It's so cute to hear the children at school sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. I'm baffled by the fact Jesus came to earth as an infant, a completely dependent baby with no defenses. He was human. HUMAN. I'm awed by this. Jesus is fully God, yet he decided to come among us and feel pain, hunger, fatigue, anxiety, happiness, sorrow and temptation. He suffered a human existence to understand us and emphasize with our pain, hunger, anxiety, happiness, sorrow and temptation.
Hebrews 2:14-18 states, "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
It means so much that he chose this path. We have no choice but to feel pain, hunger, etc. But Jesus was fully divine as well. He was all-knowing and all-powerful. He was perfect. He limited himself on purpose, so that he could understand us. Us mortals who disobey him daily. He suffered even to death for us, but it all started on his birthday: the day we celebrate on December 25th. His humble birth in a manger surrounded by shepherds and animals displays his amazing gift of weakness. He allowed himself to be weak so he could bring strength to our weakness and forgiveness to our sin. Praise God!
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Money
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 9:11, which says, "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." In July, my husband will start making a lot more money than he makes now. We are often uncomfortable when people bring it up. In fact, I'm uncomfortable with the subject altogether. Of course then God would inspire me to write about it. Harrumph!
Don't get me wrong. I'm proud of my husband's hard work, and he will deserve every penny he earns. He also comes from a very generous family. They are always ready to give. This increase of earnings is not at all going to a greedy man. I believe this aspect of our life reflects that of the parable of the talents. Usually this parable is taught in reference to the abilities or possessions God has given each of us. We are to be good stewards of all we have. I believe if we use the little money we have wisely, God will trust us to spend the greater amount wisely.
Lately I've been watching a lot of a BBC show called Robin Hood. If you want to feel uncomfortable about future income, just watch that show. I feel guilty for the money we'll receive later. Maybe it's because I never grew up with that much money, and my comfort zone is threatened. Maybe I'm afraid a higher income will effect our relationships, that we'll be judged and things will be assumed about us. I've told Jon a time or two that I'd prefer if God had called him to be ___________ (insert career that pays less than a physician). This is not boasting. This is what's on my heart. I can't even say that we'll be wealthy without cringing. I know in my heart that it's not money that's the root of evil but the love of it; however, money can corrupt. I'm afraid to be corrupted. You all know I love clothes, shoes, etc. Will money increase my vanity? Will I become a snob--a person I hate?
The verse above reminds me that I have a choice. Having a large income is not sin. It is an opportunity. This Christmas season, I can give what I can with a cheerful heart. Next Christmas, I can do the same. It's not the amount of money that matters. It's the heart. Do I have a cheerful heart? Am I being generous? Am I content? These are important questions to ask myself whether I have 5 dollars or 500. These questions apply to the poor and the rich. The Bible has instructions for giving: give with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7), don't make a public display of it (Matthew 6:1-4), and so on. These rules don't apply to the wealthy. They apply to everyone.
God has made me generous with little. I must trust God to make me generous with plenty.
Don't get me wrong. I'm proud of my husband's hard work, and he will deserve every penny he earns. He also comes from a very generous family. They are always ready to give. This increase of earnings is not at all going to a greedy man. I believe this aspect of our life reflects that of the parable of the talents. Usually this parable is taught in reference to the abilities or possessions God has given each of us. We are to be good stewards of all we have. I believe if we use the little money we have wisely, God will trust us to spend the greater amount wisely.
Lately I've been watching a lot of a BBC show called Robin Hood. If you want to feel uncomfortable about future income, just watch that show. I feel guilty for the money we'll receive later. Maybe it's because I never grew up with that much money, and my comfort zone is threatened. Maybe I'm afraid a higher income will effect our relationships, that we'll be judged and things will be assumed about us. I've told Jon a time or two that I'd prefer if God had called him to be ___________ (insert career that pays less than a physician). This is not boasting. This is what's on my heart. I can't even say that we'll be wealthy without cringing. I know in my heart that it's not money that's the root of evil but the love of it; however, money can corrupt. I'm afraid to be corrupted. You all know I love clothes, shoes, etc. Will money increase my vanity? Will I become a snob--a person I hate?
The verse above reminds me that I have a choice. Having a large income is not sin. It is an opportunity. This Christmas season, I can give what I can with a cheerful heart. Next Christmas, I can do the same. It's not the amount of money that matters. It's the heart. Do I have a cheerful heart? Am I being generous? Am I content? These are important questions to ask myself whether I have 5 dollars or 500. These questions apply to the poor and the rich. The Bible has instructions for giving: give with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7), don't make a public display of it (Matthew 6:1-4), and so on. These rules don't apply to the wealthy. They apply to everyone.
God has made me generous with little. I must trust God to make me generous with plenty.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Through the eyes of a little girl
I've lost count of how many times God has used one of the children at the daycare to show me that I'm acting childish. When he does, the event is very eye-opening. Let me tell you about one of these moments, which happened about a week ago during center time. How center time works is that the main teacher will explain the different crafts/games at each table and then, one by one, the kids get to choose a place to start. On this particular day, one of the centers was finishing a project they'd begun the day before. They had painted one side of two plates stapled together (large ornaments) and needed to paint the other side.
One little girl had missed the day before, so we decided she'd have to wait until most had finished their ornaments before we'd let her start one. Well, of course that was the center she wanted to be at. She went up to me and said, "I want to paint." I told her she had to wait. She heard me, but she didn't care. She just kept asking, then started crying. Others kids were painting now. Why couldn't she? I was able to distract her with the rice table for a while, but soon enough she started whining about painting again. Finally, when the last three kids were working on their ornaments, she was able to begin hers.
About mid scenario, God told me to pay attention. This little girl wanted something and she wanted it right then. We had reasons to say no and wait, but she didn't understand them. She saw that others were allowed to paint and simply wanted to be doing it too. Welcome to how I've been treating God about having a baby. I want one and I want one NOW. Everyone else has children. Why can't I?? God was showing me that he has his reasons, and I don't have to understand them. Thank God that he puts so many infertility stories in his word: Sarah, Hannah, Rachel, REBEKAH (hmmm). He knew this issue would be hard to deal with and would need lots of comfort and hope.
God is really awesome, because he took me a step further. Last Sunday, our pastor gave a terrific sermon. Within the message, he taught on the biblical principle of being persistent. The words in Mathew 7:7 actually mean, "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for..." (I love the NLT because it's goal is to have the reader understand each verse like a reader during the Bible times would have) Also, he mentioned the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18). God whispered to me and told me it was okay to ask for a child even if I was unsure that God wanted me to have one. He wanted me to ask.
When I was telling my friend about the little girl and what she'd taught me, another truth dawned on me. If the girl had only asked once or twice and then contently played with rice for the rest of center time, we might have just skipped her altogether. But because she asked over and over again, we made sure she had painting time.
If you too are struggling with waiting for a reply to a request, take comfort in the second verse of one of my favorite Hymns, Have Faith in God:
Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the lord, trust His word and be patient,
Have faith in God. He'll answer yet.
This song helps too...
Francesca Battistelli--I'm letting go
One little girl had missed the day before, so we decided she'd have to wait until most had finished their ornaments before we'd let her start one. Well, of course that was the center she wanted to be at. She went up to me and said, "I want to paint." I told her she had to wait. She heard me, but she didn't care. She just kept asking, then started crying. Others kids were painting now. Why couldn't she? I was able to distract her with the rice table for a while, but soon enough she started whining about painting again. Finally, when the last three kids were working on their ornaments, she was able to begin hers.
About mid scenario, God told me to pay attention. This little girl wanted something and she wanted it right then. We had reasons to say no and wait, but she didn't understand them. She saw that others were allowed to paint and simply wanted to be doing it too. Welcome to how I've been treating God about having a baby. I want one and I want one NOW. Everyone else has children. Why can't I?? God was showing me that he has his reasons, and I don't have to understand them. Thank God that he puts so many infertility stories in his word: Sarah, Hannah, Rachel, REBEKAH (hmmm). He knew this issue would be hard to deal with and would need lots of comfort and hope.
God is really awesome, because he took me a step further. Last Sunday, our pastor gave a terrific sermon. Within the message, he taught on the biblical principle of being persistent. The words in Mathew 7:7 actually mean, "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for..." (I love the NLT because it's goal is to have the reader understand each verse like a reader during the Bible times would have) Also, he mentioned the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18). God whispered to me and told me it was okay to ask for a child even if I was unsure that God wanted me to have one. He wanted me to ask.
When I was telling my friend about the little girl and what she'd taught me, another truth dawned on me. If the girl had only asked once or twice and then contently played with rice for the rest of center time, we might have just skipped her altogether. But because she asked over and over again, we made sure she had painting time.
If you too are struggling with waiting for a reply to a request, take comfort in the second verse of one of my favorite Hymns, Have Faith in God:
Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the lord, trust His word and be patient,
Have faith in God. He'll answer yet.
This song helps too...
Francesca Battistelli--I'm letting go
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...
Here are the confessions of a girl full of contradictions. This week's lesson in Esther (for those who don't know, I'm doing the Beth Moore study on Esther right now) took me to Esther's opening scene, which is basically equivalent to a bunch of guys going from house to house in your town, examining the women and dragging the young beautiful ones to the harem, where they are pampered in order to become more beautiful because they are not beautiful enough. While thinking about this, I realized I wasn't as appalled as I should have been. Instead, I wondered if I would have been chosen or brushed off.
I have two constants battling for control inside me: vanity/insecurity and knowing that character is what counts. Yes, I know I've blogged about this subject before, but it's important to me, so deal =). Inside my head, I'm constantly judging other women. I have a score for myself between 1 and 10 depending on how much makeup and what outfit I'm wearing. Well, I also score subconsciously or otherwise the women I come across (this is really bad, I know. I did say these were the confessions after all...). When I run into women who (to me) score equal to me or less, I feel pretty. When I'm around women whose score is higher, I become extremely insecure. Sometimes she doesn't even have to be prettier in the face or body. I can feel envious simply because she's wearing cuter shoes than I have on. Please don't judge. I'm already judging myself enough for the both of us =(. Deep down, I know that Proverbs 31:30 is true: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." However, somewhere in the shallow waters of my heart, I want to be the most beautiful girl in the world. In fiction, you've got Jekyll and Hyde. In reality, Rebecca and the queen from Snow White. *Groan* I don't believe I'm confessing this on a blog... I'm also aware of the fact God does not approve of this behavior. He says so in 1 Peter 3:3-4, which states, "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." Ouch. If you know me even a little, you know I'm rarely gentle or quiet, and I LOVE clothes/jewelry/shoes/etc. I'm in BIG trouble here...In fact, I saw a co-worker wearing a cute long-sleeve tee today and wanted to go buy it even though I already have two of the same shirt in different colors. It's ridiculous, I know! Who am I trying to impress, anyway? The world?? Wrongfully. My husband? Yes, but the truth is I could wear no makeup and dress in baggy sweats everyday and he'd still find me attractive, even gorgeous (*kiss*I love you, honey). I really should look at myself in the mirror and not only accept but also applaud God's workmanship. I just need to move that knowledge from my head to my heart. Someday... Besides, eventually I'm going to have white hair that looks funny dyed, a face with too many wrinkles to count, and saggy...well, everything. On that day, when I'm old and gray, if God wills it, I'll still have an amazing man who loves me, best friends I can lean on and a God that never changes and loves me no matter my appearance.
I have no real conclusion to this blog. I wish I could say that I'm cured and delivered, but I have a long road ahead, I'm afraid. Maybe you can relate. Maybe now you don't like me. Either way, we're all a work of progress. God's righteousness will come. Galatians 5:5 states, "But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us."
Beautiful, Beautiful
I have two constants battling for control inside me: vanity/insecurity and knowing that character is what counts. Yes, I know I've blogged about this subject before, but it's important to me, so deal =). Inside my head, I'm constantly judging other women. I have a score for myself between 1 and 10 depending on how much makeup and what outfit I'm wearing. Well, I also score subconsciously or otherwise the women I come across (this is really bad, I know. I did say these were the confessions after all...). When I run into women who (to me) score equal to me or less, I feel pretty. When I'm around women whose score is higher, I become extremely insecure. Sometimes she doesn't even have to be prettier in the face or body. I can feel envious simply because she's wearing cuter shoes than I have on. Please don't judge. I'm already judging myself enough for the both of us =(. Deep down, I know that Proverbs 31:30 is true: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised." However, somewhere in the shallow waters of my heart, I want to be the most beautiful girl in the world. In fiction, you've got Jekyll and Hyde. In reality, Rebecca and the queen from Snow White. *Groan* I don't believe I'm confessing this on a blog... I'm also aware of the fact God does not approve of this behavior. He says so in 1 Peter 3:3-4, which states, "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." Ouch. If you know me even a little, you know I'm rarely gentle or quiet, and I LOVE clothes/jewelry/shoes/etc. I'm in BIG trouble here...In fact, I saw a co-worker wearing a cute long-sleeve tee today and wanted to go buy it even though I already have two of the same shirt in different colors. It's ridiculous, I know! Who am I trying to impress, anyway? The world?? Wrongfully. My husband? Yes, but the truth is I could wear no makeup and dress in baggy sweats everyday and he'd still find me attractive, even gorgeous (*kiss*I love you, honey). I really should look at myself in the mirror and not only accept but also applaud God's workmanship. I just need to move that knowledge from my head to my heart. Someday... Besides, eventually I'm going to have white hair that looks funny dyed, a face with too many wrinkles to count, and saggy...well, everything. On that day, when I'm old and gray, if God wills it, I'll still have an amazing man who loves me, best friends I can lean on and a God that never changes and loves me no matter my appearance.
I have no real conclusion to this blog. I wish I could say that I'm cured and delivered, but I have a long road ahead, I'm afraid. Maybe you can relate. Maybe now you don't like me. Either way, we're all a work of progress. God's righteousness will come. Galatians 5:5 states, "But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us."
Beautiful, Beautiful
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