Sandy Cooper, She Speaks Conference Graduate wrote the following for the Proverbs 31 devotional. I wanted to share it with you because it speaks straight from my heart.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” I Thessalonians 4:11&12 (NIV)
“Mom, will you please tell me a story?“ my eight-year-old daughter asked me recently. It had been one of those insanely packed days, full of errands, chores and activities… and it wasn’t over yet. My mind strained to keep everything in order for the remaining events we had planned for the evening. I was coordinating our homeless outreach followed by plans to attend my husband’s softball game. Kids had to be fed, pottied, properly clothed, and in the right places at the right times. I had to remember to bring supplies, snacks, drinks and driving directions to our various destinations. There was no brain reserve left for creative stories.
“I’m sorry, honey. I can’t tell you a story right now. I just have too much on my mind.”
“That’s okay,” she said. “I’ll tell you a story. Once upon a time,” she began, “there was a very busy mom.”
Uh oh. This ought to be interesting…
“She woke up every day and she was tired. She made a big pot of coffee and went into her room to pray. She prayed and prayed and prayed…but nothing happened. She did the laundry and went to Target and to the grocery store where she spent lots of money. She made dinner and cleaned the house. She went to help the homeless children. At the end of the day, she was still tired so she went to bed. The end.”
Wow. I’m like a twisted version of the Proverbs 31 woman, only much less effective.
I managed to fake a smile and kiss my precious daughter on the head as I blinked back tears. Is that really how she sees me? As a tired woman with a futile prayer life? Overwhelmed and overscheduled? I had always taken pride in the fact that I wasn’t busy. Years ago I learned to say “no” to activities that ate into our family time. I value simplicity and solitude. I had even taught Bible studies about it! Yet, somehow in the midst of my un-busy life, I managed to get very busy. And now the children were taking notice. This was something I promised myself would never happen.
That night I couldn’t sleep (a very rare thing for me...being as “tired” as I am and all). So at 1:00 am I got up and began journaling. For two hours, I poured out my anxious thoughts to God as I sifted through my schedule to identify where and when things had gone wrong. I listed every activity in which I am currently involved, as well as every household responsibility that was taking up my time. The process was very revealing. I discovered that it wasn’t one nasty “culprit” I could quickly cast out of my life, but a series of little culprits to address:
o Mismanaged time—like checking and responding to e-mails over ten times a day.
o Commitments which were longer than anticipated—like the freelance job that was supposed
to be completed two months ago.
o Time management systems I previously put in place, but failed to maintain—like my mail
filing system and my “write-everything-on-a-master-list” system.
o Piles of clutter in my home—which often left me feeling exasperated because they
represented areas of my life that were out of control.
That night God helped me identify a few key areas I could immediately cut in order to be less busy. He helped me draw up and prioritize a master list of projects to tackle, as well as new chores to delegate to my children. But mostly that night, He reminded me - for what seems like the millionth time - that my children would only be little for a season. And in comparison to the pages of other tasks and responsibilities I had just written in my journal, my commitment to be a Godly wife and mother stood far above them all.
And then He reminded me that He doesn’t view me as some kind of “ministry production machine.” Nor does He value me because of what I can accomplish in a day. He cherishes me because I am His daughter. When I remember this, I’m much less inclined to add many things to my plate. Instead, I rest in the peace of knowing who I am in Christ and what He has purposed for me to do and be.
Dear Lord, I offer my schedule today to You. Help me remove from my schedule things not in Your perfect will for me. Help me add anything to my schedule that I may have overlooked but is important to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Oh, how I have been that woman. I have been a woman who neglected everything else in her life for the sake of "ministry". I found myself in the midst of losing all the relationships that I so deeply cared about, because I was so focused on what I thought I should be doing. It took a great awakening and alot of hardship, but God reminded me that He needs to be #1 (not church - not ministry, but Him), my husband should come next, then my children and finally, others. It was very painful and lonely at first, but eventually, I was able to begin to live as the above mentioned verse instructs.
Now, don't get me wrong - I still fall to busyness at times, but I can easily remember the lesson I have learned and soon be back on track.
Just one more time in my life that God has changed my heart through hardship. Although hardship is something we would all like to avoid, I am thankful for what it teaches me in the end.
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Good morning and happy Monday! I am so excited to share with you about a pastor that came and spoke at our church, yesterday. His name is Pastor Joe Michael and he and his wife came from Kenya to share with us. His message was full of passion and love for the Lord. Check out the summary that was posted on our pastor's blog today. For more info on Pastor Joe and Pontiac Bible Church, check out the website at www.pontiacbible.org
We are more than what we think we are. We must be in the divine destiny that God created us to be.
Why should we evangelize? Matthew 9:35-38.
1. Because Jesus was a soul-winner.
Jesus had compassion when he saw multitudes. We have no choice but to hurt with the hurting. When we go out from here, do we see people as hurting, harassed and helpless? We must see with the eyes of Jesus.
There are no fish in the bathtub. We must go where the fish are. Where are you fishing?
Jesus came to save. 1 Timothy 1:15; Luke 19:10. If we call ourselves “Christians,” then we must do what Christ did. We have changed “go ye” from Matthew 28:18-20 to “come ye.” We are commanded and commissioned to go.
What are we doing with what we’ve been given?
Acts 5:42. Where is the first century church in the 21st century? People were added “daily.” What’s gone wrong? Where’s the passion?
Some people will never hear the gospel unless you tell them. Pontiac is counting on you to tell.
2. The Harvest is great. Compassion is more than just feeling something, we must also have action. The grain stands ready—if we wait too long, the harvest will be lost.
We must have urgency. 1 Corinthians 7:29—time is short. We must mobilize everyone everywhere in evangelism. Lift up your eyes and see. If you’re not sure what to say, simply share your testimony—“I was blind, but now I see.”
Motto: Every Christian to be a witness.
Mission: Do this where people are.
There are still 22 people groups in Kenya with no gospel witness. He’s praying that God will mobilize people to saturate the nation with the gospel.
We must come out of our comfort zones and share the gospel. Do you have the call or does the call have you?
1 Corinthians 15:34. People are lost because church is sleeping. We are committing the sin of omission. May the Lord wake us up to go next door or to go to Africa.
Speaking of evangelism, check out this video. It really caused me to stop and think."How much do you have to hate someone, not to tell them about everlasting life?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM
To add to God's messages over the last week to me about tell others about Him, I opened my Bible this morning, to Luke 5:1-11 , which was the story of Jesus getting into Simon Peter's boat to preach and then afterward, telling him to let down his nets. Even though Simon Peter had been fishing all night without catching anything, he obeyed and came back with two full boats of fish. He immediately felt so unworthy of being in Jesus' presence and then made the decision to follow Him. Jesus says "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men."
This was Jesus saying to me, once again, "Don't be afraid, Christie, you are following Me - I am in control." I'm so thankful that God continues to assure me of His faithfulness.
As a child of God, who/what shall we fear?????
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
We are more than what we think we are. We must be in the divine destiny that God created us to be.
Why should we evangelize? Matthew 9:35-38.
1. Because Jesus was a soul-winner.
Jesus had compassion when he saw multitudes. We have no choice but to hurt with the hurting. When we go out from here, do we see people as hurting, harassed and helpless? We must see with the eyes of Jesus.
There are no fish in the bathtub. We must go where the fish are. Where are you fishing?
Jesus came to save. 1 Timothy 1:15; Luke 19:10. If we call ourselves “Christians,” then we must do what Christ did. We have changed “go ye” from Matthew 28:18-20 to “come ye.” We are commanded and commissioned to go.
What are we doing with what we’ve been given?
Acts 5:42. Where is the first century church in the 21st century? People were added “daily.” What’s gone wrong? Where’s the passion?
Some people will never hear the gospel unless you tell them. Pontiac is counting on you to tell.
2. The Harvest is great. Compassion is more than just feeling something, we must also have action. The grain stands ready—if we wait too long, the harvest will be lost.
We must have urgency. 1 Corinthians 7:29—time is short. We must mobilize everyone everywhere in evangelism. Lift up your eyes and see. If you’re not sure what to say, simply share your testimony—“I was blind, but now I see.”
Motto: Every Christian to be a witness.
Mission: Do this where people are.
There are still 22 people groups in Kenya with no gospel witness. He’s praying that God will mobilize people to saturate the nation with the gospel.
We must come out of our comfort zones and share the gospel. Do you have the call or does the call have you?
1 Corinthians 15:34. People are lost because church is sleeping. We are committing the sin of omission. May the Lord wake us up to go next door or to go to Africa.
Speaking of evangelism, check out this video. It really caused me to stop and think."How much do you have to hate someone, not to tell them about everlasting life?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM
To add to God's messages over the last week to me about tell others about Him, I opened my Bible this morning, to Luke 5:1-11 , which was the story of Jesus getting into Simon Peter's boat to preach and then afterward, telling him to let down his nets. Even though Simon Peter had been fishing all night without catching anything, he obeyed and came back with two full boats of fish. He immediately felt so unworthy of being in Jesus' presence and then made the decision to follow Him. Jesus says "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men."
This was Jesus saying to me, once again, "Don't be afraid, Christie, you are following Me - I am in control." I'm so thankful that God continues to assure me of His faithfulness.
As a child of God, who/what shall we fear?????
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Friday, January 9, 2009
It's here again - Happy Friday! I've heard alot of talk about New Year's resolutions lately. Now, don't get me wrong, I think making positive changes is a great thing for all of us, but I wonder, how many people have taken the time to look at what was positive about the last year and make the decision to keep on keeping on.
I was reading in Matthew this morning and was reminded of the wrong impressions people had of Jesus and how they mocked and ridiculed Him.
I thought about the things that I have been mocked and ridiculed for over last year -submitting to my husband (this seems to really be a hard one for people to understand), waiting patiently for God's will and timing instead of jumping into things (which, for me, doesn't happen very often), and keeping a calm, open attitude when others want me to get angry about something.
Matthew 10:25 "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!"
The Pharisees accuse Jesus of using Beelzebul's power to drive out demons. He was accused of being evil. If our Jesus was misunderstood, we should expect to experience the same. Are you allowing other's negative comments to you or rumors behind your back, affect your life? Are you living by their standards or God's?
Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Live your life for Christ and let "them" talk all they want!!
Have a great day and a great weekend!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
I was reading in Matthew this morning and was reminded of the wrong impressions people had of Jesus and how they mocked and ridiculed Him.
I thought about the things that I have been mocked and ridiculed for over last year -submitting to my husband (this seems to really be a hard one for people to understand), waiting patiently for God's will and timing instead of jumping into things (which, for me, doesn't happen very often), and keeping a calm, open attitude when others want me to get angry about something.
Matthew 10:25 "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!"
The Pharisees accuse Jesus of using Beelzebul's power to drive out demons. He was accused of being evil. If our Jesus was misunderstood, we should expect to experience the same. Are you allowing other's negative comments to you or rumors behind your back, affect your life? Are you living by their standards or God's?
Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Live your life for Christ and let "them" talk all they want!!
Have a great day and a great weekend!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Good morning and happy Thursday! I recently went through some boxes of old children's books at my parent's house. My daycare children have destroyed most of the books that I have and I wanted to re-stock the book box. I am amazed at the difference in the books published between 1965 and 1985 compared to the books we had which would have been published from 1995-2005. I have been shocked at the brutality and lack of political correctness of some of the older books that I have read to the children, but yesterday, I was shocked and laughing hysterically at the book I read to them and the kids couldn't figure out what was so funny.
It was a book about the life of a woodchuck. It began with a female woodchuck hibernating, on to a male woodchuck finding her and mating (I was glad there wasn't pictures involved with this one!)with her, and then to her having baby woodchucks. It continued with explaining how the momma woodchuck had to slowly teach her babies how to live on their own. She took each of the 3 baby woodchucks out of it's hole, one at a time, for direction. She pulled the first one out and up came a barking dog and ate the first baby! (it even had pictures of the baby in the dogs mouth!), next, came another baby who instantly runs out into the road and gets run over by a car (whoops, there goes baby #2), last but not least, the last baby is safe and sound and learns how to take care of itself.
Wow! And I wonder why I'm so messed up!! I have to admit, I'm still laughing this morning as I write this - I must have a warped sense of humor.
Anyway, on to my point - I was thinking this morning about the facts that I learned about hibernation from our book yesterday. God, in all His sovereignty, created everything perfectly. He made these animals able to be dormant during the winter for their survival, He did the same for our beautiful plant life as it goes dormant and blooms in brilliancy in the spring. Not only plants and animals, but He created us with intricate bodies that work in amazing ways. Bodies that withstand years of abuse and neglect. He continues to blow my mind! He knew exactly what each living thing needed before we needed it. He is in control of everything because He created everything. As I pondered this, I was reminded once again, of my lack of faith. When I am a child of the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, why do I worry - why do I fret - why do I carry any load at all? If He knew what I needed before I was ever created, then how much more does He know what I need and what is best for me now???
Live, knowing, that our God is in control and NOTHING is impossible with God!!
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
It was a book about the life of a woodchuck. It began with a female woodchuck hibernating, on to a male woodchuck finding her and mating (I was glad there wasn't pictures involved with this one!)with her, and then to her having baby woodchucks. It continued with explaining how the momma woodchuck had to slowly teach her babies how to live on their own. She took each of the 3 baby woodchucks out of it's hole, one at a time, for direction. She pulled the first one out and up came a barking dog and ate the first baby! (it even had pictures of the baby in the dogs mouth!), next, came another baby who instantly runs out into the road and gets run over by a car (whoops, there goes baby #2), last but not least, the last baby is safe and sound and learns how to take care of itself.
Wow! And I wonder why I'm so messed up!! I have to admit, I'm still laughing this morning as I write this - I must have a warped sense of humor.
Anyway, on to my point - I was thinking this morning about the facts that I learned about hibernation from our book yesterday. God, in all His sovereignty, created everything perfectly. He made these animals able to be dormant during the winter for their survival, He did the same for our beautiful plant life as it goes dormant and blooms in brilliancy in the spring. Not only plants and animals, but He created us with intricate bodies that work in amazing ways. Bodies that withstand years of abuse and neglect. He continues to blow my mind! He knew exactly what each living thing needed before we needed it. He is in control of everything because He created everything. As I pondered this, I was reminded once again, of my lack of faith. When I am a child of the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, why do I worry - why do I fret - why do I carry any load at all? If He knew what I needed before I was ever created, then how much more does He know what I need and what is best for me now???
Live, knowing, that our God is in control and NOTHING is impossible with God!!
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I was reading John 4:1-26 about Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman knew that the Messiah was coming (vs. 25), but she didn't know that He was standing right in front of her.
It made me stop and think - how many times in my life/in my every day routine, is Jesus right in front of my face and I choose not to see Him? How many times do I allow my will, my desires, my schedule, to keep me from seeing Jesus?
How many times has He put people in front of me for a reason and I ignore them or push them away with words or actions?
How many times has He provided exactly what I needed at the very moment that I needed it and I take it all for granted, not even taking the time to say thank you?
How many times have I told God that I want to say yes to Him, no matter what He asks, only to say no when He does ask?
Dear Lord, help me to see you. Take away all of me so I can truly see all of you. Give me the strength to choose You over all the distractions in my life. In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN.
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
It made me stop and think - how many times in my life/in my every day routine, is Jesus right in front of my face and I choose not to see Him? How many times do I allow my will, my desires, my schedule, to keep me from seeing Jesus?
How many times has He put people in front of me for a reason and I ignore them or push them away with words or actions?
How many times has He provided exactly what I needed at the very moment that I needed it and I take it all for granted, not even taking the time to say thank you?
How many times have I told God that I want to say yes to Him, no matter what He asks, only to say no when He does ask?
Dear Lord, help me to see you. Take away all of me so I can truly see all of you. Give me the strength to choose You over all the distractions in my life. In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN.
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Sometimes, life is just plain stinkin' hard. I really don't know how guys feel during those Jr. high and high school years, so I'll speak for the girls - girls are just plain MEAN! As our daughter and I have just begun her "puberty years", I am so reminded of my own. Millions and millions of dollars would not even tempt me to go back.
I'm a fixer - it's just who I am. I cannot sit and listen to someone's hardship without trying to help. Well, last night, I was reminded again of my lack of control. My daughter was badly hurt by somethings that had been going on at school. I asked "what can I do to help you?" Her response, "nothing - just understand." I think it was one of the very few times that I just listened and didn't try to fix anything. As I remembered all the tears I cried during those difficult years, wishing I had someone to talk to about it, I shut my mouth, listened and cried with her. When all was said and done, she thanked me for just listening and said she felt so much better to just get everything off her chest.
I'm tearing up just thinking about the whole thing. I am so glad I had to opportunity to just listen which isn't a strong point for me. Are you a good listener or like me, are you always talking, thinking you are giving the person all the answers they need?
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you; so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
I'm a fixer - it's just who I am. I cannot sit and listen to someone's hardship without trying to help. Well, last night, I was reminded again of my lack of control. My daughter was badly hurt by somethings that had been going on at school. I asked "what can I do to help you?" Her response, "nothing - just understand." I think it was one of the very few times that I just listened and didn't try to fix anything. As I remembered all the tears I cried during those difficult years, wishing I had someone to talk to about it, I shut my mouth, listened and cried with her. When all was said and done, she thanked me for just listening and said she felt so much better to just get everything off her chest.
I'm tearing up just thinking about the whole thing. I am so glad I had to opportunity to just listen which isn't a strong point for me. Are you a good listener or like me, are you always talking, thinking you are giving the person all the answers they need?
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you; so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Monday, January 5, 2009
Good morning, my bloggy friends! I'm back to normal life and normal schedule. No more time off now, for a LONG time!! :( I have really enjoyed the last two weeks. I had lots of time with my family.
Thank you for praying for me, yesterday. I spoke at Arrowsmith Christian Church and Colfax Christian church. I was amazed, once again, at God's faithfulness. His words flowed from my mouth and not only impacted those I spoke to but also my own heart. He is so good and reminded us all that NOTHING is impossible with Him.
Since the pastor was gone, a woman in each church, stepped forward to facilitate the service. They both shared how nervous they were and how far from their comfort zone they felt. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one God was making uncomfortable, but even more, it was a great seg-way into the message that nothing is impossible with God. He has such a great way of putting people exactly where they need to be.
God knows what is best for us, whether we agree or not. I was reading Mark 2:23-28this morning, about Jesus' disciples picking grain on the Sabbath and the Pharisees getting their noses out of joint about it. God didn't give us the Sabbath for His benefit, but for our own. He doesn't gain anything from it, but knows that we need physical rest and spiritual connection. It is our choice to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy, not to follow the rules or to appease others, but to realize and respect that God knows what is best for us.
Do you believe that God knows what is best for you? Are you willing to submit to His will even if it is different from your own? Be careful of your answer - it may mean coming far from your comfort zone!! :)
Have a great Monday!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Thank you for praying for me, yesterday. I spoke at Arrowsmith Christian Church and Colfax Christian church. I was amazed, once again, at God's faithfulness. His words flowed from my mouth and not only impacted those I spoke to but also my own heart. He is so good and reminded us all that NOTHING is impossible with Him.
Since the pastor was gone, a woman in each church, stepped forward to facilitate the service. They both shared how nervous they were and how far from their comfort zone they felt. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one God was making uncomfortable, but even more, it was a great seg-way into the message that nothing is impossible with God. He has such a great way of putting people exactly where they need to be.
God knows what is best for us, whether we agree or not. I was reading Mark 2:23-28this morning, about Jesus' disciples picking grain on the Sabbath and the Pharisees getting their noses out of joint about it. God didn't give us the Sabbath for His benefit, but for our own. He doesn't gain anything from it, but knows that we need physical rest and spiritual connection. It is our choice to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy, not to follow the rules or to appease others, but to realize and respect that God knows what is best for us.
Do you believe that God knows what is best for you? Are you willing to submit to His will even if it is different from your own? Be careful of your answer - it may mean coming far from your comfort zone!! :)
Have a great Monday!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)