02/05: Pride
If you are visiting me today because you read the Encouragement For Today devo, WELCOME! I am thrilled you stopped in to see me. I must tell you I am still suffering with the Holy Hangovers from the big event last weekend, Encouragement EXTREME. If you want to know more about that jump over to EncouragementCafe.com
At the event we touched on what Pride looks like in our daily life. I wonder if we really recognize all the different forms it can take? I once pictured it as only a puffed up arrogant person, but that is only one view.
Pride can trip us up by disguising itself as the complete opposite. Do you know anyone who constantly beats themselves up for their past? They choose not to believe that God is big enough to create in them a new heart and life? Their constant self-loathing is a reverse form of pride.
They are saying, "I know more than You God. I know I'm not worthy of Your grace, or Your time. I was obviously a mistake. So I'm right and You're wrong." It sounds pretty strong and maybe even mean to say that. I should be more sensitive and caring when dealing with someone who is so fragile, right.
Maybe. Maybe we should carefully point them to the Word in Philippians 4:13 that says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." I think too often many of us reword that verse to read something like:
"I WON'T do anything because I don't believe He gives me strength."
The fact is, either the Bible is true or it's not. We can't pick and choose what we want to believe in it. It is either all true or it is all the most cleverly constructed lie known to man. No lie ever stands for very long. Look at our headlines each day. The truth always has a way of coming to the surface. So how could the Bible continue to be the number one seller each year if it was a lie?
So we have to choose to believe it all. Even the parts that are tough to hear. Like:
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Timothy 4:17 NIV
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength
Matthew 21:22 NIV
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Pride, it is often cleverly disguised as something else. I'm asking God to shine his searchlight in my heart for hidden pride. For this is me:
1 Timothy 1:15 NIV
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
Together let's believe that Jesus' sacrifice was enough....for even me.
At the event we touched on what Pride looks like in our daily life. I wonder if we really recognize all the different forms it can take? I once pictured it as only a puffed up arrogant person, but that is only one view.
Pride can trip us up by disguising itself as the complete opposite. Do you know anyone who constantly beats themselves up for their past? They choose not to believe that God is big enough to create in them a new heart and life? Their constant self-loathing is a reverse form of pride.
They are saying, "I know more than You God. I know I'm not worthy of Your grace, or Your time. I was obviously a mistake. So I'm right and You're wrong." It sounds pretty strong and maybe even mean to say that. I should be more sensitive and caring when dealing with someone who is so fragile, right.
Maybe. Maybe we should carefully point them to the Word in Philippians 4:13 that says, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." I think too often many of us reword that verse to read something like:
"I WON'T do anything because I don't believe He gives me strength."
The fact is, either the Bible is true or it's not. We can't pick and choose what we want to believe in it. It is either all true or it is all the most cleverly constructed lie known to man. No lie ever stands for very long. Look at our headlines each day. The truth always has a way of coming to the surface. So how could the Bible continue to be the number one seller each year if it was a lie?
So we have to choose to believe it all. Even the parts that are tough to hear. Like:
Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Timothy 4:17 NIV
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength
Matthew 21:22 NIV
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Pride, it is often cleverly disguised as something else. I'm asking God to shine his searchlight in my heart for hidden pride. For this is me:
1 Timothy 1:15 NIV
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
Together let's believe that Jesus' sacrifice was enough....for even me.
02/02: EXTREME Continued
02/01: EXTREME WAS EXTREME!
If you somehow missed the fact that this past weekend was our Encouragement EXTREME Event, let me pull you out from under the rock and share the fun with you!!!
Oh girlfriends, God wowed us all! We learned so much. God taught us what to tweak the next time, but most of all He taught us that when we walk in obedience and absolute faith that He, the Ever Faithful One will show up and blow your socks off!
But instead of me telling you, read what one of our attendees wrote:
WOW is definitely the best way to describe it. I am so thankful to have been there. I was blown away by Carol and how she revealed the word of God in her amazingly transparent and humorous way. I was mesmerized by Betty and how she was led by the Spirit to create a masterpiece right before our eyes that was as unique to each one of us as the experience itself. I was broken into pieces and forever changed by Helen’s songs and then put back together again through Pam’s worship as I felt the love of the Lord as we sang together. I was challenged by Ramona to break the chains that bind me up and keep me from being HIS hands and feet and carrying out the very duty for which I was created! To serve HIM! I came face to face with Jesus in the prayer room and was touched so personally by Jesus Himself that I will never forget that He is my Prince of Peace. I was nourished and enlightened by Dallas and Holy Communion and was strengthened and encouraged by new friends. But the best part of the entire weekend came while Luann was talking and I felt that little spark inside me ignite and explode into a passion and fire for the Lord which has inspired me to no longer allow my faith to go unnoticed but to Love out loud and with a purpose which is to share God’s love in an EXTREME WAY! Thank you, thank you, thank you for an amazingly extreme weekend.
For more details visit Encouragement Cafe.
Oh girlfriends, God wowed us all! We learned so much. God taught us what to tweak the next time, but most of all He taught us that when we walk in obedience and absolute faith that He, the Ever Faithful One will show up and blow your socks off!
But instead of me telling you, read what one of our attendees wrote:
WOW is definitely the best way to describe it. I am so thankful to have been there. I was blown away by Carol and how she revealed the word of God in her amazingly transparent and humorous way. I was mesmerized by Betty and how she was led by the Spirit to create a masterpiece right before our eyes that was as unique to each one of us as the experience itself. I was broken into pieces and forever changed by Helen’s songs and then put back together again through Pam’s worship as I felt the love of the Lord as we sang together. I was challenged by Ramona to break the chains that bind me up and keep me from being HIS hands and feet and carrying out the very duty for which I was created! To serve HIM! I came face to face with Jesus in the prayer room and was touched so personally by Jesus Himself that I will never forget that He is my Prince of Peace. I was nourished and enlightened by Dallas and Holy Communion and was strengthened and encouraged by new friends. But the best part of the entire weekend came while Luann was talking and I felt that little spark inside me ignite and explode into a passion and fire for the Lord which has inspired me to no longer allow my faith to go unnoticed but to Love out loud and with a purpose which is to share God’s love in an EXTREME WAY! Thank you, thank you, thank you for an amazingly extreme weekend.
For more details visit Encouragement Cafe.
01/28: EXTREME!!!!!!!
WOO HOO! I am packing my bags and heading for Greensboro today. Don't listen to the forecast, it doesn't matter what the clouds say, I see Sonshine heading our way!
God is on the move and I can only tell you that He has put some pretty amazing things together for this weekend. Will you keep us in your prayers?
If you have thought about coming and just didn't know if you could afford it or if there would be room. Come! God is making room just for you. He has also provided some scholarship money!
So if He is moving you to be there, BE THERE!
Registration begins at 5 - Event starts at 6 on Friday night.
Saturday we will have breakfast together then start the program at 8:30 and wrap up after the live radio show at 3-3:30.
When God knocks on your heart, listen. Let us know you want to come by commenting.
See you tomorrow!!!!
In His grip,
Luann
God is on the move and I can only tell you that He has put some pretty amazing things together for this weekend. Will you keep us in your prayers?
If you have thought about coming and just didn't know if you could afford it or if there would be room. Come! God is making room just for you. He has also provided some scholarship money!
So if He is moving you to be there, BE THERE!
Registration begins at 5 - Event starts at 6 on Friday night.
Saturday we will have breakfast together then start the program at 8:30 and wrap up after the live radio show at 3-3:30.
When God knocks on your heart, listen. Let us know you want to come by commenting.
See you tomorrow!!!!
In His grip,
Luann
01/14: Maybe Later
The road to mediocrity is paved with 'good intentions'. I'm tired of living an average, good enough life, aren't you? My friend Lysa TerKeurst talks about this in our P31 devotional today.
We all have good intentions. Many of us start strong but somewhere along the way we trip and many times we get back up! We knock off the dust and keep going. But just like my bookcase shelves, the dust sometimes accumulates and soon I become accustom to it! I fool myself into thinking those shelves aren't really white, they are off-white and no one but me will notice anyway.
God tapped my heart today with Lysa's devo and said, "Hey honey, that's you." Got to say, I'm not thrilled when He does that! He is so persistent! Even though I give up on myself over and over, He has never lost sight of what I will become! He is going to keep nudging me, reminding me, applauding me when I walk wisely and confronting me when I don't. Man He is a good dad!
As much as I hate to admit it, I need the discipline. Recently I had to laugh when I visited my expectant daughter who was ready to bring baby number 4 into our lives. They are such great parents and have taught their children good manners. However, Rachel, the 18 month old is their only girl and let's just say she had enjoyed those 18 months to the fullest. She captured everyone's heart and had her brothers, daddy and mom right in the palm of her tiny little hand.
I watched her get away with things the boys would NEVER been allowed to do and I grinned. My daughter and her husband said, "What?" when they saw my amused face. I said, "You're in trouble. This little lady will have her world knocked on it's ear when this baby arrives." They looked at each other in stunned realization then back at me and in unison said, "We're in trouble."
We don't see it sometimes, the need for discipline. Especially when things are flowing along smoothly we get the false impression that we got this thing called life down! But God is NEVER done working on us! He has so much He needs to teach us and we aren't ready to learn next year's lessons today, but we are perfectly placed in our circumstances to learn the lesson He has planned for today.
You ready? Me too. Come on God, create in me a new heart, ready to learn and obey.
Join me for a powerful weekend event January 29-30 in Greensboro, NC. Get all the details at www.EncouragementCafe.com
We all have good intentions. Many of us start strong but somewhere along the way we trip and many times we get back up! We knock off the dust and keep going. But just like my bookcase shelves, the dust sometimes accumulates and soon I become accustom to it! I fool myself into thinking those shelves aren't really white, they are off-white and no one but me will notice anyway.
God tapped my heart today with Lysa's devo and said, "Hey honey, that's you." Got to say, I'm not thrilled when He does that! He is so persistent! Even though I give up on myself over and over, He has never lost sight of what I will become! He is going to keep nudging me, reminding me, applauding me when I walk wisely and confronting me when I don't. Man He is a good dad!
As much as I hate to admit it, I need the discipline. Recently I had to laugh when I visited my expectant daughter who was ready to bring baby number 4 into our lives. They are such great parents and have taught their children good manners. However, Rachel, the 18 month old is their only girl and let's just say she had enjoyed those 18 months to the fullest. She captured everyone's heart and had her brothers, daddy and mom right in the palm of her tiny little hand.
I watched her get away with things the boys would NEVER been allowed to do and I grinned. My daughter and her husband said, "What?" when they saw my amused face. I said, "You're in trouble. This little lady will have her world knocked on it's ear when this baby arrives." They looked at each other in stunned realization then back at me and in unison said, "We're in trouble."
We don't see it sometimes, the need for discipline. Especially when things are flowing along smoothly we get the false impression that we got this thing called life down! But God is NEVER done working on us! He has so much He needs to teach us and we aren't ready to learn next year's lessons today, but we are perfectly placed in our circumstances to learn the lesson He has planned for today.
You ready? Me too. Come on God, create in me a new heart, ready to learn and obey.
Join me for a powerful weekend event January 29-30 in Greensboro, NC. Get all the details at www.EncouragementCafe.com
The 3rd pew back and on the right,
That’s where you’d find my dad.
In my home church, it was his special spot.
A spot where you would find him faithfully planted, every time the church doors were open.
I never understood his deep devotion to that spot.
Until I heard the story.
In 1956 my dad accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
He belonged to a church that was alive and growing and needed more space.
In 1958 he was injured in an accident at work.
With 4 hungry mouths to feed, he couldn’t afford to stop, he just continued to work.
A few weeks went by and one Sunday the preacher asked the congregation to pray.
Pray about the future of their church and how God would want them to grow.
At the end of the prayer meeting, my dad made his way to the front of the church and placed a piece of paper on the altar.
He said, “Preacher, here’s some seed money to build a new church.”
It was a check he had received the day before from the railroad for his accident.
December 14, 1998, my dad passed away.
When I went to my home church for his funeral, the church was packed with standing room only.
I heard story after story of how my dad made a difference in so many people’s lives with his caring, his giving and his unconditional love.
What a legacy to leave your family…to leave your friends…to leave those you’ve never even met.
I want to leave a legacy to my family, to my friends, to people I haven’t even met.
I was able to witness the hundreds of lives my dad touched with his sacrificial gift…a gift that always found him faithfully in the 3rd pew back and on the right.
How many lives will we touch?
I'm asking you to prayerfully consider something. This radio show, Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends, God orchestrated last year and is poised to go bigger than we could have ever imagined. We know that lives are being impacted and hearts are being transformed by the healing touch of Jesus through these airwaves.
We need you. Our first Encouragement EXTREME Event is only a few days away and we see God moving mountains to make it happen.
Will you help by not only praying for this ministry, will you consider how your support might keep this show on the air reaching women across the globe?
Here is our promise to you. We will keep you updated as God expands this territory. We will let you know that your dollar did matter every time a soul finds life in the precious name of Jesus! We promise to be good stewards with the gifts and talents He has entrusted to this very small band of women.
In 2010 will your gift leave a legacy impacting those you've never even met?
Visit our web site that will soon have a New Year facelift! Every day we minister to the needs of women through this site and then each Saturday we broadcast live for 1 hour taking phone calls from people across the nation. We laugh, cry, pray and share life together, pointing them to the only answer, Jesus Christ.
Click on this link to find out more: Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends
May God bless you richly for your gift.
That’s where you’d find my dad.
In my home church, it was his special spot.
A spot where you would find him faithfully planted, every time the church doors were open.
I never understood his deep devotion to that spot.
Until I heard the story.
In 1956 my dad accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
He belonged to a church that was alive and growing and needed more space.
In 1958 he was injured in an accident at work.
With 4 hungry mouths to feed, he couldn’t afford to stop, he just continued to work.
A few weeks went by and one Sunday the preacher asked the congregation to pray.
Pray about the future of their church and how God would want them to grow.
At the end of the prayer meeting, my dad made his way to the front of the church and placed a piece of paper on the altar.
He said, “Preacher, here’s some seed money to build a new church.”
It was a check he had received the day before from the railroad for his accident.
December 14, 1998, my dad passed away.
When I went to my home church for his funeral, the church was packed with standing room only.
I heard story after story of how my dad made a difference in so many people’s lives with his caring, his giving and his unconditional love.
What a legacy to leave your family…to leave your friends…to leave those you’ve never even met.
I want to leave a legacy to my family, to my friends, to people I haven’t even met.
I was able to witness the hundreds of lives my dad touched with his sacrificial gift…a gift that always found him faithfully in the 3rd pew back and on the right.
How many lives will we touch?
I'm asking you to prayerfully consider something. This radio show, Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends, God orchestrated last year and is poised to go bigger than we could have ever imagined. We know that lives are being impacted and hearts are being transformed by the healing touch of Jesus through these airwaves.
We need you. Our first Encouragement EXTREME Event is only a few days away and we see God moving mountains to make it happen.
Will you help by not only praying for this ministry, will you consider how your support might keep this show on the air reaching women across the globe?
Here is our promise to you. We will keep you updated as God expands this territory. We will let you know that your dollar did matter every time a soul finds life in the precious name of Jesus! We promise to be good stewards with the gifts and talents He has entrusted to this very small band of women.
In 2010 will your gift leave a legacy impacting those you've never even met?
Visit our web site that will soon have a New Year facelift! Every day we minister to the needs of women through this site and then each Saturday we broadcast live for 1 hour taking phone calls from people across the nation. We laugh, cry, pray and share life together, pointing them to the only answer, Jesus Christ.
Click on this link to find out more: Encouragement Cafe with Luann & Friends
May God bless you richly for your gift.
12/14: Break for Fun
Ok, if you are like me you might be needing a mental health break. So here is something to make your mind work in a fun way:
How many of the songs can you identify by the initials of the words of the first line of the song? (All Christmas)
(Example: OCAYF - O Come All Ye Faithful)
HYAMLC
TFNTADS
GRYMGLNYD
ICUTMC
SNHNAICAIB
CTFDOCMTLSTM
DTHWBOHFLLLLLLLL
YBWOYBNC
JTTWTLHC
YKDADAPAVCACADAB
ISMKSCUTMLN
CSBSDIHS
HTHASGTTNK
GGROBAR
OHNTSABS
AIWFCIMTFT
DTTSIAOHOS
WTKOOA
IDOAWCJLTOIUTK
CROAOFJFNAYN
IBTLALLC
OLTOBHSWSTL
SBRAYLITLSIG
IBHFC
WWYAMCWWYAMC
IHTBOCD
FTSWAJHS
JOSNLYAETW
GKWLDOTFOS
UOTHRPOJGOSC
JBJBJBR
IHABCWY
JHTSBRTTT
CTTMPRPP
RTRNRHAVSN
Now here is the rub. I can't find the answer sheet ;o) So you will need to get focused. Have fun!
How many of the songs can you identify by the initials of the words of the first line of the song? (All Christmas)
(Example: OCAYF - O Come All Ye Faithful)
HYAMLC
TFNTADS
GRYMGLNYD
ICUTMC
SNHNAICAIB
CTFDOCMTLSTM
DTHWBOHFLLLLLLLL
YBWOYBNC
JTTWTLHC
YKDADAPAVCACADAB
ISMKSCUTMLN
CSBSDIHS
HTHASGTTNK
GGROBAR
OHNTSABS
AIWFCIMTFT
DTTSIAOHOS
WTKOOA
IDOAWCJLTOIUTK
CROAOFJFNAYN
IBTLALLC
OLTOBHSWSTL
SBRAYLITLSIG
IBHFC
WWYAMCWWYAMC
IHTBOCD
FTSWAJHS
JOSNLYAETW
GKWLDOTFOS
UOTHRPOJGOSC
JBJBJBR
IHABCWY
JHTSBRTTT
CTTMPRPP
RTRNRHAVSN
Now here is the rub. I can't find the answer sheet ;o) So you will need to get focused. Have fun!
As the character's from the Disney movie Bolt would say, "Oh, snap!"
We are heading (pardon the pun) into the final turn of the story, but not before we pause to dissect the noose.
On page 169 Beth says:
"The story line will loop around the neck of Haman and hang him from the top of the ladder he spent his life climbing."
What a TELLING sentence! We are all on a ladder. When and if we get to the top, I wonder what we will find? I'm afraid for years my ladder was in the wrong stinkin' location! Quiet on the set! I hear some of you that know me oh so well, giggling!
I can look back with regret at the 40 years spent balancing rungs that were in outer Mongolia----OR-----I can choose to be thrilled that I have a gracious and patient God who patted my poor, clueless head while I struggled. Because quite honestly, I believe I would not have the same compassion for single moms, had I not been one. I would not feel the ripped up heart of living with an alcoholic, had I not experienced it. I would not know the hunger of poverty had I not been hungry and without.
Am I advocating living in Outer Mongolia? NO! I am just saying that beating ourselves up for the past is useless and unproductive! It can be a mighty blessing in the life of a hopeless child seeking a Savior.
Xerxes is a piece of work, isn't he? I could say, boy do I know some Xerxes in my life....but then I might catch a glimpse of him in my own mirror! Beth says,
"He had no vision for the effect on others and the greater catastrophe..."
Oh, snap, guilty again. I have made some bonehead, heat of the moment decisions in life that did not take into consideration for a milli-second the impact on EVERYONE around me! So before we go being the good church-lady who says, "Oh, I wish so-and-so could be here to hear this sermon," let's look in the mirror and see if there is a hint of self-absorption lingering in our own lives.
Beth used the phrase,
"I'll get you my pretty," when speaking of how the devil looks at us when we win a battle. He thinks, yea, yea, whatever...you may have had "victory" over this thing, but in the end I'm gonna get ya. He isn't going to give up, especially if he thinks that your life just might impact someone else!
If he is leaving you alone, there is a reason. Maybe you aren't really a threat to him. Maybe he sees no fire or conviction in your heart for others...maybe he sees instead a judgmental attitude that places the stamp, "Good Egg or Bad Egg" on everyone. Maybe you have that Good Egg stamped on yourself and think that the rest of the world should fall in line with your agenda.
What does my life say to Satan? Does it say, "You can't stop me from singing praises to my Wonderful Savior! I'm going to shine no matter what!" or does it say, "I'm no threat to your plan to overtake the world with darkness."...? Don't be just a pretty face....get out there and stomp him!
At the bottom of page 171 she says,
"Extraordinary things happen around us continually. We just don't always recognize them.....lives don't always seem great while we're living them."
Babies are a blessing. All of them. God did not make one mistake. He allowed each one to be the product of just the right mom and just the right dad. He brings them into this world and then says to you and me, love this life. For years my girlfriend called herself a 'mistake' because that is what she heard her parents say her entire life. It painted a picture of insecurity across her face every time she looked into the mirror. Her stamp said, "unwanted" "oops" "unevenly yoked" - and so she could never see her value and still struggles to this day.
You and I are called to love. We are never called to be the judge or jury or prosecuting attorney. We are only called to be witnesses of His great love. That God cared so much He sent His one and Only Son this season as the greatest gift we will ever receive! Then He said, love one another as I have loved you. Love those who feel like throw-aways. Love those who don't deserve it. Love those who break your heart at times. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Years ago, my daughter Jennifer was comparing herself and wondering if she 'would ever get it right.' We actually used the analogy of a ladder. I said, "Honey, look how far you've come! God is never finished with us!"
We each have a God-given need to MATTER. As we walk through this Christmas season, may we splash cool springs of joy on those around us, so that Jesus might look at us as he did in Mark 14:6 and say, "She has done a beautiful thing to me."
Oh, to be a heavenly tidal wave!
We are heading (pardon the pun) into the final turn of the story, but not before we pause to dissect the noose.
On page 169 Beth says:
"The story line will loop around the neck of Haman and hang him from the top of the ladder he spent his life climbing."
What a TELLING sentence! We are all on a ladder. When and if we get to the top, I wonder what we will find? I'm afraid for years my ladder was in the wrong stinkin' location! Quiet on the set! I hear some of you that know me oh so well, giggling!
I can look back with regret at the 40 years spent balancing rungs that were in outer Mongolia----OR-----I can choose to be thrilled that I have a gracious and patient God who patted my poor, clueless head while I struggled. Because quite honestly, I believe I would not have the same compassion for single moms, had I not been one. I would not feel the ripped up heart of living with an alcoholic, had I not experienced it. I would not know the hunger of poverty had I not been hungry and without.
Am I advocating living in Outer Mongolia? NO! I am just saying that beating ourselves up for the past is useless and unproductive! It can be a mighty blessing in the life of a hopeless child seeking a Savior.
Xerxes is a piece of work, isn't he? I could say, boy do I know some Xerxes in my life....but then I might catch a glimpse of him in my own mirror! Beth says,
"He had no vision for the effect on others and the greater catastrophe..."
Oh, snap, guilty again. I have made some bonehead, heat of the moment decisions in life that did not take into consideration for a milli-second the impact on EVERYONE around me! So before we go being the good church-lady who says, "Oh, I wish so-and-so could be here to hear this sermon," let's look in the mirror and see if there is a hint of self-absorption lingering in our own lives.
Beth used the phrase,
"I'll get you my pretty," when speaking of how the devil looks at us when we win a battle. He thinks, yea, yea, whatever...you may have had "victory" over this thing, but in the end I'm gonna get ya. He isn't going to give up, especially if he thinks that your life just might impact someone else!
If he is leaving you alone, there is a reason. Maybe you aren't really a threat to him. Maybe he sees no fire or conviction in your heart for others...maybe he sees instead a judgmental attitude that places the stamp, "Good Egg or Bad Egg" on everyone. Maybe you have that Good Egg stamped on yourself and think that the rest of the world should fall in line with your agenda.
What does my life say to Satan? Does it say, "You can't stop me from singing praises to my Wonderful Savior! I'm going to shine no matter what!" or does it say, "I'm no threat to your plan to overtake the world with darkness."...? Don't be just a pretty face....get out there and stomp him!
At the bottom of page 171 she says,
"Extraordinary things happen around us continually. We just don't always recognize them.....lives don't always seem great while we're living them."
Babies are a blessing. All of them. God did not make one mistake. He allowed each one to be the product of just the right mom and just the right dad. He brings them into this world and then says to you and me, love this life. For years my girlfriend called herself a 'mistake' because that is what she heard her parents say her entire life. It painted a picture of insecurity across her face every time she looked into the mirror. Her stamp said, "unwanted" "oops" "unevenly yoked" - and so she could never see her value and still struggles to this day.
You and I are called to love. We are never called to be the judge or jury or prosecuting attorney. We are only called to be witnesses of His great love. That God cared so much He sent His one and Only Son this season as the greatest gift we will ever receive! Then He said, love one another as I have loved you. Love those who feel like throw-aways. Love those who don't deserve it. Love those who break your heart at times. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Years ago, my daughter Jennifer was comparing herself and wondering if she 'would ever get it right.' We actually used the analogy of a ladder. I said, "Honey, look how far you've come! God is never finished with us!"
We each have a God-given need to MATTER. As we walk through this Christmas season, may we splash cool springs of joy on those around us, so that Jesus might look at us as he did in Mark 14:6 and say, "She has done a beautiful thing to me."
Oh, to be a heavenly tidal wave!
Ok, can't wait until tomorrow to pick up on the rest of this day's lesson....it is chock full of good stuff!
Yes, I'm still dissecting page 166! Here is the next nugget:
Sometimes we take for granted what we have until we see that someone else admires it. When we've grown sadly accustomed to a beautiful sight, nothings jars a fresh vision quite like seeing it through somebody else's astonished eyes.
Do you ever get bored? Does it seem like every day is the same monotonous routine? Do you look at your job as a pain instead of a passion? Do you look at your spouse as a dud instead of a dream? Do you look at your home as average instead of amazing?
We get spoiled with new. We get tired of the same old, same old. We want fresh exciting stuff happening in our life! That's what the retailers have discovered this season. They play on our weariness of the old and flash new, new, new before our worn out life. And the lure is enticing.
God put a longing in our hearts for new. He said
in Lamentations 3:21-26
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord
in Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
in 1 Peter 1:3
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
Someone else sees your abundance as a blessing, do you?
Next nugget:
Even geniuses among us can have a little trouble calculating a simple equation when their minds are spinning.
My mind spins. I often wear people out around me. I found an article in 2007 about Scott Jones, an inventor. I saw his whiteboard displayed which gave us a glimpse of how his mind works. I was so excited because I could relate to it!
No, I'm not a genius, but my mind spins and often looks like this whiteboard!
Unfortunately, just like Xerxes, I can have trouble calculating truth when my mind is in high gear. One thing I try to do, yet I must admit doesn't always happen, is before making decisions I pause and breathe a prayer.
Often that stops the spinning long enough to get a clear vision of the situation. When I fail to do this, my train can jump the track!
Nugget 3:
God could use even a clueless king's misperceptions to exact His judgment.
God doesn't need us to manipulate a situation to make it work. When we see our world spinning, He's got it under control, even if it seems out of control.
Have you been struggling? Have you felt clueless about how to act or react to a situation in your life?
God's eye is on it. His timing is perfect. Believe that everything in your life falls into His plan. Trust Him.
Yes, I'm still dissecting page 166! Here is the next nugget:
Sometimes we take for granted what we have until we see that someone else admires it. When we've grown sadly accustomed to a beautiful sight, nothings jars a fresh vision quite like seeing it through somebody else's astonished eyes.
Do you ever get bored? Does it seem like every day is the same monotonous routine? Do you look at your job as a pain instead of a passion? Do you look at your spouse as a dud instead of a dream? Do you look at your home as average instead of amazing?
We get spoiled with new. We get tired of the same old, same old. We want fresh exciting stuff happening in our life! That's what the retailers have discovered this season. They play on our weariness of the old and flash new, new, new before our worn out life. And the lure is enticing.
God put a longing in our hearts for new. He said
in Lamentations 3:21-26
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord
in Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
in 1 Peter 1:3
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
Someone else sees your abundance as a blessing, do you?
Next nugget:
Even geniuses among us can have a little trouble calculating a simple equation when their minds are spinning.
My mind spins. I often wear people out around me. I found an article in 2007 about Scott Jones, an inventor. I saw his whiteboard displayed which gave us a glimpse of how his mind works. I was so excited because I could relate to it!
No, I'm not a genius, but my mind spins and often looks like this whiteboard!
Unfortunately, just like Xerxes, I can have trouble calculating truth when my mind is in high gear. One thing I try to do, yet I must admit doesn't always happen, is before making decisions I pause and breathe a prayer.
Often that stops the spinning long enough to get a clear vision of the situation. When I fail to do this, my train can jump the track!
Nugget 3:
God could use even a clueless king's misperceptions to exact His judgment.
God doesn't need us to manipulate a situation to make it work. When we see our world spinning, He's got it under control, even if it seems out of control.
Have you been struggling? Have you felt clueless about how to act or react to a situation in your life?
God's eye is on it. His timing is perfect. Believe that everything in your life falls into His plan. Trust Him.
(RSS)
