We All Need Our Veggies

Throughout my life as a Christian I have worn many hats. I have been in your face, passive, ashamedly judgmental, and I'm sure I have stupidly said the wrong thing many times. I have even worn my faith as a burden. I have struggled to handle this incredible and powerful gift.

On this road I have also met many kinds of people. Some Christian, some atheist, some agnostic and so on. What I have come to find is disappointing and eye opening. Some of the most loving people I know are NOT Christians. This is not to discount the loving believers that I do know-they really do exist. I have simply come to find that Christianity does not equal loving. The Lord has recently burdened my heart with this knowledge. 1 Corinthians 13:1 teaches us that "if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal". Basically, when we don't use our lives to love others we are the equivalent of an annoying noise. I don't know about you, but I don't want my life to make someone want earplugs.

So, who should we love? EVERYONE. Sometimes my husband and I will listen to a sermon and respond with "Veggie Tales Sermon". Maybe we all need a Veggie Tales lesson once in awhile. Matthew 5:46 says "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?". This is where it gets hard. We must love those who don't love us. We must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). We must love those who we believe to have wronged us. We must love even in pain and in persecution. If anyone of us claims to be a follower of Christ we must love love love love everyone who comes our way.

So here I am, professed Christian who will be the first to admit that I have NOT always loved the way I should. BUT, I serve a LOVING God who is at work in my heart. My challenge to myself is to love EVERYONE who comes my way. This is first and foremost what I am called to do. It will NOT be easy, but I know I will not be alone...

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit”, Says the LORD. Zechariah 4:6

Ready for Battle..er..Work!

Women love fashion. Well, at least this woman does! I'm embarrassed to let on just how much satisfaction I receive from putting a cute outfit together in the morning; as if I've restored peace to the middle east by paring the right skirt with the right shoes. As part of my morning ritual, I would be completely thrown off if I went to work with out getting appropriately dressed.

My study of Ephesians has reminded me of a passage that was frequently taught in Sunday school growing up. Ephesians 6 teaches that our "struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12) I must admit that I don't often consider the spiritual warfare that continues daily. 1 peter 5:8 says "your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour". In order to combat the schemes of the evil one, Ephesians instructs us to put on the armor of God. "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".

I must ask: When was the last time I put my armor on? According to Ephesians, our struggles are not just of our own accord. There is a great battle taking place, and we are called to be dressed and ready. We must do all that we can to be "alert and of sober mind" (1 Peter 5:8), ready to defend and honor God. If we together put on the armor of God daily, we can combat the evil one. Let's not forget this step in our morning ritual-it should be as seamless as putting on our favorite pair of espadrilles.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand"
Ephesians 6:13

Midday Connection has been an encouragement to me. It is a woman's christian talk show that is great to download while doing boring busy work like laundry! Check it out!!!

http://www.moodyradio.org/middayconnection.aspx

A Phillipians 4:8 Mind

Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus our thoughts on whatever is true, right, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. The father knows that how we spend our time in thought will be reflected in our words and our actions. So I ask myself. What are you thinking about? Many will say that thoughts cannot be controlled, only actions. Is this true? Would the father have commanded that we think only Philippians 4:8 thoughts if it were impossible? Jude 1:24 tells us that HE is able to "keep you from falling and present you without fault into his glorious presence". Anything that we are commanded to do can be done with the Lord's help.

Are we making it hard for ourselves? I found myself recently sitting down for a favorite television show. I remember the spirit gently whispering "is this pure?". If I'm really being honest, television and movies are one area in my spiritual life that I often leave untouched. I excuse much of what I watch saying, "I wouldn't be able to watch anything if I didn't watch TV with sin!". How harmful can this justification be to our thoughts? These shows and movies certainly do not encourage Philippians 4:8 thinking. Psalm 101:3 says "I will set before my eye no vile thing". What we set before our eyes and put into our ears and minds can greatly impact our thoughts and ultimately our actions.

Romans 12:22 tells us that only when our minds are renewed can we test and approve God's will for our lives. When we set our mind on earthly things and not things above (Colossians 3:2) we may miss out on God's perfect plan. I never realized that all of this started with the mind!

I wish God would give me a list of shows and movies I should watch. Instead he has given me his word-the ultimate compass and guide. I am challenging myself to look at music, books, shows and movies with a Philippians 4:8 mindset. It might be one of the hardest things I've ever done. Will you take this challenge with me?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

Taming The Tongue

James 3 tells us that a man who tames his tongue is a perfect man (James 3:2). Our tongue is a small part of our body, yet it has great control. James compared it to that of a rudder on a ship-small, yet powerful. It is such a small part, but it sets our whole course for life. The way we choose to use our words can make such an impact on the wake of our life. Whether we set ourselves for smooth sailing or rocky waves is up to us.

I often take care to make sure that the decisions I make in life are on par with scripture. But if I am truly honest with myself, I know that my speech is not always congruent with my Father's teachings. James tells us that we cannot very well keep the whole man in check with out first keeping the tongue in check. I must say that this is one of life's toughest battles. How difficult is it to not join in on gossip when we agree with it? How hard can it be to remain positive in speech when we are truly wronged by others? Christ was a victim in scripture time and time again. He was ridiculed to the point of death on the cross. If we remember this, we can draw strength and perseverance from the ultimate example. Where did Jesus draw his strength from? The Father.

Ladies, let's together pledge to draw strength from the Father so that our speech may remain pure. Let our lips glorify the Lord, uplift, heal and anoint. It won't be easy but it will sure be worth it!

" With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12

Ladies, what techniques do you use to handle a situation where gossip is involved?

Let's Take a Moment.....

It is amazes me how even when I am not asking, the Lord answers the 'should-be-there' question of my heart..."What do I need to learn today, Lord?"

Psalm 139 tells us that we can never escape the Lord. His hand is always guiding us. I am grateful for this. Even when I am not self reflecting as I should, his soft whisper gently instructs me in the direction I must go. When there are 100 items on my to-do list, and more distractions than I can handle, I know he will not let me go.

The Lord will find you in the middle of your joy and in the middle of your storm. Practice reciting this verse to yourself when you are surrounded by chaos. And remember, you can never flee his grace.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139

Ladies, what verses do you hold dear in times of stress?