews. But Paul found that he was using the wrong measuring stick to measure salvation and righteousness. He was looking at the outside, not the inside - comparing himself to the standards set by men, not by God.
How often do we do this? Constantly I am comparing myself to man's standards instead of God's standards. It comes so easily to us. We are surrounded by the standards of men - needing to succeed in this world, needing to look a certain way, needing to get certain grades, needing to get into a certain school, needing to be seen as successful and something to aspire to. However, these are not God's standards. God looks to the heart. He sees our inner desires. His standards look at our heart, at who we want to honor (ourselves, others, or God), at how loving we are towards others, at how selfish we can be, at how much we want to glorify Him above anything else. That is what really matters in the end. A bad grade on a final exam or a missed shot at the big game are not what God measures us by - and isn't that wonderful! He loves us so unconditionally that even if we fail at "man's standards" we can succeed at God's standards.
Verses 7-11 continue on speaking of Paul's losses and gains. Verse 7 speaks on his losses. Paul lost whatever had been gain to him before his relationship with Christ. He lost his "religious" reputation, his worldy achievements, his old friends, his old life. Yet he counted this as gain because of everything he gained after his salvation experience on that blinding road. Verse 8 speaks of his gain of knowing Christ. No longer did he just know ABOUT Christ, but he had knowledge OF Christ. He experienced being a part of Christ's family and having a real relationship with him. He experienced the peace and love and joy that accompany that relationship. Verse 9 speaks of his gain of the righteousness of Christ. Before he had worked toward self-righteousness through following the laws of men, but now he has found the righteousness of Christ bestowed upon him. Verses 10-11 speak of his gain of the fellowship of Christ. Paul rejoiced in his sufferings that he suffered because of his relationship with Christ. He shared in Christ's sufferings. It was no longer about a list of rules for Paul, it was about a relationship.
I think a lot of people see Christianity as a list of rules that we have to follow. People don't like rules, especially having a lot of them. I think Paul is a prime example that that is not what being a Christian is all about. Before Paul had a relationship with Christ he followed rules. He thought following rules and being a "religious" man would bring him righteousness and fulfillment. But it didn't Not until he had a relationship with Christ did he find freedom from the rules. Christ brings freedom. Christ does not want us to be burdened down with rules. He wants us to follow him and to love like him and to make glorifying him our number one desire in life. When that becomes our top priority, it is not about rules, it is about doing everything we can to glorify God in every thing we do - whether it is telling other about his glorious name or encouraging those around us or living our lives with purpose and joy.
Phil 3:4-6 --> 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
How often do we do this? Constantly I am comparing myself to man's standards instead of God's standards. It comes so easily to us. We are surrounded by the standards of men - needing to succeed in this world, needing to look a certain way, needing to get certain grades, needing to get into a certain school, needing to be seen as successful and something to aspire to. However, these are not God's standards. God looks to the heart. He sees our inner desires. His standards look at our heart, at who we want to honor (ourselves, others, or God), at how loving we are towards others, at how selfish we can be, at how much we want to glorify Him above anything else. That is what really matters in the end. A bad grade on a final exam or a missed shot at the big game are not what God measures us by - and isn't that wonderful! He loves us so unconditionally that even if we fail at "man's standards" we can succeed at God's standards.
Verses 7-11 continue on speaking of Paul's losses and gains. Verse 7 speaks on his losses. Paul lost whatever had been gain to him before his relationship with Christ. He lost his "religious" reputation, his worldy achievements, his old friends, his old life. Yet he counted this as gain because of everything he gained after his salvation experience on that blinding road. Verse 8 speaks of his gain of knowing Christ. No longer did he just know ABOUT Christ, but he had knowledge OF Christ. He experienced being a part of Christ's family and having a real relationship with him. He experienced the peace and love and joy that accompany that relationship. Verse 9 speaks of his gain of the righteousness of Christ. Before he had worked toward self-righteousness through following the laws of men, but now he has found the righteousness of Christ bestowed upon him. Verses 10-11 speak of his gain of the fellowship of Christ. Paul rejoiced in his sufferings that he suffered because of his relationship with Christ. He shared in Christ's sufferings. It was no longer about a list of rules for Paul, it was about a relationship.
I think a lot of people see Christianity as a list of rules that we have to follow. People don't like rules, especially having a lot of them. I think Paul is a prime example that that is not what being a Christian is all about. Before Paul had a relationship with Christ he followed rules. He thought following rules and being a "religious" man would bring him righteousness and fulfillment. But it didn't Not until he had a relationship with Christ did he find freedom from the rules. Christ brings freedom. Christ does not want us to be burdened down with rules. He wants us to follow him and to love like him and to make glorifying him our number one desire in life. When that becomes our top priority, it is not about rules, it is about doing everything we can to glorify God in every thing we do - whether it is telling other about his glorious name or encouraging those around us or living our lives with purpose and joy.
Phil 3:4-6 --> 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Poor Bella
My poor baby Bella is so sad tonight. She had to have an exploratory surgery for a lump/bubble that was on her tummy. It turned out to be a bad reaction to her spaying surgery stitches - but they don't know why she had the reaction months later. But every time she moves she has creid tonight, so it makes me sad.
I just want her to be happy and look like this again...
Hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow....
I just want her to be happy and look like this again...
Hopefully she'll feel better tomorrow....
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Everything Falls
One of my favorite songs at the moment is Everything Falls by Fee. It lifts my spirits every time I hear it because it reminds me that no matter what is going on in my life, how bad I'm feeling, or how bad life seems, God is always there right beside me and His arms will hold me together when I feel like I can no longer hold myself together.
At the end of September, I was rear-ended and since my back has been tight continually and sore and in pain throughout the day. Sometimes I feel like doing nothing because of the pain I feel, but I know I have to keep focused on what I need to accomplish at that moment and move forward. But at those times when I feel like I cannot deal with the pain and the frustration of my back, I must remember that God's arms will hold me up, even when I feel my boday will not.
My pain also reminds me of my dad. He has been in constant back pain for years and the doctors have no idea why. I know his pain is a million times greater than my pain because of the amount of pain killers he takes every day. Yet, I have never heard him complain about his pain. Sam will tell you that I complain to him about my back probably daily. I am amazed at my dad's strength to push the pain aside and stay focused on his day. He doesn't complain about it, but pushes forward. I am sure he is discouraged at the thought of never being pain-free (that is until he is with our eternal Father forever in Heaven), but he does not show that discouragement to the world. He still finds joy and he allows God to hold his boday and spirit together. He is my inspiration during the day to continue on in my own pain.
Below is the video for the song.
At the end of September, I was rear-ended and since my back has been tight continually and sore and in pain throughout the day. Sometimes I feel like doing nothing because of the pain I feel, but I know I have to keep focused on what I need to accomplish at that moment and move forward. But at those times when I feel like I cannot deal with the pain and the frustration of my back, I must remember that God's arms will hold me up, even when I feel my boday will not.
My pain also reminds me of my dad. He has been in constant back pain for years and the doctors have no idea why. I know his pain is a million times greater than my pain because of the amount of pain killers he takes every day. Yet, I have never heard him complain about his pain. Sam will tell you that I complain to him about my back probably daily. I am amazed at my dad's strength to push the pain aside and stay focused on his day. He doesn't complain about it, but pushes forward. I am sure he is discouraged at the thought of never being pain-free (that is until he is with our eternal Father forever in Heaven), but he does not show that discouragement to the world. He still finds joy and he allows God to hold his boday and spirit together. He is my inspiration during the day to continue on in my own pain.
Below is the video for the song.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Sam's side of the family!!! Sam's sister was gracious enough to have us all over for a wonderful meal!
Sam and us with our nephew and niece
We're Cute
Cheese!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
I am thankful for....
With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought I would share the top ten things I am thankful for:
1. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, I would not exist, I would not have fulfillment, I would not have His saving grace, I would have no reason to keep living. He is my Rock and my Fortress and never leaves me, even when I feel I have no one else to turn to - He is ALWAYS there for me!
2. My wonderful husband, Samuel Neal. I love him dearly. He deals with all my worrisome ways and my rants about my days. He protects me and provides for me and loves me despite my faults.
3. My loving parents. They are the best examples of strength, faith, and endurance that I have. Despite what life has thrown at them and despite the consequences of some of their own actions, they have remained strong and steadfast and continually rely on God to provide and get them through the storms of life.
4. My best friend, Amanda. She can always make me smile and knows just how to cheer me up and get me away from the stresses of life. She is always there for me and never judges me.
5. My law school girls - Nicole, Ashley, and Elyse. Without them I would not make it through law school. We understand each others' stresses and are able to build and encourage each other up throughout this crazy world we call law school.
6. My youth girls. I love them all so much and they encourage me so throughout the week. They keep me young and immature when I need to be. They bring me joy and they allow me the great privilege to know what is going on in their lives and to hopefully encourage them and help them through life.
7. My puppies, Lucy and Bella. They just make me happy and are always there to cuddle and keep me company.
8. My in-laws. They accepted me into their family without hesitation and have loved on me as one of their own.
9. My country. I am so thankful to live in a country where I have freedoms to express my religion, my viewpoints, my thoughts, and will not be violently persecuted for doing so.
10. Kenneth and Amber - the youth pastor and his wife. I am very thankful for these two and the heart they have the youth. They put their all into everything they do for the youth and the youth, as well as the adult leaders, love them. They are an encouragement to me and I also love listening to Kenneth teach and preach.
So that's what I am thankful for today. What are you thankful for?
1. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, I would not exist, I would not have fulfillment, I would not have His saving grace, I would have no reason to keep living. He is my Rock and my Fortress and never leaves me, even when I feel I have no one else to turn to - He is ALWAYS there for me!
2. My wonderful husband, Samuel Neal. I love him dearly. He deals with all my worrisome ways and my rants about my days. He protects me and provides for me and loves me despite my faults.
3. My loving parents. They are the best examples of strength, faith, and endurance that I have. Despite what life has thrown at them and despite the consequences of some of their own actions, they have remained strong and steadfast and continually rely on God to provide and get them through the storms of life.
4. My best friend, Amanda. She can always make me smile and knows just how to cheer me up and get me away from the stresses of life. She is always there for me and never judges me.
5. My law school girls - Nicole, Ashley, and Elyse. Without them I would not make it through law school. We understand each others' stresses and are able to build and encourage each other up throughout this crazy world we call law school.
6. My youth girls. I love them all so much and they encourage me so throughout the week. They keep me young and immature when I need to be. They bring me joy and they allow me the great privilege to know what is going on in their lives and to hopefully encourage them and help them through life.
7. My puppies, Lucy and Bella. They just make me happy and are always there to cuddle and keep me company.
8. My in-laws. They accepted me into their family without hesitation and have loved on me as one of their own.
9. My country. I am so thankful to live in a country where I have freedoms to express my religion, my viewpoints, my thoughts, and will not be violently persecuted for doing so.
10. Kenneth and Amber - the youth pastor and his wife. I am very thankful for these two and the heart they have the youth. They put their all into everything they do for the youth and the youth, as well as the adult leaders, love them. They are an encouragement to me and I also love listening to Kenneth teach and preach.
So that's what I am thankful for today. What are you thankful for?
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Stand
For those of you who don't know where the title of my blog comes from...it is from the song "The Stand." It is definitely one of my favorite worship songs and almost every time that it gets to the bridge that the title of my blog comes from I am almost in tears. It convicts me every time we sing it in the youth group and it just breaks me down. "And I'll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all." Jesus truly gave it all for us. He gave His life for us. He came down to this wicked world and took the form of one of our wretched human bodies. He was tempted just as we were, yet He never sinned. He was killed by his enemies even though He did nothing wrong. But the glorious part is that He rose again. His perfect sacrifice, His perfect blood, was the only way that we, evil people that we are, are able to spend eternity in Heaven with Him if we accept this grace He bestowed upon us. Yet, even after some of us have accepted this perfect grace, we do not continually change our hearts and our lives to live like we have been saved. We return to our selfish desires. We do not live with arms lifted high and our hearts abandoned to the ways of the world completely focused on the one who saved us by giving it all. This song continually reminds me of this sacrifice and my continual lack of daily committment. Let us all be reminded of this grace and let us all live with arms high and hearts abandoned each and every moment, remembering that the things of this world are temporary and what really matters is eternity.
Here are the lyrics to the song:
Here are the lyrics to the song:
You stood before creation Eternity within Your hand You spoke the earth into motion My soul now to stand You stood before my failure Carried the Cross for my shame My sin weighed upon Your shoulders My soul now to stand So what can I say What can I do But offer this heart O God Completely to You So I'll walk upon salvation Your Spirit alive in me This life to declare Your promise My soul now to stand So what can I say What can I do But offer this heart O God Completely to You So I'll stand With arms high and heart abandoned In awe of the One who gave it all So I'll stand My soul Lord to You surrendered All I am is Yours
New to all this...
I'm new to the blogging world...so please be patient with me. :) I am also about 2.5 weeks from starting a stressful time of law school exams so life is quite busy right now.
I started this blog as a way to express my thoughts and possibly encourage those reading them. I am continually learning new things about myself, those around me, and about my relationship with God that hopefully those of you reading will find interesting and helpful in your own lives.
Come back soon and hopefully a new, longer and more interesting, blog will be posted!
I started this blog as a way to express my thoughts and possibly encourage those reading them. I am continually learning new things about myself, those around me, and about my relationship with God that hopefully those of you reading will find interesting and helpful in your own lives.
Come back soon and hopefully a new, longer and more interesting, blog will be posted!
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