by Kimberly | May 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
Two words I love right now: point and wisdom.
Point: an end or object to be achieved
Wisdom: the fear of the Lord (Prov 1.7)
As I sit to breakfast each morning, I’ve been reading through the Proverbs, a chapter corresponding to the day of the month. This morning’s reading was incredible rich. I thought I would share the scribbles as we live our lives under the Gospel.
What do I want to be: (only by the grace of God since there is nothing good in me and I can’t do this on my own)
1. I want to walk in whole speech. See: Col.4, Dt 30.19-20, Eph 5. Titus 2 tells us to not be slanderers. In DeYoung’s book he lists Question 112 from the Heidelberg Catechism on the 9th commandment. This is the answer: “God’s will is that I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone without a hearing or without a just cause. I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it. And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor’s good name.” More than that – I want my speech to always be gracious. I want there to be something in my speech that offers the grace of Christ to everyone I meet – in everything I say.
2. I want to have pure desires. I see this a lot in movies, in the lives of young girls, etc. They see something, they desire to have it, and they go after it without much thinking or prayer or seeking advice (see James 1). How many times have I done this? Let my desires be known and start day-dreaming about these desires without even really knowing what I’m desiring. I pray this directly over my thought life, my heart and mind, this morning over a pb toast.
3. I want to be quick to forgive. This weekend I hung out with a family with 3 young children. The mom said something to me, highlighting a grace trait of her eldest: he is quick to forgive, he shows me more of the gospel that way than I show him. We, as selfish and sinful people, long to hold on to grudges. I recount wrongs done to me in the past as a form of self-righteousness or illustration. In many cases, I have forgiven the person – but by this action I am not practicing #1 and I am not letting the person live in the grace of Christ and the power of the gospel (Rom 8.1)
4. I want to not be quarrelsome. When anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, they usually got two answers: Barbara Mandrell or a lawyer. I can sing and I can argue. But, when I look at the traits for a wife, or even a child or Christian – we are not to be quarrelsome. I don’t even like being around quarrelsome people, its irritating and makes me shrink back and get quiet. I don’t like it. So, why do I allow it in myself.
5. I want to be prudent. I asked for prayer for this this morning in staff meeting. M-W gives the definition as skill and good judgment in the use of resources. This is very broad – but here we go: wise use of food, of money, of time, of brain function, of skills and traits, or relationships. All of these are resources. How are you being good stewards (another fave word lately)?
6. I want to be a listener to advice and an accepter of instruction. This is undergirded with having wise advisors. We shouldn’t take advice from everyone, because some will give us poor advice: (especially if we get all of our advice on family, relationships, food, religion from popular talk shows and magazines). On a plane one time I sat ready Redbook I think. Reading an article on relationships. I felt crappy after that – not wanting to even get married or ever have sex. (Note to self, don’t read this stuff). But, I got off the plane and called friends who spoke wisdom and encouragement from a God-bent that guarded me against the fiery darts of the Enemy. And I am surrounded by people now in life that speak truth and the gospel into my life at every stage. So, by being shaped by them and their impacting me with the gospel – I in turn change and shape and pour into others – by the Impact and in the strength of the Gospel.
7. I desire steadfast love. Jonah 2.8-9 has been on my bathroom mirror almost since I arrived in RDU. This has been something I cling to and desire to push towards (and most times doing a lousy job in some areas). I can’t cling to worthless idols and have steadfast love. God is SO GRACIOUS to me in this. I can not live up to His example. That is a good place for me to be – for me to know that about myself. He is the only one. I can push to live by the work of the Spirit to offer that steadfast love to others.
8. I want to REST SATISFIED (v 23). Striving, working, pushing, that is not rest. This tells me how I can rest satisfied: in the fear of the Lord. Knowing that God is God, I am not, I am sinful man, but He has made a way for me to know Him and be known by Him – the CROSS of CHRIST. And for that, and in that, I can rest satisfied. Even when I fail everyday at something. Christ has completed the task.
by Kimberly | May 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGfDmgnZ2yw&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Earlier, I posted a review on this book and have been able to recommend it ever since. This is such an important topic in the life of every woman (not just young women). The Word commands us to live wisely: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time”. (Col 4.5). Mary tells her readers how to do this by comparing the wise woman of the Bible (Prov 31, Titus 2, etc) to the foolish woman found in Proverbs. This would be an excellent book for a summer Bible study!
Mary adds one more piece of the puzzle this week: as of May 18 she has posted the first in a series of Vlogs: video blogs with her discussing the book for about 5-7 minutes. This is an exciting tool to help fuel conversation in your group, or just to watch yourself and aid your study.
You can find these videos here.
Grow in wisdom.
by Kimberly | May 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
You can’t tell by the weather here in RDU today (or from what I hear in the ville as well), but we are more than halfway through the merry little month of May. Most schools are our or just about finishing up finals. College graduations have come and gone; so has Mother’s Day. Things are winding down – or gearing up for summer vacation.
How will you not waste your summer this year? How will I not waste mine?
Well, here are a few resources and tips; then I will share my ideas for my summer:
Johon Piper on Summer is for Seeing and Showing Christ:
God made summer as a foretaste of heaven, not a substitute. If the mailman brings you a love letter from your fiancé, don’t fall in love with the mailman. That’s what summer is: God’s messenger with a sun-soaked, tree-green, flower-blooming, lake-glistening letter of love to show us what he is planning for us in the age to come—“things which eye has notseen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man, God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Don’t fall in love with the video preview, and find yourself unable to love the coming reality.
Here are some things you can do:
1. Build community – this is why we have longer daylight hours – right?
2. Go see a movie on the side of a building (the NC Museum of Art does this at night)
3. Pick some fresh fruit or veggies. That is one way of caring for God’s creation that He gave us to subdue and work (and enjoy).
4. Read! What else are going to do with all that free time? Watch movies – play video games? Reading expands the mine!
5. Invest in your community around you. Go serve at a local park or shelter or at a year round school.
6. Travel – see the beauty that is God’s creation!
Here are mine:
1. Ministry: College bbq, College Summer Bible Study (going through Philippians), Summer Youth Bible Study (going through Wordliness by Mahaney with middle school girls), Impact Youth Camp, Singles Retreat, and daily life with folks.
2. Writing. Yes, maybe I’ll start this summer (part of my job).
3. Reading: Total Church, A Gospel Primer, War of Words, Future Grace, According to Plan, Parenting from the Pew, any others I should pick up?
4. Trying to lose these 10 lbs I’ve picked up since January 1.
5. Run in a half marathon.
There you have it. What are your plans? How are you NOT going to waste your summer?
“Don’t let the carnal thought take over your mind that summer is a spiritual void. That is not God’s view of things. He is displaying glories to be seen and worshiped. He is caressing the world with mercy (Matthew 5:45). His summer “kindness is meant to lead to repentance” (Romans 2:4). Let’s join God in his love for people in the summer and make it a fresh meeting with him in the light of his love.”
John Piper on Setting Our Minds on Things Above in Summer:
by Kimberly | May 17, 2010 | Uncategorized
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atBg9zLI2bA&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Ah – the joy of learning your theology from country music. I love country music – but this song made me want to puke – but I was in a rental car so I didn’t think that was such a good idea.
What other country music songs make you think twice about the base of your theology? how do you handle praying for your enemies?
Luke 7.27-36 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
by Kimberly | May 16, 2010 | Uncategorized
My friend, Cynthia, gave me this idea. Her and her husband would eat this as a powerful way to fuel in the morning. I just ate some for a quick dinner before heading to church – after a 4 mile jaunt.
I’ve never been one for cottage cheese, that’s my mother. But, I can eat it like this. This is high in protein, whole grains, and low in calories and fat. Top it with fruit and you’ve got a winner! Remember to drink plenty of water to help feeling full and digestion! And to hydrate!
1//4 cup low-fat small curd cottage cheese
1/4 cup ff vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup rolled oats
fruit (today I used 1/4 peach and 2 T blueberries)
agave nectar – just a swirl – not much
Mix all and eat. Delicious!
by Kimberly | May 14, 2010 | Uncategorized
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtNabdDx_mU&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
My roommate and I were just talking about former First Lady Laura Bush the other night. Speaking of her so highly, classy lady, always kept an air of decorum about her. I’ve always liked her.
Well, if she is going to take this stance, then I won’t be “liking” her political views any more.
First, the Bible, the very Word of God, Truth for all times – is not a generational thing.
Second, wow – this would be a key topic for my husband and I to agree upon? Don’t you think?
What are your thoughts?
