When I was trying to think of something to write about the word "test" came to mind. So I did a search for verses on testing in the Bible. Well, most of the verses that came up did not have the word "test," but the word "testimony." Now I find that strange because our church is currently doing a Wednesday night series of testimonies from some of the members of our church. This past Wednesday, Jason Hill kicked it off. If you weren't there you can check it out at www.lifechurchwestmonroe.com. Well, I started thinking that night, "What is my testimony?"
I mean, I know that I am saved and I know that God has done so many wonderful things in my life. But if I had to get up in front of people and give my testimony - what would I say?
To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what I would say. God has always been a part of my life. Since I was little, I have always felt His presence. Now, I am no saint. Just because I always felt God around does not mean I always listened to him or obeyed him. But He has always been there. I have always known Him.
I don't know about you but when I think about the word testimony, I think of a defining moment in your life. An AH-HA moment. So I looked it up. According to the dictionary, the word "testimony" means an open declaration or profession, as of faith. It's your proof. So my testimony is the proof of God in my life.
It's wondering how you are going to pay for something you just don't have the money for, but then all of a sudden you get some unexpected funds.
It's leaving a job that you took for selfish reasons and because you know that God created you for something different. And even though you have no other job to go to, you leave anyway, putting all your faith in God that he will work everything out. And then a week later, getting the call that you got a job that is so right for you and puts you directly on the path of fulfilling your purpose.
It's the everyday things. Like when in the middle of the day, you just want to go home and he gives you the strength to make it to quitting time.
Or when you have that one person, who no matter what you do, is just not nice to you. And he somehow you are able to put a smile on your face and speak a kind word to them.
It's all of these things. So I guess that is my testimony. All of the things that God has done in my life over the years to keep me safe and protected, comforted and loved, and strong and brave. That's my God.
Thank you God for always being there. For always showing up and never forsaking me.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
FREEDOM
"It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life." Galatians 5:13a
Isn't this awesome! He has called us to a free life. At our Life Chicks meeting, Angel talked about cleaning all of the junk out of our lives. All the junk that we keep hidden inside of us eventually weighs us down. We have all been there. I know that I have. You get to a point where you feel like you can't keep your head above water. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. And it will all go wrong on the same day at the same time.
But this is not how God wants us to live. He paid the ulitimate price so that we may life freely and abundantly.
"God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out." Psalm 34:22
When we turn to God, he frees us. He takes our burdens and all our "junk" and wipes our slate clean. He gives us a new life. All we have to do is accept it and follow him.
"But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom." Romans 6:17-18
By accepting his love, listening to his instructions and living life according to His Word, we will in turn live a life of FREEDOM. And that is a wonderful place to be.
Isn't this awesome! He has called us to a free life. At our Life Chicks meeting, Angel talked about cleaning all of the junk out of our lives. All the junk that we keep hidden inside of us eventually weighs us down. We have all been there. I know that I have. You get to a point where you feel like you can't keep your head above water. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. And it will all go wrong on the same day at the same time.
But this is not how God wants us to live. He paid the ulitimate price so that we may life freely and abundantly.
"God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out." Psalm 34:22
When we turn to God, he frees us. He takes our burdens and all our "junk" and wipes our slate clean. He gives us a new life. All we have to do is accept it and follow him.
"But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom." Romans 6:17-18
By accepting his love, listening to his instructions and living life according to His Word, we will in turn live a life of FREEDOM. And that is a wonderful place to be.
Grudges
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Chinese Proverb
This is a common phrase. I have used it myself many times. This is no way to live. Although it seems harmless to use this phrase, making it a part of your way of life can really hinder us in growing into the people we want to be.
See holding grudges will get you nowhere. Now, keep in mind, you are hearing this from someone who never forgets anything. I can remember every wrong that has ever been done to me in my life. No matter how big or small. The difference between then and now is that I used to not only remember these things, but would base relationships on them. I could stay mad at someone for a good while. Stop talking to them (unless absolutely necessary, like for work), avoiding them and yes, I could be downright mean right back.
I have held on to many a grudge over the years. I finally realized the irony to this situation-Who does this hurt more? I was the one who has to control my actions and hold my tongue to not speak. I was the one who missed out on the fun because I wouldn't go due to the presence of another. I finally realized that it was just too much work. I needed to let go of these things and just get on with my life.
So if there is anything you are holding onto, I encourage you to just let it go. Forgive whoever it is that has wronged you, not only in words but in your heart. You will be a much happier person if you do.
This is a common phrase. I have used it myself many times. This is no way to live. Although it seems harmless to use this phrase, making it a part of your way of life can really hinder us in growing into the people we want to be.
See holding grudges will get you nowhere. Now, keep in mind, you are hearing this from someone who never forgets anything. I can remember every wrong that has ever been done to me in my life. No matter how big or small. The difference between then and now is that I used to not only remember these things, but would base relationships on them. I could stay mad at someone for a good while. Stop talking to them (unless absolutely necessary, like for work), avoiding them and yes, I could be downright mean right back.
I have held on to many a grudge over the years. I finally realized the irony to this situation-Who does this hurt more? I was the one who has to control my actions and hold my tongue to not speak. I was the one who missed out on the fun because I wouldn't go due to the presence of another. I finally realized that it was just too much work. I needed to let go of these things and just get on with my life.
So if there is anything you are holding onto, I encourage you to just let it go. Forgive whoever it is that has wronged you, not only in words but in your heart. You will be a much happier person if you do.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Potential
I have been thinking alot about life lately. I am turning (eeeeeek) 30 this year. That is so hard for me to say. I know that 30 is not old so to speak, but it is kind of a defining year. So that has me thinking about life and about where I am, where I've been and where I am going.
Now I don't spend to much time on where I have been. I used to. But I have learned that while it is good to reflect on the past and learn from it, it does absolutely no good to dwell on it. That will just get you in trouble.
So where am I? I have a great family-wonderful husband and 2 beautiful children. I have a great job. I get to travel and I am involved in the community. It's a great place to be and a great springboard to where I want to go. I work with good people-many of whom I feel privileged to call my friends. I attend an awesome church. A church that cares more about reaching the unchurched and hurting than anything else. A church that is open, honest and transparent. So I am in a good place.
So what about my future? What does life hold for me in the dreaded 30s and 40s and dare I even begin to mention my 50s? I'm not sure. I can tell you what I want and what I hope for. I hope to one day run for office. I'm not sure which office yet, but I just know that I want to help people and I think that is the way I was built to do it. I want to serve more at my church. I want to help bring others to our church and to Christ. I want to be a good wife and a good mother. I want to be an example to my daughter and a role model. I want her to see first-hand how a strong woman of God lives. I want to paint and I want to write books. I want to be a good leader.
I want to speak to women. I want to do so many things. I want to take the potential that God has placed in me and be a good steward.
Potential is a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed. We all have potential. It's just for different things. God gave us the specific abilities and talents to fulfill his plan for us on earth. So that is my plan for next few years. To take the abilities that God gave me and use them or develop them so that I can do all of the things that he created me to do.
We are all beautifully and wonderfully made. And we all have a great calling on our lives. And God gave us everything that we need to fulfill that calling, whether we know it now or not. So that is my new focus. To be a good steward of my potential.
So goodbye 20s and hello 30s.
(But just so you know-I will be in my bed with the covers pulled over my head on July 18 and I won't come out. Except to head to the fridge for a big tub of raw cookie dough!)
Now I don't spend to much time on where I have been. I used to. But I have learned that while it is good to reflect on the past and learn from it, it does absolutely no good to dwell on it. That will just get you in trouble.
So where am I? I have a great family-wonderful husband and 2 beautiful children. I have a great job. I get to travel and I am involved in the community. It's a great place to be and a great springboard to where I want to go. I work with good people-many of whom I feel privileged to call my friends. I attend an awesome church. A church that cares more about reaching the unchurched and hurting than anything else. A church that is open, honest and transparent. So I am in a good place.
So what about my future? What does life hold for me in the dreaded 30s and 40s and dare I even begin to mention my 50s? I'm not sure. I can tell you what I want and what I hope for. I hope to one day run for office. I'm not sure which office yet, but I just know that I want to help people and I think that is the way I was built to do it. I want to serve more at my church. I want to help bring others to our church and to Christ. I want to be a good wife and a good mother. I want to be an example to my daughter and a role model. I want her to see first-hand how a strong woman of God lives. I want to paint and I want to write books. I want to be a good leader.
I want to speak to women. I want to do so many things. I want to take the potential that God has placed in me and be a good steward.
Potential is a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed. We all have potential. It's just for different things. God gave us the specific abilities and talents to fulfill his plan for us on earth. So that is my plan for next few years. To take the abilities that God gave me and use them or develop them so that I can do all of the things that he created me to do.
We are all beautifully and wonderfully made. And we all have a great calling on our lives. And God gave us everything that we need to fulfill that calling, whether we know it now or not. So that is my new focus. To be a good steward of my potential.
So goodbye 20s and hello 30s.
(But just so you know-I will be in my bed with the covers pulled over my head on July 18 and I won't come out. Except to head to the fridge for a big tub of raw cookie dough!)
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