Winter seems to be creeping in early this year. I love quiet winter mornings. Soft clouds blanket the sky, threaded with color as the sun quietly rises behind their warmth. It beckons me to slow down, to stop and rest. Winter is a season of rest. Though it is often harsh and barren it is a much needed time of pruning and restoration for the fruit bearing seasons of spring and summer.
Like the earth, our spiritual lives go through seasons. Though winter is often much harsher than the other seasons, it is vital for us to be thriving and fruit bearing for the Kingdom. I was reminded of this, this morning as I enjoyed a quiet early winter morning. Despite the barreness and ugliness that often surrounds winter, I find that I am drawn to the beauty of it. The beauty is not is what is seen, but in the closeness of the Father, tending to the soil of our hearts, restoring, pruning, preparing us for the beautiful Spring. So snuggle up with the Father during your long harsh winters, let Him have His way with you for there is always the promise of spring!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Heritage
Boston is steeped in heritage. Not only our country's heritage but as Believers our spiritual heritage. The Commonwealth of Boston was established by Puritans. Like every generation of Believers, they had their faults, however, they forged the way for us to be able to worship freely today. We passed many historical churches and toured The Old North Church. Many of these churches have been a place for Believers to come and worship for 300 years! As we walked through The Old North Church it was humbling to think of the number of saints who had sought after God in those pews. I pray I will leave behind a rich heritage for the next generation to follow in.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Inspiration
My affinity for Boston began in 1999 on a two day drive by while on a church trip. My heart quickly fell in love with its beauty, history and community feel. (I am a closet history nerd whose secret indulgence often involves the history channel). My heart has not been disappointed today! The beauty of Boston in the fall far surpassed my expectations! I realize how important times like this are for me. I love teaching but it drains every bit of creativity and passion that I have leaving very little to devote to other passions of my heart. Getting away to places that inspire my creativity and passions are so vital! Not to mention good time to enjoy my Father! More to come over the next few days! Enjoy some of my inspirations from today!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I went back and listened to and then read the transcript of a great message by Paul Washer. It was on marriage; however I was able to take so much out it concerning ministry! As Bryan and I enter this season of vocational ministry it was such a good word for me!
Excerpts from Paul Washer: “The Glory of God in Marriage”
“We might be running wildly in the ministry doing all that we can possibly because we donot understand grace and we still have a works mentality. We might be running wild in ministry doing all that we can working too much because we fear men. We might berunning wild and working too much because we love to have a reputation of a very tired,worn out servant of God. We may be running too much because we want to build ourown kingdoms. We might be running too much because we don’t understand God’s willnor our place in that will.
The first thing that you must understand is this. God does not need a one of you. Nowthat might make you angry, but that is a very liberating thought to me. If I were to perishbefore I finished in this pulpit, Gods’ kingdom is not going to be halted one bit. Theministry does not depend upon you. You do not have to go out there and save God’swork. You simply have to be obedient. He lists several things through which we might glorify God. And one of them is this. To be content with God’s providence. And I have found that among ministers, very few are content with God’s providence, though they would be if they had a larger ministry. To be content with God’s providence—and I believe that many men in the ministry, their neglect of their wives and their families for the sake of the ministry is simply that they are not content with the place that God has put them.
If you say “I had to put my family on the altar of sacrifice for the sake of the ministry. For the sake of the work of God I had to neglect my family. Couldn’t spend as much time with family as maybe I ought to have spent because I was busy doing the will of God.”You are making a declaration that God’s Word is not true. You are denying the verything that God speaks forth in this passage. God’s will is perfect. That means, dear sir,you do not have to violate one aspect the will of God in order to fulfill another aspect ofthat same will. If in God’s good providence he has given you a wife (or spouse) and that is his will, then his will is perfect and you do not have to neglect that wife (spouse) in order to carry out your vocation. And if you do(neglect your spouse) you are either not understanding God or you are not really working for his kingdom, you are working to build your own.
You see, my dear friends, your approval, God’s approval of you before the throne willnot depend as much on your ministry as you think. I mean ministries are impersonal things. He can get donkeys to talk for him. He gave you a daughter (spouse, child, etc).
You know, if God calls me to be a janitor in Brooklyn and I go to Nigeria and plant 300churches I am out of the will of God.
End of excerpt
I am so easily distracted by doing things for the Kingdom. Yet it is so humbling to be reminded that my ministry is not needed. Yet, it is an honor to be chosen to be a part of it. The greatest commandment He has called us to is to love Him first and love others. If we are neglecting those people He has placed in our lives to love (our spouses, children.) then our ministry is not truly for Him but for our own. We must know His will for our life and stay focused on it. If He has called us to something and we go and do something else no matter how good, noble and for the Kingdom it may be…if it is not His will for our life we are not in His will!
Excerpts from Paul Washer: “The Glory of God in Marriage”
“We might be running wildly in the ministry doing all that we can possibly because we donot understand grace and we still have a works mentality. We might be running wild in ministry doing all that we can working too much because we fear men. We might berunning wild and working too much because we love to have a reputation of a very tired,worn out servant of God. We may be running too much because we want to build ourown kingdoms. We might be running too much because we don’t understand God’s willnor our place in that will.
The first thing that you must understand is this. God does not need a one of you. Nowthat might make you angry, but that is a very liberating thought to me. If I were to perishbefore I finished in this pulpit, Gods’ kingdom is not going to be halted one bit. Theministry does not depend upon you. You do not have to go out there and save God’swork. You simply have to be obedient. He lists several things through which we might glorify God. And one of them is this. To be content with God’s providence. And I have found that among ministers, very few are content with God’s providence, though they would be if they had a larger ministry. To be content with God’s providence—and I believe that many men in the ministry, their neglect of their wives and their families for the sake of the ministry is simply that they are not content with the place that God has put them.
If you say “I had to put my family on the altar of sacrifice for the sake of the ministry. For the sake of the work of God I had to neglect my family. Couldn’t spend as much time with family as maybe I ought to have spent because I was busy doing the will of God.”You are making a declaration that God’s Word is not true. You are denying the verything that God speaks forth in this passage. God’s will is perfect. That means, dear sir,you do not have to violate one aspect the will of God in order to fulfill another aspect ofthat same will. If in God’s good providence he has given you a wife (or spouse) and that is his will, then his will is perfect and you do not have to neglect that wife (spouse) in order to carry out your vocation. And if you do(neglect your spouse) you are either not understanding God or you are not really working for his kingdom, you are working to build your own.
You see, my dear friends, your approval, God’s approval of you before the throne willnot depend as much on your ministry as you think. I mean ministries are impersonal things. He can get donkeys to talk for him. He gave you a daughter (spouse, child, etc).
You know, if God calls me to be a janitor in Brooklyn and I go to Nigeria and plant 300churches I am out of the will of God.
End of excerpt
I am so easily distracted by doing things for the Kingdom. Yet it is so humbling to be reminded that my ministry is not needed. Yet, it is an honor to be chosen to be a part of it. The greatest commandment He has called us to is to love Him first and love others. If we are neglecting those people He has placed in our lives to love (our spouses, children.) then our ministry is not truly for Him but for our own. We must know His will for our life and stay focused on it. If He has called us to something and we go and do something else no matter how good, noble and for the Kingdom it may be…if it is not His will for our life we are not in His will!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Glory of it All
Five letters...grace
a gift to redeem and accept us into the family of God; to conform us into His likeness for all eternity.
The story of God that is unfolding before me has left me awestruck. As I pondered His purpose...His Glory...my heart was overwhelmed as I sat amazed that I had the privilage to be a part of it. I have not and cannot do a single thing to be worthy of this grace that has been lavished upon me...a sinner transformed into a vessel for His Glory.
This was a recent journal entry of mine as I reflected on His purpose...His Glory.
"The Glory of God is the redemptive work (process; not made complete until Heaven) in the life of the believer. It (the Glory of God) is in the life and death of Jesus Christ redeeming us. The purpose of the life of the believer is to reflect and bring Him glory through the redemptive work in our life. My life should reflect His glory if Jesus is truly having His way with me. It will be subtle and subconscience; not of my own effort. I will not even be fully aware of all that He has done through me. I must be as passionate about His glory as He is. My life is to be a museum of His Glory- His beautiful redemptive masterpiece in our life."
I often get overwhelmed wondering if I am doing "enough" for the Kingdom. As I sat with Jesus and shared my heart; He spoke some words gently that He had taught me long ago..."by grace for glory" (thank you matt and april dean). Those words resonate in my heart and set me free knowing every breath I breath is for His glory even in the mundane. He reminded me that He is the one doing the work in and through me. Yes, I must be obedient and submit to the process. However, the fruit that my life will bear will not come from my own effort. A tree does not will itself to bear fruit; it bears fruit because it was created to do so and as long as it is recieving life it will bear life giving fruit! I love this picture! I know I have to be intentional and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit; but it is so freeing to know that it is not I who is responsible for bearing enough fruit. I am called to be a new creation and allow my life to be a museum for His glory! (John 15)
a gift to redeem and accept us into the family of God; to conform us into His likeness for all eternity.
The story of God that is unfolding before me has left me awestruck. As I pondered His purpose...His Glory...my heart was overwhelmed as I sat amazed that I had the privilage to be a part of it. I have not and cannot do a single thing to be worthy of this grace that has been lavished upon me...a sinner transformed into a vessel for His Glory.
This was a recent journal entry of mine as I reflected on His purpose...His Glory.
"The Glory of God is the redemptive work (process; not made complete until Heaven) in the life of the believer. It (the Glory of God) is in the life and death of Jesus Christ redeeming us. The purpose of the life of the believer is to reflect and bring Him glory through the redemptive work in our life. My life should reflect His glory if Jesus is truly having His way with me. It will be subtle and subconscience; not of my own effort. I will not even be fully aware of all that He has done through me. I must be as passionate about His glory as He is. My life is to be a museum of His Glory- His beautiful redemptive masterpiece in our life."
I often get overwhelmed wondering if I am doing "enough" for the Kingdom. As I sat with Jesus and shared my heart; He spoke some words gently that He had taught me long ago..."by grace for glory" (thank you matt and april dean). Those words resonate in my heart and set me free knowing every breath I breath is for His glory even in the mundane. He reminded me that He is the one doing the work in and through me. Yes, I must be obedient and submit to the process. However, the fruit that my life will bear will not come from my own effort. A tree does not will itself to bear fruit; it bears fruit because it was created to do so and as long as it is recieving life it will bear life giving fruit! I love this picture! I know I have to be intentional and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit; but it is so freeing to know that it is not I who is responsible for bearing enough fruit. I am called to be a new creation and allow my life to be a museum for His glory! (John 15)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Faith
I have been sick for several weeks now. The other day I had a horrible sinus headache while I was at work. I was desperate for some relief! Thankfully someone came to my rescue with a sinus medicine. I took it knowing my pain would soon be gone...wrong. While the pain was dulled it did not go away completely for nearly two days.
The Lord used this little incident to give me some insight into my faith. I realized I had more faith in a pill...that I didn't know what was in it...who had put it together...I trusted someone, somewhere, who had promised taking that pill would relieve my pain...than I did in my Creator. My Creator, who knit me, who lives in me and knows the pain I am feeling and exactly what I need. I whole heartily believe that God has given us the wisdom to use medicine to heal our bodies but in putting so much of my faith in medicine I often lack faith in my Creator to still perform miracles and heal me...of even a sinus headache. It caused me to take a look at the things I am quick to trust and why I often waver in my faith of God, when I know He is faithful and will not allow something to come to me that ultimately won't bring Him Greater Glory!
The Lord used this little incident to give me some insight into my faith. I realized I had more faith in a pill...that I didn't know what was in it...who had put it together...I trusted someone, somewhere, who had promised taking that pill would relieve my pain...than I did in my Creator. My Creator, who knit me, who lives in me and knows the pain I am feeling and exactly what I need. I whole heartily believe that God has given us the wisdom to use medicine to heal our bodies but in putting so much of my faith in medicine I often lack faith in my Creator to still perform miracles and heal me...of even a sinus headache. It caused me to take a look at the things I am quick to trust and why I often waver in my faith of God, when I know He is faithful and will not allow something to come to me that ultimately won't bring Him Greater Glory!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Revelation
So often revelation brings excitement and joy. Yet, right now it has brought hurt. I know the rejection I feel is far less than the hurt I cause the heart of the Father and He continues to love me beyond what I can comprehend. I know I must walk forward in love and extend grace and mercy no matter how often I am hurt again. I am reminded in this how our sin not only affects our own lives but the lives of the people around us. So often I think when I sin it will only affect me, but it doesn't it hurts the people in our lives too. How great the Love the Lord has lavished on us that we should be called His Friends!
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