For me, prayer has always been wrapped up in condemnation.
Not that it was a conscious thought, but it was always there… underlying my foundational beliefs about prayer. And about myself.
While I’ve never been one to pray for very long, everyday but not hours at a time. my mom, on the other hand, was known for her hours-long prayer times. And in a way, it became a measure of spirituality in the brand of Christianity I was raised in.
A measure I fell very short of.
I’ve been made to feel like a “bad Christian” because of my prayer habits (or non-habits).
I’ve been told that I’m not spiritual enough because I don’t pray for long periods of time. (Along with my insufficient Scripture usage and lack of structured “quiet times”…)
Prayer became yet another area that I’m simply “not enough” in. The guilt always gave birth to shame in my failed attempts to try harder.
So it’s something I’ve had to realign my thinking on. And I find myself still needing to. Often. Because I still feel the weight of those lies.
I want depth and realness in my prayer life to stem from desire, not judgment.
I’m tired of trying to pray more/better/longer/eloquentlier because I’m “supposed to”. I’m done should-ing on myself, and I’m done with others should-ing on me too.
Because, let’s be honest… Guilt, disapproval, and judgment have only caused me to pray less, not more.
Ironic how condemnation works. Even when it’s self-inflicted.
I digress.
There is significant freedom in remembering that God created me as I am, on purpose.
He’s not surprised by my “oooooh! shiny!” tendencies when I’m talking to Him. He’s not baffled by my inability to sit still for extended periods of time. He’s not confused when I pray in short one-liners spread throughout the day.
He knows what I’m like. He’s the One who knit me together for God’s sake! (No blasphemy intended. He really did create me for His sake.)
And He hardwired me exactly as I am. Intentionally.
I think He loves when I relate to Him out of the uniqueness of my own DNA rather than out of some mass-produced version of how Christians “should” pray.
So today I’m choosing to shake off the shackles of should and supposed to. And I’m giving myself the freedom to discover how God wants to relate to me.
And how He created me to relate to Him.
Which is as individual and unparalleled as my fingerprint.
What are some of the unique ways you can relate to God?
Do you feel freedom to connect with Him like that?
Kimberly Jones
Welcome to my World
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Who Touched Me
The woman bled for 12 years straight.Physician after physician shrugged his shoulders. She’d given up all hope of ever getting better. But then she heard about Jesus: the miracle worker. Desperate, she knew she had to get to Him.
As she clawed her way through the crowd on her hands and knees, she carried with her much more than her illness. She carried shame. As if in a bag over her shoulder, she dragged along a heavy burden of rejection and fear. She’s referred to as the “woman with the issue of blood”, but her issues ran much deeper than that. Her physical ailment made her an outcast in her own culture.Her emotional hurts and scars were far worse than her physical ones.
Finally catching up to Jesus, she reached out and frantically, yet faintly, grabbed the hem of His robe. Immediately, she was healed. Jesus turned around and faced the crowd.“Who touched Me?”
Shetold Him the whole truth.She told why she had touched Him and how she had been instantly healed.Jesus cared enough to listen to her story. Thelongversion.He just let her talk.He was on His way to heal a dying girl. People were rushing Him. Pressing Him. Insisting He keep going before it’s too late. He silenced them long enough for her to tell her story.
When she finished talking, He responded by calling herDaughter. It’s the only time recorded that He addressed someone that way. The love she felt in that one simple word must have been overwhelming. After pouring out her heart, He’d responded with pure affection. Gentle but aggressive love.
If Jesus’ aim was simply to heal her, He would have kept walking after she touched Him, for she was healed instantly. If that was all He was concerned about, He wouldn’t have stopped, turned around, asked the question. He wouldn’t have looked straight at her, talked to her, listened. But He did all those things. He wanted to let her talk. To tell her story.He wanted to call herDaughter.
For that is when her heart was healed.
He wanted to heal more than her body. His aim all along was to heal her heart.
I can picture Him looking her in the eyes as He talked to her. And making her look into His. The healing began as, face-to-face, His love was visible, and it resonated within her soul. It broke down walls. Shattered barriers. Smashed through the defenses she’d lived behind for so long. His love broke through with a simple gaze, a listening ear, and undivided attention.
It wouldn’t have helped if He healed her physically, but left her to still carry the hurt from her 12 years of rejection and disgrace. Despite her physical healing, she probably would have continued to stay holed up in her house. She would have been the same cowering little girl she always was, still dragging her bag of shame behind her. But as Jesus looked into her eyes, He saw the woman He created her to be, and He wasn’t content to leave her drowning in her pain.
The greatest healing isn’t the miraculous cure of her incurable disease. It is the passionate healing of her heart.
God’s primary concern is still the condition of hearts. Physical health and a blessed life pale in comparison with a restored soul. God’s heart hurts for our hurting hearts.
He still brings love, grace, and healing through a touch of the hem of His robe.
And we are the hem of His robe.
As she clawed her way through the crowd on her hands and knees, she carried with her much more than her illness. She carried shame. As if in a bag over her shoulder, she dragged along a heavy burden of rejection and fear. She’s referred to as the “woman with the issue of blood”, but her issues ran much deeper than that. Her physical ailment made her an outcast in her own culture.Her emotional hurts and scars were far worse than her physical ones.
Finally catching up to Jesus, she reached out and frantically, yet faintly, grabbed the hem of His robe. Immediately, she was healed. Jesus turned around and faced the crowd.“Who touched Me?”
Shetold Him the whole truth.She told why she had touched Him and how she had been instantly healed.Jesus cared enough to listen to her story. Thelongversion.He just let her talk.He was on His way to heal a dying girl. People were rushing Him. Pressing Him. Insisting He keep going before it’s too late. He silenced them long enough for her to tell her story.
When she finished talking, He responded by calling herDaughter. It’s the only time recorded that He addressed someone that way. The love she felt in that one simple word must have been overwhelming. After pouring out her heart, He’d responded with pure affection. Gentle but aggressive love.
If Jesus’ aim was simply to heal her, He would have kept walking after she touched Him, for she was healed instantly. If that was all He was concerned about, He wouldn’t have stopped, turned around, asked the question. He wouldn’t have looked straight at her, talked to her, listened. But He did all those things. He wanted to let her talk. To tell her story.He wanted to call herDaughter.
For that is when her heart was healed.
He wanted to heal more than her body. His aim all along was to heal her heart.
I can picture Him looking her in the eyes as He talked to her. And making her look into His. The healing began as, face-to-face, His love was visible, and it resonated within her soul. It broke down walls. Shattered barriers. Smashed through the defenses she’d lived behind for so long. His love broke through with a simple gaze, a listening ear, and undivided attention.
It wouldn’t have helped if He healed her physically, but left her to still carry the hurt from her 12 years of rejection and disgrace. Despite her physical healing, she probably would have continued to stay holed up in her house. She would have been the same cowering little girl she always was, still dragging her bag of shame behind her. But as Jesus looked into her eyes, He saw the woman He created her to be, and He wasn’t content to leave her drowning in her pain.
The greatest healing isn’t the miraculous cure of her incurable disease. It is the passionate healing of her heart.
God’s primary concern is still the condition of hearts. Physical health and a blessed life pale in comparison with a restored soul. God’s heart hurts for our hurting hearts.
He still brings love, grace, and healing through a touch of the hem of His robe.
And we are the hem of His robe.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Flipping the Script on Self(ish)Love.. Creating a better ME!
How many times have you been told to "believe in" or to "feel good about yourself"? I had a mentor who advised me to kiss my reflection in the mirror and tell myself that i am beautiful and wonderful. I know some people who act like they’ve kissed their mirrors one too many times, but not me. I have suffered from insecurity and low self-esteem myself before.. I always say,"God was in a funny mood the day he created me!" He gave me to a mommy that stood 5'1 and 99 pounds wet.. He created me 5'9 and thick;)) I always felt like a amazon next to her petite frame! I now celebrate my body & image. Wouldn't want to be any different! I also faced a learning disability which led to me being very driven in everything i did. Trying to prove something to ME & everyone around me. I really was a train wreck for a while. Hurt people.. Hurt people! I hurt many Hearts of people I loved all because I didn't love me. Thank God I'm free from that & growing everyday! Healed people.. Heal people! This is why I now Love sooooo Much.. Even the Meanies;)) I realize no one truly wants to be mean.. It's a cover for their insecurities,hurt and pain that they haven't dealt with.. I truly believe everyone can change if they desire! I did;)
I’ve always seemed confident on the outside, but I’ve felt insecure inside, longing for someone to love me and believe in me. Just as many of you have. My gift from God was realizing it had to start in me so that I could be lovable.. I faced a life changing event 5 years ago that literally brought me to my knees. What the devil meant for evil.. God used for his Glory and healed my soul through it. Though I would never want anyone to face this nor would I ever want to relive it.. I am so grateful for what God did in my heart,life and soul! I surrendered during this season. I was desperate and allowed myself to be vulnerable to a good God. I realized he is a Kind, loving , gracious, forgiving God who desired for me to be whole and love life! I faced my fears and learned to love people & everything about me.. I was reborn in this season! Okay.. Let me get back on track here on talking about Self Esteem;)
Is Self-Esteem Necessary?
Society emphasizes the need for high self-esteem, but is it biblical? Some people think so. They point to Mark 12:31 as a biblical basis for cultivating self-love. That’s the passage where Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Proponents of self-love detect a third commandment, explaining that we cannot love our neighbor until we love ourselves. Hence, they say, our basic need is higher self-esteem. Yet this is a misinterpretation of Scripture. Ephesians 5:6 says, "No man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it. . . ." Rather than telling us to love ourselves, the Bible says we already love ourselves and predicts that self-esteem movements will rise in the last days. In fact, the only biblical reference to self love is negative. People will become "lovers of their own selves" (2 Timothy 3:2). Society’s emphasis on self-love is characteristic of a proud society. We are seeing ramifications of this all around us with how we've placed men & women of God up on high man made platforms holding them to unrealistic standards that they couldn't fulfill. They got puffed up by the praise and lost sight of the fear of God. This resulting in them falling into sin and hurting lots of saints who had them in the place of God in their lives.
The Bible contains plenty of examples of people who suffered from self-esteem problems. However, none suffered from low self-esteem. King Saul was doing just fine when he was "little in [his] own sight" (2 Samuel 15:17). When he became proud and decided to run his own show, however, his high self-esteem, manifested in disobedience, cost him his kingdom.
A rich man of the New Testament also paid a high price for high self-esteem. One year, his harvest was far more than he needed, so he came up with a plan to rip down his barns and build bigger ones to hold his excess food. Then he said to himself: "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry" (Luke 12:18-19). Christ condemned this man for focusing on himself, calling him a fool. The rich man’s self-focus cost him his life that night.
Do you notice any similarities between the rich man’s words and the following? "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high" (Isaiah 14:13-14). These words, spoken by Satan, caused him to be thrown out of heaven. High self-esteem says,
"You are great; you have the ability and the right to make your own decisions and to run your own life, and no one should stop you—not even God." High self-esteem was the original sin.
Consider the apostle Paul. If anyone had cause to have high self-esteem, Paul did. He had attended a prestigious "Ivy League" school of his day. He was religious, extremely moral, and zealous in religious service. Yet the Lord gave him a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him from having high self-esteem. In 2 Corinthians 12:6, Paul says he would have enjoyed glorying in himself, yet he realized how foolish that would be. Only God deserved the credit for changing him from a pompous Pharisee to a humble servant of Christ.(This is how I feel.. I'm humbled to be a voice for my God;) Though Paul asked God to take his weakness away, the request was denied. Instead, Christ gave Paul something better: Christ-dependence. Listen to the Lord’s promise: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (v. 9).
Is Christ Sufficient?
If having high self-esteem is so unbiblical, why do Christians still think they need it? Self-esteem rears its head when we refuse to believe that Christ is sufficient in our weakness and when we claim credit for the abilities, accomplishments, and strengths God has given us. Our need for self-esteem is basically pride—essentially stealing attention away from God. In our culture where the self-made man and the empowered woman are our role models, weakness is not a virtue. We would rather feel strong and self-sufficient than to be dependent on someone else. If we realize that Christ can love us, use us, change us, and give us grace in our weaknesses, then Christ is the One we need, not ourselves. (whew.. I'm blessing myself & speaking to myself! This makes me love God even more!;)
You have a choice. You can choose to believe in yourself or Christ but not both. If we really believe that Christ is sufficient in our weakness—that Christ’s strength, beauty, sovereignty, and perfection are far greater than our weakness—then we won’t need to raise our self-esteem. When we admit that we are weak and that God is strong, we become people God can use for His glory. We aren't puffed up.. We realize we're just a sinner, saved by grace.. We're so humbled and grateful, we can't help but be contagious in his love! We walk everyday in the whole armor of God and give him all the glory!
How do we combat self-esteem and cultivate Christ-esteem? We need to think realistically about who we are in light of who God is. Try this: Take a sheet of paper and divide it into four columns. In the first column, list your weaknesses, and in the second column, write down verses that show how God can be glorified through each one. A verse that helps me overcome the jitters when I'm faced with standing & ministering in front of a group of saints that I respect and admire.. I find myself feeling at times like they should be up there more than I... (Yes, this happens to me;) one of my verses is Psalm 144:1: "Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." I am chosen to minister the gospel and I can do all things thru Christ who strengthen me! He turned my scars into stars and my pain into my pulpit.. Thank the Lord for how He can and will use your weaknesses to show His strength, power, and grace in your life. (Note: If you cannot be thankful for your weaknesses, you are showing roots of bitterness against God. Confess that and then thank Him.)
In the third column, write your strengths and pray two things about each one: First, ask God to prevent you from boasting in them (2 Corinthians 12:9). Recognize that it is only by His grace you have strengths and abilities; Second, entrust each strength to the Lord, asking Him to use your strengths to glorify Himself. Finally, in the fourth column, write down Bible verses that will help you to resist the temptation to be proud of your strengths. Girls, do you think that you are (as my guy friends used to say) a "super luscious babe"? Memorize Proverbs 31:30: "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." But wait, guys, you’re not off the hook. If you think you’re a "chick magnet," consider Eliab, King David’s good-looking older brother. His looks did not impress God, who said, "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). If we pray submissively and think biblically, God will give grace to meet our needs (Philippians 4:6-19).
When we acknowledge our powerlessness compared to that of a holy, righteous, omnipotent God, we realize we have nothing to glory in. We are left in awe of the God of the universe who fearfully and wonderfully made each of us to be exactly who we are (Psalm 139:14). He is also the God who provides His Spirit to help us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). We can confidently depend on Christ when we’re feeling weak! "For when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
I am learning that I don’t need someone to believe in me when my almighty, loving Father has chosen me and is working in my life to make me like His Son. Everyday is a new day of me growing more & more in him..He is the One we need to esteem. We need only Him. That just rawks to ME! I pray this touched you and gives you a new understanding of just how precious you are to our father! I love each one of you to pieces and believe in you greatly! Bless you!
I’ve always seemed confident on the outside, but I’ve felt insecure inside, longing for someone to love me and believe in me. Just as many of you have. My gift from God was realizing it had to start in me so that I could be lovable.. I faced a life changing event 5 years ago that literally brought me to my knees. What the devil meant for evil.. God used for his Glory and healed my soul through it. Though I would never want anyone to face this nor would I ever want to relive it.. I am so grateful for what God did in my heart,life and soul! I surrendered during this season. I was desperate and allowed myself to be vulnerable to a good God. I realized he is a Kind, loving , gracious, forgiving God who desired for me to be whole and love life! I faced my fears and learned to love people & everything about me.. I was reborn in this season! Okay.. Let me get back on track here on talking about Self Esteem;)
Is Self-Esteem Necessary?
Society emphasizes the need for high self-esteem, but is it biblical? Some people think so. They point to Mark 12:31 as a biblical basis for cultivating self-love. That’s the passage where Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Proponents of self-love detect a third commandment, explaining that we cannot love our neighbor until we love ourselves. Hence, they say, our basic need is higher self-esteem. Yet this is a misinterpretation of Scripture. Ephesians 5:6 says, "No man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it. . . ." Rather than telling us to love ourselves, the Bible says we already love ourselves and predicts that self-esteem movements will rise in the last days. In fact, the only biblical reference to self love is negative. People will become "lovers of their own selves" (2 Timothy 3:2). Society’s emphasis on self-love is characteristic of a proud society. We are seeing ramifications of this all around us with how we've placed men & women of God up on high man made platforms holding them to unrealistic standards that they couldn't fulfill. They got puffed up by the praise and lost sight of the fear of God. This resulting in them falling into sin and hurting lots of saints who had them in the place of God in their lives.
The Bible contains plenty of examples of people who suffered from self-esteem problems. However, none suffered from low self-esteem. King Saul was doing just fine when he was "little in [his] own sight" (2 Samuel 15:17). When he became proud and decided to run his own show, however, his high self-esteem, manifested in disobedience, cost him his kingdom.
A rich man of the New Testament also paid a high price for high self-esteem. One year, his harvest was far more than he needed, so he came up with a plan to rip down his barns and build bigger ones to hold his excess food. Then he said to himself: "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry" (Luke 12:18-19). Christ condemned this man for focusing on himself, calling him a fool. The rich man’s self-focus cost him his life that night.
Do you notice any similarities between the rich man’s words and the following? "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high" (Isaiah 14:13-14). These words, spoken by Satan, caused him to be thrown out of heaven. High self-esteem says,
"You are great; you have the ability and the right to make your own decisions and to run your own life, and no one should stop you—not even God." High self-esteem was the original sin.
Consider the apostle Paul. If anyone had cause to have high self-esteem, Paul did. He had attended a prestigious "Ivy League" school of his day. He was religious, extremely moral, and zealous in religious service. Yet the Lord gave him a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him from having high self-esteem. In 2 Corinthians 12:6, Paul says he would have enjoyed glorying in himself, yet he realized how foolish that would be. Only God deserved the credit for changing him from a pompous Pharisee to a humble servant of Christ.(This is how I feel.. I'm humbled to be a voice for my God;) Though Paul asked God to take his weakness away, the request was denied. Instead, Christ gave Paul something better: Christ-dependence. Listen to the Lord’s promise: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (v. 9).
Is Christ Sufficient?
If having high self-esteem is so unbiblical, why do Christians still think they need it? Self-esteem rears its head when we refuse to believe that Christ is sufficient in our weakness and when we claim credit for the abilities, accomplishments, and strengths God has given us. Our need for self-esteem is basically pride—essentially stealing attention away from God. In our culture where the self-made man and the empowered woman are our role models, weakness is not a virtue. We would rather feel strong and self-sufficient than to be dependent on someone else. If we realize that Christ can love us, use us, change us, and give us grace in our weaknesses, then Christ is the One we need, not ourselves. (whew.. I'm blessing myself & speaking to myself! This makes me love God even more!;)
You have a choice. You can choose to believe in yourself or Christ but not both. If we really believe that Christ is sufficient in our weakness—that Christ’s strength, beauty, sovereignty, and perfection are far greater than our weakness—then we won’t need to raise our self-esteem. When we admit that we are weak and that God is strong, we become people God can use for His glory. We aren't puffed up.. We realize we're just a sinner, saved by grace.. We're so humbled and grateful, we can't help but be contagious in his love! We walk everyday in the whole armor of God and give him all the glory!
How do we combat self-esteem and cultivate Christ-esteem? We need to think realistically about who we are in light of who God is. Try this: Take a sheet of paper and divide it into four columns. In the first column, list your weaknesses, and in the second column, write down verses that show how God can be glorified through each one. A verse that helps me overcome the jitters when I'm faced with standing & ministering in front of a group of saints that I respect and admire.. I find myself feeling at times like they should be up there more than I... (Yes, this happens to me;) one of my verses is Psalm 144:1: "Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." I am chosen to minister the gospel and I can do all things thru Christ who strengthen me! He turned my scars into stars and my pain into my pulpit.. Thank the Lord for how He can and will use your weaknesses to show His strength, power, and grace in your life. (Note: If you cannot be thankful for your weaknesses, you are showing roots of bitterness against God. Confess that and then thank Him.)
In the third column, write your strengths and pray two things about each one: First, ask God to prevent you from boasting in them (2 Corinthians 12:9). Recognize that it is only by His grace you have strengths and abilities; Second, entrust each strength to the Lord, asking Him to use your strengths to glorify Himself. Finally, in the fourth column, write down Bible verses that will help you to resist the temptation to be proud of your strengths. Girls, do you think that you are (as my guy friends used to say) a "super luscious babe"? Memorize Proverbs 31:30: "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." But wait, guys, you’re not off the hook. If you think you’re a "chick magnet," consider Eliab, King David’s good-looking older brother. His looks did not impress God, who said, "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). If we pray submissively and think biblically, God will give grace to meet our needs (Philippians 4:6-19).
When we acknowledge our powerlessness compared to that of a holy, righteous, omnipotent God, we realize we have nothing to glory in. We are left in awe of the God of the universe who fearfully and wonderfully made each of us to be exactly who we are (Psalm 139:14). He is also the God who provides His Spirit to help us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). We can confidently depend on Christ when we’re feeling weak! "For when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
I am learning that I don’t need someone to believe in me when my almighty, loving Father has chosen me and is working in my life to make me like His Son. Everyday is a new day of me growing more & more in him..He is the One we need to esteem. We need only Him. That just rawks to ME! I pray this touched you and gives you a new understanding of just how precious you are to our father! I love each one of you to pieces and believe in you greatly! Bless you!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
There is Purpose in Your Pain
There is purpose right where you are, although you may want to argue against such a statement. Whether raising a child with special needs, caring for an elderly parent, mentoring a suicidal teen, or enduring personal chronic pain, most will pass through a lonely tunnel which leads to what I call “The Cave.”
Think of “The Cave” as a word picture. How would you describe it? I picture a damp, musty, and dark place, with sharp rocks all around. Why on earth would anyone choose to go into such a place! Not many of us would. However, some of us feel like we’ve been thrown into a dark, long-forgotten cavern without hope of rescue. What can we do when we find ourselves in a cave?
The three timeless truths that follow can be found in Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. These words from Chuck help us to see that a cave can actually be a birthing place, providing you an opportunity to change and be freed from whatever has bound your soul. Recognize caves for what they are, but also remember that at the mouth of every cave, you can find light and relief. Chuck writes:
First, when God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit—a period of waiting. That cultivates patience. As I write these words, it occurs to me that I’ve never met anyone young and patient. (To be honest, I've not met many old and patient folks either.) We’re all in a hurry. We don't like to miss one panel of a revolving door. Patience comes hard in a hurry-up society. Yet, it’s an essential quality, cultivated only in extended periods of waiting.
Second, as God makes us wait, hiding us in His shadow, He shows us we’re not indispensable. That makes us humble. One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we’re not the star attraction. We’re not indispensable. That realization cultivates genuine humility. I’m convinced Saul never once questioned God for having His hand on Peter and Barnabas, rather than on him. In a time when most gifted individuals would have been volunteering at the revival headquarters, Saul willingly remained behind the scenes. All the while waiting for his time—correction, God’s time.
Third, while God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry. That makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people. A far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry. Always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him.¹
Think of “The Cave” as a word picture. How would you describe it? I picture a damp, musty, and dark place, with sharp rocks all around. Why on earth would anyone choose to go into such a place! Not many of us would. However, some of us feel like we’ve been thrown into a dark, long-forgotten cavern without hope of rescue. What can we do when we find ourselves in a cave?
The three timeless truths that follow can be found in Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll. These words from Chuck help us to see that a cave can actually be a birthing place, providing you an opportunity to change and be freed from whatever has bound your soul. Recognize caves for what they are, but also remember that at the mouth of every cave, you can find light and relief. Chuck writes:
First, when God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit—a period of waiting. That cultivates patience. As I write these words, it occurs to me that I’ve never met anyone young and patient. (To be honest, I've not met many old and patient folks either.) We’re all in a hurry. We don't like to miss one panel of a revolving door. Patience comes hard in a hurry-up society. Yet, it’s an essential quality, cultivated only in extended periods of waiting.
Second, as God makes us wait, hiding us in His shadow, He shows us we’re not indispensable. That makes us humble. One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we’re not the star attraction. We’re not indispensable. That realization cultivates genuine humility. I’m convinced Saul never once questioned God for having His hand on Peter and Barnabas, rather than on him. In a time when most gifted individuals would have been volunteering at the revival headquarters, Saul willingly remained behind the scenes. All the while waiting for his time—correction, God’s time.
Third, while God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry. That makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people. A far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry. Always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him.¹
Friday, November 5, 2010
Discovering True Beauty
Too often as women we rely on our physical appearance and material possessions to provide us with the confidence that Christ intended us to gather solely from Him. We become either so insecure or prideful about the way we look on the outside and don’t spend nearly as much time working on our inner beauty as we do on our outer beauty. With the constant barracade of photoshoped magazine ads, plastic surgery crazed celebrities, and a societal obsession with all things physical, it is no wonder so many women struggle with finding their esteem in how they look. I recently read a study that reported that the average woman spends $15,000 on cosmetics in her lifetime, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that number continued to increase each year. What is more frightening is that girls are learning at a young age from their mothers and role models that it is looks that gather attention, not intelligence or a beautiful heart. As women who are raising the next generation, it is our duty to instill the biblical principles of beauty as according to God, and warn other women of the dangers of falling prey to the lies that Satan tells us about beauty of this world.
Ezekiel 16:14, 15 explains how physical beauty leads us into deception and away from His Will:
“And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD. But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.”
I felt extremely convicted of living the life of a woman who spends way too much time thinking about how I look and not nearly enough time focused on the beauty through Christ that God intended for my life, for all of our lives. While I don’t think it is a crime to enjoy makeup and fashion, as far as I am concerned, it IS a crime to neglect the real beauty that God graced me with and that is a heart of compassion and love for others by way of Jesus. I've heard mentioned that if we spent nearly as much time praying or reading the Word as we do fixing our hair in the mirror, we would be a lot closer to the biblical standard of beauty, the kind of beauty that doesn’t fade. I have seen women who on the outside are physically close to perfection but once they open their mouths, their cold hearts and conceit instantly turn them ugly. In comparison, I have seen women who radiate goodness and grace from the inside out, and that is far more attractive any day than a good hairdo or stylish ensemble.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter3:3-4)
I never want to pervert or misuse anything that God has so graciously extended to me. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe God created us all in His image, exactly as He wanted us. Who are we to become prideful, or even insecure, in His beautiful creations? As women, every single day we must prepare ourselves for the spiritual battle between what God says is beautiful, versus what the world says is beautiful. I don’t know about you, but for the rest of my days, I want to pursue the beauty that God originally created me with and live with the confidence in knowing until we have been made over on the inside, we really are of no use to The Kingdom.
Instead of looking into the mirror to fix the flaws on my face, I want to look into the Bible as my mirror to fix the flaws on the inside. Instead of spending countless hours obsessing over perfect celebrity bodies, I want to spend countless hours obsessing over the message of God. Instead of wasting my money on material goods that I think will make me more beautiful, I want to spend my money on good deeds for others that I know will make me more beautiful in the eyes of God.
Ezekiel 16:14, 15 explains how physical beauty leads us into deception and away from His Will:
“And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD. But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.”
I felt extremely convicted of living the life of a woman who spends way too much time thinking about how I look and not nearly enough time focused on the beauty through Christ that God intended for my life, for all of our lives. While I don’t think it is a crime to enjoy makeup and fashion, as far as I am concerned, it IS a crime to neglect the real beauty that God graced me with and that is a heart of compassion and love for others by way of Jesus. I've heard mentioned that if we spent nearly as much time praying or reading the Word as we do fixing our hair in the mirror, we would be a lot closer to the biblical standard of beauty, the kind of beauty that doesn’t fade. I have seen women who on the outside are physically close to perfection but once they open their mouths, their cold hearts and conceit instantly turn them ugly. In comparison, I have seen women who radiate goodness and grace from the inside out, and that is far more attractive any day than a good hairdo or stylish ensemble.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter3:3-4)
I never want to pervert or misuse anything that God has so graciously extended to me. In my heart of hearts, I truly believe God created us all in His image, exactly as He wanted us. Who are we to become prideful, or even insecure, in His beautiful creations? As women, every single day we must prepare ourselves for the spiritual battle between what God says is beautiful, versus what the world says is beautiful. I don’t know about you, but for the rest of my days, I want to pursue the beauty that God originally created me with and live with the confidence in knowing until we have been made over on the inside, we really are of no use to The Kingdom.
Instead of looking into the mirror to fix the flaws on my face, I want to look into the Bible as my mirror to fix the flaws on the inside. Instead of spending countless hours obsessing over perfect celebrity bodies, I want to spend countless hours obsessing over the message of God. Instead of wasting my money on material goods that I think will make me more beautiful, I want to spend my money on good deeds for others that I know will make me more beautiful in the eyes of God.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Being Happy
Should you not be in a happy state of being here’s what you’ll want to do immediately, at once, right now, quick fast and in a hurry.
Write down three things you’re grateful for, should you be inspired to write more then do so. Being happy!
Write down three happy memories, should you remember more write them as well. Being happy!
Write down three ways you may put a smile on someone’s face. Being happy!
Do you think these brief and simple exercises will help you in your being happy? It works for Me;) it's all in your attitude & how you handle your circumstances. Truth is in the world today we all are facing life changing circumstances that are a lot of times out of our control. In order to get thru them you must be proactive instead of reactive. You must believe all things are possible to them that believe. When one door closes another one bigger and better will open.. Have Faith! I look forward to reading your comment
Should you not be in a happy state of being here’s what you’ll want to do immediately, at once, right now, quick fast and in a hurry.
Write down three things you’re grateful for, should you be inspired to write more then do so. Being happy!
Write down three happy memories, should you remember more write them as well. Being happy!
Write down three ways you may put a smile on someone’s face. Being happy!
Do you think these brief and simple exercises will help you in your being happy? It works for Me;) it's all in your attitude & how you handle your circumstances. Truth is in the world today we all are facing life changing circumstances that are a lot of times out of our control. In order to get thru them you must be proactive instead of reactive. You must believe all things are possible to them that believe. When one door closes another one bigger and better will open.. Have Faith! I look forward to reading your comment
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
"Believing"
I really believe that God spent time in forming our personalities uniquely and wonderfully. Each one of us is, to the same degree, loved before God and yet radically different because of this.
Whenever I catch myself allowing the creeping tendrils of ungodly jealousy working its way around my heart, I immediately remind myself that that’s stupid. God has given each one of us gifts, talents, and abilities, fitting to our individual callings. If we do not embrace these and instead cling onto the desire for others’ portions, then we miss out on our blessing and we miss out on blessing the world. Only you can do what you are called to do by God. No one else is going to do it so as I bluntly heard Jenn Johnson say once, “Stop trying to copy other people and just be yourself. Because no one else will.”
Moreover, I really think it is so crucial that we learn to see other people in the light that God sees us too, that we not only see people as prophets or worshipers, but that we see the quirks and details of each and every person’s character that makes them special before God. In the same light, we must see God’s lost sheep, too, not as projects, but as people with amazing personalities and the destiny to move in apostolic power.
Let us receive one another with the highest regard, that we may be able to receive the highest blessing bestowed upon each other by the King of glory.
Whenever I catch myself allowing the creeping tendrils of ungodly jealousy working its way around my heart, I immediately remind myself that that’s stupid. God has given each one of us gifts, talents, and abilities, fitting to our individual callings. If we do not embrace these and instead cling onto the desire for others’ portions, then we miss out on our blessing and we miss out on blessing the world. Only you can do what you are called to do by God. No one else is going to do it so as I bluntly heard Jenn Johnson say once, “Stop trying to copy other people and just be yourself. Because no one else will.”
Moreover, I really think it is so crucial that we learn to see other people in the light that God sees us too, that we not only see people as prophets or worshipers, but that we see the quirks and details of each and every person’s character that makes them special before God. In the same light, we must see God’s lost sheep, too, not as projects, but as people with amazing personalities and the destiny to move in apostolic power.
Let us receive one another with the highest regard, that we may be able to receive the highest blessing bestowed upon each other by the King of glory.
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