Christmas card perfect in every moment.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Hard to Believe
Adam found a new book to use in his devotions yesterday. We were browsing John MacArthur's book store, and this book caught his eye:
Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus
This book explains many reasons why Christianity can be hard to embrace. It tackles topics of evangelism while addressing how to present God's message of salvation in today's pop and media based culture.
I Corinthians 1:19-21
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring nothing to the understanding of the prudent."
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since. in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus
This book explains many reasons why Christianity can be hard to embrace. It tackles topics of evangelism while addressing how to present God's message of salvation in today's pop and media based culture.
I Corinthians 1:19-21
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring nothing to the understanding of the prudent."
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since. in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Perseverance
He who perseveres will receive the crown of life...
My father made this bookmark for me years ago. I keep it in my Bible to daily remind me of the importance of perseverance.
One of my favorite Bible verses is James 1:4.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and fully developed, lacking nothing.
You cannot enjoy life fully if you rush through it. You cannot develop fully if you race through tasks without learning from them. You cannot become your true self, the person God is shaping you into, if you do not endure the circumstances he has set in your life to mold you into a well rounded person. Our heavenly father loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to allow us to waste our potential. With perseverance and God's strength, slowly he is transforming our lives daily.
My father made this bookmark for me years ago. I keep it in my Bible to daily remind me of the importance of perseverance.
One of my favorite Bible verses is James 1:4.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and fully developed, lacking nothing.
You cannot enjoy life fully if you rush through it. You cannot develop fully if you race through tasks without learning from them. You cannot become your true self, the person God is shaping you into, if you do not endure the circumstances he has set in your life to mold you into a well rounded person. Our heavenly father loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to allow us to waste our potential. With perseverance and God's strength, slowly he is transforming our lives daily.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Thankful
Exodus 34:6-7a
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
I'm feeling incredibly thankful today. I have a roof over my head. I have my husband, who is my best friend and soul mate, here with me. We have the basic necessities of life. We have love from our friends and family. And we are growing in grace and knowledge through all the experiences God leads us through.
"What I like about experience is that it is such an honest thing. You may take any number of wrong turnings; but keep your eyes open and you will not be allowed to go very far before the warning signs appear. You may have deceived yourself, but experience is not trying to deceive you. The universe rings true whenever you fairly test it." -C. S. Lewis
At times when I feel impatient with my growth, I remind myself that Jesus spent thirty years in preparation for his short years of ministry on earth. Joseph spent many years in slavery, and in prison as he grew in experience and wisdom to serve God as a leader in Egypt. I've been discouraged at times, thinking of all the classes and courses I have taken and must still take to prepare for teaching full time in California. I am sometimes discouraged when I see all the tasks and financial responsibilities we must address before Adam and I are ready to financially afford children of our own. I worry or feel disappointed in myself because I am not ready to reach all my dreams now. But, if Jesus in his humanity went patiently through things that equipped him to do what God called him to do, I know I must also be patient as God develops my character and skills through hard work.
I'm thankful that pouring myself into my studies and my teaching work is enabling me to better serve God's children. I'm grateful that Adam's career is progressing too- he is becoming well respected for his talents and professionalism. Adam is now in high demand for student and independent films.
We don't have much: no full time jobs, no fancy home or car. However, we have each other. Life is about serving God through serving others. Having things is not that important. I pray that we can use the blessings God gives us to make the lives of those around us better. I pray that God continues to help us enjoy what we do have. I thank God that we can admire the things we see around us without feeling the need to acquire more possessions.
We don't need much. All we need is God. Adam & I want to live gratefully, noticing all the small blessings God pours into our lives every day.
I thank God for his deliverance. I praise God for the wisdom he gives his children when they ask for understanding. I am grateful for health, a part time job to help pay for life's necessities, and I praise God for the strength He gives me to face the challenges I meet every day.
Psalm 33:18-22
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us Oh Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
I'm feeling incredibly thankful today. I have a roof over my head. I have my husband, who is my best friend and soul mate, here with me. We have the basic necessities of life. We have love from our friends and family. And we are growing in grace and knowledge through all the experiences God leads us through.
"What I like about experience is that it is such an honest thing. You may take any number of wrong turnings; but keep your eyes open and you will not be allowed to go very far before the warning signs appear. You may have deceived yourself, but experience is not trying to deceive you. The universe rings true whenever you fairly test it." -C. S. Lewis
At times when I feel impatient with my growth, I remind myself that Jesus spent thirty years in preparation for his short years of ministry on earth. Joseph spent many years in slavery, and in prison as he grew in experience and wisdom to serve God as a leader in Egypt. I've been discouraged at times, thinking of all the classes and courses I have taken and must still take to prepare for teaching full time in California. I am sometimes discouraged when I see all the tasks and financial responsibilities we must address before Adam and I are ready to financially afford children of our own. I worry or feel disappointed in myself because I am not ready to reach all my dreams now. But, if Jesus in his humanity went patiently through things that equipped him to do what God called him to do, I know I must also be patient as God develops my character and skills through hard work.
I'm thankful that pouring myself into my studies and my teaching work is enabling me to better serve God's children. I'm grateful that Adam's career is progressing too- he is becoming well respected for his talents and professionalism. Adam is now in high demand for student and independent films.
We don't have much: no full time jobs, no fancy home or car. However, we have each other. Life is about serving God through serving others. Having things is not that important. I pray that we can use the blessings God gives us to make the lives of those around us better. I pray that God continues to help us enjoy what we do have. I thank God that we can admire the things we see around us without feeling the need to acquire more possessions.
We don't need much. All we need is God. Adam & I want to live gratefully, noticing all the small blessings God pours into our lives every day.
I thank God for his deliverance. I praise God for the wisdom he gives his children when they ask for understanding. I am grateful for health, a part time job to help pay for life's necessities, and I praise God for the strength He gives me to face the challenges I meet every day.
Psalm 33:18-22
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us Oh Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
God's Power
God's greatness and power is displayed in so many aspects of our lives. God has delivered us from many difficult and dangerous situations. He has always shown us his way and helped us in our times of need.
After attending church with Mike and Kim today, Adam and I recounted the many ways God has used his perfect timing to set us on our life paths. As we drove home together, Adam and I felt incredibly blessed to look through this window that is rarely so clear, and to see God's fingerprints in every part of our lives.
We are continually supported by friends and family. We are prayed for by our brothers and sisters in Christ. God speaks to us daily in his word.
Adam and I praise God for his guidance. We trust that as we pursue his will for our lives, and as we grow closer to Him through prayer and Bible study, we will continue to see his blessings in our lives.
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