March 24th, 2010
Woke up early to the morning rain. Ran 5k race in Downtown Greer. Perfect conditions and great course. I surprisingly won 1st place with a time of 22:30 (I even stopped to tie my shoe lace).
Helped a man who collapsed by the wayside in the 1/2 Marathon and comforted his wife as they EMS helped them to the ambulence. Then I went to one of my favorite Breakfast spots, Tommy's Ham House (off of Poinsett Highway). Studied for a Pediatric Certification Test. Had Brooke over to watch Lost (like a horror movie on an Island of Paradise).
Now, here I am winding down to the sound of the rain falling outside my window. I love the rain!! Has a been an enjoyable day in so many ways.
Church is tomorrow. I want to prepare my heart for whatever God has for me. "Speak Oh Lord..." We are studying I John 2:28 right now.
In Care group we studied What it means to be Born in God. It means it exhibits itself in Living like HIm, practicing righteousness, hoping in Him. God's seed lives in me. It is like spring when you see all your plants and trees go dormant over the cold winter months and thinking it impossible new growth will return. Each year it amazes me that God brings growth for new flowers and buds and more abundantly than years before. ie.i had to divide my daylilies.
I once opposed God in everyway. How great my Father loves me when he chooses to place all His righteousness on me, take me as His child, and claim me with overflowing, lavish love for eternity. Why would the Father choose to love me, who did not choose Him and I OPPOSED Him? I could never love God with any small ounce of myself. He broke through and shattered my darkness (as it seems like a song I heard) and He made a dead man/women Live!
This sermon reminds me of a time when I read the book of Hebrews. I felt my heart challenged...what I was reading was asking me questions and testing my faith in God....leaving somewhere around Chapter 8 with tears....I think I felt conviction. What life am I living in relationhip to God? How am i living in eternal sense? If I am going to live....why live it partial? Whey not live fully? Will I look back with regrets?
Also on another note I was reminded the other night as I was talking to my friend to remember to view life from day-to-day of what are the possibilities of living life outside the box. It does not have to be the same old daily grind but it can be fun and playful and hard work too.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Meditations and C.S. Lewis Biography by John Piper
My Meditations
Colossians 3:1-5
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of the God. Set you mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which amounts to idolatry. "
I need to hear this.
Revelation 4
Scene of Heaven-John's Vision on the island as an old man about to die.
“The sweetest thing of all my life has been the longing . . . to find the place where all the beauty came from.” But when Lewis was born again to see the glory of God in Christ, he never said again that he didn’t know where the beauty came from. Now he knew where all the joy was pointing. On the last page of his autobiography, he explained the difference in his experience of Joy now and before.
I believe . . . that the old stab, the old bittersweet, has come to me as often and as sharply since my conversion as at any time of my life whatever. But I now know that the experience, considered as a state of my own mind, had never had the kind of importance I once gave it. It was valuable only as a pointer to something other and outer. While that other was in doubt, the pointer naturally loomed large in my thoughts. When we are lost in the woods the site of the signpost is a great matter. He who first sees it cries, ‘Look!’ The whole party gathers around and stares. But when we have found the road and are passing signposts every few miles, we shall not stop and stare. They will encourage us and we shall be grateful to the authority that set them up. But we shall not stop and stare, or not much; not on this road, though their pillars are of silver and their lettering of gold. ‘We would be at Jerusalem.’
Colossians 3:1-5
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of the God. Set you mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which amounts to idolatry. "
I need to hear this.
Revelation 4
Scene of Heaven-John's Vision on the island as an old man about to die.
“The sweetest thing of all my life has been the longing . . . to find the place where all the beauty came from.” But when Lewis was born again to see the glory of God in Christ, he never said again that he didn’t know where the beauty came from. Now he knew where all the joy was pointing. On the last page of his autobiography, he explained the difference in his experience of Joy now and before.
I believe . . . that the old stab, the old bittersweet, has come to me as often and as sharply since my conversion as at any time of my life whatever. But I now know that the experience, considered as a state of my own mind, had never had the kind of importance I once gave it. It was valuable only as a pointer to something other and outer. While that other was in doubt, the pointer naturally loomed large in my thoughts. When we are lost in the woods the site of the signpost is a great matter. He who first sees it cries, ‘Look!’ The whole party gathers around and stares. But when we have found the road and are passing signposts every few miles, we shall not stop and stare. They will encourage us and we shall be grateful to the authority that set them up. But we shall not stop and stare, or not much; not on this road, though their pillars are of silver and their lettering of gold. ‘We would be at Jerusalem.’
Saturday, February 27, 2010
No Good Does God keep from me
Today is such a Beautiful Day. Shortly I will go outside and enjoy this blue sky, warm sun, and dusting of clouds.
I woke up this morning, went to boot camp-did our challenging workout (crunches, running, pushups, running, climbers, running, flutter kicks, running, planks, running, and so on for a full hour) I know it is good for me. I am so thankful that Rick and Lucia offer to do this for free.
I don't have much time to write what is all on my mind....but for now all I can do is write in these words that I am Trusting the Lord to take all that I have into His loving Hands...the same hands that were nailed to the Cross. The same Heart that chose to love me first. He is my Father and I will never understand more than my Father. That is the design and order of life as God of all Heaven and Earth is Sovereign and is the Creator of all the Universe. I know His mind is far beyond any comprehension or understanding that my frail, small, peon speck of dust of matter will ever grasp in this life on earth.
I pray the following in the example of George Mueller as he also faced multiple crossroads of His life. "God I don't have Faith unless you give it to me now. I pray for Grace to Trust YOU, Oh Sovereign Father of my life. You are Trustworthy Lord. You are good in feast and famine. Will I only see your goodness when I think it is good that I see? Will you give me "_________" that it may Honor and give you Glory to your name for the rest of our days? As long as you have given us breath will you allow us to serve You with all our hearts, soul, and mind.... nothing less than full sacrifice of love for You, others, and our family. May your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!"
"a man plans his ways, but the Lord directs His paths." Words of encouragement given Yesterday by my dear Pastor and "Bro" Matt, whom God has chosen as one to Shepherd my heart.
I woke up this morning, went to boot camp-did our challenging workout (crunches, running, pushups, running, climbers, running, flutter kicks, running, planks, running, and so on for a full hour) I know it is good for me. I am so thankful that Rick and Lucia offer to do this for free.
I don't have much time to write what is all on my mind....but for now all I can do is write in these words that I am Trusting the Lord to take all that I have into His loving Hands...the same hands that were nailed to the Cross. The same Heart that chose to love me first. He is my Father and I will never understand more than my Father. That is the design and order of life as God of all Heaven and Earth is Sovereign and is the Creator of all the Universe. I know His mind is far beyond any comprehension or understanding that my frail, small, peon speck of dust of matter will ever grasp in this life on earth.
I pray the following in the example of George Mueller as he also faced multiple crossroads of His life. "God I don't have Faith unless you give it to me now. I pray for Grace to Trust YOU, Oh Sovereign Father of my life. You are Trustworthy Lord. You are good in feast and famine. Will I only see your goodness when I think it is good that I see? Will you give me "_________" that it may Honor and give you Glory to your name for the rest of our days? As long as you have given us breath will you allow us to serve You with all our hearts, soul, and mind.... nothing less than full sacrifice of love for You, others, and our family. May your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven!"
"a man plans his ways, but the Lord directs His paths." Words of encouragement given Yesterday by my dear Pastor and "Bro" Matt, whom God has chosen as one to Shepherd my heart.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Love Note
Dear God...You loved me first with an everlasting love. I don't know why because I am just a little spek or dust mite compared to you. Thank you for everlasting life. The "New heaven and New earth". You will bring me into a perfect blissful state when I gaze forever on you face for eternity. You gave Your Son to me as a Full atoning sacrifice. A one time sacrifice. You perfectly unite me to you Lord. Spirit and Truth. Lord, I desire Truth in all parts. To live a glimmering resemblance of you. Will you be my husband all my life? I take you, I accept you.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
John Vision
Oh God, your Temple is here...you came as a Person in your fullness to earth and lived a perfect spotless life. Your Power to save me and all men now to the uttermost. Your Proclamation of the gospel raises the dead alive and forever. Your People gather as the remnant that remain.
I love this....Revelation 21:1&22
v.1 "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."
v.22 "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."
meditation on Jim Britt's sermon.
I love this....Revelation 21:1&22
v.1 "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."
v.22 "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."
meditation on Jim Britt's sermon.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Worship the Lord
Sunday Sermon
When we look at the Sun, we are awaken by the Sun.
We could say the same about God. When I look at the Son, I am awaken by the Son.
Right thoughts about God should evoke a right response.
Revelation 4:10 "Elders will fall before Him, who sits on the throne and will worship HIm who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou didst create all things , and because of Thy will they existed and were created."
Book-Cost of Discipleship
Dietrich Bonhoffer- "Jesus said, 'ye are the salt of the World'...It is not for the disciples to decide whether they will be salt of the earth, for they are so whether they like it or not, they have been made salt by the call they have received."
When we look at the Sun, we are awaken by the Sun.
We could say the same about God. When I look at the Son, I am awaken by the Son.
Right thoughts about God should evoke a right response.
Revelation 4:10 "Elders will fall before Him, who sits on the throne and will worship HIm who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou didst create all things , and because of Thy will they existed and were created."
Book-Cost of Discipleship
Dietrich Bonhoffer- "Jesus said, 'ye are the salt of the World'...It is not for the disciples to decide whether they will be salt of the earth, for they are so whether they like it or not, they have been made salt by the call they have received."
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