Sunday, March 27, 2011
thoughts on crossing the Jordan
[note: the formatting is being all funky, so there are no paragraph separations. sorry about that] John Waller has a new song called "As for Me and My House" [you should look it up if you don't know it, it's super good]. Well, the bride says, "we will cross over Jordan, we will claim all he's promised." At first that was my least favorite part of the song. I didn't really think it fit in musically or lyrically. But that's because I hadn't read the story in a long time. But I was excited because I am reading about the Israelites and I knew I was getting close-ish to that point. So I decided to wait it out. I think I was in Numbers or Deuteronomy then. The Israelites were in the desert. Complaining as usual. Forgetting God's great acts, as usual. A little later, I got to the part where people are told they will not be crossing the Jordan, into the promised land, because of their disobedience. Only those who are obedient (Josua and Caleb) are able to go to the promised land. [now the song is clicking]. It's all about obedience. So, because of having all these thoughts in my mind I was really looking foward to reading when the Israelites FINALLY got to cross the river. The closer they got, the more excited I got. And today, they got there. So now I have even more thoughts-- and even more reasons to be blown away. -- The Census in Numbers 1 says that there wre 603,550 men 20 years old and up. So, if we assume that that number stays relatively the same, and also assume that the man:woman ration is 50:50, we can double that number and say that there were more than 1,200,000 adults crossing the Jordan. So, this is 1.2 MILLION people, not including those under twenty years of age, all their animals, and all their possessions. Crossing a river. This is not Jordan Creek or Jordan Stream. Jordan RIVER. More than a million people. [As just a side note: this is very similar to the Red Sea passed by these people's parents. Not the Red Pond or Red Lake... but the Red SEA. Exodus 14 says it took them the night to cross it. woah.] So, I don't know what the deal is, but I've grown up with such a puny view of this story. When I think Israelites crossing the Jordan I think God stopped some water from flowing in this little river so that some people could cross over it. HELLO!? Our crazy awesome GOD STOPPED RUSHING WATER in this RIVER so "the waters coming down from above STOOD and ROSE up in a HEAP (Josh.4:16)" and more than a MILLION Israelites crossed over "on DRY ground until ALL the nation had finished passing over the Jordan (vs. 17)!" And this is such a tiny picture of the story. a small piece of God's sovereignty that we get to see. What an awesome God we serve.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Hyssop
Hooray for language connections.
We talked about Psalm 51 a good bit this weekend because it is such a beautiful picture of true repentance. There were two big things that stuck out to me.
First, David does not pretend that he can fix himself or that he has any righteousness on his own to take care of his sins. He knows it is only by the grace of God that he can be made clean. He says "Have mercy on me, O God, according to YOUR steadfast love" and "[you] blot out my trasngressions" (v. 1) and "[you] wash me thoroughly from my iniquity (v.2)." Later he asks God to "create in me a clean heart (v.10)."
So it's nothing I can do to "fix" my sin. Without Christ, I am hopelessly sinful.
The second thing, which blew my mind a little, was shown to me by Mrs. Lucy. She read verse 7 which says, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
Purge, purify, cleanse me with hyssop.
The spanish word for hyssop is hisopo. Interestingly enough, hisopo is also their word for Que-tip. So, think of when someone is giving a baby a bath. Sometimes they might use a que-tip to get dirt out of the rolls in the neck. This is important because if there is any bit of dirt left, even a tiny bit, it can get real nasty. So, to insure that the ALL the dirt is completely removed, a Que-tip is used. Now imagine God cleaning your heart with a Que-tip. EVERY bit of dirt and grime MUST be removed. Sin is like yeast. It quickly grows and takes over if not removed completely. So, though it doesn't sound like a very fun process to me, how could I want anything else?
We talked about Psalm 51 a good bit this weekend because it is such a beautiful picture of true repentance. There were two big things that stuck out to me.
First, David does not pretend that he can fix himself or that he has any righteousness on his own to take care of his sins. He knows it is only by the grace of God that he can be made clean. He says "Have mercy on me, O God, according to YOUR steadfast love" and "[you] blot out my trasngressions" (v. 1) and "[you] wash me thoroughly from my iniquity (v.2)." Later he asks God to "create in me a clean heart (v.10)."
So it's nothing I can do to "fix" my sin. Without Christ, I am hopelessly sinful.
The second thing, which blew my mind a little, was shown to me by Mrs. Lucy. She read verse 7 which says, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
Purge, purify, cleanse me with hyssop.
The spanish word for hyssop is hisopo. Interestingly enough, hisopo is also their word for Que-tip. So, think of when someone is giving a baby a bath. Sometimes they might use a que-tip to get dirt out of the rolls in the neck. This is important because if there is any bit of dirt left, even a tiny bit, it can get real nasty. So, to insure that the ALL the dirt is completely removed, a Que-tip is used. Now imagine God cleaning your heart with a Que-tip. EVERY bit of dirt and grime MUST be removed. Sin is like yeast. It quickly grows and takes over if not removed completely. So, though it doesn't sound like a very fun process to me, how could I want anything else?
Christians Don't Tell Lies,
They sing them.
Last weekend was disciple now at Western Heights, and a lot of learning happened for me. More writing may come of that, but for now I want to talk about one song in particular that stuck out to me and what I learned from it.
It all starts with a quote that I heard about a year ago. It goes, "Christians don't tell lies, they sing them." Ever since the day I first heard that, I started looking deeper into songs. I have a strong tendency to just sing songs, on auto-pilot so to speak, and not even think about the words. Sometimes I can get to the end of a song and realize I have no clue what I just sang or what it meant (yeah... I know. It's pretty bad). This should not be!
So this weekend I found myself doing the same thing. Zoning out, thinking about the notes being sung and instruments being played, etc. But then the words caught my attention. The go like this:
I'm giving you my heart, all that is within
I lay it all down for the sake of you, my King.
I'm giving you my dreams, laying down my rights;
I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life
I'm sing you this song, I'm waiting at the cross
All the world holds dear, I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You, for the glory of Your Name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in your pain
I surrender all to you.
What first stuck out to me was the line that says "I'm giving up my dreams, laying down my rights." And I realized that I was just breezing through this song. But really I shouldn't sing those words without considering, "Okay, so what are my dreams?" and "what are my 'rights', and now that I have established those things, "am I truly willing to give those things up?"
See, these things that I consider to be my dreams are good. And I don't think that God would necessarily hold all of them back from me. However, I think my desires should be for His Kingdom before the dreams. Not the dreams before His Kingdom. So, having a husband and children of my own, living in a safe area, living near family and friends. These are all good things. Great blessings, truly. But would I be obedient if Christ called me to dropped any of those things?
See, that's what I had to consider while singing that song. And the answer is: my flesh says no. But tear my flesh away. I may be weak, but my God is strong in me.
Basically the same thing applies to the rest of the lyrics. What a prayer.
Well, I have more thoughts, but it's way WAY late. so.... more to come! :)
Last weekend was disciple now at Western Heights, and a lot of learning happened for me. More writing may come of that, but for now I want to talk about one song in particular that stuck out to me and what I learned from it.
It all starts with a quote that I heard about a year ago. It goes, "Christians don't tell lies, they sing them." Ever since the day I first heard that, I started looking deeper into songs. I have a strong tendency to just sing songs, on auto-pilot so to speak, and not even think about the words. Sometimes I can get to the end of a song and realize I have no clue what I just sang or what it meant (yeah... I know. It's pretty bad). This should not be!
So this weekend I found myself doing the same thing. Zoning out, thinking about the notes being sung and instruments being played, etc. But then the words caught my attention. The go like this:
I'm giving you my heart, all that is within
I lay it all down for the sake of you, my King.
I'm giving you my dreams, laying down my rights;
I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life
I'm sing you this song, I'm waiting at the cross
All the world holds dear, I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You, for the glory of Your Name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in your pain
I surrender all to you.
What first stuck out to me was the line that says "I'm giving up my dreams, laying down my rights." And I realized that I was just breezing through this song. But really I shouldn't sing those words without considering, "Okay, so what are my dreams?" and "what are my 'rights', and now that I have established those things, "am I truly willing to give those things up?"
See, these things that I consider to be my dreams are good. And I don't think that God would necessarily hold all of them back from me. However, I think my desires should be for His Kingdom before the dreams. Not the dreams before His Kingdom. So, having a husband and children of my own, living in a safe area, living near family and friends. These are all good things. Great blessings, truly. But would I be obedient if Christ called me to dropped any of those things?
See, that's what I had to consider while singing that song. And the answer is: my flesh says no. But tear my flesh away. I may be weak, but my God is strong in me.
Basically the same thing applies to the rest of the lyrics. What a prayer.
Well, I have more thoughts, but it's way WAY late. so.... more to come! :)
Monday, February 14, 2011
I have the best friends
So, this is how I was greeted back to Dahlonega after the weekend. Kristin and Ashlyn are the bomb! :)
Nothing better than nerdy valentines. :) 
Nothing better than nerdy valentines. :)yes, Kristin calls me Frodo. yes, she thinks she is Sam. :)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
cousins
So, Giovanni has been here this weekend and Julia and Amos have LOVED having him! The two boys are CRAZY together! But they had a lot of fun playing and dancing and doing all the other fun kid things. This is my favorite picture I think. 
They also spent a lot of time making crazy faces. This offered great entertainment for them!
At one point Giovanni wasn't wearing any pants [because his fell off] but Julia wanted to go play out side. So she rigged him some pants out of her jacket. It was hilarious! I must say it was pretty genious! They even stayed up for him to walk around! She'll make a great mother one day. :)
Lastly, Julia had a spend the night party with me and angelina and she wanted her hair to be done like Angelina's after her bath. So cute.
una dia en mi casa :)
today was filled with
piggy back rides,
little kid basketball games,
shopping with amy and ang,
holding little hands,
eating yummy food,
disciplining children,
trying to potty train a little one,
helping grandpa with crazy technology,
and talking about school things with the padre.
it's good to be home.
piggy back rides,
little kid basketball games,
shopping with amy and ang,
holding little hands,
eating yummy food,
disciplining children,
trying to potty train a little one,
helping grandpa with crazy technology,
and talking about school things with the padre.
it's good to be home.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
no condemnation
This is an excerpt from reason #12 in the book "Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die" by John Piper.
#12 To Take Away Our Condemnation
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed in interceding for us. Romans 8:34
"When the Question is asked, 'who is to condemn?' the answer is assumed. No one! Then the basis is declared: 'Christ Jesus is the one who died!' The death of Christ secures our freedom from condemnation. It is as sure that we cannot be condemned as it is sure that Christ died. There is no double jeopardy in God's court. We will not be condemned twice for the same offenses. Christ has died once for our sins. We will not be condemned for them. Condemnation is gone not because there isn't any, but because it already happened.
"But what about condemnation by the world? Is that not an answer to the question, 'Who is to condemn?' Aren't Christians condemned by the world? There have been many martyrs. The answer is that no one can dondemn us successfully Charges can be brought, but none will stick in the end. 'Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies' (Romans 8:33). It's the same as when the Bible asks, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?' (Romans 8:35). The answer is not that these things don't happen to Christians. The answer is: 'In all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us' (Romans 8:37).
"The world will bring its condemnation. they may even put their sword behind it. But we know that the highest court has already ruled in our favor. 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31). No one successfully. If they rejuect us, he accepts us. If they hate us, he loves us. If they inprison us, he sets our spirits free. If they afflict us, he refines us by the fire. If they kill us, he makes it a passage to paradise. They cannot defeat us. Christ has died. Christ has risen. We are alive in Him. And in Him there is no condemnation. We are forgiven, and we are righteous. 'And the righteous are bold as a lion' (proverbs 28:1) "
This part just really stuck out to me, so I thought I would share it with you guys. But I think it speaks for its self, so I won't add my thoughts. But feel free to comment if you have something to add. I like discussion. :)
#12 To Take Away Our Condemnation
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed in interceding for us. Romans 8:34
"When the Question is asked, 'who is to condemn?' the answer is assumed. No one! Then the basis is declared: 'Christ Jesus is the one who died!' The death of Christ secures our freedom from condemnation. It is as sure that we cannot be condemned as it is sure that Christ died. There is no double jeopardy in God's court. We will not be condemned twice for the same offenses. Christ has died once for our sins. We will not be condemned for them. Condemnation is gone not because there isn't any, but because it already happened.
"But what about condemnation by the world? Is that not an answer to the question, 'Who is to condemn?' Aren't Christians condemned by the world? There have been many martyrs. The answer is that no one can dondemn us successfully Charges can be brought, but none will stick in the end. 'Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies' (Romans 8:33). It's the same as when the Bible asks, 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?' (Romans 8:35). The answer is not that these things don't happen to Christians. The answer is: 'In all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us' (Romans 8:37).
"The world will bring its condemnation. they may even put their sword behind it. But we know that the highest court has already ruled in our favor. 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31). No one successfully. If they rejuect us, he accepts us. If they hate us, he loves us. If they inprison us, he sets our spirits free. If they afflict us, he refines us by the fire. If they kill us, he makes it a passage to paradise. They cannot defeat us. Christ has died. Christ has risen. We are alive in Him. And in Him there is no condemnation. We are forgiven, and we are righteous. 'And the righteous are bold as a lion' (proverbs 28:1) "
This part just really stuck out to me, so I thought I would share it with you guys. But I think it speaks for its self, so I won't add my thoughts. But feel free to comment if you have something to add. I like discussion. :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Reasons why today is a good day
I am alive.
God is all powerful.
God has blessed me with an amazing community.
I ate lunch with friends.
I got the closest parking spot in the parking lot (eep!)
The weather is beautiful
I am about to enjoy that weather by taking a long walk with some great friends.
It's the sabbath day, made for resting and enjoying what God has created.
God is all powerful.
God has blessed me with an amazing community.
I ate lunch with friends.
I got the closest parking spot in the parking lot (eep!)
The weather is beautiful
I am about to enjoy that weather by taking a long walk with some great friends.
It's the sabbath day, made for resting and enjoying what God has created.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
My heart hurts for these children
http://servinghischildreninuganda.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html
Read this article. Please.
And just let it and the pictures soak in a little.
If you've heard me talk about Katie's blog, this is a lady who has worked some with Katie and now she (I think) has her own ministry in Uganda as well.
Read this article. Please.
And just let it and the pictures soak in a little.
If you've heard me talk about Katie's blog, this is a lady who has worked some with Katie and now she (I think) has her own ministry in Uganda as well.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
shadows
I want to be a shadow.
A shadow is a replication,
a reflection.
A replication is identical.
Jesus loved sacrificially.
He did great things,
great miracles.
He spoke truth.
He was loved.
He was hated.
He was spit on,
made fun of.
Beaten.
Crucified.
He gave His life so that we would have life.
And that is who I want to shadow.
Easy? No.
But one day I will go before God, the Holy Judge.
What will I say then?
"I know you called me, but it looked hard."
Or,
"I know that every day people are dying and going to hell,
but I'd rather be comfortable than reach out to people who,
if nothing changes, will spend an eternity separated from God."
NO!
NO.
NO.
My life is nothing if it is not being spent giving glory to God.
"Only one life, t'will soon be past;
Only what is done for Christ will last."
I don't want to waste my life being focused on my own selfish desires.
A shadow is a replication,
a reflection.
A replication is identical.
Jesus loved sacrificially.
He did great things,
great miracles.
He spoke truth.
He was loved.
He was hated.
He was spit on,
made fun of.
Beaten.
Crucified.
He gave His life so that we would have life.
And that is who I want to shadow.
Easy? No.
But one day I will go before God, the Holy Judge.
What will I say then?
"I know you called me, but it looked hard."
Or,
"I know that every day people are dying and going to hell,
but I'd rather be comfortable than reach out to people who,
if nothing changes, will spend an eternity separated from God."
NO!
NO.
NO.
My life is nothing if it is not being spent giving glory to God.
"Only one life, t'will soon be past;
Only what is done for Christ will last."
I don't want to waste my life being focused on my own selfish desires.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Refinement pt.2
Apparently refinement is something that God is trying to get into my hard brain. Do hard things. Don't get trapped in by comfort. Pick up your cross. Offer your body as a living sacrifice. These things just don't ever go away from me these days.
I had Wesley tonight. It was great. super challenging. David talked about Growing in Christ and the times that God calls us to a deeper level of our walk with Him, like when the Israelites were being led into the promised land. He calls us and we can either listen and follow, or we can say "no, no God. I'm fine here. I don't really want to venture into that unknown land." That's complacency. We should not be content with where we are. We should want to go deeper. In 10 years, I do not want to be in the same place spiritually that I am now. Similarly, I don't wish that for anyone else. Then the kicker: we are to pick up our cross daily. Well, the cross kills. In fact, it kills flesh.It hurts. The hurt is our flesh being ripped away. Graphic? yes. Painful? yes. Beautiful? yes. We can be tempted to run from the cross. Run from our flesh being torn away. Run from pain. Run from sacrifice. Or, we can run to it- because that's what running to God is. yikes. it's hard.
I had Wesley tonight. It was great. super challenging. David talked about Growing in Christ and the times that God calls us to a deeper level of our walk with Him, like when the Israelites were being led into the promised land. He calls us and we can either listen and follow, or we can say "no, no God. I'm fine here. I don't really want to venture into that unknown land." That's complacency. We should not be content with where we are. We should want to go deeper. In 10 years, I do not want to be in the same place spiritually that I am now. Similarly, I don't wish that for anyone else. Then the kicker: we are to pick up our cross daily. Well, the cross kills. In fact, it kills flesh.It hurts. The hurt is our flesh being ripped away. Graphic? yes. Painful? yes. Beautiful? yes. We can be tempted to run from the cross. Run from our flesh being torn away. Run from pain. Run from sacrifice. Or, we can run to it- because that's what running to God is. yikes. it's hard.
Monday, January 24, 2011
refinement
"In my life, be lifted high.
In our world, be lifted high.
In our love, be lifted high."
I am learning that for this to happen our flesh has to be ripped away.
What a painful, but glorious thing.
In our world, be lifted high.
In our love, be lifted high."
I am learning that for this to happen our flesh has to be ripped away.
What a painful, but glorious thing.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Psalm 40
I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord, as You know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.
Psalm 40:9-10
[I recommend reading the first ten verses, but it was a lot to type out and copy/ paste doesn't work on this machine...]
I call myself a Christian. Sometimes I think I do a good job at being one, other times God reminds me that HE alone is good. This chapter led to one of those times. If I call myself a Christian, then why do I so, so often remain silent? What could be more important than my God? My flesh allows fear to take over and say that my acceptance and comfort are more important. My flesh tells me a lot of lies. But the truth is so far from that. my desire is that I will be able to say these things: "I do not seal my lips", " I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help." If Christ has truly changed my heart, His love, His truth should just be flowing from me. I should be so excited to talk about what he has done and is doing. So, I am praying for boldness. Boldness to push the flesh away and speak truth. truth. to not speak God's truth to people is to not love them. There are a lot of people that I am choosing to not love because it might make me a little uncomfortable. This needs to change.
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord, as You know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.
Psalm 40:9-10
[I recommend reading the first ten verses, but it was a lot to type out and copy/ paste doesn't work on this machine...]
I call myself a Christian. Sometimes I think I do a good job at being one, other times God reminds me that HE alone is good. This chapter led to one of those times. If I call myself a Christian, then why do I so, so often remain silent? What could be more important than my God? My flesh allows fear to take over and say that my acceptance and comfort are more important. My flesh tells me a lot of lies. But the truth is so far from that. my desire is that I will be able to say these things: "I do not seal my lips", " I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help." If Christ has truly changed my heart, His love, His truth should just be flowing from me. I should be so excited to talk about what he has done and is doing. So, I am praying for boldness. Boldness to push the flesh away and speak truth. truth. to not speak God's truth to people is to not love them. There are a lot of people that I am choosing to not love because it might make me a little uncomfortable. This needs to change.
The very first, and the inspiration for this blog
I am reading a book right now: Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. It's a good one so far. At the beginning, John Piper talks about a painting that was in his kitchen growing up. It said:
"Only one life,
'Twill soon be past;
Only what's done
for Christ will last"
So, I have been reading about not wasting our lives, and how the cross is most important. How to love someone is to let them know their need for a savior, not to make them feel happy or good about themselves. It's been a difficult pill to follow, but good. So, this is a goal: to fill my life with loving like Christ.
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