Careful what you preach…the things that we teach and that we say will come back to hold us accountable. I have a friend that talks about something that I often teach: we don’t grow in our comfort zones. Evidently it made an impact because she has said it often. I am someone who has often been called out of her comfort zones and challenged to break the mold. Well, this mantra strikes me funny, not ha ha, lately. I came into this year knowing that I was supposed to write a book, didn’t necessarily know what kind of book, just a book. So, I started saying it out loud, to actual people. Well when you tell people that you are writing a book it seems to have several automatic follow-up questions: What kind of book? What’s it about? Have you always wanted to write? How long have you been working on it? When are you going to be finished? I didn’t really have that kind of info, I just knew that I was stepping out of (not away from) my comfy small group leader role and announcing that I was writing a book, ill-prepared for the follow-up questions.
For me just saying that I am writing a book is nerve wracking! I do actually have answers to some of those questions now. But still way out of my depth. Anyone who thinks being a Christian is boring has never met my Lord. He is never-changing and all-knowing but that does not mean that my walk is dull or narrow or monotonous. The boldness required to announce that I am writing a book seems to only be the tip of the iceberg for what is actually in store. When my friend challenged us with making vision boards for the year I was really surprised by the theme.
It is funny, not ha ha, to me how often and how subtly fear can ooze its way back into our lives. One of the ways is through our comfort zones. Even when what we consider comfort zones appear bold to others. The Bible mentions some form of do not fear or be courageous over 365 times. With that kind of pattern, I assume it’s almost normal for us to be prone to fear. I was recently challenged by a quote that really grabbed me in this season: ‘failure will always feel better than regret’ Jess Ekstrom. I want to strike out and fail more often than sitting around worried about what could have been. Does it matter that I’ve never desired to write a book? Does it matter that I have no idea how to get my book into hands and in front of people? Does it matter that the fear of succeeding and having to talk in front of people is almost more daunting than writing a book I’m not sure I want to write? One of my favorite quotes of all times and I have no idea where I heard it 1st: ‘delayed obedience is disobedience’. I must write simply because I know that I have been told to write, the outcome is not really my problem or my current concern.
#carefulwhatyoupreach #journeywithme #journeyingtogether #titustwojourney
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Perfect in my weakness
My peeps have been drooling and begging for cookies. I found the time today to make their wish come true. However, today this act of love is hitting me fully in the face. I love to bake and as a general rule it doesn’t bother me at all to have goodies around. But today! Today my weakness is showing. I make great chocolate chip cookies. You see I stopped eating flour 3.5 years ago. And it has been quite the miracle. I mean I was a major bread lover. Growing up in Germany where the truck delivered fresh and aromatic bread through the neighborhood developed quite the craving and weakness in me. I like to make bread. I like to eat bread. And I really like the smell of fresh bread. But with my health problems, cutting these 2 inflammation causing ingredients out of my diet became necessary. The miraculous part is: that I have been able to do it and do not feel as though I am missing out on life’s greatest treats.
I haven’t really replaced these 2 ingredients with other things. I eat different kinds of foods now than I did then. But I didn’t get on a gluten-free diet. I still don’t use artificial sweeteners. I have learned to enjoy dark chocolate. And as a general rule I am quite content with my new diet. I can be at a social gatherings and find that it bothers others way more than me when they see me not eating flour or sugar foods.
But! Today it’s rainy and we haven’t worked all week. It’s tax season. Outside forces/struggles seem to be stronger than normal. Isn’t it just like the enemy to go after the weakened sheep? Are there things in your life that you have given up and have come back around to bite you? God has used (among other things) eliminating these 2 things to develop self-discipline deep within me. It is also fruit of the Holy Spririt.
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
2 Timothy 1:7 New International Version (NIV) 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
What are some ways that you build your resolve against temptation? Today, I am writing this blog instead of standing in the kitchen eating the very yummy smelling cookies. But some days it involves taking a walk, pulling out my journal, getting on my knees, eating a piece of gum or fruit (dried pineapple is my favorite).
#realtalk #journeyingtogether #journeywithme #titustwojourney #perfectinmyweakness
I haven’t really replaced these 2 ingredients with other things. I eat different kinds of foods now than I did then. But I didn’t get on a gluten-free diet. I still don’t use artificial sweeteners. I have learned to enjoy dark chocolate. And as a general rule I am quite content with my new diet. I can be at a social gatherings and find that it bothers others way more than me when they see me not eating flour or sugar foods.
But! Today it’s rainy and we haven’t worked all week. It’s tax season. Outside forces/struggles seem to be stronger than normal. Isn’t it just like the enemy to go after the weakened sheep? Are there things in your life that you have given up and have come back around to bite you? God has used (among other things) eliminating these 2 things to develop self-discipline deep within me. It is also fruit of the Holy Spririt.
Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
2 Timothy 1:7 New International Version (NIV) 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
What are some ways that you build your resolve against temptation? Today, I am writing this blog instead of standing in the kitchen eating the very yummy smelling cookies. But some days it involves taking a walk, pulling out my journal, getting on my knees, eating a piece of gum or fruit (dried pineapple is my favorite).
#realtalk #journeyingtogether #journeywithme #titustwojourney #perfectinmyweakness
Deeper
21 years into this journey with my Savior and still there is deeper and more…over 365 times the Bible says to not fear, and many times it says to be strong and courageous. The Bible talks about being bold and not living according to what others think or expect of you. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and everything else will be added to you, Matthew 6:33.
So why do we live in fear? Why do we worry about being popular? Why do we, who are created unique in the very image of God, try to look and be like others? I was finally able to watch Harriet yesterday and I find myself totally blown away! What an incredible movie and it had deep and obvious spiritual ties in it; I am impressed that it was made and aired and that people enjoyed it. Which are all things I think we should take notice of…I believe we live in a time when people are hungry for Truth. They don’t know how to show it and we have gotten bogged down and labeled hypocrites so we don’t readily let our lights shine. Nonetheless, people are hungry and thirsty and there is only One that satisfies.
This woman was brave and courageous. She stood in the face of horrid opposition to get down in the dirty, treacherous trenches to fight for those who desperately needed freedom. I am humbled. Harriet’s bravery stemmed from a deep trust of her Savior. She spent time with Him, heard from Him and obeyed Him. And I don’t want to in any way distract from what she did in freeing slaves but I want to draw some spiritual parallels and I don’t want to expound on the human rights issues that she so brilliantly fought against, but I also don’t want to in any way offend people by using her as a spring board.
Harriet is a hero of our faith. I am so glad that she was recognized and honored in such a beautiful way. When things were especially turbulent, she spoke with passion and deep conviction to those who had forgotten what slavery was like and had gotten comfortable with the perks of their freedom. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. How many of us have been saved and set free and then gotten comfortable?
I am humbled by this beautiful womans testimony because I have given fear, of what people think, a crumb. I know that God has asked me to write a book. But somehow writing a book is more terrifying to me than writing my blog. In fact, it has surfaced some distrust that I have. I have had to repent and ask God to forgive me for not believing that He would make a way. For not believing that He would sell it. For not believing that He would give me the words. For not believing that people need to hear my testimony. Sin creeps in so easily and is never satisfied with the crumbs we initially feed it. It is an invasive species, much like Kudzu, that comes into our lives and dictates ownership. Paul exhorts us to die to our flesh daily. We must take seriously this command. Our adversary is real, roaring and on the prowl to devour.
Back to my life verse above. I remember being at the farm, where I was in full-time ministry when God revealed that verse to me. It is always good to heed the Word that God has deeply printed on your heart. I have to write to reach even one. If my journey can in any way impact another then I must offer the comfort that God has so graciously poured out onto me. I must write because He has breathed His very life into me. I want to be courageous like Harriet. I want to fight for freedom. I want to fight so that people will know there is something more satisfying that will quench the void in their souls.
So why do we live in fear? Why do we worry about being popular? Why do we, who are created unique in the very image of God, try to look and be like others? I was finally able to watch Harriet yesterday and I find myself totally blown away! What an incredible movie and it had deep and obvious spiritual ties in it; I am impressed that it was made and aired and that people enjoyed it. Which are all things I think we should take notice of…I believe we live in a time when people are hungry for Truth. They don’t know how to show it and we have gotten bogged down and labeled hypocrites so we don’t readily let our lights shine. Nonetheless, people are hungry and thirsty and there is only One that satisfies.
This woman was brave and courageous. She stood in the face of horrid opposition to get down in the dirty, treacherous trenches to fight for those who desperately needed freedom. I am humbled. Harriet’s bravery stemmed from a deep trust of her Savior. She spent time with Him, heard from Him and obeyed Him. And I don’t want to in any way distract from what she did in freeing slaves but I want to draw some spiritual parallels and I don’t want to expound on the human rights issues that she so brilliantly fought against, but I also don’t want to in any way offend people by using her as a spring board.
Harriet is a hero of our faith. I am so glad that she was recognized and honored in such a beautiful way. When things were especially turbulent, she spoke with passion and deep conviction to those who had forgotten what slavery was like and had gotten comfortable with the perks of their freedom. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. How many of us have been saved and set free and then gotten comfortable?
I am humbled by this beautiful womans testimony because I have given fear, of what people think, a crumb. I know that God has asked me to write a book. But somehow writing a book is more terrifying to me than writing my blog. In fact, it has surfaced some distrust that I have. I have had to repent and ask God to forgive me for not believing that He would make a way. For not believing that He would sell it. For not believing that He would give me the words. For not believing that people need to hear my testimony. Sin creeps in so easily and is never satisfied with the crumbs we initially feed it. It is an invasive species, much like Kudzu, that comes into our lives and dictates ownership. Paul exhorts us to die to our flesh daily. We must take seriously this command. Our adversary is real, roaring and on the prowl to devour.
Back to my life verse above. I remember being at the farm, where I was in full-time ministry when God revealed that verse to me. It is always good to heed the Word that God has deeply printed on your heart. I have to write to reach even one. If my journey can in any way impact another then I must offer the comfort that God has so graciously poured out onto me. I must write because He has breathed His very life into me. I want to be courageous like Harriet. I want to fight for freedom. I want to fight so that people will know there is something more satisfying that will quench the void in their souls.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)