Good morning all my bloggy friends! I hope this day finds you feeling great and prepared to serve our Lord.
As I write this post, I am watching 2 of my daycare children spin around in circles. I thought to myself, I have got myself into alot of trouble this way - as they spin, it is fun and exciting but the aftermath of dizziness makes you wish that you hadn't had so much fun.
While I was waiting for my internet to return so we could get back to Jonah, I was studying in Proverbs. The first four chapters brought much insight on wisdom. Two of my favorite verses in Proverbs is 3:5&6 but as the read the next two verses, I was impacted. Vs. 7&8 "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."
Check this out! Those short term happy and good feelings that we receive when we are in the midst of our favorite sin, cannot compare to turning away from that evil and having God bring healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
I was just discussing with a friend yesterday, about how there is no greater feeling than being consumed by the love and peace of God. No drug or sin could ever produce a greater feeling. Why seek these temporary fixes when we could have the peace of God at all times? It is our choice. For me, the guilt that consumes me when in the midst of or after sin, is not something that I enjoy. Consider this guilt before you make your choice, its condemning feeling comes from the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:11-15
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
What choice will you make?
Living fearlessly
Christie
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Yesterday, our pastor, Brian Bill, bravely attacked a sometimes confusing and much debated issue of predestination. I thought you would benefit from reading it http://www.pontiacbible.org/index.php?/sermons/more/making_sense_of_predestination/
As I was driving down the road, I saw a raccoon coming up out of the ditch and preparing to cross in front of me. I noticed that as he ran across the road, he didn't look at anything around him, like my car coming right at him, but looking straight ahead, staying completely focused on what he was doing and where he was heading. It hit me at that very moment, I can be so much like that raccoon - not thinking of anything else but myself. Not concerning myself with other people and how they feel or what they need, but keeping my focus on what I'm doing and where I'm going.
I was reminded of this as I read Jonah 4. We talked last week about how God had made good out of Jonah's mistake and you would think that he would have been happy about it - but it's just not what Jonah wanted.
When Jonah saw that the people of Nineveh had repented, he became angry with God and threw himself into a pity party telling God "Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life."
As a Jew, Jonah was still against bringing salvation to the Gentiles. He didn't feel that the Ninevites deserved God's grace. How many times do we choose who we tell about Jesus? Isn't it easier to tell those who are like us or those we are comfortable with. When we choose who "deserves" to hear the Good News, we are forgetting our call from God just like Jonah. Guess what - you and I don't deserve salvation, either!!!
Then, Jonah goes out of the city, builds a shelter and sits (I would guess, pouting). God causes a plant to grow up and give Jonah comforting shade from the heat but overnight a worm attacks the plant and it dies. God causes a scorching wind and the sun beating down on Jonah makes him feel faint and miserable. He again, asks God to take his life.
My initial thought was "what a crybaby! he needs to get over himself" - that was until I thought about how many pity parties I have sat in over much less. Ouch!
Listen to God's response to Jonah. It sure put me in my place. "You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more that 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals."
My Bible commentary says this: Jonah was angry at the withering of the the plant, but not over what could have happened to Nineveh. Most of us have cried at the death of a pet or when an object with sentimental value was broken, but have we cried over the fact that a friend does not know God? How easy it is to be more sensitive to our own interests than to the spiritual needs of people around us.
OUCH!
Have a great day
Living fearlessly
Christie
As I was driving down the road, I saw a raccoon coming up out of the ditch and preparing to cross in front of me. I noticed that as he ran across the road, he didn't look at anything around him, like my car coming right at him, but looking straight ahead, staying completely focused on what he was doing and where he was heading. It hit me at that very moment, I can be so much like that raccoon - not thinking of anything else but myself. Not concerning myself with other people and how they feel or what they need, but keeping my focus on what I'm doing and where I'm going.
I was reminded of this as I read Jonah 4. We talked last week about how God had made good out of Jonah's mistake and you would think that he would have been happy about it - but it's just not what Jonah wanted.
When Jonah saw that the people of Nineveh had repented, he became angry with God and threw himself into a pity party telling God "Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life."
As a Jew, Jonah was still against bringing salvation to the Gentiles. He didn't feel that the Ninevites deserved God's grace. How many times do we choose who we tell about Jesus? Isn't it easier to tell those who are like us or those we are comfortable with. When we choose who "deserves" to hear the Good News, we are forgetting our call from God just like Jonah. Guess what - you and I don't deserve salvation, either!!!
Then, Jonah goes out of the city, builds a shelter and sits (I would guess, pouting). God causes a plant to grow up and give Jonah comforting shade from the heat but overnight a worm attacks the plant and it dies. God causes a scorching wind and the sun beating down on Jonah makes him feel faint and miserable. He again, asks God to take his life.
My initial thought was "what a crybaby! he needs to get over himself" - that was until I thought about how many pity parties I have sat in over much less. Ouch!
Listen to God's response to Jonah. It sure put me in my place. "You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more that 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals."
My Bible commentary says this: Jonah was angry at the withering of the the plant, but not over what could have happened to Nineveh. Most of us have cried at the death of a pet or when an object with sentimental value was broken, but have we cried over the fact that a friend does not know God? How easy it is to be more sensitive to our own interests than to the spiritual needs of people around us.
OUCH!
Have a great day
Living fearlessly
Christie
Friday, September 19, 2008
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I'm FINALLY back - I wanted to kiss the repair man when he finally got here to fix our phone and internet (just to let you know, I did refrain). I'm up and running and the withdrawl symptoms are beginning to fade.
Just wanted to share with you some fun times that we had while I was away. We got over 7 inches of rain last weekend which in turn, caused flooding in our basement. We had spent most of Sunday trying to suck all the water out but had enough time at the end of the day to have some fun in our lake of a front yard
Have a great day and a great weekend! We'll start back with Jonah on Monday
Living fearlessly
Christie
Monday, September 15, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
There are alot of things in this world, that are worth working hard at. They are worth the sacrifices that we make and the hardships that we face. Loving others, parenting, marriage, family, spiritual growth, etc. God is excellent and expects His followers to be excellent (doing their best) in all circumstances. Are you doing your best at everything you do? Not just the things like I listed above, but things like: driving carefully (paying full attention to the road, going the speed limit), cleaning your home (yes, even those yucky spots that have been calling your name), answering the phone (with a smile), addressing those around you (not as an inconvenience, but opportunity) - things that we may think of as insignificant, we must still do with the same attitude of doing our best because everything we do can be worship to God.
Now, on to my favorite chapter in Jonah, chapter 3. The Word of the Lord came to Jonah again, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you."
Hallelujah, he goes this time! I guess having a near death experience and then being swallowed by a fish can change you mind. He goes into the city and cries out the warning from God, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"
Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, all the people believed and called for a fast and put on sackcloth. They believed!! Not only did they believe but even the king of Nineveh arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. They believed and repented! Praise God for His faithfulness! Praise God that He changed the heart of Jonah so he would obey and these people were saved because of it.
Vs. 10 "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it."
God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us. We don't always understand His purpose and plan, but we must trust in His faithfulness that He knows what is best for us and those we will come in contact with.
There have been many things that God has asked me to do that I didn't want to do - I was afraid, I would be uncomfortable, I would have to sacrifice something, I might be misunderstood by others, etc. The point is - we must obey. God is the only One who knows the future, we must trust in the One who is trustworthy.
Living fearlessly
Christie
Now, on to my favorite chapter in Jonah, chapter 3. The Word of the Lord came to Jonah again, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you."
Hallelujah, he goes this time! I guess having a near death experience and then being swallowed by a fish can change you mind. He goes into the city and cries out the warning from God, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"
Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, all the people believed and called for a fast and put on sackcloth. They believed!! Not only did they believe but even the king of Nineveh arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. They believed and repented! Praise God for His faithfulness! Praise God that He changed the heart of Jonah so he would obey and these people were saved because of it.
Vs. 10 "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that He had said He would do to them, and He did not do it."
God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us. We don't always understand His purpose and plan, but we must trust in His faithfulness that He knows what is best for us and those we will come in contact with.
There have been many things that God has asked me to do that I didn't want to do - I was afraid, I would be uncomfortable, I would have to sacrifice something, I might be misunderstood by others, etc. The point is - we must obey. God is the only One who knows the future, we must trust in the One who is trustworthy.
Living fearlessly
Christie
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Have you ever noticed how beautiful the sky is on a crisp, clear autumn morning? My husband and I go outside about the same time each morning, I, to walk and him, to play with the puppies. We both have been awestruck by the beauty of the sky - the massive amounts of perfectly positioned stars and then the colors of a sunrise. I love waking up and being reminded of how great our God is. His creation is a connection point between Him and I. I hope you take the time to soak in the blessings of this earth we've been given. It's a gift from our Lord - don't take it for granted.
At the end of the first chapter of Jonah, Jonah is thrown from the ship and then a God appointed fish, swallows him, whole. As we move into chapter 2, Jonah is praying from the belly of the fish.
He recaps his experience in the water as he thought he was going to die. How he thought that he had been driven from God's sight. Vs. 7 says, "When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your Holy temple."
Vs. 9 "But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord."
God had not rejected Jonah, He just knew what it would take to get his attention. It takes coming through a near-death experience and then sitting in the belly of a fish to get Jonah to realize that He should obey what the Lord has asked him to do.
You may be thinking that this is pretty harsh, but coming from a very stubborn, hard-headed girl, I totally understand. God knows what it will take to wake me up and I have found myself in some places that I wondered how I ever got there. Today, I realize that it was the only way in which I would totally give myself to God. I am thankful now, for those times of total brokenness, because those are the times that my faith and trust has grown to new levels.
Vs. 10 completes chapter 2 "And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land." This verse always gets me - God spoke to the fish. How cool is that!!?? For those of you who may say that you don't hear God speaking to you, if He speaks to fish, how much more would he desire to speak to you! The question is, are you listening?
We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what Jonah decides to do with himself after being vomited from the belly of a fish, so stay tuned!
Living fearlessly
Christie
At the end of the first chapter of Jonah, Jonah is thrown from the ship and then a God appointed fish, swallows him, whole. As we move into chapter 2, Jonah is praying from the belly of the fish.
He recaps his experience in the water as he thought he was going to die. How he thought that he had been driven from God's sight. Vs. 7 says, "When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your Holy temple."
Vs. 9 "But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord."
God had not rejected Jonah, He just knew what it would take to get his attention. It takes coming through a near-death experience and then sitting in the belly of a fish to get Jonah to realize that He should obey what the Lord has asked him to do.
You may be thinking that this is pretty harsh, but coming from a very stubborn, hard-headed girl, I totally understand. God knows what it will take to wake me up and I have found myself in some places that I wondered how I ever got there. Today, I realize that it was the only way in which I would totally give myself to God. I am thankful now, for those times of total brokenness, because those are the times that my faith and trust has grown to new levels.
Vs. 10 completes chapter 2 "And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land." This verse always gets me - God spoke to the fish. How cool is that!!?? For those of you who may say that you don't hear God speaking to you, if He speaks to fish, how much more would he desire to speak to you! The question is, are you listening?
We'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what Jonah decides to do with himself after being vomited from the belly of a fish, so stay tuned!
Living fearlessly
Christie
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Isn't it so cool to know that God can make good out of our mistakes??!!! In our study of Acts, we saw how God changed Saul, from persecuting Christians to becoming Paul, a faithful follower of Christ. I too, have seen God turn my mistakes into good.
As I pondered what book of the Bible we should study next, I thought about Jonah, because I've been alot like him. The book of Jonah brings insight and proper perspective for me so I thought you may enjoy it also.
Let's get started. In Jonah, chapter 1, God spoke to Jonah and told him to go to Ninevah and call out against their evil. Well, Jonah obviously had other plans because he immediately ran from God. He hopped the first ship he could find going in the opposite direction of Ninevah, went down into the belly of the ship and fell fast asleep.
Due to Jonah's disobedience, God caused a major storm where they were sailing and the others on the boat were panicking from the fierceness of it. They were calling out to their gods to help them and awoke Jonah to do the same.
When he explained that he was running from the God of all creation, they were even more afraid and asked him what to do. He told them to throw him overboard and eventually, being terrified for their own lives, they did.
Here's the really cool part! Get this!! The sea immediately calmed and vs. 16 says "Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows."
Jonah's mistake - disobeying and running from God - caused others to believe in Him! God's plan is perfect, even when we mess up!
I am so encouraged by the fact that my mess-ups don't stop God. I thank Him everyday that He doesn't give up on me and He won't give up on you, either - mistakes and all.
Let this be the day that you let go of your past - know that God can and will forgive you - and start fresh, knowing that He can make good from everything.
Living fearlessly
Christie
As I pondered what book of the Bible we should study next, I thought about Jonah, because I've been alot like him. The book of Jonah brings insight and proper perspective for me so I thought you may enjoy it also.
Let's get started. In Jonah, chapter 1, God spoke to Jonah and told him to go to Ninevah and call out against their evil. Well, Jonah obviously had other plans because he immediately ran from God. He hopped the first ship he could find going in the opposite direction of Ninevah, went down into the belly of the ship and fell fast asleep.
Due to Jonah's disobedience, God caused a major storm where they were sailing and the others on the boat were panicking from the fierceness of it. They were calling out to their gods to help them and awoke Jonah to do the same.
When he explained that he was running from the God of all creation, they were even more afraid and asked him what to do. He told them to throw him overboard and eventually, being terrified for their own lives, they did.
Here's the really cool part! Get this!! The sea immediately calmed and vs. 16 says "Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows."
Jonah's mistake - disobeying and running from God - caused others to believe in Him! God's plan is perfect, even when we mess up!
I am so encouraged by the fact that my mess-ups don't stop God. I thank Him everyday that He doesn't give up on me and He won't give up on you, either - mistakes and all.
Let this be the day that you let go of your past - know that God can and will forgive you - and start fresh, knowing that He can make good from everything.
Living fearlessly
Christie
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