So often and so quoted is the disciple John, that t-shirts, bumper stickers, even tattoos display Jesus' most famous words: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
But the words I reflect on tonight are the words that follow. Like in a set of waves, the first beautiful glassy wave is followed by a more silent, mysterious, yet equally powerful and ride-able one. John 3:17 says:
"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
God's own actions were pure love. Man had lost faith in God. Man had sunken deeper into sin and hatred. Yet our Lord, instead of condemning us, saves us through his own son. Sacrifices his own son so that humankind can live on.
Perhaps we can lead our own lives in this way. Things that don't go our way, people we don't agree with, or anger, hate, or frustration comes upon us. Those things laden with negative energy, smothered with the juices of evil, can be fought with love. See what happens if you are wronged by someone, but you turn around and love them back. It is a hard task filled with forgiveness, release and humility. But to walk the path of Christ, put aside the pride and trust that through God all things are possible.
God bless.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
God's Purpose
As I settle on this path to Christ, I am encouraged by those who are sharing my journey. While I appreciate the compassion and companionship I have found online, I have also found much comfort in joining a small group at my church. It's a family group so we're all in the same boat with one, two, or three kids. Being a part of this group has helped me to hold myself accountable for my faith, my trust, my path to God.
This Friday will mark my 4th meeting with the group, and I must say, I really enjoy it. I don't have many friends, as many of my dear friends have moved away, but in this group, I have found a handful of women whose life's journeys are at a similar point to my own. I found the group warm and inviting and have easily taken my guard down and opening up was effortless.
This Friday will mark my 4th meeting with the group, and I must say, I really enjoy it. I don't have many friends, as many of my dear friends have moved away, but in this group, I have found a handful of women whose life's journeys are at a similar point to my own. I found the group warm and inviting and have easily taken my guard down and opening up was effortless.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Devoting Time to Devotions
As I try to strengthen my faith and Christianity, I've decided to buckle down and do daily devotions. However, as a mother of 3, who works as a full-time teacher, the question is when do I find the time? Finding time in the day - especially a busy one - may seem nearly impossible. But as I take closer look at just what I'm asking of myself, I'm realizing that at this point in my life, I am saying that I only have 2 hours on Saturdays or Sundays that I am devoting to our Lord God.
Of the 168 hours in the week, I have only 2 hours - that's just 1% of my time - carved out to spend time with my maker. One word comes to mind - selfish. God gives us everything. The air we breathe, the oceans we swim in, the books that make laugh or cry. How can we not find the time in the day to spend with the Lord. To thank him for all he has done. To reflect and enjoy they things he has given us. Each breath we take is his doing.
So like I make time to sit down and eat lunch; so like I make time to watch my favorite TV show on Wednesday night; so like I make time to do things for me, I must make time for the Lord. I've decided to wake up just a little earlier, and before the morning rush, before the first little peep emits from the slumbering bedrooms, I will spend time with God and Jesus.
And so I begin a new trek of understanding, knowledge, and closeness by studying the bible and creating my relationship with God. His words will guide me. As live and breathe his words in his world, I build in myself the wisdom and knowledge to create a home of his standard.
Proverbs 24: 3-4 says:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
Oh, Lord, let me build a house worthy of you and may treasures that live in its wall become treasures not only to me and you but to the world around. As those treasures which I can offer to you, are my children. And may they grow in your words and your grace through the knowledge I acquire from your wisdom and your love. From now until the end of days. Amen.
Of the 168 hours in the week, I have only 2 hours - that's just 1% of my time - carved out to spend time with my maker. One word comes to mind - selfish. God gives us everything. The air we breathe, the oceans we swim in, the books that make laugh or cry. How can we not find the time in the day to spend with the Lord. To thank him for all he has done. To reflect and enjoy they things he has given us. Each breath we take is his doing.
So like I make time to sit down and eat lunch; so like I make time to watch my favorite TV show on Wednesday night; so like I make time to do things for me, I must make time for the Lord. I've decided to wake up just a little earlier, and before the morning rush, before the first little peep emits from the slumbering bedrooms, I will spend time with God and Jesus.
And so I begin a new trek of understanding, knowledge, and closeness by studying the bible and creating my relationship with God. His words will guide me. As live and breathe his words in his world, I build in myself the wisdom and knowledge to create a home of his standard.
Proverbs 24: 3-4 says:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
Oh, Lord, let me build a house worthy of you and may treasures that live in its wall become treasures not only to me and you but to the world around. As those treasures which I can offer to you, are my children. And may they grow in your words and your grace through the knowledge I acquire from your wisdom and your love. From now until the end of days. Amen.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Movies of Faith
Movies, television, music, radio and books. Media takes on a whole new image when looked at and heard through a mother's eyes and ears. I hear the songs on the '80s radio station and can hardly believe that my parents let me listen to that junk. I carefully screen movies that my 6 year old begs me to watch. I wonder if it's possible for my children to grow up without being influenced so heavily by what they see on television.
But all is not lost. My son loves listening to the Christian radio station in the morning on the way to school. It's reassuring to hear him sing the songs of Jesus. Slumber party night, when 2 of the kids get to camp out in the living room with mommy and daddy and watch a movie, has been blessed with Chronicles of Narnia series. (I'm interested to study more about C.S. Lewis' biblical inferences in his writings.)
Though I can not protect my children from the evils of the world, I know that I can expose them to entertainment that is safe and positive. As a parent, I must continue to find and show my children these less traveled, but safer paths through life. They will see the other paths all around them. But it is our job to guide them and teach them the lessons from all of the paths available to them. As they grow, I anticipate some resistance as they reach those tween/teen years, but in their hearts they will know what is right and what is wrong. I continue to pray that on the day they make their own choice, that little voice inside their head will help them choose the right path. I pray that they also know that if they do choose the wrong path, Mom and Dad will be right there to guide them back and the Lord will accept their return with open arms.
It is my hope that this less traveled stream of positive media grows to become a much larger entity. The world needs more positive influences.
God bless.
But all is not lost. My son loves listening to the Christian radio station in the morning on the way to school. It's reassuring to hear him sing the songs of Jesus. Slumber party night, when 2 of the kids get to camp out in the living room with mommy and daddy and watch a movie, has been blessed with Chronicles of Narnia series. (I'm interested to study more about C.S. Lewis' biblical inferences in his writings.)
Though I can not protect my children from the evils of the world, I know that I can expose them to entertainment that is safe and positive. As a parent, I must continue to find and show my children these less traveled, but safer paths through life. They will see the other paths all around them. But it is our job to guide them and teach them the lessons from all of the paths available to them. As they grow, I anticipate some resistance as they reach those tween/teen years, but in their hearts they will know what is right and what is wrong. I continue to pray that on the day they make their own choice, that little voice inside their head will help them choose the right path. I pray that they also know that if they do choose the wrong path, Mom and Dad will be right there to guide them back and the Lord will accept their return with open arms.
It is my hope that this less traveled stream of positive media grows to become a much larger entity. The world needs more positive influences.
God bless.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Hearing the Message Loud and Clear
I'm not sure how this always seems to happen, but I've noticed that sometimes, just when I a little reassurance of just where I'm going on this journey, God speaks.
At our service this past weekend, I walked in a little late. Our pastor was talking about being "weird". "Weird in a Godly way." Now, it may sound a little strange, but hear me out. He was just about to quote Romans 12:2 which says:
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - is good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
Another version states it like this:
"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (MSG)
I had just posted my first post a couple of nights before. I worried what people would call me. I wondered if people would change how they think of me if they knew I listened to the Christian radio station. I worried that people would change because I've changed. Well - in a way.
Romans 12:2 is telling me that I don't need to hide the fact that I'm different from "normal", or that I'm what my pastor calls, "Weird." I need to follow the path of God and Jesus and know that I don't need to worry or wonder about all of those other things. People will see me for who I am and will see the glory of God through my actions.
Lord knows I am willing. Putting it out there. Putting my faith on the line, well, that's just gosh darn scary. I know people look at Christians differently. I know people hold back when they are around them. On the other hand, I know some Christians who flaunt their religion around like it's the new trend. They look down upon you if you're not a Christian, or don't go to their church, or can't quote bible verse off the top of your head. This is what I'm afraid of.
I pray tonight, Lord, that you give me the strength to stand up for what's right and to be my true self - and to not be afraid to include Christian into my self-description. Help me to become what you have planned for me. Help me to see and reveal my true self to others. Help me to renew my mind so that I may show - not tell - but show the glory of God, the glory of Christ Jesus, through my actions, Lord. It is because of you that I have become who I am. Let me also help others who may be on the same journey as me to help bring their own lights to the surface. To help them to release the clouds of doubt they may have and to become who they are meant to be: a child of God. Amen.
At our service this past weekend, I walked in a little late. Our pastor was talking about being "weird". "Weird in a Godly way." Now, it may sound a little strange, but hear me out. He was just about to quote Romans 12:2 which says:
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - is good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
Another version states it like this:
"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (MSG)
I had just posted my first post a couple of nights before. I worried what people would call me. I wondered if people would change how they think of me if they knew I listened to the Christian radio station. I worried that people would change because I've changed. Well - in a way.
Romans 12:2 is telling me that I don't need to hide the fact that I'm different from "normal", or that I'm what my pastor calls, "Weird." I need to follow the path of God and Jesus and know that I don't need to worry or wonder about all of those other things. People will see me for who I am and will see the glory of God through my actions.
Lord knows I am willing. Putting it out there. Putting my faith on the line, well, that's just gosh darn scary. I know people look at Christians differently. I know people hold back when they are around them. On the other hand, I know some Christians who flaunt their religion around like it's the new trend. They look down upon you if you're not a Christian, or don't go to their church, or can't quote bible verse off the top of your head. This is what I'm afraid of.
I pray tonight, Lord, that you give me the strength to stand up for what's right and to be my true self - and to not be afraid to include Christian into my self-description. Help me to become what you have planned for me. Help me to see and reveal my true self to others. Help me to renew my mind so that I may show - not tell - but show the glory of God, the glory of Christ Jesus, through my actions, Lord. It is because of you that I have become who I am. Let me also help others who may be on the same journey as me to help bring their own lights to the surface. To help them to release the clouds of doubt they may have and to become who they are meant to be: a child of God. Amen.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Going on a Journey
Hello Friends.
I am a self-proclaimed "Closet Christian." I was born and raised in the Catholic Christian faith and since then have had many trials and tribulations causing me to question my religion and my faith. Also, as I became more and more intellectually stimulated, it just made sense for me to believe in things that were scientifically proven, or that logically made sense. That steered me toward a path less faithful.
Along my journey, my path merged with another when I met a man who, for a lack of better words, swept me off my feet. We continued on our journey together and a together created a son. That's when everything changed. I was now responsible for the upbringing of another human being. As a social creature, I knew that people aren't meant to do this alone and I had support from my husband and family members, but I was missing that one key person: my mother. My mother died from stomach cancer when I was 19. I did the best I could to support my child, but it was hard without motherly guidance from her.
I decided to try to reconnect with faith. Faith in something bigger than me, bigger than my relationships, bigger than my family, bigger than my life. I was now at a crossroads. I wanted to believe. I wanted to have faith. But faith in what? What god out there made sense to me? What spirit or entity would bring me true inner peace? I returned to the Catholic church. The rituals, prayers, the guilt of the sinner - it all came back to me. I found some comfort just being in church. But now as an adult, I felt, well, just going through the motions. It was no longer for me. I didn't see it as a path for my children either. Then, through friends, we found a new church to try. (My husband was with me in wanting to find a faith place to call home.) We went to our first New Hope worship experience.
I must say that I was a little hesitant at first. From all I heard about this church led me to be a skeptic: "It's a cult." "It's full of Holy Rollers." "Jesus freaks." I didn't want to be one of "those". Regardless, we attended. There was a lot of music (like). A number of people were lifting their hands in prayer while singing. (Not so sure about that.) I guess maybe I was tainted with the negativity of overzealous religious organizations. Pushing their beliefs on to you. Preaching as if the world would end tomorrow.
But, surprisingly, it was
I am a self-proclaimed "Closet Christian." I was born and raised in the Catholic Christian faith and since then have had many trials and tribulations causing me to question my religion and my faith. Also, as I became more and more intellectually stimulated, it just made sense for me to believe in things that were scientifically proven, or that logically made sense. That steered me toward a path less faithful.
Along my journey, my path merged with another when I met a man who, for a lack of better words, swept me off my feet. We continued on our journey together and a together created a son. That's when everything changed. I was now responsible for the upbringing of another human being. As a social creature, I knew that people aren't meant to do this alone and I had support from my husband and family members, but I was missing that one key person: my mother. My mother died from stomach cancer when I was 19. I did the best I could to support my child, but it was hard without motherly guidance from her.
I decided to try to reconnect with faith. Faith in something bigger than me, bigger than my relationships, bigger than my family, bigger than my life. I was now at a crossroads. I wanted to believe. I wanted to have faith. But faith in what? What god out there made sense to me? What spirit or entity would bring me true inner peace? I returned to the Catholic church. The rituals, prayers, the guilt of the sinner - it all came back to me. I found some comfort just being in church. But now as an adult, I felt, well, just going through the motions. It was no longer for me. I didn't see it as a path for my children either. Then, through friends, we found a new church to try. (My husband was with me in wanting to find a faith place to call home.) We went to our first New Hope worship experience.
I must say that I was a little hesitant at first. From all I heard about this church led me to be a skeptic: "It's a cult." "It's full of Holy Rollers." "Jesus freaks." I didn't want to be one of "those". Regardless, we attended. There was a lot of music (like). A number of people were lifting their hands in prayer while singing. (Not so sure about that.) I guess maybe I was tainted with the negativity of overzealous religious organizations. Pushing their beliefs on to you. Preaching as if the world would end tomorrow.
But, surprisingly, it was
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