Today, one of the most inspirational men I have ever had the privilege to meet spoke in church. He has a fatal disease that I don't know very much about, but the main symptom is lameness, being physically paralyzed. He has been through so many treatments and since he is a member at church we are notified of his status and some of the things he goes through. He has a beautiful, faithful wife, and two precious little boys. If I remember correctly he was diagnosed with this several years ago. He is already doing more and living longer than the doctors expected, but this is not the most inspirational thing about him. Brian has faith like no one I have ever seen! He has memorized over 300 verses during this time. He KNOWS he is going to be healed without the shadow of a doubt. He appears to have the faith of a Bible character, the faith that to me sometimes seems unattainable. This morning he quoted "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." [Matt. 21:22] I feel like a lot of people, myself included, don't take this verse to heart. We hear the ask and receive and just forget about the BELIEVE. You can't ask for something and say "you know God, if you could do this for me that would be great, but then if you don't I have this back up plan"...God should be plans A-Z. We should trust Him so much that if he didn't come through we would be in a bind (Francis Chan). Brian told a story about one day he needed God to speak to him, but then again, he thought better yet, speak to my wife--give her a dream or vision. He woke up the next morning and she didn't say anything about it but at 3 or 4 she said she told him she had a dream that she was in the den cleaning up toys and he started calling her name and came walking into her...then his son who i believe is 6 told his dad that he had a dream about him that he was walking up the stairs in their house and was shouting "I'm healed! I'm healed!" This and the other things he said touched my heart and made me want to have more faith in God--the church should be the ones doing most of the encouraging for Brian...but I feel like he does even more for us. He sees right now--the waiting period--as a time that his testimony is being built up and when he gets healed people from all over will praise the name of Jesus because they hear about his miracle.
When Brian is able to come to church he comes in his wheel chair and his oxygen mask...but I know he's so thankful to be able to make it there even though I'm sure he doesn't physically feel that great. I can't believe sometimes I find it a hassle to get up and go to church when I don't feel well, or I'm too tired. I get to WALK to my car and use my muscles to DRIVE myself to church, I get to WALK, yet again into the building, and I get to LIFT my hands in praise! What a blessing in itself!
Brian put it like this...if you have the ability to lift your hands in praise, take advantage of it because He is worthy!
I truly believe along with so many other people that Brian's healing is on the way...please help pray for him whether you know him or not because it's going to be worth it all!
--"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." [Heb. 1:11]
--"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith." [1 John 5:4]
--"But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed." [James 1:6]
--"What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled;” and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself." [James 2:14-17]
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Least of These
"The Least of These"
This bible verse just keeps coming up every time I turn around. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" [Matt 25:40]
I think it's God's way of telling me to get going. Life isn't about me, it's about helping those around me as if they were God himself. As Francis Chan puts it, we are only extras in God's movie on Earth. We get like 2/5ths of a second to live and that little millisecond of time, that is our lives, needs to be focused on Him.
I feel like a lot of times, just from personal experience when you start doing what God wants you to do that's when the devil fights his hardest to get you to stop. He plants confusion in your life, and unsure thoughts, and different obstacles for different people to slow us down, but we just need to keep our eyes on the prize! The Lord is not the author of confusion, [1 Cor 14:33], we as Christians know this, and we also know that the devil is indeed the father of lies [John 8:44]. Our biggest goal should not be to let him hinder us and stop us from fulfilling our part in God's ultimate plan.
When we truly start to focus on God, He puts a burden on our hearts for those that are broken, sick, needy, confused. So many people are in these situations. People that we come in contact with daily. I just saw this kid's status, and he was so confused about Christianity in general, it made me want to sit him down and just tell him everything I know, in hope that it would help. Seeing things like that make you want to help people in both the physical and understanding things spiritually sense. Just going out and doing it seems to be the more difficult part, but obviously, it is necessary.
In the end, He will separate those who loved Him by loving others--the sheep on his right hand side, from those who did not help the needy--the goats on His left hand side. [Matt 25:31-46]
I definitely want to be at His right hand. I pray that the devil, nor my selfish nature will get in the way of God's plan and my duty to Him and His children.
This bible verse just keeps coming up every time I turn around. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" [Matt 25:40]
I think it's God's way of telling me to get going. Life isn't about me, it's about helping those around me as if they were God himself. As Francis Chan puts it, we are only extras in God's movie on Earth. We get like 2/5ths of a second to live and that little millisecond of time, that is our lives, needs to be focused on Him.
I feel like a lot of times, just from personal experience when you start doing what God wants you to do that's when the devil fights his hardest to get you to stop. He plants confusion in your life, and unsure thoughts, and different obstacles for different people to slow us down, but we just need to keep our eyes on the prize! The Lord is not the author of confusion, [1 Cor 14:33], we as Christians know this, and we also know that the devil is indeed the father of lies [John 8:44]. Our biggest goal should not be to let him hinder us and stop us from fulfilling our part in God's ultimate plan.
When we truly start to focus on God, He puts a burden on our hearts for those that are broken, sick, needy, confused. So many people are in these situations. People that we come in contact with daily. I just saw this kid's status, and he was so confused about Christianity in general, it made me want to sit him down and just tell him everything I know, in hope that it would help. Seeing things like that make you want to help people in both the physical and understanding things spiritually sense. Just going out and doing it seems to be the more difficult part, but obviously, it is necessary.
In the end, He will separate those who loved Him by loving others--the sheep on his right hand side, from those who did not help the needy--the goats on His left hand side. [Matt 25:31-46]
I definitely want to be at His right hand. I pray that the devil, nor my selfish nature will get in the way of God's plan and my duty to Him and His children.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A New Song!
I definitely have not done this in awhile, but I want to try and start back more often because it requires me to look into the Bible and think about it and break it down into something that means something on another level.
I've said it before, God definitely has a way of reaching you, and hammering things into your spirit until you just can't get past it. I've realized recently that my relationship with God isn't where it needs to be right now. I've let myself get slack and put other things before Him and He sat waiting for a little while, but finally I just needed that brick dropped on my head. I've been feeling led to do more things for God than before. I truly feel like I'm growing spiritually.
I realized that you have to want a relationship with Jesus because you need it, and you see that you can't live without Him. The biggest thing, I think, for that relationship is just the time spent with Him aspect. You can't hold a friendship or a relationship without sharing your heart and talking and spending time together, it's just not possible, then you just become acquaintances.
Another huge thing is worship! I've come to realize this through watching someone with the purest worship and the deepest praise and an intimate relationship with God. It's our repayment to Him for dying on the cross for us! Simply, to praise Him because He is who He is. Not only because He died on the cross, and because he loves us unconditionally, but also because He is the God of the universe!--the creator, not only, of everything that we sense with our five senses, and everything we feel in our hearts, but everything beyond what we can see and what we know. That is worthy of praise and worship. It makes Him worthy enough for us to be bold enough to lift our hands and say here I am, Lord, take me as an offering. It makes Him worthy enough for us to worship Him with our lives, and living in a constant state of prayer.
God called David a man after His own heart. He had an intimate, deep, passionate, worship for God and relationship with God. I mean, take a look at Psalms and how many verses begin, end, and all throughout it talk about praising Him and how everything that has...and doesn't have breath...praises their God. How much more should we praise Him? I definitely don't want the rocks to cry out in my place if I don't worship Him! Go look these up. They are some good ones!
1 Chron 16:9
1 Chron 16:25
1 Chron 29:13
Ps 2:11
Ps 9:2
Ps 18:3
Ps 30:11-12
Ps 34:1
Luke 19:40
I'm continuing to pray for a new song in my heart to sing to Him and a fiery passion for Him and the need to get to know Him more. These are two of the songs that have been on my heart lately. The first one is definitely more contemporary. The second one is definitely not most people's style, it's southern gospel, but the words are true and the girl's voice is beautiful!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys8RlUbaJ20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vlrn7mVqrw
I've said it before, God definitely has a way of reaching you, and hammering things into your spirit until you just can't get past it. I've realized recently that my relationship with God isn't where it needs to be right now. I've let myself get slack and put other things before Him and He sat waiting for a little while, but finally I just needed that brick dropped on my head. I've been feeling led to do more things for God than before. I truly feel like I'm growing spiritually.
I realized that you have to want a relationship with Jesus because you need it, and you see that you can't live without Him. The biggest thing, I think, for that relationship is just the time spent with Him aspect. You can't hold a friendship or a relationship without sharing your heart and talking and spending time together, it's just not possible, then you just become acquaintances.
Another huge thing is worship! I've come to realize this through watching someone with the purest worship and the deepest praise and an intimate relationship with God. It's our repayment to Him for dying on the cross for us! Simply, to praise Him because He is who He is. Not only because He died on the cross, and because he loves us unconditionally, but also because He is the God of the universe!--the creator, not only, of everything that we sense with our five senses, and everything we feel in our hearts, but everything beyond what we can see and what we know. That is worthy of praise and worship. It makes Him worthy enough for us to be bold enough to lift our hands and say here I am, Lord, take me as an offering. It makes Him worthy enough for us to worship Him with our lives, and living in a constant state of prayer.
God called David a man after His own heart. He had an intimate, deep, passionate, worship for God and relationship with God. I mean, take a look at Psalms and how many verses begin, end, and all throughout it talk about praising Him and how everything that has...and doesn't have breath...praises their God. How much more should we praise Him? I definitely don't want the rocks to cry out in my place if I don't worship Him! Go look these up. They are some good ones!
1 Chron 16:9
1 Chron 16:25
1 Chron 29:13
Ps 2:11
Ps 9:2
Ps 18:3
Ps 30:11-12
Ps 34:1
Luke 19:40
I'm continuing to pray for a new song in my heart to sing to Him and a fiery passion for Him and the need to get to know Him more. These are two of the songs that have been on my heart lately. The first one is definitely more contemporary. The second one is definitely not most people's style, it's southern gospel, but the words are true and the girl's voice is beautiful!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys8RlUbaJ20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vlrn7mVqrw
Monday, November 22, 2010
Self Reflection
Sometimes I just get to thinking about where my life could possibly be headed, and am I doing what I need to be doing to keep it on the right track. I ask myself am I becoming the "young lady" that I want to be--that I had planned on becoming my whole life. Well, I realized, the question I should be asking myself is, am I becoming who God wants me to become? I wish so much to know exactly what I'm going to turn out to be like. Of course, I have my plans for myself, but what is the ultimate plan?--The real plan, God's plan.
His plan is just confusing sometimes. I guess because His reasoning isn't mine. Too many times I ask God, why are you doing this, when He has a perfectly good reason that I just can't wrap my mind around yet. The best things in life are the things I can't understand. The things I couldn't have possibly worked up in my mind to ask God for. The things that don't come until you've completed a maybe not so easy process. I never want to take the easy way out. Not in life, or lovee or anything.
I don't want to taste alcohol, or do drugs--I want my happiness to be the pure joy of the Lord. I want to be pure until I'm married and honor the Lord's temple that was bought for a price. I don't want to harm my testimony by speaking any sort of profanity, or negative words, or thoughts. ("Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." [Eph 4:29]).I never want to give in to accepting certain lifestyles that the Bible teaches against because the world and even other Christians have come to accept it, but I also don't want to condemn those who do. I never want to avoid being with or in future terms, marrying, the man I love because it is unconventional in some ways, as long as I know he is what God has planned.
As the coming of Christ draws nearer, satan has caused the world to make the right choice the harder choice, in many instances. Never take the easy way out! Do what the Holy Spirit leads you to believe in your heart that is good and right, despite the confusion that the world may cause if you don't stand firm in your beliefs.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." [Matt 7:13-14]
His plan is just confusing sometimes. I guess because His reasoning isn't mine. Too many times I ask God, why are you doing this, when He has a perfectly good reason that I just can't wrap my mind around yet. The best things in life are the things I can't understand. The things I couldn't have possibly worked up in my mind to ask God for. The things that don't come until you've completed a maybe not so easy process. I never want to take the easy way out. Not in life, or lovee or anything.
I don't want to taste alcohol, or do drugs--I want my happiness to be the pure joy of the Lord. I want to be pure until I'm married and honor the Lord's temple that was bought for a price. I don't want to harm my testimony by speaking any sort of profanity, or negative words, or thoughts. ("Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." [Eph 4:29]).I never want to give in to accepting certain lifestyles that the Bible teaches against because the world and even other Christians have come to accept it, but I also don't want to condemn those who do. I never want to avoid being with or in future terms, marrying, the man I love because it is unconventional in some ways, as long as I know he is what God has planned.
As the coming of Christ draws nearer, satan has caused the world to make the right choice the harder choice, in many instances. Never take the easy way out! Do what the Holy Spirit leads you to believe in your heart that is good and right, despite the confusion that the world may cause if you don't stand firm in your beliefs.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." [Matt 7:13-14]
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Slipping Away
So, I'm not sure if everyone has this problem at some point in their lives and it's just not brought up in conversation, or if it's just me--I think it might just depend on the person. Today, well actually over the past few days, I've had one of those revelations where you wake up and realize that suddenly you're at a place where you've always tried to be sure to avoid. I seem to always have an issue with this thing, but I never completely lose control of the situation...until now.
I've always been the type of person who I have to really work to keep up with a friendship. I guess everyone does, all friendships require some type of up keep because that's just how any relationship is. Time after time I've watched a friend fade away because they are just so focused on something else--namely a boyfriend, if we want to get into detail. It's awful because you just completely lose touch with that friend. I always told myself that I would not be the girl who gets so emotionally involved with a guy that he comes before my friends, but it just seems like i don't know who those real friends are that I'm supposed to keep at the top of my list no matter what. I mean, it's one thing to be weekday friends, and another to be weekend friends.
Yep, definitely just made that one up. There are the people that you're friends with at school, and then those that you spend time with on the weekend. I have weekday friends, im not at a need for those types, but the real type is the kind im looking for...seems like theres been an absence of them lately.
I guess some people are drawn to certain people, and i just happen to be one that we have to work to get to know each other and im learning to be okay with that...it's more important to have real friends than just numbers. People will be in and out of your life constantly, im learning, and each of them serves a purpose: either them to you, you to them, or both. I guess it's just finding those people that stick around for awhile to get close to. I can't help but think that God weeds people out of your life, at times...the times when it seems like you only have a few people around, and that's okay.
"A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." [Prov 18:24]
So, i guess that pretty much means, yeah, people are gonna slip away, but that's why He is always there no matter what, day or night.
"Do not trust in a neighbor ; Do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom Guard your lips. For son treats father contemptuously, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law ; A man's enemies are the men of his own household.
God Is the Source of Salvation and Light
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD ; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me." [Micah 7:5-7]
I don't think that this means to push away and be completely distant from people because you can't trust them...but I do think it means not to put all your eggs in one basket, with a friend, girlfriend, boyfriend--human. Humans will fail you, and it isn't a surprise to God when they do and when you fail other people...but it's okay because you have HIM to lean on. Always. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do next...so, I think i'm gonna just leave this one and let God do His thing.
I've always been the type of person who I have to really work to keep up with a friendship. I guess everyone does, all friendships require some type of up keep because that's just how any relationship is. Time after time I've watched a friend fade away because they are just so focused on something else--namely a boyfriend, if we want to get into detail. It's awful because you just completely lose touch with that friend. I always told myself that I would not be the girl who gets so emotionally involved with a guy that he comes before my friends, but it just seems like i don't know who those real friends are that I'm supposed to keep at the top of my list no matter what. I mean, it's one thing to be weekday friends, and another to be weekend friends.
Yep, definitely just made that one up. There are the people that you're friends with at school, and then those that you spend time with on the weekend. I have weekday friends, im not at a need for those types, but the real type is the kind im looking for...seems like theres been an absence of them lately.
I guess some people are drawn to certain people, and i just happen to be one that we have to work to get to know each other and im learning to be okay with that...it's more important to have real friends than just numbers. People will be in and out of your life constantly, im learning, and each of them serves a purpose: either them to you, you to them, or both. I guess it's just finding those people that stick around for awhile to get close to. I can't help but think that God weeds people out of your life, at times...the times when it seems like you only have a few people around, and that's okay.
"A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." [Prov 18:24]
So, i guess that pretty much means, yeah, people are gonna slip away, but that's why He is always there no matter what, day or night.
"Do not trust in a neighbor ; Do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom Guard your lips. For son treats father contemptuously, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law ; A man's enemies are the men of his own household.
God Is the Source of Salvation and Light
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD ; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me." [Micah 7:5-7]
I don't think that this means to push away and be completely distant from people because you can't trust them...but I do think it means not to put all your eggs in one basket, with a friend, girlfriend, boyfriend--human. Humans will fail you, and it isn't a surprise to God when they do and when you fail other people...but it's okay because you have HIM to lean on. Always. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do next...so, I think i'm gonna just leave this one and let God do His thing.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Marjorie Jay Rushton
***This post is in loving memory of a wonderful friend, leader, and woman of God.
"Farther along we'll know all about it, farther along we'll understand why, cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine, we'll understand it all by and by"
This morning I was awoken by mom coming in my room at about seven to tell me that a lady--only 30 years old from my church...with a husband and two daughters, ages 2 and 3...had passed away supposedly due to medications from having her tonsils removed. We went down to their house at about 10am to find her yard completely filled with cars belonging to family and friends. Everyone helped with the cleaning and things that needed to be taken care of. Margie was one of the most dedicated people I have ever known. She was a faithful teacher, preacher, drama leader, and friend to me. You couldn't out talk her--in speed or length...haha--but you also couldn't out give her. She was one of the absolute most generous people.
It's still not completely real to me that you're not here, but I know you couldn't be enjoying yourself more. Just last week we were all practicing dramas, cartwheels, toe touches, and eating pizza together. I feel like you can somehow see what all is going on down here and see all your loved ones missing you so and even though it's sad for you to see all of us grieving, I hope you can smile when you think about all those who care. I remember when you first started dating Mark, and then y'all got married and hannah grace, tavera, brooks and I were in your wedding : )
You are dearly missed by everyone, and we are all helping to take care of your precious girls who are like my own blood.
When things like this happen, it never fails to amaze me what a wake up call it is, that it could have been any of us that this happened to...so unexpected. How thankful I am to have all my family and friends with me right now! This is exactly why we should love and worship our creator--and love those around us with His love like there is no tomorrow, since we aren't promised a tomorrow or even the rest of today. Make a point to love, love, love every single day of your life.
Margie lovedddd it when grandma, mom, uncle danny, and i sang the song "homesick" by dottie rambo, i think is who it's by...haha it was ridiculous.
"See the bright light shine,
It's just about home time,
I can see my Father standing at the door,
This world has been a wilderness,
I'm headed for deliverance,
Lord, I've never been this homesick before."
" 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' "...[John 13:7]
***I love you Marge, and couldn't be happier for you! Save a place for me : )
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Water Walking
So, I feel like I'm always talking about change...change at school, change in friends, change in relationships, change at church, change at home...
Everything changes...except God, of course.
I was just discussing with a friend of mine how everything seems unstable, nothing is definite, nothing is solid--I can't bet that anything will be the same tomorrow as it was today.
I'd almost go so far as to say that we're walking on water. Everyone knows what a wave looks like--how could one possibly remain standing on something so very unpredictable and unstable. On the other hand, Jesus is a solid rock, an anchor for us.
This brings me to the ever popular story of Peter walking on water...or not walking or water, rather. I feel like Peter is always the one getting picked on for his lack of faith, I have to admit I can't guarantee I wouldn't do some of the same things and have some of the same flaws.
Well, anyway, the disciples head out on a boat on the Sea of Galilee ahead of Jesus. Later, once they are a ways out Jesus is like hey, I should catch up to my bffs and just figures that walking would be the quickest way, I guess. The disciples see him and get scared and think he's a ghost?...which at first hearing that I think they are a little ridic...but again, I can't say if i saw a figure walking across the sea I wouldn't think it was supernatural either--but i guess it was...hmmm...
Well, Jesus is like, "take courage it is I, don't be afraid."
Peter, of course, is a little skeptical of this whole situation and says Lord, if it's you tell me to come. So, Jesus does so. He stepped out, saw the wind, and panicked and started to sink...he said "Lord save me!" Jesus immediately reaches out and pulls him up and replies, "You of little faith...why did you doubt?"
This brings me back to me and my friend's conversation...now almost every day seems like one of those walking on water days...but, the instability could become just as if we were walking on land if we trust in Jesus who even if we did start to sink would be our life preserver and pull us right back up--how reassuring! I'm going to go into every day, every unpredictable, crazy, storm-filled, up and down day with the faith that Jesus Christ has my back, so what could go wrong in the end?
: )
Everything changes...except God, of course.
I was just discussing with a friend of mine how everything seems unstable, nothing is definite, nothing is solid--I can't bet that anything will be the same tomorrow as it was today.
I'd almost go so far as to say that we're walking on water. Everyone knows what a wave looks like--how could one possibly remain standing on something so very unpredictable and unstable. On the other hand, Jesus is a solid rock, an anchor for us.
This brings me to the ever popular story of Peter walking on water...or not walking or water, rather. I feel like Peter is always the one getting picked on for his lack of faith, I have to admit I can't guarantee I wouldn't do some of the same things and have some of the same flaws.
Well, anyway, the disciples head out on a boat on the Sea of Galilee ahead of Jesus. Later, once they are a ways out Jesus is like hey, I should catch up to my bffs and just figures that walking would be the quickest way, I guess. The disciples see him and get scared and think he's a ghost?...which at first hearing that I think they are a little ridic...but again, I can't say if i saw a figure walking across the sea I wouldn't think it was supernatural either--but i guess it was...hmmm...
Well, Jesus is like, "take courage it is I, don't be afraid."
Peter, of course, is a little skeptical of this whole situation and says Lord, if it's you tell me to come. So, Jesus does so. He stepped out, saw the wind, and panicked and started to sink...he said "Lord save me!" Jesus immediately reaches out and pulls him up and replies, "You of little faith...why did you doubt?"
This brings me back to me and my friend's conversation...now almost every day seems like one of those walking on water days...but, the instability could become just as if we were walking on land if we trust in Jesus who even if we did start to sink would be our life preserver and pull us right back up--how reassuring! I'm going to go into every day, every unpredictable, crazy, storm-filled, up and down day with the faith that Jesus Christ has my back, so what could go wrong in the end?
: )
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