As I think about what it means to be free, this Memorial Day weekend, I think of all the soldiers who have given their lives for the sake of freedom. Jesus said, "there is no greater love, than to lay down your life for a friend."
One of my favorite scenes from the movie Braveheart, is the final scene, when Mel Gibson's character, William Wallace, lays down his life, and is obedient unto death, for his cause, to free Scotland, from the tyranny of England's unjust ruler. What a powerful moment in the film, when under excruciating agony, William cries out, "FREEEEDOM" This always brings a knot in my throat, a lump in my stomach, and tears to my eyes. It reminds me of what Jesus did for me on the cross. He gave up everything for me. He went through terrible pain, and ridicule, for me. It's amazing, isn't it? But what does it mean, to be free? Consider the following scripture: Galatians 5:13 "You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." What does freedom mean to you?
We have been given this amazing gift of freedom, so what do we do with it? Galatians 5:13 suggests, that we use this gift to be of service to one another. This is freedom. To be free to serve each other. Some of us are more comfortable in giving, than we are in receiving. Jesus calls us to do both. He says, that it is more of a blessing to give, than to receive. WE NEED to allow others the blessing of giving. When someone pays you a compliment, simply say, "Thank You" This allows their words, to bless them. When we disagree with someone, or disqualify their compliment-we take away the blessing of their kindness. When someone offers to pay you for your time, or service, humbly accept their gift. They are saying to you, with their words, or financial compensation, "we value you" When, we say, "Oh, it was nothing, you don't owe me anything..." We devalue ourselves, and rob them of the blessing of giving. Humbly receive whatever blessings God chooses to give you, so that you will have something of value to share with those who you seek to bless. And as you give to them, YOU will be blessed. This is how God's economy works, "It is more of a blessing to give, than to receive"
I value the gift of freedom, and for me, this gift is about the ability to exercise self-control, and to not give into every whim and desire, but rather to practice patience, and out of a generous spirit seek to serve the people God has placed in my life.
How will you exercise your gift of freedom?
Psalm 119:45
I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Miracle of the Butterfly
Life is full of random surprises, and moments of grace, if we will just open ourselves to the possibilities that await us with each new day. Jeremiah 29:11 says that "GOD KNOWS the plans he has for us." Have you ever thought about that?!? That the same God who created the heavens and the earth, thinks about us? That is amazing! Have you ever asked Him, " Hey God, Your word says that you have thoughts about me, plans for me, what plans do you have for my life?" Ask and you shall recieve! I can promise you one thing, He will BLOW YOUR MIND! If you think your hopes and dreams are big, wait until you see what my God has in store for you! He will do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond, anything, you can ever ask for, hope for, dream for, or imagine..
Or, maybe you have lost your way, forgotten, or abandoned your dreams.. Surrender your life to Jesus, and he will reawaken those dreams, and desires. His word says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come" Do you believe this? Have you ever contemplated the miracle of the butterfly? This is what God wants to do in your life! He wants to scoop you up off the ground, so you can stop crawling on your belly... wrap you up in the cocoon of his love, and give you time to metamorphis into a beautiful new creation, that can soar in the heavens! He wants to make you beautiful! He will make all things beautiful, in his time. Be patient with yourself. God is not in a hurry. He has all the time in the world..
Romans 15:5
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus."
Or, maybe you have lost your way, forgotten, or abandoned your dreams.. Surrender your life to Jesus, and he will reawaken those dreams, and desires. His word says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come" Do you believe this? Have you ever contemplated the miracle of the butterfly? This is what God wants to do in your life! He wants to scoop you up off the ground, so you can stop crawling on your belly... wrap you up in the cocoon of his love, and give you time to metamorphis into a beautiful new creation, that can soar in the heavens! He wants to make you beautiful! He will make all things beautiful, in his time. Be patient with yourself. God is not in a hurry. He has all the time in the world..
Romans 15:5
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus."
Friday, January 9, 2009
Friendship With God
Today's Blog is inspired from my favorite author- Oswald Chambers. Most of the statements are direct quotes from his book, "My Utmost for His Highest" I have added a few of my thoughts towards the end. I hope you enjoy! Please leave feel free to follow my blog, and I really appreciate your comments on this page.
Friendship is rare on earth. It means identity in thought and heart and spirit. When we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely, we never need sympathy, we can pour out all the time without being pathetic.
The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way, because the last abyss of his nature is being satisfied by Jesus.
We seem to think that God wants us to give up things. God purified Abraham from this blunder, and the same discipline goes on in our lives. God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give up things for the sake of the only thing worth having- life with Him.
It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a "living sacrifice" See Genesis 22:9 This incident is a picture of the blunder we make in thinking that the final thing God wants of us is the sacrifice of death.
Jesus said, "The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I come, that you may have Life, and have life abundantly" Are you experiencing a full, abundant, satisfying life? Come to Jesus. Call on His Name. He is faithful, and he will rescue you from all your fears.
The coolest thing about God, He wants to be your friend. He want to have an intimate, passionate, and real relationship with you.
Friendship is rare on earth. It means identity in thought and heart and spirit. When we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely, we never need sympathy, we can pour out all the time without being pathetic.
The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way, because the last abyss of his nature is being satisfied by Jesus.
We seem to think that God wants us to give up things. God purified Abraham from this blunder, and the same discipline goes on in our lives. God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give up things for the sake of the only thing worth having- life with Him.
It is of no value to God to give Him your life for death. He wants you to be a "living sacrifice" See Genesis 22:9 This incident is a picture of the blunder we make in thinking that the final thing God wants of us is the sacrifice of death.
Jesus said, "The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I come, that you may have Life, and have life abundantly" Are you experiencing a full, abundant, satisfying life? Come to Jesus. Call on His Name. He is faithful, and he will rescue you from all your fears.
The coolest thing about God, He wants to be your friend. He want to have an intimate, passionate, and real relationship with you.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Golden Rule
I'm sure you have heard of the "Golden Rule" to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" And I am sure that many of you reading this, if not all of you have tried, or try to live your life this way. My question is, Is this the best way to live your life? Is this the best use of your time? To treat other people the way you want to be treated?
My answer is, no. I tried for many years to live by this principle, "to treat other people the way I wanted to be treated," and it simply doesn't work. For starters, this is a very selfish way to live. To only treat other people kindly because you are hoping for them to, in turn, treat you kindly. It is a very self-centered way to live.
Now, before you dismiss me completely, let me explain. I know a woman, who is a dear friend. This lady would do ANYTHING for a friend. She would set aside her own agenda, to help anyone who crosses her path who needs help. The problem is, this woman is divorced, and part of the reason she sought a divorce, is because she treated her husband this way, "she treated him the way she wanted to be treated" And when he didn't return the "favor" anger, bitterness, and resentment crept into her heart, and she started looking for ways to get out of this "one sided relationship" She started looking for someone who would meet her needs. She even told me once, "wouldn't the world be a better place, if instead of each of us looking out for ourselves, we looked out for each other" It sounded good at first, but the closer I looked at this philosophy, I began to see it's flaws.
We cannot expect other people to meet our needs. We cannot have selfish motives in helping other people, and expect good to come from it. Our motivation to help, to serve, to be kind to one another must come from a pure heart. How can we have a pure heart in our service to others? Ask yourself the question, "what does this person need?" And listen to the answer. Or better yet, ask the person yourself, "how can I help you" or "what can I do for you" and here's the key, the million dollar secret...listen. For now, you do not need to act. You do not need to speak. Simply Listen. Easier said than done. We all want to TAKE ACTION, to do something. But right now, we are only talking about motivation, and our desire to serve out of a pure heart, and in my opinion, the best way to do this, the only way to do this is to listen to those you desire to serve.
Listening is the key to understanding. Listen, not only to the words, but listen to the heart, to the unspoken desires that show up with action, body language, and even in anger, and hostility...listen. Now, if you are ready to hear the words I am share with you, I warn you, these words are powerful, and they have the ability to change your life forever...if you let them. Remember when I said that I no longer "do unto others as I would have them do unto me" Well, that was part true and part false. Each person that you meet is unique. We are all unique. Some people prefer to meet for lunch, others coffee, some by phone, others by email...treating everyone as you would like to be treated means that you get to know, personally, each of the people in your life, and you figure out how THEY want to be treated.
I made some of my best tips, as a waitress, when my rowdy customers would be rude, I would dish out more rudeness, and they loved it, and in return I received a bigger tip, than if I would have treated them the same way I treated my friendly customers. The key is to figure out how each of the people in your life want to be treated, and treat them that way. Not the way YOU want to be treated, but the way THEY want to be treated. I started living this way a couple of years ago, and let me tell you, it is not easy. My natural bent is to treat everyone with kindness, I am naturally optimistic, outgoing, and friendly, but some people, particularly those who are grieving need someone who will grieve with them. When you are hurting, the last thing you need is for someone to say, "cheer up!" or "get over it" I am sure you've heard of the saying, "misery loves company" It's true. When we hurt, we want someone who is willing to hurt with us, to "share our pain" to empathize. It is not easy, but the benefits are...well, you'll just have to experience it for yourself. You wouldn't believe me if I told you, but it is true, sometimes, it it better to weep tears of sorrow, than to laugh tears of joy.
So, if you are up for the challenge, try it this week, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" After all, you don't want other people to treat you the way they want to be treated do you? OF course not, you want them to treat you the way you want to be treated. So for this week, won't you consider, for one week, in your interaction with other people, STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF!! Get over yourself, and focus on how you can serve and help others, ask someone this week, "how can I help you" and listen. listen to their words, listen to their body language, listen to their heart (the words behind their words) Then do unto them accordingly. Their is no formula or pattern to follow here. This is guerrilla warfare. One-on-One relationship building at it's finest. After all, consider the One who originally spoke these words, The Lord Jesus Christ, himself. He does not treat us all the same. He deals with each of us in our own unique way. He tailor makes His response to each of us based on our particular needs. He serves us in all our needs, that we might follow His example and serve others in their needs.
Building realtionships through listening,
One person at a time
Jennifer
In short, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" This isn't about treating other people the way you want to be treated- that is a very self-centered way to read this verse.
It's about taking yourself out of the equation, and treating others the way they want to be treated. How do you do this? Listen to the people you seek to serve. Get to know the people you seek to serve. I used to treat everyone the same, now I am learning to treat each person uniquly.
My answer is, no. I tried for many years to live by this principle, "to treat other people the way I wanted to be treated," and it simply doesn't work. For starters, this is a very selfish way to live. To only treat other people kindly because you are hoping for them to, in turn, treat you kindly. It is a very self-centered way to live.
Now, before you dismiss me completely, let me explain. I know a woman, who is a dear friend. This lady would do ANYTHING for a friend. She would set aside her own agenda, to help anyone who crosses her path who needs help. The problem is, this woman is divorced, and part of the reason she sought a divorce, is because she treated her husband this way, "she treated him the way she wanted to be treated" And when he didn't return the "favor" anger, bitterness, and resentment crept into her heart, and she started looking for ways to get out of this "one sided relationship" She started looking for someone who would meet her needs. She even told me once, "wouldn't the world be a better place, if instead of each of us looking out for ourselves, we looked out for each other" It sounded good at first, but the closer I looked at this philosophy, I began to see it's flaws.
We cannot expect other people to meet our needs. We cannot have selfish motives in helping other people, and expect good to come from it. Our motivation to help, to serve, to be kind to one another must come from a pure heart. How can we have a pure heart in our service to others? Ask yourself the question, "what does this person need?" And listen to the answer. Or better yet, ask the person yourself, "how can I help you" or "what can I do for you" and here's the key, the million dollar secret...listen. For now, you do not need to act. You do not need to speak. Simply Listen. Easier said than done. We all want to TAKE ACTION, to do something. But right now, we are only talking about motivation, and our desire to serve out of a pure heart, and in my opinion, the best way to do this, the only way to do this is to listen to those you desire to serve.
Listening is the key to understanding. Listen, not only to the words, but listen to the heart, to the unspoken desires that show up with action, body language, and even in anger, and hostility...listen. Now, if you are ready to hear the words I am share with you, I warn you, these words are powerful, and they have the ability to change your life forever...if you let them. Remember when I said that I no longer "do unto others as I would have them do unto me" Well, that was part true and part false. Each person that you meet is unique. We are all unique. Some people prefer to meet for lunch, others coffee, some by phone, others by email...treating everyone as you would like to be treated means that you get to know, personally, each of the people in your life, and you figure out how THEY want to be treated.
I made some of my best tips, as a waitress, when my rowdy customers would be rude, I would dish out more rudeness, and they loved it, and in return I received a bigger tip, than if I would have treated them the same way I treated my friendly customers. The key is to figure out how each of the people in your life want to be treated, and treat them that way. Not the way YOU want to be treated, but the way THEY want to be treated. I started living this way a couple of years ago, and let me tell you, it is not easy. My natural bent is to treat everyone with kindness, I am naturally optimistic, outgoing, and friendly, but some people, particularly those who are grieving need someone who will grieve with them. When you are hurting, the last thing you need is for someone to say, "cheer up!" or "get over it" I am sure you've heard of the saying, "misery loves company" It's true. When we hurt, we want someone who is willing to hurt with us, to "share our pain" to empathize. It is not easy, but the benefits are...well, you'll just have to experience it for yourself. You wouldn't believe me if I told you, but it is true, sometimes, it it better to weep tears of sorrow, than to laugh tears of joy.
So, if you are up for the challenge, try it this week, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" After all, you don't want other people to treat you the way they want to be treated do you? OF course not, you want them to treat you the way you want to be treated. So for this week, won't you consider, for one week, in your interaction with other people, STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF!! Get over yourself, and focus on how you can serve and help others, ask someone this week, "how can I help you" and listen. listen to their words, listen to their body language, listen to their heart (the words behind their words) Then do unto them accordingly. Their is no formula or pattern to follow here. This is guerrilla warfare. One-on-One relationship building at it's finest. After all, consider the One who originally spoke these words, The Lord Jesus Christ, himself. He does not treat us all the same. He deals with each of us in our own unique way. He tailor makes His response to each of us based on our particular needs. He serves us in all our needs, that we might follow His example and serve others in their needs.
Building realtionships through listening,
One person at a time
Jennifer
In short, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" This isn't about treating other people the way you want to be treated- that is a very self-centered way to read this verse.
It's about taking yourself out of the equation, and treating others the way they want to be treated. How do you do this? Listen to the people you seek to serve. Get to know the people you seek to serve. I used to treat everyone the same, now I am learning to treat each person uniquly.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Priorities
A few years ago I learned something that has had a profound impact on my life. It was about priorities, and living life balanced. I'm sure you've heard of the "God first, Family Second, Career Third" motto...problem is life isn't that simple. Sometimes, due to circumstances beyond our control, sickness in the family, problem child, death, etc. our family is our #1 priority.
Other times, our career is demanding, and due to circumstances beyond our control, our career demands more of our time, and slowly creeps into first place. As I am writing this, I think of my husband Mike who is currently serving in Baghram Afghanistan on a year deployment. He did not choose to be away from his family for a year, but he chose his career, and his career demands first place, for this season. It is imperative for his safety, and the success of his mission, that his career be his # 1 focus.
So, as much as we would like to fit our lives into this neat little box, GOD, the maker of heaven and earth, the Creator of the Universe, is much bigger than a priority, HE IS. So instead of God first, Family Second, Career Third, consider this: GOD is FIRST in your relationship with Him. GOD is First in your relationship with your Family. GOD is First in your relationship with your Career. GOD is FIRST. Whatever priorities, and circumstances that you have in your life, GOD is FIRST.
Do not feel guilty when you need to, for a season, devote more of your time to your family, than your personal bible/prayer time, for example, when your kids are young. Just make sure that you are doing EVERYTHING, changing diapers, feeding lunch, caring for your children, as if they were the LORD himself. Do everything as unto Him. This is how you can honor God as 1st in your family. Be there for them,
Do not feel guilty when, for a season, you devote more of your time to your career, for example, a new business, a growing ministry, an entreprenual venture, there are times, that your career will be first place (your primary focus in your life) Remember to KEEP God first in your career. Be honest, diligent, full of integrity, do your job well, in this way you will honor GOD as First Place in your life. I could go on like this...
Stop for a moment, and ask yourself, "What is my primary focus for this season in my life?" Do not judge yourself, or think about what your focus "should" be...be honest. What is your primary focus. What do you want it to be? What is of the uptmost importance to you right now? Then give it all you've got! HONOR GOD by giving him your all. Do not hold anyting back...it's the only way to live.
Join me in this adventure! It is a ride you won't forget...
Living Balanced,
Jennifer
PS. As I write this, I am just coming home from a day of shopping, and popcorn and a movie...to keep all things in balance, as Joyce Meyer says, "sometimes you've just got to eat the cookie, and buy the shoes"
Other times, our career is demanding, and due to circumstances beyond our control, our career demands more of our time, and slowly creeps into first place. As I am writing this, I think of my husband Mike who is currently serving in Baghram Afghanistan on a year deployment. He did not choose to be away from his family for a year, but he chose his career, and his career demands first place, for this season. It is imperative for his safety, and the success of his mission, that his career be his # 1 focus.
So, as much as we would like to fit our lives into this neat little box, GOD, the maker of heaven and earth, the Creator of the Universe, is much bigger than a priority, HE IS. So instead of God first, Family Second, Career Third, consider this: GOD is FIRST in your relationship with Him. GOD is First in your relationship with your Family. GOD is First in your relationship with your Career. GOD is FIRST. Whatever priorities, and circumstances that you have in your life, GOD is FIRST.
Do not feel guilty when you need to, for a season, devote more of your time to your family, than your personal bible/prayer time, for example, when your kids are young. Just make sure that you are doing EVERYTHING, changing diapers, feeding lunch, caring for your children, as if they were the LORD himself. Do everything as unto Him. This is how you can honor God as 1st in your family. Be there for them,
Do not feel guilty when, for a season, you devote more of your time to your career, for example, a new business, a growing ministry, an entreprenual venture, there are times, that your career will be first place (your primary focus in your life) Remember to KEEP God first in your career. Be honest, diligent, full of integrity, do your job well, in this way you will honor GOD as First Place in your life. I could go on like this...
Stop for a moment, and ask yourself, "What is my primary focus for this season in my life?" Do not judge yourself, or think about what your focus "should" be...be honest. What is your primary focus. What do you want it to be? What is of the uptmost importance to you right now? Then give it all you've got! HONOR GOD by giving him your all. Do not hold anyting back...it's the only way to live.
Join me in this adventure! It is a ride you won't forget...
Living Balanced,
Jennifer
PS. As I write this, I am just coming home from a day of shopping, and popcorn and a movie...to keep all things in balance, as Joyce Meyer says, "sometimes you've just got to eat the cookie, and buy the shoes"
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Are you an apple or an orange?
The true test of a man's character is not how he behaves when times are good, the true test of a man character is how he reacts during the dark times. When life gets stressful, when your car breaks down, when you loose your job, when your 25 plus year marriage falls apart...this is when the true character will be revealed.
Let's put it this way, if you pick an apple from a tree, and you squeeze it really hard, you will get apple juice. No matter how hard you squeeze you will never get orange juice from an apple. It is impossible.
This is how it works in our lives. When we feel the squeeze of life, our true nature, our "fruit juice" will be revealed. How do you react in time of stress? Are you irritable, angry, frustrated, impatient, rude? Or are you patient, kind, loving, joyful, peaceful, steady, gentle, and self-controlled?
Make no mistake, whatever is on the inside will come out. Whatever is hidden, will come to light, and the true character of your heart will be revealed. It is easy to show others our best side, or to pretend to be an apple when really we are an orange. But when the squeeze comes, the truth is obvious.
So today, think about this: Jesus said, "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing. It is to the Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" This is how we show ourselves to be disciples of Christ, by bearing fruit.
It really is quite a natural process. We don't have to strain, and push to grow the fruit, we simply need to "abide" the fruit growing will occur as a natural byproduct of abiding. So what does a Christian look like?
The friut of the Spirit is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control. Against such things their is no law. We can pretend to be these things, but trust me, it is A LOT of work to try and manufacture these character traits. For example, to act loving when in reality you feel apathetic, or to try and act peaceful when you are filled with anxiety and worry over the future.
So, take my suggestion, stop striving, and start abiding. When you strive, you never arrive. When you are abiding you are thriving. This is when we are able to "do all things through Christ who stregenthens us" What is abiding? The best definition I have ever heard of what it means to abide in Christ is this: To consistently sit at the feet of Jesus, listening to his words, with a heart to obey.
So now that we know what the Christian looks like, what does the sinful man look like? Please enjoy the following selection for one of my all time favorite books, The Message. This is a modern day paraphrase of the Holy Bible. If you don't have a copy of The Message, you can go to bible.com and click Galations 5, and choose, The Message. This is a very cool site, and you can read the bible in several different translations to get the different tones, word choices, etc.
I love the book of Galations, it is all about what is means to be a Chrisitan...Freedom. It also breaks it down on what it looks like to walk with God vs. walking led by our own sinful nature and desires.
Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
Still working out the implications in my daily life,
Jennifer
Let's put it this way, if you pick an apple from a tree, and you squeeze it really hard, you will get apple juice. No matter how hard you squeeze you will never get orange juice from an apple. It is impossible.
This is how it works in our lives. When we feel the squeeze of life, our true nature, our "fruit juice" will be revealed. How do you react in time of stress? Are you irritable, angry, frustrated, impatient, rude? Or are you patient, kind, loving, joyful, peaceful, steady, gentle, and self-controlled?
Make no mistake, whatever is on the inside will come out. Whatever is hidden, will come to light, and the true character of your heart will be revealed. It is easy to show others our best side, or to pretend to be an apple when really we are an orange. But when the squeeze comes, the truth is obvious.
So today, think about this: Jesus said, "I am the vine, and you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing. It is to the Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" This is how we show ourselves to be disciples of Christ, by bearing fruit.
It really is quite a natural process. We don't have to strain, and push to grow the fruit, we simply need to "abide" the fruit growing will occur as a natural byproduct of abiding. So what does a Christian look like?
The friut of the Spirit is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control. Against such things their is no law. We can pretend to be these things, but trust me, it is A LOT of work to try and manufacture these character traits. For example, to act loving when in reality you feel apathetic, or to try and act peaceful when you are filled with anxiety and worry over the future.
So, take my suggestion, stop striving, and start abiding. When you strive, you never arrive. When you are abiding you are thriving. This is when we are able to "do all things through Christ who stregenthens us" What is abiding? The best definition I have ever heard of what it means to abide in Christ is this: To consistently sit at the feet of Jesus, listening to his words, with a heart to obey.
So now that we know what the Christian looks like, what does the sinful man look like? Please enjoy the following selection for one of my all time favorite books, The Message. This is a modern day paraphrase of the Holy Bible. If you don't have a copy of The Message, you can go to bible.com and click Galations 5, and choose, The Message. This is a very cool site, and you can read the bible in several different translations to get the different tones, word choices, etc.
I love the book of Galations, it is all about what is means to be a Chrisitan...Freedom. It also breaks it down on what it looks like to walk with God vs. walking led by our own sinful nature and desires.
Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
Still working out the implications in my daily life,
Jennifer
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thirty Reasons to Be Thankful
Give thanks to the LORD for He is good. His love endures forever. I am in a little bit of a funk today. I am feeling sad, so I am going to do one of my favorite things to do when I am feeling down...
I am going to count my blessings. I am healthy. I have a beautiful home. We have food to eat. We have clothes to wear. We have two nice cars. We have friends, and family who love us unconditionally. I have a absolutely gorgeous husband who loves me, cherishes me, and tells me every day that he loves me, that I am beautiful, and how proud he is that I am his wife.
I have a heart that is filled with hope for the future, that God has good plans in store for me. I have friends who make me laugh so hard my sides hurt. I live in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America. I have a job that I love. I work with people who are creative, intelligent, and challenge me to find practical solutions to everyday life problems.
Both of my parents are still alive, and we have a great relationship. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, wife, and friend. I enjoy most of the people who are in my life, and those few people who are difficult to get along with give me the opportunity to exercise patience, and grace. I am blessed to know so many people who love me just as I am.
I could continue to list all the reasons I am thankful, but instead, could you do me a favor? Would you take a few minutes to reflect of how you have been blessed, and write down those blessings, one by one. When you are finished writing down your blessings, count them. I did.
I am going to count my blessings. I am healthy. I have a beautiful home. We have food to eat. We have clothes to wear. We have two nice cars. We have friends, and family who love us unconditionally. I have a absolutely gorgeous husband who loves me, cherishes me, and tells me every day that he loves me, that I am beautiful, and how proud he is that I am his wife.
I have a heart that is filled with hope for the future, that God has good plans in store for me. I have friends who make me laugh so hard my sides hurt. I live in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America. I have a job that I love. I work with people who are creative, intelligent, and challenge me to find practical solutions to everyday life problems.
Both of my parents are still alive, and we have a great relationship. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, wife, and friend. I enjoy most of the people who are in my life, and those few people who are difficult to get along with give me the opportunity to exercise patience, and grace. I am blessed to know so many people who love me just as I am.
I could continue to list all the reasons I am thankful, but instead, could you do me a favor? Would you take a few minutes to reflect of how you have been blessed, and write down those blessings, one by one. When you are finished writing down your blessings, count them. I did.
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