Upon Further Inspection

Two weeks ago, we finished the cleaning on the rental house we had lived in for almost 3 years. As I completed the basic cleaning, I kept seeing more things that needed to be done such as finger prints on the walls or cobwebs on the ceiling. Each step of cleaning seemed to reveal something else that needed to be done. The house was actually the cleanest it had ever been but each cleaning revealed something else. It was discouraging when I kept seeing those new areas that needed to be cleaned. I often will feel like this in my Christian life. I keep seeing things in my character or my attitudes that need to be worked on. It can be discouraging and overwhelming as if I am not making progress.

One thing I learned from cleaning that house was the need to step back and look at the big picture. In truth, the house was the cleanest it had ever been when I looked at it as a whole. We actually had made progress. In my life I also need to step back and look at the big picture.
When Jesus became my best friend and savior, He made me clean in His sight. I am forgiven and free. Now He is in the business of making me more like Him. He has begun a work that He has promised to complete. In Philippians 2: 13 it tells us that " it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." God starts with one action or attitude that needs work and then moves on to the next one. Often He works from the inside out. He changes my heart so that I no longer have the desire to do things I once did that were displeasing to him. When God truly works it is a life change not just some legalistic guidelines. I can get discouraged at all the work that still needs to be done or I can be encouraged that I am a child of the king who is forgiven and precious in God's sight. With a proper perspective, I am better able to handle the molding that is taking place in my life.

Dear God, Thank you for your continuing work in me. Thank you for your forgiveness. May I conform my will to your will. May I get rid of those things in my life that get in the way of your light shining. In your son's name, Amen

Great Article on Marriage

The Family Room - March 2009 - FamilyLife.com

Just thought I would share this article. It was an encouragement to me to choose God in all things and let Him work giving the enemy no foothold.

Dear God, Be with marriages today as they are under attack. May we be lights in our interactions so that others will be drawn to you. Amen

Pulling Weeds

Today my daughter and I were weeding some flower beds. We enjoyed being outside and my daughter loved having an excuse to play in the dirt. The beds had been weeded in the Fall, but somehow the weeds had survived the winter and were thriving. In fact when we pulled them up their root systems were extensive making it impossible to get all of the roots. It got me to thinking of all the weeds I that can grow up in my life such as bitterness, jealousy, or anger. If I do not weed these things out of my life right away, they are hard to get rid of and come back again and again. Hebrews 12:15 tells us "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." I am to see that bitterness does not take root in me.

When my DH and I were first married, he was a youth and music guy at a small church. One evening I received a call from a lady who attended the church who accused me of things that I had not done. I was distraught. I had a choice - give it to God and let it go or harbor bitterness toward this woman. At the time, I would not have called it harboring bitterness. My thoughts would have been "I can't believe she said that" or something to that effect. The root of bitterness often takes affect without us knowing it. In this case, I was surrounded by people who helped me choose to give it to God and let it go. Now when I look back, I have no hard feelings.

A bitter root is often a tape of past offenses and words said that plays again and again; past offenses and words that should have been forgiven and forgotten. Instead of sharing God's grace I spread seeds of bitterness. This weed needs to be pulled out, even if it is painful. How much easier if the weed had never taken root and been allowed to grow.

The key to keeping bitterness from taking root is found in Jeremiah 17:7-8. "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." When I am truly trusting in the LORD, what someone says or does will not affect me in the same way. I will be remembering that all things are in God's hands. I will have confidence that God will be there and will take care of me. As His child, I can then concentrate on being the tree that has roots growing deep and never fails to bear fruit.

Dear God, Thank you for your grace. May I share your grace with all those you send my way. Help no bitter root to grow in me whatever the circumstances. Instead let me be a tree firmly planted and grows deep roots and never fails to bear fruit. It is only possible with your Spirit In Jesus name, Amen

Mini Skirts, Mothers and Muslims

A few weeks ago I finished a book called Mini Skirts, Mothers and Muslims. When my family moves over seas my daughter and I will be dressing differently then we do here. We will have a head covering and other adjustments. By doing this, we will show we are modest women. The author of the book tells the whys behind the dress code and gives insight into other aspects of Muslim culture that will be helpful as we try to navigate the unknown. As I was reading, I started thinking about modesty here in the states. It made me think of how I dress differently than I use to and what actually is modest. What guidelines should I go by and what does the bible tell us.? I was excited to find a blog that has been doing some posts on being a modest women and is actually have a modest fashion show next week. (see side bar) I enjoy The Stay at Home Missionary and hope you will too.

First Aid

A week ago my daughter and I took a first aid/CPR class. I didn't want to go by myself so I signed her up to go with me. We learned how to respond in an emergency, how to take care of wounds and how to administer CPR. My daughter especially liked practicing CPR on the dummies and can now be found bandaging up her dolls cuts and breaks. We learned that in any emergency situation we need to do the 3 C's which are check, call, and care. First we are to check the area, find out who is injured and assess what needs to be done. Next we are to call 911 for help if the situation calls for it. Lastly we are to administer care.

As a follower of Jesus, I am reminded of how I need to follow the 3 C's in applying spiritual first aid. For instance I need to check on how a friend is doing spiritually? Do I notice what is going on around me. Most importantly I need to call. I need to call on God. Prayer is the key in this process. Am I praying earnestly for my friends and their needs? Lastly I care for my friends by loving on them and being there for them. In my first aid class, someone asked how long do you do CPR on a person. The answer was until help arrived or you are no longer physically able to do so. In the same way, I am to pray and care as long as I am able, remembering that God will provide a way.

Dear God, You are the master physician. You provide healing for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. May I never cease to care for those who are hurting and in need. May I never fail to call on you to help in all situations. Amen