*post for Sunday, January 22, 2012*
Writing these posts after the fact has allowed me to see my life in a different perspective to a certain extent. On Monday, January 23rd I was blindsided by some really upsetting things. So as I look back on what happened on this day, the 22nd, I can't help but realize that on that day I had no idea what would hit me less than 24 hours later. I guess the lesson I see from this is to really enjoy each moment. We don't know what will come to us tomorrow or even an hour from now. So enjoy each moment of your life. Whatever you're going through be all there. Plan for the future, but live in today.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world."
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Day 27--Thankful for...PLUMBING! :)
*post for Saturday, January 21, 2012*
They say you never really appreciate something until you have to go without it. Well, I REALLY appreciate running water now. This was the day our septic tank banked up and we had to go without without water for about 12 hours. It's never an encouraging thing when you get a phone at work telling you you should probably use the restroom before you get off because you can't use the one at home. Not fun!
Thankful to live in a place where we have comforts like indoor plumbing and running water! :)
They say you never really appreciate something until you have to go without it. Well, I REALLY appreciate running water now. This was the day our septic tank banked up and we had to go without without water for about 12 hours. It's never an encouraging thing when you get a phone at work telling you you should probably use the restroom before you get off because you can't use the one at home. Not fun!
Thankful to live in a place where we have comforts like indoor plumbing and running water! :)
Day 26-- Be Still
*post for Friday, January 20, 2012*
Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God..."
The past couple of weeks God has really been convicting me about just being still. I am a worrier, a fixer. I will worry about things that are going on, things that have gone on and things that could possibly go wrong. And as soon as I see a problem or potential problem I worry about how I can fix it. I struggle to just be still. I feel like if I worry or keep myself busy in other ways then I don't have think about trials or troubling situations. The moment I try to be still and allow myself to think I immediately begin to feel extremely overwhelmed. But the second part of the verse that I started this post with says, "Know that I am God." When I feel overwhelmed I can rest secure in the fact that He is God.
Praying that God helps me learn to just be still and listen to His voice.
Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God..."
The past couple of weeks God has really been convicting me about just being still. I am a worrier, a fixer. I will worry about things that are going on, things that have gone on and things that could possibly go wrong. And as soon as I see a problem or potential problem I worry about how I can fix it. I struggle to just be still. I feel like if I worry or keep myself busy in other ways then I don't have think about trials or troubling situations. The moment I try to be still and allow myself to think I immediately begin to feel extremely overwhelmed. But the second part of the verse that I started this post with says, "Know that I am God." When I feel overwhelmed I can rest secure in the fact that He is God.
Praying that God helps me learn to just be still and listen to His voice.
Day 25-- Friends
*post for Thursday, January 19, 2012*
I'm so very thankful for the friends that God has blessed me with. There are a couple of girls in particular that I know I can always go to no matter what. Pretty much any time day or night they are there to talk to me, encourage me, pray for me or just cry with me. I can only hope and pray that I am half the encouragement to them that they are to me.
The other night one of my very dearest friends told me something that encouraged my heart more than she could ever know. She started off by telling me that no matter what she would always be my friend because she loved me and followed that by saying, "Ashley, we're all in this journey that God has set before us together. Not one of us is better than anyone else. We all struggle and we all fall, but we're in it together." I am so thankful for friends that love me and are there beside me come thick or thin, but I am also thankful that God has given us people to walk through this journey with us. God never intended for any of us to go through this life alone. No man is an island. I'm thankful that God in His mercy gave us friends!
I'm so very thankful for the friends that God has blessed me with. There are a couple of girls in particular that I know I can always go to no matter what. Pretty much any time day or night they are there to talk to me, encourage me, pray for me or just cry with me. I can only hope and pray that I am half the encouragement to them that they are to me.
The other night one of my very dearest friends told me something that encouraged my heart more than she could ever know. She started off by telling me that no matter what she would always be my friend because she loved me and followed that by saying, "Ashley, we're all in this journey that God has set before us together. Not one of us is better than anyone else. We all struggle and we all fall, but we're in it together." I am so thankful for friends that love me and are there beside me come thick or thin, but I am also thankful that God has given us people to walk through this journey with us. God never intended for any of us to go through this life alone. No man is an island. I'm thankful that God in His mercy gave us friends!
Day 24-- Here is Love
*post for Wednesday, January 18, 2012*
The following post is the lyrics to a song that God has really used to encourage and comfort my heart here recently. I don't think any further commentary is necessary because the lyrics say it all so perfectly.
The following post is the lyrics to a song that God has really used to encourage and comfort my heart here recently. I don't think any further commentary is necessary because the lyrics say it all so perfectly.
"Here is love, wide as the ocean, lovingkindness as a flood:
When the Prince of Life our ransom, shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout Heaven's eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion, fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God's mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above;
And Heaven's peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love.
Of Your fullness You are pouring Your great love on me anew,
Without measure, full and boundless, drawing out my heart to You.
You alone will be my glory; nothing in the world I see.
You have cleansed and sanctified me;
You Yourself have set me free.
Oh, how marvelous, oh, how glorious is my Savior's love for me!
Oh, how marvelous, oh, how glorious is my Savior's love for me!"
Day 23--Just Trust
*post for Tuesday, January 17, 2012*
I read a quote by Corrie Ten Boom today that absolutely sums up so much of what I've been feeling lately.
I read a quote by Corrie Ten Boom today that absolutely sums up so much of what I've been feeling lately.
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."
It's so easy for me to want to just jump off the train when things get tough, but I'm beginning to realize that a lot of times God allows us to go through the dark times because He wants us to simply trust Him. We don't have to fight, we don't have to run or cry or scream. He only wants our trust. I pray that one day I will be able to trust so implicitly.
Day 22--Time to Play Catch Up
*post for Monday, January 16, 2012*
I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog. What started off as just being a few days behind ended up being two weeks behind now. Life is crazy insane right now and I've been dealing with a lot these past two weeks, but it's time to get back to updating. I've actually missed my little blog. Even though the following posts weren't posted on the actual day they were intended for they are about lessons that God has been teaching me over the past two weeks. Sometimes the things we learn and the things God teaches us aren't just intended for one day. They are lessons that take us time to learn and grasp.
So here begins my temporary journey of catching up the blog...
I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog. What started off as just being a few days behind ended up being two weeks behind now. Life is crazy insane right now and I've been dealing with a lot these past two weeks, but it's time to get back to updating. I've actually missed my little blog. Even though the following posts weren't posted on the actual day they were intended for they are about lessons that God has been teaching me over the past two weeks. Sometimes the things we learn and the things God teaches us aren't just intended for one day. They are lessons that take us time to learn and grasp.
So here begins my temporary journey of catching up the blog...
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Day 21-- Break my Heart
"Bring Your love to life inside of me. Why don't you break my heart 'til it moves my hands and feet for the broken and the hopeless, for the ones who don't know that You love them? Bring Your love to life inside of me."
I heard this song a couple of months ago while I was running and it's really been on my heart since then. The past few days especially I've had the above lyrics stuck in my head. I've really been convicted that there are people all around me fighting some kind of battle whether by choices they've made or circumstances they can't avoid. I feel like so many times we all just pass through life and by each other without ever stopping to notice anyone but ourselves. God never intended for us to go through life alone. If He did He could have put us each on our own little island and left us to take care of ourselves, but He didn't. He gave us the body of Christ to encourage each other and build each other up. He also commanded us to show His love to others including unbelievers. "Inasmuch as you've done unto the least of these you've done it unto me."
Here's my problem though; I go through life and just pass everyone by. I'm too selfish to take the time to look for people to be a blessing to. We don't make an effort to reach out to people until it effects us personally. Or at least that's how I am. Sometimes it takes a broken heart for us to realize how much other people need encouragement and in some cases, a Savior. So my prayer for this new year is that God would break my heart and break it until I am willing to move to help someone.
I heard this song a couple of months ago while I was running and it's really been on my heart since then. The past few days especially I've had the above lyrics stuck in my head. I've really been convicted that there are people all around me fighting some kind of battle whether by choices they've made or circumstances they can't avoid. I feel like so many times we all just pass through life and by each other without ever stopping to notice anyone but ourselves. God never intended for us to go through life alone. If He did He could have put us each on our own little island and left us to take care of ourselves, but He didn't. He gave us the body of Christ to encourage each other and build each other up. He also commanded us to show His love to others including unbelievers. "Inasmuch as you've done unto the least of these you've done it unto me."
Here's my problem though; I go through life and just pass everyone by. I'm too selfish to take the time to look for people to be a blessing to. We don't make an effort to reach out to people until it effects us personally. Or at least that's how I am. Sometimes it takes a broken heart for us to realize how much other people need encouragement and in some cases, a Savior. So my prayer for this new year is that God would break my heart and break it until I am willing to move to help someone.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Day 20--Blue Hole Falls
On our way to the trail
Katie was scared of the bears apparently... :)
Getting started...
The baby falls above the actual falls
ICICLES! (It was a little chilly today)
Love pictures of the rushing water
At the top of the falls
The top of the falls
Attempting to cross the creek
Thankful for my family!
Today's hike ended up being a partial bust. We ended up driving around for awhile because we couldn't find the road we were looking for. (Thankful Katie came with us and was able to get directions or we might have never found it!) What promised to be a half mile easy hike ended up being poorly marked and much more strenuous than what we anticipated. To get to the water you had to climb down fairly steep embankments and you could only see the top of the falls. The hike to get to the bottom involved crossing the not so shallow creek and an even more strenuous hike. Thankfully, the only injuries were my bruised hip from sliding down the embankment and some cold feet from getting wet trying to cross the river. All in all we still had a good time though. Thankful for my family who caters to my whims and goes on these hikes with me! We ended the day with dinner with both sets of grandparents and some bowling on the Wii. So very thankful for these times!!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Day 19--Lessons from Zumba
Finally a post on time! TODAY marks the end of my procrastination and late posting! :)
I've started going to Zumba classes at the gym as I'm able to as part of my exercise routine. I really enjoy it. It's a fun way to work out without feeling like you're working out. Here are some things I learned tonight as danced my way to a skinnier me...
1. I do not have even one ounce of Latin in my body.
2. If you haven't had any kind of rhythm your whole life don't think it will suddenly come to you as you dance in front of a room full of people.
3. My hips are firmly attached to the...ummm...rest of my body?? They will not move by themselves, no matter how much coaching you try to give me.
4. I can only move one thing at a time. (Refer back to #3). My whole body is firmly attached to itself, so I can not move the booty in one direction and the abs in another and the shoulders in a third. It just isn't happening.
5. I learned that I am very thankful that there are people who are worse dancers than me.
6. I learned that standing behind the person who is struggling worse than you are helps take some of the attention of how bad you are.
7. I sometimes get my left and right confused.
8. I absolutely need the instructor to be facing the same direction I am for me to follow her. If you face me I get all confused about whether the left or right side should be the one moving.
As I'm sure you can imagine I am quite the sight at my Zumba classes. But it is fun and good exercise. And we all need a little lesson in humility every now and then, right??? :)
I've started going to Zumba classes at the gym as I'm able to as part of my exercise routine. I really enjoy it. It's a fun way to work out without feeling like you're working out. Here are some things I learned tonight as danced my way to a skinnier me...
1. I do not have even one ounce of Latin in my body.
2. If you haven't had any kind of rhythm your whole life don't think it will suddenly come to you as you dance in front of a room full of people.
3. My hips are firmly attached to the...ummm...rest of my body?? They will not move by themselves, no matter how much coaching you try to give me.
4. I can only move one thing at a time. (Refer back to #3). My whole body is firmly attached to itself, so I can not move the booty in one direction and the abs in another and the shoulders in a third. It just isn't happening.
5. I learned that I am very thankful that there are people who are worse dancers than me.
6. I learned that standing behind the person who is struggling worse than you are helps take some of the attention of how bad you are.
7. I sometimes get my left and right confused.
8. I absolutely need the instructor to be facing the same direction I am for me to follow her. If you face me I get all confused about whether the left or right side should be the one moving.
As I'm sure you can imagine I am quite the sight at my Zumba classes. But it is fun and good exercise. And we all need a little lesson in humility every now and then, right??? :)
Day 18--The Church
Posted late
Can I be thankful for something I already wrote about again? Of course I can! We should never stop being thankful for the things and people God has given us. Today, I am thankful again for the body of Christ. I am thankful for the encouragement that they provide. God never intended for us to go through this life alone so He gave us the blessing of the Church. Thank you, Jesus for another one of you acts of kindness toward us!
Can I be thankful for something I already wrote about again? Of course I can! We should never stop being thankful for the things and people God has given us. Today, I am thankful again for the body of Christ. I am thankful for the encouragement that they provide. God never intended for us to go through this life alone so He gave us the blessing of the Church. Thank you, Jesus for another one of you acts of kindness toward us!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Day 17--Traffic Court
This one is posted only one day late!
Yesterday I got to spend a fun-filled morning in traffic court! (Thanks to my bestie, who also happened to be the other vehicle in the wreck for which I was ticketed, for getting up to take me since I am car-less this week!) Let me just say, there are all kinds of characters in the courthouse. So despite the fact that the judge made me keep both the points AND the fine we managed to have a little fun laughing at all the different characters we saw. One particularly funny one was the man sitting next to us who decided to join our little commentary and poke me to tell me that the judge sounded "just like that guy off The Price is Right. " Ok, sir, thank you for that input. :) All in all it was fun morning complete with an early lunch at Chick-fil-A.
For posterity's sake here are some pictures of our wreck where, yes, we hit each other. Now we can truly say we do everything together. ;)
So thankful that the only damage was to our cars and not our bodies!
Yesterday I got to spend a fun-filled morning in traffic court! (Thanks to my bestie, who also happened to be the other vehicle in the wreck for which I was ticketed, for getting up to take me since I am car-less this week!) Let me just say, there are all kinds of characters in the courthouse. So despite the fact that the judge made me keep both the points AND the fine we managed to have a little fun laughing at all the different characters we saw. One particularly funny one was the man sitting next to us who decided to join our little commentary and poke me to tell me that the judge sounded "just like that guy off The Price is Right. " Ok, sir, thank you for that input. :) All in all it was fun morning complete with an early lunch at Chick-fil-A.
For posterity's sake here are some pictures of our wreck where, yes, we hit each other. Now we can truly say we do everything together. ;)
So thankful that the only damage was to our cars and not our bodies!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Day 16--New Day=New Chances
Posted late...(better late than never, right?? ;))
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
Every day is a new opportunity to live well and great. We all fail and make mistakes, but we serve a forgiving God who takes away those mistakes and allows us new opportunities every day to grow and change. His mercies are new to us every morning! AMAZING! So stop dwelling on the past and live today!
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
Every day is a new opportunity to live well and great. We all fail and make mistakes, but we serve a forgiving God who takes away those mistakes and allows us new opportunities every day to grow and change. His mercies are new to us every morning! AMAZING! So stop dwelling on the past and live today!
Day 15--What's in a Name?
Posted late...again...
"Be it true or false what is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do." Victor Hugo in Les Miserables
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1 (ESV)
What people think of you IS important! I have really been searching and trying to find a way to live that deserves respect and honor. What people think of you can effect your testimony, your reputation and your life in general. So live WELL!
A few little ramblings for tonight...
"Be it true or false what is said about men often has as much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do." Victor Hugo in Les Miserables
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1 (ESV)
What people think of you IS important! I have really been searching and trying to find a way to live that deserves respect and honor. What people think of you can effect your testimony, your reputation and your life in general. So live WELL!
A few little ramblings for tonight...
Day 14--Sick
Posted late because I was sick...
I inspired anew to try to find ways to be healthy because being sick is NOT fun. I spent pretty much all of today in the bed trying to knock this winter crud out of my system before work starts back tomorrow.
This week I am going to start making a greater effort to be healthy. I do believe more sleep is a good way to start! :) So here's to earlier bedtimes....(hmm this one could be a challenge)
I inspired anew to try to find ways to be healthy because being sick is NOT fun. I spent pretty much all of today in the bed trying to knock this winter crud out of my system before work starts back tomorrow.
This week I am going to start making a greater effort to be healthy. I do believe more sleep is a good way to start! :) So here's to earlier bedtimes....(hmm this one could be a challenge)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Day 13-- Who do I Love?
Tonight my post is going to be super short because I desperately need to get some sleep. Earlier in my devotions I was reading the story of how God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. We also hear how God wanted Abraham to trust Him, but I was reading this tonight it occurred to me that God wanted Abraham to love him more than he loved anything else. Isaac was the child of the covenant God had made with Abraham, but yet God still wanted Abraham to love Him more than he loved his only son.
That same God wants me to love Him more than I love anything else in this world. What am I loving? Is God my first love or am I loving other things more than Him?
That same God wants me to love Him more than I love anything else in this world. What am I loving? Is God my first love or am I loving other things more than Him?
Day 12--Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Posted a day late....
Yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Well, in reality it wasn't quite THAT bad. But it was one of those days where everything just seemed to go wrong. It started out with me forgetting that I needed to get gas on my way to work and leaving late and not having time to get gas. That resulted in my gas gauge saying I had 5 miles to empty right as I pulled into the parking garage at work. Of course, no one was available to bring me either money or gas at that time (because of course I had no cash on me at all yesterday to even go get gas anywhere). There's a bank right next to where I work, but I don't get off until the bank is closed so that was of no use to me. I didn't even have my debit card to run by an ATM. After a few moments of minor panic I remembered that I had just switched insurance companies earlier this week and my new insurance has roadside assistance. I promptly called and within an hour they had someone on the way to my work to fill my tank up with gas. But of course, even that couldn't go smoothly. We were so swamped at work that I couldn't get 10 minutes to get away and get to my car to unlock it for the man coming to bring me gas. So after spending 10 minutes on the phone with him giving him directions as to where my car was parked and then making him wait for me for 30 minutes I sprinted outside unlocked the car and then had to sprint back to work where we stayed ridiculously busy for pretty much the rest of the day. Needless to say, I was very happy to put my head on the pillow and officially end the day.
In other news I have consistently worked out for 3 days in a row now. Yay me! ;) I've done everything from running to Zumba to some weight lifting to a work out me and my workout buddy totally made up as we went. Looking forward to continuing the healthiness this week. :)
Yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Well, in reality it wasn't quite THAT bad. But it was one of those days where everything just seemed to go wrong. It started out with me forgetting that I needed to get gas on my way to work and leaving late and not having time to get gas. That resulted in my gas gauge saying I had 5 miles to empty right as I pulled into the parking garage at work. Of course, no one was available to bring me either money or gas at that time (because of course I had no cash on me at all yesterday to even go get gas anywhere). There's a bank right next to where I work, but I don't get off until the bank is closed so that was of no use to me. I didn't even have my debit card to run by an ATM. After a few moments of minor panic I remembered that I had just switched insurance companies earlier this week and my new insurance has roadside assistance. I promptly called and within an hour they had someone on the way to my work to fill my tank up with gas. But of course, even that couldn't go smoothly. We were so swamped at work that I couldn't get 10 minutes to get away and get to my car to unlock it for the man coming to bring me gas. So after spending 10 minutes on the phone with him giving him directions as to where my car was parked and then making him wait for me for 30 minutes I sprinted outside unlocked the car and then had to sprint back to work where we stayed ridiculously busy for pretty much the rest of the day. Needless to say, I was very happy to put my head on the pillow and officially end the day.
In other news I have consistently worked out for 3 days in a row now. Yay me! ;) I've done everything from running to Zumba to some weight lifting to a work out me and my workout buddy totally made up as we went. Looking forward to continuing the healthiness this week. :)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Day 11-- Security
Someone posted this on Facebook yesterday and it was such a blessing to me. God knew that I needed to be reminded of these truths.
You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard —Isaiah 52:12
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness to all that God has for the future, and yet anxiety is apt to arise when we remember our yesterdays. Our present enjoyment of God’s grace tends to be lessened by the memory of yesterday’s sins and blunders. But God is the God of our yesterdays, and He allows the memory of them to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual growth for our future. God reminds us of the past to protect us from a very shallow security in the present.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
Security for Tomorrow. “. . . the Lord will go before you . . . .” This is a gracious revelation— that God will send His forces out where we have failed to do so. He will keep watch so that we will not be tripped up again by the same failures, as would undoubtedly happen if He were not our “rear guard.” And God’s hand reaches back to the past, settling all the claims against our conscience.
Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste . . . .” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.
Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
Day 10-- Love and Holiness
Posted a day late, but better late than never...
"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart. So the Lord said, 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.' " Genesis 6:5-7
This passage jumps out to me every time I read the story of Noah. I wonder just how bad the people were that God would say He was sorry they were ever created. I also wonder how God could be sorry or have regret over something He did when He is perfect and not capable of making mistakes. I have really been pondering this passage the past few days so last night I asked my Dad about it. (Thank you, Lord, for a godly father or can help explain Your word to me.)
God wasn't so much sorry that He had made the people because of how bad they were. He was sorry because in His perfect holiness He couldn't tolerate their sin and His justice dictated that He would have to destroy them. He was sorry because His love for the people whom He had created was so great that it grieved His heart to know He was going to have to destroy them.
I am absolutely amazed by this passage. So many different attributes of God are seen in these 3 verses. But I think what amazes me the most is that even though He was about to inflict severe punishment, destruction, on the people of the earth His love for them was so great that He was grieved.
I think there are 2 applications for us today from this passage. The first is that God very much is holy and just and can not tolerate sin. That sin will have to be punished and I think we would do well to remember that and flee from sin and seek to live our lives in a way that's pleasing to God. The second is that the same God that loved the people in Noah's day is the same God that loves us today. His love never changes. The past few weeks God has really been showing me in a whole new way just how much He really does love me and this passage has spoken volumes to me. For 2 days this is the passage that has consumed most of my thoughts. The God of all the universe loves sinful me enough to grieve over the thought of losing me. Incredible!
"The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart. So the Lord said, 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.' " Genesis 6:5-7
This passage jumps out to me every time I read the story of Noah. I wonder just how bad the people were that God would say He was sorry they were ever created. I also wonder how God could be sorry or have regret over something He did when He is perfect and not capable of making mistakes. I have really been pondering this passage the past few days so last night I asked my Dad about it. (Thank you, Lord, for a godly father or can help explain Your word to me.)
God wasn't so much sorry that He had made the people because of how bad they were. He was sorry because in His perfect holiness He couldn't tolerate their sin and His justice dictated that He would have to destroy them. He was sorry because His love for the people whom He had created was so great that it grieved His heart to know He was going to have to destroy them.
I am absolutely amazed by this passage. So many different attributes of God are seen in these 3 verses. But I think what amazes me the most is that even though He was about to inflict severe punishment, destruction, on the people of the earth His love for them was so great that He was grieved.
I think there are 2 applications for us today from this passage. The first is that God very much is holy and just and can not tolerate sin. That sin will have to be punished and I think we would do well to remember that and flee from sin and seek to live our lives in a way that's pleasing to God. The second is that the same God that loved the people in Noah's day is the same God that loves us today. His love never changes. The past few weeks God has really been showing me in a whole new way just how much He really does love me and this passage has spoken volumes to me. For 2 days this is the passage that has consumed most of my thoughts. The God of all the universe loves sinful me enough to grieve over the thought of losing me. Incredible!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Day 9-- I'm a Treasure!
I have had the lyrics of Forgiven stuck in my head all day and I have really been blessed my meditating on the fact that when God looks at me He doesn't see my sin and my failures and my imperfections. He sees Christ who loved me enough to die for me. I am a child of God and He adores me! That thought just blows my mind. The Creator and Savior of all the world loves ME.
There's one particular line in the song that says, "When I don't measure up to much in this life, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ." Not only am I loved by my God, but I am a treasure to Him. Even when I mess up and fail over and over again He still sees me as a treasure.
My mistakes are running through my mind
When I don't think and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
There's one particular line in the song that says, "When I don't measure up to much in this life, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ." Not only am I loved by my God, but I am a treasure to Him. Even when I mess up and fail over and over again He still sees me as a treasure.
Forgiven
Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget
In this life I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms I know what I am
I’m forgiven I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I wrestle with my pain, struggle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry
When I don't think and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ
Monday, January 2, 2012
Day 8-- God is Good
Something that God has really been showing me the past few days is that He is good no matter what our situation. Sometimes bad things happen and God allows them to happen to break our stubborn wills and show us that we truly can do nothing in this life without Him. Sometimes we choose to sin and live for our own selfish desires and God allows us to reap the consequences of our actions, but even in that He is good. He loves us enough to not let us continue wallowing in our sin. He allows us to fall to break our hearts and cause us to change and come back to Him.
I am so thankful that God has shown His goodness to me in a very new and real way. Such a blessing to know that the God of all the universe has the very best for me planned.
I am so thankful that God has shown His goodness to me in a very new and real way. Such a blessing to know that the God of all the universe has the very best for me planned.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Day 7-- The Body of Christ
Tonight I was struggling to find some inspiration about to write about, but a story came to my mind from back this summer and fall that I kept meaning to write down but I never did.
There was an older gentleman named Sam that I met this summer at the hospital. Every Sunday afternoon without fail he was walking around the hospital looking for people to talk to and pray with. He was always looking for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone in need. One afternoon we were pretty slow so I got an opportunity to talk to Sam for quite awhile. He told me how he had been asked to leave before because he might bother people trying to witness to them, but Sam's response was, "I still come every Sunday. I'm not trying to bother people, so I just come and walk around quietly and pray that God will show me the ones I need to talk to." I couldn't help but be amazed at his quiet obedience to God to continue spreading the gospel to those that needed to hear.
Sam shared with me the story of how he and his wife met and how they were high school sweethearts. They got married and spent over 60 years together before the Lord took her home. He told me about how he was by her side when she died and how peaceful she was about going home. He told me how he still loved her so very much and missed her every day. I once again was amazed by this man and the beautiful love he had for his wife. That's the kind of fairy tale love you don't see very much anymore.
On several different occasions when Sam would see me across the hall he would make it a point to come over and pray with me for just a few minutes. I don't think he will ever know how much God used him to encourage me and bless my heart. Through all of my interaction with Sam I was reminded of how God gives us a bond with other believers. It was neat to see in such a tangible way that God does very much use the church, the body of Christ, to help lift us up.
I haven't seen Sam in a few months now and I may never know what became of him or see him again this side of heaven, but I am very thankful that God used him in my life to both encourage me and teach me a lesson.
There was an older gentleman named Sam that I met this summer at the hospital. Every Sunday afternoon without fail he was walking around the hospital looking for people to talk to and pray with. He was always looking for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone in need. One afternoon we were pretty slow so I got an opportunity to talk to Sam for quite awhile. He told me how he had been asked to leave before because he might bother people trying to witness to them, but Sam's response was, "I still come every Sunday. I'm not trying to bother people, so I just come and walk around quietly and pray that God will show me the ones I need to talk to." I couldn't help but be amazed at his quiet obedience to God to continue spreading the gospel to those that needed to hear.
Sam shared with me the story of how he and his wife met and how they were high school sweethearts. They got married and spent over 60 years together before the Lord took her home. He told me about how he was by her side when she died and how peaceful she was about going home. He told me how he still loved her so very much and missed her every day. I once again was amazed by this man and the beautiful love he had for his wife. That's the kind of fairy tale love you don't see very much anymore.
On several different occasions when Sam would see me across the hall he would make it a point to come over and pray with me for just a few minutes. I don't think he will ever know how much God used him to encourage me and bless my heart. Through all of my interaction with Sam I was reminded of how God gives us a bond with other believers. It was neat to see in such a tangible way that God does very much use the church, the body of Christ, to help lift us up.
I haven't seen Sam in a few months now and I may never know what became of him or see him again this side of heaven, but I am very thankful that God used him in my life to both encourage me and teach me a lesson.
Day 6-- Happy New Year!!
2011 is behind us and 2012 has now begun. I am so excited for this coming year. I can't wait to see what it holds and what God has planned for me.
One of my favorite quotes is from Anne of Green Gables. It says, "Tomorrow is a new day fresh with no mistakes in it yet." That's the way I feel about this year...there are no mistakes in it yet. This year is a fresh start with a ton of potential. It's time to leave the past in the past and focus on what I'm going to make of the future.
Happy New Year!
One of my favorite quotes is from Anne of Green Gables. It says, "Tomorrow is a new day fresh with no mistakes in it yet." That's the way I feel about this year...there are no mistakes in it yet. This year is a fresh start with a ton of potential. It's time to leave the past in the past and focus on what I'm going to make of the future.
Happy New Year!
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