I am so behind on blog posts and feel like I'm behind on life in general these days.
I'm not sure when life kicked into this high of a gear, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed this week.
It's December 12th. Christmas is 13 days away. And yes, we got all of our Christmas shopping done. And yes, we've watched some Christmas movies and done some fun Christmas activities. And yes, our house is decorated (I'm staring at my lit up Christmas tree right now). And yes, the majority of our Christmas cards have been sent out or delivered to the people receiving them. But I still feel like something is missing.
There's so much talk of Christmas plans and where we are going when. My brain already hurts just thinking about it. I really just want a morning, or an afternoon, or some chunk of time over the Christmas weekend to have some time alone with Josh, so that we can do our own Christmas at home.
And I've been doing a lot of vendor events. I did 5 within the first week of December. I've got 1, possibly 2 more coming up this month.
I just feel tired. And like I'm whining. I'm really not meaning to, though. I really just want to take some time and think about why we celebrate Christmas. What does it all mean? Why do we spend all this time buying the perfect gifts and then wrapping them? Why does our calendar instantly fill up when December rolls around? Where does Jesus fit into all of it?
I love Christmas. Don't get me wrong. It's my absolute favorite holiday. It always has been. There's something about all the colorful lights everywhere and the songs and the joy of spending time with loved ones.
But I want it to be more than just a fun, busy month this year.
It's really easy to lose sight of Jesus. I've been doing it all month. I've been so worried about everything we've had on our calendar and all the things we've needed to buy, that I've kind of forgotten what all of it means. Or what all of it should mean.
I want to give gifts because it's a small reflection of the love I have for someone, and because Jesus gave us the ultimate gift by dying on the cross for our sins, not because I feel like I need to or have to. I want to do fun events with the people I care about because I enjoy their company and who they are in my life, not because it's just something we've always done or because I'm fulfilling an obligation. I want to watch Christmas movies and listen to certain Christmas songs because they make me feel happy and nostalgic, not because I want to make sure to check those off a list of things I've done this holiday season.
And so I've decided to take some time out this month to focus on the reason why this season is so special. I want to spend some time studying and reading the Word: the prophecies about Jesus's coming, His birth and what He brought to our world. I want to spend some time thinking about and expressing my appreciation and love for the people in my life. All too often we take people for granted or assume they know how we feel. And I want to spend some time examining my heart and my life to really figure out what this new year is going to look like for me. It's something I enjoy doing at the end of every year and I think it's really important for me. It helps me to be able to set my focus on some specific goals and helps me to keep myself accountable to them.
I'm also determined to make sure that Josh and I get to spend some time together as our little family of 2. I don't talk very often on this space anymore about our journey and where we've come from, but at this moment in time, we are both content and happy to be just the two of us. I know a lot of people (and it's not really anyone's fault, it's just kind of the way our society is) assume that we aren't a family because we don't have kids. But we are a family and our time together is just as important as it would be if we had 4 kids. We have been married for almost 10 years now and this will be our 13th Christmas together. We got engaged on Christmas Eve almost 11 years ago. This time of year is very important to both of us and I don't want this time to pass by without us getting to acknowledge all that it means to us as a couple and individually.
My hope is that all of us would be able to take some time out in the next two weeks and really reflect on this month, this year and our lives. Don't let the busyness or the obligations or whatever else it may be keep you from enjoying this time of year.
Showing posts with label Belief. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belief. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Revelation
So, when I initially sat down to write this blog, I thought I'd write about how we got scammed yesterday.
But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized there's no point dwelling on it.
It's over, it's done...and hopefully the one who did the scamming was blessed.
Instead, I'm going to focus on the good stuff we talked about with our college group tonight.
We're doing a short series on the basic doctrines of our faith. Last week, we studied the Trinity. Tonight, we talked about Revelation (and no, I don't mean the last book in the Bible with all the crazy stuff).
We talked about how God reveals things to us in His Word.
Some are general revelations - things that most people know about, like that we all have a conscience, for instance (see Romans 2:14-15). Others are special - things like supernatural occurrences, such as Jesus being the image of the invisible God (see Colossians 1:15-17 and Hebrews 1:1-3).
We also talked about this verse:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16, NIV)
It's important, as believers, for us to believe that. How can we accept something as truth if we don't believe what it says?
I love the fact that, no matter how often I read the same verse or the same passage, I get something different out of it. That is God revealing His living Word to me! He wants to speak to me, where I'm at, with something I need to hear. And, the times I'm not having things revealed to me, are usually the times that I'm not spending time in the Word.
(Linking up with Casey)
But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized there's no point dwelling on it.
It's over, it's done...and hopefully the one who did the scamming was blessed.
Instead, I'm going to focus on the good stuff we talked about with our college group tonight.
We're doing a short series on the basic doctrines of our faith. Last week, we studied the Trinity. Tonight, we talked about Revelation (and no, I don't mean the last book in the Bible with all the crazy stuff).
We talked about how God reveals things to us in His Word.
Some are general revelations - things that most people know about, like that we all have a conscience, for instance (see Romans 2:14-15). Others are special - things like supernatural occurrences, such as Jesus being the image of the invisible God (see Colossians 1:15-17 and Hebrews 1:1-3).
We also talked about this verse:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16, NIV)
It's important, as believers, for us to believe that. How can we accept something as truth if we don't believe what it says?
I love the fact that, no matter how often I read the same verse or the same passage, I get something different out of it. That is God revealing His living Word to me! He wants to speak to me, where I'm at, with something I need to hear. And, the times I'm not having things revealed to me, are usually the times that I'm not spending time in the Word.
(Linking up with Casey)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Love
I have something heavy on my heart today.
I have written this post twice already and deleted it twice...I just don't know how to put it in a way that doesn't come across offensive or judgmental. But, here is the shortened version (and I'm sorry if you are offended or feel I'm being judgmental. That is definitely not where I am trying to come from):
How do you show God's love to someone that is just not interested in it?
I was never around a lot of non-believers growing up...besides family members. I was definitely not ignorant, and I definitely was not raised in a bubble. My parents taught us to love God and to love other people...and that is how we lived our lives. It was not culture shock for this homeschooled girl to attend jr. college. I'd heard cussing before, I'd been around people that smoked, and I knew not everyone was just like me. Yet, the one thing I definitely was not exposed to was the opportunity to really share my faith with someone else. Another believer? Absolutely. But, not someone who didn't believe.
Maybe that is why it is hard for me to love someone who hears the truth, makes fun of it, and makes fun of me for believing the things I do.
Maybe that's why I feel like I'm being persecuted in a place that is supposed to be "safe".
Maybe that's why I'm having a hard time understanding why someone would be like this.
The only answer I keep coming back to is that I have to keep loving people like this. I have to keep sharing the truth with them...in the hopes that maybe it will plant a seed that will grow much later. I have to keep strong in my faith...and continue to study the Word, so I have the right words to speak when someone comes at me with something that attacks what I believe in.
On a lighter note, I'm looking for some new books to read. Any suggestions?
Have a wonderful weekend!
(I'm linking up with Casey)
I have written this post twice already and deleted it twice...I just don't know how to put it in a way that doesn't come across offensive or judgmental. But, here is the shortened version (and I'm sorry if you are offended or feel I'm being judgmental. That is definitely not where I am trying to come from):
How do you show God's love to someone that is just not interested in it?
I was never around a lot of non-believers growing up...besides family members. I was definitely not ignorant, and I definitely was not raised in a bubble. My parents taught us to love God and to love other people...and that is how we lived our lives. It was not culture shock for this homeschooled girl to attend jr. college. I'd heard cussing before, I'd been around people that smoked, and I knew not everyone was just like me. Yet, the one thing I definitely was not exposed to was the opportunity to really share my faith with someone else. Another believer? Absolutely. But, not someone who didn't believe.
Maybe that is why it is hard for me to love someone who hears the truth, makes fun of it, and makes fun of me for believing the things I do.
Maybe that's why I feel like I'm being persecuted in a place that is supposed to be "safe".
Maybe that's why I'm having a hard time understanding why someone would be like this.
The only answer I keep coming back to is that I have to keep loving people like this. I have to keep sharing the truth with them...in the hopes that maybe it will plant a seed that will grow much later. I have to keep strong in my faith...and continue to study the Word, so I have the right words to speak when someone comes at me with something that attacks what I believe in.
On a lighter note, I'm looking for some new books to read. Any suggestions?
Have a wonderful weekend!
(I'm linking up with Casey)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
No Matter What
Ok...I have a few more words...
I was driving home from work today and this song came on the radio. It seriously made me start crying. Oh Lord, I really want to believe this right now...
I was driving home from work today and this song came on the radio. It seriously made me start crying. Oh Lord, I really want to believe this right now...
I’m running back to Your promises one more time
Lord that’s all I can hold on to
I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises You
Before a heartache can ever touch my life
It has to go through Your hands
And even though I keep asking why, I keep asking why
No matter what, I’m gonna love You
No matter what I’m gonna need You
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain
But if not, if not, I’ll trust You no matter what, no matter what
When I’m stuck in this nothingness by myself
I’m just sitting in silence
There’s no way I can make it without Your help, I won’t even try it
I know You have Your reasons for everything so I will keep believing
Whatever I might be feeling, God You are my hope
And You will be my strength
Anything I don’t have You can give it to me, but it’s ok if You don’t
I’m not here for those things
The touch of Your love is enough on its own
No matter what I still love You and I’m gonna need You
No matter what I’m gonna love You, no matter what I’m gonna need You
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain
But if not, if not, I’ll trust You
No matter what
(No Matter What by Kerrie Roberts)
Monday, July 26, 2010
The End of Me as I Know it...
God has really been shaking up my heart these past few weeks...
I just started co-leading a Bible study with a dear friend and mentor of mine just two weeks ago. The book we are going through is amazing...but hard...because it is rockin' my world like nothing else (Believing God by Beth Moore). The first two weeks of the study have been focusing on having faith and believing that God is who He says He is. While I do believe many aspects of who God says He is, I have been having trouble with a few...and mostly the ones that have to do with Him being a promise keeper...or that He knows what is best for me...as so many times in life, I think I've got my best all figured out.
As I was doing my homework for the study today, I kept having this song run through my head. Mind you, it is not a worship song...not even a song about God...nor is it even remotely glorifying to Him. But, this line keeps playing over and over in my head...
It's the end where I begin...
And, the more I've been thinking about it, the more it is making sense to my life right now. The moment I am at my wit's end, when I have exhausted all possibilities of doing things on my own...that is the moment where I begin to trust God. I know it's not supposed to be that way...but that is where I am at currently. It's the moment when I'm overcome with my humanness, my imperfection, my broken state of being that I can't get myself out of, that I cry out to Him and ask for His help.
This verse was a part of my homework for today and it truly is my heart's cry:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 NIV)
And while I am completely broken and so in need of God's strength, He has been molding me, stretching me, and growing me so much in the past couple of weeks. I was able to pray so passionately for a dear sister of mine on Saturday...who didn't even know what she needed prayer for...but the words just came. I felt God speaking through me and bringing to my mind the words she needed prayed over her...and it was AWESOME! I can't even remember the last time I was able to pray for someone in that manner. It was truly a beautiful gift that God gave me...to be able to be used by Him, in spite of my broken and weak state.
It's amazing to know, to TRULY understand, that God is using me for His glory. To be able to experience it and see it firsthand...well, it just blows me away. I have seen Him do amazing things in the lives of those around me as well. So many of us are taking this leap of faith, of turning our wills over to God, and watching Him do the incredible in and through us. I am so blessed to have my church family, whom I truly consider my family, to walk this journey with.
This may truly be the end of me as I've known myself...but I am more than ok with that.
I just started co-leading a Bible study with a dear friend and mentor of mine just two weeks ago. The book we are going through is amazing...but hard...because it is rockin' my world like nothing else (Believing God by Beth Moore). The first two weeks of the study have been focusing on having faith and believing that God is who He says He is. While I do believe many aspects of who God says He is, I have been having trouble with a few...and mostly the ones that have to do with Him being a promise keeper...or that He knows what is best for me...as so many times in life, I think I've got my best all figured out.
As I was doing my homework for the study today, I kept having this song run through my head. Mind you, it is not a worship song...not even a song about God...nor is it even remotely glorifying to Him. But, this line keeps playing over and over in my head...
It's the end where I begin...
And, the more I've been thinking about it, the more it is making sense to my life right now. The moment I am at my wit's end, when I have exhausted all possibilities of doing things on my own...that is the moment where I begin to trust God. I know it's not supposed to be that way...but that is where I am at currently. It's the moment when I'm overcome with my humanness, my imperfection, my broken state of being that I can't get myself out of, that I cry out to Him and ask for His help.
This verse was a part of my homework for today and it truly is my heart's cry:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 NIV)
And while I am completely broken and so in need of God's strength, He has been molding me, stretching me, and growing me so much in the past couple of weeks. I was able to pray so passionately for a dear sister of mine on Saturday...who didn't even know what she needed prayer for...but the words just came. I felt God speaking through me and bringing to my mind the words she needed prayed over her...and it was AWESOME! I can't even remember the last time I was able to pray for someone in that manner. It was truly a beautiful gift that God gave me...to be able to be used by Him, in spite of my broken and weak state.
It's amazing to know, to TRULY understand, that God is using me for His glory. To be able to experience it and see it firsthand...well, it just blows me away. I have seen Him do amazing things in the lives of those around me as well. So many of us are taking this leap of faith, of turning our wills over to God, and watching Him do the incredible in and through us. I am so blessed to have my church family, whom I truly consider my family, to walk this journey with.
This may truly be the end of me as I've known myself...but I am more than ok with that.
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