Do you do it because you are loved or so that you’ll be loved?
That's the question that popped out of my devotional a few days ago.
Do I do things because I am loved or to receive love?
There was a time in my life when I did a lot of things to be loved. To feel loved and worthy. I struggled with who I was and how I fit in this big world. I let others actions and reactions dictate who I was. With a lot of hard work and study I know who I am (Psalm 139:14) and daily I am reminded by my worth in Christ.
Do I do things because I am loved or so that I'll be loved? I do them because I am loved (and love). I do them because I know who I am and I want to share myself with others. I do them because regardless of the waves that rock my boat, I know I can (and will) step out of the boat and walk across the lake to find the peace, the hope and the love Christ has for me.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
26 days
Does he know how blessed I feel to have him be a part of my life?
Or how much I respect him?
Or that his heart never ceases to impress me?
Or that he really makes me laugh?
Or how even during our most frustrating arguments, there's no one I'd rather have those arguments with?
Or that his honesty can sometimes hurt, but I appreciate it?
Or that he's a lot more patient than he gives himself credit for?
Or that I could stare at him all day long?
Or that he's a really great guy?
Or that 26 days seems like f-o-r-e-v-e-r?
Or that I can't wait to start f-o-r-e-v-e-r with him?
Or how much I respect him?
Or that his heart never ceases to impress me?
Or that he really makes me laugh?
Or how even during our most frustrating arguments, there's no one I'd rather have those arguments with?
Or that his honesty can sometimes hurt, but I appreciate it?
Or that he's a lot more patient than he gives himself credit for?
Or that I could stare at him all day long?
Or that he's a really great guy?
Or that 26 days seems like f-o-r-e-v-e-r?
Or that I can't wait to start f-o-r-e-v-e-r with him?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Raw
We live in a world of deception and hurt. Where people wear masks to cover themselves up.
Lately I've been working on accepting people's reactions/words because that's what I have that is real and present. I can't read thoughts. I choose to believe that we all do the best we can with where we are in our lives...
On a daily basis, I remind myself that I'm walking in my own shoes. I don't understand the other's life circumstances or past hurts. I have to believe what is in front of me today. Or choose not to. Whatever choice I make I have to make based on the facts presented not a hypothesis I create using the "I'll bet he..." or "If I were her...".
Sometimes I get burned. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. Always, I'm real and raw.
Lately I've been working on accepting people's reactions/words because that's what I have that is real and present. I can't read thoughts. I choose to believe that we all do the best we can with where we are in our lives...
On a daily basis, I remind myself that I'm walking in my own shoes. I don't understand the other's life circumstances or past hurts. I have to believe what is in front of me today. Or choose not to. Whatever choice I make I have to make based on the facts presented not a hypothesis I create using the "I'll bet he..." or "If I were her...".
Sometimes I get burned. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. Always, I'm real and raw.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Listen
I just need you to listen to me. Listen to my heart, not my voice.
My words may not say what I mean, but my heart always does.
When I'm feeling flooded, the last thing I need is a "fix". I need you to sit with me in my hurt. I need you to sympathize with my heart. I need you to leave my head out of the conversation and concentrate on my heart. I need you to listen to me.
My words may not say what I mean, but my heart always does.
When I'm feeling flooded, the last thing I need is a "fix". I need you to sit with me in my hurt. I need you to sympathize with my heart. I need you to leave my head out of the conversation and concentrate on my heart. I need you to listen to me.
Needs
God’s provision sustains life.
Satan’s temptation drains life.
God’s provision in the short term will reap blessings in the long term.
Satan’s temptation in the short term will reap heartache in the long term.
God’s provision satisfies the soul.
Satan’s temptation gratifies the flesh.
~Proverbs 31 Ministries
A beautiful reminder that God will meet all of my needs (and yours!) according to His riches.
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. ~Philippians 4:19
Trust Him. Embrace His truth. Live His promise.
I needed to hear that today.
Satan’s temptation drains life.
God’s provision in the short term will reap blessings in the long term.
Satan’s temptation in the short term will reap heartache in the long term.
God’s provision satisfies the soul.
Satan’s temptation gratifies the flesh.
~Proverbs 31 Ministries
A beautiful reminder that God will meet all of my needs (and yours!) according to His riches.
You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. ~Philippians 4:19
Trust Him. Embrace His truth. Live His promise.
I needed to hear that today.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Rules
Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. As as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you'll be walking in the will of God.
Just Do Something ~ Kevin DeYoung
What a freeing statement that is. I think as Christians we tend to create such a tangled web. We create these rules and "have to's" for ourselves that God doesn't ask for or even want! We wait and wait for God to give us answers or direction on things He really doesn't care about. Do I care if my kids go to one university over the other? Nope - it won't affect much. Do I care that they have a heart for Christ? Yep - that affects everything. God feels the same way about us, His children. He cares about the big stuff, the other trivial stuff isn't that big of a deal.
God's concern is my heart. My concern is my heart.
Just Do Something ~ Kevin DeYoung
What a freeing statement that is. I think as Christians we tend to create such a tangled web. We create these rules and "have to's" for ourselves that God doesn't ask for or even want! We wait and wait for God to give us answers or direction on things He really doesn't care about. Do I care if my kids go to one university over the other? Nope - it won't affect much. Do I care that they have a heart for Christ? Yep - that affects everything. God feels the same way about us, His children. He cares about the big stuff, the other trivial stuff isn't that big of a deal.
God's concern is my heart. My concern is my heart.
Sitting on my bed
"Mommy, did you sit on your bed when you were a little girl and hope to have a Reecie and a Ryan? That was the question my little Monkey asked me one night as I picked him up from preschool.
Yes. I did.
There isn't anything else I've been as certain about in my entire life as I was to become a mother... to a little Peanut and Monkey.
Being a mother was a part of me before I actually became one. There isn't a part of me that questions that. Yes there are days I wonder if, while I was sitting on the bed dreaming about my future babies, if I ever really truly understood what that meant. :o)
I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Yes. I did.
There isn't anything else I've been as certain about in my entire life as I was to become a mother... to a little Peanut and Monkey.
Being a mother was a part of me before I actually became one. There isn't a part of me that questions that. Yes there are days I wonder if, while I was sitting on the bed dreaming about my future babies, if I ever really truly understood what that meant. :o)
I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Bouncing
Have you ever bounced your eyes?
Let's say every single day you ate oatmeal and only oatmeal because it's good for you, it's filling and it's quite tasty (it's the flavored kind!). Well one day, right next to your oatmeal you see the biggest, thickest piece, most decadent piece of chocolate cake. You know the chocolate cake is forbidden and so you go on eating your oatmeal, but still... every day you see this exquisite piece of cake. After a while you tell yourself it wouldn't hurt to just take a tiny little bite of the cake, I mean, it's not like eating the whole thing and it really wouldn't spoil your appetite for the oatmeal (which is good and nutritious and tasty). Well one bit leads to another bite and soon you just don't want to even look at the oatmeal. Actually, at this point the oatmeal looks boring and drab and so... predictable.
This analogy is my feeble attempt at explaining some things I've learned through the "Every Man's Battle" books (great books by the way). In the book they talk about the above (in some fancy writer words) to describe how a man can fall into sin when he looks to see past his oatmeal (wife) and towards the chocolate cake (secretary/coworker/neighbor/etc). What the author suggests is that men (and women) need to exercise "bouncing their eyes" - to avoid looking at the temptation, or what could be a temptation, you'll feel satisfied with what you have. The author suggests finding something to bounce your eyes towards such as looking back to the oatmeal or towards Christ, or to the white wall, or to your children, or to your dirty feet - anything in order to keep your eyes pure and focused on what's important.
This week I've put some more thought on this... it's not just about "bouncing" from sexual temptation, it's about "bouncing" from all temptation and one of the best ways to avoid temptations is working on a grounded identity; in other words, figuring out who you are and what you need. Truly understanding yourself and loving yourself just the way God made you. He's God! He didn't mess you up!
Temptations are unresolved weaknesses. Don't let your weaknesses tempt you into making some pretty ridiculous and often destructive choices. There's a reason God gave you oatmeal. :o)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12
Let's say every single day you ate oatmeal and only oatmeal because it's good for you, it's filling and it's quite tasty (it's the flavored kind!). Well one day, right next to your oatmeal you see the biggest, thickest piece, most decadent piece of chocolate cake. You know the chocolate cake is forbidden and so you go on eating your oatmeal, but still... every day you see this exquisite piece of cake. After a while you tell yourself it wouldn't hurt to just take a tiny little bite of the cake, I mean, it's not like eating the whole thing and it really wouldn't spoil your appetite for the oatmeal (which is good and nutritious and tasty). Well one bit leads to another bite and soon you just don't want to even look at the oatmeal. Actually, at this point the oatmeal looks boring and drab and so... predictable.
This analogy is my feeble attempt at explaining some things I've learned through the "Every Man's Battle" books (great books by the way). In the book they talk about the above (in some fancy writer words) to describe how a man can fall into sin when he looks to see past his oatmeal (wife) and towards the chocolate cake (secretary/coworker/neighbor/etc). What the author suggests is that men (and women) need to exercise "bouncing their eyes" - to avoid looking at the temptation, or what could be a temptation, you'll feel satisfied with what you have. The author suggests finding something to bounce your eyes towards such as looking back to the oatmeal or towards Christ, or to the white wall, or to your children, or to your dirty feet - anything in order to keep your eyes pure and focused on what's important.
This week I've put some more thought on this... it's not just about "bouncing" from sexual temptation, it's about "bouncing" from all temptation and one of the best ways to avoid temptations is working on a grounded identity; in other words, figuring out who you are and what you need. Truly understanding yourself and loving yourself just the way God made you. He's God! He didn't mess you up!
Temptations are unresolved weaknesses. Don't let your weaknesses tempt you into making some pretty ridiculous and often destructive choices. There's a reason God gave you oatmeal. :o)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12
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