Now onto the verse for April 15th:
Ephesians 4:25 NIV
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
4/15/09 verse
I just have to say thanks to God today that I had the money to pay my taxes even though I hate paying taxes. God graciously takes care of us year after year! Praise the Lord.
Now onto the verse for April 15th:
Now onto the verse for April 15th:
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Holy Week
It is Holy Week and I was wondering what you think about and what traditions you may have to celebrate this crucial time of remembrance?
I can't think of many easter traditions other than going to an early morning service on Easter to celebrate Jesus coming out in all his glorious countenance from the grave! We never did easter egg hunts or ham but we would often do a sader supper as a family.
That is my most potent Easter memory- celebrating a sader supper as a family. We made our own head coverings and matzo pillows, the whole 9 yards of tradition. Then we would go through the ceremony and talk all the while about why we were celebrating it. After we finished, we then got to talk about how Jesus came and fulfilled all the traditions and law requirements and that we get to live in freedom and grace now. Those are precious memories for our family.
This week I just finished reading a book about how Caiphas (the high priest that tried Jesus before the Sanhedrin) might have experienced life, especially that last holy week before Jesus was crucified. It got me thinking about the deep richness of our Jewish heritage of faith and the depth of symbolism and meaning that Jesus represents to us now. How it is a joy to learn and grown in the understanding of the scriptures and who God is! So I highly recommend you taking some time this week to dwell on our Saviour, holy week and what traditions you have to celebrate Him in your heart. And read a great book or watch a movie that brings this message home to you this week too!
I can't think of many easter traditions other than going to an early morning service on Easter to celebrate Jesus coming out in all his glorious countenance from the grave! We never did easter egg hunts or ham but we would often do a sader supper as a family.
That is my most potent Easter memory- celebrating a sader supper as a family. We made our own head coverings and matzo pillows, the whole 9 yards of tradition. Then we would go through the ceremony and talk all the while about why we were celebrating it. After we finished, we then got to talk about how Jesus came and fulfilled all the traditions and law requirements and that we get to live in freedom and grace now. Those are precious memories for our family.
This week I just finished reading a book about how Caiphas (the high priest that tried Jesus before the Sanhedrin) might have experienced life, especially that last holy week before Jesus was crucified. It got me thinking about the deep richness of our Jewish heritage of faith and the depth of symbolism and meaning that Jesus represents to us now. How it is a joy to learn and grown in the understanding of the scriptures and who God is! So I highly recommend you taking some time this week to dwell on our Saviour, holy week and what traditions you have to celebrate Him in your heart. And read a great book or watch a movie that brings this message home to you this week too!
Hebrews 1:3
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Friday, April 3, 2009
God's grace- teaching me gently
This week I had some hit you in the middle of your forehead, conviction moments from unexpected sources. You know how God sometimes uses ways and means you don't expect in order to reach you? Well, I had some of those.
In my exercise classes this week God used some of my students to speak truth and conviction to me without them knowing it. The first was something I said about a role model they were talking about that I don't particularly agree with. Instead of being winsome and loving in my words I said something harsher and they were amazed. "Esther never says anything harsh or mean towards anyone, surely I didn't hear her right" said one of them. OUCH!!!!! Can I say that God got my attention with that one. The fury of the tongue!
Then the second happened a few days later- God gave me a chance to try this again. We somehow got on the subject of politics and one of my students said something that I strongly disagreed with. But instead of jumping right in there, God caught my mind and I reined in the tongue and said something (hopefully) different and winsome to make all of us think. My student didn't feel poorly and everyone had a great rest of the class (I hope).
So the power of the tongue is another lesson God continues to help me learn. Little by little, step by step I pray I am becoming more like Him!!!!
In my exercise classes this week God used some of my students to speak truth and conviction to me without them knowing it. The first was something I said about a role model they were talking about that I don't particularly agree with. Instead of being winsome and loving in my words I said something harsher and they were amazed. "Esther never says anything harsh or mean towards anyone, surely I didn't hear her right" said one of them. OUCH!!!!! Can I say that God got my attention with that one. The fury of the tongue!
Then the second happened a few days later- God gave me a chance to try this again. We somehow got on the subject of politics and one of my students said something that I strongly disagreed with. But instead of jumping right in there, God caught my mind and I reined in the tongue and said something (hopefully) different and winsome to make all of us think. My student didn't feel poorly and everyone had a great rest of the class (I hope).
So the power of the tongue is another lesson God continues to help me learn. Little by little, step by step I pray I am becoming more like Him!!!!
Psalm 15
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent.He who does these things shall never be moved.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April 1st verse
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Praise the Lord
I just have to say thanks Lord for being with me today, for revealing to me my wrong thoughts and understanding and revealing truth to me!
I can change when I see You holding up the the mirror of Your truth and setting me straight! What a gift from the Giver of all good things. I love God more each day! Thank You for Your promises.
I can change when I see You holding up the the mirror of Your truth and setting me straight! What a gift from the Giver of all good things. I love God more each day! Thank You for Your promises.
"They that wait on the Lord on the LORD will renew their strength, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint."
Monday, March 23, 2009
Hobbling Monday
This weekend was filled with a whirl of activity due to attending a continuing education conference I had to attend and working on taxes etc. We have been busy being responsible adults but I had to share a funny story. ;-)
We went to the park yesterday afternoon for a little break and played some 2 on 2 soccer with my brother and his girlfriend. The 2 girls guarded each other and the 2 guys. While the boys certainly had more skills, we girls made up for it in aggression. I knocked over my opponent lots and we both have huge gigantic bruises on our shins and calves. Then both of us rolled our ankles and I was bowled over- head over heels- by my own loving husband and team-mate (I guess we both wanted the ball). By the time we hobbled home (with the dog leading the way), we could only laugh in utter dismay at our legs! While the men swore we wouldn't be allowed to play anymore since we were obviously bent on self-destruction. This morning I can barely walk with my ankle but it sure was fun! God must be laughing even more than we are!!!
We went to the park yesterday afternoon for a little break and played some 2 on 2 soccer with my brother and his girlfriend. The 2 girls guarded each other and the 2 guys. While the boys certainly had more skills, we girls made up for it in aggression. I knocked over my opponent lots and we both have huge gigantic bruises on our shins and calves. Then both of us rolled our ankles and I was bowled over- head over heels- by my own loving husband and team-mate (I guess we both wanted the ball). By the time we hobbled home (with the dog leading the way), we could only laugh in utter dismay at our legs! While the men swore we wouldn't be allowed to play anymore since we were obviously bent on self-destruction. This morning I can barely walk with my ankle but it sure was fun! God must be laughing even more than we are!!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Re-thinking worldviews
I have been mulling over a powerful and convicting thought this week- judging others because of their sin and false worldviews. I am not sure I have final thoughts on it yet but I wanted to share where I am and what God is doing! After all it is all about bringing Him glory!
Personally I struggle with a judgemental black and white perspective when looking out at the rest of the world. It is very hard for me to separate the sinner from the sin and I have been becoming more and more aware of this. I think I am more like the older brother in the story of the prodigal son than I ever want to be. It is hard for me to see beyond the choices that someone makes- the sin they commit.
Then God brings the world crashing back in on me by showing me my own sin and judgmental heart. This time it was the passage in Matthew 18 about the unmerciful servant who was forgiven his debts and then held a fellow servant who owed little accountable to a higher standard than he personally met. I have done this very thing and it hit me hard. God forgives all of us so who am I to hold my fellow human to a level I can't reach?
With all my thoughts and learning about biblical worldview over the last few years, I have learned why other worldviews don't make sense and why they lead to deception and destruction of many lives. But at the same time, I have to remember that we are all on a journey and God is drawing us to Himself. My heart and mind are being renewed and brought back to the way God created them to be and only when I finish my journey at home with Him will I be complete.
So back to all the other worldviews and the people that hold them. I have to separate how I see people from the way they operate in the world. If someone has not found Christ, they are only operating in the way that they know how- themselves. If someone has found Christ, they are like me, still learning and being transformed. Suddenly, the person comes back to the forefront of my view and not the sin. I can begin to see a glimmer of how Christ looks at the world.
I have to let go of the need to be right and see the fault in others and just love the person. After all the essence of a biblical worldview is seeing the world through God's perspective and that begins and ends with love. I am praying that God will grow my love for others and help me be more winsome in sharing His worldview. God brought a fantastic verse to my attention that really helps me and that is what I am memorizing for this time.
Personally I struggle with a judgemental black and white perspective when looking out at the rest of the world. It is very hard for me to separate the sinner from the sin and I have been becoming more and more aware of this. I think I am more like the older brother in the story of the prodigal son than I ever want to be. It is hard for me to see beyond the choices that someone makes- the sin they commit.
Then God brings the world crashing back in on me by showing me my own sin and judgmental heart. This time it was the passage in Matthew 18 about the unmerciful servant who was forgiven his debts and then held a fellow servant who owed little accountable to a higher standard than he personally met. I have done this very thing and it hit me hard. God forgives all of us so who am I to hold my fellow human to a level I can't reach?
With all my thoughts and learning about biblical worldview over the last few years, I have learned why other worldviews don't make sense and why they lead to deception and destruction of many lives. But at the same time, I have to remember that we are all on a journey and God is drawing us to Himself. My heart and mind are being renewed and brought back to the way God created them to be and only when I finish my journey at home with Him will I be complete.
So back to all the other worldviews and the people that hold them. I have to separate how I see people from the way they operate in the world. If someone has not found Christ, they are only operating in the way that they know how- themselves. If someone has found Christ, they are like me, still learning and being transformed. Suddenly, the person comes back to the forefront of my view and not the sin. I can begin to see a glimmer of how Christ looks at the world.
I have to let go of the need to be right and see the fault in others and just love the person. After all the essence of a biblical worldview is seeing the world through God's perspective and that begins and ends with love. I am praying that God will grow my love for others and help me be more winsome in sharing His worldview. God brought a fantastic verse to my attention that really helps me and that is what I am memorizing for this time.
Acts 26:17-18 NIV
I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
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