Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
What if I get weary?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28
Anyone ever feel weary? Maybe you are seeking to know God’s will on something and you have been praying and no answer has come yet. Maybe you are going through something in your life; an illness, a financial problem, or a family problem. Maybe an adoption. :) Can I just be honest here? Sometimes I get weary, too. I work in a ministry where I see the life and death consequences of sin and it isn’t always the outcome I would hope for. I am trying to raise four children to be godly men and women and I won’t know if I did it right until it is too late. We have been praying for months that we would be in the center of God’s will while our emotions have ridden this rollercoaster that is adoption.
That is not to say my life isn’t overwhelming blessed. It really is more than I could have ever asked for. Sometimes, though, my emotions lag a little bit behind my faith and I get a little weary. So what should we do when we get weary? When we don't really feel like praying and would rather check out and watch tv? My four year old could probably shed some light here.
Sometimes Aiden (4) will climb up in my lap and lay his head on my chest. He is a pretty busy guy most of the time so these are sweet moments. He will say, “Mama, my love tank is empty.” I always reply, “Oh really? How many ‘loves’ do you think you need?” and he will smile and giggle a little as he tries to think of a big number. “26!” I will say “Oh my!” and proceed to squeeze him and cover his little face with kisses as he giggles. Of course, Aiden doesn’t know the kind of “weary” adults know. He does know that I love him and that he can have his “love tank” filled upon request.
So if I, an imperfect parent respond this way then why should I assume God would be any less willing? Why should I assume He is any less delighted for me to “crawl in His lap” and make my requests?
If you are feeling weary, or just have a prayer you really need answered I think you might enjoy watching the video below. And then come to the beautiful realization that the moment we really surrender to prayer, pour our hearts out to God, and beg Him to keep us in the center of His will; it is then that we realize we are already there. So what is it you are needing? Do you need strength like me? Or maybe you need peace? Patience? Comfort?
He delights in the asking.
Anyone ever feel weary? Maybe you are seeking to know God’s will on something and you have been praying and no answer has come yet. Maybe you are going through something in your life; an illness, a financial problem, or a family problem. Maybe an adoption. :) Can I just be honest here? Sometimes I get weary, too. I work in a ministry where I see the life and death consequences of sin and it isn’t always the outcome I would hope for. I am trying to raise four children to be godly men and women and I won’t know if I did it right until it is too late. We have been praying for months that we would be in the center of God’s will while our emotions have ridden this rollercoaster that is adoption.
That is not to say my life isn’t overwhelming blessed. It really is more than I could have ever asked for. Sometimes, though, my emotions lag a little bit behind my faith and I get a little weary. So what should we do when we get weary? When we don't really feel like praying and would rather check out and watch tv? My four year old could probably shed some light here.
Sometimes Aiden (4) will climb up in my lap and lay his head on my chest. He is a pretty busy guy most of the time so these are sweet moments. He will say, “Mama, my love tank is empty.” I always reply, “Oh really? How many ‘loves’ do you think you need?” and he will smile and giggle a little as he tries to think of a big number. “26!” I will say “Oh my!” and proceed to squeeze him and cover his little face with kisses as he giggles. Of course, Aiden doesn’t know the kind of “weary” adults know. He does know that I love him and that he can have his “love tank” filled upon request.
So if I, an imperfect parent respond this way then why should I assume God would be any less willing? Why should I assume He is any less delighted for me to “crawl in His lap” and make my requests?
If you are feeling weary, or just have a prayer you really need answered I think you might enjoy watching the video below. And then come to the beautiful realization that the moment we really surrender to prayer, pour our hearts out to God, and beg Him to keep us in the center of His will; it is then that we realize we are already there. So what is it you are needing? Do you need strength like me? Or maybe you need peace? Patience? Comfort?
He delights in the asking.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
A Call to Young People
Today's motivation.
"Stop texting so much and get your face in the Text.
Stop facebooking so much and get your face in the Book."
If you have read prior posts you have probably picked up on the fact that I am not really buying this idea that teenagers are all lazy, self-centered, and have nothing to offer the world. I think this is a lie we have bought in to and then turned around and sold to a brand new generation.
And I'm not the only one who thinks this way. I ran across this little video a few weeks ago and thought it was worth sharing. If you have teenagers I hope you will show it to them and ask what they think.
We all need a little motivation sometimes. Everyone wants someone to believe in them. Does your teenager know that you do? I know it can be hard raising teenagers. I live with one! But we must not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).
And if by chance you are a teenager and you are reading this, please know that if no one else believes in you, God does. He wants you to know Him and He says He has a purpose for your life that is bigger than anything you can dream. So who are you going to believe? A call has been issued and how you answer will determine everything.
"Stop texting so much and get your face in the Text.
Stop facebooking so much and get your face in the Book."
If you have read prior posts you have probably picked up on the fact that I am not really buying this idea that teenagers are all lazy, self-centered, and have nothing to offer the world. I think this is a lie we have bought in to and then turned around and sold to a brand new generation.
And I'm not the only one who thinks this way. I ran across this little video a few weeks ago and thought it was worth sharing. If you have teenagers I hope you will show it to them and ask what they think.
We all need a little motivation sometimes. Everyone wants someone to believe in them. Does your teenager know that you do? I know it can be hard raising teenagers. I live with one! But we must not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).
And if by chance you are a teenager and you are reading this, please know that if no one else believes in you, God does. He wants you to know Him and He says He has a purpose for your life that is bigger than anything you can dream. So who are you going to believe? A call has been issued and how you answer will determine everything.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Power of Simplicity
I have been reminded lately that every now and then we have to get back to the basics. This is true in marriage, parenting, and especially our relationship with God. Simple can be profound. Over the past few months I have been studying more than ever before in that 66-book love letter God wrote us. Sometimes you start learning enough that you have to go back to the basics for a minute in order to keep it all in balance.
Enter a little video that stirred a little something in my spirit.
**I do have to give the disclaimer that whoever cut the video chose a bad place to do so. If you take issue with his statement in the beginning check out the entire message in context.
Enter a little video that stirred a little something in my spirit.
**I do have to give the disclaimer that whoever cut the video chose a bad place to do so. If you take issue with his statement in the beginning check out the entire message in context.
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