My Manchild

"Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22 :6 (KJV)

Today is my oldest baby's birthday. He is now 15 years old. I find it so hard to believe that the little sweet, bright eyed baby that I gave birth to (not that long ago it seems) is quickly approaching manhood.

The strong influence that I wield over him as his mother and caretaker is about to end in a few years as I know it now. My husband and I have raised our children in a loving Christian home, instilling Bible based values and morals into them. My sons are intelligent, well behaved, well-spoken, respectful sons- right now.

"My son, keep My word and store up My commands within you. Keep My commands and you will live; guard My teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and call understanding your kinsman." Proverbs 7 :1-4

But now I find worry trying to creep in. My oldest son- he's a teenager - the girls are calling the house, and of course he is interested in them. I see him being interested in the 'badboy' fashions - excessively baggy clothing, wearing only certain types of hats, shoes and coats, and developing a keen interest in music that is not of a spiritual nature. This from the boy I was so proud of for always walking to the beat of his own drum, without any concern of what his peers thought of him. He is a natural born leader, but now chooses to be a follower just to blend.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and so many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7 :13

As his mother I want to protect him from certain hurts and mistakes. But I know I have to let go and let him have his failures, be hurt and make mistakes. Some of this may hurt me as his mother observing, more than it will hurt him. I know I am considered to be an overprotective mom by most people's standards, and I have accepted that to a certain extent, because that is just me. I love my kids, and I don't want any harm to befall them. But I am desperately trying to learn to let go, and let him grow up to become what God has planned for him to become, instead of me trying to be God on God's behalf by being so controlling! He has to learn of his own accord through his own experiences- not because his mommy was there protectively bridging the gap for him.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

In 3 very short years my baby will be considered an adult by society's standards. Whoa, that's a scary thought on a lot of counts! Coming up for him are the rites of passage for a young man: driving, dating, college, and other important decisions to make that will inevitably help layout the plans his future.

"My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life." Proverbs 6:20

All I can do is keep my son lifted up in my prayers constantly, asking God to continue to lead and guide his father and me, concerning his upbringing-and to bring to remembrance in my son's mind and heart, God's Word when he finds himself at different crossroads in life. Lord, bless him as he seeks to discern Your will in his decisions .

This is a perilous time that we live in, and it's certainly a precarious time to be raising children. But ALL things work together, God is in ultimate control and we are here now for such a time as this. As my son continues to grow up, his mommy is learning to let go, and let God. I thank God for the privilege of being a mother. It is my foremost important responsibility here on earth, and it is a tough job -but I would not trade this job for all the riches in the world!

Happy Birthday, Sweetie. Love you! May Yahweh bless you with many, many, more birthdays to come! Remember to always honor Him and seek Him in all your ways, all of your days.

\0/

Things Aren't Always What They Seem...

(Lucy, check the comments on yesterday's post)

A friend of mine posted the email below today on another board, and I thought I'd share it with YOU!

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the guestroom of their mansion. Instead the angels were given a small space in their cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him? The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die!"

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes thats exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way we think they should. But we can have faith and know that every out come is always to our advantage. We just might not know it until some time later...


Amen. \0/

Time...What is the Essence of It?

"Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do."
Ephesians 5:15-17 (Contemporary English Version)

Time

• Disappears when I think I don't have enough


• Drags by when I think I have too much on my hands
  (which is rare!)


• Time is a very valuable commodity:



It can't be sold by me to anyone, can't be bought from someone else for myself, and mine can't be given away to anyone else for their share, and I can't get more either!

• Yesterday's time is always gone--don't live in the past!


• Tomorrow's time is never here--don't live in the future!
  

  (ex. I'll do that when the kids grow up, etc...)
  

• Time is one of the most valuable assets that was given to me by God, for me to control in my life


• How I spend my allotment of time largely indicates my values


• How I spend my allotment of time largely defines who I am


• Time is more valuable than money


• Time can be wasted foolishly on things


• Time can be invested wisely in relationships


• Time can't be banked like money, but time spent with others (especially with my children) can earn dividends
  
• the only time I have is NOW - the present!

Time given to me, that I am living and experiencing right now is a gift from God - a present! I never know from day to day if it is my last day here with family and friends. I take it for granted that it will not be, but I truly do not know. Time is to be cherished, treated with care, used wisely, treasured.

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."
2 Peter 3:8

I think we fall guilty into this a little...believing that we have 'umpty umpteen' years left -- I know I do. This perceived amount of unlimited time to "get right," "get it together," patch relationships, to earn more money, to have more time in the future, to have more time to one day finally make time for what's really important, or time when older and retired to really get to know God. Our days are surely numbered, so we should be very prudent and wise with our use of our God-given gift of time.

I don't know how much time I have....no one does....treat your time as a gift - with thanksgiving and grace. Use your time here on earth wisely, being mindful of God's unique purpose and wonderful plan for your life and that of your family.

I'm Baaaaack!

Hey Y'all, it's great to be back!

Thanks for all of the prayers, thoughts and emails. The old adage is SO true-- we NEVER appreciate what we have until we don't have it. I am referring to my own health. I'd get up every day and thank God for the dawn of a new day, but I don't think I really truly APPRECIATED having good health. This flu bug snuck up on me and knocked me flat on my back for almost a whole week! But ALL things work together....I really needed the rest!

I had plenty time to sleep, rest, think, and listen. I'll be sharing some of these thoughts real soon!

See ya! \0/

Down For the Count....For Now

Hey, just a note to explain why there are no new postings - I am catching up on some much needed rest - I am sick in the bed with the flu. Pray for me.

Thanks!\0/

If There Really Is a God...

As a believer, I cringe inside everytime I hear, "If there really is a God how could He allow this to happen? A loving God would never allow this! There can't be a God!" I've heard people recite these statements so much that it is basically fill-in-the-blank rhetoric that they feel justifies their lack of belief.

If there really is a God, how could ____________ happen?

• the Tsunami, and all of those victims


• earthquakes, volcanos, tornados, hurricanes,torrential flooding


• September 11th


• terrorists around the world


• the death of a child


• the death of anyone, that we think has died too soon


• wars around the world


• unemployment


• poverty


• hunger in the world


• sickness, disease and suffering

The list could be endless! I assume you probably wish you could provide an answer that would seem satisfactory to a non-believer. I know I do! It takes faith in Him to believe His Word, and that is what we have to stand on as believers for answers to these and all other questions. God is SO real, His Word is alive with Spirit and truth - how do I even begin to convey that concept to a non believer as a foundation for the infallible sovereignty of God?

One thing that man also has to realize is that we exercise free-will in everything, and that plays a large role in the route different situations take to get to God's means. God's will and His purpose always prevails, but we could choose to take the long hard rocky path instead of the shorter path because of our own stubborness, selfishness or unbelief.

For my own soul soothing I refer to several old standby scriptures that leave no room for doubt that He is in control over EVERYTHING:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16: 9

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

"What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not all all! For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion" It does not, therefore, depend on man's dsire or effort, but on God's mercy, For the Scriputure says to Pharoah: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaim in all the earth."

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55: 8,9

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding." Job 37: 5

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress. Therefore, men revere Him, for does He not have regard for all the wise in heart? Job 37:23, 24

These scriptures answer as adequately as I can understand in my flesh, in faith, that God is control, no matter what. Whether I like what happens or not, whether it is a tragedy to me in my humaness, in His sovereignty I have to trust that all is working out the way He has planned - for a purpose - maybe for my learning, my spiritual growth or perhaps soley to glorify Him. As scriptures indicate, it could be other reasons I'll never, ever know or understand.

As a believer, in faith, I believe and find comfort in His Holy Word. I wish there was a way I could express to non-believers this concept- but it requires a certain measure of faith to believe and blindly accept His sovereignty. Any suggestions?

\0/

Frustration and Temptation - Part I

One evening a couple of weeks ago, I went into an eating establishment to get a "chicken box" - just one breast and some fries. The guy waiting on me obviously thought he was the next best comedian since Richard Pryor (sigh!). Needless to say, I was not amused, but I maintained social politeness, so hopefully he'd just hurry up, and I'd soon be on my merry way.

A woman soon came into the deli, so this guy stopped fixing my food to take her food order which was very large. I was not happy about that, but I remained calm. But then he started fixing and packing her food instead of mine! Okay, inside I was thinking "Oh no, he di-ent!" I asked the guy very nicely if he remembered that I was there first, and that I really would like to get my order and be on my way.

He just looked at me and kept on preparing her food. The woman looked at me and shrugged as if to say, "What's with him?" but said nothing verbally. At this point I asked for the manager. There were employees standing around but no one moved or said a word. I looked at the guy, and he asked me not to get the manager. I asked him, "Why not?" He said, "Because I want you to wait". The woman and I exchanged glances like, "What the heck?!"

At this point, I was getting steamed, and I contemplated just leaving and going somewhere else. But I was extremely hungry!! And I also thought about the traffic light outside the strip mall that was not working. I'd have to fight traffic just to get out of the strip mall's lot, and I was REALLY hungry. (sigh!)

So I just stood there and watched and prayed. Watching to make sure when he finally fixed my food that he did not do something nasty to it, and praying to keep my cool, and my tongue silent. People let me tell you, God answers prayers!

Anyway, he finally finished the other woman's order, and she walks off. Then this knucklehead says to me, "I wasn't trying to be mean or anything, actually I was looking out for you." I'm thinking,"Excuuuse me?" He goes on to explain that the chicken breast he gave me was really small, and they charge X amount of dollars for each one. He says, "The reason I made you wait was cuz I was trying to be nice and give you more than one and not charge you for them."

I told him that while I appreciated him "looking out for me," that I did not appreciate having to wait, and that I wanted to do the right thing. One breast for the cost of one breast. I also said, "Besides, the breast you picked is one of the smaller ones, but right there in the case is one that is much larger. Swap them for me."

He asked, "Are you sure you only want me to give you just one breast? That is why I had you wait cuz I was gonna do this nice thing for you, and I didn't want that woman to see me do it and snitch on me." At this point I admit I was losing patience. I said, "For real. Just one breast. Always do what is right, man." He eyed me and complied.

I paid and left wondering, "Lord, what was that all about?"

Click here for Part II. \0/

Frustration and Temptation - Part II

Before you read this, please read Part I.

I left the eating establishment eating my fries, licking my fingers simultaneously wondering, "Lord, just what was all of that about? Was that whole ordeal for him or for me?" (By the way, they have the best fries in town!)

I now think it was beneficial for both of us. But what I take from it, I have to learn from. Wisdom is always something that is in demand. Knowing what to do and say, and how to do or say it. This situation called the fruits of the Spirit to show themselves strong. What did I take from this?

• Love - love everyone with the love of Christ, no matter what.
  


• Joy - the joy of God should overide any inane sitation like this.
  


• Peace - the peace of God should keep me calm.
  


• Patience - His patience should keep irritation and impatience from occurring.
  


• Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness - all operate together to show the love of God towards others.
  


• Self control - not blowing my top when things don't go my way, or the way I THINK it should happen.

On the other hand, I wonder how many people had this guy tried to "hook up" with free food, and they turned it down? Maybe telling him to always do the 'right thing' made some sort of impression on him. Maybe a seed was planted that will grown into something under God's tutelage. I do remember him eyeing me kind of funny when I reiterated that point. I'll never know what he needed. God knows and that is all that is important ultimately.

I learned my lesson - my fruit definitely needs more compost to grow and develop properly. To understand that statement, check out my post "Mired In It and Needing a Bandaid."

See ya later, gonna go find a shovel! \0/

Did I Really Forgive?

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31,32

Have you ever had a situation occur that made you upset at the time, but then time passed, and you thought you were over it? And then you went about your life, right?

Well, just this morning right after I woke up, the Holy Spirit brought to remembrance a situation I was involved in that I had long since forgotten. As I was thinking about all of the details of the scenario, (also wondering why I was thinking about something that had happened over 12 years ago), I realized that I was there! I mean, I was right back there in the thick of it, and experiencing the culmination of all those emotions. And boy was I ANGRY...and hurt, and resentful. And given the opportunity I could have possibly hurt somebody!! I was actually thinking thoughts of how I could get this person back! (After all these years!)

Finally, my saved, rational mind kicked in, (thank God!) and I realized that I had to FORGIVE. Passively sweeping things under the rug or allowing the passage of time does not invoke forgiveness. I realize that I have to be an active participant in this and extend forgiveness and compassion even if I feel I was in the 'RIGHT'!

Well, just what does 'being right' really matter in the grand scheme of things? Concerning myself with being right boils down to a matter of ego. And no matter how many times I slay that ugly dragon, it keeps resurrecting itself! Dying to self is a daily task that I have to deal with. But back to the issue at hand - forgiveness:

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

Jesus said we are to forgive seventy times seven. What better example of forgiveness than His life can we look at? He laid down His life for us - for our salvation and subsequent forgiveness of sins through Him. All I have to do is be obedient to His Word, which includes forgiving others...not die for anybody. Sounds real simple in comparison, huh?

Then He encourages us with the fact that "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) Whew!

His own daily acts of forgiveness, should be enough to throw me to my knees in thanksgiving for His forgiveness, mercy and love DAILY - and spur me to forgive others DAILY, just as He does for me- not harboring it for years.

Lord, I thank you for the 'heads up' on the unforgiveness issue. And thanks for 'having my back'! Our God is sovereign and more than worthy to be praised! \0/

He Really Cares - WOW!

"What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:4

I was reading my Bible at lunchtime yesterday, and found myself getting drowsy after about 35 minutes of reading. (I'd been up late several nights in a row working on this site.) I decided I could use a quick cat nap before I went back to the office. I looked at my watch and I had another 20 minutes left on my lunch hour. I whispered a real quick, "Lord please don't let me oversleep" and instantly I was out like a light! (Gee, I wonder if I snored!?):-0

After being sound asleep for 15 minutes, directly across from where I was sitting, someone came out of their office slamming his door shut waking me up. I looked at my watch, and stupidly thought, "Man, I still have 5 whole minutes to sleep," and I was zonked out again!

In exactly 5 minutes, a very loud flock of geese flew right towards the large corner window where I was sitting, only veering to the right to avoid the building just as I was awakened by all the racket they were making as they flew right beside the window. (I was on the 2nd floor of the building).

Okay y'all, did my Heavenly Father hear my prayer and orchestrate the horn blowing geese? If I believe my own post "Serendipity they say..." then, I'd have to believe that He did.

Isn't it mindboggling to consider the fact that nothing in our lives is coincidental or happenstance. Everything happens for a reason...and most things we'll never understand with our human reasoning. (Good topic for tomorrow!)

It always blows me away when I see Him in action...especially when it is for something so seemingly insignificant. Wow, He really cares. AWESOME! \0/

Mired In It and Needing a Bandaid!

Okay, I'll admit it- I am NOT particularly crazy about the problems and situations that I have to go through to grow during my time here on earth. But I know that it is necessary for development spiritually, mentally and emotionally, so what can I say? We are told that we are to grow in the fruit of the Spirit.

Hmmm, everyone knows that you plant tomatoes and other fruits in compost and fertilizer, so that they grow to be fruitful, robust and strong. Fruits also need lots of rain to thrive and produce bountiful fruit.

So just equate the smelly stuff with the problems that we find ourselves mired in, and occasionally find ourselves REAL deep in, to develop our own roots (strength and character, and fruits of the Spirit) to grow tall, strong and productive. We can equate the rain ( our tears and heartaches) necessary for growth with inconveniences, sadness and misfortunes in our lives.

The Word tells us in John 15:1-2
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

So either way I go, bearing no fruit or bearing fruit I am going to be cut--(OUCH, can I get a bandaid here, Lord?) So according to the Word, I am a branch that will be cut if I bear no fruit, and that I am a branch that will be pruned when I do bear fruit. I remember from my mom's gardening tips that pruning is when you cut off or cut back a flowering/fruitful branch to force it to blossom fuller and produce more fruitful growth. The Word also tells us that He causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. So we learn to live through trials and tribulations, and hopefully grow as a result of each situation.

So it makes sense to me if I going to be cut (pruned) I should make sure it is so I can blossom fuller and produce more fruitful growth, rather than just being cut off and withering away, right?

Jesus says in John 15:4, 5 "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."

There's hope for me! I know I can't do this alone - and God gives me strength and makes me bear MUCH fruit if I remain in Him. According to Galatians 5:22, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

No fruit going to be dropped into my lap, appearing magically just for the taking. The fruit develops through being planted in compost and fertilizer; remaining on the branch, yielding crop after crop of bountiful robust fruit flourishing and continuously producing fruit on the branches throughout a lifetime of pruning by the Master Gardener. All the while, the branches are faithfully drawing all its strength, nourishment and sustenance from it's central core - the Vine. In times of drought, the branches derive its water from streams of Living Water to sustain it. Halleluyah! \o/

Transparency

Some of you know that I had a desire to do something concerning women's issues and spirituality. I just did not know exactly what to do, or when to do it. When I was led to create this blog, I never even gave a second thought about the issues of being bare and transparent. I was just obedient to the Spirit of God. (I wish I could always say that about myself!)

But imagine yourself, if you will, outside on a cold blustery day (in Alaska!) in your birthday suit....dripping wet, right out of the shower! Can you imagine how that type of wind exposure feels? Brrrrrr!

I've realized that baring my soul has the potential to become more painful than that...all of my shared vulnerabilities, weaknesses, questionings come to light, all in the name of transparency, honesty and realness in reaching out to my sisters in Christ.

But it's okay...really! I pledged my whole being into service for Him. A committment is a committment. I think trying to save myself from discomfort and pain could lead to lack of growth spiritually, mentally and emotionally. After all, the even the world says, "No pain, no gain." Then I "stumbled across" the scripture below while I was writing this post.(You do know that nothing is happenstance, right?)

Romans 5:3 (NIV)
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know the suffering produces perseverance, character; and character hope.

And to remind me of what I am doing and why:

Philipians 2:3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

And the grand finale kicker scripture that puts the whole subject to bed, for once and for all:

Philipians 4:6,7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God said it, that settles it! \0/

The Application of Worship As a Lifestyle - Part II

>

• With worship as a lifestyle, I get to communicate, and be in a constant state of fellowship with him. Wow! This must have been what I was unwittingly seeking my WHOLE life looking for more intimacy with God...and it has turned out to be all that AND A BAG OF CHIPS!
  
• There were added benefits to ‘worship as a lifestyle’ that I did not think about initially…
  if I am in a constant state of worship at work, how likely am I to laugh at something crude or foolish that a coworker says or does?


• How likely would I be to indulge in ugly water cooler gossip?


• How likely am I going to be bent out of shape over something dumb?


• How likely will I be looking angrily at a careless/reckless driver, or even flip them the bird?


• How likely will I be to cuss somebody out in my mind or even curse them under my breath?


• Will trivial things be so bothersome anymore? Are they important? Is it really worth leaving the peaceful ‘presence of God’ to address it?


• Can’t he handle my battles anyway? Do I need to get all up in the mix? Do I have to be seen as the one who was “right”? Nope, that is only Ego and ego can also be viewed as this interesting acrostic:


Edging
God
Out


• While in worship, you are in a state of peacefulness


• Wouldn't you be much more likely to have a positive ‘witness’ to others in your everyday affairs without having to say a word about Christianity


• While in a state of worship, you are communing with love, therefore sharing His love with others around you


• While in a state of worship, you have a certain joy, thereby sharing His joy with others around you


• If you are doing your job as if you are doing it for Him (and why wouldn’t you?
He gave you your job, right?!) Then wouldn’t you try to be the sweetest person you could be? All the time? Seeing God as your boss, your employer, your provider, your first love, will really change your perspective, as it did for me!

• If I am doing my job unto God, not unto men, then I am never wronged on my job by people, am I? Only HE promotes, exalts, gives raises, gives offices with windows, in short HE does all the blessing- not the bosses.

Because of my new outlook on life, some people seem to have a different opinion and a new respect for me. They have seen me in action, and some have even thrown tests my way to test my “new attitude”. With my eyes fixed solely on God I ask for his wisdom and strength, to pass them all!

When I look at life differently and do everything as unto to God not as unto men, it changes my whole perspective about everything!

Worship is not just a Sunday portion of my life anymore - or even just a portion of my other days of the week- it IS my life! Amen!

Click here if you missed "The Application of Worship as a Lifestyle - Part I"

The Application of Worship As a Lifestyle - Part I

Worship is a lifestyle- which required a MAJOR change in my priorities, my schedule, and my relationships.

The first time I read about the concept of worship as a lifestyle, I remember thinking “WOW! I can worship God in how I live?” The decision to do so involves faith, trust and submission. As much as I like to laugh and joke around, I am not about half stepping, or playing games where God is concerned. To do this, it takes a serious ongoing commitment- for life!

Noting that something was always ‘missing’ in my life, and attributed to my underlying lifelong unhappiness, I realized it was because I was unwittingly worshipping false gods. Myself, my family, my career, my car, my hobbies, other interests, money and things it can buy. I was worshipping false gods/idols in the sense that ALL of these things came first before God.

According to Rick Warren, anthropologists have noted that we were “wired for worship”. Nothing/nobody can fill your inner being like God. Without Him, we are always restlessly seeking trying to find fulfillment, happiness, but never finding lasting peace, lasting joy, lasting fulfillment. Unknowingly seeking to fill our hollow cores we turn to:

• TV
• books
• magazines
• sports
• the movies
• career
• mo' money, mo' money, mo' money!
• friends/relationships
• cigarettes/cigars
• alcohol
• drugs
• illicit relationships
• and sex

trying to find that fulfillment for our core being that just cannot be filled by external sources. Only God has the power to do the internal work and fill us from the inside out. HE IS OUR FIRST LOVE.

Click here for "The Application of Worship As a Lifestyle - Part II"

Worship as a Lifestyle

Worship as a lifestyle? Huh? How's that work? That was a brand new concept to me a year ago. I knew there was more to God than just going to church on Sunday, reading my Bible and trying to be a 'good Christian'. But I just could not put my finger on the key that would make all the difference in the world for me.

Last January, a friend of mine from work mentioned a book to a small group of ladies including me via email. Seems she was extremely blessed by a certain book, and wanted to share it with us and what she was learning at her church. The book was called "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Her enthusiasm and excitement in her email sparked a flutter of emails between the group of women emailing everyone pouring out their hearts about what God has done in their lives, and how this book had ministered to them!

Whoa! I was floored! I could have assumed these women were Christians but no one had uttered a word to me about their faith, and vice versa. But here were these women ON FIRE for the Lord! I was so excited by all of this that I stopped at the nearest Christian Bookstore on my way home from work to grab my copy that very evening. I started reading it that very night!! I did not know what I was in for.....

I belong to a WONDERFUL church where I was learning in the few months since going there-- things that I had not learned in my Christian walk over the last 20 years! I had been enjoying the passionate experience of abiding in God's love. I had a fervent desire to learn more about Him as I willingly and lovingly submitted every aspect of my life over to Him. This too was a foreign concept to me at the time, and I did not begin to understand it until I began reading what Job and David said as quoted from the Bible in “The Purpose Driven Life.”

Job said:

“I have not departed from the commands of His lips. I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12)

David said:

“Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long (Psalms 119:97 )

“I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings (Psalms 77:12)

“The Purpose Driven Life” was the beginning of my spiritual understanding. All of the chapters in “The Purpose Driven Life” ‘spoke’ to me on some level.

“The Purpose Driven Life” and the Bible set the cornerstone for what would become the foundation of the Word for the rest of my life, and helped resolve this consuming hunger and thirst for more and more food spiritually.

What did I learn that was so earth shattering? I learned in “The Purpose Driven Life” that WORSHIP IS A LIFESTYLE! In changing my lifestyle to focus on God first, in everything, I now was content inside, at ease with myself and my preoccupation with “face time” with God. I was not a legalist - believing that in order to be spiritual that I HAD to do those things, but I was compelled to do so from an urgency that dwelled therein. I just could not stay away from Him. I longed for a relationship with my father, and in the process of all that “face time” I had begun to cultivate an intimate relationship with him as I had started discovering and learning more and more about Him and His character, and had fallen in love with Him in the process.

Well, as you know, when your focus on God is placed first, the divine order of everything else falls into place. In the process of getting to know my Father, my Savior, and His Holy Spirit, through this book and the Bible, I was transformed. Not looking to the left, not looking to the right but solely focusing on my Savior. I was not aware of this transformation until people started talking about the “new me”. At first I thought people were joking; laughing at my expense….but I kept hearing little things like from friends, coworkers, even family members! My husband started talking about how he liked the changes he was seeing in me. I was puzzled. What changes?! The only thing I was aware of was that I wasn’t mad about dumb stuff all the time like I used to be. It was just nothing was that important to get that mad about anymore.

“…Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”(Romans 12:2)

My life has not been the same since I picked up my copy of “The Purpose Driven Life" that helped me learn how to apply the principles in the Bible to my life! By His word through the book, God changed me and my life from the inside out. God has a purpose for ME! And I KNOW I am LOVED…DEEPLY.

Serendipity they say...

Things happen during our lifetime in a manner that make us raise our eyebrows, and go "Whaaat?!". Most people shrug these instances off as "serendipity," "happenstance," "chance," "luck," "coincidence," "fate," "destiny," "circumstances," and as "good fortune." I have unwittingly done this many times too.

After hearing someone express "Oh,it was just a coincidence!" one too many times in the same day, when referring to their good fortune, I'd had it, and decided to look up each of these words to see what ol' man Webster had to say about it:

1. serendipity: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.



2. happenstance: a circumstance especially that is due to chance.



3. chance: something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause.



4. luck: a): a force that brings good fortune or adversity
   b): the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual.



5. coincidence: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection.



6. fate: the principle or determining cause or will by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do



7. destiny: a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency



8. circumstance: a): a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another b):the sum of essential and environmental factors
   



9. good fortune: often capitalized : a hypothetical force or personified power that unpredictably determines events and issues favorably or unfavorably.
   

To me it seems that most of these definitions have some attributes that we normally attribute to God. Hmmmm...quite interesting, huh? We can't control most things in our lives, and if we were completely honest, we'd admit that we can't actually control anything.

The Word says that our steps are ordered; our hairs on our heads are numbered; He knew us before we were born, not to worry about what to eat or drink- He will provide for us, He does not show favoritism. Then there's my all time favorite verse,
Romans 8:28:

And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."

and let's consider Ephesians 1:11 NIV

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will."

This tells us that He is behind the scenes of every act and curtain call of our lives. If He did not directly DO it, He still ALLOWED it, working out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. How can we as Christians shrug off anything and not give Him the glory and honor and praise? Something to think about, huh?

\o/

My Sentiments

Perfect and true,
Pure in all Your ways,
Oh Lord, there is none else like You,
no one like You,
and all these things,
keep me in awe of You,
and I'm overwhelmed that you would,
call me friend.

These are the lyrics to a song called "You Called Me Friend" by Fred Hammond. These words express my sentiments exactly!! How could the perfect, pure God want a relationship with me? It boggles my mind to think about it! I am not holy enough-- I'll NEVER be holy enough! I thank you Lord, DAILY for your gifts of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and salvation!!

"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart". ~ Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Halleluyah!