Psalm 119:105- For thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
In the summer, we slip on our flip-flops and head out on whatever task is before us. We flop to the mailbox, around Wal-Mart, to pick a tomato in the garden, etc.. Very seldom, if ever, do we think to stop and see how dirty our feet have gotten throughout the day. Often it is when I step into the shower and notice the footprint left behind that I realize how dirty my feet actually were. All that built up dirt and grime begins to melt away by the persuasion of soap and hot water.
This scenario reminds me of a time when Jesus washed His disciples feet (John 13). Peter wanted no part of it until Jesus told him that he couldn't be His without the washing. Peter then changed his tune, not only was he willing to have his feet washed but his WHOLE body. Jesus answered him by saying, " A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean."
See Jesus knew that walking in this world would get His followers dirty from time to time. We would get off the paved path into some stinky situations. Our pride would trip us or jealousy, or gossip. The list of foul-smelling dirt goes on and on, but that doesn't mean that our original washing of salvation needs to be redone. We only need out feet washed by Jesus!
How exactly does He wash our feet? By His word- His word is a "lamp unto our feet." He shines His light on the "dirt" or sin we have stepped into so that we may see how dirty we have gotten, repent and be washed clean again. His word will then be that "light unto my path." We will see, by His word, the way to the paved path again, and how, by His light, to avoid getting off the path and back in the dirt. So, let's get into the word of God so that we can see the dirt on out feet, get them cleaned up, and get back on the clean path of righteousness!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Lessons from My Cat
Genesis 1:27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
This morning as I sat on the back porch enjoying the morning and a hot cup of coffee, I noticed something. My very ordinary house cat sat looking off in the distance. As I glanced at him, he looked to me just like a majestic lion or a mighty tiger surveying the terrain for prey. Then he moved and was "Bobby, the ordinary again", but for a moment he was "Bobby, made in the image of a greater cat". I heard God speak in that simple moment that we are that way. Just as the house cat has been made in the image or likeness of the greater cats, I or we have been made in His image. Most of the time I look nothing like my Creator God, but from time to time when I am completely unaware I just know others can see the likeness. I know it must be true of me because I have seen it in other people. When they say a fitting word or give a much needed hug, I see God in them. Then in a flash we are ordinary again. My prayer today is that I will spend more time bearing the image of my Creator so that others my know Him and His Resurrection Power.
Genesis 1:27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
This morning as I sat on the back porch enjoying the morning and a hot cup of coffee, I noticed something. My very ordinary house cat sat looking off in the distance. As I glanced at him, he looked to me just like a majestic lion or a mighty tiger surveying the terrain for prey. Then he moved and was "Bobby, the ordinary again", but for a moment he was "Bobby, made in the image of a greater cat". I heard God speak in that simple moment that we are that way. Just as the house cat has been made in the image or likeness of the greater cats, I or we have been made in His image. Most of the time I look nothing like my Creator God, but from time to time when I am completely unaware I just know others can see the likeness. I know it must be true of me because I have seen it in other people. When they say a fitting word or give a much needed hug, I see God in them. Then in a flash we are ordinary again. My prayer today is that I will spend more time bearing the image of my Creator so that others my know Him and His Resurrection Power.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Lot’s Sin and Mine
Gen 13:1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.
3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.
5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.
14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring [a] forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD. (New International Version)
For a long time I have wondered what about Lot’s choice to go toward the plains of Jordan was so bad. Had Abram not let him choose? Then he chose and ever since has been labeled a bad decision maker. On Sunday morning the Lord gave me a great revelation. (Ok, maybe not great to everyone but great to me.) I finally saw the sin in Lot’s choosing. Do you see it? Lot looked with his eyes toward the plain of Jordan and saw (with his eyes) that it was well watered so that is the way he went. Of course he looked with his eyes you say. What else did he have to see with? Contrast Abrams response a few verses earlier. He and Lot were having troubles with their herdsmen fighting., so Abram built an alter and called on the name of the Lord. We don’t know for sure that Abram prayed about this situation, but I have a strong hunch he did since he suddenly had this great idea to split up. Abram used his eyes to solve his dilemma but not his natural eyes as Lot did and so often I do. He used his spiritual eyes. If Lot had sought God about the choice laid before him, he would not have fallen into sin as he did.
This isn’t the only incidence of seeing naturally and falling headlong into sin we see in the bible. You don’t have to get past the first few pages to see Eve looking with her eyes. Gen 2:6 says: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye,” She was only using her natural eyes to see the fruit. She had left off using the eye of God to see the fruit.
The lesson for me is this: whether there is a command of God concerning my decision about something or not, there are always choices set before me to make. What eye will I use to look at my choices? Will I use my human reasoning and my natural eye which is often led to see beauty where none exists? Or will I go to an alter of prayer so that I may see with an eye of faith, the eye of God? I desire to make choices that will bring me closer to God not closer to destruction, as Lot did.
3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.
5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.
14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring [a] forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD. (New International Version)
For a long time I have wondered what about Lot’s choice to go toward the plains of Jordan was so bad. Had Abram not let him choose? Then he chose and ever since has been labeled a bad decision maker. On Sunday morning the Lord gave me a great revelation. (Ok, maybe not great to everyone but great to me.) I finally saw the sin in Lot’s choosing. Do you see it? Lot looked with his eyes toward the plain of Jordan and saw (with his eyes) that it was well watered so that is the way he went. Of course he looked with his eyes you say. What else did he have to see with? Contrast Abrams response a few verses earlier. He and Lot were having troubles with their herdsmen fighting., so Abram built an alter and called on the name of the Lord. We don’t know for sure that Abram prayed about this situation, but I have a strong hunch he did since he suddenly had this great idea to split up. Abram used his eyes to solve his dilemma but not his natural eyes as Lot did and so often I do. He used his spiritual eyes. If Lot had sought God about the choice laid before him, he would not have fallen into sin as he did.
This isn’t the only incidence of seeing naturally and falling headlong into sin we see in the bible. You don’t have to get past the first few pages to see Eve looking with her eyes. Gen 2:6 says: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye,” She was only using her natural eyes to see the fruit. She had left off using the eye of God to see the fruit.
The lesson for me is this: whether there is a command of God concerning my decision about something or not, there are always choices set before me to make. What eye will I use to look at my choices? Will I use my human reasoning and my natural eye which is often led to see beauty where none exists? Or will I go to an alter of prayer so that I may see with an eye of faith, the eye of God? I desire to make choices that will bring me closer to God not closer to destruction, as Lot did.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Beautiful Things Happen When a Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh
Do the twists and turns of life often leave you doubting that God’s hand is still on you or His presence is still near?
If so, this somewhat autobiographical book might reassure you that God is always there, even when He seems very distant. Sheila Walsh tells about her life going forward from her stay in a psychiatric hospital., and how God used the lives of ten people to help her along in her journey to trust Him more with the circumstances that she found herself in. Mary and Martha, Paul, Joseph, Abraham and others became her traveling companions. Through her rich story telling ability, they also become yours. Sheila has the wonderful gift of inviting you into the story as if you are present with her through the twist and turns of her life and the lives of these biblical heroes.
This book moved me to look at my level of trusting God with the circumstances of my own life. The chapter entitled “Trusting God with Your Fear” was one of the most moving. I could really relate to Sheila’s retelling of the story of Gideon and her take on how it reflects our struggle with doing what God has laid before us. All of Sheila’s retellings were very Biblically accurate with a few of her own ideas about the details not spelled out in scripture. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to deepen their trust and walk with God.
If so, this somewhat autobiographical book might reassure you that God is always there, even when He seems very distant. Sheila Walsh tells about her life going forward from her stay in a psychiatric hospital., and how God used the lives of ten people to help her along in her journey to trust Him more with the circumstances that she found herself in. Mary and Martha, Paul, Joseph, Abraham and others became her traveling companions. Through her rich story telling ability, they also become yours. Sheila has the wonderful gift of inviting you into the story as if you are present with her through the twist and turns of her life and the lives of these biblical heroes.
This book moved me to look at my level of trusting God with the circumstances of my own life. The chapter entitled “Trusting God with Your Fear” was one of the most moving. I could really relate to Sheila’s retelling of the story of Gideon and her take on how it reflects our struggle with doing what God has laid before us. All of Sheila’s retellings were very Biblically accurate with a few of her own ideas about the details not spelled out in scripture. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to deepen their trust and walk with God.
Friday, February 5, 2010
God is So Good
This week has been very interesting for me. The mood at my house has been dampened for most of the week by a very tired and grouchy momma(that would be me). I often go through spells of bad sleep patterns but this week it seemed like something different. I felt like there was a spiritual battle going on. Praise God the victory for me is found in Christ Jesus! After I got over myself and allowed Him access into my pity party, He busted it up, and I learned a little something in the process.
For the last 6 months or so, God has been showing me that faith does require some action on my part. Sitting-on-my-rump-faith isn't really good for much. It doesn't make God great in the eyes of anyone, if I say I believe God will move a mountain and I don't ever get up, go to the mountain and tell it that God said to move. I have this paralysis that is activated when the step of faith is required. Do you remember the story of Gideon putting out the fleece? Well Gideon ain't got nothing on me. Fleece after fleece is required before I will budge an inch.
Fast forward to last night. My husband and I were discussing my propensity toward legalism when God hit me smack in the face with a very disturbing revelation. I am to Him what my daughter has become over the last few months to me. You see, she has this rather exasperating habit of asking me before she does anything. For instance: "Can I go to the bathroom?" then "Do you want me to wash my hands?" then "Can I go back to play now?" then "Can I get out the crayons?" I think you get the point. I was at my wits end with all the questions and then she started asking more than once to be sure she heard correctly. AAAGGGGHHHH! So you see this revelation from God was quite disturbing. I have been driving Him crazy, more or less, asking questions that I should step out on my own faith on and then harassing Him to make sure I am doing the right thing. Don't get me wrong, God want us to make sure we are following His direction, but He doesn't want to be asked for permission to go to the bathroom. :^)
That revelation combined with a reminder this morning of the Grace God extended by sending His Son to die on the Cross for my sins, has turned my mood around. It's amazing what God can do when we look intently upon His face to see His goodness and mercy anew and see ourselves as He sees us. I am His beloved daughter.
Do you think now that I've learned my lesson my own Dear Daughter will quit asking so many questions? I'll let you know!
For the last 6 months or so, God has been showing me that faith does require some action on my part. Sitting-on-my-rump-faith isn't really good for much. It doesn't make God great in the eyes of anyone, if I say I believe God will move a mountain and I don't ever get up, go to the mountain and tell it that God said to move. I have this paralysis that is activated when the step of faith is required. Do you remember the story of Gideon putting out the fleece? Well Gideon ain't got nothing on me. Fleece after fleece is required before I will budge an inch.
Fast forward to last night. My husband and I were discussing my propensity toward legalism when God hit me smack in the face with a very disturbing revelation. I am to Him what my daughter has become over the last few months to me. You see, she has this rather exasperating habit of asking me before she does anything. For instance: "Can I go to the bathroom?" then "Do you want me to wash my hands?" then "Can I go back to play now?" then "Can I get out the crayons?" I think you get the point. I was at my wits end with all the questions and then she started asking more than once to be sure she heard correctly. AAAGGGGHHHH! So you see this revelation from God was quite disturbing. I have been driving Him crazy, more or less, asking questions that I should step out on my own faith on and then harassing Him to make sure I am doing the right thing. Don't get me wrong, God want us to make sure we are following His direction, but He doesn't want to be asked for permission to go to the bathroom. :^)
That revelation combined with a reminder this morning of the Grace God extended by sending His Son to die on the Cross for my sins, has turned my mood around. It's amazing what God can do when we look intently upon His face to see His goodness and mercy anew and see ourselves as He sees us. I am His beloved daughter.
Do you think now that I've learned my lesson my own Dear Daughter will quit asking so many questions? I'll let you know!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Beautiful
By Phil Wickham
I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You’re beautiful
I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful
I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You’re beautiful, you're beautiful
When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, I see Your face
I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful
For the past two weeks , God has been wonderfully displaying His Beauty to me in the sunrise and sunset. I have always enjoyed watching the sky in the afternoons as the colors intensify and bring the sky to life. At times it seems that it is too beautiful a thing for this fallen creation to behold. While listening to the words to this song I realized the reason God sends the beauty of the skies. HE is the SUN of heaven (Rev 21:23). In the early morning, before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, He wishes to remind us of His beauty and His faithfulness (Lam 3:22-23) and in the quiet of the evening He is there again as we settle down from a long and tiring day to again allow a glimpse of His majesty as He sits robed in royal colors before us just beyond life’s sunset. Even in the midnight we can still see His glory, reflecting off the moon, shining down on us reminding us that He never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121) . He is truly BEAUTIFUL!
Rev 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Lam 3:22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Psalm 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Hello Out There
WOW! I have been thinking about starting my own blog for some time now, but have been scared to death of putting my thoughts out for others to read. Hopefully the record of my journey will help someone along their way. I will try to be patient with myself on this new venture if you will be patient with me also.
In this blog, I would like to review some of the awesome Christian books I have read recently and tell a little about my life adventure as well.
I guess I should introduce myself.... I am a stay-at-home momma of two beautiful children (a boy, 7, and a girl, 5). I have been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 13 years. I am very active in our small country church. There I facilitate a women's bible study and have just been elected VBS director, again. I have a great passion for GOD and a desire to be all that HE created me to be. I love cake decorating and am hoping to open a shop in the near future. I am thankful for a close family and a great group of supportive friends. I guess that about covers it for now.
Thanks for reading and GOD bless!
In this blog, I would like to review some of the awesome Christian books I have read recently and tell a little about my life adventure as well.
I guess I should introduce myself.... I am a stay-at-home momma of two beautiful children (a boy, 7, and a girl, 5). I have been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 13 years. I am very active in our small country church. There I facilitate a women's bible study and have just been elected VBS director, again. I have a great passion for GOD and a desire to be all that HE created me to be. I love cake decorating and am hoping to open a shop in the near future. I am thankful for a close family and a great group of supportive friends. I guess that about covers it for now.
Thanks for reading and GOD bless!
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