Okay. Friends, women can be crazy. I had such a wonderful time last night in fellowship with the women from my Women's Biblestudy. We are currently studying So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore...and whew do we have some insecurities that are just...well, ridiculously hilarious if you talk about them in the right tone. I do not want anyone to be insecure. I hope we all find our security in Christ and refuse to let Satan use our past or our future to make us insecure.
While discussing our insecurities last night I realized no one has made a book for Elementary and Middle school girls that will prepare them for the cruelty of this world. Let's be honest! Kids can be so mean. Little girls need to know that they are loved beyond words, and what people say should not affect how loved they feel! In middle school, 7th grade, in the center of the lunchroom, the boy I liked stood up and yelled, "I don't like Emily Williams. She is as flat as a piece of paper." Ouch. Oh yes, I cried. And that has affected me since! I remember on my wedding night being so concerned Zane wasn't going to like what he just married because I still had not developed to where I hoped to be...maybe when we have kids that will change!
I was not the only one in biblestudy last night that had been teased about being flat (the other ladies grew though). However, some of the women had other reasons to be insecure. Some women who developed early had all the guys liking them because of that. Now, that is something I am so thankful I didn't go through! I am so sorry to all of you who had to worry about if your boyfriend liked you for you, or for what God gave you.
Some of us have issues with holding onto things. Apparently, the generation ahead of me had dolls that rotted after time. (No thanks. I will stick with Barbies.) One of the women hated that her dolls bodies always rotted away, but she still had the heads! She would play with beheaded doll heads! If you are thinking what I am thinking..then yes, Law & Order should make an episode of a crazed woman that became a schizophrenic around the time she beheaded her dolls. Haha...but to the serious side. Her parents one day threw away all her doll heads. That was it. No more dolls to play with. In fact, lots of the women in Biblestudy knew of people whose parents would just get rid of all the toys without notice. Now, it causes them to hold onto EVERYTHING...afraid that if they don't, they will lose what is precious to them now.
One woman had so many issues growing up, she would bounce her head on her pillow...really...every night until she fell asleep. (Fortunately that stopped when she got married.) When one woman was a little girl, her mom always put tar in her hair. I'm sure she was made fun of, but when she was little, she probably had no idea how ridiculous it looked!
I hope some of these stories you can relate to. I also hope that some of these stories you laugh at! They are each in our past. God is drawing us into security in Him. We do not have to worry about being flat, or bouncy, or losing things. God loves us so much for who He made us to be. He fearfully and wonderfully made each of us. He will love us tomorrow, and the next day, and continue to love us...FOREVER! If that doesn't make you secure, then nothing will.
"Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you." Isa. 46:4
"I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Isa. 41:9-10
"Don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true Word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession." James 1:16-18
Now read Psalms 139. Soak it all in. God loves us so much. There is absolutely no reason for us to be insecure. We are the King of Kings', the Lord of Lords', the Maker of Heaven and Earth's, Prized Possession. Yes. Let that smile creep across your face. Be filled with joy. God loves us with an immeasurable love. He will never leave nor forsake us. He cannot be taken from us. He thinks even with tar in our hair that we are beautiful.
God bless each of you! Have a wonderful day. Go out and be confident in Jesus Christ...know that you were fearfully and wonderfully made.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Obsessed Part II
Good afternoon! I hope you have had a good first part of the week. I keep meaning to go by this restaurant in downtown Athens and buy some of their Mint Green Tea, but have yet to do so! Ever since I tried it, normal Green Tea just has not...well, hit the same spot. The problem is, I cannot remember what the restaurant was called!!!
In the last entry I spoke of my desire to be Obsessed with Christ. I hope He is drawing me closer to Him and completely taking over my mind. I shared a lot from Crazy Love and was hoping you would be okay with me sharing a bit more. I just wanted to share with you the examples Frances Chan gave in his book on what being obsessed with Christ would and should look like. Without further ado:
1) People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.
2) People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.
3) People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him (1 John 2:4-6; Matt. 16:24-26.)
4) Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, "There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day" (Luke 14:25-35; Matt. 7:13-23; 8: 18-22;
Rev. 3:1-6).
5) A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be 'humble enough,' and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matt. 5:16).
6) People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people (Matt 13:44; John 15:8).
7) People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world (James 2:14-26).
8) A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.
9: A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.
10) People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.
11) People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.
12) A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God
(James 1:2-4).
13) A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Saviour in every aspect of his life, continually saying "Thank You!" to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God.
I am His child! So often I forget that. I want to tell God what I think His plan should be, instead of sitting at His feet and saying, 'Father, what will You be teaching me today. How can I submit to Your perfect will?' Even typing those words seems hard for me to do. I know that far too often I want Him to come along side of my wants and desires rather than the other way around.
Friends, I have a long way to go to get to complete and total obsession. But, I can honestly say, I feel more captivated by Him than I ever have and I long to be closer to Him. More of a child to my Father. Less known and Him more known. Live His will. Forget my will.
To God be the glory. All glory. All honor. All praise.
In the last entry I spoke of my desire to be Obsessed with Christ. I hope He is drawing me closer to Him and completely taking over my mind. I shared a lot from Crazy Love and was hoping you would be okay with me sharing a bit more. I just wanted to share with you the examples Frances Chan gave in his book on what being obsessed with Christ would and should look like. Without further ado:
1) People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back.
2) People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.
3) People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him (1 John 2:4-6; Matt. 16:24-26.)
4) Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth. As Martin Luther put it, "There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day" (Luke 14:25-35; Matt. 7:13-23; 8: 18-22;
Rev. 3:1-6).
5) A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be 'humble enough,' and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known (Matt. 5:16).
6) People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people (Matt 13:44; John 15:8).
7) People who are obsessed with God are known as givers, not takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world (James 2:14-26).
8) A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them.
9: A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being.
10) People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.
11) People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages.
12) A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God
(James 1:2-4).
13) A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Saviour in every aspect of his life, continually saying "Thank You!" to God. An obsessed person knows there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as child and friend of God.
I am His child! So often I forget that. I want to tell God what I think His plan should be, instead of sitting at His feet and saying, 'Father, what will You be teaching me today. How can I submit to Your perfect will?' Even typing those words seems hard for me to do. I know that far too often I want Him to come along side of my wants and desires rather than the other way around.
Friends, I have a long way to go to get to complete and total obsession. But, I can honestly say, I feel more captivated by Him than I ever have and I long to be closer to Him. More of a child to my Father. Less known and Him more known. Live His will. Forget my will.
To God be the glory. All glory. All honor. All praise.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Obsessed
Good evening! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Doesn't it always seem like weekends go too fast? However, since the weekend went so quickly, I am even closer to traveling to Knoxville to see my little brother run track next Saturday. Every semester while he has been in college, I have tried to see him run. This semester, I have not been able to yet. I eagerly await cheering for him obnoxiously in 6 days. (I have no idea how I will survive if my future children play sports. I get so nervous!!!)
This evening, my husband and I hosted bible study at our house. Our LifeGroup has been studying Francis Chan's book Crazy Love. If you have not read the book...please, go out and find a copy. It is so convicting! And so moving. Crazy Love is geared to exposing the lie that you can be a lukewarm Christian. You can't. As a Christian, you are supposed to be compelled to be more like Christ. If you have asked Him to come into your heart, your life, then you have asked Him to change you. To break you and mold you into the person He wants you to be. And dear friends, He does not want us to be lukewarm. I would go as far as saying it disgusts Him. If we call ourselves Christians, how could we be lukewarm? Doesn't it make more sense to ask, how could we not be completely obsessed with Christ?
We are taught to be consumed with Christ and to live out His words. We are taught to love people, even those who hate us. Who hurt us. We are commanded to give without expecting anything in return. To forgive, even if an apology has not been offered. Umm. I am not really good at that. In fact, even after someone apologizes, I am not the best at forgiving. That is so sad for me to say. After all Christ went through, for me, how could I withold forgiveness. From anyone. No matter what they did. Francis Chan says in chapter 8 that "obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress."
Friends, you may be the only person who shows Jesus to someone. I am praying for God to make me radically obsessed with Him. I can honestly tell you that after the experience my husband and I had on I-285 the other day, I am enormously aware of God's presence in my life. I just want to live for Him! I don't want anything to come into my life that could preoccupy me. I want God to be my everything. For no one to even meet me, or even look at me, without catching a glimpse of Jesus. Does that seem crazy to you? I firmly believe that there are people who are so intimate with Jesus that you cannot speak to them without hearing His name. In fact, I have met people like that. I want Christ to do more in my heart than that. I want people to not be able to have a conversation with me without speaking to Jesus. Oh, how great it would be if God drew me so close to Himself that only He could speak through me. That my words would be so few, He would guide my every sound.
I just want to leave you with a question. I hope you desire to be obsessed with Jesus. I know it won't be the most comfortable experience, or even the easiest decision. But America needs to see Christians who are obsessed, instead of people who say they believe in Jesus and then live as if they never heard good news. Have a blessed week, and ponder this:
"If one person 'wastes' away his day by spending hours connecting with God, and the other person believes he is too busy or has better things to do than worship the Creator and Sustainer, who is the crazy one?"
This evening, my husband and I hosted bible study at our house. Our LifeGroup has been studying Francis Chan's book Crazy Love. If you have not read the book...please, go out and find a copy. It is so convicting! And so moving. Crazy Love is geared to exposing the lie that you can be a lukewarm Christian. You can't. As a Christian, you are supposed to be compelled to be more like Christ. If you have asked Him to come into your heart, your life, then you have asked Him to change you. To break you and mold you into the person He wants you to be. And dear friends, He does not want us to be lukewarm. I would go as far as saying it disgusts Him. If we call ourselves Christians, how could we be lukewarm? Doesn't it make more sense to ask, how could we not be completely obsessed with Christ?
We are taught to be consumed with Christ and to live out His words. We are taught to love people, even those who hate us. Who hurt us. We are commanded to give without expecting anything in return. To forgive, even if an apology has not been offered. Umm. I am not really good at that. In fact, even after someone apologizes, I am not the best at forgiving. That is so sad for me to say. After all Christ went through, for me, how could I withold forgiveness. From anyone. No matter what they did. Francis Chan says in chapter 8 that "obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress."
Friends, you may be the only person who shows Jesus to someone. I am praying for God to make me radically obsessed with Him. I can honestly tell you that after the experience my husband and I had on I-285 the other day, I am enormously aware of God's presence in my life. I just want to live for Him! I don't want anything to come into my life that could preoccupy me. I want God to be my everything. For no one to even meet me, or even look at me, without catching a glimpse of Jesus. Does that seem crazy to you? I firmly believe that there are people who are so intimate with Jesus that you cannot speak to them without hearing His name. In fact, I have met people like that. I want Christ to do more in my heart than that. I want people to not be able to have a conversation with me without speaking to Jesus. Oh, how great it would be if God drew me so close to Himself that only He could speak through me. That my words would be so few, He would guide my every sound.
I just want to leave you with a question. I hope you desire to be obsessed with Jesus. I know it won't be the most comfortable experience, or even the easiest decision. But America needs to see Christians who are obsessed, instead of people who say they believe in Jesus and then live as if they never heard good news. Have a blessed week, and ponder this:
"If one person 'wastes' away his day by spending hours connecting with God, and the other person believes he is too busy or has better things to do than worship the Creator and Sustainer, who is the crazy one?"
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