Lesson Learned

A few weeks back I had my best girlfriend over to my house for some good 'ol quality girl time. These usually involve lots of gabbing, tasty goodies and on occasion re-runs of 'I Love Lucy' (so funny, I can't help it!). I don't remember how we got on the subject but celebrity actresses came up. My hubby walked into the kitchen as we were chatting and mentioned that he thought one of the gals from the show 'Community' was pretty. We don't watch that much tv, let alone the tv show 'Community', so that threw me for a loop.

The next day, the comment Jeremy made began to eat at me. I know that there are plenty of beautiful women out there but to hear my husband say that made me get very self conscious. How can I even compare to a celebrity who spends hours and hours working out and getting hair and makeup done each day? After feeling bad about myself, I felt mad. Who does she think she is, making my husband like her? :) Jealousy is an ugly thing. My emotions came to a boiling point and I had a little tantrum and let out all my frustration. Jeremy and I discussed the issue and I told him I don't want him to think about anyone else except me. Even if there are beautiful women out there.

I quickly realized that this may be a very small illustration of how God is jealous for us and our affection. Our worship and service belong to Him alone, and when we don't do that, God has declared that to be a sin.

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me." -Exodus 20:4-5

Elsewhere in scripture, it is said that we must 'love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength.' We are to love Him above everything else in this world. He is our Creator and Sustainer, our Rock and our Refuge. He deserves our love and praise. Much like in my marriage, as a wife, I demand my husband to give me his love and to not share that romantic love or interest in any other person. Jeremy and I have a great relationship and we are able to move past any issues or disagreements. That one went down in the books to serve as a reminder not only in our marital relationship but also in our relationship with God. Worship, praise, honor, and adoration belong to God alone, for only He is truly worthy of it. Praise God for His everlasting love and the relationship I can have with Him and also the marriage He gave me with my wonderful hubby!

Worthy is the Lamb

"And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation." -Revelation 5:9

God in our Goals

At the beginning of each new year I write a list of goals and various things I'd like to accomplish in the coming year. Jeremy and I went over each of ours last night and it was fun to talk about the future and speculate what will happen. But the truth is, we don't know what will happen in this coming year, but in the words of Daniel, 'However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries... (and) what will happen in days to come'

We are reassured that even if the goals we set out to accomplish don't happen, whether from set backs in life or something else, God has plans for us. He is always with us every step of the way, in every day of this new year. What we must do is trust Him and His sovereign plans for our lives.

'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.' - Jeremiah 29:11

As we enter this new year, my goal first and foremost for my life is that I trust Him each and every day that He gives me in 2011!

Love Never Fails

I have started this post with about 20 different intro paragraphs and none of them seemed right. Since that is the case, I will keep it short and to the point: I am very restless at this time in the year and in my life, but thank goodness I have a blog where I can let it all out!

God has placed me in the family I'm in and planned it that way since the foundation of the world. He knew the struggles and drama that would eventually ensue. He knows it is where I am supposed to be, for His glory. I don't want to get into all the personal details on here, just know that it has been a trying time with many difficult conversations. We have had this issue come up in times past but it just keeps coming up. I know God will help me get through this and also help me to deal with the situation better. Because I sure know that I can't do this on my own. Left to my own devises, things don't always end pretty.

Another reason for being antsy is the coming new year. It is less than 2 days away and I am looking forward to all that God has planned for it. I'm excited to be participating in the 'Siesta Scripture Memory Team' challenge for 2011. What's funny is last week I was thinking about the first verse that I'll be memorizing in January. I didn't have one in mind yet so I prayed that God would show me what verse I need to be meditating on at this time. It wasn't too long after that the situation with my family left me in disarray. I inherited my father's temper so my behavior was anything but loving. It was that evening that I was praying and having my quiet time with God that these words popped in my head

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,but have not love, it profits me nothing." - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

God was sure to tell me that I really need to remember that I must love others, even those who are difficult and mean. Boy is it hard, but with His strength I know I can do it.

After that verse, on every other night this week, God has given me another verse to add to my list to memorize and meditate on. It's exciting to have Him directing my paths. I may stumble but He is right there helping me to get back up and move forward. He is always there to love and instruct. That is why this scripture memory team is going to be so great. I love how Beth put it:

"Look at it this way: you’re going to be meditating on something: unforgiveness, toxic memories, misery, lust, greed, dissatisfaction, jealousy, competition. Choose Scripture! Christ Himself said as a man thinks, so is he. He also said His words are spirit and life. This is work worth doing, Sweet Thing. Never – NOT ONCE – have I ever known anyone to get to the end of a Scripture memory commitment and say that it didn’t make any real difference. Not a single time.".


So I am rooting and raring to go for the Siesta Scripture Memory Team 2011 challenge to begin! I have my verses ready and my mini 3-ring binder ready. If you can't find a cute mini binder like mine, Beth is offering a free PDF file of the official SSMT spiral notebook on her website. That way you can print the pages from home and put it together with a spiral spine or a punch a hole and add a ring. Either way, God is going to be doing amazing things in my life and anyone else who decides to take this challenge. Will you?!

'Tis the Season

This has go to be one of the best Christmases in years! No stressful trips to the mall. No waiting in enormous lines to ship packages. Just enjoying the festivities and plays that celebrate our Savior.

It has truly been a blessed Christmas. This is me signing off until after the holidays when I can finally show you my Christmas crafting creations (say that 5 times fast). Merry Christmas everyone and God bless!

{Come Let Us Adore Him}

"How silently, how silently,

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heaven.

No ear may hear his coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in." -Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

Christmas time is such a blessing. The parties, the treats, and most importantly the celebration of the birth of our Savior. I have to admit that in past Christmases (and even during the rest of the year) I can be distracted with all the fun and merry making that I neglect the very One that this season is all about!

In recent months I have really been convicted of how I get so distracted with the little things of life and the cares of this world that He is left with what little time and energy I have remaining.

In the story about Mary and Martha, Jesus tells Martha essentially to not worry about all the tasks or projects or other things that seemed so important at the time. What was important was spending time with the Lord and listening to His word.

This Christmas I have made an attempt to not get distracted with all the extra little things of life. Although they may be fun distractions, they are still just that, distractions that eat up our interest, time and strength. Courtney over at Women Living Well, is hosting a 'Peace on Earth' December Challenge, to help us refocus on the real important things in life.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

Adventing

We are well into week 2 of Advent and celebrating the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Simply stated, advent means “to come.” The season of Advent centers on the coming of Jesus Christ. An Old Testament prophecy speaks directly of His coming:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. -Isaiah 7:14

What is most amazing to me is how from the foundation of this world, God had His plan in place. He knew we would need a Savior. And throughout the old testament, from Genesis to Malachi, His Word gives hints of His eventual coming.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." -Micah 5:2

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." -Malachi 3:1

As a Christian, we see that the person spoken of in the old testament is Jesus, and boy does it make reading the bible mean so much more. He was always there, will always be there, and forevermore will be. He is our Savior who from birth was born to die for us and our sins. I've stumbled upon a very nice devotional sermon pdf to use with you and your family but Jeremy and I have just been reading the verses from the advent paper chain from the blog Spell Out Loud. His Word and His promises are wonderful. I hope your family is enjoying advent too!