Yesterday evening we read and discussed chapter 3 in Sacred Influence, "Be Worthy of Me." I read through the verses that were referenced regarding walking a life that is worthy of the Lord. Oh, how I desire to live toward my children, my husband, and my Lord in a way that is worthy of Him and of them! And oh, how I fail every day!
The verses that especially challenge me are Ephesians 4:1-3. In the version I've been using for my devotional time, it says, "Therefore I, the prisoner united with the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Always be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of peace" (Complete Jewish Bible).
Humble ... gentle ... patient? I wouldn't really use those words to characterize me yesterday toward my children. "Bearing with one another in love"? Hardly. I was mostly frustrated and impatient. Thankfully, I never totally lost it with them yesterday, but I was certainly close many times.
This is so much more than I can possibly do! I cannot live worthy of Him! At least ... in my own strength I cannot.
But thanks to the Lord, He lives to make intercession for me (Hebrews 7:25)! When I am weak, I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). He is able to keep me from stumbling (Jude 1:24). He works in me both to will and to do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)!
Lord, have Your way with me! Work Your character in me. Cultivate the fruit of Your Spirit in me. Renew my mind. Purify my heart. Keep me from going astray. On my own, I am but a foolish, wayward sheep. You protect and keep me. I place myself in Your hands.
Psalm 51 is the prayer of my heart today.
Showing posts with label pursue God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pursue God. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Moms Pursuing God - Future Plans
I hope that your summer is off to a good start. Mine is! I am enjoying a break from school, time to do fun stuff with my kids and get caught up on stuff that's been piling up. Had a week off with my husband in Baltimore while he attended a business conference, and next weekend we're going camping as a family.
So about our group. I noticed that another moms group has started up for the summer during the time that we usually meet. So I am wondering whether there is interest in meeting during the summer, or would you rather wait to resume our times together in late August or September? I am looking for input, because I am fine with it either way.
Also, I am considering some possible changes to the way we spend our time together. I know that I personally crave more time in the prayer room to sit in God's presence and have deep, meaningful conversations with him (kind of like a date night with God). And I have always wanted this group to be an opportunity for moms to enjoy some time alone in the prayer room (a rarity, I know). So, after having discussed this with our co-leaders, we are thinking about changing our format a bit to allow more time in the prayer room. To that end, we would meet for at least an hour in the prayer room, having a designated section of the Bible or chapter of a book to read/study/meditate on during that time. Then we would meet for a shorter time at the end to talk about what God has been speaking to us and pray together. More time with God! I like that!
So ... what do you think? Any thoughts?
I'd love to hear from you.
So about our group. I noticed that another moms group has started up for the summer during the time that we usually meet. So I am wondering whether there is interest in meeting during the summer, or would you rather wait to resume our times together in late August or September? I am looking for input, because I am fine with it either way.
Also, I am considering some possible changes to the way we spend our time together. I know that I personally crave more time in the prayer room to sit in God's presence and have deep, meaningful conversations with him (kind of like a date night with God). And I have always wanted this group to be an opportunity for moms to enjoy some time alone in the prayer room (a rarity, I know). So, after having discussed this with our co-leaders, we are thinking about changing our format a bit to allow more time in the prayer room. To that end, we would meet for at least an hour in the prayer room, having a designated section of the Bible or chapter of a book to read/study/meditate on during that time. Then we would meet for a shorter time at the end to talk about what God has been speaking to us and pray together. More time with God! I like that!
So ... what do you think? Any thoughts?
I'd love to hear from you.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Stop
A few weeks ago, my husband got a ticket for not coming to a complete, four-wheel stop at a stop sign. Since then, though I thought his stopping technique was just fine, I have been paying more attention to my own stops while driving. I have been discovering how hard it is to make myself stop that completely. Sure, I pause to look around and make sure it's safe to proceed, but to come to a complete, absolute, dead stop seems like a pointless waste of time. Especially when there are no other drivers or pedestrians in sight.
But one night as I drove home from church recently, I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit in my soul, "You don't come to complete stops in life, either." At first I thought He was talking to the wrong half of my blessed marriage union. My husband is the one who identifies himself by the name of a high speed race car, the salt racer. I am more the pondering, meandering type, comparatively.
However, realizing that the Holy Spirit may have more insight than I have, I asked Him, "What 'stop signs' have been moving past too quickly?" This was His answer:
"I have put stop points in Your day. First thing in the morning, nap time, and in the evening, for example. During those times, put aside all your doings and stop. Be with Me. Rest in Me. Let me fill you, refresh you, invigorate you, envision you. There are times for doing. But take the time to stop with Me."
I am happy to report that I have been doing a bit better in this area. This morning when I woke, I used the five minutes I had before getting the kids up to sit down and pray (instead of getting dressed - did that later - much later). I asked for wisdom and direction and that my words, tone of voice, and facial expressions would reflect Him today. (Not that I succeeded perfectly in this - not even close - but I figure if I keep asking He will surely help me to get closer each day.) Then, halfway through the morning when I started to feel "a quart low" (a favorite quote of my quotable son from the Pixar movie, Cars), I went into my walk-in closet, closed the door, and just lay on the floor for a few minutes, asking to be refilled and re-envisioned. And He did that, in spite of the fact that the door was opened several times by inquisitive children wanting to know why Mommy was lying on the closet floor!
So I encourage you to take some time to come to a "complete stop" today too. It can be really hard to do. It may seem like a waste of time. But you'll be glad you did.
But one night as I drove home from church recently, I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit in my soul, "You don't come to complete stops in life, either." At first I thought He was talking to the wrong half of my blessed marriage union. My husband is the one who identifies himself by the name of a high speed race car, the salt racer. I am more the pondering, meandering type, comparatively.
However, realizing that the Holy Spirit may have more insight than I have, I asked Him, "What 'stop signs' have been moving past too quickly?" This was His answer:
"I have put stop points in Your day. First thing in the morning, nap time, and in the evening, for example. During those times, put aside all your doings and stop. Be with Me. Rest in Me. Let me fill you, refresh you, invigorate you, envision you. There are times for doing. But take the time to stop with Me."
I am happy to report that I have been doing a bit better in this area. This morning when I woke, I used the five minutes I had before getting the kids up to sit down and pray (instead of getting dressed - did that later - much later). I asked for wisdom and direction and that my words, tone of voice, and facial expressions would reflect Him today. (Not that I succeeded perfectly in this - not even close - but I figure if I keep asking He will surely help me to get closer each day.) Then, halfway through the morning when I started to feel "a quart low" (a favorite quote of my quotable son from the Pixar movie, Cars), I went into my walk-in closet, closed the door, and just lay on the floor for a few minutes, asking to be refilled and re-envisioned. And He did that, in spite of the fact that the door was opened several times by inquisitive children wanting to know why Mommy was lying on the closet floor!
So I encourage you to take some time to come to a "complete stop" today too. It can be really hard to do. It may seem like a waste of time. But you'll be glad you did.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Receiving
As I have practiced and pondered what Christina wrote about, I have begun to experience a new level of openness to the Lord throughout the day. I want to share with you a word that I received for a friend, but I feel applies to all of us as moms and pursuers of God.
"Refreshing, strengthening. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. He desires to refresh you in the midst of the day-to-day. Turn your heart toward Him, trustingly, and let Him fill you. He has little surprises hidden throughout the day to delight you. You do not need to strive for them; simply open your heart to receive them. Take a moment now and then to stop what you are doing, lift your thoughts to Him, and receive what He has for you. It may seem like work at first, but it's not. It's letting go. He has more for you than you have even thought to ask for. Receive."
Be refreshed today!
"Refreshing, strengthening. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. He desires to refresh you in the midst of the day-to-day. Turn your heart toward Him, trustingly, and let Him fill you. He has little surprises hidden throughout the day to delight you. You do not need to strive for them; simply open your heart to receive them. Take a moment now and then to stop what you are doing, lift your thoughts to Him, and receive what He has for you. It may seem like work at first, but it's not. It's letting go. He has more for you than you have even thought to ask for. Receive."
Be refreshed today!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Desire
I have felt God call my heart to deeper intimacy. As a wife and mother, I have also felt that this was not practical for me at this time in my life. Having a short devotional time in the morning was often more than I could manage. So, for a couple of years, I tried to tell my heart to wait until my children are older. Finally, I could no longer stand it. In desperation, I cried out to God to show me how I can pursue Him even now.
I have talked with other moms who tell me that they feel the same way. One mom shared that God showed her that her children are like weights strapped to her arms and legs. She cried out to God, how do you expect me to run the race with so much to carry? He told her that she would not run fast, but she would become strong. So this blog is for any mom who, like me, needs the encouragement of others on this race (sometimes it feels like an obstacle course!) of godly motherhood.
I love this quote from Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon:
“. . . you may feel that you simply are not one of those people capable of a deep experience with Jesus Christ. Most Christians do not feel that they have been called to a deep, inward relationship to their Lord. But we have all been called to the depths of Christ just as surely as we have been called to salvation."
If all have been called, then that includes moms. I believe that mothers do not have to wait until their children are grown to pursue God in a deeper way. Let us encourage each other so that we will not grow weary on this journey alone.
Lord, it is so difficult for us as moms to commit to anything for ourselves. Give us a holy determination to push through every obstacle. Begin to transform our perspective. Show us how much more You have for us, even today.
(Originally posted 7/24/06)
I have talked with other moms who tell me that they feel the same way. One mom shared that God showed her that her children are like weights strapped to her arms and legs. She cried out to God, how do you expect me to run the race with so much to carry? He told her that she would not run fast, but she would become strong. So this blog is for any mom who, like me, needs the encouragement of others on this race (sometimes it feels like an obstacle course!) of godly motherhood.
I love this quote from Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon:
“. . . you may feel that you simply are not one of those people capable of a deep experience with Jesus Christ. Most Christians do not feel that they have been called to a deep, inward relationship to their Lord. But we have all been called to the depths of Christ just as surely as we have been called to salvation."
If all have been called, then that includes moms. I believe that mothers do not have to wait until their children are grown to pursue God in a deeper way. Let us encourage each other so that we will not grow weary on this journey alone.
Lord, it is so difficult for us as moms to commit to anything for ourselves. Give us a holy determination to push through every obstacle. Begin to transform our perspective. Show us how much more You have for us, even today.
(Originally posted 7/24/06)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Lily Among Thorns
This is an excerpt from my journal that I thought might be an encouragement to you.
"Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters" (Song of Solomon 2:2 NKJV).
Jesus, You have long know this about me (which I am just finding out about myself), that I am a lily which grows best among thorns. If I were in a greenhouse, pampered under ideal conditions, then I would grow more and more arrogant, self-satisfied, discontented, and weak. One blast of a cold, north wind and I would wither away. Instead, because You love me and desire my love, You have placed me whee I must struggle to see the sun. You have planted me where I have to push my roots down deep to stay steady. Because of this, I long for You will all my being. I get up early to catch a few minutes' sunlight in the morning. I set aside a few other pleasures so that I may seek a few evening rays as well. I feed on You, drinking deeply of the water of life whenever I find a pocket in the soil.
If my life was easier, I wouldn't be so desperate for You. If You spoiled me, I would grow cold toward You. As it is, I find my joy increasing. As my circumstances require me to depend more on You and less on myself, my passion and contentment grow.
You, my Beloved, are like an apple tree among the trees of the woods. I sit down in Your shade with great delight, and Your fruit is sweet to my taste (from Song 2:3). Thank You for planting me here in this high, mountain valley, sheltered in Your presence (see Psalm 91:1).
"Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters" (Song of Solomon 2:2 NKJV).
Jesus, You have long know this about me (which I am just finding out about myself), that I am a lily which grows best among thorns. If I were in a greenhouse, pampered under ideal conditions, then I would grow more and more arrogant, self-satisfied, discontented, and weak. One blast of a cold, north wind and I would wither away. Instead, because You love me and desire my love, You have placed me whee I must struggle to see the sun. You have planted me where I have to push my roots down deep to stay steady. Because of this, I long for You will all my being. I get up early to catch a few minutes' sunlight in the morning. I set aside a few other pleasures so that I may seek a few evening rays as well. I feed on You, drinking deeply of the water of life whenever I find a pocket in the soil.
If my life was easier, I wouldn't be so desperate for You. If You spoiled me, I would grow cold toward You. As it is, I find my joy increasing. As my circumstances require me to depend more on You and less on myself, my passion and contentment grow.
You, my Beloved, are like an apple tree among the trees of the woods. I sit down in Your shade with great delight, and Your fruit is sweet to my taste (from Song 2:3). Thank You for planting me here in this high, mountain valley, sheltered in Your presence (see Psalm 91:1).
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Quiet the Noise!
What does a bookish, peace-loving escapist do when she has four children ages five and under? Run? Hide under the covers? (Many days I’ve wanted to.) Or pray? Life with my little “bonbons” has driven me to prayer more than anything else. My life drives me to desperation on a near-daily basis. I find that the pressure of my current circumstances is what has motivated me to seek the Lord with a passion and intensity previously unknown to me. I used to float through life in a semi-dream state (just ask my mom). Now I am forced to encounter present reality nearly every moment of the day.
As I write this, I am sitting at the house of prayer. My wakeful (and, for the past hour-and-a-half, fussy) seven-week-old is struggling against the wrap in which I have him tied to me. I'm hoping he’ll go to sleep. I would like to snatch half an hour of peace away from the house which never seems quite picked up no matter how hard I try, the laundry that is never fully done, and the computer that beckons me to plan, research, buy, do, and escape through hours of endless browsing.
There is always far more to do than I can possibly accomplish. After I have cared for my children’s physical and emotional needs there is always much more I want or need to do: more housework, more email, more reading (yeah right, though I do snatch time for my favorite activity), more study, more projects … and even when I stop to spend time with the Lord, I have to choose how I will do it. Do I turn on the IHOP stream and worship? Or do I do an in-depth Bible study (and, if that, which of the many studies I want to do will I work on today)? Do I read something from my stack of books or listen to an RHOP podcast? Do I meditate on one verse or read several chapters? Or do I simply sit quietly and listen? I feel overwhelmed with options.
I am becoming convinced that which option I choose isn’t really the issue. God is not limited to one form of communication. He can speak to me through any of them. The real question is why I am coming into His presence. Is it to check another task off my to-do list, or to encounter Him? Over the past few years, I have made several lifestyle choices to make more room for seeking the Lord. But even with fewer distractions in my life, it is too easy to fill every moment with noise, even if the noise comes only from my own thoughts. In the midst of living a lifestyle meant to encourage the pursuit of God, I can still miss actually meeting with Him.
Lord, help me! Help me to let go of everything but my hunger for You. Stoke the flame of desire in me until everything else falls away and I am face-to-face with You. “I will seek You in the quiet place” of my soul. Amid the noise of life, let my spirit rest in You until all is quiet within. Let me be attentive to what is on Your heart today.
The baby finally fell asleep. :)
This was written in my journal several months ago, but I am just now posting it. It seems appropriate as we begin focusing on The Power of a Focused Life for the next few weeks.
As I write this, I am sitting at the house of prayer. My wakeful (and, for the past hour-and-a-half, fussy) seven-week-old is struggling against the wrap in which I have him tied to me. I'm hoping he’ll go to sleep. I would like to snatch half an hour of peace away from the house which never seems quite picked up no matter how hard I try, the laundry that is never fully done, and the computer that beckons me to plan, research, buy, do, and escape through hours of endless browsing.
There is always far more to do than I can possibly accomplish. After I have cared for my children’s physical and emotional needs there is always much more I want or need to do: more housework, more email, more reading (yeah right, though I do snatch time for my favorite activity), more study, more projects … and even when I stop to spend time with the Lord, I have to choose how I will do it. Do I turn on the IHOP stream and worship? Or do I do an in-depth Bible study (and, if that, which of the many studies I want to do will I work on today)? Do I read something from my stack of books or listen to an RHOP podcast? Do I meditate on one verse or read several chapters? Or do I simply sit quietly and listen? I feel overwhelmed with options.
I am becoming convinced that which option I choose isn’t really the issue. God is not limited to one form of communication. He can speak to me through any of them. The real question is why I am coming into His presence. Is it to check another task off my to-do list, or to encounter Him? Over the past few years, I have made several lifestyle choices to make more room for seeking the Lord. But even with fewer distractions in my life, it is too easy to fill every moment with noise, even if the noise comes only from my own thoughts. In the midst of living a lifestyle meant to encourage the pursuit of God, I can still miss actually meeting with Him.
Lord, help me! Help me to let go of everything but my hunger for You. Stoke the flame of desire in me until everything else falls away and I am face-to-face with You. “I will seek You in the quiet place” of my soul. Amid the noise of life, let my spirit rest in You until all is quiet within. Let me be attentive to what is on Your heart today.
The baby finally fell asleep. :)
This was written in my journal several months ago, but I am just now posting it. It seems appropriate as we begin focusing on The Power of a Focused Life for the next few weeks.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
What About My Children?
One question I have struggled with over the past year is this: If I am called to pursue God as my main goal in life (as is every believer), what about my children? What do I do about these wonderful, amazing, needy, overwhelming people that God has given me to care for? They have been my primary excuse for not pursuing God in the past. Recently, He gave me the bottom-line answer that I've been needing. And it came, no surprise, through my favorite devotional author.
"Where does Jesus Christ figure in when we have a concern about our natural relationships?" (My heart-ears pricked up when I read this.)
"Most of us will desert Him with this excuse -- 'Yes, Lord, I heard you call me, but my family needs me and I have my own interests. I just can't go any further' (see Luke 9:57-62)." (That's pretty much what I used to say.)
" 'Then,' Jesus says, 'you cannot be my disciple' (see Luke 14:26-33)." (Ugh. Okay, I'm listening!)
"If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God" (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3-12).
Can it be any clearer? My life must display complete surrender to God. Surrender even of the consequences to my children if I really give myself to knowing God. What about them? God will care for them. Far better, by the way, than I can, with all my worries, frustrations, and hangups.
I am not implying here any neglect of our families. If we begin to abandon our families, we are no longer living in obedience to Christ, but in slavery to selfishness. (I actually know of a mom who left her family in pursuit of her "calling," but she was deceived and destroyed her family.) As we pursue God, we will grow in respect for our husbands, love for our children, and service to our families. But we must do it out of devotion and obedience to Christ, not primarily because they need us.
And in the end we will find that they have benefited from our wholehearted love for Jesus far more than we could have imagined.
"Where does Jesus Christ figure in when we have a concern about our natural relationships?" (My heart-ears pricked up when I read this.)
"Most of us will desert Him with this excuse -- 'Yes, Lord, I heard you call me, but my family needs me and I have my own interests. I just can't go any further' (see Luke 9:57-62)." (That's pretty much what I used to say.)
" 'Then,' Jesus says, 'you cannot be my disciple' (see Luke 14:26-33)." (Ugh. Okay, I'm listening!)
"If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God" (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3-12).
Can it be any clearer? My life must display complete surrender to God. Surrender even of the consequences to my children if I really give myself to knowing God. What about them? God will care for them. Far better, by the way, than I can, with all my worries, frustrations, and hangups.
I am not implying here any neglect of our families. If we begin to abandon our families, we are no longer living in obedience to Christ, but in slavery to selfishness. (I actually know of a mom who left her family in pursuit of her "calling," but she was deceived and destroyed her family.) As we pursue God, we will grow in respect for our husbands, love for our children, and service to our families. But we must do it out of devotion and obedience to Christ, not primarily because they need us.
And in the end we will find that they have benefited from our wholehearted love for Jesus far more than we could have imagined.
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