I love it when…

GOD starts working.  It’s July 1st.  I finished my Women’s Ministry Certificate today.

In a few days, I will start a plan to read through the Bible in 90 Days, which will also include blogging through the Bible.  I can not wait to share what GOD does in my life.

I also received information on auditing classes at a local seminary.  My excitement over this opportunity is bubbling as I see so many things converging in my life.  Praise GOD for moments when He makes it so clear that His fingerprints are all over my life.  Just when I was feeling forgotten, GOD  is revealing just how invested in the details of my life He is.  I am so thankful that as Haggar said of the LORD, “He is the God who sees.”

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Sometimes

I am reminded of the pain of suffering so clearly right now.  I feel so blessed that my suffering is not of intensity of some I know.  The dear friend of a friend who lost her husband and is left with two small children.  The parents who are grieving the drowning of their small daughter in my local community.  The friend whose husband is facing eternity after a rock climbing accident.  His three children and wife are left behind, and I can only wonder where there hope lies.

As I thought back on what I knew of this man, I’m not sure that I even ever met him.  But I remember his wife talking about him.  I remember her discussing his spiritual journey the cleansing he went through with his guru-Deepak Chopra.  I was saddened that in my limited conversations with this family, one of my clearest memories is of their misguided draw towards New Age Philosophy.  I hope that he was saved at some point during his lifetime.  But my heart broke more grievously as I thought that the eternal resting place of his soul is quite possibly not in heaven.

Time is so short.  We do not know when the Lord will take us from this world and into eternity.  While I trust His sovereignty in suffering, I also want to use this as a reminder to redeem my time.  My life is worthless if not lived for Him.  My breath is in vain if it’s not used to speak the words of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  How I long to proclaim Him.

Cease from striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Reality Strikes

So reality has joined my life again.  Gone are the days of summer, and here are the days that turn into nights and back into days before I can blink.  I am thankful for this season.  I love being busy- especially when the business involves a growing business, classes that are shedding light on the end of my degree, and activities such as Bible study and evangelism.

However, as I look back on the last date I posted, I am saddended that this should-be priority has been pushed aside.  All is not lost though!  I have a few stories to share, some exciting things I am learning in my Bible study, and even a book review on a soon-to-be released title.  Stay tuned…

Thoughts on Suffering: Part III

In Part I and Part II of Thoughts on Suffering, I have discussed some of the reasons why God allows us to suffer.  Of course, the details vary, but the primary concept is that suffering can bring glory to God.  Nothing else matters.

I would like to go over some ideas on dealing with suffering.  This is meant to be a simple and yet practical post on how we cope when times are tough.

• Search Scripture.  Find comfort in the words of Jesus and understand that He was a man and acquainted with sorrow.  Search through the countless Biblical stories of those that suffered: Ruth, Job, and Paul are amongst others.
• Pray.  Depression can make us feel like drawing back from the Lord, but it can also be a springboard towards closer fellowship with Him.  Use it as a time to draw near to the throne of grace.
• Seek counsel.  Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or church leader.  Be selective in seeking counsel- it is not always wise to pour out your heart to every person that will listen.  Seek the wisdom of one or two Godly counselors who can provide a listening ear and Biblical direction.
• Journal.  Document the seasons in life that are trying in order to reflect on them in the future.  Getting thoughts on paper can be very healing and also provide a reminder of God’s faithfulness in the storm.
• Preach the truth to yourself.  Suffering is for a purpose- and it is an eternal purpose.  Let it have its work in you.  Do not run from it, but allow yourself to be molded by challenges.  Remind yourself of truth about God and His nature.
• Repeat steps one through four.

As if A Day: 08.09.09

The weeks pass as if a day.  Some of my favorite moments from the past week were:

• Fellowship with a dear friend while shopping at IKEA.
• Seeing God work through the beginning of Joshua.
• Listening to hours of Paul Washer and being so challenged in my faith.
• Visiting a church with the purpose of seeking ideas for the hope of working with a church plant in the future.
• Preparing for a class I am taking- stretching myself mentally and excited about preparing for future ministry.
• Seeing a beautiful baby come into the world!

Thoughts on Suffering: Part II

I firmly believe that though suffering can be beneficial to our lives here on earth, so much of the purpose of suffering will not be seen until we get to heaven.  The dear woman who I mentioned in Thoughts on Suffering: Part I has gone on to glory.  Rachel B. from Death is Not Dying is also resting in her Savior’s arms.  No longer are these dear women bound to pain of their earthly bodies.  They are finally home.

Even if your suffering is not in the physical- it is very real.  Sometimes the deepest pain does not show up on an M.R.I. or an X-ray.  Sometimes the deepest hurt is in the heart.  It may come at the hands of a friend, family member, or even a church.  I personally have experienced pain at the hands of all three.  Even as I sit here and remember some of my past pain, tears come to my eyes.  Wounds- especially when they are often unjust- leave a stinging that remains long past the blow.

But as I look back, I know that it was never God’s purpose for me to live an easy life.  A pain free life would never have given God the same opportunity to show me His amazing faithfulness.  It would never have allowed me to grow, clinging more to my Father in heaven than any person He has given me on earth.

In addition, there are joys that come through pain.  Sometimes God takes something away for the purpose of something better.  Sometimes the taking away is an end in itself.  Most importantly, it provides an opportunity for God to be glorified.

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Stop by next week for Part III!

Of Comfy Chairs and Countless Sermons

Here’s to regular blogging again!  I do not know how long it will last since I am looking ahead to what promises to be an insanely busy fall.  I am thrilled with most of the busyness.  It will center around managing my business, teaching my students, taking quite a few classes, being with my family, and hopefully maintaining a level of organization in my personal life.

My baby sister turned eight this week.  That makes me feel sufficiently old.  I do believe it is high time for my mom to have grandkids.  Considering I am ten years older than my next sibling, I suppose that makes it my job to bear said children.  I look forward to being a mommy- especially with the recent downpour of babies from my friends.  But I am also so very excited and thankful for this season of my life to pursue educational goals that will hopefully lead to future ministry goals that would simply not be possible if I found myself in a different season of life.

I spend a lot of time staring at my computer screen.  I recently made an addition to my room of a comfy loungy chair of sorts that is becoming permanantly imprinted with my backside.  I like it a lot.  My thought in the addition of the chair to my room is that it will help get me out of bed in the mornings and into an upright position where I can better begin my day.  (Prior to this chair, my morning routine involved rolling over, opening my laptop, and staring at the screen through bleary eyes while pressing send/receive half a dozen times.)  Next to my chair is my book basket which houses my Bibles, current reading material, journal, etc.

When I am working on my computer or even around my room, I like to put on a sermon.  Paul Washer is my favorite of late (see Twitter!).  I told a friend this week that it is kind of like an I.V. drip.  I almost incessantly have a Paul Washer sermon playing.  I love how he dives in deep and always brings things back to the Gospel.  When I am not listening to Paul Washer, I listen to John Piper.  I have not decided which of these amazing men is my favorite preacher.  Perhaps when I finish listening to all of their sermons (possibly by the time I’m 92), I will be able to decide on a favorite.

Just a few random personal reflections…

Coming this week:

• Entrusted With A Dirtbike Racer
• Thoughts on Suffering: Part II

As if A Day: 07.19.09

The weeks pass as if a day.

This week’s highlights were:

• When a dear older man gave me a gospel tract (story forthcoming).
• Enrollment in next week’s camp jumping from three kids to eight! (Prayers work!)
• Working out many of the details concerning my schooling.
• A renewed understanding of trials in the life of the Christian.

Thoughts on Suffering: Part I

I was talking to my mom yesterday about a dear woman who is on her death bed with cancer.  She has two young children and one amazing husband.  This woman is right here in my city.  It makes it feel very real.  My mom asked the question, “Why would God allow her to be taken away!”  And it hit me, “For His glory!”

We do not understand what brings glory to God.  The suffering of Jesus brought glory to God.

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one sorrows while suffering unjustly.  For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure?  But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.  He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.  When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  1 Peter 2:19-24 ESV

In my flesh, I cry out with those who say, “Why?”  Why does a young mother get snatched from her family?  Why do innocent unborn children die at the hands of doctors?  Why did God’s perfect Son get nailed to a cross taking on the wrath of God for me?  It does not seem fair.  But GOD…

God knows just what will bring Him the most glory.  He knows when taking away a wife will create a warrior man for His kingdom.  He knows when taking away a mother will raise up two children who will lead many to righteousness.  I do not know the end result, but I do know that God does.  Even in my small sufferings- loss of a friendship, death of a dream, etc.- God is in control and is working to bring glory to Himself.

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Though I feel under equipped to talk about this subject, I do want to share some practical thoughts  on dealing with times of suffering as a Christian.  Stop by next week for Part II!

As if A Day: 07.12.09

The weeks pass as if a day…

This week’s highlights were:

• Finishing the other half of the fall schedule for my business.
• Sweet reminder’s of answered prayers through the sale of various items that brought in a little much needed cash.
• A time of worship with the reminder that God meets people in so many different churches.
• A bit of meditation on Psalm 93:5, “Your testimonies are fully confirmed…” (NASB)
• The feeling that the Reverend Mother said to Maria in The Sound of Music, “When God closes a door, He opens a window.”   Feeling a window possibly opening…
• Seeing two of the babies I helped deliver.  One is now eight weeks old and the other is just four weeks old.  They are precious!