God has blessed me in many ways. First of all He saved me, not only from condemnation, but from myself. He has given me a joy and a peace that I have never known. He has given me life, and an amazing husband, and the best doggie I could ask for and yet I find that while I know this, the true heart of thankfulness escapes me.
I am a physician assistant student currently doing a pediatric neurosurgery rotation at a local children's hospital and I have to tell you. I have a new appreciation for life. For realizing how blessed I am to only need a hearing aid and no other medical devices. The children I see as patients and in the hallways astound me with their wonder and amazement despite their circumstances. They amaze me with their endurance and their willingness to give all they can, despite "ouchies." (whereas I put off getting a flu shot for the longest time because I'm afraid of needles)
These children believe in magic. They show me that a balloon is like gold, and that bandaids should always have fun prints. They teach me how in a moment everything can change and how while I might think life is short, for some of them living to 24 would be a miracle. There are the fun parts of working in pediatrics and then the sad parts, but overall I love it and hope I can find a job in pediatrics.
So here's my list of what I'm thankful for today.
1. I'm thankful for getting to wake up next to my husband
2. God worked out me getting to work on time.
3. A patient I'm worried about is still alive! yay!
4. I got to hold the hand of a little girl today
5. I got to talk about God today.
6. I got to cook a yummy dinner.
7. I get to eat dinner. many people don't get to.
8. I get to have dinner with my husband. Many wives can't.
9. My puppy dog who sat by my feet the entire time I was cooking.
10. Peanut butter and celery.
11. laughter
12. making new connections.
13. Having God use me
14. Chocolate milk.
15. good talks with my husband.
16. Catching up with one of my best friends.
17. Pinterest recipes
18. honest community.
19. a chat on Leviticus
20. hanging out with my husband
21. My doggie's ear infection is getting better
22. homemade apple pie.
23. Gods timing
24. my husband taking care of our puppy
25. house episodes.
What are you thankful for?
What helps remind you to be thankful?
xox
Anita
If my husband and I can be praying for you let us know.
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Belief comes before the behavior
When watching an episode of a television show I watched as a child was completely disrespectful to his parents. The next scene had the parents in their room and the father saying "He needs to know that it is his behavior that you are mad at not him" to which the mother said "no. people are judged by their actions." This quick scene is one that depicts something that has really been on my heart lately. The father was indicating just as our heavenly Father does, that someone can be loved despite their actions, while the mother in the scene was defining as so many of us do that our actions define us. This is a great paradox, and one that can create some confusion. If someone lies, we call them a liar. If someone kills someone we call them a murderer. With this sort of syntax, it makes it seem as though our actions define us, but that isn't what God says. Romans 5:8 tells us "That while we were still sinners Christ died for us" - He loved us despite our inadequacies. While the bible gives picture to many times that God's wrath is toward people, and we see that God's wrath toward sin was poured out toward Christ on the cross, we must know that God's heart is that He loves us all. Does He love when we sin? Absolutely not, but we are all sinners, and we all fall short.
Knowing this, should change the way we look at other people. It's not uncommon for phrases to be uttered like "I can't believe she acts like that" or "i can't believe He talks like that" but truly that is not the heart we should have. Matthew 7:1-5 says "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." God makes it clear in His word that we are not to judge others but rather to focus on our own inadequacies and leave the rest to Him.
What we must understand is that Jesus never told someone "Sorry I can't help or heal you because your don't act the way you should. Come back when you have it together." No. He said in many instances "Your faith has made you well"
In Luke 7:36-50 (ESV) we see a picture of a woman who's behavior wasn't what others thought it should be.
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman,“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
If you are a christian, be careful to judge people by their behavior. Not only does God tell us not to judge, but remember we live in a broken and fallen world, and the behavior of many is because they don't have Jesus in their lives. Apart from Christ we are all capable of unthinkable things and it is only by the grace of God that we have any good in us. I don't have children, but if I did not would be a perfect time to present a great story about them. Instead I will have to share with you Gracie Lou, my labradoodle. Note the comparison I am about to draw is not saying that God sees us as animals, but rather I love my dog as though she is a person and my husband and I consider her as more than a dog, but a member of the family.
Knowing this, should change the way we look at other people. It's not uncommon for phrases to be uttered like "I can't believe she acts like that" or "i can't believe He talks like that" but truly that is not the heart we should have. Matthew 7:1-5 says "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." God makes it clear in His word that we are not to judge others but rather to focus on our own inadequacies and leave the rest to Him.
What we must understand is that Jesus never told someone "Sorry I can't help or heal you because your don't act the way you should. Come back when you have it together." No. He said in many instances "Your faith has made you well"
In Luke 7:36-50 (ESV) we see a picture of a woman who's behavior wasn't what others thought it should be.
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman,“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
This woman had a belief in Jesus that changed her actions. The people there knew her reputation, and it is thought that most likely she was a prostitute. Yet, she showed a loved for Jesus that no one else at that dinner did. She used her hair, which is considered one of the most cherished part of a woman in some cultures, and dried the dirties part of Jesus's body with it. She used her tears, and expensive perfume and gave what she had, while the pharisees didn't even give Jesus a patronizing kiss on the cheek. Her belief came before her behavior ever did. She had to believe in Jesus to act this way, and moreover, that belief probably changed her actions in other areas of her life. Proverbs tells us that wisdom starts with a fear of the Lord.
Thus we have to know that we can not earn our saviors love, and we can't earn salvation. It is the sacrifice that Christ made that saved us and it's our belief in Him that transforms our lives. Christ gives us a new heart and a renewed spirit, and gives us the desires of our heart. Does this mean once you are a christian that your behavior will be perfect- no. It means that when you start a relationship with Christ you will begin to change, but change is a slow process. Little by little God will work on your heart and mold you into a light for Him.
If you are a christian, be careful to judge people by their behavior. Not only does God tell us not to judge, but remember we live in a broken and fallen world, and the behavior of many is because they don't have Jesus in their lives. Apart from Christ we are all capable of unthinkable things and it is only by the grace of God that we have any good in us. I don't have children, but if I did not would be a perfect time to present a great story about them. Instead I will have to share with you Gracie Lou, my labradoodle. Note the comparison I am about to draw is not saying that God sees us as animals, but rather I love my dog as though she is a person and my husband and I consider her as more than a dog, but a member of the family.
Gracie Lou I got as a 4 month old puppy from the pound. She was a pretty good puppy, but she had clearly been abused before I got her as she was very skid dish. It took a lot of patience and a lot of love before she would even play with a toy. I started training gracie lou once she learned to trust me, but I noticed while she was quick to learn, she wouldn't always remember commands like "Sit" if something more exciting than me was around (i.e. another puppy, a bird, ect.) I didn't love her any less when she made mistakes, but rather knew that was I was teaching her was to keep her safe, and kept teaching until she got it. She is now almost 2, loves to play, can be walked without a leash, and listens most of the time. She's not perfect, but she continues to learn and grow. When I found God I was a lot like Gracie Lou when I first got her. I had a lot of fears, and a lot of bad behaviors. It took me first believing, and then slowly I learned how to behave. I'm still learning, as is my doggie, but while our lessons are different in nature they are similar.
Don't get discouraged if you have the belief, but don't quite have the behavior all worked out. You are a work in process. Remember Phillipians 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Jesus Christ." He is continually working on you and isn't finished with you yet. To be honest I think we all will need to be working on our behavior until Jesus returns or we die because there is always something new to learn. Just remember that we only need progress not perfect. We are just to do today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today. We will make mistakes, we will forget lessons and have to relearn them, but we have a loving father who loves us way more than I love my dog, and is patient working on each of us.
How has God grown you? Are you still working on the belief or the behavior or a little of both?
Let me know how I can be praying for you.
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You can also follow me on twitter @anitamorinpa for updates on new posts.
God bless xox
Friday, January 11, 2013
Following God's Calling
Hello friends-
As some of you may notice I have been writing a lot more. When I started this blog I started it to keep track of what God was doing, and in a hope to share it with others. I got complacent and for that I apologize, but God has been clear that I need to use the talents He has given me to share what He is teaching me, and to share about His goodness.
this scares me.
the idea of people reading my thoughts sounds nuts. the desire to write bible studies sounds impossible. But I know that with God all things are possible, and I can do all things through Christ. So friends, this is me being obedient. This is me walking by faith.
Please pray for me in this time as I'm definitely taking a step out of my comfort zone.
If you are interested in following my journey please subscribe to this blog, and follow me on twitter @anitamorinpa
I have a feeling it's going to be a big year for both myself (and this journey) and my husband (who is pursuing Golf professionally). God has given us desires that we have prayer about, and now we are taking the steps in the direction he is calling us.
<3
As some of you may notice I have been writing a lot more. When I started this blog I started it to keep track of what God was doing, and in a hope to share it with others. I got complacent and for that I apologize, but God has been clear that I need to use the talents He has given me to share what He is teaching me, and to share about His goodness.
this scares me.
the idea of people reading my thoughts sounds nuts. the desire to write bible studies sounds impossible. But I know that with God all things are possible, and I can do all things through Christ. So friends, this is me being obedient. This is me walking by faith.
Please pray for me in this time as I'm definitely taking a step out of my comfort zone.
If you are interested in following my journey please subscribe to this blog, and follow me on twitter @anitamorinpa
I have a feeling it's going to be a big year for both myself (and this journey) and my husband (who is pursuing Golf professionally). God has given us desires that we have prayer about, and now we are taking the steps in the direction he is calling us.
<3
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Truth sounds like hate to those who hate truth.
When on Facebook you can learn so much about people and their views. One post the other day was talking about the heartbreak of the death of animals. Another, asked if it was normal to like one child more than another where respondents said it's normal. When did it become normal for each child to not be a beautiful gift? A few weeks ago in North Carolina Pro-Choice license plates were outlawed. And here I sit as I think about the reality of what our world is allowing.
Today I got a hair cut. My hair has been bothering me lately as it was super long and thick and I just felt it was getting unmanageable for the everyday with my schedule. I'm not one who has time or desire to spend hours and hours to get ready. While doing so, the lady who cut my hear and I somehow started talked about children, which led to a conversation that she started on abortion. Her side: if someone wants to get an abortion they should. That idea was heart breaking to me but I didn't say that.
You can follow me on twitter for more updates: @anitamorinpa
Also please subscribe to my blog on your right, or follow by e-mail address if you wanna be updated when I post.
Let us know how we can be praying for you- my husband and I would LOVE to pray for you.
God bless <3
Today I got a hair cut. My hair has been bothering me lately as it was super long and thick and I just felt it was getting unmanageable for the everyday with my schedule. I'm not one who has time or desire to spend hours and hours to get ready. While doing so, the lady who cut my hear and I somehow started talked about children, which led to a conversation that she started on abortion. Her side: if someone wants to get an abortion they should. That idea was heart breaking to me but I didn't say that.
I will say this friends: Truth sounds like hate to those who hate truth.
The truth is we are allowing mass murder in our country and calling it a procedure.
The truth is this is heart breaking.
The truth is my heart is broken today for the about 54 million children that would be living today if we didn't allow abortion. So many times we ask "Where is God?" in things that don't make sense but this is something God was not asked to be apart of. In fact, while I can go on to write of the verses in the bible to tell you that these lives should be preserved I have some other thoughts for you:
Did you know that at conception you have all 46 chromosomes? This the "cells" that form are not the woman's body, they are simply in her body. But I can rattle off argument after argument for you the truth is that what I hate is that I don't know how to help in an effective way.
And I have to ask myself- why does this practice of abortion not bring me to tears more? I think Satan makes us blind to it, the media makes us blind to it, the world calls it normal, but babies are 100% innocent. They have done nothing wrong. As I spoke to the woman as she cut my hair, she told me that it was better for the kid not to be born if the mother didn't want to take care of it. So, I told her about myself and my mother. I told her of my experience being in foster care, and what it was like to live with various family members. I told her how despite all the obstacles, that I feel blessed and I am thankful for the life that I have lived. I told her how statistically my mom is the type of woman who would have had an abortion, and I'm so thankful that she didn't. She was very sweet, but you could tell as we talked that she still had exceptions in her mind about why abortion was ok. From things I said, and she said, I got the idea that she wasn't a christian, but I pray I am wrong. As we talked I found that while I could share with her the scripture as to why abortion is wrong, it occurred to me that if someone doesn't think the bible is valid, then that wouldn't mean much to them. We didn't have a heated debate, I didn't go through with her many of the things that I'll write after this. I just shared with her a desire to love children, a hope to have my own, and an encouragement for her to adopt (she mentioned she wanted to) and to help the children who need it if she can. We ended with me having a haircut I'm happy with, a thank you and me asking her how I could pray for her.
The conversation did tell me though, that I need to be more prepared with information. I talked to her about the realities of adoption options, that new babies are a lot easier to find homes for than 14 year old boys with behavior problems. That if the mothers had resources then maybe they would be more likely to keep the children and that that is something the church should be providing (and many churches do).
So there are some things that don't make sense to me:
- We allow abortion and don't consider it life, yet if a woman who is pregnant is murdered two murders are tried for.
- Criminals get an attorney and a voice, but these children don't.
- Why is that cells found on another planet would be called life, yet an embryo inside a woman is considered just cells?
- If we are really going to be pro-life then why is it that we stand by and let so many innocent die. That we don't educate ourselves or attempt to educate others and yet we send thousands of dollars to help those dying from starvation, dirty water, ect?
One point that the woman cutting my hair said was : Why is that people get mad about abortion but they allow birth control? it's the same thing.
She was right. (if referring to the pill as it can allow unification of the egg and sperm to form an embryo and can stop implantation.)
Friends, I don't know what I can do to help, except to use the talents God has given me to share the knowledge.
Stephen Swartz came up with an argument in his book The Moral Question of Abortion called SLED. Please note that the statements made are to exaggerate a point, and I didnt write them. The acronym addresses the arguments of those who support abortion:
"Size: True, embryos are smaller than newborns and adults, but why is that relevant? Do we really want to say that large people are more human than small ones? Men are generally larger than women, but that doesn’t mean that they deserve more rights. Size doesn’t equal value.
Level of development: True, embryos and fetuses are less developed than the adults they’ll one day become. But again, why is this relevant? Four year-old girls are less developed than 14 year-old ones. Should older children have more rights than their younger siblings? Some people say that self-awareness makes one human. But if that is true, newborns do not qualify as valuable human beings. Six-week old infants lack the immediate capacity for performing human mental functions, as do the reversibly comatose, the sleeping, and those with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Environment: Where you are has no bearing on who you are. Does your value change when you cross the street or roll over in bed? If not, how can a journey of eight inches down the birth-canal suddenly change the essential nature of the unborn from non-human to human? If the unborn are not already human, merely changing their location can’t make them valuable.
Degree of Dependency: If viability makes us human, then all those who depend on insulin or kidney medication are not valuable and we may kill them. Conjoined twins who share blood type and bodily systems also have no right to life. In short, it’s far more reasonable to argue that although humans differ immensely with respect to talents, accomplishments, and degrees of development, they are nonetheless equal because they share a common human nature."
The conversation did tell me though, that I need to be more prepared with information. I talked to her about the realities of adoption options, that new babies are a lot easier to find homes for than 14 year old boys with behavior problems. That if the mothers had resources then maybe they would be more likely to keep the children and that that is something the church should be providing (and many churches do).
So there are some things that don't make sense to me:
- We allow abortion and don't consider it life, yet if a woman who is pregnant is murdered two murders are tried for.
- Criminals get an attorney and a voice, but these children don't.
- Why is that cells found on another planet would be called life, yet an embryo inside a woman is considered just cells?
- If we are really going to be pro-life then why is it that we stand by and let so many innocent die. That we don't educate ourselves or attempt to educate others and yet we send thousands of dollars to help those dying from starvation, dirty water, ect?
One point that the woman cutting my hair said was : Why is that people get mad about abortion but they allow birth control? it's the same thing.
She was right. (if referring to the pill as it can allow unification of the egg and sperm to form an embryo and can stop implantation.)
Friends, I don't know what I can do to help, except to use the talents God has given me to share the knowledge.
Stephen Swartz came up with an argument in his book The Moral Question of Abortion called SLED. Please note that the statements made are to exaggerate a point, and I didnt write them. The acronym addresses the arguments of those who support abortion:
Level of development: True, embryos and fetuses are less developed than the adults they’ll one day become. But again, why is this relevant? Four year-old girls are less developed than 14 year-old ones. Should older children have more rights than their younger siblings? Some people say that self-awareness makes one human. But if that is true, newborns do not qualify as valuable human beings. Six-week old infants lack the immediate capacity for performing human mental functions, as do the reversibly comatose, the sleeping, and those with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Environment: Where you are has no bearing on who you are. Does your value change when you cross the street or roll over in bed? If not, how can a journey of eight inches down the birth-canal suddenly change the essential nature of the unborn from non-human to human? If the unborn are not already human, merely changing their location can’t make them valuable.
Degree of Dependency: If viability makes us human, then all those who depend on insulin or kidney medication are not valuable and we may kill them. Conjoined twins who share blood type and bodily systems also have no right to life. In short, it’s far more reasonable to argue that although humans differ immensely with respect to talents, accomplishments, and degrees of development, they are nonetheless equal because they share a common human nature."
But I think while you can argue point by point with people, and have some good things to say using this and other information, what you have to get someone to define is what do they think the embryo is? life? cells? unknown? because what you say that embryo is makes all the difference.
Friends my heart is, that I am so thankful for the life that I have been given, and I pray that we can educate ourselves on the topic and hopefully share insight in a way that is encouraging and helpful.
I'm currently reading a book by R.C. Sproul called "Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue.
I suspect I'll bring you some more thoughts on this sticky topic then.
How do you share the truth in love in this topic? How do you explain the gift of life? I'd love any thoughts you all have, I just ask you keep them constructive. I haven't addressed all my thoughts on this issue and the connected ideas but like I said, I hope to revise this topic and hope to continue to share with you on this soon.
<3
You can follow me on twitter for more updates: @anitamorinpa
Also please subscribe to my blog on your right, or follow by e-mail address if you wanna be updated when I post.
Let us know how we can be praying for you- my husband and I would LOVE to pray for you.
God bless <3
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Nothing outside His control
Hello Friends!
Alright I want to take a few moments to bring you a little bit more from Hebrews.
Last time we dove in to Hebrews 1 and the big take-home point was: Jesus is higher than angels. In Hebrews 2 that same sentiment is carried on but I wanna kind of zone in on Hebrews 2 vs 8 which says ".... Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control..."
If you have watched any of the Passion conference (which I wish I could have seen all of it but I've had to work and the sessions are only up a short time) a lot of what God has been speaking through that conference is that He can do immeasurably more. And when you think about that fact that nothing is outside of his control. Now this passage is not setting on that phrase, but this morning it stopped me. Everything is under His control. It's a fact I know, but do I live like I know it? As I focus on "thankfulness" this year I find myself thanking God a lot more, but also as I turn my heart toward seeing what He has done, I see more and more that what I ask Him for is many time nothing compared to what He is capable of. It has been challenging me to pray bigger prayers, like for the baby I saw in the NICU yesterday that God would heal her, for the car salesmen that He would come to really know and honor God. For myself when I need Him to quite my growling tummy during surgery, or to relieve the worry, or work out the student loans, or help Paul have an awesome day at golf. I find the more I am thankful, the more I in turn am learning to give more and more to God. The more I am willing to understand that everything really is under His control.
And sometimes I need to repent of my lack of belief that everything is under His control, because when I don't' believe it with every fiber of my being I worry, as though I have some sort of control as to how the events happen. As if "because I want it and I will" it will happen. Friends, we have to put our whole lives in Gods hands and ask for His will alone, not ours, and when you struggle to be able to do that, I encourage you to pray and ask Him for the strength. Thank Him for the ways He has shown you so far that you can trust Him, and ask Him to forgive you for the times that you don't, and to grow your faith.
Francis Chan spoke in session 4 of the passion conference and he talked a lot about trusting God, and understanding that so often it feels like we can't trust anyone, but to remember that we can trust God. While these points of trust, and faith, and knowing He is in control seem like they should come easy, they seem to come hard in a world where we see a consistent pattern that says we can't trust others. The bible even tells us we can't trust our own hearts as they are deceitful. So what can we trust? God. We can trust the promises that He gives, and friends something I want to echo that Francis Chan pointed out: it's not just the warm and fuzzy promises but all of His promises. His promise to oppose the proud, and give grace to the humble. His promise to deny you if you deny Him. His promise that many will cry Lord Lord and He will say He never knew them. We never want to talk about some of these promises we wanna focus on the promise that says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that if God is for us who can be against us, that He will never leave or forsake us but friends, they are all His promises. The easy to hear, and the hard truth, all are promises from the word of God and as such we should hide them in our hearts.
Please let me know how I can be praying for you. Are you struggling with this idea of trust? Do you have a hard time remember that He has everything in control? I want to be honest and tell you I do. I struggle with this and I'm praying that God will forgive me, and grow in me a new understanding of trust as He designed it. Friends I pray that for you to, and if you need anything else please let me know. Do know that I don't have any magical connection to God in prayer that you don't have, sometimes it is just nice to know that someone else is praying for you and that is all I hope to offer.
Alright I want to take a few moments to bring you a little bit more from Hebrews.
Last time we dove in to Hebrews 1 and the big take-home point was: Jesus is higher than angels. In Hebrews 2 that same sentiment is carried on but I wanna kind of zone in on Hebrews 2 vs 8 which says ".... Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control..."
If you have watched any of the Passion conference (which I wish I could have seen all of it but I've had to work and the sessions are only up a short time) a lot of what God has been speaking through that conference is that He can do immeasurably more. And when you think about that fact that nothing is outside of his control. Now this passage is not setting on that phrase, but this morning it stopped me. Everything is under His control. It's a fact I know, but do I live like I know it? As I focus on "thankfulness" this year I find myself thanking God a lot more, but also as I turn my heart toward seeing what He has done, I see more and more that what I ask Him for is many time nothing compared to what He is capable of. It has been challenging me to pray bigger prayers, like for the baby I saw in the NICU yesterday that God would heal her, for the car salesmen that He would come to really know and honor God. For myself when I need Him to quite my growling tummy during surgery, or to relieve the worry, or work out the student loans, or help Paul have an awesome day at golf. I find the more I am thankful, the more I in turn am learning to give more and more to God. The more I am willing to understand that everything really is under His control.
And sometimes I need to repent of my lack of belief that everything is under His control, because when I don't' believe it with every fiber of my being I worry, as though I have some sort of control as to how the events happen. As if "because I want it and I will" it will happen. Friends, we have to put our whole lives in Gods hands and ask for His will alone, not ours, and when you struggle to be able to do that, I encourage you to pray and ask Him for the strength. Thank Him for the ways He has shown you so far that you can trust Him, and ask Him to forgive you for the times that you don't, and to grow your faith.
Francis Chan spoke in session 4 of the passion conference and he talked a lot about trusting God, and understanding that so often it feels like we can't trust anyone, but to remember that we can trust God. While these points of trust, and faith, and knowing He is in control seem like they should come easy, they seem to come hard in a world where we see a consistent pattern that says we can't trust others. The bible even tells us we can't trust our own hearts as they are deceitful. So what can we trust? God. We can trust the promises that He gives, and friends something I want to echo that Francis Chan pointed out: it's not just the warm and fuzzy promises but all of His promises. His promise to oppose the proud, and give grace to the humble. His promise to deny you if you deny Him. His promise that many will cry Lord Lord and He will say He never knew them. We never want to talk about some of these promises we wanna focus on the promise that says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that if God is for us who can be against us, that He will never leave or forsake us but friends, they are all His promises. The easy to hear, and the hard truth, all are promises from the word of God and as such we should hide them in our hearts.
Please let me know how I can be praying for you. Are you struggling with this idea of trust? Do you have a hard time remember that He has everything in control? I want to be honest and tell you I do. I struggle with this and I'm praying that God will forgive me, and grow in me a new understanding of trust as He designed it. Friends I pray that for you to, and if you need anything else please let me know. Do know that I don't have any magical connection to God in prayer that you don't have, sometimes it is just nice to know that someone else is praying for you and that is all I hope to offer.
Trust Him. Know that he has everything under His control.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Passion Conference Session 2
Hello!
Hope you all have been watching Passion. I wanted to go ahead and give some thoughts on session 2.
Beth Moore started with this challenge: for us to have an unreadable insatiable passion for the word of God.
Matthew 26:17-30 is where she started which tells the passover story with the disciples.
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,“Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives
Hope you all have been watching Passion. I wanted to go ahead and give some thoughts on session 2.
Beth Moore started with this challenge: for us to have an unreadable insatiable passion for the word of God.
Matthew 26:17-30 is where she started which tells the passover story with the disciples.
17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying,“Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives
She want on to explain passover and then she made this point:
That if Jesus was just born of a virgin that would have been miraculous, but it wouldn't have been enough. Had Jesus spoken the word of God it would have been amazing but not enough. Had He caused the deaf to hear, the blind to see the mute to speak it would not have been enough. Had he spoken against demons it would not have been enough. Had he raised the dead it would not have been enough. Had He been scorned but not bled, it wouldn't haven't been enough.
What was enough? Jesus. His birth, life, death, burial and resurrection. All of it. His entirety is enough. Friends I want to stick to that point. Is Jesus enough for you? Because for Him to be enough you can't just take His gifts, or His stories, you need all of Him. Everything He gave. You need the words He spoke, you need the word he studied, you need the love He has for you, everything.
Friends- let Jesus be enough. He came to be everything. He came to fulfill the promise, to be the sacrifice, to be the redeemer, to give hope, to give peace, to show love, and so much more.
Beth Moore did a great job really making the passover come alive and I could respell it all out for you, but friends I just want you to focus on that point: All of Jesus is enough.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Passion 2012 Session 1
Hello friends!
Alright so the Passion conference is happening at the georgia dome over the next few days, and while I have never had the pleasure of attending I watched it last year and learned so much. I wanna kinda write about what I learn as it goes.
I encourage you to tune in.
Jesus Jesus God from God light from light you are our salvation is what Christ Tomlin opened up with. Beautiful words and so true. Our salvation is once and for all from Christ. Louie Giglio spoke in the first session.
God wants to do more than you can ask Him or image is the idea he opened up with. True story.
He explained how Passion conference came together. For those of you who haven't' heard of it is a gathering for 18-25 year olds to learn about God, be inspired to live a life after Him, and features many speakers and artists.
He goes on to expound on how God really can do immeasurable more. I'm not going to type out his whole message but what I wanna give is a response. He used Ezekiel 37 where God
1. spoke the word of God
2. gave breath
3. gave tendons and skin back. (repaired and restored)
4. showed He was the Lord.
Here we see a picture where God did something that no one else could do, just as what has happened in my life no one else could do.
God in fact HAS and WILL do immeasurable more than I ask for or imagine.
How do I know?
Because He has. To understand that you have to get to a place where you define how much you think God can do in the first place. If you think He can't do anything, your prayers will reflect that. But if you remember that our God is a God of miracles and you believe that is true then pray like that. Ask God : God if it is YOUR WILL heal me. If it is YOUR WILL show me. Note I emphasize if it is your will, as God works all things to the good of those who love Him according to His will.
Friends what has God done in your life that is more is more than you could ask for or imagine?
What is it you hope He will do?
Friends that passage in Ezekiel 37 is an illustration of the promise in 36. Go promises in 36:25-27 saying that He will restore Israel not only physically but spiritually. It says " Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. your filth will be washed away and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give yoga tender responsive heart. And I will put my spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations." --- MAN. I don't know about you but for me that describes what He has done and what He is doing.
Friends we might not be seeing bones come back to life like Ezekiel did but as Giglio ask God to help you believe in the places you have doubt. Ask Him to speak and show up in your life, ask Him to do the immeasurably more than you could ask for or imagine. The word says if you seek Him will all your heart you will find Him and friends if you ask Him to show up and really seek Him with your heart I know that you will find Him.
<3
Alright so the Passion conference is happening at the georgia dome over the next few days, and while I have never had the pleasure of attending I watched it last year and learned so much. I wanna kinda write about what I learn as it goes.
I encourage you to tune in.
Jesus Jesus God from God light from light you are our salvation is what Christ Tomlin opened up with. Beautiful words and so true. Our salvation is once and for all from Christ. Louie Giglio spoke in the first session.
God wants to do more than you can ask Him or image is the idea he opened up with. True story.
He explained how Passion conference came together. For those of you who haven't' heard of it is a gathering for 18-25 year olds to learn about God, be inspired to live a life after Him, and features many speakers and artists.
He goes on to expound on how God really can do immeasurable more. I'm not going to type out his whole message but what I wanna give is a response. He used Ezekiel 37 where God
1. spoke the word of God
2. gave breath
3. gave tendons and skin back. (repaired and restored)
4. showed He was the Lord.
Here we see a picture where God did something that no one else could do, just as what has happened in my life no one else could do.
God in fact HAS and WILL do immeasurable more than I ask for or imagine.
How do I know?
Because He has. To understand that you have to get to a place where you define how much you think God can do in the first place. If you think He can't do anything, your prayers will reflect that. But if you remember that our God is a God of miracles and you believe that is true then pray like that. Ask God : God if it is YOUR WILL heal me. If it is YOUR WILL show me. Note I emphasize if it is your will, as God works all things to the good of those who love Him according to His will.
Friends what has God done in your life that is more is more than you could ask for or imagine?
What is it you hope He will do?
Friends that passage in Ezekiel 37 is an illustration of the promise in 36. Go promises in 36:25-27 saying that He will restore Israel not only physically but spiritually. It says " Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. your filth will be washed away and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give yoga tender responsive heart. And I will put my spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations." --- MAN. I don't know about you but for me that describes what He has done and what He is doing.
Friends we might not be seeing bones come back to life like Ezekiel did but as Giglio ask God to help you believe in the places you have doubt. Ask Him to speak and show up in your life, ask Him to do the immeasurably more than you could ask for or imagine. The word says if you seek Him will all your heart you will find Him and friends if you ask Him to show up and really seek Him with your heart I know that you will find Him.
<3
New Years 2013
Hello,
With the new year, comes some new things and I'd like to kind of explore that just a little bit. Not that I won't be continuing on in Hebrews, I will, this is just a little detour.
Alright so first an awesome story:
My husbands car died on new years eve, and the cost to repair it was more than it was worth. So we decided that it was a time to look for a new car for him. We went a few places on new years day, but then he had a friend who worked at a Nissan dealership who said to come by. The guy was super nice, and set us up with a salesman who was very nice. We sat in a few cars, found the one we wanted, and then after several hours we were taking it home. (if you have ever bought a car you know this long process). Well there were two things we needed to give them, so we had to go back to our house. The salesman decided to come with us and on the way we got to learn about his life, his thoughts on God, and really got to share with him about honoring God, and what that looks like. At the end of the night he said "You've said so much I'm going to have to go sit down and really think about some things" We had been talking about how nothing is coincidence and he then made a comment about how he doesn't meet people like us often. We told him that even us needing a car, and knowing the guy who introduced us was no coincidence and us having the conversation we had wasn't either. He agreed. Why I am telling you? So that you can be praying for him. That God would continue to show up for him.
So in 2012 my word was discipleship and God sure used me for that an amazing amount. So with the door shutting on 2012, and opening on 2013 the question begs: whats my new word? or should I do resolutions.
If I were to make a list of everything I need to work on it might be a long one. What's paramount? What's going on this year.
In 2012 I met my husband, got engaged, got married, finished my didactic year, started my clinical year, made new friends, had God use me in a lot of places, I was diagnosed with hearing loss, I had 4 or 5 surgeries and ultimately I think I grew more than I ever have.
In 2013 I graduate from school with my masters, I need to take my boards, I need to continue to honor and serve God, I need to continue to learn about being a better wife... but ultimately 2013 is a bit of a mystery. I don't know if I will have more health problems, I don't know if we will move, I don't know if we will get to help more people, I don't' know. Only God knows.
So I think my word is going to be Thankful.
I think if I can work on my thankfulness in all circumstances, I will find more joy. I think if I can have a heart overflowing with thankfulness I will be able to share that joy with more people. If I can be more thankful, I will be a better wife to my husband. But most of all if I can be overflowing with thankfulness I will glorify and honor God more.
Do I want to work on being healthier, and being more organized, and having a gentler spirit, and reading more and running more of course. But I found in 2012 as God gave me a word, it really got me to see the amazing potential of it. The amazing things God did and originally I thought it was silly, but I encourage you to try it in 2013 if you can. :)
So friends: do you pick a "word of the year?" and if so- what's yours?
With the new year, comes some new things and I'd like to kind of explore that just a little bit. Not that I won't be continuing on in Hebrews, I will, this is just a little detour.
Alright so first an awesome story:
My husbands car died on new years eve, and the cost to repair it was more than it was worth. So we decided that it was a time to look for a new car for him. We went a few places on new years day, but then he had a friend who worked at a Nissan dealership who said to come by. The guy was super nice, and set us up with a salesman who was very nice. We sat in a few cars, found the one we wanted, and then after several hours we were taking it home. (if you have ever bought a car you know this long process). Well there were two things we needed to give them, so we had to go back to our house. The salesman decided to come with us and on the way we got to learn about his life, his thoughts on God, and really got to share with him about honoring God, and what that looks like. At the end of the night he said "You've said so much I'm going to have to go sit down and really think about some things" We had been talking about how nothing is coincidence and he then made a comment about how he doesn't meet people like us often. We told him that even us needing a car, and knowing the guy who introduced us was no coincidence and us having the conversation we had wasn't either. He agreed. Why I am telling you? So that you can be praying for him. That God would continue to show up for him.
So in 2012 my word was discipleship and God sure used me for that an amazing amount. So with the door shutting on 2012, and opening on 2013 the question begs: whats my new word? or should I do resolutions.
If I were to make a list of everything I need to work on it might be a long one. What's paramount? What's going on this year.
In 2012 I met my husband, got engaged, got married, finished my didactic year, started my clinical year, made new friends, had God use me in a lot of places, I was diagnosed with hearing loss, I had 4 or 5 surgeries and ultimately I think I grew more than I ever have.
In 2013 I graduate from school with my masters, I need to take my boards, I need to continue to honor and serve God, I need to continue to learn about being a better wife... but ultimately 2013 is a bit of a mystery. I don't know if I will have more health problems, I don't know if we will move, I don't know if we will get to help more people, I don't' know. Only God knows.
So I think my word is going to be Thankful.
I think if I can work on my thankfulness in all circumstances, I will find more joy. I think if I can have a heart overflowing with thankfulness I will be able to share that joy with more people. If I can be more thankful, I will be a better wife to my husband. But most of all if I can be overflowing with thankfulness I will glorify and honor God more.
Do I want to work on being healthier, and being more organized, and having a gentler spirit, and reading more and running more of course. But I found in 2012 as God gave me a word, it really got me to see the amazing potential of it. The amazing things God did and originally I thought it was silly, but I encourage you to try it in 2013 if you can. :)
So friends: do you pick a "word of the year?" and if so- what's yours?
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