Can I ask you a question? Is there anything that those of you who have saw 30 already can offer me in the arena of advice?
I turned 30 on Saturday, and unlike many other people (from my observation), I don't really mind. Truth be told, I am excited- NO, ECSTATIC!!! I don't know exactly why I feel so giddy at this particular age. Perhaps its the prospect of a new decade- 10 plus years have gone by since my entrance into adulthood, and there are many lessons I learned along the way. The most important- or relevant (besides the actual Gospel)- is LEARN FROM OTHERS!!!
So many people told me back then, "Don't do this or do that...learn form my mistakes...if only I had known and had the chances you have..." Unfortunately, I rarely listened then and I filed to learn without experiencing first hand the tragedy of rebellion. I wish I could even claim ignorance, but I was well informed.
But, "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 22-23). So, I know that I can start fresh, not just this new decade, but everyday. I do think, however, that I have finally learned through God's word that it is good to have counsel. So, I am beseeching anyone who has reached this milestone themselves...LET ME LEARN FROM YOU!! PLEASE!! I am aware of my own foolishness, so I need help to be wiser.... or, is it more wise.??
So I leave you with this question:
From your own experiences, what can you teach me for this new season of life??
30 is gonna ROCK!! woohoo!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
does God have teeth??
Can I ask you a question? Does God have teeth? Does he even need teeth? Does he eat?
That, obviously, is not a true question, but in light of formatting, I needed to ask a silly question in order to share a funny tidbit from the little guy that makes me laugh an awful lot. a lot of the time!! Actually, it is a conversation that took place between him and his dad. Gabriel is 3, by the way.
Gabriel's dad: There are no monster's here, because God is here so they can't come around
Gabriel: Where's God, I don't see Him?!!
Gabriel's Dad: Well, He's here, He's always here
Gabriel: No, no, he's not here, he went to the dentist!!
So I leave you with this question:
Do you have any funny stories to share from out of the mouths of babes?
That, obviously, is not a true question, but in light of formatting, I needed to ask a silly question in order to share a funny tidbit from the little guy that makes me laugh an awful lot. a lot of the time!! Actually, it is a conversation that took place between him and his dad. Gabriel is 3, by the way.
Gabriel's dad: There are no monster's here, because God is here so they can't come around
Gabriel: Where's God, I don't see Him?!!
Gabriel's Dad: Well, He's here, He's always here
Gabriel: No, no, he's not here, he went to the dentist!!
So I leave you with this question:
Do you have any funny stories to share from out of the mouths of babes?
Sunday, January 4, 2009
what is the BEST thing about 2009?
Can I ask you a question? What do you think is the best thing about this year? In 2009, what do we have to look forward to?
Here is what I believe is the most exciting thing:
"God so loved the world, he sent his only Son to die for us. And whomever believes in His name will not perish but have eternal life." WOW!! (that is John 3:16, btw)
And, the thing is, that is not something new for 2009...it was true in 2008, as it was in 1009, and will be in 2010 and beyond!
It is new to me this week though, because I have been mediating on this line, "I ask great things of a great God," from Valley of Vision, which is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. I wanted to pass on to you the entire prayer so that you can reflect on what a kind, gracious, and BIG God we have. (hopefully there are no copyright infringements here!!)
O Fountain of all good,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds. Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open up in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;
Then the Father can take His abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in His touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory!
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side, no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With Thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance, for thine indwelling.
NOTHING exceeds thy power,
NOTHING is too great for thee to do,
NOTHING too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for sinners repenting, prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed, Satan's captive's released,
blind eyes opened, broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered, the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and the saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.
So I leave you with this question:
Do you know the God described in this prayer and the wonderful work that He has done for you?? (If you don't, you need to- your life depends on it!!)
God Bless and Happy New Years!
Here is what I believe is the most exciting thing:
"God so loved the world, he sent his only Son to die for us. And whomever believes in His name will not perish but have eternal life." WOW!! (that is John 3:16, btw)
And, the thing is, that is not something new for 2009...it was true in 2008, as it was in 1009, and will be in 2010 and beyond!
It is new to me this week though, because I have been mediating on this line, "I ask great things of a great God," from Valley of Vision, which is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions. I wanted to pass on to you the entire prayer so that you can reflect on what a kind, gracious, and BIG God we have. (hopefully there are no copyright infringements here!!)
O Fountain of all good,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds. Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open up in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;
Then the Father can take His abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in His touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory!
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side, no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With Thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance, for thine indwelling.
NOTHING exceeds thy power,
NOTHING is too great for thee to do,
NOTHING too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for sinners repenting, prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed, Satan's captive's released,
blind eyes opened, broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered, the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and the saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.
So I leave you with this question:
Do you know the God described in this prayer and the wonderful work that He has done for you?? (If you don't, you need to- your life depends on it!!)
God Bless and Happy New Years!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
what am i supposed to be doing??
Can I ask you a question? Why is it that every time I am supposed to do one thing, I get distracted and do something- NO, EVERYTHING- else?
So, what am I supposed to be doing? w\Writing up Christmas cards so that I can have them ready to hand out or mail by the 14th. I am bound and determined to have them done and actually give them out. Usually I fill out all the envelopes and/or the cards too, but don't actually do not give them out. Weird I know. And every January 1st, I emphatically declare "Next year I am just not going to bother!!"
So, why am I striving to stay on task this year and get them done again (and failing so miserably???!!) Because, simply, I love Christmas cards, especially now as a Christian. I love that you can share the gospel message through our Savior's birth story in a card- and nobody objects and calls you politically incorrect (at least I have never been told that- yet). I have many family member's and some friends who need this gospel message, yet, year after year, I fail to send out the cards I prepare for them? Why??
Probably time management- or lack there of. So, what am I doing now rather than fill out my cards and put stamps of them?
1) blogging- which I have not done in three months (uh, sorry- crazy/hectic season!! Its not like anyone but me reads it anyway).
2) checking 40 + emails that filled my email account in 1 week!!
3)calling people
4) checking myspace.
5) watching funny youtube.
So, I am going to log off from this blog, read the remaining 10 emails (maybe respond to the two I had to star), and complete 10 more cards.
BTW! Remember when stamps were $.25??
Oh. but one more thing. So, I have this verse that came to mind when I started thinking about how badly i am procrastinating:
Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
What a reminder to why I need to get my cards done to share a tiny bit of the gospel with those that I love and want to see in Heaven giving God praise!!!
Here's my question for you:
How do you manage your time? What are some techniques you've established?
So, what am I supposed to be doing? w\Writing up Christmas cards so that I can have them ready to hand out or mail by the 14th. I am bound and determined to have them done and actually give them out. Usually I fill out all the envelopes and/or the cards too, but don't actually do not give them out. Weird I know. And every January 1st, I emphatically declare "Next year I am just not going to bother!!"
So, why am I striving to stay on task this year and get them done again (and failing so miserably???!!) Because, simply, I love Christmas cards, especially now as a Christian. I love that you can share the gospel message through our Savior's birth story in a card- and nobody objects and calls you politically incorrect (at least I have never been told that- yet). I have many family member's and some friends who need this gospel message, yet, year after year, I fail to send out the cards I prepare for them? Why??
Probably time management- or lack there of. So, what am I doing now rather than fill out my cards and put stamps of them?
1) blogging- which I have not done in three months (uh, sorry- crazy/hectic season!! Its not like anyone but me reads it anyway).
2) checking 40 + emails that filled my email account in 1 week!!
3)calling people
4) checking myspace.
5) watching funny youtube.
So, I am going to log off from this blog, read the remaining 10 emails (maybe respond to the two I had to star), and complete 10 more cards.
BTW! Remember when stamps were $.25??
Oh. but one more thing. So, I have this verse that came to mind when I started thinking about how badly i am procrastinating:
Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
What a reminder to why I need to get my cards done to share a tiny bit of the gospel with those that I love and want to see in Heaven giving God praise!!!
Here's my question for you:
How do you manage your time? What are some techniques you've established?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
are you ever tired?
Can I ask you a question? Are you ever tired? I mean, REALLY tired...feeling purely exhausted??
I am tired. Yes, sleepy tired, because it is 11:35 p.m. But, lately, I have felt more and more tired on a daily basis. I am not sure if my sleep quantity is still insufficient, if it is lacking in quality, or if life is just sucking the life out of me. I just reread that...lol...sort of an oxymoron. I have been trying to get into God's word more, and THAT is pretty energizing, but mostly even though I want to, I tend to fall asleep as soon as I sit down.
I think when a person's brain thinks constantly and rhetorically about something, it can make them exhausted too. Currently, I am praying and asking God where He might have me live. I have spent the past 6 months trying to redeem a sin I committed. I have finally realized that my disobedience stemmed form a desire to serve and worship myself. I know longer want to do that , but how do I know always what worshiping the Lord looks like?
So I ask you:
What does worship mean? And how do we do that on a daily basis?
I am tired. Yes, sleepy tired, because it is 11:35 p.m. But, lately, I have felt more and more tired on a daily basis. I am not sure if my sleep quantity is still insufficient, if it is lacking in quality, or if life is just sucking the life out of me. I just reread that...lol...sort of an oxymoron. I have been trying to get into God's word more, and THAT is pretty energizing, but mostly even though I want to, I tend to fall asleep as soon as I sit down.
I think when a person's brain thinks constantly and rhetorically about something, it can make them exhausted too. Currently, I am praying and asking God where He might have me live. I have spent the past 6 months trying to redeem a sin I committed. I have finally realized that my disobedience stemmed form a desire to serve and worship myself. I know longer want to do that , but how do I know always what worshiping the Lord looks like?
So I ask you:
What does worship mean? And how do we do that on a daily basis?
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