I know that my blogging was really weak last month, and I'm not intending to make any promises for this year, as I know it will be busy enough.
This week, I started reading John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. I believe that I'm in a very fitting time in my life to read this book and a few passages have particularly caught my attention. Not only is it a new year, but a time in my life where I have many trials ahead of me, where I trust God will show Himself strong and I will learn to love Him more.
You don't have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing. If you want your life to count, if you want the ripple effect of the pebbles you drop to become waves that reach the ends of the earth and roll on into eternity, you don't need to have a high IQ. You don't have to have good looks or riches or come from a fine family or a fine school. Instead you have to know a few great, majestic, unchanging, obvious, simple, glorious things--and one great all-embracing thing--and be set on fire by them.
--John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life (emphasis in passage mine)
In the end, all that will really matter, is do we know God and does He know us. This is what it will all come down to: Do you know Jesus and does He know you? That second part is as important as the first. No Ph.D, no houses, land, or other accumulated possessions will matter. I like how Jim Cowan says it in his song When It's All Been Said and Done:
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's Reward
Will stand the test of time
This year, I long to live for Christ and Him alone, because knowing Him is all that matters. No matter what I accomplish here on earth, unless I know Him and live to love and glorify Him, I have nothing but wasted my life.
John 17:3
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Knowing God is eternal life!
And thus a cross-centered, cross-exalting, cross-saturated life is a God-glorifying life--the only God-glorifying life. All others are wasted.
--John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life
May we remember these words this coming year.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Monday, 22 December 2008
Making Room For God's Plans
I've been wanting to get this post up for over a week now. Finally, a few events are over, including our banquet and church's Christmas program, and many other things, so it feels really good to be able to slow down for a few days before going caroling and Christmas with all the things that come along with it.
Something God has been showing me is making room for His plans, for they are far greater than mine. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Another translation says "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Awhile ago, I was asked to do something that I have to honestly say I wasn't particularly thrilled about. However, allowed God to be in charge that evening, and did He ever do something incredible. I could very easily have gone my own way, but I would have missed out on a tremendous blessing.
God really does want to give us His very best if we are willing to surrender our lives to Him and make room for His plans.
Something God has been showing me is making room for His plans, for they are far greater than mine. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Another translation says "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."
Awhile ago, I was asked to do something that I have to honestly say I wasn't particularly thrilled about. However, allowed God to be in charge that evening, and did He ever do something incredible. I could very easily have gone my own way, but I would have missed out on a tremendous blessing.
God really does want to give us His very best if we are willing to surrender our lives to Him and make room for His plans.
Friday, 12 December 2008
Soon....
I've really been wanting to get another post in here, but I haven't had much time. Hopefully soon though.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Your Plans, Eh?
Ah, don't we all like that. The idea of planning our lives. It makes us feel like we're in control and headed for success, just like we have it all together and know exactly what we're doing. But the truth is, we're not in control and we don't know exactly what we're doing.
I used to try and plan out my life, but then I started noticing something. I can't even make a day go the way I want it to, let alone a week. Tell me again why I'm trying to plan my life? God shows me everyday that He has different plans for me than I have for myself.
Does that mean we can't have a vision? No. A vision is good, but not if you're trying to plan your life day by day, year by year. God may have something very different in mind, but I can assure you, that in the end, it will be something better.
But sometimes, we face this matter, that we don't like what God has for us. We don't want to accept His will.
Matthew 26:39,42
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Sometimes, we have a trial put in front of us that we want so desperately that God would take it away from us. Jesus, too, cried out for the cup to be taken away. But God will not always do that. I really took notice this morning as I read this verse, how Jesus said, "if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." (emphasis mine) Sometimes, there's no way around the valley, but to go through it; no way around the mountain, but to go over it; no way around the raging sea, but through it. Likewise, sometimes, there's no way around the cup, but to drink it.
But in this, God never sends us through something; He always goes with us. He comes out to us on the raging sea, and calls us out onto the water. God bless you!
I used to try and plan out my life, but then I started noticing something. I can't even make a day go the way I want it to, let alone a week. Tell me again why I'm trying to plan my life? God shows me everyday that He has different plans for me than I have for myself.
Does that mean we can't have a vision? No. A vision is good, but not if you're trying to plan your life day by day, year by year. God may have something very different in mind, but I can assure you, that in the end, it will be something better.
But sometimes, we face this matter, that we don't like what God has for us. We don't want to accept His will.
Matthew 26:39,42
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Sometimes, we have a trial put in front of us that we want so desperately that God would take it away from us. Jesus, too, cried out for the cup to be taken away. But God will not always do that. I really took notice this morning as I read this verse, how Jesus said, "if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." (emphasis mine) Sometimes, there's no way around the valley, but to go through it; no way around the mountain, but to go over it; no way around the raging sea, but through it. Likewise, sometimes, there's no way around the cup, but to drink it.
But in this, God never sends us through something; He always goes with us. He comes out to us on the raging sea, and calls us out onto the water. God bless you!
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Missing Something?
I know that I often have a hard time posting once a week, so twice a day is especially rare. But I'm back because I did something funny today and it sparked many thoughts.
I was getting ready to have lunch. We had some leftover soup, so I put that on the stove and went about making a sandwich. So I did what I usually do: open up the fridge and pull out my desired items to complete my ham sandwich. Before long, I had a couple of slices of bread in the toaster and spread before me I had my package of smoked black forest ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, Miracle Whip, and honey mustard. Well, after putting it all together and cutting it diagonally, I took my first scrumptious bite. Not too bad, if I do say so myself. Another bite, and another, and yet another. Somewhere, as the delicious flavours combined in my mouth, it seemed something was missing, but I couldn't place my finger on it. All I knew was this was still really good. About halfway through, my eyes settled on the opened package of ham in front of me...Of all things I could have forgotten! I picked up the top triangle of bread and nestled a couple of slices on top of my honey mustard and mayo smeared lettuce. There. Now, it really was a ham sandwich.
How could I have forgotten the most important part? It's not a ham sandwich without ham! I know you're all thinking I have to be pretty dumb, but this brunette here is allowed one blond moment a day. Well, people do this all the time. There are people who call themselves Christians and Christ isn't evident in them at all. They claim to believe in something, teach something, do something, all in the name of Christianity, but somehow, it's still done without Christ. There are many people who like to teach good moral principles, but don't want to associate them with Christ. They could give you many legitimate reasons why you should or should not do something, why not to lie, steal, or "cheat" on your wife, but the simple fact that something is a command of God just doesn't seem to fit in. That could be really offensive, you know?!!
This year has gone by really fast again and Christmas is only a months away. Ooops! Did I just say CHRISTmas?!! Aahh, what a better time to focus on anything but the truth! Okay, so I'm being a little sarcastic. The fact is, most people celebrate Christmas, especially stores! Time to roll in the big bucks! Many people could tell you by now they have all their shopping done, and everything is already neatly wrapped and lookin' right perty under the tree. Children are one hyper mess about everything they want. But go into a store. Look at the banners, flyers, advertisements: Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings...You don't see Merry Christmas very often anymore. That has Christ in it and they don't want to offend anybody! A big X is often used to replace the word, but that's only a short form, you know! It's ridiculous! Listen to music. You won't hear many traditional carols about the birth of Jesus in public anymore but anything else that sounds happy and upbeat that goes right with the hectic atmosphere and stressed out shoppers will be just wonderful.
At Christmas, we Christians celebrate Christ; the Son of God come to the world in the flesh. But what does the rest of the world celebrate? What is their reason for the gifts, banguets, dinners, get togethers and all the other fun stuff. What many celebrate is a lie, passed down from one generation to the next. Children are taught to celebrate the image of a big jolly man in a red suit with a snowy white beard that goes all over the world in one night with his reindeer and his sleigh bringing presents to all the "nice" and "good" people. A "holy day" has been covered up with lies and distractions to keep people from the truth.
I hope you get where I'm coming from in all this, even though I did have a bit of a rough time making my point. Just like you can't have a ham sandwich without ham, you can't have Christians or Christmas without Christ. This was for me a good reminder for me today and I hope it will be for all of you as well.
I was getting ready to have lunch. We had some leftover soup, so I put that on the stove and went about making a sandwich. So I did what I usually do: open up the fridge and pull out my desired items to complete my ham sandwich. Before long, I had a couple of slices of bread in the toaster and spread before me I had my package of smoked black forest ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, Miracle Whip, and honey mustard. Well, after putting it all together and cutting it diagonally, I took my first scrumptious bite. Not too bad, if I do say so myself. Another bite, and another, and yet another. Somewhere, as the delicious flavours combined in my mouth, it seemed something was missing, but I couldn't place my finger on it. All I knew was this was still really good. About halfway through, my eyes settled on the opened package of ham in front of me...Of all things I could have forgotten! I picked up the top triangle of bread and nestled a couple of slices on top of my honey mustard and mayo smeared lettuce. There. Now, it really was a ham sandwich.
How could I have forgotten the most important part? It's not a ham sandwich without ham! I know you're all thinking I have to be pretty dumb, but this brunette here is allowed one blond moment a day. Well, people do this all the time. There are people who call themselves Christians and Christ isn't evident in them at all. They claim to believe in something, teach something, do something, all in the name of Christianity, but somehow, it's still done without Christ. There are many people who like to teach good moral principles, but don't want to associate them with Christ. They could give you many legitimate reasons why you should or should not do something, why not to lie, steal, or "cheat" on your wife, but the simple fact that something is a command of God just doesn't seem to fit in. That could be really offensive, you know?!!
This year has gone by really fast again and Christmas is only a months away. Ooops! Did I just say CHRISTmas?!! Aahh, what a better time to focus on anything but the truth! Okay, so I'm being a little sarcastic. The fact is, most people celebrate Christmas, especially stores! Time to roll in the big bucks! Many people could tell you by now they have all their shopping done, and everything is already neatly wrapped and lookin' right perty under the tree. Children are one hyper mess about everything they want. But go into a store. Look at the banners, flyers, advertisements: Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings...You don't see Merry Christmas very often anymore. That has Christ in it and they don't want to offend anybody! A big X is often used to replace the word, but that's only a short form, you know! It's ridiculous! Listen to music. You won't hear many traditional carols about the birth of Jesus in public anymore but anything else that sounds happy and upbeat that goes right with the hectic atmosphere and stressed out shoppers will be just wonderful.
At Christmas, we Christians celebrate Christ; the Son of God come to the world in the flesh. But what does the rest of the world celebrate? What is their reason for the gifts, banguets, dinners, get togethers and all the other fun stuff. What many celebrate is a lie, passed down from one generation to the next. Children are taught to celebrate the image of a big jolly man in a red suit with a snowy white beard that goes all over the world in one night with his reindeer and his sleigh bringing presents to all the "nice" and "good" people. A "holy day" has been covered up with lies and distractions to keep people from the truth.
I hope you get where I'm coming from in all this, even though I did have a bit of a rough time making my point. Just like you can't have a ham sandwich without ham, you can't have Christians or Christmas without Christ. This was for me a good reminder for me today and I hope it will be for all of you as well.
Answering Questions
When asking for suggestions on what to post about, I got several suggestions and I will now expand on a few.
I finally have some more information on my job. As I said in my last post, I got a part-time position at a cafe in my hometown. I will simply be a counter attendant, and will be going back and forth from cash, coffee and other hot drinks, making smoothies, making sandwiches and so forth. I'm looking forward to it and know it will be a good challenge finding a proper balance between work, school, home, and a social life. This week, I'm still making preparations, making uniforms, doing some studying, cooking while I still have time, and so on.
I also got a suggestion on writing. Now, my book hasn't made any progress since the summer. It hasn't particularly been a priority as I've been getting busier with other things and I prefer reading books over trying to write one. There are a few things that I have learned about writing, though. When you write, you find out a lot about yourself. I have more than once surprised myself when I write because I guess I myself don't often expect what actually comes out. More often than not, though, I see where my line of thinking is wrong. I discover what I really believe, but I can't say I'm always pleased by what I find.
So there's another random post about not a whole lot of anything, but since I asked for suggestions, I might as well post about them.
I finally have some more information on my job. As I said in my last post, I got a part-time position at a cafe in my hometown. I will simply be a counter attendant, and will be going back and forth from cash, coffee and other hot drinks, making smoothies, making sandwiches and so forth. I'm looking forward to it and know it will be a good challenge finding a proper balance between work, school, home, and a social life. This week, I'm still making preparations, making uniforms, doing some studying, cooking while I still have time, and so on.
I also got a suggestion on writing. Now, my book hasn't made any progress since the summer. It hasn't particularly been a priority as I've been getting busier with other things and I prefer reading books over trying to write one. There are a few things that I have learned about writing, though. When you write, you find out a lot about yourself. I have more than once surprised myself when I write because I guess I myself don't often expect what actually comes out. More often than not, though, I see where my line of thinking is wrong. I discover what I really believe, but I can't say I'm always pleased by what I find.
So there's another random post about not a whole lot of anything, but since I asked for suggestions, I might as well post about them.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Finally!
Okay, time to sit down and write a solid post. When asking for suggestions, somebody left a comment in regards to my new job, so I shall answer that. I got a job at the Kuma Cafe, a new coffee shop opening in our hometown. And, no, Kuma isn't an English word but it would basically be like a pantry. It was a real answer to prayer and God has just shown Himself so strong in this matter, I can hardly believe it myself! A verse that God gave me in confirmation to this was "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7) We went shopping today to buy fabric for skirts for work and found really nice stuff for $3.00 a meter! Now, I don't know much about sewing, but that's incredibly cheap. God is good.
I've also been thinking about this poem lately:
I was made weak, that I might learn to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for — but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.
Anonymous
Sometimes we look at circumstances in our lives and think them most undesirable. God answers prayers, but sometimes in a different way than we expect and we find ourselves saying something like "God, this isn't exactly what I had in mind." But I think that even if God never gave us precisely anything we asked for--if he gave us weakness instead of strength, poverty instead of riches, infirmity instead of health, and so on--I think one day, we would look back and say that we did get everything we had ever wanted and more, even if it did come in different packaging.
CJ, at his blog was sharing six things that he learned this year, so I thought I would include that as well.
1. Even after a year and a half of babysitting, I learned that I know nothing about child training.
2. I learned to bake bread this year.
3. I learned to drive this year and made my G2 license.
4. Mom really does know more than I do. Persistence always wins, they say, but you will regret it later.
5. If it's God's will, He will bless it.
6. The Lord's chastening is all the proof I need that He loves me.
Thank you to everyone who has been patient with me in the blogging world. God bless you all richly and abundantly.
I've also been thinking about this poem lately:
I Asked God
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.I was made weak, that I might learn to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for — but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.
Anonymous
Sometimes we look at circumstances in our lives and think them most undesirable. God answers prayers, but sometimes in a different way than we expect and we find ourselves saying something like "God, this isn't exactly what I had in mind." But I think that even if God never gave us precisely anything we asked for--if he gave us weakness instead of strength, poverty instead of riches, infirmity instead of health, and so on--I think one day, we would look back and say that we did get everything we had ever wanted and more, even if it did come in different packaging.
CJ, at his blog was sharing six things that he learned this year, so I thought I would include that as well.
1. Even after a year and a half of babysitting, I learned that I know nothing about child training.
2. I learned to bake bread this year.
3. I learned to drive this year and made my G2 license.
4. Mom really does know more than I do. Persistence always wins, they say, but you will regret it later.
5. If it's God's will, He will bless it.
6. The Lord's chastening is all the proof I need that He loves me.
Thank you to everyone who has been patient with me in the blogging world. God bless you all richly and abundantly.
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Hmmm....
This blog of mine really is suffering some neglect, especially this month. I've been busy with many things, including obtaining a job, but I also have no idea what to post about, even when I do have time. But hopefully I'll have a topic soon. Any suggestions?
Monday, 10 November 2008
Letting Go
Last night, I came home tired, but not too tired. I was more than ready to shower, settle down in my pajamas under my blankets with a hot cup of rooibos tea and focus on God. These last few days have been hard and wonderful at the same time. I'm learning to let go and be broken. Some of you may know what that feels like.
I was reading yesterday in Ezekiel and a little part of a verse stuck out to me. It wasn't particularly in the context it was in, but it still spoke to me nonetheless: Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work. So from this, I know that until I am cut down and broken, I am of no use. I think also of the seed. Unless it falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone. But once it dies, then it begins to grow.
Matthew 13: 45, 46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Jesus is that pearl of great price. He costs us everything, but He is more than worth the price. I want my life to reflect these verses. I want to like Mary, choose that good part, which will not be taken away from me. (See Luke 10: 41,42) People can take so much away from us: our house, car, possessions, jobs, family, friends, food, clothing, but they cannot take Jesus away from us. While we only have things here for a time, we always have Jesus.
Like Jim Elliot, I want to give up what I cannot keep to gain that which I cannot lose. Why would I hold on to something now, when I can see that one day, it will be taken away from me, with much pain. Why not just let go now, and gain so much more.
I find myself repeating the words of the song Cry for Humility by Christ our Life:
I will worship in Spirit and in Truth
Teach me discipline, to meditate on You
You gave up Your life, I must give my all to You
Remove the veil so I can see
God bless you all and have a wonderful week.
I was reading yesterday in Ezekiel and a little part of a verse stuck out to me. It wasn't particularly in the context it was in, but it still spoke to me nonetheless: Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work. So from this, I know that until I am cut down and broken, I am of no use. I think also of the seed. Unless it falls into the ground and dies, it abideth alone. But once it dies, then it begins to grow.
Matthew 13: 45, 46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Jesus is that pearl of great price. He costs us everything, but He is more than worth the price. I want my life to reflect these verses. I want to like Mary, choose that good part, which will not be taken away from me. (See Luke 10: 41,42) People can take so much away from us: our house, car, possessions, jobs, family, friends, food, clothing, but they cannot take Jesus away from us. While we only have things here for a time, we always have Jesus.
Like Jim Elliot, I want to give up what I cannot keep to gain that which I cannot lose. Why would I hold on to something now, when I can see that one day, it will be taken away from me, with much pain. Why not just let go now, and gain so much more.
I find myself repeating the words of the song Cry for Humility by Christ our Life:
I will worship in Spirit and in Truth
Teach me discipline, to meditate on You
You gave up Your life, I must give my all to You
Remove the veil so I can see
God bless you all and have a wonderful week.
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Absence Explained
My absence from the blogging world can be simply explained as I've been really busy. And even if I wasn't so busy, I have no idea what to post about. But I'm sure one day I'll be able to get in another solid post, I just have no idea when or what it will be about for that matter. Until then...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)