"If you are not spending time with the Lord every day, then you have a major pride problem. Just think for a moment, for a believer, it could only be pride that would allow them to think that spending time in the Word and with the Lord is not a necessary part of the relationship." Mom read it in a book today...I was driving...needless to say I had food for thought for quite some time. Because I'll be honest, I do not always spend my daily time with God. I don't think that I think that time with God is unnecessary, but then again, do I? It was convicting to hear.
My baby sister can't read...and this morning in school she was checking off her completed work in the assignment notebook.
Monica: Julia, let me do that, so you don't check the wrong boxes.
Julia: They're not the wrong boxes. I'm checking the right ones!
Monica: How do you know? You can't even read them!
Julia: I don't have to read them. I KNOW what they mean.
Monica: How would you know?
Julia: Come here and I'll show you. See this one has MUS like my math book, so that one is my math. This one has a z, and I only have one school thing with z, and it's Zoology, so that has to be my science. And this was always has a hand written note from Mom, which means that's Bible study, cause she always writes in the Bible study. And this one has an "I" at the beginning, so that has to be italics cause I know that's the first sound. And this one is my Phonics cause it's the only one left.
Monica: Well that's not everything. What about the next day...(I'm pretty impressed, but doubtful as to completing the next day)
Julia: Okay! History has a US at the beginning, and that always goes with United States and that's what we're studying. So that's history. And BTS matches the copies Mom gave me, so that has to be the shapes pages. And I already told you the rest.
Monica: Uh...okay fine. You can check off your own assignments.
Julia: See, I told you!
So yeah. My little sister is 7. She's a genius, agreed?
Monica: Julia, let me do that, so you don't check the wrong boxes.
Julia: They're not the wrong boxes. I'm checking the right ones!
Monica: How do you know? You can't even read them!
Julia: I don't have to read them. I KNOW what they mean.
Monica: How would you know?
Julia: Come here and I'll show you. See this one has MUS like my math book, so that one is my math. This one has a z, and I only have one school thing with z, and it's Zoology, so that has to be my science. And this was always has a hand written note from Mom, which means that's Bible study, cause she always writes in the Bible study. And this one has an "I" at the beginning, so that has to be italics cause I know that's the first sound. And this one is my Phonics cause it's the only one left.
Monica: Well that's not everything. What about the next day...(I'm pretty impressed, but doubtful as to completing the next day)
Julia: Okay! History has a US at the beginning, and that always goes with United States and that's what we're studying. So that's history. And BTS matches the copies Mom gave me, so that has to be the shapes pages. And I already told you the rest.
Monica: Uh...okay fine. You can check off your own assignments.
Julia: See, I told you!
So yeah. My little sister is 7. She's a genius, agreed?
...it's called a "late night feeding spree". And since Dad is always right, that must be what it is. I only eat at 9:30 at night when I feel good. For the first time since my "collision" several days ago, I feel good. I am, temporarily, headache free. I'm not moving much, so my neck doesn't ache either. And I had a nap, so for the moment, I'm not tired. I feel like going for a long run, but that would be detrimental I'm afraid, so I'm restraining myself and sitting still...
so I thought I'd share some from St. Augustine. Don't think too hard now...
“What then is the God I worship? He can be none but the Lord God himself, for who but the Lord is God? What other refuge can there be, except our God? You, my God, are supreme, utmost in goodness, mightiest and all-powerful, most merciful and most just. You are the most hidden from us and yet the most present among us, the most beautiful and yet the most strong, ever enduring and yet we cannot comprehend You. You are unchangeable and yet all things have new life from You. You are the unseen power that brings decline upon the proud. You are ever active yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, thought you suffer no need. You support, you fill, and you protect all things. You create them, nourish them, and bring them back to perfection. You seek to make them your own, though you lack for nothing. You love your creatures, but with a gentle love. You treasure them, but without apprehension. You grieve for wrong, but suffer no pain. You can be angry and yet serene. Your works are varies, but your purpose is one and the same. You welcome all who come to you, though you never lost them. You are never in need, yet are glad to gain, never covetous yet you exact a return for your gifts. We give abundantly to you so that we may deserve a reward; yet which of us has anything that does not come from you? You repay from our debts, but you lose nothing thereby. You are my God, my life, my holy delight. But is it enough to say of you? Can any man say enough when he speaks to you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you! For even those who are most gifted with speech cannot find words to describe you.”
“What then is the God I worship? He can be none but the Lord God himself, for who but the Lord is God? What other refuge can there be, except our God? You, my God, are supreme, utmost in goodness, mightiest and all-powerful, most merciful and most just. You are the most hidden from us and yet the most present among us, the most beautiful and yet the most strong, ever enduring and yet we cannot comprehend You. You are unchangeable and yet all things have new life from You. You are the unseen power that brings decline upon the proud. You are ever active yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, thought you suffer no need. You support, you fill, and you protect all things. You create them, nourish them, and bring them back to perfection. You seek to make them your own, though you lack for nothing. You love your creatures, but with a gentle love. You treasure them, but without apprehension. You grieve for wrong, but suffer no pain. You can be angry and yet serene. Your works are varies, but your purpose is one and the same. You welcome all who come to you, though you never lost them. You are never in need, yet are glad to gain, never covetous yet you exact a return for your gifts. We give abundantly to you so that we may deserve a reward; yet which of us has anything that does not come from you? You repay from our debts, but you lose nothing thereby. You are my God, my life, my holy delight. But is it enough to say of you? Can any man say enough when he speaks to you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you! For even those who are most gifted with speech cannot find words to describe you.”
I was thinking about why. I nice simple little word, right? Well, did you ever wonder why the word "abbreviation" was such a long word? Did you ever wonder how the word "IF" contains enough to fill infinity? Did you ever comprehend how much damage the word "I" has caused? But...did you ever wonder why?
Why do I live? Simple answer: to glorify God.
So then...Why do I so often turn my efforts to other things? Why do I forget what self-sacrifice is? Why do I spend time on things that don't matter? Why do I fail to see the ramifications of my actions? Why do I treat other people better than those I love most? Why do I question God? Why do pant for water when I know where to find the stream? Why am I restless when I know where to find rest? Why?
I'm a sinful human, who is proud and selfish, and wants to do my own things more than give it up for someone else. But I forget that. It easy to forget that, because it doesn't feel nice to remember it. It seems easier to be self-confident than to trust (Wrong). It seems easier to forget about others in my own pursuits (The consequences always come). It seems easy to forget about important things (When in all reality they're nagging at me the whole time). It seems like I could be glorifying God better doing something else (Wrong again). The response is to glorify Him where I am. It's hard sometimes, you know. To give up me, self, I. So when I know, when I have experienced His grace time and again, when I know the results of laying it down to serve Him, why do I still not do it?
Because it's hard, and it hurts. To really die to self, to really trust, to really actually serve out of love, is to rely on God. All the way. It is completely anti – self. Yup. It's sacrifice. It is against human nature, and it's just plain hard. But you know, it's worth it. But I tend to forget that to. I wrote about grace once...
“Truly, I deserve no grace!!! But I couldn't believe that I was actually feeling that way. It really terrified me. I understood all of a sudden my depravity to a new level. I felt a tremendous hopelessness, weakness, smallness, insignificance, worthlessness. A deep hopelessness that was simply, terribly, hopeless. In that moment when I felt really actually like I belonged in hell, something happened. I was so hopeless that God became hope. I was so weak that he became almighty. I was so small that he became everything. I was so helpless that He became almighty sovereign. I was so worthless that He became priceless. I understood God. I understood His grace. When I was drowning, he lifted me and turned His loving gaze upon my face, and I said, simply, with all His heart, “I love you.” How? How could He? I don't know, because he created me? That's not enough. I don't know how or why. I only know He did. Well, in God's arms, cradled in His immensity and strength, you understand who He is, you see His character. And when you see God, you understand. I understood Him. I knew that in my helplessness, in my heart-hearted hate, He was setting me free.”
So yeah. Interesting stuff. People tell me I think to much...but I do wonder why? When I know the answer, when I know what I need to do, why don't I do it?
Why do I live? Simple answer: to glorify God.
So then...Why do I so often turn my efforts to other things? Why do I forget what self-sacrifice is? Why do I spend time on things that don't matter? Why do I fail to see the ramifications of my actions? Why do I treat other people better than those I love most? Why do I question God? Why do pant for water when I know where to find the stream? Why am I restless when I know where to find rest? Why?
I'm a sinful human, who is proud and selfish, and wants to do my own things more than give it up for someone else. But I forget that. It easy to forget that, because it doesn't feel nice to remember it. It seems easier to be self-confident than to trust (Wrong). It seems easier to forget about others in my own pursuits (The consequences always come). It seems easy to forget about important things (When in all reality they're nagging at me the whole time). It seems like I could be glorifying God better doing something else (Wrong again). The response is to glorify Him where I am. It's hard sometimes, you know. To give up me, self, I. So when I know, when I have experienced His grace time and again, when I know the results of laying it down to serve Him, why do I still not do it?
Because it's hard, and it hurts. To really die to self, to really trust, to really actually serve out of love, is to rely on God. All the way. It is completely anti – self. Yup. It's sacrifice. It is against human nature, and it's just plain hard. But you know, it's worth it. But I tend to forget that to. I wrote about grace once...
“Truly, I deserve no grace!!! But I couldn't believe that I was actually feeling that way. It really terrified me. I understood all of a sudden my depravity to a new level. I felt a tremendous hopelessness, weakness, smallness, insignificance, worthlessness. A deep hopelessness that was simply, terribly, hopeless. In that moment when I felt really actually like I belonged in hell, something happened. I was so hopeless that God became hope. I was so weak that he became almighty. I was so small that he became everything. I was so helpless that He became almighty sovereign. I was so worthless that He became priceless. I understood God. I understood His grace. When I was drowning, he lifted me and turned His loving gaze upon my face, and I said, simply, with all His heart, “I love you.” How? How could He? I don't know, because he created me? That's not enough. I don't know how or why. I only know He did. Well, in God's arms, cradled in His immensity and strength, you understand who He is, you see His character. And when you see God, you understand. I understood Him. I knew that in my helplessness, in my heart-hearted hate, He was setting me free.”
So yeah. Interesting stuff. People tell me I think to much...but I do wonder why? When I know the answer, when I know what I need to do, why don't I do it?
I was playing frisbee yesterday with a bunch of friends, and had a slight, no make that MAJOR collision with one of my friends. He was supposed to catch the frisbee, I was trying to knock it down before he got to it. I think I ran into him. Suffice it to say we ended up in the same place at the same time. BAD IDEA. The impact threw us both backwards, where lay until we could breath again.
I'm still in one piece...the chiropractor was kind enough to put my neck, back and rib back where they belonged, but the sledge hammer behind my eyes has yet to take his welcome leave. I'm quite sore, and my left eye vision is not normal. I was a bit dizzy last night, and took a trip down the stairs on my back. Not a suggestion, by the way.
My friend however, has suffered a slight concussion. Probably we both did, but he has worse side effects. His eyes won't focus, he has a constant headache, and some other stuff besides being quite sore. Fellow collissionary, you are welcome to leave comments. My apologies!!!
I'm still in one piece...the chiropractor was kind enough to put my neck, back and rib back where they belonged, but the sledge hammer behind my eyes has yet to take his welcome leave. I'm quite sore, and my left eye vision is not normal. I was a bit dizzy last night, and took a trip down the stairs on my back. Not a suggestion, by the way.
My friend however, has suffered a slight concussion. Probably we both did, but he has worse side effects. His eyes won't focus, he has a constant headache, and some other stuff besides being quite sore. Fellow collissionary, you are welcome to leave comments. My apologies!!!
Our pastor preached a really good sermon on Sunday. In it, he talked about blessing, and suffering, and how they are related.
He said that suffering is not necessarily an indication that God's blessing is being withheld from our lives. Rather, it may be in indication that we are living in a more Christlike manner, bringing upon ourselves the suffering and blessing that God promises.
I Peter 3:14,17 "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."
Matthew 5 tells that who is blessed? Those who are the poor in spirit, the mourners, the gentle, the hungry, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who have been pursecuted.
I thought it interesting that he pointed out that the suffering people listed above are blessed. Perhaps blessing is, in part, suffering?! Living for Jesus invites suffering into our lives. If we are living like Christ, we will suffer like Christ. He furthermore suggested that suffering is mainly external, and the blessing that comes paired with suffering, is what overflows from our hearts as God is at work. The blessing and suffering run hand in hand.
I guess there are plenty of examples, if we look. Paul comes to mind immediately, but really, if you look at Bible character who was considered blessed, they had a tremendous share of suffering that came with it...I thought it was pretty cool. The whole idea that suffering could be an indication that we are living lives pleasing to God, rather vice versa.
He said that suffering is not necessarily an indication that God's blessing is being withheld from our lives. Rather, it may be in indication that we are living in a more Christlike manner, bringing upon ourselves the suffering and blessing that God promises.
I Peter 3:14,17 "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."
Matthew 5 tells that who is blessed? Those who are the poor in spirit, the mourners, the gentle, the hungry, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who have been pursecuted.
I thought it interesting that he pointed out that the suffering people listed above are blessed. Perhaps blessing is, in part, suffering?! Living for Jesus invites suffering into our lives. If we are living like Christ, we will suffer like Christ. He furthermore suggested that suffering is mainly external, and the blessing that comes paired with suffering, is what overflows from our hearts as God is at work. The blessing and suffering run hand in hand.
I guess there are plenty of examples, if we look. Paul comes to mind immediately, but really, if you look at Bible character who was considered blessed, they had a tremendous share of suffering that came with it...I thought it was pretty cool. The whole idea that suffering could be an indication that we are living lives pleasing to God, rather vice versa.
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