Things I've learned in the past 2 months

Lately I have been meditating on several new truths I've been learning. I can't say that I have fully implemented the concepts into my life, but there is so much truth in these things I'm learning that I want to share them while they are on my heart. Some of the posts will probably be short and some may be long, but I hope they will all give you something to think about.

#1. Life becomes commonplace when all you do is have fun.

This quote is one of many I heard while at a conference last July. It is with much sadness that I can say that I've experienced this first hand. I have let myself slope into this I'll- do-what-I want-to-do mode. Instead of studying or dusting my room I would watch a movie. Instead of getting the most out of my Saturday I would sleep in an extra hour. Instead of reading The Spirit- Controlled Woman I read Pride and Prejudice. Instead of reading my Bible I would get on the Internet. In the end, I only half enjoyed it and was left with a dissatisfying aftertaste.

What was the result of having fun all the time? I felt commonplace. There was nothing special about my life. I was no different than any other person. Life had no meaning and I had nothing to take pride in.

God didn't create us to do whatever we please. When Adam was formed and placed in the Garden of Eden he had to name all the animals (that's a command), he had to be fruitful and multiply (also a command), replenish and subdue the earth, and he couldn't eat of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (a restriction). In the same manner, children are placed under the authority of their parents and are commanded to obey them. Over the years I have heard mama say that a child is happiest when they have boundaries because it makes them feel loved. Even as a young woman I am glad my parents make their wishes known to me such as asking me not to go out at night by myself. Such boundaries make me feel that my parents care about me and don't want me to be harmed.

As adults we often think that we are finally free of all restrictions and commands. We can do whatever we want to do. But we will soon realize that there is no fulfillment in this style of living because that is not God's design. God has a plan, as outlined in the Word of God, and when that plan is followed there are blessings, but when it is not followed God cannot reward us for going contrary to the right path.

So what is the answer? Should I get busy in a church program? Keep my room spotless? Read every Christian book in my possession? None of these things could ever give me fulfillment. Only Christ can make my life meaningful and abundant.  Projects will never give me life more abundantly, but seeking God like hidden treasure will. I think Luke 9:23 -24 sums it up very well. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." Follow God and his commands (not our own) and you will find meaning, purpose, and joy in life.

Here's Something to Read!

I don't refer my blog readers to other blogs very often, but this article was just too good not to tell others about. I Don't Wait Anymore is about the struggles that we single women go through. It is very insightful coming from someone who isn't a teenager with fairy tail dreams, but a woman with truthful views on life as a single person and how to deal with that. It's an excellent read and I hope you take the time to read it all the way through.

Have a great week seeking the Lord!

Just to be reminded . . .

While going over some of my old posts I found this poem I wrote several years ago and it really encouraged me so I thought I'd re-post it. It's always good to be reminded.

Written in August of 2009

Miserable unhappy,

Lost and confused,

Trying to keep,

Myself amused.

Doing what I please,

Going where I will,

Thinking of myself,

Trying to have zeal.

My conscience prodding,

Constantly at me,

I knew this way,

Was not all glee.

Yet I still ran,

Going astray,

But my loving God,

Would not go away.

Slowly I realized,

A Christian am I,

I must serve God,

For me He did buy.

Unhappy with rules,

Still I know,
By living right,

Fruits will show.

Turning back to God,
Forgiveness I seek,

I need His strength,

For I am weak.

Day by day,

I have a choice,

Listen to God,

Or my inner voice.

By this experience,

I now know,

What to expect,

If back I go.

Miserable unhappy,

Lost and confused,

That is my life,

When Christ I abuse.

So I’ll stay,

Close by His side,

For after all,

He is a great guide!

My Redeemer Is Faithful and True

Several months ago a man at our church started videoing all the singing and offertories at our church. It's kinda cool to see me and my siblings singing . . . unless we made a mistake. (Then we wished he hadn't videoed us. But that rarely happens anymore!) So I finally figured out how to post the videos to YouTube (at around 11:30 at night!) and then I was able to post it to my blog! So here is my first upload! Not the best, but it's my favorite song. I hope you enjoy it!

Living in a Box

For the past year God has been teaching me how to live outside of the "Baptist Box". I've always been taught that speaking in tongues is a thing of the past, you shouldn't endorse anything that isn't KJV, and the charismatic crowd probably isn't right with God. Have I let my standards down? Not at all. Have I expanded the realm in which God can work in my life? Absolutely! I still believe that most people misuse and misunderstand the gift of tongues. I still believe the KJV is the final authority. And I don't have a desire to be part of the charismatic crowd. However, that doesn't mean that God can't do great works for His glory with those things I oppose. In the Bible God has used some pretty unlikely things and people to accomplish his work. He used a woman to fight a battle for Israel (Judges chapter 4) and a donkey to speak to one of His prophets (Numbers 22)! So many times we limit God by saying, "God doesn't work that way anymore." or "Unless you meet up to certain standards you can't be used by God." How wrong we have been.

With that being said, I would like to share a great video by Louie Gigleo. It's kind of long, but it's worth it. At the very beginning I was thinking, "Come on, science? I don't speak that language!" but trust me, it gets good! At first glance I was put off by his casual attire and his manner of presentation, but what he has to say really puts things into perspective. I hope you enjoy it!

The Greatest Love

I am continually amazed how God works. The way He allows us to reconcile our self to Christ at any moment is a benefit far greater than what we deserve. It would not be injustice if we had to work to get back into fellowship with God, yet he chooses to simply accept our repentant heart and opens His arms wide for us to run into.

Then things change. So many times I’ve struggled through the week with bad attitudes trying to make myself show love to others and be kind to the people around me. I find it challenging, requiring much effort, but yet unsuccessful. Yet the moment I am reconciled unto God I find it so easy to love any and everyone. I no longer have to look at a prayer list to be reminded of who has needs, because they are on my heart and mind out of a true concern. I have found 1 John 4:7-8 to be so true! “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” I have heard preachers say that they didn’t know how to love until they became a Christian and I use to wonder at such a saying. Now I understand. I can’t truly love someone in a selfless Christ honoring way unless God’s love is present in my life and my love for him is real. Any love apart from this must be a selfish or shallow love, nothing like the love God has toward us and the love that he places in our heart. I firmly believe living life without this love isn’t really living at all!

The Glories of Christ

"To know Christ — is true wisdom;

To love Him — is the evidence of grace;

and  to walk with Him — the highest honor that can be put upon a sinful creature."

~ James Smith 1842