So I love my Bible study group- mainly because (outside of being Christians) we have nothing in common.
Everyone has kids, is much older (outside of one couple) and is in a different walk of life than we are.
Now it seems strange that I would like this, because as humans, we are naturally drawn to people who are like us. However, i think a group like this is essential for Bible study.
Why?- you may ask. Because this group challenges me in the Word. When I am with my friends, we typically have pretty similar convictions, moral and political beliefs: rarely having to bring up a challenge for someone to think differently about something than they did before.
My group members will challenge my beliefs or interpretation of a verse though bc they come from a different walk of life. I love being challenged... It either strengthens my own convictions or allows me to think of something in a different light.
And that to me is an important way to grow in my walk with God. I am so thankful for this group!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Love Your Christian Enemies
I was reading Luke 6:27-36: love your enemies. In a modern, contemporary, Christian context I often hear this about "the Muslims, the gays and those God hating secularists."
Ever since I was a teen, I could never relate to this modern interpretation. I have had and continue to have dear friends from each of these "groups."
For awhile, I thought this wasn't a verse that pertained to me as much, since by nature I am fairly laid back.
But recently, I realized that it applies to me in a much different context and was I convicted!
Plain and simple: my enemy was the Christian Right. I hated how they would ostracize and demonize homosexuals, liberals, Muslims and atheists. I would get so mad at how they would focus on the sin and not show Christ's love at all. I hated how it would become an "us vs them" battle.
Basically, I hated how they treated other people and I began to have a growing distain towards the Christian Right. They were not showing Christ's love towards their enemies. Then I realized: I was not showing Christ's love to the Christian Right.... I was not loving my enemies.
It's something I continue to struggle with. God has put many opportunities in my life to love and dialogue with those who I normally get frustrated with. He has taught me a great deal.
So now as I grow in Him, I ask Him to help me minister to both groups (the non-Christians and Christians) in both truth and love. Lord, help me to love all people with Your love!
Ever since I was a teen, I could never relate to this modern interpretation. I have had and continue to have dear friends from each of these "groups."
For awhile, I thought this wasn't a verse that pertained to me as much, since by nature I am fairly laid back.
But recently, I realized that it applies to me in a much different context and was I convicted!
Plain and simple: my enemy was the Christian Right. I hated how they would ostracize and demonize homosexuals, liberals, Muslims and atheists. I would get so mad at how they would focus on the sin and not show Christ's love at all. I hated how it would become an "us vs them" battle.
Basically, I hated how they treated other people and I began to have a growing distain towards the Christian Right. They were not showing Christ's love towards their enemies. Then I realized: I was not showing Christ's love to the Christian Right.... I was not loving my enemies.
It's something I continue to struggle with. God has put many opportunities in my life to love and dialogue with those who I normally get frustrated with. He has taught me a great deal.
So now as I grow in Him, I ask Him to help me minister to both groups (the non-Christians and Christians) in both truth and love. Lord, help me to love all people with Your love!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
So Glad You Are Here 2012!!!!
As I have stated before, 2011 was a trying year (for both myself and some of the people closest to me). But through those trying times, God was faithful. He molded me and shaped me in ways I never knew imaginable. I was also able to take our relationship to the next level....
All my life, I would just take the difficulties thrown at me. When difficulty, after difficulty hit last year, I would just thank God and pray for the desires of my heart. One night, at a time when I was so overwhelmed, I was praying with my husband. My husband knew that I was at the end of my rope, burnt out by all the trials I had faced- yet I was praying the same way I always did- thanking and saying "if it’s Your will." I will never forget when my husband interrupted my prayer and said "now is not the time for that kind of prayer- now is the time for you to be honest with God."
It really threw me off, because once he said that, I knew exactly what I was doing. I was almost praying to God out of superstition....thinking if I thanked Him, the bad would stop. This was all done subconsciously until this moment. And then I prayed, crying out to God like I never had before:
"You know I can handle a lot, but I cannot handle one more trial. I am tired of not hearing Your voice. I need Your guidance right now- I am burnt out, I am at the end of my rope. Intervene."
It was prob the most emotional prayer of my life. Within days He made Himself known and began turning things around in our lives.
I am so thankful for my husband and how he pushed me to grow in my walk in this way. I know it sounds crazy, but this event completely took my relationship with God to a whole new level.
I don’t know what 2012 will hold, but I declare, in faith, that this year we will no longer be in the wilderness. My God has heard my plea and has answered faithfully.
I commit to seeking balance in my life in 2012- in my relationship with Him, my husband, work, health, other relationships, what I am called to (through the gifting’s He has placed in my life) and in the thing I love to do.
Those are my resolutions if you will- Declaring in faith that He has brought us out of the wilderness (not to say trials will not happen, but that He is bringing us out of a rough season, taking our yoke upon Himself) and that I will seek balance in my life. Here's to 2012!!!
All my life, I would just take the difficulties thrown at me. When difficulty, after difficulty hit last year, I would just thank God and pray for the desires of my heart. One night, at a time when I was so overwhelmed, I was praying with my husband. My husband knew that I was at the end of my rope, burnt out by all the trials I had faced- yet I was praying the same way I always did- thanking and saying "if it’s Your will." I will never forget when my husband interrupted my prayer and said "now is not the time for that kind of prayer- now is the time for you to be honest with God."
It really threw me off, because once he said that, I knew exactly what I was doing. I was almost praying to God out of superstition....thinking if I thanked Him, the bad would stop. This was all done subconsciously until this moment. And then I prayed, crying out to God like I never had before:
"You know I can handle a lot, but I cannot handle one more trial. I am tired of not hearing Your voice. I need Your guidance right now- I am burnt out, I am at the end of my rope. Intervene."
It was prob the most emotional prayer of my life. Within days He made Himself known and began turning things around in our lives.
I am so thankful for my husband and how he pushed me to grow in my walk in this way. I know it sounds crazy, but this event completely took my relationship with God to a whole new level.
I don’t know what 2012 will hold, but I declare, in faith, that this year we will no longer be in the wilderness. My God has heard my plea and has answered faithfully.
I commit to seeking balance in my life in 2012- in my relationship with Him, my husband, work, health, other relationships, what I am called to (through the gifting’s He has placed in my life) and in the thing I love to do.
Those are my resolutions if you will- Declaring in faith that He has brought us out of the wilderness (not to say trials will not happen, but that He is bringing us out of a rough season, taking our yoke upon Himself) and that I will seek balance in my life. Here's to 2012!!!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
A Sign
A couple weeks ago I was speaking to someone at my work. She was a Persian Christian who had received amnesty in the United States. She told me about her conversion to Christianity from Islam:
When she was 14 she felt an emptiness that would not pass. She had a wonderful family that was well off, so she did not know why. Finally she prayed to God and said "I feel so empty- give me a sign." Over the next six months Jesus appeared to her in her sleep. He told her stories from the Bible, stories she had never heard before as she had never even seen a Bible. After six months she felt lead to go downtown to a Christian church. She was handed a Bible- as she read it, she was amazed. These were the stories from her dreams. She gave her life to Christ that day.
I was amazed by her testimony- how God had so directly answered her plea when she asked for a sign. Later that day, I went to Bible study and we read out of Isaiah about King Ahaz. Two countries were swarming in on Israel. He didn’t know what to do, so he was going to essentially give up. God used Isaiah to tell him to ask for a sign. He did not and used the excuse 'I do not want to tempt the Lord.' God was angry that he did not ask for a sign. We looked at this passage in juxtaposition with one in the New Testament...when Christ's followers asked for a sign and He was angry because he had just preformed a whole bunch of miracles. This was testing God.
We concluded the difference was that it is not testing God if you ask for a sign when He has not shown you yet...as a matter of fact He encourages it. It is testing God if you keep asking for a sign when He has already shown you the direction.
So now Jer and I needed to apply this to our own lives. We prayed- God show us a sign. Should we remain where we are even though we are not 100% sure Jer will have his job back? We want to be responsible with our finance but don’t want to move too soon. You know it’s my desire to not have to move.
After two days of crying out to God for a sign, Jer got a call from his work. They said they would start work again on Jan 13th. Its a little hard for me to trust them, but it is the first time in weeks they have contacted Jer....right after we prayed. So, we will remain where we are...continuing to pray that God would direct us. We will reevaluate where we are on Jan 31st (praying that Jer does have a job then). I am a lot more at peace about it all now. Thank you Lord for teaching me this important lesson
When she was 14 she felt an emptiness that would not pass. She had a wonderful family that was well off, so she did not know why. Finally she prayed to God and said "I feel so empty- give me a sign." Over the next six months Jesus appeared to her in her sleep. He told her stories from the Bible, stories she had never heard before as she had never even seen a Bible. After six months she felt lead to go downtown to a Christian church. She was handed a Bible- as she read it, she was amazed. These were the stories from her dreams. She gave her life to Christ that day.
I was amazed by her testimony- how God had so directly answered her plea when she asked for a sign. Later that day, I went to Bible study and we read out of Isaiah about King Ahaz. Two countries were swarming in on Israel. He didn’t know what to do, so he was going to essentially give up. God used Isaiah to tell him to ask for a sign. He did not and used the excuse 'I do not want to tempt the Lord.' God was angry that he did not ask for a sign. We looked at this passage in juxtaposition with one in the New Testament...when Christ's followers asked for a sign and He was angry because he had just preformed a whole bunch of miracles. This was testing God.
We concluded the difference was that it is not testing God if you ask for a sign when He has not shown you yet...as a matter of fact He encourages it. It is testing God if you keep asking for a sign when He has already shown you the direction.
So now Jer and I needed to apply this to our own lives. We prayed- God show us a sign. Should we remain where we are even though we are not 100% sure Jer will have his job back? We want to be responsible with our finance but don’t want to move too soon. You know it’s my desire to not have to move.
After two days of crying out to God for a sign, Jer got a call from his work. They said they would start work again on Jan 13th. Its a little hard for me to trust them, but it is the first time in weeks they have contacted Jer....right after we prayed. So, we will remain where we are...continuing to pray that God would direct us. We will reevaluate where we are on Jan 31st (praying that Jer does have a job then). I am a lot more at peace about it all now. Thank you Lord for teaching me this important lesson
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Our Church
I really love our new church- it's diverse, not uber political and most importantly it is very bibically based. The pastor is going through some of the more contriversial subjects in the bible and is handling it all in a bibical, balanced and practical way. Its really refreshing- what Jer and I have been wanting for awhile. Were looking to get involved with a mentoring ministry, apartment ministry and a small group. Cant wait to see what God does. I am so thankful He brought us to Anaheim. I love our church, community and new home (I am still amazed that God gave us such a great place).
In all of His faithfulness, I know He cares for us. He has taken care of us and will continue to- with a job for Jer, our finaces and in our walk with Him. Thank you Lord
In all of His faithfulness, I know He cares for us. He has taken care of us and will continue to- with a job for Jer, our finaces and in our walk with Him. Thank you Lord
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Like David
So David complained a bit in the Psalms... here is my honesty moment:
I would love for Jer to have a stable job. I would love to have enough money to not worry about paying for our bills and groceries. I would like to have enough to take our bunny to the vet for his medical needs. I wish that we wouldn't keep getting screwed financially- that we wouldnt have to worry about paying for an unfair ticket. Every time I think things are getting better, I feel like we get hit again.
But then I remember all the ways that God has provided... all of our blessings. He is faithful, even in the difficult times. I am so thankful for that. I know things could be worse and I thank the Lord for sparing us from that.
I just dont know how many more trials I can take Lord. It would be so nice not to keep getting hit so hard financially.
There is my honesty moment. I trust you and pray that You would hear my prayer...Amen.
I would love for Jer to have a stable job. I would love to have enough money to not worry about paying for our bills and groceries. I would like to have enough to take our bunny to the vet for his medical needs. I wish that we wouldn't keep getting screwed financially- that we wouldnt have to worry about paying for an unfair ticket. Every time I think things are getting better, I feel like we get hit again.
But then I remember all the ways that God has provided... all of our blessings. He is faithful, even in the difficult times. I am so thankful for that. I know things could be worse and I thank the Lord for sparing us from that.
I just dont know how many more trials I can take Lord. It would be so nice not to keep getting hit so hard financially.
There is my honesty moment. I trust you and pray that You would hear my prayer...Amen.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Always Pro-Life?
When I was in high school, I had a shirt that said "Abortion is Homicide". What a statement I made! Years later, I realized that this particular shirt may have been worn with the purist of intentions, but it did not reflect God's love.
The controversial law in Mississippi, which was not upheld this week, got me thinking a lot about the issue of being pro-life.
The way that this law was presented was that the issue of abortion was black and white. Growing up in the church, I had heard the same thing- abortion was a matter of life or death, murdering or not murdering, black and white. Essentially, this law suggested that abortion was always wrong and that life began at conception (again the same thing I had heard from the majority of the Christian community).
However, this law did not pass...in Mississippi, arguably one of the most conservative states. Why was this?
The Economist had a really funny letter to the editor last week on the issue:
SIR – I was delighted to read your article about the effort in Mississippi to pass a state constitutional amendment to recognize embryos as people from the moment of fertilization (“A person already?”, October 8th). My wife and I have been considering IVF to address our lack of success in conceiving a child. Mississippi’s proposed amendment gives us even more reason to pursue this treatment, and to move to Mississippi.
After the procedure we will insist on taking custody of any extra embryos that result from IVF—it is our right as parents after all. Once safely in our home we plan to keep them in a freezer in our basement and list them as child dependents for tax purposes, thus giving us a tax deduction. To protect the lives of our children in case of a power outage we will buy a backup generator. Anything less would be bad parenting.
I had a good laugh, noting that by technicalities (stating that personhood began at conception) this person could have actually done this if the law had passed.
I read another story about a Christian family in Mississippi who had a child through in vitro. Now with in vitro, doctors get rid of embryos that they know will not work. By that law, the family could not have another child through in vitro, because it would be ending the life of an embryo (even if it was a "bad" embryo). It was suggested that this is why a substantial amount of Christian-Right members did not vote for this law, even though they were pro-life....it hit home. Almost everyone knows someone who has tried in vitro in the Christian community.
Perhaps abortion is not a black and white issue. Perhaps pro-lifers will be abandoning the term "life begins at conception" because this law proved it is a little more complex than that.
So now we live in a world where this law was tried and failed. The Christian community recognizes that this affects some of their own members. But will the Christians community recognize that it is not black and white for people outside of the Christian community? It is not a black and white issue for an 11 year old child who became pregnant after being raped. It is not black and white for a couple who is told the mother and possibly the child will die if she carries the baby to term. It is not black and white for the woman who takes the morning after pill after a condom breaks.
Now hear me out- I am not saying that abortion is right (or wrong) in any of these cases. I just think as Christians that we need to recognize that it is not a black and white issue. We need to love those in our own community and those outside of our community who are faced with these difficult choices. We need to ask God for His wisdom. But more than anything, we need to be much more loving when it comes to this subject.
Lord give us Your wisdom, guidance and love when it comes to this matter. Amen.
The controversial law in Mississippi, which was not upheld this week, got me thinking a lot about the issue of being pro-life.
The way that this law was presented was that the issue of abortion was black and white. Growing up in the church, I had heard the same thing- abortion was a matter of life or death, murdering or not murdering, black and white. Essentially, this law suggested that abortion was always wrong and that life began at conception (again the same thing I had heard from the majority of the Christian community).
However, this law did not pass...in Mississippi, arguably one of the most conservative states. Why was this?
The Economist had a really funny letter to the editor last week on the issue:
SIR – I was delighted to read your article about the effort in Mississippi to pass a state constitutional amendment to recognize embryos as people from the moment of fertilization (“A person already?”, October 8th). My wife and I have been considering IVF to address our lack of success in conceiving a child. Mississippi’s proposed amendment gives us even more reason to pursue this treatment, and to move to Mississippi.
After the procedure we will insist on taking custody of any extra embryos that result from IVF—it is our right as parents after all. Once safely in our home we plan to keep them in a freezer in our basement and list them as child dependents for tax purposes, thus giving us a tax deduction. To protect the lives of our children in case of a power outage we will buy a backup generator. Anything less would be bad parenting.
I had a good laugh, noting that by technicalities (stating that personhood began at conception) this person could have actually done this if the law had passed.
I read another story about a Christian family in Mississippi who had a child through in vitro. Now with in vitro, doctors get rid of embryos that they know will not work. By that law, the family could not have another child through in vitro, because it would be ending the life of an embryo (even if it was a "bad" embryo). It was suggested that this is why a substantial amount of Christian-Right members did not vote for this law, even though they were pro-life....it hit home. Almost everyone knows someone who has tried in vitro in the Christian community.
Perhaps abortion is not a black and white issue. Perhaps pro-lifers will be abandoning the term "life begins at conception" because this law proved it is a little more complex than that.
So now we live in a world where this law was tried and failed. The Christian community recognizes that this affects some of their own members. But will the Christians community recognize that it is not black and white for people outside of the Christian community? It is not a black and white issue for an 11 year old child who became pregnant after being raped. It is not black and white for a couple who is told the mother and possibly the child will die if she carries the baby to term. It is not black and white for the woman who takes the morning after pill after a condom breaks.
Now hear me out- I am not saying that abortion is right (or wrong) in any of these cases. I just think as Christians that we need to recognize that it is not a black and white issue. We need to love those in our own community and those outside of our community who are faced with these difficult choices. We need to ask God for His wisdom. But more than anything, we need to be much more loving when it comes to this subject.
Lord give us Your wisdom, guidance and love when it comes to this matter. Amen.
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