I have obsessed for so long over the enormity of the job of parenting, my inadequacy to that task, the shortcomings of my marriage, and my longings for more than this.
Like Peter, I believe that the Lord can work miracles, that He can choose to calm the storm or choose to simply carry me through it, but I get distracted by the raging storm and I begin to drown.
Then the Holy Spirit whispers in my ear, “Do you trust Me?” followed by His gentle reminder…
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Is my anxiety evidence of my distrust? Do I know the God of all creation well enough to rest in His sovereignty moment by moment? Is it even possible to leave off our human-ness long enough to really find that elusive rest?
God alone can provide the comfort that comes in knowing that even the painful things in life can and will be used for my own good. True to His character, God plans for my life that which is better for me beyond my human understanding or imagination. But what is God’s best for me? Not a promise for health and wealth and entertainment. These are temporary diversions at most and God’s best for me may or may not include any of these things. His ultimate goal is to glorify Himself in making me Christlike, and His ultimate reward for me is Himself – the things that moth and rust cannot destroy and thief cannot steal. Indeed, the things that last forever.
Lord, grant that I might find real rest in you, moment by moment, and know in my gut that it is not up to me to make my marriage into one of Your design, make my children into godly people, make my home a place of perfect serenity and order. But if I might be a tool in your hands, Lord, work through me (and in spite of me) to accomplish these things.
And when in your plan You have ordained NOT to accomplish these things, may it be to drive each of us to the end of ourselves at the foot of the Cross, to point our gaze Heaven-ward, heightening our God-given thirst for You and for eternity with You. Remind us then in our restlessness that we are not made for the here and now, although we are temporarily and irresistibly distracted by it and bound to it. Show us our longing for Heaven where we will know You as we are known by You. Cause us to persevere through this day of battle and make us mindful of the day coming quickly on us when we will finally and joyfully bound home like school children into Your waiting arms.
Finally, Father, make me to keep a loose grip on all these lesser things so that nothing can take Your place of supremacy in my heart. In Christ, I have all I need. Make it so that You are all I want.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Nearer, My God, to Thee
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Refrain
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
This hymn was reportedly the favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath (see the movie Chariots of Fire). Liddell later became a missionary in China, and was imprisoned during World War II. He is said to have taught this hymn to others in the prison camp (where he eventually died of a brain tumor).
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
This hymn was reportedly the favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath (see the movie Chariots of Fire). Liddell later became a missionary in China, and was imprisoned during World War II. He is said to have taught this hymn to others in the prison camp (where he eventually died of a brain tumor).
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be.
George Matheson (this hymn's author) said of it:
"My hymn was composed in the manse of Innelan [Argyleshire, Scotland] on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone in the manse at that time. It was the night of my sister’s marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high."
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be.
George Matheson (this hymn's author) said of it:
"My hymn was composed in the manse of Innelan [Argyleshire, Scotland] on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone in the manse at that time. It was the night of my sister’s marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high."
Sunday, August 12, 2007
For Lack of a Better Word
Recent Quotables...
Franklepea: (watching TV) Goofy the Great!
Mommy: Who is Goofy the Great?
Franklepea: That's what they call Goofy when he's "magicky" -- you know, a "magic-tricker".
________________________________
(thunder claps)
Mommy: Ooh, did you hear that?
Franklepea: Was that thunder, or is someone firing cracker-nuts?
________________________________
Franklepea (watching a commercial): Ooh, I want to see that movie.
Mommy: What movie is that?
Franklepea: The Little Wormaid.
Franklepea: (watching TV) Goofy the Great!
Mommy: Who is Goofy the Great?
Franklepea: That's what they call Goofy when he's "magicky" -- you know, a "magic-tricker".
________________________________
(thunder claps)
Mommy: Ooh, did you hear that?
Franklepea: Was that thunder, or is someone firing cracker-nuts?
________________________________
Franklepea (watching a commercial): Ooh, I want to see that movie.
Mommy: What movie is that?
Franklepea: The Little Wormaid.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Jungle Bugs
Our team of "Tumble Bugs" by way of one misunderstanding became more appropriately named "Jungle Bugs." Their domain, a Lord of the Flies-esque upstairs play area where small people reign and grown people struggle for dominance. Their language, incomprehensible to grown people and a tool for clandestine communication. Here is the tribe's current chief (under constant threat of mutiny by the smaller members) and the tribe at the entrance to their lair...
I Need Thee Every Hour
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
Refrain
Annie Hawks (this hymn's author) wrote:
One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me.
After writing the lyrics, Hawks gave them to her pastor, Robert Lowry, who added the tune and refrain. The hymn was first published at the National Baptist Sunday School Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November 1872. Some years later, after the death of her husband, Hawks wrote:
I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
Refrain
Annie Hawks (this hymn's author) wrote:
One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me.
After writing the lyrics, Hawks gave them to her pastor, Robert Lowry, who added the tune and refrain. The hymn was first published at the National Baptist Sunday School Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November 1872. Some years later, after the death of her husband, Hawks wrote:
I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tez's Glossary of Terms
goggly-goggly (interj.): usually said in repetition as an exclamation signifying happiness or excitedness; "Goggly-goggly-ga!"
babuwhabu (interj.): an exclamation signifying happiness or excitedness; often said upon entering a room post-naptime so as to announce one's presence to others
babuwhabu (interj.): an exclamation signifying happiness or excitedness; often said upon entering a room post-naptime so as to announce one's presence to others
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all
Words: Dallan Forgail (8th Century)
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all
Words: Dallan Forgail (8th Century)
Heimer's Glossary of Terms
golly-ga (interj.): an exclamation derived from the interjection 'goggly-goggly' as an expression of happiness or excitedness; often used in repetition. "Golly-golly-ga! Golly-golly-ga!"
The Wonder of Midwifery
When I tell people that Mooster was a homebirth, the reaction I get most often (spoken or not) puzzles, "...on purpose?"
This suggests to me that modern medicine has convinced women that birthing a baby into the world is somehow less natural than the means by which that child was conceived and now requires the aid of doctors and nurses to find its way out. O, ye of little faith!
I was also reluctant (at first) to consider a homebirth, but that was before I had my first two babies, both of which were midwife-assisted waterbirths. Let me explain...
I began my first pregnancy with a conventional OB/Gyn. Like most first-time expectant women, I devoured as much information as I could about pregnancy and birth. I wondered why there were so many women retelling their birth stories like war stories as if they barely made it out in one piece? This was not the experience I wanted. A friend loaned me a copy of Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, and the rest is history.
To avoid the interventions imposed on laboring women (most of them unnecessary), I would have to rethink the impending hospital birth. We decided to switch to a midwife at 34 weeks! Our son was born at 39 weeks, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Except perhaps to have had the entire pregnancy under my midwife's care.
Do your own research, read up on the statistics, talk to women who have done it, and read that book! For the vast majority of healthy women, birthing with a midwife is not only safe, but a sweet and wonderfully memorable experience.
This suggests to me that modern medicine has convinced women that birthing a baby into the world is somehow less natural than the means by which that child was conceived and now requires the aid of doctors and nurses to find its way out. O, ye of little faith!
I was also reluctant (at first) to consider a homebirth, but that was before I had my first two babies, both of which were midwife-assisted waterbirths. Let me explain...
I began my first pregnancy with a conventional OB/Gyn. Like most first-time expectant women, I devoured as much information as I could about pregnancy and birth. I wondered why there were so many women retelling their birth stories like war stories as if they barely made it out in one piece? This was not the experience I wanted. A friend loaned me a copy of Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, and the rest is history.
To avoid the interventions imposed on laboring women (most of them unnecessary), I would have to rethink the impending hospital birth. We decided to switch to a midwife at 34 weeks! Our son was born at 39 weeks, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Except perhaps to have had the entire pregnancy under my midwife's care.
Do your own research, read up on the statistics, talk to women who have done it, and read that book! For the vast majority of healthy women, birthing with a midwife is not only safe, but a sweet and wonderfully memorable experience.
Franklepea's Glossary of Terms
crouton grabbers (n.): tongs
scratch-backer (n.): back scratcher
buckin' otters (n.): binoculars
armpit sugar (n.): deoderant
mo-tro (n.): remote control
beezow (interj.): used to express a futuristic shooting sound as heard in some video games
scratch-backer (n.): back scratcher
buckin' otters (n.): binoculars
armpit sugar (n.): deoderant
mo-tro (n.): remote control
beezow (interj.): used to express a futuristic shooting sound as heard in some video games
Purpose for Pain
There is purpose for pain.
Do you ever wonder at how easily (or at least seemingly so) Noah submitted to God's will? Or about Abraham when God told him to sacrifice Isaac on the mountain? Does the Bible record any anguish in these men? "But God, I have a five- and ten-year plan for my career." "But God, everyone's going to think I'm crazy." "But God, that doesn't make sense to me." "But God, WHY?!"
Scripture is full of examples of people whom God instructed without giving palatable, human-sized explanations. God doesn't need our understanding or our approval for His plans. He expects our obedience because He is God.
Isaiah 29:16 says, "Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, 'He did not make me'? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, 'He has no understanding'?"
Isaiah 64:8 says, "But now, O LORD, You [are] our Father; We [are] the clay, and You our potter; And all we [are] the work of Your hand."
Maybe the best example of a man "dying to self" (other than Christ's own submission) is Job, who was "blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil." God loved and was pleased with Job, but God used Job's suffering to prove something to the Enemy and to present a lesson to us. Job refused to curse God even in the midst of enormous pain and loss, and God blessed Job abundantly for his steadfastness and faithfulness.
Job didn't suffer because he did something wrong (even though many of us do suffer because of our own sin); Job was part of something much larger than himself that he couldn't see. But, because he knew God and trusted Him, Job was able to persevere. Now, because he was just like us, he did ask for explanations -- ok, he demanded answers. "WHY is this happening to ME!?" Have you ever read God's reply? (It's LONG.)
Read it for yourself in Job chapter 38. http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Job/Job038.html
In a nutshell, God says, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."
In other words, "I am God, and you are not. I keep the stars on course and the waters in the seas; trust me, I know what I'm doing."
Have you been obedient? Are you suffering some soul-ache, some heartache, some physical pain? Do you know that the God who made the heavens and the earth, and who made you, knows even the number of the hairs on your head and the number of your days before there was as yet one of them? Do you know that God also knows when even a tiny sparrow falls to the ground? Do you doubt that he cares for you?
Trust Him:
(Romans 8:28-29) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Romans 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
To trust Him, you must KNOW Him. To know Him, read His Word and talk to Him. God is not in the business of hiding from people who earnestly seek Him. There is purpose for your pain.
Do you ever wonder at how easily (or at least seemingly so) Noah submitted to God's will? Or about Abraham when God told him to sacrifice Isaac on the mountain? Does the Bible record any anguish in these men? "But God, I have a five- and ten-year plan for my career." "But God, everyone's going to think I'm crazy." "But God, that doesn't make sense to me." "But God, WHY?!"
Scripture is full of examples of people whom God instructed without giving palatable, human-sized explanations. God doesn't need our understanding or our approval for His plans. He expects our obedience because He is God.
Isaiah 29:16 says, "Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, 'He did not make me'? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, 'He has no understanding'?"
Isaiah 64:8 says, "But now, O LORD, You [are] our Father; We [are] the clay, and You our potter; And all we [are] the work of Your hand."
Maybe the best example of a man "dying to self" (other than Christ's own submission) is Job, who was "blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil." God loved and was pleased with Job, but God used Job's suffering to prove something to the Enemy and to present a lesson to us. Job refused to curse God even in the midst of enormous pain and loss, and God blessed Job abundantly for his steadfastness and faithfulness.
Job 1:22 says, "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
Job didn't suffer because he did something wrong (even though many of us do suffer because of our own sin); Job was part of something much larger than himself that he couldn't see. But, because he knew God and trusted Him, Job was able to persevere. Now, because he was just like us, he did ask for explanations -- ok, he demanded answers. "WHY is this happening to ME!?" Have you ever read God's reply? (It's LONG.)
Read it for yourself in Job chapter 38. http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Job/Job038.html
In a nutshell, God says, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."
In other words, "I am God, and you are not. I keep the stars on course and the waters in the seas; trust me, I know what I'm doing."
Have you been obedient? Are you suffering some soul-ache, some heartache, some physical pain? Do you know that the God who made the heavens and the earth, and who made you, knows even the number of the hairs on your head and the number of your days before there was as yet one of them? Do you know that God also knows when even a tiny sparrow falls to the ground? Do you doubt that he cares for you?
Trust Him:
(Romans 8:28-29) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Romans 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
To trust Him, you must KNOW Him. To know Him, read His Word and talk to Him. God is not in the business of hiding from people who earnestly seek Him. There is purpose for your pain.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
The Little Girl in Me
There is an 11-year-old girl inside me that has a huge crush on Kevin Arnold from the Wonder Years. He is my kindred spirit... my junior high, one-generation-removed, fictional kindred spirit.
When Life Hurts
Today I am reminded that it doesn't really matter what happens tomorrow. I know who holds the future and I know that God is faithful to keep His promises. He gives purpose to life's pain: to mold us into Christlikeness, to minister to others, to teach us how much we need Him. I am His and He is mine.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Romans 12:1 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
I and my life are not my own. May God be glorified in how He chooses to use me.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Romans 12:1 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
I and my life are not my own. May God be glorified in how He chooses to use me.
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