I'm loving this promise God made in the book of Isaiah. I've been contemplating exactly what this means in my life, what exactly it should look like...
IF YOU DO AWAY WITH:
-the yoke of oppression
-the pointing finger
-malicious talk
AND INSTEAD YOU:
-spend yourself in behalf of the hungry
-satisfy the needs of the oppressed
THEN:
-your light will rise in the darkness
-your night will become like the noonday
-the Lord will guide you always, satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame
-you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail
-your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations
-you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Monday, 14 February 2011
Make Me Smile Monday
A little background: our little guy J loves to play some Wii and one of his favourite games is sword fighting. When you win your opponent falls into the water and magically reappears dripping wet, looking defeated. It's a fun game and I like this kid-friendly version where the kids can see the opponent hasn't even been "pretend" hurt. J thinks it's really funny to see them fall and when we first got it he would talk about it all the time and even reenact it for us.
We go to a small church where everyone knows each other and we all know the pastor, including J. Primarily the two enjoy talking sports. So, yesterday at church we had a baptism service. The kids were brought up with their Sunday School classes to watch. S and R both have an understanding as to what baptism represents. (If you're curious - just ask!) J, however hadn't ever been told anything about it before. Needless to say when a 2 year old boy who doesn't know anything about baptism, finds himself watching for the first time he's watching with his own little 2 year old perspective.
I loved his very innocent reaction. He told Jason with a big smile and excitement in his voice: "Pastor Fred knock dem down in water!!!"
We go to a small church where everyone knows each other and we all know the pastor, including J. Primarily the two enjoy talking sports. So, yesterday at church we had a baptism service. The kids were brought up with their Sunday School classes to watch. S and R both have an understanding as to what baptism represents. (If you're curious - just ask!) J, however hadn't ever been told anything about it before. Needless to say when a 2 year old boy who doesn't know anything about baptism, finds himself watching for the first time he's watching with his own little 2 year old perspective.
I loved his very innocent reaction. He told Jason with a big smile and excitement in his voice: "Pastor Fred knock dem down in water!!!"
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
The Secret of Being Content
A few weeks ago Estelle from estellelle wrote about something on her blog that I really enjoyed and appreciated. I knew as soon as I read it that I wanted to share it here.
I've had a few people in life who have looked at me, looked at my life and accused me of being "lucky". Some of them have come right out and said it and others have said it in a more round about way. There was a time when I thought (even though I was a Christian) that being content in life was completely beyond my control. I thought that I had no choice but to suffer through whatever life threw my way.
The truth is...most of us have reason to think like this, things we've been through that we could allow to dictate our joy.
I (have come to) believe that how we feel in life (whether or not we're content) is made up of two things: what happens to us as a result of the choices we ourselves have made as well as the way we respond to the things in life that are truly beyond our control.
So, if you need to make better choices from here on out than do it. If you continue to suffer from the consequences of choices you've already made and you can do something about it - then DO something about. If there are circumstances beyond your control trust them to God! He is good and He will either work them out or give you the strength, joy and peace you need to walk right through them.
Sound too simple?
I'm not saying this is always the easiest or the most natural way. I get that it can be hard - I really do! Check out what Paul said about being content in the book of Phillipians:
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 all this through him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:12-13
I love how the earlier verses are written in the Message Bible:
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Phillipians 4:4,6-8)
So, here's the link. I really hope you'll take the time to read it and be encouraged!
http://estellelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-days-and-bad-days.html
I've had a few people in life who have looked at me, looked at my life and accused me of being "lucky". Some of them have come right out and said it and others have said it in a more round about way. There was a time when I thought (even though I was a Christian) that being content in life was completely beyond my control. I thought that I had no choice but to suffer through whatever life threw my way.
The truth is...most of us have reason to think like this, things we've been through that we could allow to dictate our joy.
I (have come to) believe that how we feel in life (whether or not we're content) is made up of two things: what happens to us as a result of the choices we ourselves have made as well as the way we respond to the things in life that are truly beyond our control.
So, if you need to make better choices from here on out than do it. If you continue to suffer from the consequences of choices you've already made and you can do something about it - then DO something about. If there are circumstances beyond your control trust them to God! He is good and He will either work them out or give you the strength, joy and peace you need to walk right through them.
Sound too simple?
I'm not saying this is always the easiest or the most natural way. I get that it can be hard - I really do! Check out what Paul said about being content in the book of Phillipians:
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 all this through him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:12-13
I love how the earlier verses are written in the Message Bible:
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Phillipians 4:4,6-8)
So, here's the link. I really hope you'll take the time to read it and be encouraged!
http://estellelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/good-days-and-bad-days.html
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