One of the many things I love about following Christ is how He speaks to me. I love that he speaks to me the way that's just right for me. I'm a processor. I need to think on things for a while. Because God knows me so intimately, he gives me insights a little at a time until they all merge together in terrific understanding.
I've had a few thoughts bouncing around inside my head over the last week. Today during the service they all snapped into place. What if you gave everything to God? What if... Growing up a Pastor's daughter, this idea isn't new to me. I've heard it a thousand times. Today however, it was like a strong magnet drawing all the scattered thoughts together. I looked at that phrase in a new way. What if...I gave Him my fear? The fear of failure, the fear of looking stupid, the fear of rejection, the fear of embarrassment, the fear of needing to be liked. What would my ministry look like if I let go? Let go of control, let go of doing everything perfect, let go of needing praise. What if I TRULY gave everything to God?
Place Your Life Before God
God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1a
I want to give it all to God! I want His passion daily! I want to live my life on fire. I don't want to look to the world. I don't want to look at my ministry as being defined by a title, I want my everyday, ordinary life to be a ministry.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Keeping my eyes on Jesus
Well, I think most of you that read my blog know that I am currently a part of LCC Biggest loser. I took my eyes off the prize for a while. I started letting some old habits creep in. For me, this weight challenge is more than losing weight. It is a struggle with self/flesh. The struggle lies deep in the grey matter of my brain, the memories, learned behavior, hurt. Someday I will try to put into words the hurt and negative thinking that comes with my body image, but for now I wanted to blog about Pastor Steve's sermon and how God used it today as a reminder.
On Sunday Pastor Steve talked about Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. We all know the story well. But Steve talked about how Jesus chastised Peter for not believing in Him.
Here is the text: Matthew 14:27-32 Amplified
27But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!
28And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
29He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.
30But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
31Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I can just imagine Peter being excited and all gong ho, just like I was when I first started biggest loser and lost 3 pounds the first week. Then Peter "perceived and felt the strong wind." How many times have I let life around me take my focus off Jesus. In the context of weight loss I have often looked at what others were "able" to eat and felt like shouting "NOT FAIR!!" I love that Jesus not only reached out and saved him, he held him. Peter was scared and Christ calmed Peter as well as the sea. BUT, then Christ told Peter his faith was weak. Pastor Steve pointed out that Jesus did not say "good effort" or "you almost made it" or "at least you tried." It impacted me in the area of my fleshly struggle with food. When I'm remembering to keep my eyes on what God wants for me, his temple, I may trip a bit but I continue walking forward. When my eyes are on the world around me, I start to go down. Lack of confidence causes me to want to give up. So I say to myself. Have faith, Philippians 1:6 (New International Version) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. I need to do better than "good effort" I need to trust that through Christ I can do all things. That this flesh battle needs to be given to the Lord of my life. The great thing is, when I have days where I feel like I'm falling deep into the water, Christ is there to reach out to me and hold me.
One last verse. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (New Living Translation)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! I'm running to win. Not the race to be skinny, but to give my all to Christ. To turn to Him in weakness. To honor Him with my words and DEEDS. To be more like Christ. To watch Him make something beautiful out of my life.
On Sunday Pastor Steve talked about Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. We all know the story well. But Steve talked about how Jesus chastised Peter for not believing in Him.
Here is the text: Matthew 14:27-32 Amplified
27But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!
28And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
29He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.
30But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
31Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I can just imagine Peter being excited and all gong ho, just like I was when I first started biggest loser and lost 3 pounds the first week. Then Peter "perceived and felt the strong wind." How many times have I let life around me take my focus off Jesus. In the context of weight loss I have often looked at what others were "able" to eat and felt like shouting "NOT FAIR!!" I love that Jesus not only reached out and saved him, he held him. Peter was scared and Christ calmed Peter as well as the sea. BUT, then Christ told Peter his faith was weak. Pastor Steve pointed out that Jesus did not say "good effort" or "you almost made it" or "at least you tried." It impacted me in the area of my fleshly struggle with food. When I'm remembering to keep my eyes on what God wants for me, his temple, I may trip a bit but I continue walking forward. When my eyes are on the world around me, I start to go down. Lack of confidence causes me to want to give up. So I say to myself. Have faith, Philippians 1:6 (New International Version) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. I need to do better than "good effort" I need to trust that through Christ I can do all things. That this flesh battle needs to be given to the Lord of my life. The great thing is, when I have days where I feel like I'm falling deep into the water, Christ is there to reach out to me and hold me.
One last verse. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (New Living Translation)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! I'm running to win. Not the race to be skinny, but to give my all to Christ. To turn to Him in weakness. To honor Him with my words and DEEDS. To be more like Christ. To watch Him make something beautiful out of my life.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
I am working on posting something worth my time of writing and your time of reading...but until then, I'm stealing something from my sister-in-laws blog. She always has something meaningful to say.
So, first let me preface this by sharing that I am a part of LCC's biggest looser, and I'm doing quite well actually. Well, that was until I began making baked goods for the Guatemala sale. How easily I turned into my old ways. The book that we are using for LCC Biggest Looser is the spiritual secrets of weight loss. In this book we are reminded that we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, therefore, we have self control! Among many other things. With this in mind, here is Val's post.
the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few 1 Samuel 14:6
I went back to read the whole story. Jonathan is given the victory because he watched for the signs from God....but more importantly he believed in God's power.
Trials are always...well....a trial. But there comes a moment right before we head over to the enemy's camp that we have to decide who's power we are going to have more confidence in. Am I more confident in the power of my God? Or do I put more stock into the power of my enemies?
Even if it's 2 against 20....I know that the Lord will act on our behalf.
So, for me, peanut butter cookies, turtle bars, fudge, and cake batter where the enemy. I let my armor down and now I have to try to get on track. But my God is a BIG God, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do.
Karen
whos power is in the Lord
So, first let me preface this by sharing that I am a part of LCC's biggest looser, and I'm doing quite well actually. Well, that was until I began making baked goods for the Guatemala sale. How easily I turned into my old ways. The book that we are using for LCC Biggest Looser is the spiritual secrets of weight loss. In this book we are reminded that we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, therefore, we have self control! Among many other things. With this in mind, here is Val's post.
the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few 1 Samuel 14:6
I went back to read the whole story. Jonathan is given the victory because he watched for the signs from God....but more importantly he believed in God's power.
Trials are always...well....a trial. But there comes a moment right before we head over to the enemy's camp that we have to decide who's power we are going to have more confidence in. Am I more confident in the power of my God? Or do I put more stock into the power of my enemies?
Even if it's 2 against 20....I know that the Lord will act on our behalf.
So, for me, peanut butter cookies, turtle bars, fudge, and cake batter where the enemy. I let my armor down and now I have to try to get on track. But my God is a BIG God, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do.
Karen
whos power is in the Lord
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Kids
On Monday, Mike and I went to Parent/Teacher conferences. Both kids received glowing reports! Jessica's total grade averaged out as an A. Her teacher tells us that she is a great writer. She said that she is always ready to help and do the right thing. Jessica seems to be liked by all her classmates, and is a good friend. I'm very proud of her and it has been a joy to watch her grow and blossom.
As a parent you try hard to treat each child equally, and give each equal attention and glory, but today I want to brag just a little extra about Zeke. Zeke just has one of those personalities that draw you in. He is open and ready to love everyone. His teacher had such wonderful things to say about him that I found it hard not to cry. It wasn't only that he was doing great in school, or that he is reading 5 levels higher than expected. It was what she had to say about his character that was important. She told us that Zeke "has a big heart" and that he is a "safe friend." Every year before conference, she gives each child a survey to fill out. One of the questions on the survey is, "The part I don't like about school is____________." Zeke answered the question with, "when friends are sick." She said that she has been teaching for MANY years, and that is the first time a student answered in such a way. She just seemed so amazed by the way he loves people. All I could say was, "God has big plans for Zeke." Although I am beyond proud of Zeke and the man that he is becoming, I give all glory to God. He formed him and created him to be the person he is. It is a big responsibility for Mike and I to raise this boy to love Christ more than anything else, to continue to feed his spirit and give him safe and godly outlets to love people. To help him grow into manhood without loosing his tender heart. At the same time, to raise a lovely woman who is confident with herself, while her brother gets most of the attention. If you see us, or think of us, we covet your prayers. I know that all mothers who live their lives to serve Christ, feel that same desire for their children. We all look forward to seeing how God is going to use our children for His kingdom. That is way praying for our children is the most important thing we can do! That is way I am such an advocate for Moms in touch international. But, I digress, I will blog about Moms in Touch another day. Today, under piles of laundry, a dirty kitchen floor and no idea what I'll cook for dinner, I bask in the feeling of accomplishment and a job well done as a mother.
As a parent you try hard to treat each child equally, and give each equal attention and glory, but today I want to brag just a little extra about Zeke. Zeke just has one of those personalities that draw you in. He is open and ready to love everyone. His teacher had such wonderful things to say about him that I found it hard not to cry. It wasn't only that he was doing great in school, or that he is reading 5 levels higher than expected. It was what she had to say about his character that was important. She told us that Zeke "has a big heart" and that he is a "safe friend." Every year before conference, she gives each child a survey to fill out. One of the questions on the survey is, "The part I don't like about school is____________." Zeke answered the question with, "when friends are sick." She said that she has been teaching for MANY years, and that is the first time a student answered in such a way. She just seemed so amazed by the way he loves people. All I could say was, "God has big plans for Zeke." Although I am beyond proud of Zeke and the man that he is becoming, I give all glory to God. He formed him and created him to be the person he is. It is a big responsibility for Mike and I to raise this boy to love Christ more than anything else, to continue to feed his spirit and give him safe and godly outlets to love people. To help him grow into manhood without loosing his tender heart. At the same time, to raise a lovely woman who is confident with herself, while her brother gets most of the attention. If you see us, or think of us, we covet your prayers. I know that all mothers who live their lives to serve Christ, feel that same desire for their children. We all look forward to seeing how God is going to use our children for His kingdom. That is way praying for our children is the most important thing we can do! That is way I am such an advocate for Moms in touch international. But, I digress, I will blog about Moms in Touch another day. Today, under piles of laundry, a dirty kitchen floor and no idea what I'll cook for dinner, I bask in the feeling of accomplishment and a job well done as a mother.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Chinese handcuffs.
Do you remember Chinese Handcuffs? They are the carnival toy that you put each index finger into, then when you try to pull your fingers out, the little sucker tightens up and keeps you locked in. This was pretty much my experience in the dressing room on Monday. I had found this cute blouse with cuffed sleeves. I put my arms in, and pull it on. It was a bit snug, so I proceeded to take it off. I got the blouse off my shoulders and began to pull. Here is were I ran into a little bit of a problem. The shirt had a death grip on my pudgy arms. I panicked. Will I have to call the attendant? Will I have to leave the dressing room with my alarmingly white and flabby belly hanging over my pants, while my arms are pinned behind me in what has become a straight-jacket? I can feel my core temperature raising with each scenario. Finally, in desperation, I fling my arms over my head and manage to free the offending blouse from my body. Ahh relief! I'm out of breath. I quickly redress into my own clothes. I bring the evil blouse to the attendant. "How did it go" she asks politely? I feel my face growing red at the memory of what just transpired. I sheepishly respond, "I didn't like the color on me". Then I quickly removed myself from the premises.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Naming you blog is a lot of pressure!
Julie encouraged me to start my own blog. Doing this means it has to have a name. I really put a lot of thought into this. I had many ideas filter through my head: 13 going on 40, my inner child wears red, Anal retentive artist...there where more, but those are the highlights. I settled on Overcomer. This is my desire. There are many things in my life that I strive to overcome, from the ridiculous vanity that can plague me, to the deep strongholds that I will not let define or defeat me. I've decided to use the verse from John 16:33.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
I hope to share funny stories, poignant moments, lessons that God is teaching me, and my heart (the good, the bad, and the ugly).
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