On Monday nights, I have a Bible Study in my home with a group of college age students. A few weeks ago, the Lord lead me to do a study on names. It started when we were studying Daniel 1 and I noticed the Babylonians changed the names of Daniel and his friends when they were brought into captivity. This was a plot of the enemy to steal what belonged to these men.(John 10:10) Although they were in captivity in the physical realm, Daniel and his friends did not allow the name changes to alter who they were. They chose to believe God for their identity rather than give in to the change made by the Babylonians. For example, Daniel means "God is my Judge." If you read Daniel, you will notice he lives up to his name. In all of Daniel's endeavors, he chooses to find ways to honor God. He keeps his trust in God and ultimately he acts according to God's commandments putting the judgement of God above the authority of his Babylonian captors. He knows who he is and it leads to Babylonian kings confessing that Daniel's God is the Most High God. In Daniel 2:46, King Nebuchadnezzar, who was the most powerful man in the world at that time, falls on his face before Daniel and says in verse 47; "...Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings..." It takes the power of God to cause the most powerful king in the world to bow down to his slave!
Daniel spent 70 years of his life in captivity in Babylon, but not one of his days was spent in spiritual captivity. His spirit was free as he served God. It led him into a position of leadership in the greatest nation in the world even though he was technically a slave! Daniel gained his freedom by knowing who he was and knowing who God is! God had written in the DNA of Daniel that he would be a man who would honor God as the Judge of his life. And Daniel lived up to the call and was a powerful and well rewarded man regardless of his physical captivity!
I find great freedom in knowing who I am and who God created me to be! My first name, Kim, means; "Ruler or Fortress." My middle name, Annette, means; "Gracious." So as I interpret this name, I always remember I am a "Fortress of Grace" and a "Gracious Ruler." When my mother named me, she did not know the meaning of these names, but God knew who I was and led her to give me this name that reflects my DNA and points to my calling.
I have always been a person to whom others run to find safety when the trauma of life rages.
Before I understood who I was and who God had created me to be, these situations caused me stress and serious insecurity. I would freak out when people turned to me for help, and wonder what I should do. I have never been comfortable with death or even hospitals for that matter. This is where my middle name comes in: Gracious. I depend completely on the "grace of God" to show me what to do. I could never be a fortress for anyone in their time of need without understanding my total dependance on God to provide for the person. Ultimately, I know Jesus is their fortress but He uses me to act as His gracious safety agent in tramatic situations. Now that I know these things, I respond to the calls and go into all kinds of circumstances with the peace and confidence of knowing that God intended, before the foundations of the world, to use me in this way in this generation!
Self-awareness is a great tool in living a free and effective life on earth. We need to know who we are and live in this knowledge no matter what our circumstances. I have been called lots of names in my life other than the one God has given me. Names such as useless, worthless, fearful, foolish, bossy, arrogant, and many others including some that are inappropriate to mention in writing. For years, I believed some of these names and got off course from the life God has created me for. I wasted some time going back and forth from who I knew I was to who people around me said I was. Now, I stand strong and self-assured in the revelation of Jesus and identity He has given me. His presence, power, and love in my life are all the security I need to be free and useful for His glory!
Who are you? What is written in your DNA? Who has God created you to be? What is the meaning of your name? Take the time today to find out and hold onto the truth above the lies the enemy is trying to convince you of! You are very valuable to this generation! Only you can do what you were created to do! Jesus says in John 8:31-32; ..."If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
Check out the meaning of your name at the website: http://www.name-meanings.com/search.php
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Affectionate Love of Jesus
The fall season is always a hard transition for me. It is filled with scattered days of the sun and warmth of summer, and then, dreary days of the cold and harshness of the winter to come. I enjoy the colors of the fall leaves but in the back of my mind I know they are dying and will fall to the ground in a matter of weeks.
The cold weather really got to me today. So I spent some time sitting under a blanket on my couch. As the wind and the rain raged outside, I had my bible out and I was looking for some comfort and affection from Jesus! The Lord led me to a scripture I love from John 13. In verse 23 it says; "Now there was reclining on Jesus' bosom (chest) one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved." This scripture blesses me so much because of the physical closeness of Jesus to His disciple. I enjoy visualizing this intimate scene between close friends! I also love the fact that in this scripture and several others in this book, John, the author, refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Again in John 21:20, John writes; "Then Peter turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper..." It is clear John understands he is loved by Jesus. It also seems to me it was important to him that he was able to lean against the bosom of the Lord at the last supper. Because he restates the physical affection of this scene once again in this gospel record, I believe it was a profound moment in his life. I also believe the Holy Spirit inspired him to focus on this moment because we need to be aware of the affectionate love of Jesus! Physical affection is a way Jesus communicated love to John and it is a way we communicate love to one another in this world.
It is amazing how the Lord communicates love and affection to me in so many ways in my life. He is so here WITH me! I feel so loved just like John!! One way is through providing me with parking spots. Today, I had a lunch date with a friend and was forced out from under my blanket and into the rain. I love my friend and loved our lunch together, but it was hard to get myself out in the rain. I know the rain is a blessing, but I was struggling with the cold weather pushing away the summer I have so enjoyed!! It is hard for me to let go of warm walks in the early mornings and sandals and shorts. But I made my way toward the restaurant and as I rounded the corner in the rain, I knew God felt the struggle going on in my heart. He knew I was mourning the end of the warm weather. I could feel His affectionate love coming close to me. So I looked around and said; "Lord, where is my parking spot?" At that moment, I saw a man walk out to get into his car and he opened up my spot right in front of the restaurant! This is the affectionate love of Jesus I experience over and over again. Although it was not literal, I could feel His arm around me. He understands what I am going through and He is there to light up my world. He touched me from heaven and I felt Him. At that moment, I could feel myself leaning against His chest!
When I feel the love of God poured out on me in numerous ways, day after day, I notice that it is impossible for me to hold back the affectionate love of Jesus. When I go to the homeless shelter, I hug all of the ladies! When my grandchildren are with me, I rub their heads and kiss and hug them. God has set me free to share His loving affection!! There is no need to filter it!!
So, as I say good-bye to the summer I loved, I will look forward to skiing and sledding and making hot chocolate. And cuddling by the fire with the ones I love. And especially the affectionate love of Jesus that He pours upon me no matter what the season:)
The cold weather really got to me today. So I spent some time sitting under a blanket on my couch. As the wind and the rain raged outside, I had my bible out and I was looking for some comfort and affection from Jesus! The Lord led me to a scripture I love from John 13. In verse 23 it says; "Now there was reclining on Jesus' bosom (chest) one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved." This scripture blesses me so much because of the physical closeness of Jesus to His disciple. I enjoy visualizing this intimate scene between close friends! I also love the fact that in this scripture and several others in this book, John, the author, refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Again in John 21:20, John writes; "Then Peter turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper..." It is clear John understands he is loved by Jesus. It also seems to me it was important to him that he was able to lean against the bosom of the Lord at the last supper. Because he restates the physical affection of this scene once again in this gospel record, I believe it was a profound moment in his life. I also believe the Holy Spirit inspired him to focus on this moment because we need to be aware of the affectionate love of Jesus! Physical affection is a way Jesus communicated love to John and it is a way we communicate love to one another in this world.
It is amazing how the Lord communicates love and affection to me in so many ways in my life. He is so here WITH me! I feel so loved just like John!! One way is through providing me with parking spots. Today, I had a lunch date with a friend and was forced out from under my blanket and into the rain. I love my friend and loved our lunch together, but it was hard to get myself out in the rain. I know the rain is a blessing, but I was struggling with the cold weather pushing away the summer I have so enjoyed!! It is hard for me to let go of warm walks in the early mornings and sandals and shorts. But I made my way toward the restaurant and as I rounded the corner in the rain, I knew God felt the struggle going on in my heart. He knew I was mourning the end of the warm weather. I could feel His affectionate love coming close to me. So I looked around and said; "Lord, where is my parking spot?" At that moment, I saw a man walk out to get into his car and he opened up my spot right in front of the restaurant! This is the affectionate love of Jesus I experience over and over again. Although it was not literal, I could feel His arm around me. He understands what I am going through and He is there to light up my world. He touched me from heaven and I felt Him. At that moment, I could feel myself leaning against His chest!
When I feel the love of God poured out on me in numerous ways, day after day, I notice that it is impossible for me to hold back the affectionate love of Jesus. When I go to the homeless shelter, I hug all of the ladies! When my grandchildren are with me, I rub their heads and kiss and hug them. God has set me free to share His loving affection!! There is no need to filter it!!
So, as I say good-bye to the summer I loved, I will look forward to skiing and sledding and making hot chocolate. And cuddling by the fire with the ones I love. And especially the affectionate love of Jesus that He pours upon me no matter what the season:)
Friday, September 23, 2011
"Help Us Bless!"
My daughter works an early shift most days, which gives me an opportunity to spend the mornings with my grandsons. They are so sweet and full of the innocent wisdom children seem to be born with. As part of our morning routine, we eat breakfast and say a prayer for our food and the day. My three-year-old grandson has been listening to these prayers since he was born. His older brother, who is eight, usually leads the prayers. Recently, the three-year-old has decided he would like to lead prayers, and does a great job praying for the food. But the way he ends his prayer has captured my attention. Where the eight-year-old asks Jesus at the end to; "Bless our family," the three-year-old has transformed this phrase into; "Help our family bless!" I love this and it has become a discussion at our morning time together with the Lord.
It amazes me how children are born with an incredible understanding of things beyond their years. Yes, it is a wise thing to ask for the blessing of the Lord, but it is also a beautiful thing to ask Jesus for our family to be a blessing. I looked up the word "bless" and found this definition; "to request of God the bestowal of divine favor or to bestow good of any kind upon."
As I was teaching my grandsons about how to bless, a story came to mind. I have a friend I pray with once a week in a prayer group. We pray for all kinds of things the Lord brings to mind. This friend has made a habit of praying for the people who visit one of the Taco Bells in town and for the employees there. My friend has taken this as a responsibility and as a commission from the Lord. She goes there and prays whenever the Lord asks her to. In my opinion, this is how cities are transformed!
Well, my friend brought a prayer request before us about a week ago. She noticed, while in the Taco Bell, that the manager looked sad. So she sat her down and asked her how she could pray for her. The manager told her that her "ex" had taken her one-year-old daughter a year ago. She had not seen or heard about her daughter for one year! She wanted my friend to pray for her daughter to be returned. So, my friend prayed with her and then brought the request to the prayer group--we prayed together and continued praying individually.
This situation absolutely broke my heart, so I prayed often as I thought of the despair this situation would cause me. Sometimes, when in a public place, I have lost track of my child for a moment and begun to panic. I can't imagine the pain and terror of an entire year without my child!!
Two days after our prayer meeting, I woke up early and decided to read the paper. On the second page, I read a small article about a man being captured in Phoenix who had taken his child illegally from her mother. Then it said, to my shock, that the child had been returned to her mother in Flagstaff. The girl was two years old. At this point, I jumped out of my chair. I was sure it was the little girl and mother I had been praying for! This Wednesday, my friend confirmed it was true. In two days, God had answered these prayers.
This is an example of how we bless. We look around and see those who are hurting. And, we notice. We offer to pray for their needs with faith, knowing that Jesus is; "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20. I can't think of a better way anyone could have blessed this mother.
Sometimes we are able to bless by providing something for someone in need. If it is not possible to do this, then, asking Jesus to meet the need, however great or small, is the greatest blessing we can give!! And in the process, they receive the blessing of blessings. Seeing Jesus come alive in the world around them!!
In 2 Corinthians 1:11 it says; "...you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." So let me pray for us today this sweet, little, powerful prayer from the heart of my grandson; "Lord, help us to bless!"
It amazes me how children are born with an incredible understanding of things beyond their years. Yes, it is a wise thing to ask for the blessing of the Lord, but it is also a beautiful thing to ask Jesus for our family to be a blessing. I looked up the word "bless" and found this definition; "to request of God the bestowal of divine favor or to bestow good of any kind upon."
As I was teaching my grandsons about how to bless, a story came to mind. I have a friend I pray with once a week in a prayer group. We pray for all kinds of things the Lord brings to mind. This friend has made a habit of praying for the people who visit one of the Taco Bells in town and for the employees there. My friend has taken this as a responsibility and as a commission from the Lord. She goes there and prays whenever the Lord asks her to. In my opinion, this is how cities are transformed!
Well, my friend brought a prayer request before us about a week ago. She noticed, while in the Taco Bell, that the manager looked sad. So she sat her down and asked her how she could pray for her. The manager told her that her "ex" had taken her one-year-old daughter a year ago. She had not seen or heard about her daughter for one year! She wanted my friend to pray for her daughter to be returned. So, my friend prayed with her and then brought the request to the prayer group--we prayed together and continued praying individually.
This situation absolutely broke my heart, so I prayed often as I thought of the despair this situation would cause me. Sometimes, when in a public place, I have lost track of my child for a moment and begun to panic. I can't imagine the pain and terror of an entire year without my child!!
Two days after our prayer meeting, I woke up early and decided to read the paper. On the second page, I read a small article about a man being captured in Phoenix who had taken his child illegally from her mother. Then it said, to my shock, that the child had been returned to her mother in Flagstaff. The girl was two years old. At this point, I jumped out of my chair. I was sure it was the little girl and mother I had been praying for! This Wednesday, my friend confirmed it was true. In two days, God had answered these prayers.
This is an example of how we bless. We look around and see those who are hurting. And, we notice. We offer to pray for their needs with faith, knowing that Jesus is; "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us..." Ephesians 3:20. I can't think of a better way anyone could have blessed this mother.
Sometimes we are able to bless by providing something for someone in need. If it is not possible to do this, then, asking Jesus to meet the need, however great or small, is the greatest blessing we can give!! And in the process, they receive the blessing of blessings. Seeing Jesus come alive in the world around them!!
In 2 Corinthians 1:11 it says; "...you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." So let me pray for us today this sweet, little, powerful prayer from the heart of my grandson; "Lord, help us to bless!"
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hard To Say Good-Bye!
I heard this week one of my closest childhood friends passed away. Her name was Mardelle and she was one of the bridesmaids in my wedding. This news was devastating to my heart. I loved this friend deeply and she is woven into the fabric of my childhood. If I painted a picture of my childhood she would dwell there by my side as my partner in finding adventure. She was my sounding board, my comforter, and one of my favorite teammates. I cherish my memories with her!! When we were together, life seemed endless and we seemed invincible. Now her life is over. I wish she could have stayed here with me a little longer. It is hard to say good-bye!!
One thing that has bothered me about her death is the lack of time I have had with her in the past twenty-five years. Our lives just drifted apart as we moved in different directions. We talked on the phone in the beginning. Then we emailed and recently we were reconnected through facebook. But, I counted on her being out there, living her life. I counted on hearing from her. When we communicated, it was like no time had gone by. Our souls connected like they had so many years ago.
Life is filled with different seasons. We move through them as if they will never end and then one day we are in a different season. The days gone by are over. We can't bring them back again. We can peruse them in our memories but time does not allow us to dwell there again.
In my life today, I am much more aware that opportunities for relationships are limited by time. I make sure I am making the most of my time with the people I love. When God brings a close friend into my life, I take full advantage of their available time knowing this time might not be available forever. I leave gaps in my schedule to be available for my family and close friends so I do not miss opportunities. Ephesians 5:15 says; "Be careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..."
I wish back when I was a teenager, I would have been more wise in how I used my time. This is one thing in my life I regret! But I am grateful for my friend. I am grateful for the time the Lord gave us together!! I truly enjoyed her! She was an expression of God's love to my life during that season so many years ago. I thank God for the way He created her and for His divine wisdom in bringing our lives together. He knows her heart and all of the intricate parts of her story. I trust her into His hands.
Still in knowing all of this, it is hard to say good-bye!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,..."
One thing that has bothered me about her death is the lack of time I have had with her in the past twenty-five years. Our lives just drifted apart as we moved in different directions. We talked on the phone in the beginning. Then we emailed and recently we were reconnected through facebook. But, I counted on her being out there, living her life. I counted on hearing from her. When we communicated, it was like no time had gone by. Our souls connected like they had so many years ago.
Life is filled with different seasons. We move through them as if they will never end and then one day we are in a different season. The days gone by are over. We can't bring them back again. We can peruse them in our memories but time does not allow us to dwell there again.
In my life today, I am much more aware that opportunities for relationships are limited by time. I make sure I am making the most of my time with the people I love. When God brings a close friend into my life, I take full advantage of their available time knowing this time might not be available forever. I leave gaps in my schedule to be available for my family and close friends so I do not miss opportunities. Ephesians 5:15 says; "Be careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity..."
I wish back when I was a teenager, I would have been more wise in how I used my time. This is one thing in my life I regret! But I am grateful for my friend. I am grateful for the time the Lord gave us together!! I truly enjoyed her! She was an expression of God's love to my life during that season so many years ago. I thank God for the way He created her and for His divine wisdom in bringing our lives together. He knows her heart and all of the intricate parts of her story. I trust her into His hands.
Still in knowing all of this, it is hard to say good-bye!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,..."
Sunday, August 28, 2011
"A Royal Flush"
A close friend of mine said something to me which has been resonating in my soul. What she said was brave and wise and like nothing anyone has ever said in my life. She said; "I am sorry about the things you have been through in your life. But, I am glad you have been through them. In going through those things, God has made you into the woman you are. And, I love who you are so I would not want the suffering in your life to be taken away."
In my life I have been acquainted with suffering. If God called out from heaven; "My children, would one of you be willing to please go through ______ ?," I am sure I would not have volunteered and I don't think you would have either. I am sure there are many things in your life you would not have chosen to suffer through. I believe I have come to terms with the things I have suffered. I know I have suffered more than some people and less than others. In pondering this and living life, one thing I do know is WE ALL suffer.
The Bible is clear about Jesus being a man of suffering. Isaiah says in Chapter 53, verse 3 as he is prophesying about Jesus; "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering." In His life on earth, Jesus was spit upon, beaten, striped, insulted, disrespected, disbelieved, and even crucified. I think the greatest suffering might have been God coming in the form of a man, Jesus! All the power to "spread the universe with His right arm" and He held back His power to give us all a choice to believe. And many He created with His own hands, did not believe. John 11:35 says; "Jesus wept."
James 1:2-4 says; "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Also, Romans 5:3-4 says; "...we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Although I have come to terms with my past sufferings, I still lack in rejoicing when trials come. So, how do I help myself rejoice in the time of suffering knowing that the outcome of my sufferings have brought great things into my life?
I think about a poker game. In poker you get 5 cards. I believe when I was born, I got one ace, let's say, the ace of hearts. The rest of my hand was a mess of cards that I did not want or need. So I lived with that hand for awhile until it was my turn to discard to the dealer. I threw 4 cards back in. Now this poker game was not a game of luck, because Jesus was the dealer. He knew that if He added another good card to my original hand, I would have only discarded three cards and it would have messed up the final outcome. So those 4 cards that I thought I did not need, well, I needed them for the final outcome. In the game of life, I have been dealt a "Royal Flush", ace of hearts high. This is the highest hand in the game of poker.
God has surrounded my life with the most beautiful people! I am convinced that my family and friends are the most loving and wonderful people on the earth!! Also, I am absolutely sure at each moment, even in my worst ones, that God loves me!! I feel Him watching me, enjoying me, and sharing life with me!! This love He gives is not related to my mistakes or my great accomplishments. He is just always there, loving me!! I am appreciated and loved by friends and family for who I am and everything I have gone through!! They love me even in my imperfect and unfinished state! Each day I wake up with purpose and meaning and I try to enjoy every moment. God fills my heart with so much love that I spend my days spilling it out wherever I go!
And I realize with great joy that this is all possible because of the original "bad" poker hand. Rich Mullen says in a line in His song called; "Hold me, Jesus;" "I would rather fight You for something I don't really want than take what You give that I need." I love this because reflecting back always leads to seeing the purpose in what I did not want or think I needed. The hand that I thought was "bad" when I was holding it turned out to be exactly what I needed. It is the suffering that brought me to this place of overwhelming love and joy!! It is the suffering that causes me to be so close to Jesus! He has been there with me; suffering with me!! He has taken me through it and I have given it back to Him with thanksgiving!! And in return, He has given me a "Royal Flush!"
In my life I have been acquainted with suffering. If God called out from heaven; "My children, would one of you be willing to please go through ______ ?," I am sure I would not have volunteered and I don't think you would have either. I am sure there are many things in your life you would not have chosen to suffer through. I believe I have come to terms with the things I have suffered. I know I have suffered more than some people and less than others. In pondering this and living life, one thing I do know is WE ALL suffer.
The Bible is clear about Jesus being a man of suffering. Isaiah says in Chapter 53, verse 3 as he is prophesying about Jesus; "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering." In His life on earth, Jesus was spit upon, beaten, striped, insulted, disrespected, disbelieved, and even crucified. I think the greatest suffering might have been God coming in the form of a man, Jesus! All the power to "spread the universe with His right arm" and He held back His power to give us all a choice to believe. And many He created with His own hands, did not believe. John 11:35 says; "Jesus wept."
James 1:2-4 says; "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Also, Romans 5:3-4 says; "...we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Although I have come to terms with my past sufferings, I still lack in rejoicing when trials come. So, how do I help myself rejoice in the time of suffering knowing that the outcome of my sufferings have brought great things into my life?
I think about a poker game. In poker you get 5 cards. I believe when I was born, I got one ace, let's say, the ace of hearts. The rest of my hand was a mess of cards that I did not want or need. So I lived with that hand for awhile until it was my turn to discard to the dealer. I threw 4 cards back in. Now this poker game was not a game of luck, because Jesus was the dealer. He knew that if He added another good card to my original hand, I would have only discarded three cards and it would have messed up the final outcome. So those 4 cards that I thought I did not need, well, I needed them for the final outcome. In the game of life, I have been dealt a "Royal Flush", ace of hearts high. This is the highest hand in the game of poker.
God has surrounded my life with the most beautiful people! I am convinced that my family and friends are the most loving and wonderful people on the earth!! Also, I am absolutely sure at each moment, even in my worst ones, that God loves me!! I feel Him watching me, enjoying me, and sharing life with me!! This love He gives is not related to my mistakes or my great accomplishments. He is just always there, loving me!! I am appreciated and loved by friends and family for who I am and everything I have gone through!! They love me even in my imperfect and unfinished state! Each day I wake up with purpose and meaning and I try to enjoy every moment. God fills my heart with so much love that I spend my days spilling it out wherever I go!
And I realize with great joy that this is all possible because of the original "bad" poker hand. Rich Mullen says in a line in His song called; "Hold me, Jesus;" "I would rather fight You for something I don't really want than take what You give that I need." I love this because reflecting back always leads to seeing the purpose in what I did not want or think I needed. The hand that I thought was "bad" when I was holding it turned out to be exactly what I needed. It is the suffering that brought me to this place of overwhelming love and joy!! It is the suffering that causes me to be so close to Jesus! He has been there with me; suffering with me!! He has taken me through it and I have given it back to Him with thanksgiving!! And in return, He has given me a "Royal Flush!"
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Making Cream of Wheat
One of my husband's favorite things to eat for breakfast is Cream of Wheat. Cream of Wheat is a finely ground wheat cereal. I don't know if you have ever made it, but it is a real pain! It seems that my impatient nature can cause Cream of Wheat to become lumpy. So, I have perfected a tedious method to get it just right! Thirty seconds in the microwave over and over again with stirring in between each cooking time. For me, this seems like a prison sentence in front of the microwave! If I begin doing something else and forget to stir at the proper time, it will get lumpy! Ugh!!
Now, my husband knows this is not my favorite thing to cook, so he graciously does not ask for it if I offer to make breakfast. So, it takes a suggestion from me to start this tedious process. You might be asking yourself, why would she offer if she hates to make this? I believe with this gesture, I communicate love and sacrifice to my husband. It is an expression of love overriding my own preference. I believe this kind of action strengthens my marriage. If he was asking for it, then it would not be a gift from me. So we have an unsaid agreement. If I offer, I am giving him a gift and he really appreciates it.
This may seem small and insignificant, but these things add up to make a great marriage. It is also these small disciplines of dying to my own perferences which help me to become less selfish and more selfless. Ephesians 5:1-2 says; "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Now what Jesus did on the cross for me can hardly be compared to making Cream of Wheat. But I believe by going through this routine about once a week, I am creating a habit of sacrificing for my husband. Then when the harder stuff comes, I have been through a bit of training. In order to live a life of love, I will have to make sacrifices, because love is an action word.
Making Cream of Wheat is good for me. If you know me much, you know I have had a lifelong struggle with my strong will. It is good for my flesh to do what it does not want to do! I have many systems in place in my life to deliberately take me out of my comfort zone and into uncomfortable circumstances. Most of these places are much rougher than making Cream of Wheat, but this spot in front of the microwave with spoon in hand is a great training ground. God calls us to "put the interest of others before ourselves." It is a good practice for me to step out of my own wants and desires and serve my husband and the other people God has put around me. So tomorrow morning when I would much rather flip pancakes which I find fun and satisfying, I will get up and offer my husband the breakfast of his dreams! Once again, I will make Cream of Wheat!
Now, my husband knows this is not my favorite thing to cook, so he graciously does not ask for it if I offer to make breakfast. So, it takes a suggestion from me to start this tedious process. You might be asking yourself, why would she offer if she hates to make this? I believe with this gesture, I communicate love and sacrifice to my husband. It is an expression of love overriding my own preference. I believe this kind of action strengthens my marriage. If he was asking for it, then it would not be a gift from me. So we have an unsaid agreement. If I offer, I am giving him a gift and he really appreciates it.
This may seem small and insignificant, but these things add up to make a great marriage. It is also these small disciplines of dying to my own perferences which help me to become less selfish and more selfless. Ephesians 5:1-2 says; "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Now what Jesus did on the cross for me can hardly be compared to making Cream of Wheat. But I believe by going through this routine about once a week, I am creating a habit of sacrificing for my husband. Then when the harder stuff comes, I have been through a bit of training. In order to live a life of love, I will have to make sacrifices, because love is an action word.
Making Cream of Wheat is good for me. If you know me much, you know I have had a lifelong struggle with my strong will. It is good for my flesh to do what it does not want to do! I have many systems in place in my life to deliberately take me out of my comfort zone and into uncomfortable circumstances. Most of these places are much rougher than making Cream of Wheat, but this spot in front of the microwave with spoon in hand is a great training ground. God calls us to "put the interest of others before ourselves." It is a good practice for me to step out of my own wants and desires and serve my husband and the other people God has put around me. So tomorrow morning when I would much rather flip pancakes which I find fun and satisfying, I will get up and offer my husband the breakfast of his dreams! Once again, I will make Cream of Wheat!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Too Much Ice Cream???
In my life on this earth, I would say I have had more than my share of ice cream! The possibilities seem endless and the satisfaction is soothing to my senses. Chocolate dipped in chocolate at Dairy Queen, Mint Chocolate Chip at Baskin Robbins, gelato on every corner in Italy, a Dark Chocolate Dove Bar everyday one summer, milkshakes after dinner every night, and even 12 ice cream sandwiches for dessert on a dare from my brother-in-law. These thoughts are beautiful in my mind and comforting in my memories. There is just something about ice cream! Truly, I love it!! What's not to love!!
Well, this love affair with ice cream went on from when I can remember until about ten days after my thirty sixth birthday! And then something terrible happened! I noticed my pants becoming tighter! And, with awe and shock, I saw a direct correlation between the tightness of my pants and the amounts of ice cream I was consuming! This was a shock and when I complained about these changes to the ones I love the most, they answered with a resounding; "Maybe you should not eat so much ice cream!" I promise you this was not the answer I wanted. I would have preferred to hear; "Maybe you could cut out the other food, but don't stop eating ice cream!"
This has been a ten-year struggle for me. Maybe some of you can relate. Sometimes the struggle gets under control, but other times it becomes ridiculous. I find it interesting how I can justify to myself in the strangest ways to eat some ice cream if I want it. Lately, I have been buying Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches. This is hilarious! Have you ever seen a skinny cow? I haven't. Because these are made to be lower in calories, I have a hard time only eating one at a time. I justify eating two or more because they are lower in fat and calories! I even ate two the other day at lunch time, telling myself they were "sandwiches" so it was ok. In Jeremiah 17:9, it says; "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This really explained it all for me in the moments after I came out of the; "I want ice cream" fog and into reality! I actually laughed out loud at myself.
There is another scripture which came to mind from Romans 7:15 which says; "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do." Why do I hate this action I take? Because it causes me to feel uncomfortable with myself. I hate doing it, because I grow into a size I was not created to be. My heart deceives me into getting what I want in the moment, but I end up regretting it later. I end up saying to myself; "It was not worth it!!" I want to be wise and moderate and healthy! I want to feel good and be the best I can be!!
So today, I thank God for all of the years He gave me to eat as much ice cream as I wanted and see no effects! But today, I have to come to terms with the reality of my metabolism and practice the 9th fruit of the Spirit which is self-control. (Galatians 5:22) I don't know what it is for you, but I know as long as I am on earth I will struggle with my flesh. What I want is not always what is best for me! In all of these areas of struggle, I know Jesus is there for me to cry out to for comfort and self-control.
And He has gone ahead of me to prepare a place for me! (John 14:2) I bet in heaven, there are many more flavors of ice cream than I have ever tasted! Probably a endless variety of shops on every corner of the streets of gold. Until then I will cling tightly to Jesus and ask Him to help me to not eat too much ice cream!
Well, this love affair with ice cream went on from when I can remember until about ten days after my thirty sixth birthday! And then something terrible happened! I noticed my pants becoming tighter! And, with awe and shock, I saw a direct correlation between the tightness of my pants and the amounts of ice cream I was consuming! This was a shock and when I complained about these changes to the ones I love the most, they answered with a resounding; "Maybe you should not eat so much ice cream!" I promise you this was not the answer I wanted. I would have preferred to hear; "Maybe you could cut out the other food, but don't stop eating ice cream!"
This has been a ten-year struggle for me. Maybe some of you can relate. Sometimes the struggle gets under control, but other times it becomes ridiculous. I find it interesting how I can justify to myself in the strangest ways to eat some ice cream if I want it. Lately, I have been buying Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches. This is hilarious! Have you ever seen a skinny cow? I haven't. Because these are made to be lower in calories, I have a hard time only eating one at a time. I justify eating two or more because they are lower in fat and calories! I even ate two the other day at lunch time, telling myself they were "sandwiches" so it was ok. In Jeremiah 17:9, it says; "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This really explained it all for me in the moments after I came out of the; "I want ice cream" fog and into reality! I actually laughed out loud at myself.
There is another scripture which came to mind from Romans 7:15 which says; "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do." Why do I hate this action I take? Because it causes me to feel uncomfortable with myself. I hate doing it, because I grow into a size I was not created to be. My heart deceives me into getting what I want in the moment, but I end up regretting it later. I end up saying to myself; "It was not worth it!!" I want to be wise and moderate and healthy! I want to feel good and be the best I can be!!
So today, I thank God for all of the years He gave me to eat as much ice cream as I wanted and see no effects! But today, I have to come to terms with the reality of my metabolism and practice the 9th fruit of the Spirit which is self-control. (Galatians 5:22) I don't know what it is for you, but I know as long as I am on earth I will struggle with my flesh. What I want is not always what is best for me! In all of these areas of struggle, I know Jesus is there for me to cry out to for comfort and self-control.
And He has gone ahead of me to prepare a place for me! (John 14:2) I bet in heaven, there are many more flavors of ice cream than I have ever tasted! Probably a endless variety of shops on every corner of the streets of gold. Until then I will cling tightly to Jesus and ask Him to help me to not eat too much ice cream!
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