"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the One who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasulate themselves!" (Galatians 5:7-12)
Who in your sphere (whether it be your church, family, or group of friends) has fallen away from the Truth and quit the race?
What are you doing about it?
Those precious people in our lives who have quit the race ... They are being deceived by the enemy of our faith. That should make us mad. Really mad.
Come alongside them ... and fight the battle with them, for them, whatever is required. If we have learned anything from our 1 Timothy Take-Aways, we have learned to "fight the good fight" (1 Timothy 1:18).
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Melt-down ... In the Church Parking Lot.
Over this ....
This is sort of how it all unfolded ... in a nutshell. Be glad I'm giving you the nutshell version. Why do we say that, anyhow? What does a nutshell have to do with anything?
My fiance says to me last night, "Babe, I think I'll drive your car tomorrow when I go to see my Dad for Father's day. That way, I can clean it up for you." At this point, I begin to go into this long drawn out (unasked for) explanation, stating my case as to why I have not cleaned my car. Again, in a nutshell: "Well, I'm really sorry that my car is a disaster, but who has had time to clean a car? I have been so busy .... (blah blah blah blah blah)." Perhaps something along the lines of, "What a great idea! Thank you!" would have sufficed.
Fast forward to this morning. Running through the house like a crazy person. Wrapping Father's day presents (Yep, on Father's day). Running late. Doing my make-up in the car. Million things in my hand and the dang key remote thing-a-ma-jiggie is not working because ... Oops, it's out of batteries! And the remote that is working ... Well, it broke. Broke, like as in, I put the key in the ignition the other morning, cranked the key to start the car, and the actual key stayed in the ignition and the remote part broke off into my hand. Weird? I think so. At this point as I am manually unlocking the car, I remember that I am supposed to find the broken remote and transfer the battery to the remote that has the dead battery. Yes, in my spare time.
Finally get to church. Great message. See my fiance - And suddenly I remember ... He wants to switch cars! Dang it - I wanted to clean out that cyclone of a car before he had to drive it! I don't know why this sends me into such a tizzy, but I frantically run to my car and start throwing things in a bag (featured above). So, my man is wondering what in the WORLD I am doing. And for good reason. Remember? He is taking my car with him so that he can ... (Ahem) CLEAN IT OUT. The car being a mess ... Yeah, not such a huge shocker to him. Then all of a sudden, it just hits me. No, no no! Not here! Listen to me, you dramaqueen - Get a grip! Too late. The tears start pouring. Thankfully at this point the big sunglasses are covering up the smearing mascara.
Let me just e-x-p-l-a-i-n what I believe to be the root cause of this melt-down. Formerly-OCD-organized-checklist-girl clashes with exhausted-disorganized-wedding planning-people pleasing-1 blasted sale for the whole month real estate agent-hormonal girl. Yeah, not such a good combo.
So I start crying harder. Deep, ugly cry. In his shirt. I'm sure everyone in the church parking lot was thinking, "Awe, how cute. Look at them hugging." You know, like we were having a moment or something. Uh no. A moment of insanity, maybe.
Girl needed a good cry. Boy thought girl was an alien from outerspace.
Boy ran home to Haw River. Girl ran straight to Starbucks.
much sisterly love y'all,
alien girl
This is sort of how it all unfolded ... in a nutshell. Be glad I'm giving you the nutshell version. Why do we say that, anyhow? What does a nutshell have to do with anything?
My fiance says to me last night, "Babe, I think I'll drive your car tomorrow when I go to see my Dad for Father's day. That way, I can clean it up for you." At this point, I begin to go into this long drawn out (unasked for) explanation, stating my case as to why I have not cleaned my car. Again, in a nutshell: "Well, I'm really sorry that my car is a disaster, but who has had time to clean a car? I have been so busy .... (blah blah blah blah blah)." Perhaps something along the lines of, "What a great idea! Thank you!" would have sufficed.
Fast forward to this morning. Running through the house like a crazy person. Wrapping Father's day presents (Yep, on Father's day). Running late. Doing my make-up in the car. Million things in my hand and the dang key remote thing-a-ma-jiggie is not working because ... Oops, it's out of batteries! And the remote that is working ... Well, it broke. Broke, like as in, I put the key in the ignition the other morning, cranked the key to start the car, and the actual key stayed in the ignition and the remote part broke off into my hand. Weird? I think so. At this point as I am manually unlocking the car, I remember that I am supposed to find the broken remote and transfer the battery to the remote that has the dead battery. Yes, in my spare time.
Finally get to church. Great message. See my fiance - And suddenly I remember ... He wants to switch cars! Dang it - I wanted to clean out that cyclone of a car before he had to drive it! I don't know why this sends me into such a tizzy, but I frantically run to my car and start throwing things in a bag (featured above). So, my man is wondering what in the WORLD I am doing. And for good reason. Remember? He is taking my car with him so that he can ... (Ahem) CLEAN IT OUT. The car being a mess ... Yeah, not such a huge shocker to him. Then all of a sudden, it just hits me. No, no no! Not here! Listen to me, you dramaqueen - Get a grip! Too late. The tears start pouring. Thankfully at this point the big sunglasses are covering up the smearing mascara.
Let me just e-x-p-l-a-i-n what I believe to be the root cause of this melt-down. Formerly-OCD-organized-checklist-girl clashes with exhausted-disorganized-wedding planning-people pleasing-1 blasted sale for the whole month real estate agent-hormonal girl. Yeah, not such a good combo.
So I start crying harder. Deep, ugly cry. In his shirt. I'm sure everyone in the church parking lot was thinking, "Awe, how cute. Look at them hugging." You know, like we were having a moment or something. Uh no. A moment of insanity, maybe.
Girl needed a good cry. Boy thought girl was an alien from outerspace.
Boy ran home to Haw River. Girl ran straight to Starbucks.
I'm better. At the moment. Or actually maybe I'm just caffeinated ...
Regardless, I need a serious dose of the Prince of Peace to go with my iced coffee.
Oh Jesus, Thank You for dealing with me today. For dealing with formerly OCD-organized-checklist-girl, now turned exhausted-disorganized-wedding planning-people pleasing-discouraged real estate agent-hormonal-girl. Otherwise known as, plain ol' me. I'm sorry for the melt-down. This morning's message was about second chances ... Can I please have a "Take 2" on the rest of today? I still have a Mexican dinner date ahead tonight with my Dad.
Oh, and Jesus ... Thank You for fiances who allow us to cry mascara tears on their church clothes, pregnant friends who see us crying on the way back into church and almost start crying with us, best friends who give us a serious reality check, and last but certainly not least ... Thank You Jesus for Starbucks.
Regardless, I need a serious dose of the Prince of Peace to go with my iced coffee.
Oh Jesus, Thank You for dealing with me today. For dealing with formerly OCD-organized-checklist-girl, now turned exhausted-disorganized-wedding planning-people pleasing-discouraged real estate agent-hormonal-girl. Otherwise known as, plain ol' me. I'm sorry for the melt-down. This morning's message was about second chances ... Can I please have a "Take 2" on the rest of today? I still have a Mexican dinner date ahead tonight with my Dad.
Oh, and Jesus ... Thank You for fiances who allow us to cry mascara tears on their church clothes, pregnant friends who see us crying on the way back into church and almost start crying with us, best friends who give us a serious reality check, and last but certainly not least ... Thank You Jesus for Starbucks.
much sisterly love y'all,
alien girl
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Pursuing Faith and Godliness: Parts I & II
Two posts ago, I shared with you that I was embarking upon a study of 1 Timothy. I invited you to take the journey along with me, and some of you may be doing that very thing. Just finished up the first two weeks of the study, and this coming week we will be on week three. An amazing teacher of the Holy Scripts that Paul is! I loved having the opportunity to sit under his teaching and leadership this week. So much to glean, so much to strive for, so much to motivate us. That we would continue wholeheartedly after the pursuit of faith and godliness in our day to day living as women. That we might not just profess to be women who love the Word of God, but that it might be evident in our decision-making, in our attitudes, in our interactions with both loved ones and enemies, in our joys and in our sorrows. And on that note, I just have to share a sweet little story with you ...
I was talking to one of my best friends on the phone the other day and she was sharing with me that there is one particular "love language" that her husband has just not mastered. She said, "Heather, in the past _ years of marriage, we have not gotten very far in that department. But you know what?? We have the next 60 years to work it out!"
Praise the Lord that we are works in progress. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us of that very idea when Paul says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are His workmanship - He's working each and every one of us out until we become His personal masterpiece. No need for being an all-out overnight success (though sometimes He will tackle areas of our lives like that, praise God!). A life in pursuit of faith and godliness just requires a pliable, sensitive, and discerning heart - Tender enough to sense God's leading and instructing. And when we study Scripture, we must approach it with that very mindset. Trusting God to lead us and instruct us through His Word ... allowing our hearts to be pliable, sensitive and discerning to hear Him speak to us, to change us ... One day at a time.
I have had several Take-Aways from my 2-week study of 1 Timothy. I thought I would post my personal highlights ... those that have had a little extra challenge or encouragement for me.
Week One Take-Away #1: "The Gospel is for sinners."
1 Timothy 1:8-11 - "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We know that the law is made not for the righteous but for the lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers - and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me."
The Message version of this particular passage reads: "It's true that moral counsel and guidance need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It's obvious, isn't it, that the law code isn't primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are contemptuous of this great Message I've been put in charge of by this great God."
As Believers, I think we often times run from sin so much that we forget the Gospel is for the very purpose of setting sinners free. How will we ever be effective in our evangelism if we are paralyzed with a fear of the sinner? I love what Paul says in 1 Corinthians: "But by the grace of God I am what I am ..." (1 Cor. 15:10). It is by the GRACE OF GOD that any of us are not what we could be, or used to be. We are misusing Scripture - watering and dumbing it down - if we fail to utilize the Gospel as the main ingredient for saving the sinner's soul. Let us not forget the elementary and profound truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection ... "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). That not one shall perish ... Not one sinner on the face of the planet. Not even that one that you think is too far gone ...
Week One Take-Away #2: "It's a fight worth fighting."
1 Timothy 1:18 - "Fight the good fight."
Enough said.
Week One Take-Away #3: "Be Quiet ... Even when you don't feel like it."
1 Timothy 2:2 - "...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
1 Timothy 2:11 - "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission."
I keep going back to The Message just because I love reading the paraphrase of the New Testament. I believe it lends such personal application to our modern-day living. The Message Version of 1 Timothy 2:11 reads, "I don't let women take over and tell the men what to do."
This Take-Away was especially personal to me in this current season of life ... Becoming a wife. I am reading For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. Great resource for understanding the intricacies of the man's make-up - his need for respect, for leadership, for the support of a woman. Read more about it at Shaunti's website.
A word of advice that I gleaned from the book, as well as (Hello!) the Bible, is to be quiet once in a while. Now, contextually 1 Timothy 2:11 is specifically referring to teaching in the church: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission." But seriously y'all ... Would it kill us to just be quiet sometimes? Responding instead of reacting. A good concept to ... learn.
Week Two Take-Away #1: "Set an example."
1 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
In speech. In life. In love. In faith. In purity.
Week Two Take-Away # 2: "Keep at it."
1 Timothy 4:16 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Do not be diverted. Stay the course. Keep at it. Hold tightly to your faith, to your character, staying grounded in the Lord.
And that, sisters, is a good point to close out on. Stay grounded in the Lord. Cling to the Word of Life. Love to you all. Enjoy your third week of studying 1 Timothy. 4 more Take-Aways ahead of us!
Keeping at it,
Heather
I was talking to one of my best friends on the phone the other day and she was sharing with me that there is one particular "love language" that her husband has just not mastered. She said, "Heather, in the past _ years of marriage, we have not gotten very far in that department. But you know what?? We have the next 60 years to work it out!"
Praise the Lord that we are works in progress. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us of that very idea when Paul says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are His workmanship - He's working each and every one of us out until we become His personal masterpiece. No need for being an all-out overnight success (though sometimes He will tackle areas of our lives like that, praise God!). A life in pursuit of faith and godliness just requires a pliable, sensitive, and discerning heart - Tender enough to sense God's leading and instructing. And when we study Scripture, we must approach it with that very mindset. Trusting God to lead us and instruct us through His Word ... allowing our hearts to be pliable, sensitive and discerning to hear Him speak to us, to change us ... One day at a time.
I have had several Take-Aways from my 2-week study of 1 Timothy. I thought I would post my personal highlights ... those that have had a little extra challenge or encouragement for me.
Week One Take-Away #1: "The Gospel is for sinners."
1 Timothy 1:8-11 - "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We know that the law is made not for the righteous but for the lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers - and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me."
The Message version of this particular passage reads: "It's true that moral counsel and guidance need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It's obvious, isn't it, that the law code isn't primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are contemptuous of this great Message I've been put in charge of by this great God."
As Believers, I think we often times run from sin so much that we forget the Gospel is for the very purpose of setting sinners free. How will we ever be effective in our evangelism if we are paralyzed with a fear of the sinner? I love what Paul says in 1 Corinthians: "But by the grace of God I am what I am ..." (1 Cor. 15:10). It is by the GRACE OF GOD that any of us are not what we could be, or used to be. We are misusing Scripture - watering and dumbing it down - if we fail to utilize the Gospel as the main ingredient for saving the sinner's soul. Let us not forget the elementary and profound truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection ... "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). That not one shall perish ... Not one sinner on the face of the planet. Not even that one that you think is too far gone ...
Week One Take-Away #2: "It's a fight worth fighting."
1 Timothy 1:18 - "Fight the good fight."
Enough said.
Week One Take-Away #3: "Be Quiet ... Even when you don't feel like it."
1 Timothy 2:2 - "...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
1 Timothy 2:11 - "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission."
I keep going back to The Message just because I love reading the paraphrase of the New Testament. I believe it lends such personal application to our modern-day living. The Message Version of 1 Timothy 2:11 reads, "I don't let women take over and tell the men what to do."
This Take-Away was especially personal to me in this current season of life ... Becoming a wife. I am reading For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn. Great resource for understanding the intricacies of the man's make-up - his need for respect, for leadership, for the support of a woman. Read more about it at Shaunti's website.
A word of advice that I gleaned from the book, as well as (Hello!) the Bible, is to be quiet once in a while. Now, contextually 1 Timothy 2:11 is specifically referring to teaching in the church: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission." But seriously y'all ... Would it kill us to just be quiet sometimes? Responding instead of reacting. A good concept to ... learn.
Week Two Take-Away #1: "Set an example."
1 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
In speech. In life. In love. In faith. In purity.
Week Two Take-Away # 2: "Keep at it."
1 Timothy 4:16 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Do not be diverted. Stay the course. Keep at it. Hold tightly to your faith, to your character, staying grounded in the Lord.
And that, sisters, is a good point to close out on. Stay grounded in the Lord. Cling to the Word of Life. Love to you all. Enjoy your third week of studying 1 Timothy. 4 more Take-Aways ahead of us!
Keeping at it,
Heather
Friday, June 5, 2009
Praying and Waiting
Praying and waiting. Seem to go hand in hand. We pray ... and then we wait. Sometimes for a long time. What I read this morning in Streams in the Desert should encourage us deeply, as we pray and wait on God's timing and perfect answer to our deepest requests:
We must keep on praying and waiting upon the Lord, until the sound of a mighty rain is heard. There is no reason why we should not ask for large things; and without doubt we shall get large things if we ask in faith, and have the courage to wait with patient perseverance upon Him, meantime doing those things which lie within our power to do.
We cannot create the wind or set it in motion, but we can set our sails to catch it when it comes; we cannot make the electricity, but we can stretch the wire along upon which it is to run and do its work; we cannot, in a word, control the Spirit, but we can so place ourselves before the Lord, and so do the things He has bidden us do, that we will come under the influence and power of His mighty breath.
"Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Where is the God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him."
The greatest saints who ever lived, whether under the old or new dispensation, are on a level which is quite within our reach. The same forces of the spiritual world which were at their command, and the exertion of which made them such spiritual heroes, are open to us also. If we had the same faith, the same hope, the same love which they exhibited, we would achieve marvels as great as those which they achieved. A word of prayer in our mouths would be as potent to call down the gracious dews and melting fires of God's Spirit, as it was in Elijah's mouth to call down literal rain and fire, if we could only speak the word with that full assurance of faith wherewith he said it.
Make thy petition deep (Isaiah 7:11).
We must keep on praying and waiting upon the Lord, until the sound of a mighty rain is heard. There is no reason why we should not ask for large things; and without doubt we shall get large things if we ask in faith, and have the courage to wait with patient perseverance upon Him, meantime doing those things which lie within our power to do.
We cannot create the wind or set it in motion, but we can set our sails to catch it when it comes; we cannot make the electricity, but we can stretch the wire along upon which it is to run and do its work; we cannot, in a word, control the Spirit, but we can so place ourselves before the Lord, and so do the things He has bidden us do, that we will come under the influence and power of His mighty breath.
"Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Where is the God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him."
The greatest saints who ever lived, whether under the old or new dispensation, are on a level which is quite within our reach. The same forces of the spiritual world which were at their command, and the exertion of which made them such spiritual heroes, are open to us also. If we had the same faith, the same hope, the same love which they exhibited, we would achieve marvels as great as those which they achieved. A word of prayer in our mouths would be as potent to call down the gracious dews and melting fires of God's Spirit, as it was in Elijah's mouth to call down literal rain and fire, if we could only speak the word with that full assurance of faith wherewith he said it.
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