Trustworthy

Many people claim to be loyal,
   but it is hard to find a trustworthy person.  
Proverbs 20:6

Do you find this to be true?

Sometimes we are so focused on what other people think, that we may do something that could hurt someone else.  Maybe it's not intentional, but when someone hurts you, it just plain hurts.  

Some times people will put someone else done to help themselves to look better.  The older I get the more I stay away from people who like to gossip.  I am sure you know people like this, they can tell you something about everybody.  I have to admit I usually just stand there and listen, but I wonder what would happen if I actually had the guts to say anything.  I would imagine I wouldn't be too popular.

I suppose I am weak or maybe just plain scared.  Let's face it, even when something may be the right thing to do, most of the time it is the hardest thing to do.

Even the birds in the sky
 know the right times to do things.
The storks, doves, swifts, and thrushes
 know when it is time to migrate.
But my people don't know
 what the Lord wants them to do.
   Jeremiah 8:7

Staying focused

Sometimes, in our every day lives, it is easy to get distracted away from what is really important.  For example, I have teenagers and their lives can be pretty hectic.  If I don't make us set aside time for us as a family, or just so that they get a break from activities, then we would be running around somewhere different every night.

And I will be honest, my kids don't do that much.  School and sports, that is pretty much it.  One sport per child even, yet we don't have a lot of time.   As a matter of fact, because my kids do a lot of things with us (as a family), I have heard some not very nice comments about them.  

This is where staying focused comes in.  The world will tell us one thing when the bible tells us something completely different.  If we could only teach kids that what people think of them is not near as important as what God is thinking then the world would be a better place.

The things you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what  God wants.  Then all these other things you need will be given to you.
Matthew 6:33

Helping others

Sometimes we see something that makes a real impression on us, something that moves us to make a difference for someone.

Last night we had a meeting at church and we were talking about different types of mission projects.

This Project really spoke to me.  The Central Conference Pension Initiative, is set up to help Pastors and their spouses who live in other countries that have retired and have no support.  Basically a retirement plan.

Unfortunately most of those countries don't have the funds in place to help them.

If you have a minute to look at the web site, I encourage you to do so.  These people even though they struggle, daily, they still smile.  They still have Joy, and they truly trust the Lord to provide for them.

I recently saw on a blog where a lady went to Africa with Compassion International.  She talked about how it had changed her.  She said something that I will never forget.  She told the story of the man who started that organization.  After he had come to Africa and seen terrible things, the person with him said, "Now that you have seen, what will you do?"

That is a powerful question isn't it.

Now that you have seen, what will you do?

Trusting

We talk so much about trust.  We talk about how we trust our friends, we trust our spouses, and we trust our family members.  I wonder why it is so easy for us to trust other people, yet we have a hard time really trusting God.

I mean, let's be honest.  I know that someone has let you down at some point in your life.  Be it a friend, or someone you cared for.  Everyone has had something like that to happen, and while it's painful for us to think about, let's look at it from God's perspective.  

The bible tells us that people will let us down.  But God never will. 


It's easy for us to trust God when things are going good, but as soon as something bad happens, fear takes over.  We may feel that God has deserted us, or is punishing us for something we did wrong.  Whatever the reason we feel let down.  But God isn't letting us down, maybe this is when he's seeing how much we really trust him.  

No job, depend on God.  

No money, depend on God.

Alone, depend on God.

All that is easy to say when I am working, and have a family.  But life is not perfect, even when it may seem like it.  All families have problems of some kind.  Everyone has worries, and we all feel alone at some point in our lives.  But we have to seek God and trust him.  

He can get us through whatever we are going through.

When I am afraid, I will trust you.
I praise God for his word.
I trust God, so I am not afraid.
What can human beings do to me?   Psalm 56  3,4

Friday Feelings

Today I thought I would share with you how some of the people that I have been praying for are doing.  

Some of them are recovering from surgeries or sickness and from what I hear they are doing OK.  While some will take longer than others to heal, I think the emotional part is what is going a little slower.  Sometimes we don't like to face the reality that we aren't in control, and it can be very difficult to give the reins to someone else.  If you know what I mean.

There are a few names on the list that I pray for because I want the to come to realize how much they are loved by God.  I think they know, but I want them to really want a personal relationship with the Lord.

I think if they would only open their hearts, they would see all that God wants for them.  That's what I will be praying for today.

What are we doing?

OK, so I know I told you about the book that I read, Crazy Love, and it definitely asks some very tough questions. 

Like are we getting too comfortable? 

Are we doing what God is really telling us to do?

And this one really got me, Do we take the bible literally?  Ummm,  yea!   I mean I believe everything that is in the bible so of course I take it literally, right?  Well, by my actions, I don't.  Why am I not doing more for my neighbors, and for the  needy?  

I have to tell you that if you think you're doing enough, don't waste your time reading that book, because you might get your feelings hurt.   When was the last time I did something for someone who I knew could never repay me?

Ouch!

Don't get me wrong, I am not an awful, selfish person.  But that is exactly how I felt when I realized there is so much more that we could do.  So much.

It's not enough to just go to church and make your offering, God wants more, so much more, and if we would only give it to him we would be rewarded.

So, what are you doing?

What if?

For all of us, our lives can change in an instant.  One instant.  Are we ever really prepared for something life changing or devastating.  When I think about all of the earthquakes that have been happening, I wonder what I would do if I were in their shoes.

What is amazing to me is how some of the people that I see in the midst of disasters have smiles on their faces and joy in their heart.


You know what that is, it's Jesus!


You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.  I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:7-8


I would imagine that is one scripture that we can look to, and know we are loved and never alone.


Any favorites?

New Book

I just started reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  I love, love, love it!!

Apparently I am behind because this book has been out for a while, but it is a great book so far.

Sometimes we need to be reminded that being a Christian is all about the being.  We should be doing more, if we aren't already.  

You should read it if you haven't and if you have, what did you think?  Did it make you want to go out and do something?  

Thoughts?

Friday Feelings

Well, it's Friday, the end to another busy week.  The weather is suppose to be great this weekend so I am hoping to take advantage of that.  

I want to add another name to my list today.  His name is Tom, he is a wonderful man who goes to my church and has had thyroid cancer and unfortunately something else is showing up in some tests that he had done.

He has a lot of faith, and he and his wife have said they don't know what God has in store for them but they will just hold onto him.

I admire both of them so much.  They have great faith.  Please remember them in your prayers.

Just Ask

Ask, and God will give to you.  Search, and you will find.  Knock, and the door will open for you.  Yes, everyone who asks will receive.  Everyone who searches will find.
Matthew 7: 7-8

How often have you asked for something and received it?

How often have you asked for something and not received it?

Growing up, I was one of 4 kids.  A middle child, on top of that, but honestly, I never really wanted for anything.  That's not to say I got everything I asked for because believe me I didn't.  But I never went without either.  
 
When we were growing up my mom didn't work, which at that time wasn't really a big deal, there were a lot of moms who didn't work.  But it also meant that we were pretty thrifty.  We didn't go out to eat very often, we were fortunate enough that there were 2 girls and 2 boys so we were able to save on clothes because once she outgrew it then it became mine.   That didn't always seem like such a good thing when I was growing up, but now that I am a parent and have to buy the clothes I can see that it definitely was.

One particular year at Christmas I remember asking for an air hockey table.  That was all that I asked for, just the one thing.  See, my cousins had gotten one the year before and I really, really, wanted one.  I remember how my mom sat me down and told me one day that they just could not afford to get me one.  As a parent I can't imagine what that must have been like to have to tell your child that you can't give them what they want.  *Although I have had to do this but on a different level.

I guess when you first read the scripture above it may seem like whatever we ask God for, he will give it to us or do it for us, but like our parents, he knows what is best for us and what is more important.  

We may not always get the answer we want when we pray, but we need to keep praying just the same.  God has a plan we simply cannot understand.  There will be times when he gladly gives us what we need, but there may be times when we feel a little disappointed, and sometimes angry even that our prayers seem to go unanswered.  I personally think it's OK to question why, it keeps us talking to God, and that is what we need to be doing.


I may not have gotten the air hockey table, but I got something just as good, my own personal boom box!  I know, I am showing my age.  Looking back, we had no where to put a big old air hockey table anyway, and I honestly don't think my cousins kept theirs for that long either.  It also made me a little more aware that it wasn't all about me and what I wanted.  Some kids need to be made aware of this a little more often.  


I have been praying for someone on my list for what feels like years and sometimes I begin to wonder if anyone is listening.  But I know that he is, and I will keep on praying.  Praying that they will  make the changes that can turn their life around if they will just take that first step and ask.  


Just imagine, all you have to do is ask and God can change your life.  


Just ask!

 

Hope

This is taken from the Proverbs 31 newsletter that I get emailed to me.

What a message!

 Hope in the Rubble

2 Mar 2010

Lynn Cowell

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength" Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

Mind-boggling devastation filled the screen. I just couldn't wrap my mind around everything that had taken place by the earthquake in Haiti. Such suffering and pain. I went to sleep with the images firmly planted in my mind and heart.

When I awoke in the morning, I began to pray before my feet hit the ground: prayer for miracles, supplies and those who would arrive in that precious country to serve and minister to the broken. A picture of a crying bab y being pulled from the rubble came to mind. After over 48 hours of no food, no water and being trapped under a collapsed house, the 18 month-old was rescued. It was truly a miracle.

My prayers moved from the Haitian crisis to praying for a loved one who has gone astray. The one I love has much in common with the newly rescued baby. He too is trapped. Trapped by the weight and destruction of bad decisions and flawed thinking patterns. What seemed like a common path many were taking led to a place of destruction.

What this precious baby and my loved one do not have in common is the desire to be free. The baby sensed something was wrong. Where was her family? Where was food and water? Why wasn't someone coming to her rescue? Such thoughts occupied her tiny immature mind. My loved one has yet to discover that he indeed needs rescuing. He has yet to recognize the weight of selfishness, unforgiveness and self-destruction pressing on him.

Do you have one you desperatel y love who is heading toward destruction and doesn't realize it? Do you have days when the rubble of sin seems too heavy- too much to be removed? And you just can't see how God is going to break through?

Help is arriving in Haiti. Armies, doctors, nurses and relief workers from around the world are helping. Rescue is taking place. People's lives have been saved, and in time, the destruction will be removed.

Rescue is available for our loved ones, too. Prayer is the place to begin as we hope that in the middle of their own destruction, they will see their need for rescue. When that realization becomes clear, like the tiny baby in Haiti, our loved ones will cry out for help. We know our God will be there to hear and rescue. He may use others to help them. He may call them to push away some of the debris. But more than anything, we know He wants them free.

Dear Lord, some days I grow weary of praying for my loved one. I am so glad that You don't. Ple ase open their eyes to see the destruction they are in and give them the desire to break free. In Jesus' Name, Amen.