Anecdote No. 5: A Hunger for Humble Pie
A few searches through Merriam-Webster’s dictionary left me, at best, with a somewhat vague yet unsatisfying definition of what it means to be humble. Apparently, it is synonymous with meekness, modesty, and lowliness all of which imply thinking less of oneself or being deficient in the rank of some hierarchy. Literally. The exact words were “ranking low in some hierarchy.” The entry for meek confused me all the more with its apparently contradictory definitions: “characterized by patience or long-suffering” and immediately after “deficient in spirit and courage.” How can one be deficient in spirit or courage when one clearly has the patience to endure hardship? Talk about con-fu-sing. So, what does it mean to be humble - to know and show true humility - and why does it matter?
Perhaps the first step towards understanding the importance and necessity of true humility in living a life of faith is to examine pride or vanity, its opposite, and something we all know a thing or two about.
I have always been captivated by French philosopher Blaise Pascal’s profound thoughts on the issue of pride: “Vanity is so anchored in the heart of man that...those who write against it want to have the glory of having written well; and those who read it desire the glory of having read it.” In other words, he appears to be saying that pride is so deeply ingrained in the fibre of our humanity that it is near impossible to do anything in true humility, however noble our intentions may be. We can’t escape the clutches of pride even with our humblest human efforts. Our actions are always, to a degree, motivated by self-interest whether it is humble recognition, modest self-esteem, the satisfaction that hard work, helping others, or being humble in a situation gives us, or even being admired or esteemed for our humility. And let’s face it, those of us who are considered by others – and who consider ourselves - as quite humble compared to others (ironically, even in making such a comparison do we reflect that hint of pride) are shamed by those moments when pride gets the better of us. We’re no better than the next person whom we consider ourselves better than.
Being a wife brings out these moments more often than not. It’s crazy how hard it is to admit I’m wrong and to say sorry because I know it’s my fault. All this to the one I love. That’s pride at its best. So how does one embrace and exercise true humility amidst the natural inclinations of pride? Living by faith is itself living a life of humility to say the least. God requires us to “walk humbly” with him and among all people (Micah 6:8). What does this actually mean and how is it possible given the pride that we all struggle with?
True humility is seen in the life of Jesus Christ and it is his humility that God’s righteous people are called and set apart to imitate. In Philippians 2 we learn that God himself in the person of Jesus “made himself nothing” and became “obedient to death on a cross.” God – the Creator of the universe, the Most High, the Beginning and the End - became a man. He took on the appearance and form of a person, a servant of all people, and though he was in nature God, Jesus did not even consider equality with God as something to be grasped. Wow. How is that even possible? It’s unfathomable, that’s for sure.
So, what implications does this have for my life and yours? It’s impossible to live by faith with pride in one’s heart or head. Christ and pride are at war with one another. Both desire the opposite and, to put it simply, cannot be reconciled. One must die for the other to live. Imitating Christ’s humility first and foremost requires a complete surrender to the presence of God – the Holy Spirit – in one’s heart and life. Often, daily. Isaiah 66:2 says “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Only the Holy Spirit can create a humble and contrite and repentant spirit. Only the Spirit can create reverence for God's Word. Moreover, only the humble can be guided towards doing what is right (Psalm 25:9).
Living in humility requires life in community – both of unbelievers and believers. The same book (Philippians) that implores the attitude that we are to have (Christ’s humility) includes the situations that would require us to demonstrate humility. Looking not only to our interests but also to the interests of others implies that our humility should impact others, everyone around us. Not that we act so that others will see our humility and praise it and us (that's pride fueling our actions). But rather, that others would see Christ-likeness in our attitude and actions and be impacted for the better by it (to the end that they would come to know Christ, too). When Paul says “be like-minded, [have] the same love, [be] one in spirit and purpose” this implies exercising humility within the brotherhood of believers – the church. After all, we are His church.
Friend, living humbly is next to impossible to do without the Holy Spirit and further, without a conscious surrender to the Holy Spirit - to the very spirit of Jesus who is our ultimate example of humility. And we all need to practice some humility in our life - in our marriages, in our friendships, in our workplace, with siblings, around parents, to those we would otherwise consider 'lesser' to us. Humility isn’t natural to human nature as pridefulness is. In fact, our culture sees it as weakness (but, that’s another blog). God’s righteous people, however, know that only with a humble heart can one truly live a life that is pleasing to God and one that will build others up in what matters. So, take a bite (or two, or three) of that Humble Pie – made by The Chef himself. You’ll find that a little bit goes a long way.
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:12b-13
10.25.2011
It's funny (and somewhat ironic).
Life with a baby has become a manageable and utterly enjoyable routine; and I'm glad for it after the tough beginning of having a baby. Over the past month, Mischa and I (and Dale when he's home) have worked out a predictable pattern of feeding times, napping times, activity times, bedtime, and some spontaneous outings here and there. To say the least, Mischa is a very good baby and we're comfortable. It's a good thing!
Ironically, as I was browsing a few of my previous months' entries I couldn't help but laugh a little at my random vents on how tough Mischa was, how I had such lack of sleep, and how I couldn't get as much done in and around the house as I can now. The ironic thing was, even though I was running on near empty somehow I had the drive, the insight, the passion to blog - and to blog about God's Word (My blog series). And I did just that amidst my crazy days. Not that I don't still have that desire, but it's ironic how now that I'm getting a restful sleep pretty much every night, now that I can let Misch hang out in her crib without attending to her immediately, now that I have legit down time, my efforts to continue my series have dwindled a bit and, I'll admit, some of the passion is gone. Now, when I have a moment I'm washing the dishes (ENDLESS dishes), doing laundry, watching TV, reading, or preparing for Mischa's next meal. Unlike before, I'd be infront of my computer screen itching to write God's newest revelations.
I find the same goes for life. When things are difficult and it is apparent that only by God's strength can we go on, we're all about seeking God, persisting in our prayers, etc. When things are well, we slack off in our pursuit of living in God's presence, pursuit of his will, his answers to prayer. We get comfortable and in that mode easily lose ourselves to complacency.
I'm thankful that in writing this post I've confronted myself with this issue. Onward to change!
Ironically, as I was browsing a few of my previous months' entries I couldn't help but laugh a little at my random vents on how tough Mischa was, how I had such lack of sleep, and how I couldn't get as much done in and around the house as I can now. The ironic thing was, even though I was running on near empty somehow I had the drive, the insight, the passion to blog - and to blog about God's Word (My blog series). And I did just that amidst my crazy days. Not that I don't still have that desire, but it's ironic how now that I'm getting a restful sleep pretty much every night, now that I can let Misch hang out in her crib without attending to her immediately, now that I have legit down time, my efforts to continue my series have dwindled a bit and, I'll admit, some of the passion is gone. Now, when I have a moment I'm washing the dishes (ENDLESS dishes), doing laundry, watching TV, reading, or preparing for Mischa's next meal. Unlike before, I'd be infront of my computer screen itching to write God's newest revelations.
I find the same goes for life. When things are difficult and it is apparent that only by God's strength can we go on, we're all about seeking God, persisting in our prayers, etc. When things are well, we slack off in our pursuit of living in God's presence, pursuit of his will, his answers to prayer. We get comfortable and in that mode easily lose ourselves to complacency.
I'm thankful that in writing this post I've confronted myself with this issue. Onward to change!
10.20.2011
Call Me Crazy
Mischa started eating pureed food almost a month ago and as a result has not been desiring to breast feed as much although she still does about four times a day (before her meals - although I really should start thinking about and doing the reverse...as much as I don't want to just yet). I'm wrestling with the fact that soon she won't want to at all because she'll either be too full or be drinking from a sippy cup or a bottle and not needing me to provide her with sustenance anymore. Call me crazy but I don't want her to wean so soon! I love breastfeeding (didn't think I'd ever say that - but it's true!) and that she depends on me in that way for soothing, comfort, & closeness. I will definitely miss it when she stops. Plus it's super convenient, nutritious, and no prep is required (other than thinking about the type of blouse to wear before going out). For those soon-to-be moms out there reading: breastfeed! Granted, it might be stressful at first when they are learning to latch on and you need to wrap your head around the idea of the little babe sucking milk from you, and it might hurt or tickle initially, but it's worth it. Much more than what the nurses, doctors, or lactation consultants tell you regarding the benefits breastmilk contains, it's a connection with your baby that's like nothing else. If you can and while you can, do it. You won't regret it for a second :-)
10.06.2011
Mischa Milestone
Almost every day, Dale and I at some point in our evening stop and say to each other: "I can't believe we have a baby!" We have made up so many songs to accompany the little things we do with her throughout the day. We need to make a record of them so she doesn't forget!
(Mischabebebebebe, Mischatotsbebe, How was your day/sleep? Exercise in the Morning, Mischa the Gold Prospector)
I still can't believe it and it's been almost 6 months! I already get sad thinking about leaving her and going back to work (and that's still six months away!).
Anyhow, to her most recent milestone (this week, actually) - sleeping through the night! On Monday night she surprised us by sleeping for 11 hours! She didn't get up at her usual 4am wake up to eat, but instead slept right through until 7am. What a champ! (I, in turn, got 7 hours of sleep which has not happened since before she was born). I attribute this new ability to her starting solids a couple of weeks ago. She loves her oat cereal! Banana and green beans not so much (I figure since she scrunches up her little face and eyes as if to say "uh, this tastes weird"); but if it's mixed with her oats she doesn't really notice.
*Sigh*
Our little girl is growing too fast!
(Mischabebebebebe, Mischatotsbebe, How was your day/sleep? Exercise in the Morning, Mischa the Gold Prospector)
I still can't believe it and it's been almost 6 months! I already get sad thinking about leaving her and going back to work (and that's still six months away!).
Anyhow, to her most recent milestone (this week, actually) - sleeping through the night! On Monday night she surprised us by sleeping for 11 hours! She didn't get up at her usual 4am wake up to eat, but instead slept right through until 7am. What a champ! (I, in turn, got 7 hours of sleep which has not happened since before she was born). I attribute this new ability to her starting solids a couple of weeks ago. She loves her oat cereal! Banana and green beans not so much (I figure since she scrunches up her little face and eyes as if to say "uh, this tastes weird"); but if it's mixed with her oats she doesn't really notice.
*Sigh*
Our little girl is growing too fast!
The Importance of Being Earnest
No, not the trivial comedy by Oscar Wilde but the attitude of earnesty when it comes to what's important in this life. Namely, God, family, people and in that order.
Not working for the past six months has allowed me to take a step back and analyze how I spend my days and time. Granted, I did just have a baby and a lot of my time (especially in the beginning) was put towards learning how to care for a baby and then actually caring for her basic needs which is essentially what motherhood is in the first three months. But now that I've gotten a grip on raising an infant (no longer a newborn), I really can't use 'just had a baby' as an excuse for not making the most of each day. Especially being off from work. Hence, regardless of what season of life you find yourself in, it is still of utmost importance to be earnest in the way of seeking God and His righteousness, loving the people God has given to you as family, and extending His love to all people.
I've been mulling over the fact that I haven't built many long-standing relationships with people outside of my church family; and this bugs me. Back home this wasn't an issue really, perhaps because into adulthood I retained a lot of highschool friendships with many people. There was history there which, I guess, made the grounds on which to build a friendship more substantial in some way. But since moving to Calgary, I've found that the only place I've made (and make) new friendships is at work. And it's also at work that these friendships are usually maintained. It doesn't quite help that I'm not permanent at any school, although that really shouldn't matter when a solid friendship is formed. But like any relationship, time needs to be invested regularly in order for the relationship to grow. That, and an openness of sorts. And if that's not really happening, then relationships become polite acquaintance, nothing much else. Many of my short friendships with the people I've made since moving here (outside of the church, that is) have turned into polite acquaintance. I guess to some extent that is bound to happen. But what I am struggling to come to grips with is how I've approached these friendships. How did I (do I) allow the Lord to speak through me, shine through me, in these friendships? When opportunities arose (arise), how did (do) I make the most of them?
To put it plainly, I am not earnest when it comes to sharing the gospel message of God's love to others. This is a difficult admittance, even to myself. I can effectively teach the Bible to believers, proclaim God's love in song, exhort God's people to worship. But, unless an obvious opportunity to share my faith to an unbeliever presents itself, I don't. Instead of creating opportunities, I wait for them. And it is in simply waiting that nothing happens. As believers, we are encouraged to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). But that does not always mean to pray and just sit and wait. Sometimes, it does. But other times, and more often, it means to pray while simultaneously allowing God to work in us and through us; and in doing so our very attitude and conduct become God's answer to our prayers (Philippians 2:12).
But if I'm not earnest, nothing - really - will change.
St. Francis of Assisi is once quoted as saying: "Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." While I wholeheartedly agree with the motive and essence of this statement, I can't reduce words to secondary importance in the endeavor to preach the gospel. If I do, I will never learn to open my mouth but instead simply trust that my life alone will do all the preaching necessary for a person to understand salvation and God's love. But Jesus's very life, not only his words, teaches us otherwise. Both word and deed are of equal value when it comes to the Christian message; they go hand in hand. The Bible teaches us that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).
So I'm left with this: I need to continue to pray, pray, pray...and move. I pray for opportunities, but I also need to create those opportunities. I need to make the phone call, write the message, send the text, take out for coffee or lunch or dinner, host a meal, etc.
Time to seriously invest my time and money in people who need to hear and know Christ.
Not working for the past six months has allowed me to take a step back and analyze how I spend my days and time. Granted, I did just have a baby and a lot of my time (especially in the beginning) was put towards learning how to care for a baby and then actually caring for her basic needs which is essentially what motherhood is in the first three months. But now that I've gotten a grip on raising an infant (no longer a newborn), I really can't use 'just had a baby' as an excuse for not making the most of each day. Especially being off from work. Hence, regardless of what season of life you find yourself in, it is still of utmost importance to be earnest in the way of seeking God and His righteousness, loving the people God has given to you as family, and extending His love to all people.
I've been mulling over the fact that I haven't built many long-standing relationships with people outside of my church family; and this bugs me. Back home this wasn't an issue really, perhaps because into adulthood I retained a lot of highschool friendships with many people. There was history there which, I guess, made the grounds on which to build a friendship more substantial in some way. But since moving to Calgary, I've found that the only place I've made (and make) new friendships is at work. And it's also at work that these friendships are usually maintained. It doesn't quite help that I'm not permanent at any school, although that really shouldn't matter when a solid friendship is formed. But like any relationship, time needs to be invested regularly in order for the relationship to grow. That, and an openness of sorts. And if that's not really happening, then relationships become polite acquaintance, nothing much else. Many of my short friendships with the people I've made since moving here (outside of the church, that is) have turned into polite acquaintance. I guess to some extent that is bound to happen. But what I am struggling to come to grips with is how I've approached these friendships. How did I (do I) allow the Lord to speak through me, shine through me, in these friendships? When opportunities arose (arise), how did (do) I make the most of them?
To put it plainly, I am not earnest when it comes to sharing the gospel message of God's love to others. This is a difficult admittance, even to myself. I can effectively teach the Bible to believers, proclaim God's love in song, exhort God's people to worship. But, unless an obvious opportunity to share my faith to an unbeliever presents itself, I don't. Instead of creating opportunities, I wait for them. And it is in simply waiting that nothing happens. As believers, we are encouraged to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). But that does not always mean to pray and just sit and wait. Sometimes, it does. But other times, and more often, it means to pray while simultaneously allowing God to work in us and through us; and in doing so our very attitude and conduct become God's answer to our prayers (Philippians 2:12).
But if I'm not earnest, nothing - really - will change.
St. Francis of Assisi is once quoted as saying: "Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." While I wholeheartedly agree with the motive and essence of this statement, I can't reduce words to secondary importance in the endeavor to preach the gospel. If I do, I will never learn to open my mouth but instead simply trust that my life alone will do all the preaching necessary for a person to understand salvation and God's love. But Jesus's very life, not only his words, teaches us otherwise. Both word and deed are of equal value when it comes to the Christian message; they go hand in hand. The Bible teaches us that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).
So I'm left with this: I need to continue to pray, pray, pray...and move. I pray for opportunities, but I also need to create those opportunities. I need to make the phone call, write the message, send the text, take out for coffee or lunch or dinner, host a meal, etc.
Time to seriously invest my time and money in people who need to hear and know Christ.
9.30.2011
Daytime TV, Dr. Phil, and Delusion
If there is one thing I'll miss about being on maternity leave (other than being on maternity leave) it's Daytime TV. I hate to admit it but I watch quite a bit of television. In addition to all my PVR'd evening shows and some newbies that Dale and started to get into this Fall, I'm finding that I need to have my daily talkshow fix. Namely, Dr. Phil. Granted, some topics are just lame and I couldn't really be bothered. But recently they've been focused on a group I've always been somewhat interested in: FLDS. I'm not absolutely sure why I'm so intrigued by this religion, sect, cult or whatever they might be. Maybe because their self-appointed leader is in prison for heinous crimes and yet he still has a following. Maybe it's because I've never really understood (and will never understand) why women would agree to be in a polygamous marriage. Maybe it's because I can't fathom why anyone (women particularly) would want to live imprisoned, controlled, and secluded lives. The disparity of life as I know it in a relationship with a God who loves freely, offers salvation as a gift, forgives sin not based on merit but on his grace alone, versus life for one whose leader's absolute power corrupted both himself and others, intrigues me.
It's easy to judge people who choose this life and lifestyle and call them 'brainwashed' as a result. Maybe they are. But maybe the issue is much more. Generations of families have lived and grown up in these secluded communities, not knowing otherwise and being completely ignorant of anything outside what they have been indoctrinated to believe since birth. Can you call someone brainwashed if they do not know otherwise? Children grow up believing what they hear & see day in and day out from people they know and trust and do not get the opportunity to do otherwise. They aren't necessarily forced to believe or do anything but rather they obediently (save for the bold few) do as they have been brought up to do. In one way I can relate to this experience, but only in so far as being brought up in a household that valued church and having a relationship with God and thus making God-fearing choices. My parents raised us with their beliefs and values, but there came a point in our lives (my siblings and I) where we chose to know God and follow Him for ourselves, which is ultimately everyone's fork in the road.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely." - Lord John Acton
Human nature is already drenched in sin out of which stems all other vices. Add power unchecked to the mix and you have a disaster waiting to happen. From what I've read and seen, Mr. Jeffs is the epitome of the quote above. Having claimed to be God's prophet and mouthpiece to his people, he used his power to manipulate children, deceive thousands, and feed his sick and twisted desires. And the worst part is that those in power who perhaps knew, did/do nothing about it and those who didn't/don't know blindly took/take his words as gospel truth from "God" himself. It angers me to know that there are people who say and do things utterly contrary to the nature and Word of the real Jesus Christ, the one true God, claiming their words and actions to have been directed by God's righteous, loving, and sovereign hand. Time and again religion has been used as a tool of power to persuade or propogate personal agendas. Even in the Christian church today corruption rears its ugly face when power struggles emerge and sin remains unexposed. It is complete folly to believe anyone's words or sayings or commands as revelations from God without holding it up to the scrutiny of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) which is our ultimate source of knowledge about who God is, who we are, and God's desires for holy living.
Well, those are my thoughts on that. Unfortunately, ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to questions of moral aboslutes, salvation, God, and His Word. Get educated, people!
It's easy to judge people who choose this life and lifestyle and call them 'brainwashed' as a result. Maybe they are. But maybe the issue is much more. Generations of families have lived and grown up in these secluded communities, not knowing otherwise and being completely ignorant of anything outside what they have been indoctrinated to believe since birth. Can you call someone brainwashed if they do not know otherwise? Children grow up believing what they hear & see day in and day out from people they know and trust and do not get the opportunity to do otherwise. They aren't necessarily forced to believe or do anything but rather they obediently (save for the bold few) do as they have been brought up to do. In one way I can relate to this experience, but only in so far as being brought up in a household that valued church and having a relationship with God and thus making God-fearing choices. My parents raised us with their beliefs and values, but there came a point in our lives (my siblings and I) where we chose to know God and follow Him for ourselves, which is ultimately everyone's fork in the road.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely." - Lord John Acton
Human nature is already drenched in sin out of which stems all other vices. Add power unchecked to the mix and you have a disaster waiting to happen. From what I've read and seen, Mr. Jeffs is the epitome of the quote above. Having claimed to be God's prophet and mouthpiece to his people, he used his power to manipulate children, deceive thousands, and feed his sick and twisted desires. And the worst part is that those in power who perhaps knew, did/do nothing about it and those who didn't/don't know blindly took/take his words as gospel truth from "God" himself. It angers me to know that there are people who say and do things utterly contrary to the nature and Word of the real Jesus Christ, the one true God, claiming their words and actions to have been directed by God's righteous, loving, and sovereign hand. Time and again religion has been used as a tool of power to persuade or propogate personal agendas. Even in the Christian church today corruption rears its ugly face when power struggles emerge and sin remains unexposed. It is complete folly to believe anyone's words or sayings or commands as revelations from God without holding it up to the scrutiny of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) which is our ultimate source of knowledge about who God is, who we are, and God's desires for holy living.
Well, those are my thoughts on that. Unfortunately, ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to questions of moral aboslutes, salvation, God, and His Word. Get educated, people!
8.26.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
Anecdote No. 4: Security in God's Sovereignty
One of my good friends who is a nurse told me of the recent death of one of her patients, 2-year-old Brandon. He was born with gastroschisis, a birth defect where the intestines grow outside of the abdomen. Although he was able to sucessfully undergo a multi-organ transplant, he caught an infection that his little body wasn't able to fend off. As she shared this story with me, I couldn't help but imagine what I would feel or how I would cope if my own daughter was born with, or contracted, a disease that could possibly take her life. I couldn't imagine it. My friend spoke of the brokenness of Brandon's mother and of the parents' despair as they grieved the passing of their young boy. Then she asked me a simple yet profound question: "How do you share about God's love to a couple whose baby just died? What are you supposed to say?"
We will never be able to fathom why disease and death and disaster happen. But they do. It is a fact of life that these exist. Some may not experience it to the same degree as others and this inconceivable unfairness is difficult to swallow for many and a stumbling block to understanding, and accepting, God as love. I don't propose an answer to the question above, but I do propose this: God's sovereignty can be our security in times of trouble, heartache, and tribulation. If he is sovereign over the good that we experience in life, he must also be sovereign over the hardships we encounter. God himself endured the pain of seeing his only Son suffer a horrendous death on a cross to pay the penalty of our sin against him. Even though Christ himself spoke of his resurrection after death much to his disciples' unbelief, God alone knew the magnitude of this event in history, and its insurmountable accomplishment for those who believe.
Trouble will (and does) plague our lives. Some to a greater degree than others. I don't presume to know the answer to why God allows bad things to happen although I do believe that much of what happens is the natural course of life in a fallen, imperfect, temporal world, governed yet by God's sovereign hand. But God cannot be blamed for mankind's depravity and how that impacts a person's willfull actions. He grieves with us and offers us hope and reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can count on his grace to allow something beautiful, good, praiseworthy, true, and right to rise out of the ashes.
God's righteous people put their security in the sovereignty of God. That is much easier declared (and written) than actually done. But it's a daily practice, both of the mind and the will, that comes by faith.
Ponder with me the story of Job; a difficult one grasp. Here was a humble and obedient man, blessed by God with intelligence, health, wealth, possessions, a loving family. God allows every disaster (death, disease, dishonor) to plague this God-fearing, honest, hardworking man. Job, in response to all of this, acknowledges God as sovereign: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised"(Job 1:21)... "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" (2:10). The story continues with Job and his three friends contending the reason for Job's affliction, each trying to determine (or defend) God's purpose in the matter - essentially that Job's suffering was God's way of punishing him for his sin against God. I'm sure that Job probably considered that reasoning even before his friends brought it to his attention. I know I would've if I were Job (and I admit to having done so many a time in my own life). But God had already declared Job to be "blameless and upright" and a man who "feared God and shunned evil" (1:1).
And so the difficult question still remains: Why does this happen to him?
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. provides a simple yet vexing answer that does well to reflect the attitude of one who consciously and consistently puts their trust in God's sovereignty:
"While we cannot deny that the issue of suffering in the lives of God's people, such as Job, still contains a good deal of mystery, it is just as much a horrible misconception to declare that suffering is God's normal route for every believer as it is to declare that God's goodness means life will always result in prosperity and riches for those who serve the Lord.
Our decision must be to follow God and trust his justice, wisdom, and goodness whether we are in the throes of suffering or enjoying good health and blessing. Such a decision would surely cut the ground out from under Satan in the spiritual warfare of our day and age. Thus, the law of God does not contradict the Psalms, the historical writings, prophets, or the wisdom books. Believers will continue to suffer, but it will always be under the permission or direction of a merciful and wise heavenly Father who works for our good in the way of the truth and fairness of the gospel."
Click here to read the entire article in Christianity Today: Reductionist Justice: Where Job's Friends Went Wrong About Suffering
Friend, although your heart may be troubled put your trust and hope in God. He is sovereign. Nothing and no one can fathom his thoughts and his ways. God's righteous people clutch onto this truth and when trouble or heartache or hardship or grief confront them, they are not quick to let go of His mighty hand because they know His wisdom, love, and mercy guide both the sunshine and the storm. He IS; we are not. I believe Job responded in the most appropriate way one could respond to God's own revelation of himself. I pray that we who live by faith would learn from his example and do the same.
Then Job replied to the Lord:
"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
"You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
Job 42:1-6
One of my good friends who is a nurse told me of the recent death of one of her patients, 2-year-old Brandon. He was born with gastroschisis, a birth defect where the intestines grow outside of the abdomen. Although he was able to sucessfully undergo a multi-organ transplant, he caught an infection that his little body wasn't able to fend off. As she shared this story with me, I couldn't help but imagine what I would feel or how I would cope if my own daughter was born with, or contracted, a disease that could possibly take her life. I couldn't imagine it. My friend spoke of the brokenness of Brandon's mother and of the parents' despair as they grieved the passing of their young boy. Then she asked me a simple yet profound question: "How do you share about God's love to a couple whose baby just died? What are you supposed to say?"
We will never be able to fathom why disease and death and disaster happen. But they do. It is a fact of life that these exist. Some may not experience it to the same degree as others and this inconceivable unfairness is difficult to swallow for many and a stumbling block to understanding, and accepting, God as love. I don't propose an answer to the question above, but I do propose this: God's sovereignty can be our security in times of trouble, heartache, and tribulation. If he is sovereign over the good that we experience in life, he must also be sovereign over the hardships we encounter. God himself endured the pain of seeing his only Son suffer a horrendous death on a cross to pay the penalty of our sin against him. Even though Christ himself spoke of his resurrection after death much to his disciples' unbelief, God alone knew the magnitude of this event in history, and its insurmountable accomplishment for those who believe.
Trouble will (and does) plague our lives. Some to a greater degree than others. I don't presume to know the answer to why God allows bad things to happen although I do believe that much of what happens is the natural course of life in a fallen, imperfect, temporal world, governed yet by God's sovereign hand. But God cannot be blamed for mankind's depravity and how that impacts a person's willfull actions. He grieves with us and offers us hope and reconciliation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can count on his grace to allow something beautiful, good, praiseworthy, true, and right to rise out of the ashes.
God's righteous people put their security in the sovereignty of God. That is much easier declared (and written) than actually done. But it's a daily practice, both of the mind and the will, that comes by faith.
Ponder with me the story of Job; a difficult one grasp. Here was a humble and obedient man, blessed by God with intelligence, health, wealth, possessions, a loving family. God allows every disaster (death, disease, dishonor) to plague this God-fearing, honest, hardworking man. Job, in response to all of this, acknowledges God as sovereign: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised"(Job 1:21)... "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" (2:10). The story continues with Job and his three friends contending the reason for Job's affliction, each trying to determine (or defend) God's purpose in the matter - essentially that Job's suffering was God's way of punishing him for his sin against God. I'm sure that Job probably considered that reasoning even before his friends brought it to his attention. I know I would've if I were Job (and I admit to having done so many a time in my own life). But God had already declared Job to be "blameless and upright" and a man who "feared God and shunned evil" (1:1).
And so the difficult question still remains: Why does this happen to him?
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. provides a simple yet vexing answer that does well to reflect the attitude of one who consciously and consistently puts their trust in God's sovereignty:
"While we cannot deny that the issue of suffering in the lives of God's people, such as Job, still contains a good deal of mystery, it is just as much a horrible misconception to declare that suffering is God's normal route for every believer as it is to declare that God's goodness means life will always result in prosperity and riches for those who serve the Lord.
Our decision must be to follow God and trust his justice, wisdom, and goodness whether we are in the throes of suffering or enjoying good health and blessing. Such a decision would surely cut the ground out from under Satan in the spiritual warfare of our day and age. Thus, the law of God does not contradict the Psalms, the historical writings, prophets, or the wisdom books. Believers will continue to suffer, but it will always be under the permission or direction of a merciful and wise heavenly Father who works for our good in the way of the truth and fairness of the gospel."
Click here to read the entire article in Christianity Today: Reductionist Justice: Where Job's Friends Went Wrong About Suffering
Friend, although your heart may be troubled put your trust and hope in God. He is sovereign. Nothing and no one can fathom his thoughts and his ways. God's righteous people clutch onto this truth and when trouble or heartache or hardship or grief confront them, they are not quick to let go of His mighty hand because they know His wisdom, love, and mercy guide both the sunshine and the storm. He IS; we are not. I believe Job responded in the most appropriate way one could respond to God's own revelation of himself. I pray that we who live by faith would learn from his example and do the same.
Then Job replied to the Lord:
"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
"You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."
Job 42:1-6
8.25.2011
Mischa Milestone
Being a mom is ultimately (all things considered)...rewarding. Mischa has quickly become my heart. I can't explain a lot of the emotions I feel when she smiles, when I watch her chest rise and fall as she sleeps, when she babbles at me, when she's so tired while she's nursing that she falls asleep but won't let go of me, when she holds on (yes - she can hold on to stuff now!) to my shoulder as I carry her, when she's overtired but sleepy and restlessly rolls around and sticks her butt in the air; but one that permeates through all of them is happiness. She makes me happy. And I would, quite literally, give my life for her. In fact, perhaps a little bit of that happens every day. And I may have lamented that in the beginning, but not now. Life is even better with Mischa.
She's been reaching a lot of milestones recently. Just having turned 4 months not too long ago, she's already mastered rolling from her back to her tummy and officially sleeps on her tummy now. Like any parent who is warned not to let their child sleep on their tummy for fear of SIDS or suffocation, I would wake at the slightest sound in the monitor, enter her room to find her on her tummy, and flip her onto her back. Needless to say, that didn't last long as I quickly became exhausted from waking up 4-5 times a night to flip her. She found the position most comfortable for her and I needed to accept that. Plus, she started to sleep for longer stretches at night because of it. Ultimately, I gave up my desire to control the situation (after much praying and endless monitoring) and let her be. Now she's working on rolling back onto her back. She's done it a few times, surprising even herself at the feat, but napping has become 'roll-around-time' halfway through. She's hilarious.
She's been reaching a lot of milestones recently. Just having turned 4 months not too long ago, she's already mastered rolling from her back to her tummy and officially sleeps on her tummy now. Like any parent who is warned not to let their child sleep on their tummy for fear of SIDS or suffocation, I would wake at the slightest sound in the monitor, enter her room to find her on her tummy, and flip her onto her back. Needless to say, that didn't last long as I quickly became exhausted from waking up 4-5 times a night to flip her. She found the position most comfortable for her and I needed to accept that. Plus, she started to sleep for longer stretches at night because of it. Ultimately, I gave up my desire to control the situation (after much praying and endless monitoring) and let her be. Now she's working on rolling back onto her back. She's done it a few times, surprising even herself at the feat, but napping has become 'roll-around-time' halfway through. She's hilarious.
7.15.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
Anecdote No. 3: Let Intellect Learn (and Learn From) Wisdom
We are surrounded by intelligent people: people who have years of education and have ultimately become (or are becoming) experts on some issue, topic, or skill; people who may not have as much education as others but, through hard work and motivation, earn good, honest money (which requires a good amount of intelligence) and spend it well; people who absorb what they can from the world around them and are able to engage in intellectual banter; people who just seem to know a lot about everything. Some of my closest friends are the most intelligent people I know personally. Intelligence is a value of our culture today and rightly so - we need to develop, and ourselves become, people who desire to learn and gain accurate knowledge, reasoning, and facts about the world and whatever else interests us. There's nothing wrong with being smart and striving to become more intelligent. Personally, I'd rather be smart (and perceived as so) than stupid. I think we all would.
But,
It is quite possible to be smart and yet a fool; one can be intelligent but lack wisdom. If the opposite of intelligence is stupidity, the opposite of wisdom is foolishness. Although some people may be naturally 'smart' (I envied those whom I felt fell into this category during high school and university), people are not born wise. True wisdom comes from God:
"[In Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3
Wisdom, according to the dictionary's definition, is knowledge of and insight to what is true and right coupled with acting upon such knowledge. Intelligence, on the other hand, is merely the capacity or ability for understanding. While intelligence capitalizes on one's ability to learn and understand, wisdom focuses on the true and right knowledge discerned and how that impacts how one chooses to act.
Psalm 111:10 declares that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding."
God's righteous people believe that wisdom begins with a deep and holy reverence for God. The notion of fear in this verse derives from the Hebrew word 'yir'ah' which, in this context, refers not to fear as in terror but rather to reverent fear, a deep respect for another. In other words, wisdom starts with recognizing who God is and allowing that conviction to guide one's thoughts and ways. Living by faith daily acknowledges God's supremacy in all and over all things and to put it simply, desires and seeks to put God first. When you revere someone, you naturally think of that person before yourself - how you can please that person and regard that person in the highest way possible. You listen intently to someone you deeply respect and are careful to consider your actions before doing them. What more when it is God whom we ought to revere?
I am always intrigued by the story of King Solomon, the richest and wealthiest man who has ever lived (cf. 2 Chronicles 1:12b). When Solomon became king after David, God appeared to him one night and told him to ask for whatever he wanted God to give him. Surprisingly enough, Solomon asked for wisdom:
"Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to givern this great people of yours?" 2 Chronicles 1:10
Solomon recognized that God made him king and that only God knew how to rightly govern and lead his people. So, in humility, he asked for God's wisdom to fulfill the task he had been given. God granted his request AND more (he gave him wisdom, wealth, riches, and honor too). What a blessing! Solomon could have asked for wealth or riches or long life, which I'm sure he desired. But he asks for what he knows he needs and what he knows is infinitely more valuable than possessions and status combined: wisdom. Solomon was no fool.
We all need wisdom to live a life of faith daily, to be able to discern what is right and true, to make good, God-honoring, God-revering choices and to act in accordance with God's Word. James exhorts us to "ask God [for wisdom if you lack it for he] gives generously to all without finding fault" (James 1:5). Wisdom comes from God and he gives it freely to those who ask. The question is: Do we ask? Or do we presume to have it already? Have we realized the need for wisdom in order to live a life of faith?
Friend, intelligence is valuable but so easily boasted of. Wisdom, on the otherhand, is indispensible and a virtue that only God can give. God's righteous ones recognize the difference between knowledge and wisdom and, by faith, seek God's wisdom primarily by studying His Word and living by it. Anything less is folly.
"Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:33-36
We are surrounded by intelligent people: people who have years of education and have ultimately become (or are becoming) experts on some issue, topic, or skill; people who may not have as much education as others but, through hard work and motivation, earn good, honest money (which requires a good amount of intelligence) and spend it well; people who absorb what they can from the world around them and are able to engage in intellectual banter; people who just seem to know a lot about everything. Some of my closest friends are the most intelligent people I know personally. Intelligence is a value of our culture today and rightly so - we need to develop, and ourselves become, people who desire to learn and gain accurate knowledge, reasoning, and facts about the world and whatever else interests us. There's nothing wrong with being smart and striving to become more intelligent. Personally, I'd rather be smart (and perceived as so) than stupid. I think we all would.
But,
It is quite possible to be smart and yet a fool; one can be intelligent but lack wisdom. If the opposite of intelligence is stupidity, the opposite of wisdom is foolishness. Although some people may be naturally 'smart' (I envied those whom I felt fell into this category during high school and university), people are not born wise. True wisdom comes from God:
"[In Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:3
Wisdom, according to the dictionary's definition, is knowledge of and insight to what is true and right coupled with acting upon such knowledge. Intelligence, on the other hand, is merely the capacity or ability for understanding. While intelligence capitalizes on one's ability to learn and understand, wisdom focuses on the true and right knowledge discerned and how that impacts how one chooses to act.
Psalm 111:10 declares that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding."
God's righteous people believe that wisdom begins with a deep and holy reverence for God. The notion of fear in this verse derives from the Hebrew word 'yir'ah' which, in this context, refers not to fear as in terror but rather to reverent fear, a deep respect for another. In other words, wisdom starts with recognizing who God is and allowing that conviction to guide one's thoughts and ways. Living by faith daily acknowledges God's supremacy in all and over all things and to put it simply, desires and seeks to put God first. When you revere someone, you naturally think of that person before yourself - how you can please that person and regard that person in the highest way possible. You listen intently to someone you deeply respect and are careful to consider your actions before doing them. What more when it is God whom we ought to revere?
I am always intrigued by the story of King Solomon, the richest and wealthiest man who has ever lived (cf. 2 Chronicles 1:12b). When Solomon became king after David, God appeared to him one night and told him to ask for whatever he wanted God to give him. Surprisingly enough, Solomon asked for wisdom:
"Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to givern this great people of yours?" 2 Chronicles 1:10
Solomon recognized that God made him king and that only God knew how to rightly govern and lead his people. So, in humility, he asked for God's wisdom to fulfill the task he had been given. God granted his request AND more (he gave him wisdom, wealth, riches, and honor too). What a blessing! Solomon could have asked for wealth or riches or long life, which I'm sure he desired. But he asks for what he knows he needs and what he knows is infinitely more valuable than possessions and status combined: wisdom. Solomon was no fool.
We all need wisdom to live a life of faith daily, to be able to discern what is right and true, to make good, God-honoring, God-revering choices and to act in accordance with God's Word. James exhorts us to "ask God [for wisdom if you lack it for he] gives generously to all without finding fault" (James 1:5). Wisdom comes from God and he gives it freely to those who ask. The question is: Do we ask? Or do we presume to have it already? Have we realized the need for wisdom in order to live a life of faith?
Friend, intelligence is valuable but so easily boasted of. Wisdom, on the otherhand, is indispensible and a virtue that only God can give. God's righteous ones recognize the difference between knowledge and wisdom and, by faith, seek God's wisdom primarily by studying His Word and living by it. Anything less is folly.
"Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." Romans 11:33-36
7.13.2011
24 hours
That's how long my shift as a mom, or more accurately 'caregiver', is every day. Sometimes I don't even know what time it is any more and I walk around permanently wired from running on 6 hours of interrupted sleep every night. Today was a rough day. Mischa started refusing to drink from a bottle at 2 months and since then I've tried (although not every day) to give her a bottle a day (sometimes twice a day) to help her re-learn what somehow slipped past her memory. Although from what I also hear, babies develop a preference at some point and clearly she decided she would not take anything artificial to get her meals. So that combined with introducing a new sleep-time technique to get her to fall asleep on her own without me having to rock or sway her to sleep made for an exhausting day. In the end, she took one bottle out of the three that I gave during feed times (after an hour of trying EACH time) and before bed tonight cried hysterically every time I tried to put her down awake but drowsy. She's asleep now, thankfully, after much "shhhhhh"-ing and patting. I'm beat.
This job has its work cut out for it!
This job has its work cut out for it!
7.12.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
Anecdote No. 2: The Life of Faith is Living in Pursuit
Living by faith is anything but passive; it's active! We've already established in the first anecdote that it's the Holy Spirit who enables the righteous to live by faith; it is impossible otherwise. It has also been made clear that the Holy Spirit dwells within God's righteous people and is reflected in one's active pursuit of a life of faith (Galatians 5 gives a glimpse of what life by the Spirit looks like). I like the word "pursuit" because it connotes a sense of urgency and persistence, passion and desire. Living by faith requires mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dedication to pursue righteousness and holiness. God's righteous people understand by faith that salvation is more than just life in eternity; it is life today - life in all its God-intended fullness. And abundant life while living on earth does not happen by chance or in good intentions; it happens as God's people actively pursue Him before and above all things. The Apostle Paul portrays this attitude when he writes in Philippians 3:12-16:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...All of us who are mature should take such a view of things...Only let us live up to what we have already obtained."
Interestingly enough, he refers to those who consider themselves to be mature in the faith as having this drive to "press on" towards - to pursue - the goal that God has called us to claim: namely, knowing Christ and consequently being transformed and changed to reflect true righteousness and holiness. Maturity is not measured by the depth of one's knowledge or the impact of one's influence but rather by the active, unwavering, passionate pursuit of God.
The notion of pursuit continues in 1 Timothy 6:11 when Paul exhorts Timothy to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
The bold, active words highlighted above imply that living by faith requires work! It's a fight against our sinful nature and against the enemy of God. It's a continual act of the will to: seek God each day and worship Him, daily read and value the truth of His word, talk about Him with others, pray without ceasing, resist temptation, humble oneself, love others, confess your sins, avoid legalism, trust in the Lord, endure hardship and suffering, exercise kindness and generosity, speak truthfully, overcome laziness, yield to the Holy Spirit who enables you to live by faith.
Friend, living by faith is active and requires daily pursuit of the things of God over the things of the world and the desires of the flesh which will always be in contrast to the desires of the Spirit. This pursuit is not always easy to do; dying to self is an impossible task without an unwavering yield to the Spirit who is the one who works in us to will and to act according to God's purposes. And though the Spirit gives us strength and is ultimately victorious, it is still a battle we must and will face as long as we live in this earthly body. One we must fight by faith. The truly righteous ones of God set as their goal in life the pursuit of righteousness and holiness, having been given a new self that is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17-31). This pursuit must permeate how we work, the choices we make, how we relate to our spouse and children, how we serve, what we value in life, our ambitions on earth, what we do with our money, how we view, interact, and treat others and how others see us. We proclaim it, now let's claim it and live out the truth of what we preach!
Living by faith is anything but passive; it's active! We've already established in the first anecdote that it's the Holy Spirit who enables the righteous to live by faith; it is impossible otherwise. It has also been made clear that the Holy Spirit dwells within God's righteous people and is reflected in one's active pursuit of a life of faith (Galatians 5 gives a glimpse of what life by the Spirit looks like). I like the word "pursuit" because it connotes a sense of urgency and persistence, passion and desire. Living by faith requires mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dedication to pursue righteousness and holiness. God's righteous people understand by faith that salvation is more than just life in eternity; it is life today - life in all its God-intended fullness. And abundant life while living on earth does not happen by chance or in good intentions; it happens as God's people actively pursue Him before and above all things. The Apostle Paul portrays this attitude when he writes in Philippians 3:12-16:
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...All of us who are mature should take such a view of things...Only let us live up to what we have already obtained."
Interestingly enough, he refers to those who consider themselves to be mature in the faith as having this drive to "press on" towards - to pursue - the goal that God has called us to claim: namely, knowing Christ and consequently being transformed and changed to reflect true righteousness and holiness. Maturity is not measured by the depth of one's knowledge or the impact of one's influence but rather by the active, unwavering, passionate pursuit of God.
The notion of pursuit continues in 1 Timothy 6:11 when Paul exhorts Timothy to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
The bold, active words highlighted above imply that living by faith requires work! It's a fight against our sinful nature and against the enemy of God. It's a continual act of the will to: seek God each day and worship Him, daily read and value the truth of His word, talk about Him with others, pray without ceasing, resist temptation, humble oneself, love others, confess your sins, avoid legalism, trust in the Lord, endure hardship and suffering, exercise kindness and generosity, speak truthfully, overcome laziness, yield to the Holy Spirit who enables you to live by faith.
Friend, living by faith is active and requires daily pursuit of the things of God over the things of the world and the desires of the flesh which will always be in contrast to the desires of the Spirit. This pursuit is not always easy to do; dying to self is an impossible task without an unwavering yield to the Spirit who is the one who works in us to will and to act according to God's purposes. And though the Spirit gives us strength and is ultimately victorious, it is still a battle we must and will face as long as we live in this earthly body. One we must fight by faith. The truly righteous ones of God set as their goal in life the pursuit of righteousness and holiness, having been given a new self that is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17-31). This pursuit must permeate how we work, the choices we make, how we relate to our spouse and children, how we serve, what we value in life, our ambitions on earth, what we do with our money, how we view, interact, and treat others and how others see us. We proclaim it, now let's claim it and live out the truth of what we preach!
Mischa Milestone
My baby girl is 3 months today! It's still hard to believe how fast she is growing. I think she's in a growth spurt again because she has been eating every two hours, even through the night. She laughed for the first time last week (haven't been able to make her do it again since, though), talks ALL the time, is starting to reach and grab for things, is trying very hard to roll over but she always gets one arm stuck underneath her and hasn't figured out how to move it yet, and has an infectious smile. She still needs help to hold her head up but her neck muscles are getting stronger. I love when she wakes up happy instead of crying and when we peek at her from above her crib she gives us the biggest smile.
Happy 3 months Misch bebe!
Happy 3 months Misch bebe!
7.09.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
Anecdote No. 1: The Impossible Life Made Possible
Recently, in two separate conversations with my husband and my mother-in-law, I expressed my recent ponderings about possible reasons behind why there is such an array of difference with regards to lifestyle, speech, relationship, and attitude among Christians today. And what God must feel knowing that perhaps only a few of those who call themselves Christians are experiencing the 'fullness of joy' that is in His presence, as any human can while living on this earth. This begs the question: Are these Christians truly righteous? The spectrum of the Christian 'experience' of God is far and wide. If I were to walk into my church and ask every single person present to describe their salvation experience (their day to day journey with Christ having received salvation by grace through faith), I would more than likely get a variety of responses: from excitement to boredom to complacency to guilt to indifference to "mind your own business!" Why is that? Why is there such a significant divide among the righteous? How can one Christian brother or sister eagerly walk in the light of His Word and another not equally desire it, love it, grow in it? Why does it seem, in my opinion, that among many so-called Christians life has not changed much over the days, the weeks, the years?
In my opinion, the answer to these questions lies in one's understanding of, acceptance, and surrender to the Holy Spirit. Without the presence and dwelling of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to live by faith or even to understand what living by faith means. Furthermore, without daily surrender and yielding to the Holy Spirit, living by faith cannot and will not take place. The truly righteous possess the Holy Spirit of God who thus enables them to live by faith, abiding in Christ and in God's Word.
Jesus reveals this sentiment in John 14 when he tells the disciples about the Holy Spirit whom God the Father will give to them to live in them and be with them when he departs. He goes on to declare that those who have his commands and obey them are the ones who truly love Him. In the same token, those who do not love him will not obey his teachings. Ultimately, true Christianity is characterized by a life of faith made possible through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Often when Scripture is discussed in sermons, on the radio, during our devotions, we find it challenging and even difficult to merge our theology with our day to day reality. Perhaps we feel convicted for a time, but then we dispassionately reject or diminish the idea of change unaware that we are actually rejecting God's desire to work in our lives, ultimately grieving the Holy Spirit. For many, our "Christian life" remains on the whole separate from the rest of our life and we end up never really growing, never really experiencing the full life on earth that Jesus says is the reason for his coming (John 10:10). Can we truly call ourselves Christians if, by the measure of His Word, we don't listen to his voice (John 10:27), we don't abide in Him (John 14-15), we lust after the pleasures of the flesh (Galations 5:16-24), and our attitude towards others is void of love (1 John 4)? Can we call ourselves Christians if our lives are devoid of anything truly Christ-like? There must be some distinction between God's holy people and those who do not yet belong to Him. I believe that distinction is the Holy Spirit and his presence revealed in a life lived by faith.
Friend, if God's salvation has been made clear to you and you have received it by faith with an open heart, receive too by faith the knowledge that God's very presence, the Holy Spirit, now lives in you and it is his desire and will to enable you to experience Life as God intended and as Jesus has made accessible to you. Then and only then can you live day after day by faith and in doing so reflect true righteousness and holiness.
Recently, in two separate conversations with my husband and my mother-in-law, I expressed my recent ponderings about possible reasons behind why there is such an array of difference with regards to lifestyle, speech, relationship, and attitude among Christians today. And what God must feel knowing that perhaps only a few of those who call themselves Christians are experiencing the 'fullness of joy' that is in His presence, as any human can while living on this earth. This begs the question: Are these Christians truly righteous? The spectrum of the Christian 'experience' of God is far and wide. If I were to walk into my church and ask every single person present to describe their salvation experience (their day to day journey with Christ having received salvation by grace through faith), I would more than likely get a variety of responses: from excitement to boredom to complacency to guilt to indifference to "mind your own business!" Why is that? Why is there such a significant divide among the righteous? How can one Christian brother or sister eagerly walk in the light of His Word and another not equally desire it, love it, grow in it? Why does it seem, in my opinion, that among many so-called Christians life has not changed much over the days, the weeks, the years?
In my opinion, the answer to these questions lies in one's understanding of, acceptance, and surrender to the Holy Spirit. Without the presence and dwelling of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to live by faith or even to understand what living by faith means. Furthermore, without daily surrender and yielding to the Holy Spirit, living by faith cannot and will not take place. The truly righteous possess the Holy Spirit of God who thus enables them to live by faith, abiding in Christ and in God's Word.
Jesus reveals this sentiment in John 14 when he tells the disciples about the Holy Spirit whom God the Father will give to them to live in them and be with them when he departs. He goes on to declare that those who have his commands and obey them are the ones who truly love Him. In the same token, those who do not love him will not obey his teachings. Ultimately, true Christianity is characterized by a life of faith made possible through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Often when Scripture is discussed in sermons, on the radio, during our devotions, we find it challenging and even difficult to merge our theology with our day to day reality. Perhaps we feel convicted for a time, but then we dispassionately reject or diminish the idea of change unaware that we are actually rejecting God's desire to work in our lives, ultimately grieving the Holy Spirit. For many, our "Christian life" remains on the whole separate from the rest of our life and we end up never really growing, never really experiencing the full life on earth that Jesus says is the reason for his coming (John 10:10). Can we truly call ourselves Christians if, by the measure of His Word, we don't listen to his voice (John 10:27), we don't abide in Him (John 14-15), we lust after the pleasures of the flesh (Galations 5:16-24), and our attitude towards others is void of love (1 John 4)? Can we call ourselves Christians if our lives are devoid of anything truly Christ-like? There must be some distinction between God's holy people and those who do not yet belong to Him. I believe that distinction is the Holy Spirit and his presence revealed in a life lived by faith.
Friend, if God's salvation has been made clear to you and you have received it by faith with an open heart, receive too by faith the knowledge that God's very presence, the Holy Spirit, now lives in you and it is his desire and will to enable you to experience Life as God intended and as Jesus has made accessible to you. Then and only then can you live day after day by faith and in doing so reflect true righteousness and holiness.
7.08.2011
Blog Series: The Faith-filled Life of the Righteous
BLOG SERIES INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
In Romans 1:16-17 the Apostle Paul writes:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Inspired by this verse, life's events thus far, and the daily struggles that I experience, I've decided to devote a blog series to understanding and discussing what 'living by faith' looks like; essentially, what should, I believe, characterize the Christian's inner self and consequently, outer reflection. The great thing about what lies ahead for both of us, is that I have so much to learn, too. I won't always write from experience but from what I understand from God's Word, which is also slowly changing me from the inside as I consciously yield to God's Spirit who is at work in me. What I desire and will endeavor to do is to make clear to myself and to those who end up reading my thoughts that it is action and conscious expressions of the will that denote true belief in Christ, God's salvation, and declarations that Jesus is the author of life and my Lord and God. After all, how we live reveals what we believe and the kind of heart we have.
With all that said,
Are you truly righteous? Who are the true righteous ones of God? What does it mean to be righteous?
Dictionary.com defines "righteous" as: 1) Morally right or justifiable, virtuous, 2)perfectly wonderful, fine and genuine
Ultimately, God sets the standard for righteous being and living. He is righteousness defined. It is through Jesus that we have been made morally right in the eyes of God (righteous being), and still through Jesus that we are able to live by faith (righteous living).
1 John 2:29 says "If you know He is righteous, you know that everyone who also practices righteousness is born of him." (NET)
So it comes down to this: Those who practice righteousness (live by faith) are those who have accepted and trusted in the righteousness of Christ. Just as Jesus himself alluded that those who are his listen to him and follow him (John 10:27). Conversely, those who do not listen to and follow him are not really his. True Christianity seeks to imitate Christ, living day by day through His Holy Spirit.
In this blog series I hope to capture some of what living by faith looks like. As I journey with Christ and learn to walk in His ways, I pray you will be encouraged to do the same in yours.
In Romans 1:16-17 the Apostle Paul writes:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Inspired by this verse, life's events thus far, and the daily struggles that I experience, I've decided to devote a blog series to understanding and discussing what 'living by faith' looks like; essentially, what should, I believe, characterize the Christian's inner self and consequently, outer reflection. The great thing about what lies ahead for both of us, is that I have so much to learn, too. I won't always write from experience but from what I understand from God's Word, which is also slowly changing me from the inside as I consciously yield to God's Spirit who is at work in me. What I desire and will endeavor to do is to make clear to myself and to those who end up reading my thoughts that it is action and conscious expressions of the will that denote true belief in Christ, God's salvation, and declarations that Jesus is the author of life and my Lord and God. After all, how we live reveals what we believe and the kind of heart we have.
With all that said,
Are you truly righteous? Who are the true righteous ones of God? What does it mean to be righteous?
Dictionary.com defines "righteous" as: 1) Morally right or justifiable, virtuous, 2)perfectly wonderful, fine and genuine
Ultimately, God sets the standard for righteous being and living. He is righteousness defined. It is through Jesus that we have been made morally right in the eyes of God (righteous being), and still through Jesus that we are able to live by faith (righteous living).
1 John 2:29 says "If you know He is righteous, you know that everyone who also practices righteousness is born of him." (NET)
So it comes down to this: Those who practice righteousness (live by faith) are those who have accepted and trusted in the righteousness of Christ. Just as Jesus himself alluded that those who are his listen to him and follow him (John 10:27). Conversely, those who do not listen to and follow him are not really his. True Christianity seeks to imitate Christ, living day by day through His Holy Spirit.
In this blog series I hope to capture some of what living by faith looks like. As I journey with Christ and learn to walk in His ways, I pray you will be encouraged to do the same in yours.
Five years ago today...
I married my best friend. Today, although we have experienced our share of hardship and quarrels, challenges and joys (what's a marriage without them?), I can say in all honesty that it doesn't feel like five years (more like twenty! haha just kidding). What I mean to say is that since marrying Dale, life has not dragged on cumbersomely, boringly, or dispassionately as the years have added to our journey as a married couple. Yes, as in any marriage there are the down times, the lack of communication times, the both stupid and valid quarrel times, the disagreements, the annoyance, the tears. But in and through these times there has been the love, the laughter, and the mystery of our budding and continually growing romance. We often joke (sometimes seriously) about how different we are, and yet how God planned our lives to intertwine.
I am thankful for the last five years. My pride has been broken time and again and I am continually learning what it means to love as Jesus loves us, and to be a wife who honors and respects her man. It's a humbling process but one that I am glad to take part in with the man God designed to be my partner in life.
"Til' death do us part."
I am thankful for the last five years. My pride has been broken time and again and I am continually learning what it means to love as Jesus loves us, and to be a wife who honors and respects her man. It's a humbling process but one that I am glad to take part in with the man God designed to be my partner in life.
"Til' death do us part."
6.12.2011
2 Months Ago...
My baby girl was born - she's growing so fast! There are so many things I am learning about her and loving about her as we spend the days together. She smiles so much now, coos and tries to engage in baby talk with Dale and I, and is becoming more aware of her surroundings, voices, and faces. This journey of motherhood has definitely taken a turn since the beginning and I can honestly say I am loving it! I say "honestly" because, as you would have read from my previous post on how much life has changed, I honestly didn't love it in the beginning. And by beginning I mean the first few weeks. Although I anticipated change, I didn't expect the overwhelm of emotions (mostly frustration, anxiety, and sadness) and that coupled with a difficult recovery (I didn't fully physically heal until 4ish weeks) didn't lead to love. There were times early on where I felt like Mischa didn't like me. Probably because I didn't know how to console her when she was crying, or to fully meet her needs, or even what she needed when she was crying. But thankfully that has changed, as I knew it would eventually. It's true what they say - it gets better! I can only imagine how much better it's going to get from here.
Mischa Milestone
Recipe for Naptime
1) Adele's "Daydreamer" on the ipod
2) White Noise Giraffe
3) Swaddled
4) Bouncy ball
Mischa's becoming really good at going down for naps during the day (when she doesn't get overtired). I'm so proud of her (and me!). I let Dale in on the routine I've been following for the last 2 weeks and today when he put her down for her nap, right when she entered the room and heard the music, she knew right away what time it was. Unfortunately, he forgot to check her diaper and a few minutes after he left the room we heard a little whine. After a quick change, reswaddle, and a little cuddle time she was good to go.
1) Adele's "Daydreamer" on the ipod
2) White Noise Giraffe
3) Swaddled
4) Bouncy ball
Mischa's becoming really good at going down for naps during the day (when she doesn't get overtired). I'm so proud of her (and me!). I let Dale in on the routine I've been following for the last 2 weeks and today when he put her down for her nap, right when she entered the room and heard the music, she knew right away what time it was. Unfortunately, he forgot to check her diaper and a few minutes after he left the room we heard a little whine. After a quick change, reswaddle, and a little cuddle time she was good to go.
5.22.2011
Baby Bits turned Mischa Milestones
Mischa is going to be 6 weeks old on Tuesday. I've read that a growth spurt is coming up; I can just imagine what that entails (feeding every 2 hours or less, sleeping...more? or less? She currently spends the days awake more than asleep). She already reached some milestones in the past 6 weeks: smiling! lifting and turning her head during tummy time, fattening up! And last night she gave Dale and I a treat and slept for almost 4.5 hours. Now that is a major milestone! I hope more long stretches of sleeping is part of this upcoming growth spurt.
5.21.2011
Life is not what it was...
April 12, 2011 is a day to remember. Mischa Elle was born at 7:30pm after 16.5 hours of labour including 2 hours of pushing out her little 7 lb, 4 oz body. That ordeal coupled with zero pain relief is, I must admit, the achievement of my life so far. My biggest fear, whence I could wrap my mind around child-bearing, was the thought and experience of giving birth. I literally thought I would die on the delivery table. Seriously. I mean, have you seen a birthing video? How is that possible? I am still in disbelief at what my body was able to do.
Side note: Her name, Mischa Elle, is taken from the Hebrew nameMishael which means Who is like God?. Hence, Tim Neufeld's song below will be the first song I hope she learns to sing!
That was 5 weeks and 4 days ago. Since that day, life has not been the same and I know it never will. I write those words with both joy and sadness, anticipation and nostalgia.
The feelings of joy and anticipation are pretty self-explanatory. If you've ever had a child of your own, then you can relate. There's nothing comparable to cuddling and staring at my own flesh and blood, knowing that she grew inside me for nine months and is the perfect combination of Dale and I. That fact is still surreal to me in many ways. She brings me joy and gives me an overhwhelming desire to love her self-lessly (which is really the only way to love a child). The feeling of anticipation characterizes both each day that passes and the thought of how much she will grow in the next year and in the years to come. Every day brings a new opportunity to discover and witness her development. Just last week she started to coo and make the most adorable sounds. I'm also pretty convinced she can look me in the eye now. She always seems to make eye contact with me when I'm nursing (it's the cutest thing! As if she's saying, "Thanks for the milk, mommy.") I love being her mother and knowing that I have been given the privilege of providing for her needs and helping her grow.
The sadness and nostalgia stem from the memory of my independent life. Gone are the days of sleeping straight and sleeping in, going out with ease without having concern for time, spontaniety, and all the rest. I did not expect to feel such a loss, but I do right now. I know that as she grows, I will become more confident in how I can help her adapt to our schedule (and create a family "life") but in the mean time I find myself longing for days gone by. I was glad to find an online forum of new moms who felt and feel exactly as I do. A part of me feels guilty for not absolutely loving motherhood since having Mischa. Don't get me wrong, I love her to bits but easing into the role of a full time caregiver (which is really what I am at this stage of her life) has been a huge adjustment that I'm still getting used to. It does, as everyone who has been where I am says, get easier. I can attest to that even in the short while that I've been a mom. Essentially, I was thrilled and relieved to chance upon this forum and to hear from other new moms who with me, defy the notion that there is something seriously wrong with moms who don't absolutely love their new role. We are the norm, not the exception.
Yes, life is not what it was a few weeks ago. But, it's all a part of my story - and God's a perfect writer.
Side note: Her name, Mischa Elle, is taken from the Hebrew nameMishael which means Who is like God?. Hence, Tim Neufeld's song below will be the first song I hope she learns to sing!
That was 5 weeks and 4 days ago. Since that day, life has not been the same and I know it never will. I write those words with both joy and sadness, anticipation and nostalgia.
The feelings of joy and anticipation are pretty self-explanatory. If you've ever had a child of your own, then you can relate. There's nothing comparable to cuddling and staring at my own flesh and blood, knowing that she grew inside me for nine months and is the perfect combination of Dale and I. That fact is still surreal to me in many ways. She brings me joy and gives me an overhwhelming desire to love her self-lessly (which is really the only way to love a child). The feeling of anticipation characterizes both each day that passes and the thought of how much she will grow in the next year and in the years to come. Every day brings a new opportunity to discover and witness her development. Just last week she started to coo and make the most adorable sounds. I'm also pretty convinced she can look me in the eye now. She always seems to make eye contact with me when I'm nursing (it's the cutest thing! As if she's saying, "Thanks for the milk, mommy.") I love being her mother and knowing that I have been given the privilege of providing for her needs and helping her grow.
The sadness and nostalgia stem from the memory of my independent life. Gone are the days of sleeping straight and sleeping in, going out with ease without having concern for time, spontaniety, and all the rest. I did not expect to feel such a loss, but I do right now. I know that as she grows, I will become more confident in how I can help her adapt to our schedule (and create a family "life") but in the mean time I find myself longing for days gone by. I was glad to find an online forum of new moms who felt and feel exactly as I do. A part of me feels guilty for not absolutely loving motherhood since having Mischa. Don't get me wrong, I love her to bits but easing into the role of a full time caregiver (which is really what I am at this stage of her life) has been a huge adjustment that I'm still getting used to. It does, as everyone who has been where I am says, get easier. I can attest to that even in the short while that I've been a mom. Essentially, I was thrilled and relieved to chance upon this forum and to hear from other new moms who with me, defy the notion that there is something seriously wrong with moms who don't absolutely love their new role. We are the norm, not the exception.
Yes, life is not what it was a few weeks ago. But, it's all a part of my story - and God's a perfect writer.
4.11.2011
Who is like God?
The Lord is my strength & my song
He has become my salvation
He is my God and I will praise Him
I will lift Him up
Who is like You, majestic in holiness
Awesome in glory, working wonders
Who is like You, majestic in holiness
Awesome in glory, working wonders
In Your unfailing love
You will lead the people that You redeem
And in Your strength, You will guide them
To Your holy place
Who among the gods is like You?
Who in all the heavens?
Who among the gods is like You?
-- Tim Neufeld (Starfield)
This is going to be the first song I am going to teach our daughter to sing.
He has become my salvation
He is my God and I will praise Him
I will lift Him up
Who is like You, majestic in holiness
Awesome in glory, working wonders
Who is like You, majestic in holiness
Awesome in glory, working wonders
In Your unfailing love
You will lead the people that You redeem
And in Your strength, You will guide them
To Your holy place
Who among the gods is like You?
Who in all the heavens?
Who among the gods is like You?
-- Tim Neufeld (Starfield)
This is going to be the first song I am going to teach our daughter to sing.
3.28.2011
Words of Wisdom
Ephesians 1:15-23 has always been one of my favorite passages in the Bible. John Piper is one of my favorite theologians and preachers. If you have time, watch the sermon link I've posted below. It will leave you challenged to consider and do something different and believe something more than what you think you know about the immeasurable greatness of God's power towards us (what does that even mean?!?!). As John Piper says, these things are too spectacular for any human mind to grasp. It's the Holy Spirit who alone can enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we may know him.
The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us
Enjoy and may you know more clearly the power that is at work in you!
The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power Toward Us
Enjoy and may you know more clearly the power that is at work in you!
My heart's desire this morning...
Fill my cup Lord,
I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
3.27.2011
Wow, it's been a while. Sorry, faithful readers (all...none of you, hah). Life is catching up with me. The past couple of months have just flown by as the anticipation of the arrival of our daughter has taken precedence over much of my emotions and time (shopping, cleaning, preparing her room). To say the least, we are excited. I'm in the homestretch (2 weeks until her due date) and just waiting to go into labour any time now. Although, I haven't taken my mat leave just yet. I have a feeling that she's going to stay tucked in my uterus until the bitter end.Aside from waiting for the baby to make her appearance, I've been uninspired and in a dry spell. Not sure why, though. I have some idea but it doesn't quite suffice for me. There's always a deeper issue to be prodded. I think I've just been complacent in my internal prodding and have settled for accepting this dry spell as it is.
On a brighter note, it's spring break tomorrow! I'm not sure what to do with myself but walking lots is definitely on my list ;)
1.20.2011
Baby Bits
I thought I'd be able to get an extra hour of sleep this morning, but no. This little one already knows how to keep her momma up! I complain now of lack of sleep and physical uncomfortability; I can only imagine how worse it's still going to get.
But I know it's all worth it.
But I know it's all worth it.
1.19.2011
Ode to Insecurity (and I digress)
Insecurity, my long time foe:
It's been a while since that time I said no
to you. I've kept my distance and closed my thoughts
but now, vulnerable, I've unabashedly let you wrought
your need for control, your sly demeanor
your waste of time, and your 'compare yourself' endeavors
to render me stricken with stupid and ridiculous thoughts
like "What if," "How come," "It's not fair" dot, dot, dot.
You really are a waste of time
yet you know when to show up and how long to linger until I whine
that life's not fair and it sucks to be me;
I'm sinking again in a whirlpool of doubt and it's hard to see
that faith is the answer that dispels you, insecurity.
I know this as a fact, I've experienced what it's like to be free;
but I'm struggling again to fight for this reality.
God, help me - please - to remember that in you
I am secure, have peace, am loved, and am being made new.
It's been a while since that time I said no
to you. I've kept my distance and closed my thoughts
but now, vulnerable, I've unabashedly let you wrought
your need for control, your sly demeanor
your waste of time, and your 'compare yourself' endeavors
to render me stricken with stupid and ridiculous thoughts
like "What if," "How come," "It's not fair" dot, dot, dot.
You really are a waste of time
yet you know when to show up and how long to linger until I whine
that life's not fair and it sucks to be me;
I'm sinking again in a whirlpool of doubt and it's hard to see
that faith is the answer that dispels you, insecurity.
I know this as a fact, I've experienced what it's like to be free;
but I'm struggling again to fight for this reality.
God, help me - please - to remember that in you
I am secure, have peace, am loved, and am being made new.
Rants in my Pants
I've had a draining week, for a number of reasons. The first being that I'm pregnant. Not that I can blame being drained on the pregnancy, but I'm sure it's part of it. If I wasn't pregnant I probably wouldn't be as tired or as annoyed at students (those who honestly merit annoyance), and feel like I want to start my mat leave three months early. My students (but really there is only a handful of them) have been driving me crazy. I consider myself a pretty patient and good-natured teacher most, if not all, of the time. In my short career so far, I haven't had to deal with extreme behavioral or disciplinary issues because I usually find a way to build a good rapport with students - even the 'bad' ones - but having to put up with whiny twelve-year olds who do one or all of the following (sometimes at the same time), can make a person mad (as in the emotion and the mental state): act like they are two-years-old, complain when they can't find their pencil, whine (yes, just whine), cut paper, take apart pens and blow on the open hole, constantly exhibit eccentric behavior like clicking the roof of their mouths, 'explode' their binders, ask non-sensical, irrelevant questions or hypothetical question after hypothetical question, throw a pen across the room while I'm reading aloud to the class. These are some of the things I've had to deal with this week alone.
I hate kicking students out of my room and I try to avoid it as much as possible; but lately, it's becoming an every day routine. Is it my heightened impatience-as-a-result-of-pregnancy with those brats? Or have I actually reached my breaking point and age-limit I can and will teach?
I think it's both. I've often said seventh grade is the youngest I'll teach. Maybe it's a bit too young for me. Oh, how I miss the long forgotten maturity of teenagers!
The second reason why I've had a draining week so far is because I haven't been spending much needed time with the Lord. My days have been busy and I've opted to sleep early, watch TV, or *ahem* blog rather than find rest in solitude, prayer, and scripture. I know it and I know that is a huge factor in my lack of patience, lack of energy, and lack of motivation right now. I can't blame it all on being pregnant.
Thankfully, I've taken the day off tomorrow to attend to medical appointments and such. The ironic thing is, I hate taking days off (however entitled I am and even when I'm sick) because I worry about my kids not getting anything done with a substitute. How crazy am I?
I hate kicking students out of my room and I try to avoid it as much as possible; but lately, it's becoming an every day routine. Is it my heightened impatience-as-a-result-of-pregnancy with those brats? Or have I actually reached my breaking point and age-limit I can and will teach?
I think it's both. I've often said seventh grade is the youngest I'll teach. Maybe it's a bit too young for me. Oh, how I miss the long forgotten maturity of teenagers!
The second reason why I've had a draining week so far is because I haven't been spending much needed time with the Lord. My days have been busy and I've opted to sleep early, watch TV, or *ahem* blog rather than find rest in solitude, prayer, and scripture. I know it and I know that is a huge factor in my lack of patience, lack of energy, and lack of motivation right now. I can't blame it all on being pregnant.
Thankfully, I've taken the day off tomorrow to attend to medical appointments and such. The ironic thing is, I hate taking days off (however entitled I am and even when I'm sick) because I worry about my kids not getting anything done with a substitute. How crazy am I?
1.10.2011
Wonder Worker
That's God.
You just never know what He is doing behind-the-scenes, and when He'll reveal those wonders. His timing is always perfect.
Until then - believe, trust, pray, act, repeat.
You just never know what He is doing behind-the-scenes, and when He'll reveal those wonders. His timing is always perfect.
Until then - believe, trust, pray, act, repeat.
1.05.2011
It's all relational.
Today after work I had "coffee" (a smoothie) with a friend and was reminded of the importance and necessity of friendship and encouragement, conversations and growing. Which requires another to happen. I've always been an introvert to some extent, scoring high on the "deep thinker" category of personality tests and preferring time alone (surprised?) over time in a crowd, even a crowd of friends (I'm a closet loner ;p). But I'm learning that although I have my personal preferences and personality traits, imitating Christ and being conformed into Christlikeness involves and demands a stretch of (or out of) the intently personal side of ourselves. Something that only God is able to do in me.
One of my personal desires and commitments this year (and every year but particularly this year since who knows how long we have to live) is to experience personal and spiritual growth. On the physical (and I guess mental) front that is inevitable (I'm going to be a Mom soon! - God willing); growth in the spiritual aspect, however, doesn't happen without intention, discipline, and a surrender to the molding of the Holy Spirit, even if that requires rebuke, being vulnerable, being corrected, or getting my 'pride' hurt. And although we can never underestimate the power and work of the Holy Spirit to reveal much of our weaknesses, shortcomings, and faults to us directly and primarily through the Word, we can't deny that He also uses people to "sharpen" us - "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." But again, this doesn't happen without the right heart to receive it or the humility to ask for it.
I listened to a wonderful online sermon on wisdom by Joshua Harris a couple of weeks ago that has left an impression on my heart. Click on the link below to be re-directed to the site. Enjoy and be changed for His glory and our joy.
An Indicator to Whether You Are Wise or Foolish: "An Indicator to Whether You Are Wise or Foolish from the Desiring God blog."
One of my personal desires and commitments this year (and every year but particularly this year since who knows how long we have to live) is to experience personal and spiritual growth. On the physical (and I guess mental) front that is inevitable (I'm going to be a Mom soon! - God willing); growth in the spiritual aspect, however, doesn't happen without intention, discipline, and a surrender to the molding of the Holy Spirit, even if that requires rebuke, being vulnerable, being corrected, or getting my 'pride' hurt. And although we can never underestimate the power and work of the Holy Spirit to reveal much of our weaknesses, shortcomings, and faults to us directly and primarily through the Word, we can't deny that He also uses people to "sharpen" us - "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." But again, this doesn't happen without the right heart to receive it or the humility to ask for it.
I listened to a wonderful online sermon on wisdom by Joshua Harris a couple of weeks ago that has left an impression on my heart. Click on the link below to be re-directed to the site. Enjoy and be changed for His glory and our joy.
An Indicator to Whether You Are Wise or Foolish: "An Indicator to Whether You Are Wise or Foolish from the Desiring God blog."
1.04.2011
Baby Bits
Pray I don't (and the baby doesn't) get listeriosis from having eaten a bit of feta cheese on my gyro souvlaki this evening. Apparently, some cheeses like feta may be unpasteurized and could carry this harmful bacteria that could be fatal to a growing fetus.
I'm not worried. But I did panic for a second. Okay, a minute. Maybe two.
On a brighter note, the baby's kicking me up high near my belly button at the moment. It's the greatest feeling in being pregnant!
I'm not worried. But I did panic for a second. Okay, a minute. Maybe two.
On a brighter note, the baby's kicking me up high near my belly button at the moment. It's the greatest feeling in being pregnant!
Routine
It isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm glad to be back at work simply because I'm back to a regular routine of things, something I actually quite missed during the holidays. It's not always the most beneficial thing to "let yourself go" completely when you have a change in schedule (like when on vacation) because you may regret it later. Especially when you're pregnant, like me. I gained about 5 lbs in 9 days while in Vancouver. Seeing as it is highly impossible I will lose that weight in the next 3 months, I am determined to not gain any weight other than whatever the baby should gain in the next month or so. Here's hoping!
On the contrary, with routine comes the return of busyness which I am equally determined to avoid in the next three and a half months. And with busyness comes sin of omission and putting quality time with God on the back burner in favor of more immediate tasks (or even tasks that aren't so necessary). I'm taking one day at a time, slowing down my pace, quieting my heart (even for a moment) throughout the day just to pray, and committing myself to spending time in the Word or reading the words of those inspired by the Word before I go to bed. You should too. It will make a world of difference in the regular routine of your day.
That being said, time to get ready for bed!
On the contrary, with routine comes the return of busyness which I am equally determined to avoid in the next three and a half months. And with busyness comes sin of omission and putting quality time with God on the back burner in favor of more immediate tasks (or even tasks that aren't so necessary). I'm taking one day at a time, slowing down my pace, quieting my heart (even for a moment) throughout the day just to pray, and committing myself to spending time in the Word or reading the words of those inspired by the Word before I go to bed. You should too. It will make a world of difference in the regular routine of your day.
That being said, time to get ready for bed!
1.01.2011
Baby Bits
Today marks the beginning of the 25th week of my pregnancy (15 more to go - maybe less!). I never used to understand why my pregnant women friends always counted in weeks instead of months, but being pregnant now it totally makes sense. And if you didn't know, a women is pregnant for 10 months (not 9, unless you understand it to be 9 full months). So, for those who need clarification, I'm in my 6th month of pregnancy. Time has flown by!
Baby is moving A LOT these days – praise God! She startles me with her kicks at times that little “Oh’s!” escape through my breath. It’s a funny sensation, much like when I feel gaseous and my belly makes popping vibrations, except I can feel the kicks on the surface of my skin and today, for the first time, I saw my belly move! Dale missed it, though. He sat and started at the spot I saw her move for a good 35 seconds but didn’t catch her. Too bad for him!
Baby is moving A LOT these days – praise God! She startles me with her kicks at times that little “Oh’s!” escape through my breath. It’s a funny sensation, much like when I feel gaseous and my belly makes popping vibrations, except I can feel the kicks on the surface of my skin and today, for the first time, I saw my belly move! Dale missed it, though. He sat and started at the spot I saw her move for a good 35 seconds but didn’t catch her. Too bad for him!
It's a new year...
I quote a tweet from my favorite biblical scholar and teacher, John Piper (he is finally back on twitter after an 8 month sabbatical): "God promises new troubles (Matt. 6:34), new mercies (Lam. 3:23) and new hope (2 Cor. 4:16) for every day this year."
This morning I didn't plan to start off my day with a prayer. It's not something I usually do first thing in the morning. Don't get me wrong, I want to develop the habit but my mornings are usually quite busy and when it's not (like the past 2 weeks since I've been on holidays) I like to lay still in bed, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time. Mindlessly at times (as of recent), I check twitter. This morning, when I happened upon John Piper's tweet, I couldn't help but say aloud to myself "So true." And I immediately closed my eyes and spoke to God, acknowledging him as the God I love and serve as Lord and King, sovereign over all that happens in my life here on earth.
It's a new year and one that will indubitably be filled with promise, hope, dreams coming true (because God is always so good to us) but also one of trouble, frustration, anxiety, perhaps grief and sorrow, and pain. Let's not kid ourselves. The world isn't a happy place and unless you aren't human (or an escapist - but even then you still confront unwanted human emotions) you'll have to agree. One thing (okay, three things) I'm certain will remain unchangeable, unshakable, almighty, and loving throughout all my experiences and emotions this new year is God's presence, his power, and his peace. If we acknowledge Him in all things, I firmly believe that nothing will be able to rob us of the fullness of joy that is found in knowing that he is near at all times. Even those times when we don't feel him there.
So, cheers to a new year. May it bring each of us one step (or even more) closer to knowing ourselves and our Creator better so that we can joyfully live out the life he intends for us to live through Jesus - to the praise of His glory.
This morning I didn't plan to start off my day with a prayer. It's not something I usually do first thing in the morning. Don't get me wrong, I want to develop the habit but my mornings are usually quite busy and when it's not (like the past 2 weeks since I've been on holidays) I like to lay still in bed, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time. Mindlessly at times (as of recent), I check twitter. This morning, when I happened upon John Piper's tweet, I couldn't help but say aloud to myself "So true." And I immediately closed my eyes and spoke to God, acknowledging him as the God I love and serve as Lord and King, sovereign over all that happens in my life here on earth.
It's a new year and one that will indubitably be filled with promise, hope, dreams coming true (because God is always so good to us) but also one of trouble, frustration, anxiety, perhaps grief and sorrow, and pain. Let's not kid ourselves. The world isn't a happy place and unless you aren't human (or an escapist - but even then you still confront unwanted human emotions) you'll have to agree. One thing (okay, three things) I'm certain will remain unchangeable, unshakable, almighty, and loving throughout all my experiences and emotions this new year is God's presence, his power, and his peace. If we acknowledge Him in all things, I firmly believe that nothing will be able to rob us of the fullness of joy that is found in knowing that he is near at all times. Even those times when we don't feel him there.
So, cheers to a new year. May it bring each of us one step (or even more) closer to knowing ourselves and our Creator better so that we can joyfully live out the life he intends for us to live through Jesus - to the praise of His glory.
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