Truth #14 from Lies Women Believe is I will reap whatever I sow. The choices I make today will have consequences down the road in my life and in the lives of others for generations to come. Every sinful, selfish choice is sowing a seed that will reap a multiplied harvest. Every act of obedience, however, is a seed that will produce a multiplied harvest of blessing in my life and in the lives of those I love. The harvest may take a while, but it will come.
Galatians 6:7-9 "Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest is we do not give up."
This is one of those truths that we like to say, "sure, that's how it works" but we don't really like to think through it. To really think about how my selfishness and my disobedience will affect not only myself, but my husband, my children, my grandchildren, and others around me puts a huge responsibility on my shoulders. We prefer to think that we can just live in our own little bubble and that our obedience and disobedience only affects ourselves (if we even acknoweldge that our disobedience affects us at all). But I have seen this played out too many times. I have had consequences in my life of the generations before me. And conversely, I have had blessings in my life because of generations before me.
I'm just now getting to be old enough, I think, to really start seeing how my own obedience and disobedience is creating a harvest in my life. It does take time, and we tend not to be very patient. We live in an "I want it now" society where any type of delayed gratification or delayed blessings are not deemed worthy of the wait. But they are. There is something very sweet and very precious about seeing blessings in your life that have come about through long periods of trials, suffering, prayers, and the pursuit of holiness. To walk with God through those times and then see His fruit in your life makes it all worth it.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My friend Eddie
Jill and I took Eddie and Will with us to Kentucky. (Catherine stayed at home with Jay.) The boys thought it was fabulous and were very on the go all weekend. So what do you do in Georgetown, Kentucky to entertain 2 little boys?
First, you ride in the wagon and watch Roy cut the grass. That was entertaining for at least 30 minutes.
We walked down Main St to visit a few little shops, but the highlight was the fire truck parked there.First, you ride in the wagon and watch Roy cut the grass. That was entertaining for at least 30 minutes.
Logan and Amie
My college roommates, Jill and Sara, and I went to Kentucky this past weekend to visit our friend Logan who just had a baby. She has been in Africa for the past 2 years and will return there in a few weeks. We figured we should take advantage of her time in the U.S. to visit and see this precious new little one. Amie (pronounced "ah-me") is now 5 weeks old. She is adorable.
Amie's first time in the pool. 
Friday, August 22, 2008
Where's Your Head?
When Catherine was about 10 months old, we taught her "where's your head?" It provided us hours of entertainment to watch her put her hands on her head in delight. It was especially fun at her 1st birthday party when, while covered in cupcakes and icing, my sister asked, "Catherine, where's your head?"
So we decided that Will should know the same kinds of joy and pleasure from this game. Jay has been working on it with him every night at dinner for the past week or so. Will finally caught on in the last few days and now thinks that any time he's in his high chair he's supposed to touch his head! The result is an even messier Will than we had before! It's so cute to watch him. He's so proud of himself that he laughs and squeals with delight and then claps and gives us high-5's. We'll keep practicing to make sure he'll be ready for his birthday party.
So we decided that Will should know the same kinds of joy and pleasure from this game. Jay has been working on it with him every night at dinner for the past week or so. Will finally caught on in the last few days and now thinks that any time he's in his high chair he's supposed to touch his head! The result is an even messier Will than we had before! It's so cute to watch him. He's so proud of himself that he laughs and squeals with delight and then claps and gives us high-5's. We'll keep practicing to make sure he'll be ready for his birthday party.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Truth #13
Truth #13 from Lies Women Believe (I warned you that I was catching up!) is that I am responsible before God for my behavior, responses, and choices. God does not hold me accountable for the actions of others, but I am responsible for how I respond to them. We can control how we respond to the circumstances that He allows to come into our lives. When I stop blaming other people or circumstances for my sinful behaviors or negative patterns in my life, I will be free to obey God, regardless of my circumstances.
Ezekiel 18: 20"The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." God looks at people individually and judges them accordingly.
It's very hard to control our responses when we feel that we have been wronged or we are the victim of a situation. But Jesus gave us the ultimate example. 1 Peter 2:23 "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
This has been a huge lesson for me over the past few years. I am not responsible for the decisions and actions of others--my family, my friends, even my husband and children. Obviously, I should be living my life in a way to point them to Christ and not cause any stumbling blocks for them. I should allow God to use me in my relationships with them. But I am not responsible for their sin; I am not their Holy Spirit. I am only required to be faithful and obedient in my response to the circumstances God has placed me in. That is very freeing.
Ezekiel 18: 20"The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." God looks at people individually and judges them accordingly.
It's very hard to control our responses when we feel that we have been wronged or we are the victim of a situation. But Jesus gave us the ultimate example. 1 Peter 2:23 "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
This has been a huge lesson for me over the past few years. I am not responsible for the decisions and actions of others--my family, my friends, even my husband and children. Obviously, I should be living my life in a way to point them to Christ and not cause any stumbling blocks for them. I should allow God to use me in my relationships with them. But I am not responsible for their sin; I am not their Holy Spirit. I am only required to be faithful and obedient in my response to the circumstances God has placed me in. That is very freeing.
The Truth #12
Truth #12 from Lies Women Believe is that Through the power of His Holy Spirit, God will enable me to do anything He commands me to do. God does not command us to do anything that He does not give us the grace to obey. For example, there is no one we cannot forgive or cannot love. We can give thanks in all things and be content in every circumstance. By God's Holy Spirit, we can choose to forgive, to love, to give thanks, and to be content because we are filled with His Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 reassures us that "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." and Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
One of my favorites is Philippians 4:11-13 "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
A lot of people use the "I can do everything..." verse as a motivational, inspirational verse--which it is. But I think it's often taken out of context. People use it to inspire them to run marathons, win football games, or accomplish major goals. All of these may be great things to do. But the context of the verse is Paul doing all things for God through his struggles. If God can give Paul the grace and power to obey the work He gave him, then we can be reassured that He will give us the power we need too.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 reassures us that "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." and Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
One of my favorites is Philippians 4:11-13 "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
A lot of people use the "I can do everything..." verse as a motivational, inspirational verse--which it is. But I think it's often taken out of context. People use it to inspire them to run marathons, win football games, or accomplish major goals. All of these may be great things to do. But the context of the verse is Paul doing all things for God through his struggles. If God can give Paul the grace and power to obey the work He gave him, then we can be reassured that He will give us the power we need too.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Truth #11
Truth #11 from Lies Women Believe is God's word is sufficient to lead me, teach me, and heal me. God's word is alive and powerful. It is sufficient to meet any need I have. People around me don't need to know my opinions or suggestions. I need to point them to the Truth of His Word so that they will know His commands, His promises, and His ways.
Psalm 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
I know that the Bible is powerful and has the ability to change me. But for some reason, I still feel the need to read books about topics on my heart instead of just seeking God's Word. The truth is, even if I never read another marriage, parenting, or Christian book, the Bible would be sufficient to teach me all I need to know. God may use other books to help point us to His Word, but we should never let other material take the place of what He has given us.
Psalm 19:7 "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
I know that the Bible is powerful and has the ability to change me. But for some reason, I still feel the need to read books about topics on my heart instead of just seeking God's Word. The truth is, even if I never read another marriage, parenting, or Christian book, the Bible would be sufficient to teach me all I need to know. God may use other books to help point us to His Word, but we should never let other material take the place of what He has given us.
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