So its a bit after Christmas, but still the season, and I've been thinking about this for a while. My mom and I had a conversation the other day about how our pasts, especially our family, affect us. I was saying something about how it's hard on kids' self esteems and for them to make right decisions when their parents messed up and didn't give them a good example, to which she replied, "Well yeah, no one wants to feel like they came from trash." It's kind of an obvious thought, however it stuck with me for some reason. And I think it is this - we often see the people we look up to, ie our parents, screw up, and believe to some extent that we can do no better because we are made of the same stuff. Biologically speaking anyway. There is nothing we can do to change who our parents were, who raised us, what they were, the blood they gave us. And we're stuck with what we've got. It is our very substance and it makes us vulnerable. Regardless of how great our parents were or what they have accomplished, they are still human and have made mistakes, and we came from that. An imperfect heritage that we have been plagued with since Eden.
The part that strikes me as amazing about this season is that with Jesus' birth, we have been given a new heritage. "Unto us a child is born" -- Emmanuel, meaning "God with us". God broke the monotonous shackle of unshakable sin from our lineage and invites us to become heirs of his kingdom instead. What amazing grace that God deemed us worthy enough to dig us up from the muck of the sins we've planted our own roots into and adopt us as sons and daughters. We no longer have to look at what we were born into and say "That's as good as it's gonna get." No longer are we doomed to stoop under the insufficiency of our human heritage, but we can now rest assured that we come from One who will give us the grace and strength to do great things and rise above. Christ was born so we could be reborn into the life we were originally created for.
John 10:7-10 : "Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."
1 John 3:1 : "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!"
---You make beautiful things out of the dust :)
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
The "F" word
From Captivating on forgiveness:
"We acknowledge that it hurt, that is mattered, and we choose to extend forgiveness to our fathers, to our mothers, to those who hurt us. This is not saying, "It didn't really matter"; it is not saying,"I probably deserved part of it anyway." Forgiveness says, "It was wrong. Very wrong. it mattered, hurt me deeply. And I release you. I give you to God. I will not be your captive here any longer."
Good way to put it. This reminds me of Les Miserables, when the bishop takes Jean Valjean in after getting out of prison, only to have him steal valuables from his house during the night and later have him returned by the police. When they arrive with Valjean, the bishop claims he gave the valuables to Valjean then proceeds to ask him why he had not taken the silver candlesticks as well. After the confused police leave, the bishop tells Valjean, "Now don't you forget, don't you ever forget, you promised to become a new man." He then says,"Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I buy from you; I withdraw it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it back to God."
I love this story because it is such a blatantly obvious reminder of what God has done for us - He doesn't repay us according to our sins and what we deserve. Instead, he gives us the silver candlesticks and buys our freedom with it, offering us eternal life and forgiveness. He buys us back from evil and calls us to be new and honest men. I believe we are all in constant need of reminding of this.
"We acknowledge that it hurt, that is mattered, and we choose to extend forgiveness to our fathers, to our mothers, to those who hurt us. This is not saying, "It didn't really matter"; it is not saying,"I probably deserved part of it anyway." Forgiveness says, "It was wrong. Very wrong. it mattered, hurt me deeply. And I release you. I give you to God. I will not be your captive here any longer."
Good way to put it. This reminds me of Les Miserables, when the bishop takes Jean Valjean in after getting out of prison, only to have him steal valuables from his house during the night and later have him returned by the police. When they arrive with Valjean, the bishop claims he gave the valuables to Valjean then proceeds to ask him why he had not taken the silver candlesticks as well. After the confused police leave, the bishop tells Valjean, "Now don't you forget, don't you ever forget, you promised to become a new man." He then says,"Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I buy from you; I withdraw it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it back to God."
I love this story because it is such a blatantly obvious reminder of what God has done for us - He doesn't repay us according to our sins and what we deserve. Instead, he gives us the silver candlesticks and buys our freedom with it, offering us eternal life and forgiveness. He buys us back from evil and calls us to be new and honest men. I believe we are all in constant need of reminding of this.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Simple Truths
Read this in Our Daily Bread today and liked it :)
"Nowhere to Hide"
"I smelled something burning, so I hurried to the kitchen. Nothing was on the stove or in the oven. I followed my nose through the house. From room to room I went, eventually ending up downstairs. My nose led me to my office and then to my desk. I peeked underneath it and there, peering back at me with big eyes pleading for help, was Maggie, our dog, our very "fragrant" dog. What smelled like something burning was upstairs, now had the distinct odor of skunk. Maggie had gone to the farthest corner of our house to escape the foul smell, but she couldn't get away from herself.
Maggie's dilemma brought to mind that many times I have tried to run away from unpleasant circumstances only to discover that the problem was not the situation I was in but me. Since Adam and eve hid after sinning (Gen. 3:8), we've all followed their example. We run away from situations thinking we can escape the unpleasantness - only to discover that the unpleasantness is us.
The only way to escape ourselves is to stop hiding, acknowledge our waywardness, and let Jesus wash us clean (Rev. 1:5). I am grateful that when we do sin, Jesus is willing to give us a brand-new start." - Julie Ackerman Link
From the wondrous cross on Calvary
Flows the stream that still avails,
Cleansing hearts and bringing victory
through that love which never fails - Elliot
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It overwhelms me that no matter how hard and far we run, You are always there waiting for us - faithful when we choose unfaithfulness, full of hope when we are hopeless.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. - Rev. 1:5
"Nowhere to Hide"
"I smelled something burning, so I hurried to the kitchen. Nothing was on the stove or in the oven. I followed my nose through the house. From room to room I went, eventually ending up downstairs. My nose led me to my office and then to my desk. I peeked underneath it and there, peering back at me with big eyes pleading for help, was Maggie, our dog, our very "fragrant" dog. What smelled like something burning was upstairs, now had the distinct odor of skunk. Maggie had gone to the farthest corner of our house to escape the foul smell, but she couldn't get away from herself.
Maggie's dilemma brought to mind that many times I have tried to run away from unpleasant circumstances only to discover that the problem was not the situation I was in but me. Since Adam and eve hid after sinning (Gen. 3:8), we've all followed their example. We run away from situations thinking we can escape the unpleasantness - only to discover that the unpleasantness is us.
The only way to escape ourselves is to stop hiding, acknowledge our waywardness, and let Jesus wash us clean (Rev. 1:5). I am grateful that when we do sin, Jesus is willing to give us a brand-new start." - Julie Ackerman Link
From the wondrous cross on Calvary
Flows the stream that still avails,
Cleansing hearts and bringing victory
through that love which never fails - Elliot
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It overwhelms me that no matter how hard and far we run, You are always there waiting for us - faithful when we choose unfaithfulness, full of hope when we are hopeless.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. - Rev. 1:5
Thursday, November 8, 2012
C.S. Lewis Wisdom
Stole this from my mom's post on facebook heh heh... I always knew she was a smart lady :)
"Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a new strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.
An apparent trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible." -Mere Christianity
"I love how Lew put things. He leaves no doubt of the importance of our each and every decision - no matter how small it may seem to us." - Momma Berndt
"Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a new strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.
An apparent trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible." -Mere Christianity
"I love how Lew put things. He leaves no doubt of the importance of our each and every decision - no matter how small it may seem to us." - Momma Berndt
Saturday, November 3, 2012
The ground that rises up to meet me...
Only you Jesus
you are my answer
my reason
the Giver of my next breath
my source of joy
the rhythm that restarts my beating heart
the air I take in
the ground that rises up to meet me
my light, my hope
the one who brought forth my beginning
the one who writes the mysteries of my journey
and who knows when my last day here will come.
You are the lover of my soul
my future
Jesus you are my promise
the only one that really knows me
the one who wants me always.
You open my eyes
you give me a fresh start
you show me Beauty
you tell me who I am
you are my addiction
my healing
the One I want
the Worthy Lamb
the only one deserving of my affection
the longing of my heart.
So here I am
all of me
for all of You.
Take me up Jesus
everything I have left
take me as Yours today
never let me go
wrap me in your arms
never to leave the place You are!
Change my heart
change my life
teach me things unknown
show me new mornings
speak bigger mysteries of yourself
bigger promises
take me to the depths of your heart
fill mine with wonder
never stop surprising me...
Mighty One
Holy God
King forever
Righteous Son
Perfect Love
Savior of the World
Ancient One
Keeper of history
the Beginning and the End of everything
Sovereign Lord
Majesty
Splendor of the earth
Mine.
-Anonymous
you are my answer
my reason
the Giver of my next breath
my source of joy
the rhythm that restarts my beating heart
the air I take in
the ground that rises up to meet me
my light, my hope
the one who brought forth my beginning
the one who writes the mysteries of my journey
and who knows when my last day here will come.
You are the lover of my soul
my future
Jesus you are my promise
the only one that really knows me
the one who wants me always.
You open my eyes
you give me a fresh start
you show me Beauty
you tell me who I am
you are my addiction
my healing
the One I want
the Worthy Lamb
the only one deserving of my affection
the longing of my heart.
So here I am
all of me
for all of You.
Take me up Jesus
everything I have left
take me as Yours today
never let me go
wrap me in your arms
never to leave the place You are!
Change my heart
change my life
teach me things unknown
show me new mornings
speak bigger mysteries of yourself
bigger promises
take me to the depths of your heart
fill mine with wonder
never stop surprising me...
Mighty One
Holy God
King forever
Righteous Son
Perfect Love
Savior of the World
Ancient One
Keeper of history
the Beginning and the End of everything
Sovereign Lord
Majesty
Splendor of the earth
Mine.
-Anonymous
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Terrible (?) Twenties
Until today I had almost forgotten I had a blog... I just made a goal the other day to start journaling more (both prayer journal and life journal), and I just rediscovered the indispensable timelessness of the world of blogs... coincidence? Maybe not! :)
Lately I have felt so disenchanted with life. Yet, I have been doing incredible things, just like I've always wanted to! I finished a triathlon (granted, a sprint), I've traveled on my own, studied abroad in Costa Rica for a whole summer and had real conversations in Spanish, I got into nursing school at UCCS, I live in a house with four other college girls and stay up late every night. What have I been missing? I guess only God truly holds the key to that door, but I have an inkling. Re-reading my past few blogs, I remember the passion I had when God first brought me to UCCS and theFurnace. It was such an exciting time --- trying to figure it all out. God. Me. The future. The meaning of life. Boys. I remember having secret quiet times, just hiking the bluffs to catch the sunrise and spend time in worship. Where did that passion and intrigue fly off to? Have I forgotten the mystery of living in hot pursuit of you, Lord? I want that back.
The past few months this growing restlessness has been taking over me. I feel stifled and almost smothered because of it -- nothing is quit satisfying. I need creativity back in my life. I need new discoveries. I think I'm beginning to truly start to delve into the meaning of trying to live life to the fullest, and that I only have one chance at that. Perhaps, walls are breaking down of ideals I once had of the image I wanted and thought my life should reflect, pushing me to search out other avenues and that those paths too can be an adventure and just as meaningful.
I need creativity. I need fellowship back in my life. I need prayer back in my life! I need challenging goals to pursue again, and I need to start finding joy again in the littlest things (like candles and Jack Johnson and white coffee mugs). I need music, and I need beauty. Above all Jesus, I need you. I am so prone to losing the intimacy I long for with you, but I know you are always there, patiently waiting for me to look up. Once again, teach me to find myself in You.
---Inspiration: Captivating by Stasi Eldredge ---
Lately I have felt so disenchanted with life. Yet, I have been doing incredible things, just like I've always wanted to! I finished a triathlon (granted, a sprint), I've traveled on my own, studied abroad in Costa Rica for a whole summer and had real conversations in Spanish, I got into nursing school at UCCS, I live in a house with four other college girls and stay up late every night. What have I been missing? I guess only God truly holds the key to that door, but I have an inkling. Re-reading my past few blogs, I remember the passion I had when God first brought me to UCCS and theFurnace. It was such an exciting time --- trying to figure it all out. God. Me. The future. The meaning of life. Boys. I remember having secret quiet times, just hiking the bluffs to catch the sunrise and spend time in worship. Where did that passion and intrigue fly off to? Have I forgotten the mystery of living in hot pursuit of you, Lord? I want that back.
The past few months this growing restlessness has been taking over me. I feel stifled and almost smothered because of it -- nothing is quit satisfying. I need creativity back in my life. I need new discoveries. I think I'm beginning to truly start to delve into the meaning of trying to live life to the fullest, and that I only have one chance at that. Perhaps, walls are breaking down of ideals I once had of the image I wanted and thought my life should reflect, pushing me to search out other avenues and that those paths too can be an adventure and just as meaningful.
I need creativity. I need fellowship back in my life. I need prayer back in my life! I need challenging goals to pursue again, and I need to start finding joy again in the littlest things (like candles and Jack Johnson and white coffee mugs). I need music, and I need beauty. Above all Jesus, I need you. I am so prone to losing the intimacy I long for with you, but I know you are always there, patiently waiting for me to look up. Once again, teach me to find myself in You.
---Inspiration: Captivating by Stasi Eldredge ---
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