A little or much...

On two different occasions over the weekend, other people reported Ethan appearing with money. The amounts were small but it's been a while since he has earned any allowance. He has been known to save money and hold out for a while but both instances struck me as odd. -All the more so once they happened back to back. 

I didn't want to accuse him of anything since he hadn't been caught actually doing anything wrong. But I also didn't want to turn a blind eye if this was something bigger. As I prayed about how to approach him, one of my own similar experiences as a child came to mind. On Monday, I decided that after dinner that evening I would ask him.

I genuinely believe that he didn't take it but he's at an age where he's trying out different things. I am really not sure that I could tell if he were lying. So, after he told me that the money was his, I told Ethan about my own experience. 

I explained to him that my grandmother always had one dollar bills in her purse. When I was his age, I began sneaking some of them from her. Every day she would go into the den with a book and lie down, eventually drifting to sleep. A few of those times, I slipped into her room and went to her purse to remove one or two of the paper bills. They were only a dollar and so I didn't think that they would really amount to much. I told myself that she might not even notice or care.

If she did know, I don't ever recall her confronting me.  I know that she would have given me anything that I wanted. Yet, I wonder how much it did or would've hurt her just because I didn't feel that I could ask.

To go on further, I will never forget the day that I got married. After the ceremony, when we returned home, she led me to my bedroom and closed the door. When the noise from the other side was silenced, she leaned in close to tell me how proud she was of Colin and of me and then slipped me an envelope with a twenty-five hundred dollars.

It might not seem so significant here on a blog or even to a young boy but my grandmother didn't work away from the home. My grandfather provided for their needs. While he gave her money and didn't withhold things from her; I knew that she had saved her change and extra dollars over the years in order to give me a significant gift that came exclusively from what was hers. 

The years that passed from my childhood to marriage were many and I know that I didn't take money from her more than a handful of times. Even so, as I repeat the story I wondered how much longer she might have had to save those extra dollars to make up for the ones that I got away with as a child. -Only to later give them to me anyway...

I wanted Ethan to connect to this story. When his face went pale and the outer edges of his eyes started turning red, I knew that he understood what my heart was trying to say. It really didn't matter what he did or didn't do. He got the point and that was all that mattered.

I continued with Ethan that just as she loved me, the rest of the family loved him too. While some things might not seem like much to us, to others it can make all the difference. If he had a need, we'd all be glad to try to help him out. We expected him to ask us first and wouldn't tolerate any kind taking for his own.

Throughout that night and the next day, I couldn't stop thinking about that story. While it was still touched me, I asked God what other significance that it could have right now. Then I thought about how even as adults, we still sometimes focus on trying to get just a little bit more for ourselves. Maybe it’s still in the form of a dollar here or there. Maybe it’s only in 5 minutes more or an hour. Maybe it’s even in a secret pleasure or covet that we just want to participate in without anyone knowing.

Just like it would have hurt my Grandmother for me to not ask her for things that I wanted or needed- In so many ways, I think of how that compares to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. He already gave us the most important thing that he had and yet we still struggle with or avoid asking for the little... Then we often try to get it for ourselves another way. 

Or what about the fact that he did give us more than most of us would ever want to pay and we still act as if it's nothing...

While some things seem to take a while to come together; we also mature in different ways. In our walk with Christ, we often discover that he gives us so much more than we ever thought he could. But it's often not until we're willing to see what he can do, that we are able to understand the significance of what's already been done. SUDDENLY- we realize just how far away we are.  It is then that we wonder why we ever waited so long to come to him...

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

O' to be in love...

I will never forget the day that I saw Colin for the first time.  I was 14 and I was in my freshman year of High School. After school, many of our friends would go to various locations to play football. I would ride along. While they played, I sat on the sidelines and held keys, wallets, hats, etc. -Occasionally cheering, but mostly yelling smart comments and talking to the other girls that might be sitting with me.

Then one January day at Peasley Middle School, I noticed someone that I hadn't seen before. He caught my breath and I remember watching him walk, almost in slow motion, back to position for the next play. I leaned over and asked my friend Vicky who he was. She told me his name was Colin, to which I replied "I'm going to marry that boy some day!"

Over the next few months, no matter how hard I tried, I never ran into him at school. I attended many games and occasionally caught a glimpse of mister aloof. Eventually, I did run in to him again at one. I talked him into letting me hold his glasses. At some point I hijacked a necklace and it just went on from there. By April I was completely, obnoxiously, squealy-school-girlishly, in love.

Don't you remember young love? Oh, how it makes me embarrassed and glad all over again, to think of it. I'd doodle his name over and over. Then change it to variations of mine and his together. I memorized his birthday and favorite colors, favorite bands and past times. I schooled myself in "the ways of Colin" and even tried to be more like him myself. It was easy to learn about his interests and even adopt some of them because of how much I loved and enjoyed being with him.

It didn't matter what I was supposed to be doing, if he called, I was hurting myself to get to the phone. It didn't matter if I'd get in trouble over not doing my chores instead. It never occurred to me to care what my friends or other people thought because I knew in my heart that ... HE was it.

We've been married 13 years now. The places that I grew confidence in him, were not in the things that I memorized; but in things that became known by spending time with him. I've come to trust him in ways where I didn't even know that I was SO untrusting. It is those revelations that have convicted and stirred something deeper inside of me. Not only in my own heart as I challenge myself to offer more, but also in what I expect to receive as we allow our lives to further intertwine.

The NIV translation of Isaiah 62:3-5 says:

You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,

a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

No longer will they call you Deserted,

or name your land Desolate.

But you will be called Hephzibah,

and your land Beulah;

for the Lord will take delight in you,

and your land will be married.

As a young man marries a young woman,

so will your Builder marry you;

as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,

so will your God rejoice over you.

"So will your builder marry you..." I think about that verse and I find so many convictions. Not only in how much my relationship with Colin shows me what I still withhold when I profess that same "love" to God. Do I offer even a fraction of the same consideration or attention?

Wasn't I committed to finding Colin when I chased that boy around? How much effort have I spent chasing God? Even in my dress and what people see- Are they things that I am willing to change in order to draw closer? Do I desire to know as much about God because HE IS IT? Does he have my heart? Likewise, the more I learn about God, the more I discover the flaws in my own offerings to my husband and to others. Does my love, really match up to his definition?

While some of those questions might seem absurd, particularly referring to an "eye in the sky" God- I think of that one line again. So will your builder marry you... How much more intimately can someone be known than as the builder would know his creation? -The hidden secrets or thoughts. Understanding my hows and whys... And what more personal relationship can you have, than marriage?

I have discovered that God is far more personal than I was ever interested in being. Keeping him at a distance, made it easier to not know what might be revealed ...or expected or even what I was capable of through him.

No matter how many times I thought about moving closer, I just somehow kept dancing around it. -Getting deeper was such a mysterious, intriguing... o b s t a c l e. It's funny how even that sounds like the first few years of my marriage to Colin... But "No longer will they call you Deserted".  You will no longer be an island to yourself. You will be married and become one. -To know and be known.

Just like those revelations and my untrusting bit; faith is also a confidence. In fact the very definition of trust says that it's a "reliance on the strength, ability, surety, etc. of person or thing; confidence." But in order to trust, you must give something of yourself first. Only then will you find out if something is worthy of that trust.

When we finally allow ourselves to go beyond our fear, our anger, our way or only what we know to be true; do we change... It is in reaching beyond our comfort zone, that we finally move closer. The growth comes in the defeat and conquer of ourselves as we learn to give up control. It is in offering our weakness and not only our strength that we become one.  In fact, I'd say it's in the very weakness, where the joint lies that we connect.

Isn't it work sloughing off all of that hard exterior in order to get to the center of our hearts? You have to develop new skills in order to learn what does and doesn't work. But if we hang in there, in time we will gain knowledge. Isn't it easier to rely on something when you know what it is and what it does? And when you have that knowledge it is so much easier to appreciate what it is before you. 

Agape... -Growing from immaturity to maturity with our beloved...

Just as verse 1 John 3:18 says that we are NOT to love with words but with actions;  Romans 12:9 says that love must be sincere. Isn't it so much easier to do anything when you have a real love for it?  When you want the 'it' more than you want things to stay the same. It is our commitment that will bond or break us. Our commitment is what will prove just how deep our love for 'it' is.

If we are not committed in the beginning, we never get past the superficial "fluff" of love. Somewhere in the middle, if we don't remind ourselves again of our commitment and the prize, we often don't have the encouragement we need to go into the next level.  But man if you can make it to the other side... there are no words for what you will find.

Challenge yourself today to be in love! -To go deeper! -Even past the point of being uncomfortable. Are you really in love enough with someone else to see beyond... and maybe even move?

Love --> Commit --> Skills --> Knowledge --> Trust --> Connect --> Appreciate --> Love
--> Repeat the above and go deeper!

***

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 

John 13:34-35 Love one another as I have loved you.

Putting On Christ

This year and last year, I have spent time writing devotions for a local camp.  Each year a theme is picked based off of an anchor verse. Daily devotions are written for each day of camp around that theme and verse. I have not posted the devotions that will be used. I may do so later after the camp for this year is over.  

Anyway, as I was fleshing out subjects for each day, I wrote this devotion but it didn't quite match up with the theme. The theme was about armor and this devotion was more about what might be underneath it. So, I didn't use it. Ironically, it does coordinate well with the last post that I wrote about dress. Since it's not going to be used at camp. I thought I'd share it here. 

2014 Camp theme: Keep Calm ... and Armor On... Daily

2014 Anchor Verse: Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

Title of Devotion: Put On Christ

Reference passage for devotion:  [Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.]

Has anyone in your family ever made you a garment? Perhaps a shirt or a pair of pants?  You've waited to receive it. You know it will be perfect but then when you get it, you eagerly try it on, only to find that it doesn't fit.  Perhaps the shirt is so big that it might as well be a dress. Maybe the pants have completely swallowed your feet or maybe you can’t button them. It just doesn't fit.

Verse Romans 13:14 says “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”  For many “putting on Christ” seems so intimidating.  Jesus was perfect. We are not. Jesus was wise. We are unsure. Jesus provided for multitudes. We might not be able to provide even for ourselves. So, often times, the life of Christ doesn't seem to ‘fit’ us and we tell ourselves “that life was made for someone else” or “maybe we’ll grow into it another time.”

However, if you have received a gift like one in the first paragraph; If you put it on, a tailor can quickly go to work, hemming sleeves, letting out pants, trimming lengths and cinching. Before you know it, the garment that looked impossible is suddenly a perfect fit. You just had to put it on and let the tailor go to work. Who better to alter it than the original creator?

Our creator has given us many gifts. Not just in our personal talents and spiritual gifts but he also lends his Holy Spirit and Word to each of us. He is also our personal tailor. He knows exactly where to go to work tweaking our lives, to reveal the most “Jesus”. We just need to be willing to put it on and willing to let him alter… Once you see what he can do, it might just change your appreciation for what has been given.

Think About It

1. Often we don’t dress for the job because we think that we don’t have anything to offer. We wait for skills to apply. We wait for talent before exploring creativity. Do you feel worthy of putting the armor of Christ on or being called upon by God?

2. Does it ‘suit’ you? Maybe you don’t like the way it feels to have to think about Christ or even talk about him. Mathew 10:33 says “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” How does that verse impact you?

3. With or without "armor", would others be able to see evidence of Christ in your life?

Note: For more information about Helping Hands Mission Camp, please check out their site. It is an annual faith based camp that allows adults and youth to make repairs to homes for residents in our community.

And then I wonder what to wear...

Background

Let me start by saying that this blog post started from a Facebook thread in my church group. I wanted to circle back and comment on the thread but my post was really just too long. So, for the sake of the reader and another post that may be related (coming soon), I've shared it here. The question was: 

Little did I know it at the time but I had misread the question. I thought she asked if women should wear dresses. She said shouldn’t. I can’t help but laugh about how sometimes we are so used to hearing or seeing something one way that even when there is a subtle change, we fail to notice. **sigh**

And even better when I contacted her to apologize, she was actually just being silly. I absolutely love that about her. -But man talk about double whammy. ...seek first to understand before being understood.... haha. Thankfully, Jennifer and I both have a sense of humor. Whew!

But before I realized either of the last two paragraphs, I had really started thinking about this question and wondering whether or not women should wear dresses. The string of thoughts that followed touched my heart and made me think a little bit deeper about some things I usually don't give much consideration to. Because I said that I would get back to the group, I wanted to be sure to do so. 

Let's start with the verse: The KJV version of Deuteronomy 22:5 is “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.”

Not knowing really how to answer the question and not wanting to lead anyone astray but also not wanting to ignore them; I referenced commentary that referred to people changing their appearance in order to worship idols or to obtain another status. –Indicating that your motives might be the first place that you need to question. 

Fast Forward There are two bunny trails that I have for this so bear with me...

Bunny Trail 1

After I left that post, I couldn’t stop thinking about what other motives would cause me or other men and women to dress in a way that was misleading or improper. While I know that there are many, I just kept thinking about women trying to cover up their appearance. Dressing in men’s clothing or baggy clothes because they feel awkward in their skin or “not pretty”.  

I’ve had plenty of issues with my own image. In high school I went through a period where I wore men’s clothing. –Even down to the "tighty whities".  (You can laugh, I am doing so). You would never believe that they were the most comfortable underwear that I have ever worn. If they were prettier, I might still be wearing them. Haha.

I wore men's pants, huge shirts, and usually dressed in layers, etc. Some of the clothes may have been Colin’s. I loved him and liked having him around.  But in retrospect something else was happening in my personal life and I think that it was my desperate way of not necessarily trying to bring attention, but instead trying more to fade and cover up who I was.

A relative was asking me to take naked pictures. Thankfully, I never complied but I was frequently prompted with questions and comments that still violated boundaries that I hadn't learned to create. I never told my parents but they held their own awkwardness about sex. For that and maybe a few other reasons, I felt like there was a basic unavailability to them that left me to handle this alone. 

Coming into womanhood is already awkward enough. Couple that with the challenges of confused love and inappropriate sex; I just couldn't seem to find a safe zone. Both of which left me somewhere between trying to cover up (on the outside) and then give too much (of something I didn't understand). They both are out of balance. 

And shame is still an improper motive, now isn’t it? It doesn’t really matter how we come about it…

All of this reminds me of that wonderful post left earlier this year by Christina (another member in our church group). She posted (2/25/14):

“I was thinking this morning about how frustrating it is when you have spent time and effort creating something for someone and the person is overly critical of it. Then it made me think how insulting it is to God every time we complain about his creation, which was made with so much love and detail, ourselves. So many things we don't like. The color or texture of our hair, my bluish greyish eyes, wide hips, short thumbs, crooked teeth, skin complexion, the sound of our voice, the talents we lack, the skills we don't possess; we all know I could go on and on. We pick ourselves apart which is not only hurtful to our own image and little eyes that are watching, but most importantly it is picking apart God's creation. Telling him he messed up, he didn't do good enough. So be kind when you judge yourself so harshly- you are judging him, too.”

Then I think of that verse, 1 Peter 1:15 “I’m holy so you be holy”. How much holier can you be than by HIS design?  Celebrating who and what we are as women and men. -Learning how to love the body that we are in and wanting his way even when it feels so desperately uncomfortable.  Learning ‘how’ to protect and care for it in the most “holy” way when a misalignment comes to light. Wanting the desire in our heart to change so that we can 'right' it within. 

Bunny Trail 2

I have been writing a little post about being in love. It started with how I met Colin and converted to what we offer God in love. It’s funny because there is a comment about me wearing one of Colin’s T-shirts. When I wrote it, and as silly as it sounds, I just kept thinking about wearing a Jesus T-shirt but that didn't feel like the right comparison…

Then I saw Jen’s post and some of the other comments…

Anyway, I have an aunt that is Pentecostal. She and her daughters have only worn dresses and long hair. -No make up and limited jewelry.  I haven’t really spoken to her in years. I thought his was a great opportunity to talk to her and I asked her about her faith and this verse.

She replied, “I made this decision before I chose a church. In Deuteronomy (same passage) it says these things are abominable to the Lord. In Revelations 21:8 it says that any abomination will be thrown into a lake of fire. Why would I take that chance? I want to please him.” Then she went on further to explain and she referenced some other passages “Let your yay be yay and your nay be nay” and some others. We spoke for 48 minutes about this and nothing else.

She read to me notes from a sermon about Abraham, Sarah & Hagar that was used for a similar subject. Listening to her made my eyes sting and my heart pang. I think that she said that there were modifications to women’s dress in the new testament but the gist of it was that she simply loved him and wanted to do everything as good as she could. I gushed with so much conviction.

I left that comment on the post about motives... We think that we have the best intentions and so because they are what we know as our best; we never look deeper. Yet how many times are even our motives flawed. The only rightness that comes in our actions, are the ones that start with love. The right love. HIS love. Listening to her speak made me want to go yank everything out of my closet and ditch it too! Maybe in time, I will actually replace it all. I will pray about that but it gave me such a deeper consideration about  “clothing” and what we “wear”.

Then this morning I sit down and offer up a prayer wondering how I will ever accumulate these thoughts in such a short read and yet still convey the ache in my heart.

I flip open my bible and clear my head and no lie- the first thing I read is my commentary on Romans 13:14. “How do we clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ?” My commentary goes on with more details but really what more needs to be said?  Daily when we look at our closets, and in the mirror, and to others and at the tasks ahead- We need to consider not what material and worldy things we can put on or design ourselves with- But instead how can we stand naked first before God and dress our hearts in the blood of Christ and the very nature of our savior. In time, he will cover what needs to be covered and reveal what needs to be revealed. 

And Finally

Circling all the way back the beginning of this post where I noted that sometimes we don't see what we think that we do. An old me would've condemned me for replying incorrectly -especially in a public forum.But I felt such a nudging to answer... I believe there might have been a reason that I saw it wrong in the first place. I think of the verse, "for we live by faith and not by sight". Maybe someone else needed to see this as much as I needed to be reminded.

I hope you all have a thought filled weekend! 

Creative Correction | Bible Study

Description of Content: 

Creative Correction The Bible Study: Extraordinary Ideas for Everyday Discipline - Leader Kit by Lisa Whelchel addresses a wide range of discipline issues and provides practical, biblical, (and at times, humorous) approaches! In this six-session, women's Bible study, Lisa uses hundreds of examples from her own experiences, and those of parents across the nation, in dealing with everyday discipline issues such as lying, laziness, tattling, selfishness, and disobedience. This group study is chock-full of refreshing, innovative ideas to help parents win the discipline battle by offering effective tools that can produce long-term results. Lisa's own parenting experiences, combined with insight and ideas from other parents, help teach moral values such as responsibility, self-control, and kindness.

The Leader Kit includes two DVDs and a Member Book. The seven DVD segments provide an introductory segment, plus six teaching segments led by Lisa Whelchel as she blends practical, biblical insight with humor in how to correct behavioral issues.

Details about the class: 

Who: Anyone can come to the study but the target audience is parents. I do expect more women than men to attend but this class is open to anyone that is interested.

What to bring: Covered dish, friend, bible, books and anything else that you might need.

When: Monday Nights, starting 6/23 at 6:30 pm. The study will start at 6:45. This will allow parents a few minutes to fix plates, socialize and get settled. 

Duration: There are 7 sessions. Class will be at least an hour but I might know the exact length until after the first study. I expect that it should end about 8:00.

Where: My House. My address will be provided to interested participants. (FYI, I do have cats and dogs if this is a concern for you.)

Books: Both Books are optional but they might make following along easier.

Member Book - 11.95 (Suggested. Most members will get this book.)
Companion Book 14.95 (Additional reading. Usually only a few people will get this book if they have time to read it.)

Dinner: Covered dish, please bring something.

Childcare: Mackenzie and Lavonya will be there to help with the kids. I'd like everyone to consider giving $5.00 to pay them for their assistance but only if you're able to. 

Total Cost: The only cost is the expense of the book(s). The recommended $5 per night for childcare and the expense to make dinner. Don't let cost stop you if you're unable to pay.

Interested?
Please click here to let me know that you are interested in the study. There are a few questions that I would like you to answer so that it will help me plan. By answering the questions, you are not committed to anything. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me 804-815-8076. Thanks again and have a great day!

Making It Special!

When I was a kid I used to spend all of my summers with my grandparents. My Dad was stationed in Virginia when I was young. All of our family, on both sides, was from and remained, in Florida. At the beginning of each summer I would go down to visit. My grandparents would take turns swapping me in a parking lot every weekend until summer's end. Then I would finally return home.

While each summer seemed magical in its own way; one particular summer stood out more than others. My grandfather's brother came down for a visit. I didn't know "Uncle Albert" or his wife, Lucienne very well but Uncle Albert had a camper and we all piled in to go for a ride. I didn't even know where we were going and at the time it didn't matter. I was able to ride on a mattress above the driver's seat and look out funny windows during the entire ride.  I never once had to buckle up! Uncle Albert suddenly became the coolest person that I had ever met! -At least in that moment. 

After a long drive, we pulled into the parking lot of Sea World. Being an animal lover, I loved it before we ever went through the gate but it would truly become one of the highlights of my childhood. We admired fish and bought trinkets at the gift shop. We ate food with funny names and watched as many of the shows as we could fit in. My favorite part was the seal show. Not only for their cuteness and silly stunts but there was a significance to this show that would soon make it hard to beat. 

Toward the close of the show a seal broke out of routine, swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out. He headed straight for the audience and went up the first tier of stairs and then the second. The instructor was calling his name to return to the pool. The crowed studied the stray as he ignored each request and continued to climb higher and higher.

In my mind, I am thinking "Oh please come to me. Come to me!" I am sure that I am bent down, holding my hands out and calling his name, just as earnestly as his instructor was calling. As the seal climbed the third tier of steps, he answered my plea. He came right to me and planted a big fishy kiss on my lips.

The crowd awed and I melted.  Though it was only a moment, time paused and I was in love. I patted his wet body and tickled his whiskers and begged for another smooch. As quickly as he came, even faster he went, as he slid down the stairs back to the pool; as if to slip in line and say "Hey master, here I am. See, I never left." I was certain that he sought me out of the crowd and I was sold. I felt special.

OF COURSE seals became my favorite animal. This was the.best.vacation.ever. At any opportunity I was ready to return to an aquarium, secretly hoping for another moment just like "the one" to take shape again. Years later, I still think of that day and smile. 

Psalm 119:64 says "The earth is full of Your loving kindness, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes."

As I reflect on that verse, it holds so many nuggets for me alongside such a simple story. The promise of each day. The beauty of life and all of God's creatures. The way that we bond with time and others through different experiences.

I also think of the way that we treasure only some of our moments. Sometimes we spend so much energy trying to recreate something that we've already gotten to experience. We leave no resource available to the "new". In our efforts of trying to get to the 'one spot' again, we wear out the very thing that used to thrill us. Yet what if I had another "grand experience" before this moment and I missed this one altogether because it couldn't possibly compare to one before it?

On a sadder note, how many of our more painful moments are held onto with such regard?  ...The one big sin, the one big loss, the one time that the 'one thing' happened. By holding onto those experiences, we also allow ourselves to feel special. In doing so, we isolate ourselves to our own interests, away from God and others.

Throughout the bible, scripture asks us to be the salt and to win others over. Rather than looking for moments that make us feel special, Philippians 2 asks us to shine like the stars instead. -Burning for God in such a way that we simply shine within each moment. I just can't imagine anything more special than "shining".

As I challenge myself to draw closer to God, I can't help but ask myself- Do I wake up seeking him just as earnestly as other moments because time with him is my favorite time of all? Am I open to each gift that he sets before me, no matter how it's packaged? Do I see the journey there as a gift within itself? Am I so excited about where I am that I can't help but embrace anyone that is near me? Is this the.best.opportunity.ever? 

Some of those questions strike me. Convict me. Thankfully we aren't paused in time. Once God created us, we became a living soul. We are free to move forward and well, live. But for which experiences are we living for?

Paul considered everything a loss when compared to the greatness of knowing Christ. I too have found that every moment that I am in tune with the Holy Spirit, is equally meaningful. When I combine that fact with knowing that he is always with me. I can add him to every moment of every day. Then any opportunity can be a moment that is hope-filled and joyful.

Theodore Roosevelt said that "comparison is the thief of joy". Finding joy is not about picking, choosing and waiting only for the right experiences to embrace. It's remembering what to bring into (God) and give of (Self) in each circumstance that makes the difference.

Psalm 118:24 - This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Obviously the picture above isn't me but it IS terribly cute, isn't it? For continued reading check out the book of Philippians. It's only 4 chapters. Try spreading it out over the week and meditating on it. Journal some of those special thoughts and pray about what they might mean to you.

Self-image/Self-esteem | Notes (week 11)

Note to Readers:

This post is a list of notes in direct response to homework from a Bible Study called Conquerors. Because of that, it may be a little hard to follow if you weren’t in the class. Week 11 covers the subject to of self-image and self-esteem. I have posted the notes here for several reasons. 

• The first is that it is easier to share in this format. 
• Second, I think that I will reference it (and make changes to it) many more times in my future.
• Third, I think that someone else could find something useful in it. 
• Fourth, I started this blog last year. It was truly the beginning of me digging into myself and my faith. I took a lot of steps in previous years that helped me build up to it. However, throughout these notes, I will have many references to this blog where I feel like God was dealing with me about this subject LAST YEAR.  Because there were so many references, it also seemed to me, like these notes belonged with all of the other posts.

I too, struggle with my own self-image. While I have started accepting and forgiving myself; I still tell myself that I am not qualified or that I don’t have enough experience to help others. This list of notes is long but I DO have experience here. I pray that the following is received more as a testimony instead of a list of rules or a list of “do as I do”.  Like you, I am still a work in progress

The changes to my self-image and self-esteem have been bi-products of the changes that I have made in my relationship with God. He has given me the confidence, strength and trust to take responsibility for myself and my actions.

Click here to view the notes.