The Teacher in Ecclesiastes records these words, "Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked" (7:13). These simple words are a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God over your life and mine. The remind us that God's love and care for his children can never be stopped. They also remind us that it is not up to us to determine the course of our lives and how our futures will shape up. Who are we to question God? Yet, God is not caught off guard by our questions. I need to know that there is someone else outside of myself in control of my life. I need to know that I don't have all the answers because he does. I need to know that his purpose for me is greater than my purpose for myself. This truth gives me comfort and hope beyond my finite self. It's not easy to live this out, but I have to believe that God is satisfied with just the attempt sometimes.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Dealing with Sin One Temptation at a Time
A few days ago I read through the temptation narrative in Matthew 4. I was struck by the commonality of the temptations that the devil offered Jesus. They were as basic as every day needs of nutrition. Is food evil? No it's a good thing for us to have food so that we can sustain our bodies to do kingdom work. Jesus refuses Satan's offer to change stones into bread not because it was a morally bankrupt decision but because it was settling for less than God's best plan for him. With our lives the same can be said, we often settle for a good thing by giving into temptation rather than waiting on The Lord for the best thing.
For instance, a person needs money to live and pay bills, but stealing that money from someone else isn't the best way to obtain it. We should work at our job for that money so that we can honestly meet our financial obligations. The same could be said with sex. Sex is a good thing, something that God ordained to be celebrated between a man and a woman united as one in marriage. When we take the good gift of sex and twist it with sex outside of a biblical marriage covenant, we are giving into temptation by settling for something less than God's best for us. How will you choose this week to say no to those temptations that you are faced with?
You see temptation and our struggle with sin can be a huge challenge because we look at our sin and see the Mt. Everest. We forget that defeating sin in our lives is about winning each battle against temptation decision at a time. You can't gain victory over sin in one swift swoop, just as you can't climb Everest in one step or even one attempt. The mountain is successfully summited when we take one step at a time and one day at a time rather than trying to do it all at once. Celebrate the small victories over temptation each day because ultimately that leads to spiritual formation of Christ in you,which is our ultimate purpose.
For instance, a person needs money to live and pay bills, but stealing that money from someone else isn't the best way to obtain it. We should work at our job for that money so that we can honestly meet our financial obligations. The same could be said with sex. Sex is a good thing, something that God ordained to be celebrated between a man and a woman united as one in marriage. When we take the good gift of sex and twist it with sex outside of a biblical marriage covenant, we are giving into temptation by settling for something less than God's best for us. How will you choose this week to say no to those temptations that you are faced with?
You see temptation and our struggle with sin can be a huge challenge because we look at our sin and see the Mt. Everest. We forget that defeating sin in our lives is about winning each battle against temptation decision at a time. You can't gain victory over sin in one swift swoop, just as you can't climb Everest in one step or even one attempt. The mountain is successfully summited when we take one step at a time and one day at a time rather than trying to do it all at once. Celebrate the small victories over temptation each day because ultimately that leads to spiritual formation of Christ in you,which is our ultimate purpose.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Family and Chuck Norris
Today is my cousin, Brad's birthday so I thought about listing ten reasons why he is an amazing person for today's post. Then I thought about listing ten things about our family, so what I came up with instead is a combination of the two.
Here is the list in no particular order:
10. Our family is loud and crazy most of the time.
9. Brad was a college athlete, he played golf at Valdosta State.
8. Our family is fiercely loyal to each other, we are after all Italians.
7. Brad recently got engaged to a wonderful young lady, keeping the tradition of "marrying up" alive.
6. Our family will also talk about each other. If you join in and aren't family, you may find yourself sleeping with the fishes. See #8
5. Brad is a golf-pro in Tampa. Can you say dream job?
4. Our family has always been a source of encouragement and safety for each of us.
3. Brad shares a birthday with Chuck Norris, completely awesome!
2. # 3 makes him B-Rad which is an awesome nickname for someone born in the 1980s. Of course he would still be that way because he is part of our family!
1. Brad loves Jesus, which makes everything else pale in comparison!
Thankful for Brad and our family!
Happy Birthday cuz!
Here is the list in no particular order:
10. Our family is loud and crazy most of the time.
9. Brad was a college athlete, he played golf at Valdosta State.
8. Our family is fiercely loyal to each other, we are after all Italians.
7. Brad recently got engaged to a wonderful young lady, keeping the tradition of "marrying up" alive.
6. Our family will also talk about each other. If you join in and aren't family, you may find yourself sleeping with the fishes. See #8
5. Brad is a golf-pro in Tampa. Can you say dream job?
4. Our family has always been a source of encouragement and safety for each of us.
3. Brad shares a birthday with Chuck Norris, completely awesome!
2. # 3 makes him B-Rad which is an awesome nickname for someone born in the 1980s. Of course he would still be that way because he is part of our family!
1. Brad loves Jesus, which makes everything else pale in comparison!
Thankful for Brad and our family!
Happy Birthday cuz!
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Challenged
So I have been encouraged by a few at returning to this discipline of writing on here, but it hasn't come as easy as it once did. I find myself at a loss for how to say things. I guess this is what writers might call writer's block. At first I really thought this would be easy to do again. It might have been easier to give up something for Lent rather than picking up something. We shall find out come April 20th.
Praying that the Lord's day is a time of reflection and rest for you.
Praying that the Lord's day is a time of reflection and rest for you.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Loss at Lent
It's been a crazy day today. Still trying to come to grips with the loss of a precious life. Thankful to honor his memory and celebrate his life. Praying for God's comfort and peace! One week is just the beginning of losing a loved one, but having family and friends to support you is so crucial. In many ways the further I move beyond my Dad's death the harder it is to find comfort and hope in the midst of loss. The pain and hurt can be absolutely overwhelming...yet there is a real understanding of our need for God in these difficult days.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Sabbath Need
The last few weeks have been hectic to say the least. Personally and professionally I have been pushed to my limits physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In my mind I know what I need is sabbath rest, forcing myself to observe that is quite a challenge. There are things still unfinished for work and as most know there is always something to do when you own a house. Endless laundry, dishes, yard and house projects. Yet I know that the Holy Spirit is calling me to pause and allow The Lord to replenish and refresh me. It's no coincidence that some of the scriptures I have been reading lately have spoken to this very need for us as believers to draw aside and spend time restoring my soul so I am better able to serve The Lord each day.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Drudgery or Delight
The cold, rainy day here in Statesboro makes you want to stay inside with a cup of coffee or hot tea and read a good book. Unfortunately, most of us don't have that luxury. We have school, work, meetings, and appointments. The challenge is to find joy in the midst of the gloominess of our life circumstances.
King David wrote, "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires" (Psalm 37:4). I love to remind myself of this verse often, because my heart can easily be swayed to seek joy, delight, and pleasure in so many other things other than him. I also love this verse on days like today, because it is a reminder that despite my circumstances (in this case, the weather) God is calling me to something beyond myself and beyond my circumstances.
What are you delighting in?
King David wrote, "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires" (Psalm 37:4). I love to remind myself of this verse often, because my heart can easily be swayed to seek joy, delight, and pleasure in so many other things other than him. I also love this verse on days like today, because it is a reminder that despite my circumstances (in this case, the weather) God is calling me to something beyond myself and beyond my circumstances.
What are you delighting in?
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