Friday, June 27, 2008
further note
As I continue to study 1 Corinthians I'm realizing how much more I could write about to you. So, I just want to encourage you to study it yourself. It's a gold mine!
the truth of the gospel
Sometimes when I'm working on my Bible study I will have what I call an "aha!" moment. You know, a revelation about why things are the way they are. An explanantion to something of a mystery. I love it when I have those from scripture. Spirituality can seem so vague, or even made up to some. I am a Christian and thus fully believe that Christ existed as a man on the earth, but yet was fully God, and died, was buried, and was risen 3 days later. I believe that he ascended to heaven and left the Holy Spirit to be with those who believe to continue to teach and guide them according to God's will. Okay, so to some people that's just crazy, especially concerning the Holy Spirit part. Well, for me faith has always come easy. Patience, no way. Gentleness, not so much. Quiet, meek spirit, HA!!!!! sorry, that one made me laugh out loud! But, faith, I've got it. Now granted, I've not had my faith tested or really stretched like so many I know. But in terms of just believing, like a child does, that's me. With all that said, I had a moment in scripture yesterday where God reminded me : "this is why you are like you are". It confirmed in me that all this spirituality is for real, not just something I believe b/c belief is easy. It is something I personally experience. So I will attempt to adequately share the scripture with you.
1 Corinthians 15:12-17 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
Wow, that's a mouthful isn't it! So, if the gospel is not true, and Christ was never raised from the dead, which would mean there was no ascension to heaven and no gift of the Holy Spirit, than why am I compelled to do right by God? Where does that come from?
Well, let me tell you this: it's not because I'm just good inside, oh no! Now, my mom would tell you I am, and maybe other family and friends would say that. But, it would not be true. On the inside, I'm all about me. I want what's best for me, I won't lie. I don't like to be inconvenienced by anything. So how do I manage to ever do anything right?
It's b/c the Gospel is TRUTH!!! Hear it my friend: It's TRUTH! I will not believe that my faith is worthless. Something inside of me compells me to turn away from sin. And when I fail, when "sin is crouching at my door, and I fail to master it" (Gen 4:7) I'm not right on the inside. Why is there such a yuck that happens inside after sinning? B/c God's presence is there. Bad is infiltrating Good. When Christ ascended He left the Holy Spirit to be who He had been in the flesh. And so, b/c of that presence of holiness I'm compelled to make choices that support holiness. If the gospel was false I would be different. Sin would completely master me, and you. And with that would be death, complete death, the hopeless kind. But, b/c the Gospel is TRUTH, I know that death has already been taken care of and that's how I have life.
1 Corinthians 15:36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
Friends, there had to be death for us to have life! This is how I know that the Gospel is truth: I have life and I desire holiness. This is not of my own accord but of God's will in me. And it is possible b/c the stories are true. It is THE TRUTH!
So, now let me give you the really good news, some real encouragement for those of you on the same track as I:
1 Corinthians 15:41-43 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
Is that not the story of Christ. He became flesh, was crowned with dishonor, and was completely beat down. But, then He was raised for all eternity in full glory and power and now gives that life to us.
How do I know? Because I am not who I would chose to be. I am changed!
1 Corinthians 15:12-17 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
Wow, that's a mouthful isn't it! So, if the gospel is not true, and Christ was never raised from the dead, which would mean there was no ascension to heaven and no gift of the Holy Spirit, than why am I compelled to do right by God? Where does that come from?
Well, let me tell you this: it's not because I'm just good inside, oh no! Now, my mom would tell you I am, and maybe other family and friends would say that. But, it would not be true. On the inside, I'm all about me. I want what's best for me, I won't lie. I don't like to be inconvenienced by anything. So how do I manage to ever do anything right?
It's b/c the Gospel is TRUTH!!! Hear it my friend: It's TRUTH! I will not believe that my faith is worthless. Something inside of me compells me to turn away from sin. And when I fail, when "sin is crouching at my door, and I fail to master it" (Gen 4:7) I'm not right on the inside. Why is there such a yuck that happens inside after sinning? B/c God's presence is there. Bad is infiltrating Good. When Christ ascended He left the Holy Spirit to be who He had been in the flesh. And so, b/c of that presence of holiness I'm compelled to make choices that support holiness. If the gospel was false I would be different. Sin would completely master me, and you. And with that would be death, complete death, the hopeless kind. But, b/c the Gospel is TRUTH, I know that death has already been taken care of and that's how I have life.
1 Corinthians 15:36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
Friends, there had to be death for us to have life! This is how I know that the Gospel is truth: I have life and I desire holiness. This is not of my own accord but of God's will in me. And it is possible b/c the stories are true. It is THE TRUTH!
So, now let me give you the really good news, some real encouragement for those of you on the same track as I:
1 Corinthians 15:41-43 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
Is that not the story of Christ. He became flesh, was crowned with dishonor, and was completely beat down. But, then He was raised for all eternity in full glory and power and now gives that life to us.
How do I know? Because I am not who I would chose to be. I am changed!
Monday, June 23, 2008
polar opposites
For anyone who is blessed with polar opposite children, this is for you:
My kids couldn't be any more black vs. white, go/stop, stand/sit, right/left and so on.....
It is too comical and entertaining the way their individual lives are being lived out in comparison of one another. I think the only thing they really are one mind about is God. Thank goodness they both get that one! So Cody, my oldest is extremely tender hearted, and doesn't try to hide it, takes no risk AT ALL, likes to be alone in his own imaginative world where he is completely entertained, and cannot stand conflict of any magnitude. My daughter, the youngest, is as tough as nails (or tries to make you think she is), always takes the risk w/o considering the repercussions, can't stand to be alone, and is often the initiator of conflict. He's abstract, she's concrete. He over thinks, she under thinks. He panics, she moves on. In the moments when they work together to accomplish a goal it is very interesting to watch. So I was reminded of these truths about them a day or two ago when my daughter woke up with a new (her first) loose tooth. Now, a little history. When my son got his first loose tooth, which wasn't until he was 8 1/2 years old, he would barely let anyone touch it. I know it took a month before he let me work it out of his mouth. So Macie says to me, "do you think I can get it out today?" I said, "no, it will probably be tomorrow or the next. It still needs a lot of wiggling." The next morning she was at church with her daddy and comes home to see me. That tooth was gone! 24 hours for Macie, a month for Cody. So funny. I love them and am so glad for the variety in my life! And for God's sense of humor!
PS. see bottom for picture of Macie and her missing tooth!
My kids couldn't be any more black vs. white, go/stop, stand/sit, right/left and so on.....
It is too comical and entertaining the way their individual lives are being lived out in comparison of one another. I think the only thing they really are one mind about is God. Thank goodness they both get that one! So Cody, my oldest is extremely tender hearted, and doesn't try to hide it, takes no risk AT ALL, likes to be alone in his own imaginative world where he is completely entertained, and cannot stand conflict of any magnitude. My daughter, the youngest, is as tough as nails (or tries to make you think she is), always takes the risk w/o considering the repercussions, can't stand to be alone, and is often the initiator of conflict. He's abstract, she's concrete. He over thinks, she under thinks. He panics, she moves on. In the moments when they work together to accomplish a goal it is very interesting to watch. So I was reminded of these truths about them a day or two ago when my daughter woke up with a new (her first) loose tooth. Now, a little history. When my son got his first loose tooth, which wasn't until he was 8 1/2 years old, he would barely let anyone touch it. I know it took a month before he let me work it out of his mouth. So Macie says to me, "do you think I can get it out today?" I said, "no, it will probably be tomorrow or the next. It still needs a lot of wiggling." The next morning she was at church with her daddy and comes home to see me. That tooth was gone! 24 hours for Macie, a month for Cody. So funny. I love them and am so glad for the variety in my life! And for God's sense of humor!
PS. see bottom for picture of Macie and her missing tooth!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Little Amazements
6th graders....Does that scare you, the thought of a group of 6th grade boys and girls? It has been scary to me in the past, but truthfully now I can't imagine being with any other kids on Sunday mornings than my 6th graders. I affectionately term them "my spiritual children". They are the best. You may be wondering why I'm going on and on about them. We are hosting our annual VBS today through Wednesday. My 6th grade SS class was assigned the job of puppetry (sp?). They had to learn in a week how to manuever the puppets in timing with the CD playing--mouths, heads, arms of the puppets. There is so much to puppetry. They had 2 practices and then they had to work on the skits at home. We had our first performance this morning. They were awesome. It blessed my heart to watch them tackle such a difficult task so perfectly. And they showed such responsibility by caring for there puppets at home all week and doing exactly as I asked to make it a success. I wonder...what will they do as they grow and mature spiritually? If they can amaze me now, what great things will they do for the Lord later? And I want to encourage you to get involved with young people. They will do more for you than you could ever do for them. Thank you God for the blessings you pour out on me and for little amazements.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Encouragement from the Lord
The past few days have been stressful for me. Stress is manifested in me as anxiety attacks. Some people get ulcers, lose their hair, get sick easily, get angry, get sad, act mean, act moody, and so and so on. For me, it's anxiety. So, basically I get fearful about things that are ridiculous. Fortunately, I am aware of how my mind plays tricks on me during times of stress and so I am able to work through it. If not, I would be calling a dr. everytime I get stressed. Which I would need a direct line being I am a stay home wife of a husband in full time ministry, and mom of two very interesting children, homeschooler, SS teacher, and some part-time employment on the side. And currently planning for VBS, next year school curriculums, and management responsibilities of a coffee house. Whew......So, this has caught up with me, basically last night in the form of serious panic. The things listed are really not that stressful if I handled them all in the right way. But, my nature is to accomplish much in little time. That leads to stress. So this morning I woke up realizing how much I could just use a simple word from the Lord. Not a day of inductive study, not a sermon, not a pep talk from friend or family, all of which are so necessary in my life. But a simple truth from God's word, the bread of life. Here's what He gave me. Psalm 18:29 "For by You I can run upon a troop: And by my God I can leap over a wall." What power I feel from having a relationship with God. The power of secured victory in a life of constant strain. So I will sit back, relax and rest on THE hand that enables me to run and to leap!
New To Blogging
Okay, I did it! I'm officially blogging. Why?.....Well, why not? Actually it wasn't that simple. I have friends who have just moved to Africa to serve as missionsaries. I am keeping up with them by their blog, and it is a great thing. Then, as I explore other blogs through that one, I realize what a ministry lies there. So here I am, joining the bandwagon of bloggers. I hope you are encouraged, find humor, challenged, and even educated by what the Lord lays on my heart to say to you, my friends. Happy Blogging......!!! By the way, if you are interested in the ministry of my friends in Africa, visit the Only Servants link listed.
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