If there ever was a strong willed child, his name is Zachary. I don't mean that he is a bad child, but he is just the one that is going to test every boundary and definitely try to do things his way. Somedays it is all I can do to have enough energy to keep him somewhat obedient. But I love him with all my heart. I wouldn't trade the chaos and craziness for anything else. Even though I know he is hard to deal with at times, it makes me sad that others night not like him or think bad about him. Because I know who he really is.
Don't you think that's how our Father sees us? He knows that most of the time we are out of control and set on doing things our way, but He loves us anyway. He sees the REAL us. The person that He knows we are and no matter what we think about ourselves or anyone else thinks about us, we are His! He is jealous for us. He wants our time, talents, hearts. Not just so he can control us or extort His authority but so that He can make us the best person we can be. Just like with Zach, I don't keep him reigned in because I want to control him, but because I know he must learn certain things to become a compasionate, responsible and hopefully godly man.
Obedience, or lack of, can bring many good things even if being obedient makes us uncomfortable. Romans 19:1 says "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous". So the question is, do we want to be like Adam and not set the example for others, or do we want to be like Christ and bring light into this world?
Obedience is very hard for me. This is probably where Zach gets it from. But I know that obeying God has far more benefits that out weigh the discomfort of surrendering my will to His. Plus, it is just the RIGHT thing to do. I taught Zach Ephesians 6:1 in a moment of battle between us about learning scripture when he said, "I don't want that verse, I want another one". So I said ok, here is your verse, "children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right". Doesn't that apply to us to? Children (you and me (and Zach)) obey your parent (God) in the Lord (His ways, according to His word) because this is the right thing to do.
Be obedient today (pointing fingers at myself) ao that you can "eat the good of the land" (Isaiah 1:19)
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Love
"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so...", John 3:16, "for God so loved the world"....these are things we are taught from a young age about how God loves us, but do we really believe that He loves us?
For a lot of years I did not let the reality of God's love sink into my heart. I kept it at a distance thinking that it is for the "good people", not me. But, Paul gives us the truth in Romans 8:38-39 when he says,
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This means that God loves me when I am doing everything right....praying, Bible study, teaching my kids, being a positive influence and example, and any other thing that we would deem as good and "righteous". BUT, God also loves me when I mess up, when I yell at my kids, don't spend as much time in prayer as I should, neglect my Bible study, don't stand up for what I believe in, and the list goes on. We never reach perfection but not being perfect doesn't make God love us any less.
I used to think that when something bad happened or things were really tough that God was punishing me because I couldn't live up to His expectation, or that these things were happening in my life because God did not love me. Boy, was I wrong. I mean, yes, our choices and disobedience gets us into a world of trouble most of the time but it is not because God doesn't love us. He does love us enough to let us get taught a lesson. Just like we have to let our own children learn from their choices sometimes. God could fix everything for us, but would we learn anything or just keep walking around that same mountain, going through the same trials? Believe me, I have been there, too!
Thankfully, "Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning..." (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Believe that He loves you today, and that His love is unconditional!
For a lot of years I did not let the reality of God's love sink into my heart. I kept it at a distance thinking that it is for the "good people", not me. But, Paul gives us the truth in Romans 8:38-39 when he says,
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This means that God loves me when I am doing everything right....praying, Bible study, teaching my kids, being a positive influence and example, and any other thing that we would deem as good and "righteous". BUT, God also loves me when I mess up, when I yell at my kids, don't spend as much time in prayer as I should, neglect my Bible study, don't stand up for what I believe in, and the list goes on. We never reach perfection but not being perfect doesn't make God love us any less.
I used to think that when something bad happened or things were really tough that God was punishing me because I couldn't live up to His expectation, or that these things were happening in my life because God did not love me. Boy, was I wrong. I mean, yes, our choices and disobedience gets us into a world of trouble most of the time but it is not because God doesn't love us. He does love us enough to let us get taught a lesson. Just like we have to let our own children learn from their choices sometimes. God could fix everything for us, but would we learn anything or just keep walking around that same mountain, going through the same trials? Believe me, I have been there, too!
Thankfully, "Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning..." (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Believe that He loves you today, and that His love is unconditional!
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Identity Crisis
I changed the name of this blog to identity crisis because I couldn't really think of name. It was originally 4jordans, but since we are only 3 Jordans now, I wanted to change it. I like this name for a number of reasons, most of all, maybe, because I am about to encounter a major identity crisis! Jesus has really been working on me lately and I can't wait to see all the He has in store.
If you are part of the GNO Life Group, I can't wait to start sharing with you ladies about Crazy Love! I know God is going to speak to us in new ways. I pray that we all realize how great His love for us is and to relentlessly pursue Him the way He pursues us!
If you are part of the GNO Life Group, I can't wait to start sharing with you ladies about Crazy Love! I know God is going to speak to us in new ways. I pray that we all realize how great His love for us is and to relentlessly pursue Him the way He pursues us!
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Change
Change a little word that can have BIG implications! What better time of year to talk about change than the beginning! We all the make resolutions and sometimes stick to them....but what makes it so hard for us to start changing or make the change permanent?
Some of the lessons in the Bible study that I have been doing have talked about little children and how Jesus loved them. This caused me to think about what it means to become like a little child (Matthew 18:3-4). Did Jesus mean to have a child's unaltered faith and trust or their honesty? Maybe it is their determination.
Determination. Is that what it takes to accomplish change? When I was young, middle school age, I desperately wanted to fit into a particular group at school. I distinctly remember telling myself over and over that there was no reason that I could not be friends with this group, and continually sought similarities between me and the kids in this group. I started taking to them and sometimes hanging around with them. I have to say that I wasn't ever invited into their closest circles but I did change my circumstances and the way my middle school and high school years turned out. Why is it so hard for me now to have the same determination to change my circumstances, my attitude, the things in my life that I know God is telling me to change for my own good?
I have not made any "resloutions" this year because God has started a change in me that I don't think requires a resolution. Pursuing a deeper relationship with Him is something that He has called me to do and I cannot (and don't even want to try) resolve to it without Him. I am starting this New Year with Philippians 3:12-14,
"12) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
No matter if you make a resolution or not, do make God a priority in your life this year. Your efforts and God's faithfulness will not return void!
Some of the lessons in the Bible study that I have been doing have talked about little children and how Jesus loved them. This caused me to think about what it means to become like a little child (Matthew 18:3-4). Did Jesus mean to have a child's unaltered faith and trust or their honesty? Maybe it is their determination.
Determination. Is that what it takes to accomplish change? When I was young, middle school age, I desperately wanted to fit into a particular group at school. I distinctly remember telling myself over and over that there was no reason that I could not be friends with this group, and continually sought similarities between me and the kids in this group. I started taking to them and sometimes hanging around with them. I have to say that I wasn't ever invited into their closest circles but I did change my circumstances and the way my middle school and high school years turned out. Why is it so hard for me now to have the same determination to change my circumstances, my attitude, the things in my life that I know God is telling me to change for my own good?
I have not made any "resloutions" this year because God has started a change in me that I don't think requires a resolution. Pursuing a deeper relationship with Him is something that He has called me to do and I cannot (and don't even want to try) resolve to it without Him. I am starting this New Year with Philippians 3:12-14,
"12) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
No matter if you make a resolution or not, do make God a priority in your life this year. Your efforts and God's faithfulness will not return void!
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Seek the Lord
Seek the Lord....a phrase that seems to be ringing over and over in my mind. Several times I have posted Deuteronomy 4:29 on my Facebook profile because those words just "follow" me around. "But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (NKJV).
In this passage (Deuteronomy 4:15-40) Moses was talking to the Israelites about the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of such practice. The "there" is referring to places that the Israelites would be scattered other than the Promised Land. Here are my thoughts concerning this passage, and how I feel God is speaking to me.
"There" can be a lot of places and there are many reasons and circumstances that would cause us to be "there" instead of the "promised land" that God has for us. Take a moment and think about a time when you made a bad choice or someone around you made a bad choice. How did you handle the consequence when you were faced with being "there"? Maybe you are "there" now...insecurity, pride, loneliness...just a few "theres" that can take our focus off God and keep us from receiving all He has for us.
What does seek mean? The dictionary says it means "to resort to: go to" or "to go in search of" (Merriam-Webster). When we find ourselves in our "there" do we go searching for God? Do we diligently look for Him or what He is trying to say to us? Are we looking for God even when His promises are being realized or do we say "thank You" and then forget about Him for awhile until something scatters us from His promises?
While I know that God is telling me to seek Him because of the "there" places that I have been, I also know that He is telling me to seek Him to keep from going to other "theres". For at least a month, maybe two, I have wanted to write about this. I have been thinking and trying to write it out in my head....searching for the right words to say. I want God to be a very integral part of my everyday life. I don't want to set Him aside after my quiet time or Bible study. I believe God is telling me to look for Him in every part of my life. To develop my RELATIONSHIP with Him, not my religion.
Of course, there are a hundred reasons why I don't seek Him as much as I should. More often than not because I don't want to hear, much less do, what He is telling me to do. Obedience is not my strength. But I have found (and keep finding) that if I can just squash my pride and take those steps to where He is leading me, I will not be disappointed.
Friends, seek the Lord, being in His presence will not return void and will not take you "there".
In this passage (Deuteronomy 4:15-40) Moses was talking to the Israelites about the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of such practice. The "there" is referring to places that the Israelites would be scattered other than the Promised Land. Here are my thoughts concerning this passage, and how I feel God is speaking to me.
"There" can be a lot of places and there are many reasons and circumstances that would cause us to be "there" instead of the "promised land" that God has for us. Take a moment and think about a time when you made a bad choice or someone around you made a bad choice. How did you handle the consequence when you were faced with being "there"? Maybe you are "there" now...insecurity, pride, loneliness...just a few "theres" that can take our focus off God and keep us from receiving all He has for us.
What does seek mean? The dictionary says it means "to resort to: go to" or "to go in search of" (Merriam-Webster). When we find ourselves in our "there" do we go searching for God? Do we diligently look for Him or what He is trying to say to us? Are we looking for God even when His promises are being realized or do we say "thank You" and then forget about Him for awhile until something scatters us from His promises?
While I know that God is telling me to seek Him because of the "there" places that I have been, I also know that He is telling me to seek Him to keep from going to other "theres". For at least a month, maybe two, I have wanted to write about this. I have been thinking and trying to write it out in my head....searching for the right words to say. I want God to be a very integral part of my everyday life. I don't want to set Him aside after my quiet time or Bible study. I believe God is telling me to look for Him in every part of my life. To develop my RELATIONSHIP with Him, not my religion.
Of course, there are a hundred reasons why I don't seek Him as much as I should. More often than not because I don't want to hear, much less do, what He is telling me to do. Obedience is not my strength. But I have found (and keep finding) that if I can just squash my pride and take those steps to where He is leading me, I will not be disappointed.
Friends, seek the Lord, being in His presence will not return void and will not take you "there".
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Right Word at the Right Time
The other day when I was spending time with the Lord, I ran across the scripture below. It is significant to me because I am really struggling with this whole being single thing. I want to be married, I want to have a partner and I know that God has the right person for me, but it is SO hard to wait, especially when you feel like you have been waiting for what seems like an eternity (not that I have been single long, just including the time that I spent in my marriage hoping that it could be saved) and there is no one there for you to even try to get to know. But I know that God knows my every thought and desire. He knows all that He has in store for me and for you. The passage below may or may not be meaningful to you, but it was what I needed that day.....
Isaiah 54: 4-8
"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband - the Lord Almighty is His name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected, says your God. 'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compasion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer."
Isaiah 54: 4-8
"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband - the Lord Almighty is His name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected, says your God. 'For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compasion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer."
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Fear
The other day while I was driving down the Spur (the stretch of road between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) I thought about how before I moved here (and even for a little while after) I got extremely nervous driving on that road. But now that I drive it every day, it doesn't make me nervous or scarred anymore.
God's word says that He has not given us a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). How many times do we let the fear overtake us rather than using the power, love and wisdom that God gives us.
What if I had given over to my fear of driving on curvy roads? This fear could have kept me from moving to TN which would have caused me to miss out on so many blessings and good things that God had planned for me.
How does fear impact your life? Do you let it keep you from doing things that you want to do or that you feel God calling you to do? Or, do you press on despite the emotion?
At this moment, I am intimidated by being a single mom. Tons of questions go through my mind that I don't have the answers for, but I will choose not to let this fear control me or keep me from moving forward. I will do what 2 Timothy 34:4 says and seek the Lord because He will hear me and deliver me from ALL fear.
Scripture
Psalm 27:1
1 John 4:18
Proverbs 29:25
God's word says that He has not given us a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). How many times do we let the fear overtake us rather than using the power, love and wisdom that God gives us.
What if I had given over to my fear of driving on curvy roads? This fear could have kept me from moving to TN which would have caused me to miss out on so many blessings and good things that God had planned for me.
How does fear impact your life? Do you let it keep you from doing things that you want to do or that you feel God calling you to do? Or, do you press on despite the emotion?
At this moment, I am intimidated by being a single mom. Tons of questions go through my mind that I don't have the answers for, but I will choose not to let this fear control me or keep me from moving forward. I will do what 2 Timothy 34:4 says and seek the Lord because He will hear me and deliver me from ALL fear.
Scripture
Psalm 27:1
1 John 4:18
Proverbs 29:25
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