Today at my mom and dad's I watched my granddaughter and great-nephew (both 3 year olds) play. How delightful to watch two children who see each other 3 or 4 times a year, fall into their budding friendship as they shared books (sort of), switched seats (one wanted the little chair, the other the fancy stool), and ran like mad through the house. Their joy illuminated the room.
I couldn't help but think how great it would be to have the childlike freedom to enjoy my day and not worry about deadlines, a messy house, laundry, or even waking up on time. The little ones knew we watched over them. They understood their boundaries and played within them with great satisfaction. Sometimes my personal expectations, and desire to accomplish more than I need to get in the way of really enjoying life, my relationship with God, family and friends. I think I'll take my cue from the kids and check my boundaries, then relax and enjoy the rest of my day.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Freedom
Galatians 5: 1,13
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Harriet Tubman, one of the most famous escaped slaves, knew the true meaning of freedom. Both as a slave and a Christan, Harriet served her true master, God. After she escaped, she could have kept running, but, with a reward on her head and an alert out to find her, she returned time and again to help other slaves break free. Each time she traveled back to help others, she acknowledged that God called her.
Paul tells us in Galatians that our freedom in Christ is not to be hoarded or wasted on indulgence, but is to be shared, helping and loving others. A friend told me that she knew someone who practiced Lent,along with giving something up, he wanted to perform a random act of kindness each day. That is a great idea, but how sad that the acts of kindness have become random......
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Harriet Tubman, one of the most famous escaped slaves, knew the true meaning of freedom. Both as a slave and a Christan, Harriet served her true master, God. After she escaped, she could have kept running, but, with a reward on her head and an alert out to find her, she returned time and again to help other slaves break free. Each time she traveled back to help others, she acknowledged that God called her.
Paul tells us in Galatians that our freedom in Christ is not to be hoarded or wasted on indulgence, but is to be shared, helping and loving others. A friend told me that she knew someone who practiced Lent,along with giving something up, he wanted to perform a random act of kindness each day. That is a great idea, but how sad that the acts of kindness have become random......
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Protection
After a few days of warmer temperatures and no snow, thoughts turn to spring. Once we experience the taste of spring weather, the sunshine and walking outside without a coat , the thought of winter makes us shudder (or shiver). I've always been a fan of winter, but even I look forward to spring. Once that warm air drifts in, we kind of slide along and think, yes, this is it, put away the sweaters and scarves! Then along comes the last blast of chilled air, the snowflakes that were so pretty in December now seem like a nuisance.
Much like our lives, the winter season creeps in when we think the refreshment of spring arrives. The chill of despair, stress, frustration or guilt slip in beside us after we take off our coats and loss our protection from the cold elements of life. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:13-18 to put on the armor of God, the protection from evil and sin. Even when we feel confident that life is good, we need God's protection (maybe more than ever).
-Buckle up, pray and be ready everyday.
Ephesians 6:13-18
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Much like our lives, the winter season creeps in when we think the refreshment of spring arrives. The chill of despair, stress, frustration or guilt slip in beside us after we take off our coats and loss our protection from the cold elements of life. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:13-18 to put on the armor of God, the protection from evil and sin. Even when we feel confident that life is good, we need God's protection (maybe more than ever).
-Buckle up, pray and be ready everyday.
Ephesians 6:13-18
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Brothers & Sisters
Matthew 12: 46-50
46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Today my daughter, Maggie, and I were talking about what it would be like to be a sibling of Jesus. Mary and Joseph added to their family after Jesus birth. I don't know how many brothers or sisters he had, but the Bible tells us they existed.
Can you imagine trying to live up to Jesus as an older brother? But then, we do don't we. Jesus is our brother. What an amazing path he walked before us! He loved us enough to die for us and cover us with his grace. He doesn't expect us to be perfect like he was, he just wants us to accept him and love him.
Praise the Lord for his mercy!
46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Today my daughter, Maggie, and I were talking about what it would be like to be a sibling of Jesus. Mary and Joseph added to their family after Jesus birth. I don't know how many brothers or sisters he had, but the Bible tells us they existed.
Can you imagine trying to live up to Jesus as an older brother? But then, we do don't we. Jesus is our brother. What an amazing path he walked before us! He loved us enough to die for us and cover us with his grace. He doesn't expect us to be perfect like he was, he just wants us to accept him and love him.
Praise the Lord for his mercy!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Hope
Romans 5:2-4 And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Wednesday at work, four of us stood looking out the large plate glass window at the downpour of rain. The wind blew so hard that the rain twisted and turned every which way. As the rain pounded and the storm blew, I remembered that my raincoat and umbrella were both in the car. Yikes!
When the storms of life hit, don’t leave Jesus behind, he wants to be with you in all things. Hold tight to the Savior and grow in the hope of the Lord.
Praise God for his promises!
Wednesday at work, four of us stood looking out the large plate glass window at the downpour of rain. The wind blew so hard that the rain twisted and turned every which way. As the rain pounded and the storm blew, I remembered that my raincoat and umbrella were both in the car. Yikes!
When the storms of life hit, don’t leave Jesus behind, he wants to be with you in all things. Hold tight to the Savior and grow in the hope of the Lord.
Praise God for his promises!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Reading Jesus
"Jesus loves me this I know" begins a favorite childrens' hymn. How wonderful to know that our Savior loves us and understands us. Being raised in the church, I knew Jesus died for our sins and resurrected to save us. But for many years, I did not realize Jesus could be my friend, that he understood me as a person.
We often tend to put Jesus on a pedestal instead of putting him in our heart. Everyday that we walk with Jesus is another day we can get to know him. I love to read about Jesus in the New Testament. I approach the reading as I would any other book. I'm not trying to understand the history or pick apart the meaning. I'm just reading. I learn so much about Jesus as a person and this draws me closer to him.
I praise God for the joy of knowing Jesus!
We often tend to put Jesus on a pedestal instead of putting him in our heart. Everyday that we walk with Jesus is another day we can get to know him. I love to read about Jesus in the New Testament. I approach the reading as I would any other book. I'm not trying to understand the history or pick apart the meaning. I'm just reading. I learn so much about Jesus as a person and this draws me closer to him.
I praise God for the joy of knowing Jesus!
Jesus Loves Me
John 11:5
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
I enjoy reading about the person, Jesus. He laughed and enjoyed the little children. He often comforted those who grieved. He wept over his friend. He even got angry about the misuse of the temple. With his disciples he showed infinite patience. Jesus understands our emotions, he experienced what it was like to be human. How comforting to know that our Savior knows us so well and loves us despite of it.
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
I enjoy reading about the person, Jesus. He laughed and enjoyed the little children. He often comforted those who grieved. He wept over his friend. He even got angry about the misuse of the temple. With his disciples he showed infinite patience. Jesus understands our emotions, he experienced what it was like to be human. How comforting to know that our Savior knows us so well and loves us despite of it.
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