start the day right

What are some things you simply must have to start your day off right? Well, one of my necessities is brewing downstairs and the other is sitting on the end table beside me. A hot cup of tea puts the "good" in my morning, but the leather-bound book at my elbow filled with underlines and red words gives meaning to my life. But I am sometimes guilty of neglecting it. Somehow it seems easier to pour a second cup of tea than to peel open the cover of God's Word and drink it in. Really, it makes no sense because those words on holy pages would outlast the effects even a good cup of tea has on me.

But with every morning comes the opportunity to begin it right. This morning has the potential to launch a wonderful day given the right fuel. And so with a steaming mug of tea in hand, I open wide the beautiful gilded pages that history and time couldn't erase and pray my heart listens. It's going to be a good day.

Giver of Wisdom

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.—If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.—For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.—But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise . . . so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.—I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.—“No one ever spoke like this man!”—He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Prov. 2:6; Prov. 3:5; Jas. 1:5; 1 Cor. 1:25; 1 Cor. 1:27, 29; Ps. 119:130; Ps. 119:11; Luke 4:22; John 7:46; 1 Cor. 1:30 (Read full verses...)

This was my Daily Light this morning. I found it to be a great comfort and a reminder of where true wisdom is found. Hope it is a blessing to you as well.

Off-White Comparision

While unloading the dishwasher the other day, I wiped dry one of my favorite tea mugs and prepared to place it in the cabinet. I noticed behind the rows of coffee mugs, deep in the shadows of the cabinet, the glimpse of a familiar mug I had been looking for. Reaching far back into the dark space, I pulled out the lost cup. Pleased at my findings, I sat my two mugs side by side on the self as to not forget to use them both. Only then did I notice an obvious difference between them. Designed to be identical, one of the elegant white cups now looked altered. The mug I had retrieved from the dishwasher was slightly darker than the recently rescued one.

I quickly concluded that my daily black tea had quietly stained my frequented cup. I hadn't noticed the difference until I compared it with the originally intended color. "Funny how things can change without me noticing," I thought to myself. I shrugged off the matter and went on to unload the rest of the dishwasher.

It wasn't until a little later that God used the incident to remind me of a principle He had been teaching me. Someone I know had recently brought up the question, "Why do we need to study God's Word?" I thought it to be an absurd question. We are Christians ... reading the Bible is what we do. But that is no answer for a skeptic, or a Christian. Studying God's Word is like holding up the perfect, unstained coffee mug to the one we use every day. Do they compare? Are they the same color? Where and how are we stained?

God's Word is the standard, not the environment around us. Oftentimes I pardon myself by comparing my character, responses, and worldview with the people around me. "Oh, I am not as bad as them..." kind of stuff. This is why we must daily be confronted with the Word. It flatters nothing. It holds the truth about how we are to live and grow. And it shows us where we are getting stained.

Like my tea mug, becoming stained happens quietly. Every morning the color of my mug grew darker in it's complexion, but ever so slightly. If not for the rediscovery of the unsoiled mug, I wouldn't have known anything was different about my cup, or that it needed a better scrubbing. The Bible is the same way. It shows us the perfect standard. Paul compared it to "looking in a mirror," it reveals the true person.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:22-25)

Now on to the "doing" ...  and the scrubbing.

Deciding Between What We Know and What We Feel

This is such a great subject to send to the archives just yet. So I thought I would attempt to add a few more insights and verses today. This subject is close to my heart, but even closer to the reality of my daily personal struggles. And despite my biased assumption that I have mastered my emotional chaos, the facts tell a different story. How I respond, react, and plan mostly depends on what I am feeling at the time. I would like to grow more solid in my emotional life by resting and grounding myself in the truth - trusting what I know rather than what I feel.

I think this subject can get slightly confusing because emotions are so unexplainably varied. At times our emotions align with the truth, and other times they are opposite. It can get tricky. Thankfully, God's Word talks clearly on this subject by offering personal examples and solid principles. God wants us to know His heart on this.

Psalms 22 is a great illustration and provides tender help for this topic. In the following verses, David is struggling emotionally, but continues to keep a steady trust in God, letting his knowledge of God dictate his responses and commitment.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In You our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them. To You they cried and were rescued; in You they trusted and were not put to shame." (Ps. 22:1-5)

David is trusting in Truth rather than his feelings. It evidently feels like God has abandoned him. He cries day and night and yet nothing is happening, God is not answering. But David doesn't let this mere emotional destitution to cause him to forsake or distrust God. David goes back to the truth: God has not forsaken him, just as God did not forsake the people before him who trusted in the Lord. David is sincerely honest about what he is feeling, and then there is the "yet". Let this be a sample for our prayers: "God, I feel destitute and forsaken. Yet I know You are near, You are here, and You will help. I believe that."

This is called aligning our emotions with the truth.

It gets even worse for David before this Psalm ends. The people around him start to mock David's faith in the Lord and God Himself. Now two sources are pointing out God's absence: David's emotions and the outside world. This is where it gets hard. This is where faithfulness above feelings comes into painful practice.

"But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the Lord; let Him deliver him; let Him rescue him, for He delights in him!” Yet you are He who took me from the womb; You made me trust You at my mother's breasts." (Ps. 22:6-9)

It comes down to what we trust: feelings or the truth about Jesus. Life can seem to confirm God's absence, but that simply isn't true. God declares over and over again, "I am here. I am with you." (Josh. 1:9, Heb.13:5, Ps. 73:23) Our job is to trust that He is telling the truth, because... He is.  David closes with this:

"You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you offspring of Israel! For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and He has not hidden His face from him, but has heard, when he cried to Him." (Ps. 22:23-24)

The "Perfect" Quiet Time

A few days ago, Heather wrote to me asking an important and relevant question:

I was wondering if you have done a post in the past about how you do your quiet time?  I am a new Christian- just over a year since my spiritual birthday and I am at a loss for how to go about having a quiet time.  I get up early (before my little ones) and use this time to read my Bible and sometimes journal but I seem to have a hard time focussing.  Any tips?  I would love to see what a day in your quiet time looks like! Thanks so much!

Ah yes, the quiet time. Actually I have had a few people ask me if I had ever written a post on my "perfect" quiet time, and the honest fact is, I don't have a perfect quiet time. I find, personally, that remaining true to a strict, unbending schedule for devotions prevents - and at worst, snuffs - the true joy of seeking God. Every day for me is a little different. Sometimes I read the Bible first, other times I read a devotional to begin. I try to change it up for my own enjoyment and remain flexible to what I think my soul needs today.

Bible reading varies a lot with me. Like this morning, I was really grieving for some dear friends of mine, so I naturally turned to Psalms for comfort. (I find the Psalms to be most helpful when I am having complex feelings or emotional instability.) So that is all I read today; two verses in Psalms and then engaged in a lot of praying. But other days I will read through an entire book in the New Testament for deeper study. So you can see, I don't follow a rigorous quiet time formula.

I think many people are discouraged by their "roaming thoughts" while attempting to have their quiet time. I know this happens with me a lot as well. You sit down to pray and find yourself ten minutes later making a shopping list. Very discouraging! Most of the battle in having a quiet time is holding your thoughts in place. I have found a couple of helpful ideas for taming the mind's rabbit trails by either journalling my prayers or reading the Scriptures or devotional out loud. Or on occasion I will turn on some relaxing worshipful music and sing or pray with the music in the background. Prayer is a great weapon in this battle as well. Tell God what you're feeling - unfocused, sleepy, jittery - and ask for help. He is able and ready to help you stay focused on what matters. (Heb. 4:15-16)

The thing most people don't realize is that maintaining an effective quiet time takes consistent work. It doesn't just happen or come easy for the "elite Christians". Knowing God, just like knowing any other person, takes thought, effort and heart. But it is a campaign worth every minute you put into it. Paul describes knowing Jesus as a "surpassing value". I have found the same to be true. God offers the ultimate promise to us who diligently seek Christ - we shall find Him. (Matt. 7:7)

No matter how you go about seeking God - it doesn't matter the formula - the real treasure is seeking Christ. For every person it will look a little different, because Christ is intimate with uniquely created people.

I have written a post describing a few ideas on how to change up your devotions: Renovating Your Quiet Time and Bored With The Bible. You might find some of the ideas to be helpful in your lifelong journey of knowing Jesus.

Anyone else have some suggestions or insights into having productive quiet times?

Wait Quietly

"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
"Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in His anger shut up His compassion?"
"I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from Your sight." But You heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to You for help."
"Will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily."
"Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you."
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
"You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and you will see the salvation of the Lord."
"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
"See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains."

Lam. 3:26, Ps. 77:9, Ps. 32:22, Luke 18:7, 8, Prov. 20:22, Ps. 37:7, 2 Chron. 20:17, Gal. 6:9, Jas. 5:7

This was in my Daily Light yesterday morning. I thought it was too good not to share with everyone. These verses can speak to people in many seasons of life, and I hope God gives you hope and guidance in whatever place you are through His living and restoring Word.

When the tears stop

Life can have a hardening effect on me at times. Things that once moved my heart or even created a tear become callous expected moments that I can thoughtlessly handle. No surprises. No weakness. No problems. Call me capable. While on the outside I may appear to handle life gracefully, inside my heart grows dead, breaking into infertile pieces of dry crust. And the Spirit struggles to penetrate.

I can always tell when I slip into this rut. The symptoms are familiar. My compassion wearies, I smother my emotions, and I stop crying out (desperate dependence) to God. The last reason is the most detrimental, because the reverse is one of the remedies to this soul-deadening syndrome.

Living life in this withered valley slowly suffocates the abundant life Christ died to give us. Our inner lives which God created to flourish and glorify are the target of this disease. And I have seen this battlefield in more hearts than my own. Is there help? What can we do to cure our dead hearts? The advice I give is tested and found to be true. We must first cry out to the Living God - the great Heart Healer - to save us from this destruction.

Like I said earlier, one of the effects of a hardened heart is silence before God. We just don't say anything to God. Life rolls on as normal and our quiet times continue but with little results, and a sad heart.

One must consider the "roots" of this problem to find the solution. If the remedy is to cry out for mercy and help, then the problem begins when we stop crying out. I read something this morning that brought all these thoughts around full circle:

"For I am a jealous God, saith Jehovah, and I will not share My glory with another. Yea, I will pour out My goodness without restraint upon every open heart, and to all who cry unto Me, and I will be gracious. But My people have not cried: they have not called. Lo, they have been satisfied with the husks of this present world, and in an hour of indifference, they have allowed the pleasures of this life to fill that place which only belongs to Me. Yea, it hath displaced My Spirit, but it satisfieth not. O that they might return to Me..."

The seeds of this hardness results from idolatry. Running to something or someone else beside the Lord, embracing the world as a guide and friend, trusting in ourselves instead trusting in Christ. This is adultery of the heart. And participating in this will cause a heart to slowly harden.

This calls for deep repentance - crying out for mercy and help from our Father above. He sees what we've done. He knows our hearts are numbing Him out. He sees our sin. But He wants us to return. "O that they might return to Me..." Can you hear Him call? He wants your heart - your awakened heart - fully in His hands. I speak out of experience and struggle, when the Spirit is snuffed, our hearts harden. Let us return and open our mouths and cry to the listening Father, who is waiting for the prodigal to come back home.

Blessings from the Word

Here are a few notes that I took in my quiet time this morning from Psalm 19:

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul."
God's Word is undisputedly perfect in word and purpose. It speaks to every need, rebukes every lie, strengthens every weakness, and most wonderfully revives the human soul with faithful grace for every deficiency. When my soul is weary and needy, I must go to no other place than the Word for the restoration.

"The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
Timeless in it's truth, the testimony of the Word is solid in foundation. It can and must be leaned upon. In every generation seeking wisdom, no greater resource can be found for lasting, applicable knowledge than the Scriptures. Our minds begin in the world as empty but eager storehouses waiting to be filled with truth and wisdom.

"The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart."
God's Word is right in all things, and it maintains the absolute standard for deciding what is right and wrong. The Word can be trusted and built upon. This causes the ultimate rejoicing for the heart, knowing that our greatest joy can be found in God's truth and perfect authority.

"The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
His holiness is refining, which causes every Word to be pure and righteous. He does not use His commands as weapons for wounds, but His commands are pure, causing the refining of the heart in obedience. It brings light and revelation to our eyes of understanding making us see firsthand the glory of God.

"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever."
Fearing the Lord brings more blessing than one might first assume. The fear of the Lord is wisdom - for He is much to be feared. All power, control, good, and evil rest in His hands motivated by a gracious heart. Our fear is clean and holy, enabling us to endure.

"The rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether."
God's Word, His rules, and commands are proven to be true and righteous by the authority of God Himself and by hundreds of generations before us. "The word of the Lord proves true..." (Ps. 18:30) Anyone who casts herself (or himself) on the foundation of the Word will not be ashamed of doing so. Every time the Word proves true.

"More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward." Psalms 19:7-11

Amen.

Renewed to a true likeness

Every morning we make a choice, a decision that will effect everyone we encounter throughout our day. Although this decision is slightly underrated, it is uniquely important:
we decide what to wear.

You might laugh at my seriousness, and as usual, I do have a spiritual point I hope to make, but this reality of getting dressed just recently dawned in my thoughts. Every morning I choose what to wear for today, and my adornment will be visible to everyone I meet. Who I am (or want to portray) radiates through my clothing.

So when I was reading through Romans the other morning, this verse fleshed out the above principle.

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to it's lusts." Romans 13:14

Just as I decided what to wear today, I also in a similar manner decided what (or Who) to "put on" as I walked through today. This is very important. What should this "Jesus adornment" look like? God brought me to these verses in Colossians to help compose my "wardrobe".

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (3:12-14)

This is the adornment of Christ Himself. He displayed all of these attitudes and traits, consistently attracting disciples to be clothed with Himself. When I adorn myself with the above attributes, I am being renewed to a true likeness of the One who created me and called me to walk in the newness of life.

"And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator." Colossians 3:10

And, to use the familiar phrase, it looks great on you! :)

hush child

The busyness of the day was catching up with me. Thoughts were swirling around my brain like the rushing of a cyclone. The noise about me provided an annoying buzz in the background that only added to the chaos of my soul. All these combined into a swelling climax unknown to me, but when the place suddenly went quiet I almost jumped in shock.

Like a weeping baby finally held by her mother, my soul quieted quickly. I could hear my own breathing. A window was open in the kitchen allowing an evening breeze to push through the room and I only felt it for the first time. All these quiet experiences that I was ignoring, or simply couldn't hear, were welcoming me into the peace I longed for. The voices of silence were urging me into the awareness of God's nearness.

It was then I realized God's endless attempts to retrieve my attention and simply listen for a while. Something special happens when a mouth is closed. It gets quiet.

I can only hear the Lord's voice when I am listening. It may seem basic, but I need reminding of that. Life's deafening volume is a killer of silence, and with it the opportunity to hear God clearly. My caring Father loves me enough to gently put His finger over my lips and hush my soul.

There is much to learn. So I must be quiet and listen.

"I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore." Psalms 131:2-3

Quiet Rest

My eyes slowly opened to the view of a glowing window trying to camouflage the happy sun outside. Rolling myself out of bed I walked over and pulled the string connected to the blinds. A flood of sunshine and the vision of valleys and mountain ridges welcomed my eyes and awoke my heart. This was my view this morning as I stayed at a secluded getaway that my family took me to for my birthday. (I know... they are too good to me!)

All day I have been doing one thing: resting.

We have created no agenda, plans or obligations. All I have done today is walk, look, read, play games with my family, and of course eat. (big smile) And it has been incredible.

This morning I walked out to the porch and read my Bible, my devotional, sipped my tea, and listened to the silence. It was one of the highlights of this day. God knew how much I needed this day of peace. It is quiet. The noises I do hear have a restful tone. I really never knew how much silence can minister to the soul.

This time of quiet rest has made me realize with transparency how my pace of life clogs my mind and burdens my spirit, making it difficult to listen to the voice of God in this megaphone land. My mind is far to busy defending it's sanity that I neglect to nurture it's vitality. Quietness and rest is pivotal to the health of my spiritual life.

And I doubt I am the only one that battles with this. Just now I conveniently read over at the Boundless blog about our desperation for silence.

What I am desperate for is silence. Because here in the land of the free, silence has a lot of competition. And the competition usually wins with me.

So I'm not battling some oppressive government trying to molest my quiet. I'm really battling myself. I'm just not sure which is easier to overcome, a dark regime or a dark heart.

I do know that the gospel is able to overcome both.

(Read the entire article here)

And it certainly has for me. Praise God for the gospel! Praise God for quiet rest...

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, and do not fret..." Ps. 37:7

Take it to Heart

Typically when we say the phrase, “take it to heart,” we use it in the negative sense, persuading someone (or ourselves) not take something to heart. Usually said in reference to hurtful words spoken in moments of anger or frustration, we feel the deep impact sharp words can have in our hearts; feelings we would be glad to live without.

But while I was reading in Deuteronomy this morning, the Lord revealed this beautiful verse that brought a different meaning and light to this phrase: “When Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today...” (Deut. 32:45-46)

We see here that “take it to heart” is used in a positive and reinforcing way; taking God’s Word (which Moses has just finished declaring to Israel) directly to our hearts for the conviction, warning, encouragement, or hope that God knows we need in our lives. His Word is to be treasured (Ps. 119:9) in our hearts, guiding our steps and preventing sin.

The deeper application the Lord brought to me personally was that I too often take God’s Word only to my mind and not my heart. While indeed the mind needs daily to be renewed and protected by the Word, true change and sanctification only comes through applying His Word to our hearts. Head knowledge profits nothing unless it is applied to my heart, resulting in a change the Lord desires.

I often need to be reminded to “take to heart” all the Words God graciously speaks to me.

Referring back again to the negative sense of this phrase will provide a somewhat unusual example of how we could apply this. When someone speaks painful words that you (despite your best efforts) take to heart, what exactly do you do with those words? Do you think about them often throughout your day? Do you replay them over and over in your mind? If they were written assaults, do you read and re-read them over and over until the pages are worn out?

These responses could also be used to “take to heart” God’s Word (with of course much pleasanter results and fruit). There are many Scriptural instructions about Word intake and meditation, and all of them should be carefully learned, cultivated, and practiced for the good of the Christian, the growth of the kingdom, and the joy of time spent alone with God in the inner sanctuary.

In the next few days, I would like to discuss a few of the many “Word intake” disciplines taught throughout the Bible and ones that have helped my time in the inner sanctuary. Learning these principles can help us take God’s Word to our hearts and I am excited to share them with you.

Not My Will

I have been doing a lot of pondering and meditating on Jesus these past few days (as I am sure most of you have), specifically about His relation to the cross in the light of what holiday we are celebrating today. And through my reflections on His sufferings, torment, and His ultimate victory, the quality that has struck me deepest is His complete surrender to God’s will. Let’s remember that Jesus was Himself God too, but yet He set aside His own preferences in order to obey His Father’s will, even when that meant the cruelest of deaths for Jesus.

Evidenced by the deep anguish is His voice in the Garden of Gethsemane, surrendering His will to God was a difficult and painful experience: “Then He said to them (the disciples), “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me: yet not as I will, but as You will.”” Matthew 26:38-39

Application for us lies in the question and demonstration of if our lives are lived following our own wills rather than God’s.  Am I daily taking up my cross and following Jesus, denying myself with all my desires, interests, and preferences? The answer to that should be revealed by what kind of life I live and who’s orders and interests I follow.

This mentality is not easy to apprehend, if fact, it goes against everything in us. The cross is heavy. But by the power of the Spirit, when we are weak He is made strong. Jesus has went before us and can sympathize with our weaknesses and frailties. He gives a much needed grace.

Making God’s interests our interests is the mindset we must come to in order to slip into the easy and light yoke with Christ and where we find rest for our souls. Come to Jesus... “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him take up his cross...” “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest...”

Like Christ’s suffering resulted in ultimate glory and praise, our suffering for the cross and denial of self results in glory. God has abundantly rewarded His Holy Son for the sacrifice Jesus made for God’s will. God is the great Rewarder and Comforter that He promises in His Word. And although final reward for us is presented when Jesus comes again, God is merciful in that He gives grace for the road; suppling rest for the soul, peace to the heart, and hope for the mind.

Let us come to Jesus this day and embrace His will for us, knowing full well of His promised rewards and the comforts that await us here and also in heaven where He is waiting for us.

A Real Woman . . .

While surfing around random blogs a few weeks ago, I came across this amazing piece of writing biblically describing a real woman. And I would like to share it here with you. I encourage you to prayerfully read over these godly qualities examining your own heart and life in the light of them.

 

A real woman . . .

…is glad she’s a woman and rejoices in her femininity, expressing it through her attitude, appearance and bearing. (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

…does not compete for equality with men or chafe at God’s design for male and female, but delights in and understands the importance of her calling to complement man’s role. (1 Timothy 2:11-12, Ephesians 5:22-24)

…values the cultivation of her mind and diligently seeks after wisdom and knowledge. (Proverbs 22:17-21, 2:2-6)

…realizes her imperative need to allow the Holy Spirit to control her emotions and expressions of them. (James 1:19-20)

…does not wallow in self-pity or make a habit of voicing complaints, but radiates cheerfulness and joy. (Proverbs 15:15, Proverbs 17:22)

…appreciates her father’s protection, and respects and submits to his authority. In so doing, she is preparing herself to exercise the Biblical role in her relationship with a possible future husband. (Ephesians 5:33-6:3, 1 Peter 3:1-2)

…is trustworthy and gains the respect of those around her. (Proverbs 31:11)

…restrains herself from listening to, or participating in gossip, but instead speaks with wisdom and discretion. (Proverbs 11:12-13, 22, 20:19, 3:11)

…encourages and builds up those around her instead of criticizing and tearing them down. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Ephesians 4:29)

…does not have a nagging, contentious or manipulative manner in which she deals with others. (Judges 16:16, Proverbs 21:9, 19, 26:21)

…is not boisterous or loud in her speech or actions but is characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit. (Proverbs 9:13, 1 Peter 3:4)

…portrays chastity, modesty and reverence in her manner, and wears the ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is her true beauty. (1 Peter 3:3-4, Titus 2:4-5)

…is not offended by respect shown her through gentlemanly courtesies (opening doors, etc.) but cultivates the differences between the genders that make her worthy of this deference. (1 Peter 3:7, Mark 10:6)

…seeks to make God her number one desire and the Lover of her soul, knowing that only He can fully satisfy. (Psalm 73:25, Psalm 63:1)

…uses her years of singleness to seek and serve God without distraction, and is content to leave the details of her future to Him. (Psalm 73:25, Philippians 4:11)

…does not relate to members of the opposite gender in a flirtatious or forward manner, but instead saves all her passion for her future husband. (Thessalonians 4:3-8, Proverbs 6:25, 1 Corinthians 7:1)

…holds her virginity before marriage sacred and will not compromise it for anything. (This one goes for guys too)

(1 Timothy 5:22)

~ Philip Hainline, Heidi Reimer, and Maria Reimer

A Quote

"Hold fast to Jesus both in life and death

and commit yourself to His steadfast love,

for He alone can help you when all others fail.

Your Beloved is such that He admits no other rival;

He wants your heart all to Himself

and desires to reign there as a King on His Own throne."

~ Thomas a' Kempis 

Press On

"...I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them all but rubbish that I may gain Christ ... that I may know Him ... Not that I have already obtained it or become perfect, but I press on so that I may laid hold of that for which also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on..." Philippians 3:8, 10, 12-14

Behold one of my favorite Scripture passages. These verses are simply amazing, and they speak deeply to me, giving purpose and vision for life, sufferings, past scars, and future glory.

In view of what I have shared with you in the past two posts (first and second), I wanted to fully clarify the profound biblical attitude we are called to have in respect to past scars and hardships. I feel that sometimes I can convince myself to be thankful for the scars I bear, but truthfully I fool myself and bury the sincere regret and bitterness towards past pain, harsh words, trapping conflict, and physical marring instead of embracing the joyful attitude we are called to have in Christ.

For some of us, it is really tough to let go of the past mistakes and painful events and rejoice in the future. What happened to us hurt... really bad. How can we just forget about that and say, "Oh yes, I am so thankful for my scars..." without feeling deceptive and fake?

These verses hold the strength and hope we look for.

We must pray and strive for the upward attitude Paul possessed to be able to utter such profound words. He viewedeverything as loss, as nothing, in view of the surpassing value - the exceeding worth - of knowing Jesus Christ. Paul definitely had reasons to boast and he certainly had reasons to be ashamed. But it didn't matter anymore. He viewed knowing Jesus as the chief treasure and prize of living life, suffering hardships, and living in victory.

Paul wasn't perfect, and neither are we, but there is only one thing we can do to obtain holy perfection and godly maturity: PRESS ON. Forget what lies behind and reach forward with all you have, and press on. Whatever is holding you back, whether it be your scars, or past failures, or present defeat, lay it at the cross and surrender whatever it is to Christ. Then get up and walk away - and persevere.

The verse does not simply say, "Now just forget about what lies behind." God gives us further and needed direction: "Reach forward to what lies ahead, and press on!" This is an entirely different mental course. It is as if you stop looking back over your shoulder and turn your head to focus and reach for what is in front of you, to what lies ahead.

"And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..." (Heb. 12:1-2)

This is my encouragement to you dear friends... press on in this life of faith. Don't keep looking back. Look ahead. Look at Jesus.

Thankful For The Scars, Part 2

In my last post, I described the deep inner joy of looking back at God's faithfulness and healing through all my trials and pains, realizing how truly thankful I am for the scars in my life.

Well today, I would like to go a little deeper and tell of a past trial that produced many scars - both outward and inward - that resulted in praise and drew me closer to Jesus. It is a story that I am truly grateful for.

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I was around 13 years old. Life for me revolved around finishing school, riding horses, and... riding horses. Ok yes, there was more to my life than that, but as far as I was concerned, if I got to ride horses that day, it was a good day.

I was an infant in my spiritual maturity. God was important to my family, but He had not yet become a reality and Ruler in my heart. Looking back, I do see that my heart was searching for something... I just didn't know that "something" was God Himself.

Late one afternoon, my family and I had just returned home from a long trip and I was dying to get outside and be with the horses. My sisters and I decided to hook up our horse carriage to our mule that our Grandfather had given us, and drive around the house playing "princesses".

What started out as a quiet afternoon carriage ride quickly turned into a terrifying event, for while we had been away, a wasp family had built their nest under the wagon and suddenly decided to take our their fury on our poor mule. Needless to say he went crazy and Courtney, my sister who was driving, couldn't control him. He made a mad dash straight for the wooden fence, only to turn and miss it by a few feet which tilted the entire wagon on it's side. I somehow lost my grip (I was just standing on the back) and I fell on top of the wheel and it pulled me under the wagon.

All I really remember is seeing the wagon roll (or ramp) over my stomach which resulted in me loosing my breath and feeling severe pain. I just stared up at the blue sky as I tried to take in a breath, realizing that this was more than just a little tumble. Courtney and Carley finally got our mule calmed down and quickly came running over to me. Soon after that, Dad came over and gently helped me to the house. He just assumed that I had knocked the breath out of me, but the more I tried to breathe in and out I knew that something was really wrong. I felt like my lungs were collapsing.

Mom sat me on the couch and tried to help me stop shaking. I slowly got across that I was not ok and would like to go to the doctor. She helped me into the car and we headed to the Emergency Room. When we finally arrived I was in serious pain. I had a black "tire mark" across my white tee-shirt that indicated something had happened in my midsection. The nurses got me hooked up to an IV (ouch!) and the doctor set out to assess what was wrong. For a couple of hours they tried to figure out the problem (while I waited with no pain medicine), doing a few CAT scans but were still unable to pinpoint where the pain was coming from.

Dad arrived shortly after, and was informed of my status (which at that time hadn't changed much). More hours went by as the doctors pondered over what to do, since they couldn't really see what was going on inside of me.

This was a pivotal moment for me, because for the first time in my life I realized that no one there could help me. As I looked from face to face for a sign of hope and relief, I recognized that God was the only One I knew who could help me.

I started to pray out loud for God to help and heal me. Like the numerous stories in the Bible of hurting people reaching out to Jesus and crying out for help, I was now putting my faith in Jesus knowing that He would listen and help me. He was no longer Something my parents believed in. I was believing in Him for myself; and I prayed with all my heart... and He answered.

The doctors suddenly resorted to emergency surgery. I was rushed in and God guided the doctor's hands to find that my liver had been lacerated and was releasing deadly bile into my body, which was slowly killing me. By God's amazing grace the wagon wheel had just missed my rib cage that could have resulted in lung puncture. Everything else was fine, just severely bruised.

I spent the next two weeks in the hospital slowly recovering. My parents, sisters, extended family and friends, and people I didn't even know were praying for me and supporting me. I felt so loved and cared for.

That was probably the longest two weeks of my life. I went through so much pain - and so much healing. Near the end of my stay, I was talking on the phone with my Mom who had went home to rest while she and Dad took shifts staying with me, and I was so desperately ready to go home that I finally broke down in tears, which was the first time I had cried through the entire experience. I was overwhelmed, but I was ready to try again. God had given me a second chance; I realized He had a purpose for me. And I wanted to fulfill it.

As I look back almost eight years later, my heart is filled with emotion and irrepressible gratitude for God's amazing grace and faithfulness in my life. My scars are precious to me because they remind me of the great pain... but more importantly, the triumphant healing.

Thirsty for More?

Is there a thirst in your soul that you cannot seem to quench? A longing for something more? Do you restlessly move from one thing to the next, only to find the state of your soul empty still?

There lived a woman over two thousand years ago that felt this way. Her soul was desperately thirsty, and nothing could quench her thirst. She went from relationship to relationship, marriage to marriage, but never felt the satisfaction her heart longed for. Her soul was empty, dry, and dying.

But one day she met Someone unlike anyone she had ever known. He seemed to see right through to her panting, lonely heart and began to tell her about "living water" and never thirsting again. Could this really be?

"Where do you get this living water?" she asked Him. (John 4:11) He said that He could give it to her. This Man is Jesus, the giver of living water. And He was inviting her freely to come and drink of it.

"...But whoever drinks of the water that I give him shall never thirst; but the water that I give him will become in him a well springing up to eternal life." John 4:14

Was her heart singing when she heard these words? Could He be true? Is this what she had been looking for her entire life? "Sir, give me this water..." she spoke as her heart slowly opened to believe. She who believes in Jesus will never thirst. (John 6:35) Jesus was the only One who could give her the water her soul craved. She drank and was satisfied.

This story has a happy ending, but the more I am in the world, the more I see so many unhappy stories and painful endings. People live their lives without ever tasting the living water that only Jesus can give them. We drink of one thing, then another, hoping to quench our thirst, but it leaves us dry and... still thirsty.

"For My people have committed two evils: the have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water." Jeremiah 2:13

This Scripture pierces my heart because it describes the downfall of so many (including me) in this world. We go searching for satisfaction in all sorts of things, and make for ourselves cisterns, but our cisterns are broken! And they can't hold any water.

Every time we try to satisfy ourselves, we forsake God who is the fountain of living waters! In this dry and weary land where there is no water, our souls thirst for God, our flesh yearns for Him (Ps. 63:1). We are like deer panting for water, for the living God (Ps. 42:1-2). The only place to find the satisfaction your heart is searching for is in Jesus. He is the Fountain of Life and the satisfaction of our souls. The longings in your heart are not leading you to that next relationship/substance/earthly passing pleasure. No, it is leading you - drawing you - to Jesus Christ for ultimate fulfillment and peace.

Like the woman at the well, Jesus is welcoming us to come to Him, drink of the water He gives, and leave as a changed woman... free from bondage and alive and fulfilled in Christ alone.

Thankful For The Scars

Have you ever looked back over your Christian walk and taken a moment to ponder over all your past struggles and joys, the trials and triumphs, the hard times and good times of following Jesus? I did this a few weeks back, and I was simply overwhelmed by the grace and power of God manifested throughout my entire life. It is nothing short of a miracle in the transformation and mercy He has preformed in my life, and I am humbled to the point of tears looking back and seeing His mighty hand overshadowing all my days. And I believe every Christian who has followed Jesus for any length of time can relate and understand this deep and overwhelming emotion.

Most of the time when we look back over past experiences, we often remember the tough and difficult times with more clarity, maybe because they are seared on our hearts and memory. But this can be profitable because God does always come through for His children in some way during difficult times - therefore we remember His salvation vividly and deeply. These are the times we treasure in our minds... His saving grace, His proven character, His heartwarming comfort. It's what makes the Christian life worth the cost.

These "scars" are symbols we bear reminding us of the mercy and greatness of our God. Our scars could be physical or emotional (or both), resulting either from a painful bodily illness that God has healed or given you the strength to bear, or from a distressing inner struggle that God has helped you overcome and healed the bitterness or pain you felt. Either way, the scars we bear speak of the life we have chosen and the faithfulness of our God. Because scars tell of great pain... but also great healing.

An interesting fact about scars is the actual word "scar" is derived from the Greek word eschara, meaning place of fire. Listen to this true and perceptive verse in 1st Peter describing the testing of our faith:

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7

When our faith is tested by fire, it leaves a mark - a scar - telling of the trial but also the triumph. And I am so extremely thankful for my scars, because they are a monument to my faith and a testimony of God's grace in my life. And if we remember correctly, our Savior Himself bore the scars of our sins that testify of His forgiveness and character by the marks on His body for the world to see, touch and know that He died for you and me. So when I receive lasting marks from fiery trials that God allows me to endure, it conforms me into His image, because Jesus bore scars too.

And I am so thankful that He did.

Thankful for the Scars Part 2

Devotion and Deception

I would like to share a verse that is very special to my own heart:

"But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:3

Devotion to Christ - ah yes, the goal and purpose of every true child of God, including myself. This is my passion, my very heartbeat... to be zealously devoted to Jesus. And I have sincerely attempted to communicate that purpose to you my readers in hopes of encouraging your hearts to be fully devoted to Him above all else. But, as this verse clearly warns, it is an easy weakness to fall away from that holy purpose by deception of mind. I have been deceived and wandered from it far too many times.

We see here that devotion to Christ is simple and pure. It's uncomplicated (until I make it complicated!) and flawless, genuine and clear. If I am honest, I would have to tell you that many times I have struggled to write a new post here only because I didn't think I had any new revelations or surpassingly wise comments to share. How foolish... how deceived.

My mind was led astray from 1) the simplicity of devotion to Christ 2) the truth that I, apart from Christ, have nothing of worth to share with you. If our mind is the battlefield for devotion and deception, then what should we be sharing and speaking to others for encouragement and conviction if they have been led astray?

Nothing but the piercing Word of God and the power of our testimony. (Heb. 4:12, 1 John 5:9-11) I can speak nothing to bring encouragement and conviction like the Word of God can. I cannot renew your mind so that it stays protected and guarded from deception from the evil one... but the Word can. So truthfully and seriously the only thing I have to give you is the Word.

"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper that any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able o judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 

That is powerful - and a challenge to us. Have we allowed our hearts to be pierced with the Word today? Has it cut us to the soul by judging our thoughts (guarding our minds from deception) and revealing the true intentions of our hearts?

Let's be honest, sometimes this is actually very painful and incredibly humbling. But it is good - really good - for us. It brings intimacy with our God and undistracted and pure devotion to Christ. And that is what we really desire, right? That passionate devotion to Jesus that transforms our lives and impacts all those around us?

Don't be led astray. Devotion to Jesus is simple and pure. Protect your mind from deception with the all-powerful Word of God that renews and reveals.