by Kimberly | Jun 7, 2012 | Bible, Women
Continuing on our discussion of the Danvers Statement from yesterday, we finish off with Affirmations 6-10. I hope these have been an encouragement to you and not another list of rules to follow. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to apply Scripture to our lives when sin has marred the world we live in. Thank God that He is redeeming all of creation for His glory!
6. Redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced by the curse, both in the family and in the church. (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-7; 1 Cor 11:2-16)
The death of Christ on the cross is available for all who believe (and if they believe they will be the elect of God). God knows those whom He has saved – both male and female. Males don’t have an easier time being saved. We are all on equal footing: sinners in need of a Savior. While we are equal in that rite, there are some standards and roles that God set up before the foundation of the world, that now that sin has entered the picture, these roles are more difficult to adhere to – but nevertheless, we are told to adhere to them. Husbands and wives have equal partnership but different roles in the home. Elders and roles in the church that require biblical teaching of men needs to be reserved only for men. God has a great purpose in this. We would find great joy in the beauty of submission in these areas.
7. In all of life Christ is the supreme authority and guide for men and women, so that no earthly submission – domestic, religious, or civil – ever implies a mandate to follow a human authority into sin. (Daniel 3:10-18; Acts 4:19-20; 1 Peter 3:1-2)
This definitely was seen with the DOMA voting that occurred in NC recently. Many politicians and even many Christians Iwere agreeing with the government in their allowance of homosexual and lesbian marriages. There were so many issues that were included in this. My thought process started out as one thing, moved to another, and then voting day came and went. We do not live in a theocracy. Even though truth is truth, we can’t expect non-Christians to want to adhere to the same biblical truth that we obey and live under. So, even if we passed a lot (which NC did) that marriage is between one man and one woman, it is only one state – any couple can just choose to up and move to another state. As Christians, we have a different standard in life than non-Christians. Non-Christians will be under the wrath of God at judgment day. We have been freed from the wrath of God because of the blood of Jesus. But we can’t impose biblical standards on those that don’t believe Christ is the only way to heaven. But, we must live according to the Bible. And that goes for every area of our lives: home, church, gender roles, etc.
8. In both men and women a heartfelt call to ministry should never be used to set aside biblical criteria for particular ministries. (1 Tim 2:11-15; 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9)
Earlier on in my life I struggled with this one, primarily because I hadn’t been taught any better. When I was in college, I was assistant to our youth pastor at a church (whom I loved and learned a lot from and loved being in ministry with those girls and families). I was encouraged to go to a certain seminary because the seminary I wanted to attend put too many restraints on women. When I started being taught what the Bible had to say about roles within the church, I learned more about women could do and what women couldn’t do. These mandates are not set up for our punishment, but for our good, for us to thrive under God’s authority. When women will come to me saying they are being led of God to be a pastor, I honestly have to suppress a laugh (which is sinful), but then I’m hurt that they don’t see the laws of God as beautiful. I want them to open their eyes and see God’s beauty. What this is saying is not that women have nothing to say to men or they don’t have the ability to teach, it is just saying God’s way is His way and it is the best for our good and His glory in the church, our families, and the world.
9. With half the world’s population outside the reach of indigenous evangelism; with countless other lost people in those societies that have heard the gospel; with the stress and miseries of sickness, malnutrition, homelessness, illiteracy, ignorance, aging, addiction, crime, incarceration, neuroses, and loneliness, no man or woman who feels a passion from God to make His grace known in word and deed need ever live without a fulfilling ministry for the glory of Christ and the good of this fallen world. (1 Cor 12:7-21)
Some people ask this question: can a women lead a man to Christ. By all means, yes. That is declaring the truths of salvation. Whether you are sitting on a bus, waiting at a terminal or hospital, sharing with your husband – this isn’t haven’t Scriptural authority over a man in a church’s teaching role. There are many ministries: orphanages, nursing, sex trafficking freedom, etc that women can do and have such a great impact in this world. Why some women understand that the only way they can have an impact for the kingdom is by preaching to men/leading worship to men is beyond me? There is so much more out there. Women can have a huge impact for the gospel in many arenas that men can’t. Think of Muslim cultures. Men and women don’t talk to each other. How else will these lost women hear the gospel if women don’t share it with them?
10. We are convinced that a denial or neglect of these principles will lead to increasingly destructive consequences in our families, our churches, and the culture at large.
This has definitely been the case. Look at: single-parent homes, divorce rate both in and outside the church, the feminization of the church, lack of men’s involvement in local churches, gay marriages and lifestyles on the rise.
The Danvers Statement was written 25 years ago. Men and women have been upholding it by the grace of God ever since. Will you strive to live by the laws and beautiful truths found in God’s Word, or will you demand your own way. Self-enslavement is worse than God-enslavement (taken from Amy Spiegel’s new book, Letting Go of Perfect).
Go in peace and grace.
by Kimberly | Jun 6, 2012 | food
Sausage, eggs, potatoes, cheese…need I say more?
1 box au gratin potato mix
1 lb sausage
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained
3 cups HOT water
1/2 cup HOT water
6 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Chop onion. Dump potatoes into a bowl and cover with HOT water before you begin cooking the sausage. (Set aside the powder cheese packet, you’ll need that later.)
Cook sausage and onions together until done. Drain. Drain potatoes. Mix potatoes, sausage mixture, green pepper, mushrooms, and seasonings. Dump into a greased 2 qt casserole dish.
in a medium bowl, add 1/2 cup HOT water with the au gratin cheese packet. Stir till completely mixed. Add in the milk and 6 eggs. Whisk. Pour all over the sausage mixture.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350. For the last 10-15, top with cheese.
**The only thing I would do differently next time is stir my mixture better. Some of the potato slices didn’t get cooked well enough and some got crispy because they were sticking out on top. I loved the rustic nature of this dish, and oh so comforting.
by Kimberly | Jun 6, 2012 | Uncategorized, Women
This past Sunday a new “Sunday School” class started at my church on biblical manhood and womanhood. One of the elders who is teaching the class introduced everyone to the Danvers Statement. You may be wondering what the Danvers Statement is and what in the world it has to do with your life. You can read it here:
http://www.swbts.edu/index.cfm?pageid=1727
Since biblical gender roles is something I have been passionate about since somtime in college, I thought I would take this time to walk through the Danvers Statement. Not for theological purposes, because Bruce Ware and Wayne Grudem do such a thorough job of defining terms and basing them on biblical passages. But, for women in the pew, who didn’t go to seminary, or those who did go to seminary or teach even – how do we put these 10 principles into practice.
1. Both Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, equal before God as persons and distinct in their manhood and womanhood (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:18)
These verses and this statement (made in 1987) were made long before the political battlew over the definition of marriage. Our base for politics should be the word of God. Since the Word of God is the very breath of God, therefore perfect and never changing (2 Tim 3:16-17, Psalm 19), it should determine our decisions on every matter of life and politics.
The joke heard for decades now is “God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” I think that is a crude way of saying the truth. God had a permanent purpose and grand design in how He perfectly created and placed Adam and Eve in the garden. Adam and Eve, and all peoples procreated from them for all the generations to come, bear the image of God (imago dei) and should be treated as worthy of that. Each person bears the image of God, even those who disagree with us or treat us badly. Something inherent in their very being shows us God. He is the masterful Creator.
I like the word distinct in this first affirmation. I can’t play the role my husband has, either sexually or emotionally, in our marriage. I can’t play the role my pastors and elders have in the church I attend. God set measures in place that we are to abide by and obey for our good and His glory. But, we also have distinct roles and priviliges that men don’t – simply because we are women. What a unique pleasure it is to always feel Baby Campbell kicking in me. My husband can feel him if he is kicking or see him when he makes my belly move, but he can’t feel him all the time. That is something unique that God has designed just for women.
2. Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order, and should find an echo in every human heart. (Genesis 2:18, 21-24; 1 Cor 11:7-9; 1 Tim 2:12-14)
Two essential parts of this affirmation: when these distinctions came to be and how that should influence me today.
God is eternal and all of His Words are eternal. They never change. The principles of biblical gender were set in place when God first created Adam and Eve, he didn’t wait until after sin occurred in the Garden to set these principles in place. These distinctions, both in function and person, were foundational from the very beginning. Sin only makes living these distinctions out difficult.
There are many times when I try to urge my husband to make a decision or try to lead in our relationship. There are many times when I feel more qualified to teach a class at church because there is lack of strong male authority and teaching ability. But, as often as these thoughts or actions occur in me, the Spirit checks my Spirit with His and with the Word. There is an eagerness (praise the Lord) in me to confess those thoughts, pray for strength, and repent of any actions I might have done. If we walk in step with the Spirit we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Oh, the flesh is so strong in women, especially Christian women when we are at daily war with the one who wants his way in our life versus the One who paid the price for our souls. Stand firm – resist the devil and he will flee from you!
3. Adam’s headship in marriage was established by God as part of the created order, and was not the result of sin. (Genesis 3:1-13, and Scriptures listed in 2.)
I love this design of marriage. I always knew I wanted this in a marriage, but never found someone who was willing to take his rightful place and lead with humility and servanthood (like Jesus) in a marraige. Being both bold and pursuing, and loving and gently. My God has been very gracious to me in my marriage. My husband lives out biblical headship and Christ-like servanthood and meekness to me every day. He prays for me, leads our marriage, is gentle with me when I need correcting, and meek in his leadership. This design is for all married men. Men, don’t give this authority up – neither lord it over your wives. Jesus lead with meekness and authority. He was gentle. He wasn’t effeminate or a tyrant. He was perfect. Women, if you see your husbands or your Christian brothers not living this way (or for single brothers, not seeing these qualities in them), pray for them. I repeatedly didn’t do this service for them, but instead I complained and belittled them, saying there were no good single men left. That was one of my biggest regrets of my single life. We are called to encourage our brothers and husbands, not belitlttle them. Those actions of belittling is the result of sin, not how God wanted us to live.
4. The Fall introduced distortions into the relationships between men and women (in the home and in the church) – for further explanation of this affirmation, see the link above) (Genesis 3:1-7, 12, 16)
Oh, how I hate sin. Sin permeates every aspect of our lives. Women want to lead in the homes and in the churches. Men either are patriachal authoritarians or weak spineless shells of real men. Many of our churches are filled with women who want men to step up and lead and few men who will take their place and lead. (I see this a lot in the music ministry of churches – where our choirs and orchestras are filled with mostly women, but our praise teams and bands are “cooler” now and include more men – haven’t figured out that one yet). Women: if you struggle with wanting to lead: pray for the desire to humbly follow your husband’s leadership and pray for him that he will lead humbly and sacrificially. Men, pray for strength to stand in the position of authority in humility and servanthood that God created you to be in.
5. Both the Old and New Testaments manifests the equally high value and dignity which God attached to the roles of both men and women (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18, Gal 3:28) and affirm the principles of male headship in the family and the covenant community (Genesis 2:18, Eph 5:21-33, 1 Tim 2:11-15).
Some believers only want to take some of God’s Word or take verses out of context. God saw to it that the the Word was kept for us to read – all of it ordained by Him and kept by Him. It is perfect. All of it. Men and women are equal in that we both stand level at the cross – we are both sinners and in equal need of a Savior. Men aren’t more worthy of salvation nor do their possess more of God or display God better solely because they are male.
This is the sticky part for some people: God’s entire Word sets up the standards for both the home and church. In God’s Word: it says that men are to be in leadership positions of teaching and authority in our churches not women. I believe this also goes for worship leading because worship leading is an authority of the Word of God and you are leading and teaching others as you direct the worship of the entire congregation. Song leading or directing a choir is something different, and then I would lean toward a championing of male leadership by way of example, not by Scriptural authority. This also has nothing to do with skill level. I’m sure there are women out there who can teach better than some of the pastors who stand in their pulpits and can sing better/play better than their worship pastors. Often when sitting in a co-ed SS class I get frustrated because of the depth, or lack thereof, of the teaching. But my role is not to teach…my role is to submit and learn and pray for growth.
This will be continued tomorrow, affirmations 6-10. How do you apply these truths to your life, both in the home and church? What are some ways you see Christians failing to live out these commandments and patterns that God has set up for His children to follow?
Be encouraged. We need the Gospel daily to live these out. Rest in Him. Pursue Him.
by Kimberly | Jun 5, 2012 | Bible, mothering, Worship
The following quote is taken from the 1689 London Baptist Confession:
And verily there is one spring and cause of the decay of religion in our day which we cannot but touch upon and earnestly urge a redress of, and that is the neglect of the worship of God in families by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed. May not the gross ignorance and instability of many, with the profaneness of others, be justly charged upon their parents and masters, who have not trained them up in the way wherein they ought to walk when they were young, but have neglected those frequent and solemn commands which the Lord hath laid upon them, so to catechise and instruct them that their tender years might be seasoned with the knowledge of the truth of God as revealed in the Scriptures; and also by their own omission of prayer and other duties of religion of their families, together with the ill example of their loose conversation, having, inured them first to a neglect and the contempt of all piety and religion? We know this will not excuse the blindness and wickedness of any, but certainly it will fall heavy upon those that have been thus the occasion thereof; they indeed die in their sins, but will not their blood be required of those under whose care they were, who yet permitted them to go on without warning – yea, led them into the paths of destruction? And will not the diligence of Christians with respect to the discharge of these duties in ages past rise up in judgment against and condemn many of those who would be esteemed such now?
Breakdown of the family unit in today’s society is something that not only Christians and churches worry about, but for many reasons politicians and sociologists are concerned with it as well. However, this isn’t just a problem that plagues our society today. It is a problem that for over 300 years church leaders have seen as something that needs to be addressed.
I live in a part of town that is known for some crime and general “lolly gagging” by people of all ages. This part of town is also known for single-parent homes or absent parents altogether. Latch key syndrome. Yes, this is definitely a problem and the breakdown of the family has been at least one cause, if not the leading cause, of the rise in crime among teenagers/college students. The trend continues.
I think another danger that we have to be careful of is a type of legalism. I was watching a video the other day that showed four youth getting baptized. All of them said something like this: “My parents raised me in a Christian home and we read the Bible, did Christian things, etc. But, it wasn’t until later that I accepted Christ.”
The Psalms and Proverbs talk much about delighting in the Word, meditating on the Word, etc. Deuteronomy 6 tells fathers to talk about the Word every chance you get – teaching it to your children. It is something we are commanded to do as parents. It is our main responsibility. But, we are parents cannot assume that our church going and Bible reading is going to save our children.
1. Shepherd your children. By leading home worship you are doing this very thing. Home Worship doesn’t need to be long and complex. Some ways my husband and I started doing it when we were engaged were praying together at night and reading a Bible verse at meal times. We look forward to continuing and building upon that when Baby Campbell arrives. If you have someone who can sing or play an instrument (or a YouTube video), incorporate singing into your home worship routine. Make sure the Word and the Gospel are intrigal parts of your time together and that you do it. It doesn’t have to be done every day, but some sort of schedule will help you keep doing it – habit, right?
2. Home Worship can’t save your children. In Elyse Fitzpatrick’s book Give Them Grace, she talks about rule following that would lead your children to be better Pharisees (in a negative light) than Christ-followers. The heart of your children need to be changed by a gracious God. We can’t save our children by doing more and better home worship, or demanding their obedience, or regulating their wardrobe, iPod playlist, or friends. We can give them the Word and pray for their salvation, showing them much grace and forgiveness as they are coming up in our homes.
Grace and discipline. The two go together in this thinking of home worship. We need to have discipline to do home worship with family members and show the Word of God as a permanent and prominent fixture in our home. One of the ways we are doing that as we prepare for Baby Campbell’s arrival is by adorning the nursery walls with Scripture. We also must rely on grace. We can’t possibly adhere to the true gospel and think that by us doing family worship, even every night of the week, will gain us (or our children) an audience and relationship with God – we can’t have that apart from Christ. The Gospel is D-O-N-E not D-O.
“As the years go by, more and more we realize that if our children turn out right, it is only because of amazing grace.” – Joel Beeke, Parenting by God’s Promises
by Kimberly | Jun 4, 2012 | food
Comfort food, church cookbooks, and cheese. Any complaints? None here. This recipe isn’t quite where I want it yet, but it was yummy for dinner and I got no complaints from the husband.
Sloppy Joe Casserole – feeds 6
8 ox whole wheat small shaped pasta (I used medium shells)
1 lb ground sirloin – because I don’t like fatty meat in casseroles – nor does it like me
1 sloppy joe mix packet
1 small can tomato sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 small can tomato paste
1 1/4 cup water
16 oz small curd cottage cheese
3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar
Start your water boiling. Saute chopped onion in a pan. Add meat and cook until done. Cook pasta once the water has begun to boil. (I’ve learned that seasoning pasta water really is important, so please for the sake of your pasta dishes, season!)
Drain meat and pasta (seperately). Put the meat back in the pan and add seasoning packet, both cans of tomato products, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Combine pasta, meat mixture, and cottage cheese to a greased casserole. Add cheese on top.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.
Enjoy with vegetables of your choice.
This recipe will satisfy simple comfort food tummies or kiddos who are picky eaters.
by Kimberly | Jun 4, 2012 | Books
Another month, another stack of books. I always overshoot my reading abilities and time, but I’d rather do that than not be ambitious and then only get one – or none – read. With hub’s schedule this week I’ll have some evening to do some reading. And I have 20 hours in a car this month just counting one trip so I hope I can get some reading done then as well.
Here we go. You will see some similarities from last month.
Loving the Way Jesus Loves – Philip Ryken – Yes, I’m still reading this one.
From One Ministry Wife to Another – Susie Hawkins –
What Did You Expect – Paul Tripp – I’ve been reading this one for a while, hopefully I’ll polish it off this month – great book
Parenting by God’s Promises – Joel Beeke – liking prinicples of it, not necessarily agreeing with all the underlying theology
Bake in the Day Bakery Cookbook – Cheryl and Griffith Day – I love reading cookbooks and this one is no different. Cookbooks are about three things for me: writing, food, and photos. For it to be a good cookbook, all three have to be present.
Boyhood and Beyond – Bob Schulz – still praying through this one for Baby Campbell
Letting Go of Perfect – Amy Spiegel – This will be a great read because I’m always striving to live up to unrealistic expectations.
A Woman’s Wisdom – Lydia Brownback – I’m looking forward to finishing this before TGC’s Women’s Conference later this month. She is speaking and leading a publishing forum. Brilliant.
Girl Meets God – Lauren Winner – Autobiography for the month.
So, this month I have:
1 Autobiography
3 Christian Living
1 Cookbook
3 Parenting/Marriage
That’s a good spectrum for me. Now…gotta get to reading.
by Kimberly | May 31, 2012 | Books, Uncategorized, Women
Bandwagons. I don’t like them – ask my husband. So, I haven’t read any of the Twilight, Harry Potter, or Hunger Games series. So, when a friend asked me to write a blog post about 50 Shades of Grey, I said, “sure!”. I haven’t read Mary Kassian’s thoughts on this yet – but will get to it after I write my own thoughts.
I didn’t even know what I was looking for in the store, but I found it right away in my local Target store. I was truly appalled at the few bits that I read while I leaned against the store counter. I then made my way to the nearest Barnes and Noble to gather the trilogy in my hands and write this post.
I was really thinking about putting in some of those snippets but I will refrain – if I don’t want women to be reading this book, I don’t need to allow you to read it on this blog. And, I really don’t need to read those snippets again.
Here is some of the back of the book:
“When the couple embarks on a daring passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.”
Classification: Erotic Romance – Mature Audience
The tag line at the bottom: “Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.” Really…
Obsess you: There should only be one obsession in you life if you are a believer: Christ.
Possess you: The Bible I read already declares us to be possessions of Someone: Christ. He bought us with His own blood and sanctifies us. Women: this book will not aid your sanctification process.
Stay with you Forever: That is the unfortunate part. I can’t erase what I read in this book, I can’t go back to before I read it. It will stay with me forever. It is damaging. Don’t do it.
In this book these is sex, reversed gender roles, obsession, unbiblical habits that are brought out on every page, envy, anger, lust, need I go on?
So…this one is pretty easy. Don’t read it. I don’t know what good could come out of it. Since I’ve been married, what I put in my mind has changed. Before I could watch chick flicks or read Sweet Valley High (in high school) and Christian romance novels. But, honestly, now I can’t. I love my husband too much. I don’t want to bring any outside thoughts into our bedroom. I trust him too much to do that to him. He should be the one I fanticize about – not anyone in a book or on a TV screen. (Note: some friends might know that I loved the Mentalist – mainly because of Simon Baker – I don’t watch the show anymore for this very reason.)
How do you guard your mind and thoughts and engage the culture at the same time? What do you do with non-Christian books that invade culture? Well, whether its with Sci-Fi, teen romance that is all the rage – really, adult women falling in love with vampires – how do you keep your thoughts pure?
I seldom just say NO to cultural phenomenons. I want to judge for myself. And with some reads or movies I think you can engage them with a biblical worldview and your watching of it will not do any harm. But, there are some that won’t do any good.
One song from the early 90s I often sing (just because its stuck in my head) is “Free your mind, and the rest will follow.” I know that song doesn’t have really much to do with what we are talking about today – but the problem remains. If we “free our mind” from God’s laws and mandates that are made for our good – then pretty soon the rest will follow: our heart and then our actions.
Here is some of the best of what the Bible has to say about this:
Proverbs 4:23-27: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”
Ladies: keep your eyes, feet, mind, and bodies pure. 50 Shades will not enable you to do that.
by Kimberly | May 30, 2012 | Uncategorized
Mercy Me always seems to put out stellar songs and the ones I am thinking of have solid biblical lyrics. Love it when a Christian artist can do that. Engage the culture and where people are without sacrificing the truth and depth of the lyrics. This is no less true for their new song, “The Hurt and the Healer“. Even thinking of the title reminds me of the book of Job or Paul’s prayer for the removal of the thorn.
We all face difficulties in life, in fact, Jesus says that if we are believers, we will face trouble. But, we have to take heart – for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). These difficulties may come in the form of sickness, financial troubles, relationship disagreements, forks in the road, death, etc. We never know what may come our way – but we do know the One who holds all things together. My Mom’s favorite song is I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. A favorite song I sang in high school was “Trust His Heart”. There are many songs out there that speak of hardship and knowing that God is still in control. My favorite hymn is It Is Well. There you go – another one that speaks to that truth of the sovereignty of God over all of our situations. We must claim that and believe that only with Jesus will we have peace through these storms.
The Hurt and the Healer – by Mercy Me
Why?
The question that is never far away
The healing doesn’t come from the explained
Jesus please don’t let this go in vain
You’re all I have
All that remains
So here I am
What’s left of me
Where glory meets my suffering
I’m alive
Even though a part of me has died
You take my heart and breathe it back to life
I’ve fallen into Your arms open wide
When the hurt and the healer collide
Breathe
Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do
Pain so deep that I can hardly move
Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You
Lord take hold and pull me through
It’s the moment when humanity
Is overcome by majesty
When grace is ushered in for good
And all our scars are understood
When mercy takes its rightful place
And all these questions fade away
When out of the weakness we must bow
And hear You say “It’s over now”
Jesus come and break my fear
Awake my heart and take my tears
Find Your glory even here
When the hurt and the healer collide [x2]
I highlighted some of the lyrics above, so I thought I would expound on them:
Jesus please don’t let this go in vain – The Hubs and I are going through the book of James this year. As I re-read it almost daily, as I did with James 1 today, certain truths keep ringing loud and clear. In James 1, the outcome of the suffering (count it all joy, right?) is steadfastness, faith, crown of life, perfection and completeness. These will not come without trial. Believing that there is a plan and a purpose though to any trial you or I face is a tough faith thing. But, as it says later in James 1 – God never changes. So we must hold fast to the fact tha tHe is faithful and does all things for our good and His glory.
You take my heart and breathe it back to life – Some of you who are reading this may have just lost a loved one or your husband may be facing trials or you might be struggling with relationships or being in a place God has you for this time in your life. You might find that there are days when you would rather just not get out of bed (why does bed bring so much comfort?) Are we willing to let Jesus bring life back into our dead hearts? I’m reading through Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word and in one of the sections she talks about the difference and the difficulties when Christians who are filled with Light are struggling with darkness. Are we willing, as believers who trust in the Sovereignty of God over all events in our lives, to let Jesus have full control and lead us where He wants to take us (or keep us?)
Pain so deep that I can hardly move – Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You – This pain can be quite debilitating at times. But, where is our gaze? Do we constantly focus on the hurt, the pain, the weariness, the exhaustion, the quietness, the numbness, the tears? Or we will able to let go and look to Jesus. I love the Fernando Ortega song, “Give me Jesus“. This speaks greatly to our needs vs our wants in what will satisfy our deepest longings.
Awake my heart and take my tears – One of my sweet friends, Jill McCloghry, one one of her early projects, wrote a song about the grace and mercy of God in how He catches our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8) There are some days when I don’t think I have any tears left (pregnancy). But, I know they are not wasted. I know God sees each and every one of them that fall and none of them soak my shirt and leave marks where He doesn’t see them. My husband often wipes away my tears – but my Father God who is gracious to me keeps them and knows them and will not let them be cried for nought. He is tender and merciful to His beloved sons and daughters.
You may wonder why I chose this picture to go on the top of the blog? I have this knack and desire to find half dead flowers and take its picture. It reminds me that we who were dead have been brought to life by the breath and salvation of God through Christ. It also applies here. We who are made alive may (no, will) go through suffering and at times we see no hope. But, where there is death – there is life. Jesus is that life.
I pray that no matter where you are today or what you are going through, this song/video, and this blog post have been an encouragement to you and has enabled you to fix your eyes on Christ.
by Kimberly | May 29, 2012 | Bible
“Let every creature rise and bring, their grateful praises to our King.
Angels decend with songs again, and earth repeats a loud amen.”
Neil and Kate Robins – Sojourn, Advent Songs
Psalm 148:
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD!
(Psalm 148 ESV)
(Picture taken by Eric Campbell at the South Carolina Aquarium on 5/25/12 – Charleston, SC)
by Kimberly | May 24, 2012 | Uncategorized
(Today’s post is written by a friend of mine, Bekah Mason. Thank you Bekah for filling a need I had today and so spot on as well!)
The last few weeks have been an overwhelming blur. Every facet of my life is either ending (teaching school, coaching softball, end of a ministry year at church, writing deadlines) or beginning (new semester of classes I’m taking, new writing projects, opportunities presented weekly to do more and more) simultaneously. Some projects have ended but have brought no relief to my internal stress level because deadlines for others fly past me like I’m sitting still. I just can’t get caught up and I certainly can’t get it all done.
Some seasons of life are like that. Women in every walk of life can describe a time when life has just gotten out of control. It can lead to the desire to just stop everything completely. Rest becomes our desired goal, and leisure can become our idol. But in between the two extremes of insanity and nothingness is the place the Lord has been quietly teaching me about recently. I have been studying the Gospel of John along with my 9th grade Bible classes. In John 17 we find the longest recorded prayer of Jesus. The night before his crucifixion, Jesus prays for himself, he prayers for his disciples, and he prays for us.
When studying this passage, I had intended to emphasize with my students the aspect of Jesus praying for us and for the unity he desired in his followers. Nothing will speak to the heart of a 9th grade girl, I thought, like knowing Jesus prayed for her and that he prayed that she would get along with others. But on the morning we arrived at this passage, that is not the section the Holy Spirit used to pierce my heart. It was, instead, a portion of the prayer Jesus prayed for himself.
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
John 17:4
That last phrase is what rang through my soul. The work that you gave me to do. For months I have been in permanent “Martha mode”, running around crazy trying to save the world and I have failed miserably. And more than once I have asked of God, “Why do you have me doing all of this if I can’t do it?” I seem to have thought that Philippians 4:13 means that I can do all things at the same time through Christ who strengthens me.
My Messiah complex has gotten in the way, and I have tried to meet every need I’ve come across, say yes to every opportunity offered to me.
The sad thing about that Messiah complex is that it deceives us into do more than even our Messiah did.
Jesus did the work the Father gave to him to do. Nothing more. Nothing less. As you read through the Gospels, you can see the “missed opportunities” in the ministry of Jesus. But when your goal is to do only the things the Father gives you to do, there are no missed opportunities.
When I am asked to do something, this is the question I meditate on before answering a request. I am committed to not taking on new projects if I haven’t finished an old project first. No more immediately answering, “I can get that done. No problem!” I’m praying through my answer instead of saying “Yes,” immediately and counting the cost later.
The problem with doing everything is that God didn’t call us to busyness. He called us to relationships. This is why Mary was doing the better thing by sitting at the feet of Jesus while Martha was working away. This is why Jesus was in conversation with his Father the night before he died instead of desperately preaching on a corner outside the Temple.
When we do only the things that the Father has given us to do, it opens the door for us to be the women he has called us to be. The emphasis of the Father is who we are, not what we do. By focusing on the question Can Do v. Called to Do? I am reminded to be in relationship with him, to invite Christ into even the smallest daily decisions of my life, and to remember that we serve him best when we serve him only in the places and ways he has called us to serve.
In the end, the lesson I am learning is this: to do God’s work in your own way is to still serve self. And God shares his glory with no other. When I try to do everything, I am setting myself up as Savior. It’s a job at which I fail miserably every time.
