Do You Have Days Like This?

Some days when I feel as though I keep failing as a mom, wife, friend, daughter, sister, child of God, etc. I have to remember that God will carry me through. I am not perfect. I am forgiven. He will continue to transform me to His likeness. The Bible is not about a bunch of moral heroes. It is about a bunch of failures that God has redeemed. (Mike Donehey)

Philipians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Thank you Jesus for what you have done for me!

Seeking Him in 2010

One of my main goals in 2010 is to continue seeking the Lord with all my heart through prayer, bible study, and scripture memory. You won't get to know Him better if you don't spend time with Him each day.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

I love the Message version of verses 12-14:

12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. 13-14"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree.

I read some encouraging words today from Pastor JR Vassar regarding the days that you miss your quiet times or maybe feel that you haven't spent enough time with Him:

" Don't give up. I have missed meals in the past, but never gave up on eating. I just made sure I did not miss the next meal (and usually made up for it). You are going to miss days, often times multiple days. Repent of your neglect of God and press on in knowing him. Your righteousness is not in how consistent your devotional life is; it is in Jesus Christ who is constant and ever faithful. So, relax and pick up where you left off.

Wanted to encourage you along with myself to start planning now. Determine a time, place, and plan.

Love you all! Have a Happy New Year!

Words Satisfying to the Soul

I stand amazed at God every day. Why he chooses to love me so much despite what a mess I am, I will never understand. I wanted to share with you a little bit out of my journal this morning and what God is teaching me. Not to bring glory to myself, but to bring glory to Him. He knows my weaknesses for sure, but he doesn't give up on me. Last night before I went to bed, I had to confess to him about my rotten words and thoughts for the day. Not that my whole day consisted of bad thoughts and words, but it seemed a little more than usual. This morning in my quiet time with Him I was reading Proverbs 18 when I had this overwhelming peace from Him that He knows my every thought and words before they even reach my tongue. He has plans for my future. Plans to prosper me and not to harm me. He is here to help me along the way to becoming more like Him. So here it goes.

As He continues to work on this area of my life (my words), He showed me several areas this morning that need lots of improvement. I picked Proverbs 18 because it is the 18th day of the month. No. I don't do this every day. I have a problem with consistency. I am a little ADHD when it comes to what I am studying in His Word. I like to jump around. But guess what. He knows that and knew that before he created me. His Word is alive and guess what it was about. You got it. WORDS!!!!

Proverbs 18

2 Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions.

Lord, help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to get angry. Remind me to seek understanding and not be so quick to air my opinion. Most of this comes from my pride issues.

4 Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

Lord, examine my heart. You know my thoughts. Before my words can change, my heart has to change. Let my words come from You. Change my heart O' God!

6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
they are asking for a beating.

Note to self: Need to remind my kids of this one. But first...Do I like to constantly quarrel? Does it bring me satisfaction to prove that I am right and someone else is wrong?

7 The mouths of fools are their ruin;
they trap themselves with their lips.

How many times has my lips gotten me into trouble this week?

8 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.

Lord, help me to get rid of gossip in my life. I need your strength to stand when others around me are engaging in it. Help me to speak words of encouragement that build someone else up rather than tear them down. When I think of morsels, it reminds me of those chocolate chips I have hidden in my cabinet. It's hard to just eat one. I keep going back for more.

13 Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.

Lord, I know that I do this with my kids. Help me to listen to them first. And yes...I do this with Doug too. Sometimes I need to keep my advice to myself unless he asks for it.

17 The first to speak in court sounds right—
until the cross-examination begins.

Or in other words...Any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight.

I learned the truth of this statement when we were involved in the lawsuit against the ACLU. First of all, the lawsuit itself contained many false accusations against our school and praying parents, but that is how the ACLU rolls. Then opinions are formed based on those lies and the media makes up even more lies. The media was used as a puppet by Satan to twist and deceive from every angle. Lies upon lies. Then I would read the Tennessean and see peoples twisted opinions upon those lies. Sometimes it even got me confused and I knew the truth. However, it was pretty awesome to see those lies exposed in federal court. How ridiculous they looked! Almost makes me laugh right now just thinking about it. Lord, I ask that you keep this as a constant reminder to me to not believe everything I hear through the media or others for that matter. I need to get the facts first. BTW...thank you Jesus that you stood by us for a victory against the ACLU. May others not back down to them.

19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Wow! I don't want to offend my friends. I love my friends. Your word says that iron sharpens iron. I want to help them grow closer to You not further away. Remove all jealousy and pride from my relationships. Help me to encourage and to love with your unconditional love. But more than any of this, help me stay true to your word. I don't want to be a people pleaser and worry about offending someone when it comes to taking a stand for You.

20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.

Are my words satisfying?

21 The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Lord, thank you for your new mercies every day. You see my weaknesses and want the best for me. May I take your word and obey it today. Let my words be nourishment.

Amen

Heart, Soul, and Mind - What does that mean?

Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus replied: " Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."

As I have been meditating on this verse this week, it brings up so many questions. Am I loving Him with all of my heart, soul, and mind? What does that mean? When am I going to allow Jesus to be 100% of my life? Or do I tend to give Him the leftovers?

There are 71.6 million people in the U.S. that say they are Christians. Are we using this word too loosely these days? Studies have shown that only 1 out of 10 really actually live any differently than the rest of the world. Are we blending into the world? Do our lives reflect what we say we believe. We tend to say one thing, but do something completely different. I have been convicted lately about being a doer and not just a hearer only.

Some of us can say that yes he is a part of our lives, but that's just it. He is only a part. We stick Him in where we can, but only what is convenient for us. We are not truly putting Him first. We put other things in front of Him. Shouldn't He permeate every part of our life?

I am currently reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. A lot of these same questions are included in this book as he challenges us to authentic Christianity. I would highly recommend it.

Remember there is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian.

Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Creation Reveals His Majesty

It's 3:00 am and I cannot sleep. I had to share this story with you, because I feel it is so important. Today I was looking through some pictures that I took of flowers in my back yard this past summer. I am not a great photographer, but I truly love to take pictures of God's creation. For a few minutes I was taken back by the beauty and all the details of His works. So amazed of how His works are intelligent and intricate, yet so delicate and beautiful.

Then I was reminded of a verse that I was discussing with my friend, Maria, earlier in the day. We were talking about Romans 1:20 (NIV) "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse". Also I like how the Message version explains it. It says "But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse".

So based on this verse we can answer this question: "Does anyone have an excuse for not believing in God? The Bible answers an emphatic NO! God has revealed what He is like in and through His creation. Every person, therefore, either accepts or rejects God. Knowing that God exists is not enough. People must learn that God is loving and that he sent his Son to demonstrate his love for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)

I am a sinner. All sins make us sinners, big and small. Sin cuts us off from a holy God. (Romans 3:23) All sin leads to death because they disqualify us from living with a holy God. The good news is that the Bible says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus died in our place for our sins so that we could have eternal life, but we must put our faith in Him. Jesus offers us salvation as a gift , nothing we can earn. We must reach out and accept this gift. Faith is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ and reaching out to accept his wonderful gift of salvation.

He wants to have a relationship with you, not religion. Through spending time with Him, by reading the Bible and prayer, we can get to know Him. So many people know about Him, but don’t truly know Him personally. I could go on and on here, but I am running out of room and time. Do you understand? If not, send me a message and I would love to explain further. I may lose facebook friends over this post, but that is a risk I have to take for something I truly believe in. You see, if I consider you a friend, then I Iove you too much to remain silent.

R.C. Sproul said, “Men are never duly touched or impressed with a conviction of their insignificance until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God. God’s art speaks of Himself.“

"The purpose of our lives is far greater than our own personal fulfillment, our peace of mind, or even our happiness. It’s far greater than our families, our careers, or even our wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God, your Creator." (Rick Warren)

Can I share one last story? I was saddened the other day when I was reading an article about an atheist group who held a camp this past summer for a group of children. During the camp the children were taught: there is no God; humans are just like animals; there is no purpose in life; when you die, that is the end of you. They say they are encouraging these kids to think for themselves. I beg to differ.

For those who don’t believe, I will continue to pray for you. Please don't wait until it is too late. If I am wrong about this, then I have nothing to lose. If you are wrong, then you have everything to lose.

All of this being said, who am I that He should suffer and die on a cross for my sins?

Offering (by Third Day)

Magnificent Holy Father
I stand in awe of all I see
Of all the things You have created
But still You choose to think of me

Who am I that You should suffer
Your very life to set me free
The only thing that I can give You
Is the life You gave to me

This is my offering, dear Lord
This is my offering to You, God
And I will give You my life
For it’s all I have to give
Because You gave Your life for me

I stand before You at this altar
So many have given You more
I may not have much I can offer
Yet what I have is truly Yours

This is my offering, Love Christy

A Pure and Faultless Religion

Pondering this verse today:

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

I really think these two things are related. When you desire one, you give up the other. If I would keep myself from being polluted by the world and sucked in by it's desires and pleasures that never satisfy, then I would take my eyes off myself long enough to look after the orphans and widows in their distress.


Lord,
Give me your eyes to see the needs of those around me and afar. Show me how to reach out to the homeless. Help me not to be so busy in my day to day life that I miss all that you have for me. Help me to prioritize what is really important to you. Show me what part of my daily schedule is wrapped up in selfish motives only to impress others or for my pleasure. Search my heart, God. You know my thoughts. What do you want me to eliminate? I want to be kingdom focused. If people want to call me radical, then what a complement. I don't want to go at this half-hearted. I want to take up my cross daily and follow you. Show me what it means and how to keep myself from being polluted by the world. Give me the courage to do so.
Amen

Before It's Too Late

Just got back from a four mile run or should I say walk. I wanted to run, but I couldn’t for crying so hard. I am talking about sobbing uncontrollably. There is no telling what my neighbors are thinking. One day I am singing Toby Mac songs at the top of my lungs (forgot I had my headphones in and got a little out of control)and the next day I am crying like a baby. But you see, I have the strongest burden on my heart for someone who doesn’t know Jesus.

This person means the world to me. He is a good man with a big heart. He has been such a hard worker all of his life. Always been a giver, not a taker. Made some bad choices along the way, but haven’t we all. Does kind things in secret. Dependable... I know that he will be there for me if I ever need him. But, that’s not how it works. The Bible makes it clear that no one is good enough. Romans 3:23 We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. That’s why Jesus had to die – to pay the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Unfortunately, he is missing it. Time is ticking away. He is looking to the world for a happiness in which he can’t find. Surely by now he would know that. Yes,sometimes things can bring temporary pleasure, but it doesn’t last. Soon you want something else that can’t satisfy. I wonder if he thinks he will have to give something up. Little does he know that those things are nothing compared to the great riches of knowing Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to come just as we are. We don’t have to clean up our lives first. In fact, we can’t without Him.

I have talked with him, cried with him, pleaded with him, and prayed for him. I don’t know what else to do except pray. I can’t make that decision for him or I would. Believe me. I am not sure how much longer he will be here on this earth. Of course, none of us do. We had a conversation on the phone the other day regarding life and death. I asked him if he thought it would just be over once he died. I asked him if he thought that we just happened to live here for a few years and that was the end. If that is reality, how sad. I told him about God’s love and His plan for us… about how God loved us so much that he gave His Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we might have eternal life. I use to think that sounded weird or like nonsense, before I knew Him, but now I understand. God opened my eyes to my sin and what a mess I was. I realized how unworthy I was and how I needed a savior. Now He is changing me every day from the inside out. I now realize my purpose in this life and eternity.

You see, this is not our home. Don’t you think there is something more than just this? In Romans 1:20 it says through creation we see His invisible qualities and divine nature. Think about how the Sun is just far enough away that it doesn’t burn us up. Think about the millions of stars, the moon, and the 350 billion galaxies out there. Think about the millions of different trees, grasses, and flowers. Think about all of the different animals and insects. Think about how a seed is formed and grows into our food that we eat. Think about how we are breathing in oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. Think about how plants are just the opposite. Think about how the human body works. Think about our DNA structure, chromosomes, and cells. Think about how a baby starts as a tiny egg and develops into a person. This didn’t just happen in a BIG BANG. The BIG BANG theory is for the shallow minded. I heard someone explain it this way. Take a big box of legos and throw them up in the air to land on the floor and what does it create… ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Their has to be a creator. Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.


Also one of my favorite scriptures is Job 38. Read through it and ponder.

R.C. Sproul said, “Men are never duly touched or impressed with a conviction of their insignificance until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God. God’s art speaks of Himself.“ The purpose of our lives is far greater than our own personal fulfillment, our peace of mind, or even our happiness. It’s far greater than our families, our careers, or even our wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God, your Creator. (Rick Warren)

Jeremiah 29:11-14a For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.

The last thing I wanted to say to this person, but I didn’t get the chance because he changed the subject, was:

“If I am wrong about this, then I have nothing to lose, but if your wrong, then you have everything to loose.”