World Vision is an international organization that has the purpose of providing necessities to children all around the world. They are the doers connecting the givers with the needy. They make $35 a month transform into work training, food, medical care, education, and other essential assistance for thousands of familes around the world. I'm not trying to make a sales pitch here, but I do think it's important to bless as you have been blessed, and they are an organization I trust to help Christians do that. So if you're looking for a trustworthy organization to donate to, they have my recommendation.
...that's not the point of this blog.
World Vision has a magazine they send out to sponsor to keep them posted on progress through the year, and also to make sponsors aware of extra Christmas opportunities. There was an article in this magazine titled "Red Shoes for Rwanda." This is where the point of the blog begins.
Sheridan Ellis of Washington state vowed to wear red shoes every day in 2010 whether they matched her outfit or not. And while some days she may have looked festive wearing red and green together, it caught people's attention--and that was her goal. The result of wearing the shoes was the "Red Shoes for Rwanda" campaign. Supporters agreed to sponsor her for up to $2 a day. Although that seems small at a glance, that's one person commiting over $700 a year, and she had multiple sponsors. All the money this one woman raises will support World Vision's project to benefit children in Rwanda.
Her small town of Quilcene, Washington now hosts Red Shoe Friday, where the townspeople demonstrate their support by wearing red shoes.
For those of you wondering 'why Rwanda,' perhaps you should watch Hotel Rwanda, the movie that inspired Sheridan's campaign, which is only a glimpse of the genocide in Rwanda. Some children have lost both parents due to AIDS. Sheridan reflects on if her own 2 children were in that situation that, 'it would be nice to think that if that happened to them, there would be someone--even some stranger thousands of miles away--who would be willing to do something to help them."
The article doesn't mention whether or not Sheridan gave of her own funds, so I'm not sure if she did. Just think, though, how much she was able to do just by putting on shoes. If money is what keeps you from helping others, or you feel like what you have to give isn't making a big enough impact, start a cause. Sheridan's passion was shoes, and she used it to glorify God and serve one of His greatest commandments (John 15:12, James 1:27). What's your passion? We can't all be artists, shoe lovers, sports stars, etc. Find what you're good at, what makes you really excited, and find a way to glorify God and help others with it. It will have vast rewards.
I 100% support the mission field and those called to ministry, but remember that just because you are passionate for God does not mean you'll be working full time for a church. I believe it was Kevin DeYoung's book Just Do Something that reminded me that we need doctors to keep the missionaries healthy, entrepreneurs to support the ministry, etc. etc. Where you are is your mission field, work in it. But don't just stop there.
The R in Rwanda isn't silent, the children hurting there are not silent, nor should you be silent. Step out, whether you're in red shoes or not.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
God Bless...to be continued?
I like the funny papers (comics as some people call them), and generally their jokes on politics, the business world, and the quirks of talking animals bring me lots of delight. Today, I found something in the comics though that didn't make me laugh at all. Classic Peanuts by Shulz, featured Sally trying to tell Charlie Brown a secret. The comic strip goes through 7 scenes of them peeking around doors and crawling behind couches to sneak somewhere where they wouldn't be heard. Then Sally whispers to Charlie Brown, "we prayed in school today."
At first, this really caught me off guard--why this would be in the funny papers, but then the reality sank in. Many children are under the impression that praying in school is wrong. WRONG. This isn't the "I don't want the teacher teaching religion to my children spill"...no, this is children underestimating their freedom of religion and overestimating the restrictions on their freedom of faith in schools. Perhaps you think I'm overreacting, but the restrictions in schools is silly, it's too much, and it's uncalled for. Freedom of religion does not and should not have a clause that says 'except in schools and government buildings.' I do not become an atheist when I walk into the White House, a courthouse, or my nephew's school, and I refuse to act like one.
The other morning while I was getting ready for school I heard on the radio that a court upheld the moment of silence in schools law in Illinois. Thank God for that.
I say all this to point to the fact when God's people are silent, God's people lose some power. As children of God, we should not let it get to the point that we can be silenced because we are already quiet. Tonight at church, our pastor preached on Psalm 107, a chapter that speaks of God's awesomeness and how He has saved people from starvation, storms, danger, etc. Frequently the chapter says let them praise Him, let them thank Him. The second to last verse in the chapter, verse 42 says, "The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths."
So pick a side, join a team, and decide. Is God worthy of praise to you?? ...then are you praising Him? And I don't mean only in your prayer journal, to your pastor, or in church. That's all great, but praise Him and speak of Him and His good works to your classmates, in your workplace, at your lunch table, in the elevator, etc. You may have 30 seconds to get the Word about Jesus and all He's done for you out. I hope in whatever situation you are in, you will not hesitate to praise Him. Even if it's titled a 'moment of silence', I hope that my children will have the privilege, option, and right of praying in their schools someday. If we do not take advantage of the rights we have, it should be no surprise that they are taken away from us.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
At first, this really caught me off guard--why this would be in the funny papers, but then the reality sank in. Many children are under the impression that praying in school is wrong. WRONG. This isn't the "I don't want the teacher teaching religion to my children spill"...no, this is children underestimating their freedom of religion and overestimating the restrictions on their freedom of faith in schools. Perhaps you think I'm overreacting, but the restrictions in schools is silly, it's too much, and it's uncalled for. Freedom of religion does not and should not have a clause that says 'except in schools and government buildings.' I do not become an atheist when I walk into the White House, a courthouse, or my nephew's school, and I refuse to act like one.
The other morning while I was getting ready for school I heard on the radio that a court upheld the moment of silence in schools law in Illinois. Thank God for that.
I say all this to point to the fact when God's people are silent, God's people lose some power. As children of God, we should not let it get to the point that we can be silenced because we are already quiet. Tonight at church, our pastor preached on Psalm 107, a chapter that speaks of God's awesomeness and how He has saved people from starvation, storms, danger, etc. Frequently the chapter says let them praise Him, let them thank Him. The second to last verse in the chapter, verse 42 says, "The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths."
So pick a side, join a team, and decide. Is God worthy of praise to you?? ...then are you praising Him? And I don't mean only in your prayer journal, to your pastor, or in church. That's all great, but praise Him and speak of Him and His good works to your classmates, in your workplace, at your lunch table, in the elevator, etc. You may have 30 seconds to get the Word about Jesus and all He's done for you out. I hope in whatever situation you are in, you will not hesitate to praise Him. Even if it's titled a 'moment of silence', I hope that my children will have the privilege, option, and right of praying in their schools someday. If we do not take advantage of the rights we have, it should be no surprise that they are taken away from us.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
Friday, October 22, 2010
your brain waves, do you wave back?
When you go for a visit to the doctor, the first thing they do is the simple check up: blood pressure, height, and weight. Well, here's your simple check up for the week....how many of you read Tuesday's blog? How many of you implemented it and wrote thank you cards?... If you did, I would love to hear feedback.
As humans, our attentions spans are short, easily diverted, and often focused on so many things at once we sometimes miss important details. Like blessings for instance. When was the last time you just had one of those blah days or were just plain down? When was the last time you made it through counting ALL of your blessings? I imagine the first one was more recent. So, knowing that we are humans and that our often ungrateful, easily diverted minds work this way, how can we correct/help this problem?
When we were little, my mom understood that we often learned best by song. So much so that a song took our attention off an order and made it into something fun, and more importantly, something memorable. Call it crazy (and some of you surely will), but when my brother and I used to go to day care, we had a song that helped us remember what we needed to get ready in the morning (keep in mind, we were daycare age). The song went "brush your hair, brush your teeth, and pee pee in the potty." We laugh about it now, but it worked wonders. Why? Because mom figured out how our brains worked and she catered to it. That's what you need to be doing in your life...mom's no longer in charge (assuming you're an adult), so figure out how your brain works and structure your lifestyle to help yourself. Here's a thought:
I have learned over the years that I work best when I journal. Although I constantly find it a challenge to keep up with a journal, I purchased a nice one over a year ago and was able to keep up with it almost daily, if not weekly for a year. The nice thing about this journal was that it had an inspirational quote and a verse for each day, along with a general writing section and a box specifically for writing the blessings of the day. Something I know I come up short on is counting my blessings, so having a journal where I had to think specifically what I was thankful for that day really helped keep my thoughts in perspective. So the great news on the first part of this story is that while I journaled it helped me...but, wait, there's more.
A few months ago, I took time to sit down and skim through my journal from the previous months-year, stopping on some pages to read the entire entry. As I reflected on this year in my life, I was amazed to see how much God had done for me, how silly my stresses from days past had seemed on the other side, and the HUGE number of answered prayers. This was extremely uplifting, and the great thing is that the writing is permanent and will be there to reflect on the next time that I am having a moment in need of inspiration and years to come.
We all have days where we could use a boost, so why not thank God in the process of your life, and help give yourself a boost later? While talking to others can be extremely helpful, especially mentors, I find that often I can learn the most when I talk to God and reflect on talks I've had with Him in the past.
So that's my suggestion--whether it's writing songs, journaling, creating a devotional blog, teaching a class, reading, etc. Figure out what it is that gets you most in touch with God and that will help make changes in your life by reinforcing the positives, the blessings, and God's providence we so often overlook.
And when you get to the point you think you have nothing to be thankful for...take a moment to read the book of Jonah (seriously, it's a short book). This guy ran from God, got in a bad storm at sea (not fun), and then got swallowed by a fish (yep, that happened). And in the midst of all this, dude gives thanks (Jonah 2:9). So, wipe the fish guts of today off, tackle the barriers of your brain, and get out there and enjoy your life.
Your check up is done. Step off the scale and into reality. Your future awaits, and I anticipate a very healthy report.
As humans, our attentions spans are short, easily diverted, and often focused on so many things at once we sometimes miss important details. Like blessings for instance. When was the last time you just had one of those blah days or were just plain down? When was the last time you made it through counting ALL of your blessings? I imagine the first one was more recent. So, knowing that we are humans and that our often ungrateful, easily diverted minds work this way, how can we correct/help this problem?
When we were little, my mom understood that we often learned best by song. So much so that a song took our attention off an order and made it into something fun, and more importantly, something memorable. Call it crazy (and some of you surely will), but when my brother and I used to go to day care, we had a song that helped us remember what we needed to get ready in the morning (keep in mind, we were daycare age). The song went "brush your hair, brush your teeth, and pee pee in the potty." We laugh about it now, but it worked wonders. Why? Because mom figured out how our brains worked and she catered to it. That's what you need to be doing in your life...mom's no longer in charge (assuming you're an adult), so figure out how your brain works and structure your lifestyle to help yourself. Here's a thought:
I have learned over the years that I work best when I journal. Although I constantly find it a challenge to keep up with a journal, I purchased a nice one over a year ago and was able to keep up with it almost daily, if not weekly for a year. The nice thing about this journal was that it had an inspirational quote and a verse for each day, along with a general writing section and a box specifically for writing the blessings of the day. Something I know I come up short on is counting my blessings, so having a journal where I had to think specifically what I was thankful for that day really helped keep my thoughts in perspective. So the great news on the first part of this story is that while I journaled it helped me...but, wait, there's more.
A few months ago, I took time to sit down and skim through my journal from the previous months-year, stopping on some pages to read the entire entry. As I reflected on this year in my life, I was amazed to see how much God had done for me, how silly my stresses from days past had seemed on the other side, and the HUGE number of answered prayers. This was extremely uplifting, and the great thing is that the writing is permanent and will be there to reflect on the next time that I am having a moment in need of inspiration and years to come.
We all have days where we could use a boost, so why not thank God in the process of your life, and help give yourself a boost later? While talking to others can be extremely helpful, especially mentors, I find that often I can learn the most when I talk to God and reflect on talks I've had with Him in the past.
So that's my suggestion--whether it's writing songs, journaling, creating a devotional blog, teaching a class, reading, etc. Figure out what it is that gets you most in touch with God and that will help make changes in your life by reinforcing the positives, the blessings, and God's providence we so often overlook.
And when you get to the point you think you have nothing to be thankful for...take a moment to read the book of Jonah (seriously, it's a short book). This guy ran from God, got in a bad storm at sea (not fun), and then got swallowed by a fish (yep, that happened). And in the midst of all this, dude gives thanks (Jonah 2:9). So, wipe the fish guts of today off, tackle the barriers of your brain, and get out there and enjoy your life.
Your check up is done. Step off the scale and into reality. Your future awaits, and I anticipate a very healthy report.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
it's like dominoes, only better
"There is always a reason to write a thank you note."--That was the line and intro to a book of devotional articles I received in the mail tonight. So, take the time you might have spent reading c ramble on, and go send a thank you to the first person that comes to your mind. And then write one to the person that comes to mind when I say 'the very last person that comes to mind.'
Be the unexpected.
The thank you doesn't have to be detailed...just thank someone for being Karen J. Turner VIII or whatever. There's only one of each person--and there's at least one good thing about each of us.
Spread love. He first loved us. :) (1 John 4:19)
Be the unexpected.
The thank you doesn't have to be detailed...just thank someone for being Karen J. Turner VIII or whatever. There's only one of each person--and there's at least one good thing about each of us.
Spread love. He first loved us. :) (1 John 4:19)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Throwback, May 9
Today, I took a step back to look back. Blog of the day=May 9, "Should You Hurry Up and Read This?" Enjoy..or don't. http://crambleson.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html Note: This was over 5 months ago...and it still applies today. Amazing how God's truth does that. :)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
if your life was a dart board, what would be the bulls eye?
I cannot fill your void. Now you guys are thinking 'oh no, serious blog...' Well, yeah, it is. I joke a lot and I encourage a lot, and I think those things are great. But tonight at revival, the minister said something that really made me reflect. There are a lot of people out there that look up to me, that read my blog, that I teach in Sunday School, that seek out my statuses, etc. for encouragement. First, thanks for your feedback so that I know this (its encouraging). Second, I'm glad that something little ole me does can be a blessing in your life and that God has used me in that way. But you need to know that I am human, I fail, and I cannot fill your void (not saying people that read this seek that...but just know, if you always turn to my insight when you are down, you're not turning in the right direction--talk to God). In fact nothing I say or do will carry you too far. And I hope you realize this--that it is not in the words I speak, but the awesome God that is behind them, and the message of Christ that is that hope, that love, and that forgiveness that can fill the void.
Often we will subconsciously fill voids in our life. A lot of people can point out that alcoholics fill the void with alcohol, abusers fill the void with abusing others, etc. But most people cannot or do not acknowledge what they fill their void with because it isn't so 'extreme' or obvious. The minister of revival this evening was talking about how when he was younger, he used to feed off of intimidating people. If he went a day without scaring/intimidating someone, he felt less than or less fulfilled. I used to do that when I was younger, I'll admit. I was always much taller than everyone (boys and girls included) when I was in elementary school, and I fed off the fact that people feared me and my size. I didn't take it as far as being a bully, but as humans we like power. We like control, attention, feeling important, looking good, being appreciated, etc. etc. Welcome to your human nature. It's nice to know that like the rest of us, you have fleshly desires.
So here's a secret on how to solve the constant need for power, importance, that 'feeling,' etc: be in control. You ask, "isn't that what I'm trying not to do---control people--ya know, power?" I didn't say be in control of others...be in control of yourself, of your desires, of your wants. Easier said than done, I know, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. So how do you control these wants? Well, for those of you that seek a fight every day, see fighting that desire as the fight itself. And rejoice when you succeed. This is no little task. Temptations are not to be taken lightly.
You were made with a void in your heart so that you would naturally seek Christ to be complete. The Holy Spirit was sent as our Comforter for a reason...God knows we need something...Him. So don't think it's silly that attractive naked men or women tempt you, or that you are prone to drink when something's bothering you--it makes the pain go away for a bit, or that you want to cut yourself--at least you feel something, or that you eat 7 meals a day because when you eat you don't have to think about stressful/painful things so much, or that you feel like when you talk a certain way/act a certain way you may hurt others--but it's the only way you think you can get respect....whatever your temptation, it isn't silly. That's the last thing it is. It is legitimate and it is real, and it is important. But most of all, it is conquerable.
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us we are not tempted with more than we can handle and that God has made a way out for us. We just have to want that way out badly enough to search for it. Your temptation is real, it is a battle, and it will not be easy to defeat. I can tell you from experience. I don't say that to give you reason to slack off or just continue on filling the void that is meant for Christ with something else--whatever void-filler-of-choice is: eating, homosexuality, bitterness, anger, sex, drugs, alcohol, gossip, etc., etc., etc.--I say that to let you know
1)I care, and I am going to try to understand my best what you are facing. I cannot fix it, but I can sure pray for you and hold your hand through the fight.
2)Your temptation/temptations is/are real and it is serious. You must first admit this to yourself before you will ever get close to overcoming any weak area. The devil is not stupid, he is sly and cunning. He tempts each of us with what we are specifically weak in...helllllo, that only makes sense if he wants us to fall away from Christ. So when you struggle, know it's the real thing, but you are fighting against Satan, not just your mind or someone's set of standards/rules.
3)You can do it. You can do it. You can do it with Christ. Like the little engine that could, when your mind is overwhelmed and all you think about is cutting yourself, or drinking, or how you're going to fix this...remember, it's a hill to climb, but there's victory when you reach the other side...and oh, so much peace from God.
4) God can forgive you for any times in the past you have slipped up, when you've fallen into that temptation, etc. It doesn't matter if you have a baby, scars, an ex-bf or ex-gf (or both) to show for it, GOD CAN AND DOES FORGIVE when we turn to Him humble and seeking His desires. Yes he can. There's a guy at our church that has been to jail, done drugs, been a borderline alcoholic, and got his girlfriend pregnant. He accepted salvation, and you know what--that saved man is as forgiven as Sunday School teacher me...that's right forgiveness, wiping away of sins, it's the real deal, and we all can become clean in Christ.
So ask yourself: How often do you feel empty? What is different when you do? I find the greatest fulfillment when I focus all my vision, hopes, and intentions on Christ, His salvation and forgiveness from sin, and what small part I can play in His huge awesome purpose. I hope you will find this hope, and that the desires for Christ's kingdom will grow so much in you that it will become stronger than any temptation you will ever face. Know this, when you fall, acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness. I find Jesus Christ is the very best at picking me up and dusting me off. And yes, I make plenty of mistakes. Praise His wonderful name for the gift of forgiveness.
Often we will subconsciously fill voids in our life. A lot of people can point out that alcoholics fill the void with alcohol, abusers fill the void with abusing others, etc. But most people cannot or do not acknowledge what they fill their void with because it isn't so 'extreme' or obvious. The minister of revival this evening was talking about how when he was younger, he used to feed off of intimidating people. If he went a day without scaring/intimidating someone, he felt less than or less fulfilled. I used to do that when I was younger, I'll admit. I was always much taller than everyone (boys and girls included) when I was in elementary school, and I fed off the fact that people feared me and my size. I didn't take it as far as being a bully, but as humans we like power. We like control, attention, feeling important, looking good, being appreciated, etc. etc. Welcome to your human nature. It's nice to know that like the rest of us, you have fleshly desires.
So here's a secret on how to solve the constant need for power, importance, that 'feeling,' etc: be in control. You ask, "isn't that what I'm trying not to do---control people--ya know, power?" I didn't say be in control of others...be in control of yourself, of your desires, of your wants. Easier said than done, I know, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. So how do you control these wants? Well, for those of you that seek a fight every day, see fighting that desire as the fight itself. And rejoice when you succeed. This is no little task. Temptations are not to be taken lightly.
You were made with a void in your heart so that you would naturally seek Christ to be complete. The Holy Spirit was sent as our Comforter for a reason...God knows we need something...Him. So don't think it's silly that attractive naked men or women tempt you, or that you are prone to drink when something's bothering you--it makes the pain go away for a bit, or that you want to cut yourself--at least you feel something, or that you eat 7 meals a day because when you eat you don't have to think about stressful/painful things so much, or that you feel like when you talk a certain way/act a certain way you may hurt others--but it's the only way you think you can get respect....whatever your temptation, it isn't silly. That's the last thing it is. It is legitimate and it is real, and it is important. But most of all, it is conquerable.
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us we are not tempted with more than we can handle and that God has made a way out for us. We just have to want that way out badly enough to search for it. Your temptation is real, it is a battle, and it will not be easy to defeat. I can tell you from experience. I don't say that to give you reason to slack off or just continue on filling the void that is meant for Christ with something else--whatever void-filler-of-choice is: eating, homosexuality, bitterness, anger, sex, drugs, alcohol, gossip, etc., etc., etc.--I say that to let you know
1)I care, and I am going to try to understand my best what you are facing. I cannot fix it, but I can sure pray for you and hold your hand through the fight.
2)Your temptation/temptations is/are real and it is serious. You must first admit this to yourself before you will ever get close to overcoming any weak area. The devil is not stupid, he is sly and cunning. He tempts each of us with what we are specifically weak in...helllllo, that only makes sense if he wants us to fall away from Christ. So when you struggle, know it's the real thing, but you are fighting against Satan, not just your mind or someone's set of standards/rules.
3)You can do it. You can do it. You can do it with Christ. Like the little engine that could, when your mind is overwhelmed and all you think about is cutting yourself, or drinking, or how you're going to fix this...remember, it's a hill to climb, but there's victory when you reach the other side...and oh, so much peace from God.
4) God can forgive you for any times in the past you have slipped up, when you've fallen into that temptation, etc. It doesn't matter if you have a baby, scars, an ex-bf or ex-gf (or both) to show for it, GOD CAN AND DOES FORGIVE when we turn to Him humble and seeking His desires. Yes he can. There's a guy at our church that has been to jail, done drugs, been a borderline alcoholic, and got his girlfriend pregnant. He accepted salvation, and you know what--that saved man is as forgiven as Sunday School teacher me...that's right forgiveness, wiping away of sins, it's the real deal, and we all can become clean in Christ.
So ask yourself: How often do you feel empty? What is different when you do? I find the greatest fulfillment when I focus all my vision, hopes, and intentions on Christ, His salvation and forgiveness from sin, and what small part I can play in His huge awesome purpose. I hope you will find this hope, and that the desires for Christ's kingdom will grow so much in you that it will become stronger than any temptation you will ever face. Know this, when you fall, acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness. I find Jesus Christ is the very best at picking me up and dusting me off. And yes, I make plenty of mistakes. Praise His wonderful name for the gift of forgiveness.
perhaps you drive a car. what's driving you?
What is your motivation? Why do you do what you do? Seriously. Sit there and think about it.
Start with the basic stuff: why do you brush your hair? Because you don't want to look like a 4 year old or homeless person, perhaps. Why do you go to work/school? To either better yourself or just pay the bills, perhaps. Ok I'm done giving you answers....you get the thought. Go through your day and reflect.
So many of us have passions we pursue. We have those things that tempt us. Those around us that direct some of our desires (i.e. taking a job to care for your family vs. taking a dream job that would pull you away from them). But we also have those things that we do to make us feel whole. Ever think about what yours is? Perhaps there's more than one? So often we don't realize what we do in the pursuit of completing ourselves, but others might. Maybe your best approach is to ask around from trusted sources from what they think your source of motivation is.
Just a simple self reflection, but the better you know how you are wired, the better you can direct yourself toward your goals and the ultimate goal of becoming more Christlike.
Start with the basic stuff: why do you brush your hair? Because you don't want to look like a 4 year old or homeless person, perhaps. Why do you go to work/school? To either better yourself or just pay the bills, perhaps. Ok I'm done giving you answers....you get the thought. Go through your day and reflect.
So many of us have passions we pursue. We have those things that tempt us. Those around us that direct some of our desires (i.e. taking a job to care for your family vs. taking a dream job that would pull you away from them). But we also have those things that we do to make us feel whole. Ever think about what yours is? Perhaps there's more than one? So often we don't realize what we do in the pursuit of completing ourselves, but others might. Maybe your best approach is to ask around from trusted sources from what they think your source of motivation is.
Just a simple self reflection, but the better you know how you are wired, the better you can direct yourself toward your goals and the ultimate goal of becoming more Christlike.
Monday, October 11, 2010
you're going to need more than carbs for this
Endurance. Do you have it? We often see TV commercials for sports oriented products like Gatorade, Adidas, or Nike with slogans like "Is it in you?" "Impossible is Nothing" or "Just Do It" which encourage us to endure and do greater things at the sports and fitness level, with the help of their products of course.
This morning I was watching the Today show and they were reflecting on exercise, how difficult it is to stay in a routine of exercise, but how overwhelmingly beneficial the results are. Once again...endurance.
A principle you can probably easily picture/relate to is the fact that when you exercise, you often have muscle pains....the reason a lot of people don't like to continuously exercise. Interestingly enough, muscle is built by tearing old muscle, which rebuilds bigger...hence the pain. Yet, if we want to reach the goal of fitness or washboard abs, etc., we must endure.
Our Spiritual lives are much the same way. Often it is the tearing down of walls, temptations, and even obstacles that emotionally seem to weaken us that allow our spiritual muscle to rebuild stronger. Just like lifting weights or doing 200 sit ups a day, it can be a painful process, but the real question is will you endure? You must if you want to reach the goal.
Tonight, our church had its first night of revival. The preacher had travelled to Africa in the past and reflected on his experiences with one tribe in particular. He explained that some people are physically beaten, imprisoned, or killed when they convert to Christianity. One story about the tribe that caught my eye though was about a cooking pot. There was one woman in particular who had converted to Christianity and was even helping to lead the Christian movement. When the chief of the village found out, he threatened to take away her cooking pot if she did not worship the idols of the village. While this may seem silly to you, it is a huge punishment for women in the community. They only have one cooking pot--it is what they cook their yams and all their food in after assembling some stones and a small fire. Without the pot, they have no way to prepare the food. Well, the woman refused, and sure enough her pot was taken away. What you have to realize here is that this means she had NO promises of food...she could have died from starvation...but (that's right) she endured.
Another message here is that the Christian community came together and provided for her from their meager means. This is what we need to be doing for out brothers and sisters in Christ...helping each other to endure. Share your Gatorade, your life juices, your blessings from God. At the very least...the VERY least, share a kind word (but you can do so much more than that I feel).
Six weeks later, the chief felt silly and decided to give her her cooking pot back, thinking he had proven his point. To the contrary, she had never bowed down to idols, and God had provided.
So how far will you endure? Would you risk not being able to eat to spread the cause of Christ? Will you depend on Him for your everything even when the odds aren't in your favor (cool thing is, He outdoes the odds all the time :))? ...most of all...is it in you--to endure, to conquer, to win for Christ? It can be. After all, impossible is nothing [with Christ]...so get out there and just do it.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown himself."
This morning I was watching the Today show and they were reflecting on exercise, how difficult it is to stay in a routine of exercise, but how overwhelmingly beneficial the results are. Once again...endurance.
A principle you can probably easily picture/relate to is the fact that when you exercise, you often have muscle pains....the reason a lot of people don't like to continuously exercise. Interestingly enough, muscle is built by tearing old muscle, which rebuilds bigger...hence the pain. Yet, if we want to reach the goal of fitness or washboard abs, etc., we must endure.
Our Spiritual lives are much the same way. Often it is the tearing down of walls, temptations, and even obstacles that emotionally seem to weaken us that allow our spiritual muscle to rebuild stronger. Just like lifting weights or doing 200 sit ups a day, it can be a painful process, but the real question is will you endure? You must if you want to reach the goal.
Tonight, our church had its first night of revival. The preacher had travelled to Africa in the past and reflected on his experiences with one tribe in particular. He explained that some people are physically beaten, imprisoned, or killed when they convert to Christianity. One story about the tribe that caught my eye though was about a cooking pot. There was one woman in particular who had converted to Christianity and was even helping to lead the Christian movement. When the chief of the village found out, he threatened to take away her cooking pot if she did not worship the idols of the village. While this may seem silly to you, it is a huge punishment for women in the community. They only have one cooking pot--it is what they cook their yams and all their food in after assembling some stones and a small fire. Without the pot, they have no way to prepare the food. Well, the woman refused, and sure enough her pot was taken away. What you have to realize here is that this means she had NO promises of food...she could have died from starvation...but (that's right) she endured.
Another message here is that the Christian community came together and provided for her from their meager means. This is what we need to be doing for out brothers and sisters in Christ...helping each other to endure. Share your Gatorade, your life juices, your blessings from God. At the very least...the VERY least, share a kind word (but you can do so much more than that I feel).
Six weeks later, the chief felt silly and decided to give her her cooking pot back, thinking he had proven his point. To the contrary, she had never bowed down to idols, and God had provided.
So how far will you endure? Would you risk not being able to eat to spread the cause of Christ? Will you depend on Him for your everything even when the odds aren't in your favor (cool thing is, He outdoes the odds all the time :))? ...most of all...is it in you--to endure, to conquer, to win for Christ? It can be. After all, impossible is nothing [with Christ]...so get out there and just do it.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown himself."
Friday, October 8, 2010
duct tape repairs leaks of all kinds: vents, mouths...
Tonight I watched a show that pointed out how people's persecution of the obese, the handicap, the 'ugly,' the less well educated, etc. can completely turn people off to Christianity. The reason people are turned off toward Christianity at that point has NOTHING to do with the faith itself...they don't get that far...they stop at the fact that a follower of the faith is saying one thing and doing another. While none of us are perfect, we should be striving to uplift not destroy. Don't dislike people because of certain physical features--appearance, health, or knowledge wise. Instead befriend them in this critical world, and listen to what God said--LOVE THEM.
1 John 4:19-21, "We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
So it really isn't a matter of why you a predisposed to racism, or mocking handicap people, or finding your strength by pointing out others weaknesses...fix it. Either pick up the cross and focus on the challenge of loving more than skin deep, or realize that you are at best luke warm and God doesn't have a pretty plan for the lukewarm and half-hearted...that means Hell. We need to put more effort into not deterring people away from God and the church...the devil is a powerful tempter and we don't need to be giving him any assistance.
As my mom always told me when I was little, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." ...words often spoken to a child, but that are important to adults as well. If you're convinced you can't love overweight, handicap, 'ugly,' etc. people equally, try closing your eyes and doing it. Literally...a few toe stubs from running into the wall and you'll want to be hugging every wheel chair on the block.
1 John 4:19-21, "We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
So it really isn't a matter of why you a predisposed to racism, or mocking handicap people, or finding your strength by pointing out others weaknesses...fix it. Either pick up the cross and focus on the challenge of loving more than skin deep, or realize that you are at best luke warm and God doesn't have a pretty plan for the lukewarm and half-hearted...that means Hell. We need to put more effort into not deterring people away from God and the church...the devil is a powerful tempter and we don't need to be giving him any assistance.
As my mom always told me when I was little, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." ...words often spoken to a child, but that are important to adults as well. If you're convinced you can't love overweight, handicap, 'ugly,' etc. people equally, try closing your eyes and doing it. Literally...a few toe stubs from running into the wall and you'll want to be hugging every wheel chair on the block.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
don't dress for next tuesday, it might rain.
My email account has this lovely feature at login that has little blips of news articles to keep me posted/tempt me to read on about the latest and greatest, etc. Today one of the features blips was title, "Spring Eye Shadow Trend You Can Try Now." Also, today I came home to the Wall Street Journal on the table with a heading reading, "The Top 10 Looks for Spring." ...Isn't this fall? For a second, I wasn't sure if I'd mistaken the season. While it is indeed important to plan, sometimes I think we get a little anxious. Fashion is not something I think we need to prepare for 6 months ahead of time...the shirts will still be in style when they hit the rack. And I'm just now getting prepared for winter. So let's take this out to the bigger picture of our lives. Ever planned too far ahead? Boxed yourself in before you got to a situation?
While this is not what I'm saying the WSJ and AOL are doing, just imagine if you focused so hard on Spring Trends that you weren't focusing on the chillier days of Fall and soon to be Winter, and you went out in the snow in a tank top. Frost bite? That's exactly what can happen in life if we approach situations focusing more on what might happen in the future than what is happening today. Perhaps you're in a relationship and you're focusing more on potential marriage than you are on getting to know the person today...that could cause some problems. Maybe you're so focused on getting a promotion at work that you step on everyone, not realizing that alienating people today could challenge your tomorrows and even your goal. Maybe you're stressing about a project/opportunity/event 3 months away, and you forget about your son's baseball game. Whatever the situation or story may be, we must be careful not to look so far ahead that we forget to embrace our todays.
This seems to be a really big problem for the age group that is graduating HS/college and looking for God's plan for their life. The stress of having everything planned out overwhelms making the most of today. Here's a quote from Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung, "But put aside the passivity and the quest for complete fulfillment and the perfectionism and the preoccupation with the future, and for God's sake start making some decisions in your life. Don't wait for the liver-shiver. If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God's will, so just go out and do something." Basically, just keep in mind that a lot can change in a year, or even a month...perhaps a week will turn your world upside down, or right side up. Let God move and don't box yourself in. If you're so determined to do X in the future, you may miss out that God says, "give that kid a hug" or "write your great aunt, she's having a tough time" or whatever He leads you to today. And while those things seem piddly (they aren't), imagine if God tries to tell you something that will be future altering...like about the person you'll marry? My advice: have a sketch of your future, but don't make it with a permanent marker, and be ready for God to answer prayers with some 'wowzer' changes every now and then. It keeps you awake and listening.
Let's hear it from James..."Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that' (James 4:13-15)"
Don't let your tomorrows eclipse your todays. Don't let your todays stop you from seeking tomorrows. It's a hard balance, but I believe you can do it.
While this is not what I'm saying the WSJ and AOL are doing, just imagine if you focused so hard on Spring Trends that you weren't focusing on the chillier days of Fall and soon to be Winter, and you went out in the snow in a tank top. Frost bite? That's exactly what can happen in life if we approach situations focusing more on what might happen in the future than what is happening today. Perhaps you're in a relationship and you're focusing more on potential marriage than you are on getting to know the person today...that could cause some problems. Maybe you're so focused on getting a promotion at work that you step on everyone, not realizing that alienating people today could challenge your tomorrows and even your goal. Maybe you're stressing about a project/opportunity/event 3 months away, and you forget about your son's baseball game. Whatever the situation or story may be, we must be careful not to look so far ahead that we forget to embrace our todays.
This seems to be a really big problem for the age group that is graduating HS/college and looking for God's plan for their life. The stress of having everything planned out overwhelms making the most of today. Here's a quote from Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung, "But put aside the passivity and the quest for complete fulfillment and the perfectionism and the preoccupation with the future, and for God's sake start making some decisions in your life. Don't wait for the liver-shiver. If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God's will, so just go out and do something." Basically, just keep in mind that a lot can change in a year, or even a month...perhaps a week will turn your world upside down, or right side up. Let God move and don't box yourself in. If you're so determined to do X in the future, you may miss out that God says, "give that kid a hug" or "write your great aunt, she's having a tough time" or whatever He leads you to today. And while those things seem piddly (they aren't), imagine if God tries to tell you something that will be future altering...like about the person you'll marry? My advice: have a sketch of your future, but don't make it with a permanent marker, and be ready for God to answer prayers with some 'wowzer' changes every now and then. It keeps you awake and listening.
Let's hear it from James..."Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that' (James 4:13-15)"
Don't let your tomorrows eclipse your todays. Don't let your todays stop you from seeking tomorrows. It's a hard balance, but I believe you can do it.
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