Saturday, November 24, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Body of Christ
I cried myself to sleep last night and then continued this morning when I woke up. Someone, another Christian, has hurt me deeply, and the bad thing about it is...they know it, and they do not care. I think, in fact, they may get joy from knowing that they've hurt me. I admit that I threw a pity party most of the day.
I sincerely hope that I've never hurt someone in such a way. It seems to me that wound hurt worse when it's from within the body of Christ. Why, if we are of one body, do we continue to hurt others? Why do we intentionally, carnally, go after blood, so to speak, just so we can get our way or feel justified in our opinions?
I told my husband last night that the worst hurts of my life have come from someone in the church. And it's true. There's nothing that hurts worse than hearing cut-downs and malicious talk from someone that's supposed to be an edifying presence in our lives. I may be too sensitive. I may take things the wrong way sometimes, and I may be hesitant to receive constructive criticism. I've tried to work on that, and I honestly believe that I've come a long way.
But in this instance, I left my heart open and vulnerable to this attack of Satan. And that is what it is...it's an attack of Satan. But it's hard to understand how Satan can possible use someone that is supposed to be a Christian.
Don't get me wrong...I'm not calling the person who hurt me demon possessed. But I do think that sometimes people's personal opinions, dogmas, and bad attitudes get in the way of God using them, and they inadvertently become a tool of Satan. In our carnal state, Satan breeds things like contempt, fear, and pride in the heart of an off-their-guard believer, and before you know it, contempt, fear, and pride have been bred into the body of Christ as well.
This afternoon, I was crying to my friend, and she said, "I know our trust is supposed to be in God, and not in people, but we are supposed to be a "body." I feel like the body is like a person that cuts himself." How true. She's referring of course, 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 that says, "But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. "
Why do we do this to ourselves? Why can't we care for one another in the same way that we care for our own physical bodies. I know that times of hurt are going to come, but when that happens, why can't we administer caring treatment and not further damage?
My conclusions were:
1) Pain is a part of life. While I can't put my hope in people, I should understand that pain is a sign that the body is sick. I have the ability to administer care where it is needed.
2) I pray that I am more aware to the feelings of others around me...and that I care enough to do something about them.
What about you? Have you done something to damage the body? Are you doing your part in the body? I think the body needs a physical.
I sincerely hope that I've never hurt someone in such a way. It seems to me that wound hurt worse when it's from within the body of Christ. Why, if we are of one body, do we continue to hurt others? Why do we intentionally, carnally, go after blood, so to speak, just so we can get our way or feel justified in our opinions?
I told my husband last night that the worst hurts of my life have come from someone in the church. And it's true. There's nothing that hurts worse than hearing cut-downs and malicious talk from someone that's supposed to be an edifying presence in our lives. I may be too sensitive. I may take things the wrong way sometimes, and I may be hesitant to receive constructive criticism. I've tried to work on that, and I honestly believe that I've come a long way.
But in this instance, I left my heart open and vulnerable to this attack of Satan. And that is what it is...it's an attack of Satan. But it's hard to understand how Satan can possible use someone that is supposed to be a Christian.
Don't get me wrong...I'm not calling the person who hurt me demon possessed. But I do think that sometimes people's personal opinions, dogmas, and bad attitudes get in the way of God using them, and they inadvertently become a tool of Satan. In our carnal state, Satan breeds things like contempt, fear, and pride in the heart of an off-their-guard believer, and before you know it, contempt, fear, and pride have been bred into the body of Christ as well.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Why can't we care for one another in the same way that we care for our own physical bodies. I know that times of hurt are going to come, but when that happens, why can't we administer caring treatment and not further damage?
My conclusions were:
1) Pain is a part of life. While I can't put my hope in people, I should understand that pain is a sign that the body is sick. I have the ability to administer care where it is needed.
2) I pray that I am more aware to the feelings of others around me...and that I care enough to do something about them.
What about you? Have you done something to damage the body? Are you doing your part in the body? I think the body needs a physical.
Thanksgiving
There are a lot of people on Facebook right now giving thanks every day during the day of November for something or someone in their life. It's refreshing really, to read thankful comments as opposed to complaints, grumbles, bickering, and just down-right nastiness.
I have noticed however, that this being the 13th day of the month, a lot of people have dropped off the "thankful wagon." Are we really a people in the United States that is so consumed with having more that we've run out of things for which to be thankful? Have we gotten so used to the luxuries of life that we don't even notice them anymore and we're no longer thankful?
These last few months have been hard, and I'm having more hard days it seems than good ones. I could start a list here of the things that are wrong, and honestly, I have made lists before in all the ways I'm failing. No joke. My list-making tendencies took over that day. But I won't give in to the tricks of the enemy. He wants me to focus on the negative and overlook the sometimes small blessings of everyday life.
Back to the Facebook thankfulness thing...I honestly am running out of big things to be thankful for. But does it really matter if they're grand, big, and impressive? God meets our needs in the smallest of ways sometimes, and really, does He even owe us anything at all?
So here it is. Next week, we will celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving. On that day, my husband, my kids, and I will remember the American holiday, but I am committed more than ever that they will understand what it really means to be thankful. To drive home the concept, I'm going to give a prize to the kid who says, "Thank you," the most during the day. They just don't know it yet.
We will make paper bag Indian vests, Indian headdresses, paper turkeys, paper pilgrim hats, and do as much decorating as my crayon drawer can afford. I will roast a turkey, make southern cornbread dressing, and we'll be miserable all afternoon after eating, but that night, Heath will go to work. Instead of complaining about him having to work on a holiday, we'll be thankful he has a job. The next day, we'll go stand in line at Cabela's to get his gift, and instead of complaining about the crowds, we'll be thankful for the good sale, and we'll be thankful we have the money to purchase a gift of non-necessity.
We have a tendency, even in the Christian tradition, to only request prayer for sickness, negative things, and fear that our nation is turning bad. But what if we asked people to help us thank God for the blessings we've received this year. I think the attitude of gratitude might show just a little more.
I have noticed however, that this being the 13th day of the month, a lot of people have dropped off the "thankful wagon." Are we really a people in the United States that is so consumed with having more that we've run out of things for which to be thankful? Have we gotten so used to the luxuries of life that we don't even notice them anymore and we're no longer thankful?
These last few months have been hard, and I'm having more hard days it seems than good ones. I could start a list here of the things that are wrong, and honestly, I have made lists before in all the ways I'm failing. No joke. My list-making tendencies took over that day. But I won't give in to the tricks of the enemy. He wants me to focus on the negative and overlook the sometimes small blessings of everyday life.
Back to the Facebook thankfulness thing...I honestly am running out of big things to be thankful for. But does it really matter if they're grand, big, and impressive? God meets our needs in the smallest of ways sometimes, and really, does He even owe us anything at all?
So here it is. Next week, we will celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving. On that day, my husband, my kids, and I will remember the American holiday, but I am committed more than ever that they will understand what it really means to be thankful. To drive home the concept, I'm going to give a prize to the kid who says, "Thank you," the most during the day. They just don't know it yet.
We will make paper bag Indian vests, Indian headdresses, paper turkeys, paper pilgrim hats, and do as much decorating as my crayon drawer can afford. I will roast a turkey, make southern cornbread dressing, and we'll be miserable all afternoon after eating, but that night, Heath will go to work. Instead of complaining about him having to work on a holiday, we'll be thankful he has a job. The next day, we'll go stand in line at Cabela's to get his gift, and instead of complaining about the crowds, we'll be thankful for the good sale, and we'll be thankful we have the money to purchase a gift of non-necessity.
We have a tendency, even in the Christian tradition, to only request prayer for sickness, negative things, and fear that our nation is turning bad. But what if we asked people to help us thank God for the blessings we've received this year. I think the attitude of gratitude might show just a little more.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Protection
A year ago today could've been very different. I posted last year about the dog attacks. So many times since that day, I've recounted the events of to other people, always being very careful to give God glory for His protection. In almost every testimony of that day, people have responded, "You were so lucky. Things could've turned out so different." This is true. I still can't believe that I was able to stand up the whole time I had two dogs hanging from my arms, trying desperately to tear me down. Thank God! I was standing the whole time. I shudder to think and have often had nightmares about what could've happened if I had fallen. Thank God! My children stayed in the car the whole time! I shudder to think and have had nightmares about what could've happened if they had gotten out. Thank God! My pregnant friend was not harmed during the whole ordeal. I shudder to think and have had nightmares about what could've happened if they had decided to turn on her. Thank God! Heath was with me and was able to take me to the emergency room. I shudder to think about how I would've gotten there if I had to drive myself. Thank God! I prayed during the attacks that they would somehow just let go....and they did! Thank God! For sweet friends and parishioners who prayed for me, and for my friend who owned the dogs. They exhibited Christ-like love, forgiveness, and acceptance to her, a babe in Christ.
I've often wondered about the concept of God's protection. I know it's real. Countless times, I've seen it. There's no doubt in my mind that God protects us more times than we can even imagine. But I have wondered...what does it look like? Are there always angels? The Psalmist writes in the 91st Psalm, "He will give His angels charge over thee to guard you in all your ways." I mean, does the angel always cover us from harm? Or does God Himself provide a shelter of protection. One of my favorite Scripture songs comes from Proverbs 18:10 says, "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe." My wonderings don't really matter. The very fact that God protected me and gave me the assurance of His presence is enough! His grace is sufficient for me, and continues to be overflowing in my life.
I admit that today, I got lost in my thoughts about the events of one year ago today. It was overwhelming, and I was tempted to relive bad memories. I couldn't help though but be thankful for ALL that God has done for me. He protected, and He provided. I praise His Name!
I've often wondered about the concept of God's protection. I know it's real. Countless times, I've seen it. There's no doubt in my mind that God protects us more times than we can even imagine. But I have wondered...what does it look like? Are there always angels? The Psalmist writes in the 91st Psalm, "He will give His angels charge over thee to guard you in all your ways." I mean, does the angel always cover us from harm? Or does God Himself provide a shelter of protection. One of my favorite Scripture songs comes from Proverbs 18:10 says, "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe." My wonderings don't really matter. The very fact that God protected me and gave me the assurance of His presence is enough! His grace is sufficient for me, and continues to be overflowing in my life.
I admit that today, I got lost in my thoughts about the events of one year ago today. It was overwhelming, and I was tempted to relive bad memories. I couldn't help though but be thankful for ALL that God has done for me. He protected, and He provided. I praise His Name!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Little Boy's Lunch
This morning I awoke with a migraine. Today is NOT the day to have a migraine.
This summer, I have the unique privilege of watching a 6 year old boy while his parents work during the day. In addition to my own 2 kids and Nolan, I was to be joined this morning by a couple of other kids for our Backyard Bible School. BBS meets at my house this week, and today's craft was especially physically taxing for me. Paint was involved...enough said.
When I came downstairs, I immediately took some Aleve, hoping that the pain would subside enough for me to function. Aleve didn't really seem to interested in helping me out, but I trudged through the morning anyway, hoping I could just get through BBS.
The time came.
I started the lesson which was centered around the Scriptures where Jesus feeds the multitude, by blessing the boy's lunch of fish and bread. The point I tried to make to the kids was two-fold. The same God who performed the miracle of making the food stretch enough to feed 5000 with some left over, is the same God we still serve today. If he can make a boy's lunch stretch, He can do miracles with what we have to offer as well.
The second point I made to the kids is that God cares about every little detail of our lives...even right down to the lunch menu. Nothing is too insignificant for God to care about and respond.
As I tried to keep my head from splitting open, I realized that right then and there, God was doing just those miracles in me. He took what little I had to offer this morning and stretched it, and He blessed it! Not only that, God cares that my head hurts! There's really no reason for the heaches. They just come and go as they please. I really don't have any control over them, but He does!
Back to the blessing of the lesson part... A 6 year old girl responded! The pressures that kids face to today are tremendous. She apparently was having a hard time and accepted the promise today of a loving God who cares, understands, and responds to our needs.
God is faithful! And I praise His Name!
P. S. My headache is almost all gone!
This summer, I have the unique privilege of watching a 6 year old boy while his parents work during the day. In addition to my own 2 kids and Nolan, I was to be joined this morning by a couple of other kids for our Backyard Bible School. BBS meets at my house this week, and today's craft was especially physically taxing for me. Paint was involved...enough said.
When I came downstairs, I immediately took some Aleve, hoping that the pain would subside enough for me to function. Aleve didn't really seem to interested in helping me out, but I trudged through the morning anyway, hoping I could just get through BBS.
The time came.
I started the lesson which was centered around the Scriptures where Jesus feeds the multitude, by blessing the boy's lunch of fish and bread. The point I tried to make to the kids was two-fold. The same God who performed the miracle of making the food stretch enough to feed 5000 with some left over, is the same God we still serve today. If he can make a boy's lunch stretch, He can do miracles with what we have to offer as well.
The second point I made to the kids is that God cares about every little detail of our lives...even right down to the lunch menu. Nothing is too insignificant for God to care about and respond.
As I tried to keep my head from splitting open, I realized that right then and there, God was doing just those miracles in me. He took what little I had to offer this morning and stretched it, and He blessed it! Not only that, God cares that my head hurts! There's really no reason for the heaches. They just come and go as they please. I really don't have any control over them, but He does!
Back to the blessing of the lesson part... A 6 year old girl responded! The pressures that kids face to today are tremendous. She apparently was having a hard time and accepted the promise today of a loving God who cares, understands, and responds to our needs.
God is faithful! And I praise His Name!
P. S. My headache is almost all gone!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Waiting
I have spent the majority of my life waiting. When I was a kid, I couldn't wait until I got my driver's license. Then I waited to graduate from high school. I went to college and then waited to get married. Then all I wanted was to graduate from college. I waited for that too.
Nowadays, I do a different kind of waiting. I've waited for job promotions. I've waited for vacations, and right now, I'm waiting my income tax refund to arrive. Mostly though, I just wait on Heath to get home from work.
I've realized that I keep waiting on things to happen, never really taking the time to enjoy the moment or time that I'm given. I know we all have heard the cliches that are on bumper stickers or our Facebook walls, "Enjoy today because tomorrow is never promised," or "Today only happens once." Whatever cliche you've heard, it's likely that you're like me. You nod your head in agreement and even mentally assent that those sayings are true. And while they are perfectly true, we rarely live by them.
I've spent my entire life waiting...always waiting for the next thing to happen so that I can enjoy the moment, but I'm a very impatient person. I've thought about this issue of waiting for so long, that I can fully picture myself in 40-50 years, checked into my nursing home, settled in my hospital bed, waiting to die. You may laugh at my thoughts, but if I'm not careful, before I know it, this picture will be my reality.
Why am I like this? I honestly think that my lack of self-confidence has kept me from believing that I have something to offer the world...just the way I am now...and with the resources I have now.
It's true that I won't get a "do-over" for today, and that I'm not promised tomorrow. Today I will play with my children. I will love my husband. I will let the dishes sit in the sink a few more hours, and I will walk over to meet my neighbor in the yard. I will sit on the porch and enjoy the nice weather and thank God for the blessing of today.
What am I waiting for? I don't know. Life is here. I don't want to wish it away anymore.
Nowadays, I do a different kind of waiting. I've waited for job promotions. I've waited for vacations, and right now, I'm waiting my income tax refund to arrive. Mostly though, I just wait on Heath to get home from work.
I've realized that I keep waiting on things to happen, never really taking the time to enjoy the moment or time that I'm given. I know we all have heard the cliches that are on bumper stickers or our Facebook walls, "Enjoy today because tomorrow is never promised," or "Today only happens once." Whatever cliche you've heard, it's likely that you're like me. You nod your head in agreement and even mentally assent that those sayings are true. And while they are perfectly true, we rarely live by them.
I've spent my entire life waiting...always waiting for the next thing to happen so that I can enjoy the moment, but I'm a very impatient person. I've thought about this issue of waiting for so long, that I can fully picture myself in 40-50 years, checked into my nursing home, settled in my hospital bed, waiting to die. You may laugh at my thoughts, but if I'm not careful, before I know it, this picture will be my reality.
Why am I like this? I honestly think that my lack of self-confidence has kept me from believing that I have something to offer the world...just the way I am now...and with the resources I have now.
It's true that I won't get a "do-over" for today, and that I'm not promised tomorrow. Today I will play with my children. I will love my husband. I will let the dishes sit in the sink a few more hours, and I will walk over to meet my neighbor in the yard. I will sit on the porch and enjoy the nice weather and thank God for the blessing of today.
What am I waiting for? I don't know. Life is here. I don't want to wish it away anymore.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Never in my "Wildest" Dreams
Today I was viciously attacked by 2 dogs. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would've even been in a position to get attacked. I was going to feed my church attender's dogs this weekend while she was out of town, so I stopped by this morning for her to "show" me how to do it. During her dog feeding lesson, 2 of her dogs started to fight with one another. She was attempting to break them up when 2 of her other dogs attacked me. The whole thing probably lasted 60 seconds, but it was the longest 60 seconds of my life. One clamped down on my upper right arm and wouldn't let go. His jaws were locked. The other bit and bit and bit on my lower left arm and left leg until I was left a bloody and sickening mess. I somehow got away and ran to the car where Heath and the kids were waiting. They had no idea of what had just happened. My flesh was hanging out of my shirt and the kids were terrified.
As we drove to the hospital, I could hear Faith sobbing and praying for me. The only thing I could think about was trying to comfort her and reassure her that everything would be "okay," although I admit, I didn't really know what "okay" was going to be. I just knew that God was in control and that as long as God is still God, we're "okay."
I won't bore you further with the gory details, but I am burdened for my church attender. Most people would ask why I feel sorry for the owner of these vicious animals...yes, they are vicious. I mentioned earlier that she is a church attender along with her husband who have become our friends. She's a babe in Christ, and her husband still has yet to know Christ. I don't know how, and I don't know when, but I know that my reaction to them during this time will reflect upon Christ. I cannot and so desperately am afraid of tarnishing His image to them and to the Church watching on.
I am burdened and am very careful about the image I portray, not just as a pastor but as a Christian who bears His very Name. When we are wronged, attacked, mistreated, disrespected, abused, overlooked, battered, and gossiped about, our reaction reflects upon Him. How do you respond? Will He be proud of you?
As we drove to the hospital, I could hear Faith sobbing and praying for me. The only thing I could think about was trying to comfort her and reassure her that everything would be "okay," although I admit, I didn't really know what "okay" was going to be. I just knew that God was in control and that as long as God is still God, we're "okay."
I won't bore you further with the gory details, but I am burdened for my church attender. Most people would ask why I feel sorry for the owner of these vicious animals...yes, they are vicious. I mentioned earlier that she is a church attender along with her husband who have become our friends. She's a babe in Christ, and her husband still has yet to know Christ. I don't know how, and I don't know when, but I know that my reaction to them during this time will reflect upon Christ. I cannot and so desperately am afraid of tarnishing His image to them and to the Church watching on.
I am burdened and am very careful about the image I portray, not just as a pastor but as a Christian who bears His very Name. When we are wronged, attacked, mistreated, disrespected, abused, overlooked, battered, and gossiped about, our reaction reflects upon Him. How do you respond? Will He be proud of you?
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