good gifts

So today I was riding to work on my bike when I noticed that my IT Band (I forget what it's short for) didn't hurt anymore. For a couple weeks it was hurting and it made riding my bike painful and not as much fun. One day I prayed Jesus please, would you please heal my IT band, and don't worry I gave Him a good list of reasons why this would be beneficial to me and Him even though the healing wouldn't be at some major event for all to see. Well this morning I realized that He had answered that prayer, (it must have been my great reasoning skills =), actually more like His grace). My leg doesn't hurt anymore. So that's awesome, praise God! But you know what was the disappointing thing, I was afraid to thank Him, thinking for whatever reason, once I saw how He had blessed me and acknowledged it He'd take it away. Do I really think He's that cruel? I sure hope not, but I quickly prayed for forgiveness for treating Him that way. Instead of rejoicing in all circumstances, I'd let bitterness from previous circumstances and experiences dictate my present response. I allowed satan to steal my joy. I've found one of the most helpful things when I struggle with this is constantly reminding myself that God is FOR ME not against. He is a God that gives good gifts, that works all things out for the good of those who love Him, who left paradise to join us in suffering in order that we might join Him in paradise. Why is this so hard to believe sometimes, so hard to accept that God wants to lavish us with His love. Who am I to judge God and consider whether He is fair or not to me? Holy Spirit be our teacher, reveal the Father's beautiful heart. And Father forgive us for living in such a way that we forget that you are for us and long to lavish us with your love. Jesus, thanks for being the best gift of all.

fast

I started riding my bike to and from work when I can and it's pretty nice. well, i just wanted to say that sometimes when it's still dark in the morning and i'm riding down a road parallel with the highway, going down hill, when i look over at the highway and kinda squint it almost seems like for a second that i'm going just as fast as they are. and then i think biking is fast.

considering mercy

This morning one thing that Holy Spirit brought to mind is that Jesus Christ defines me, not Satan. In the mercy of God when I am His child I am made a new creation and given a new name. We are no longer defined by what we've done, but by who we are in Christ. So we are no longer drunkards or thieves, homosexuals or liars, idolators or murderers, but we, we the children of God are called out by our new names, Beautiful, Faithful and True, Princess, Merciful Soldier, Light, Gracious. Christ has given me a new name and this kind of mercy, this kind of love, it stirs something up in my heart, something, that cries out for more Him, something that makes me want to offer my life right back to Him. And this offering of my life right back to Him, this is my spiritual act of worship. Jesus, thank you that you're shaping us, that you are sharing with us your characteristics, that we are no longer sinners, but saints defined by your love and mercy. In view of Your mercy Lord, we offer up our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You, for this is our spiritual act of worship. PRAISE the LORD!

the mercy of the King...intro

I'm thinking about how the mercy of God leads to worship. I think it'll be a few days before I report more on it, but consider it with me. A couple different texts we can meditate on,
Romans 12:1, 'Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

and Romans 15:8-9. "For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.'"

Glory, Mercy, Worship, Service and Sacrifice.
Jesus draw us in and teach us.

selflessness

I guess I had an idea of what it involved, but living it out, day by day, moment by moment is quite another story. Today God revealed a little more about what selflessness means and how it's lived out. My grandma is dying. She has just begun comfort care, aka hospice. She has nearly died probably 3 or 4 times it seems like in the last year. I had a chance to talk to her today, and I asked her what she was thinking about, she gathered her words and through cracked lips and hoarse voice said, "i'm ready to die, but I don't want to put Grandpa through that." Wow. I asked her if she was scared at all, she said, "a little bit" but quickly added that she wasn't really because she would be going to heaven. she had hope, she was ready to die. It seems like every breath is hard, yet she's holding on for the sake of her husband, to her dying day she's going to be looking out for his best interest, she's going to throw aside her pain, her comfort to hold on for one more day, for the love of her husband. Thank you Grandma for teaching me about selflessness. Jesus would you teach us this?

too cool not to skip

I went for a walk this evening, it felt good after sitting around all day. As i made my way around the neighborhood, i felt light on my feet and i caught myself wanting to skip. a quick look around, well i don't think anyone is watching, a quick little half skip that would be put to shame by any kid in 1st grade. I thought to myself, are you ashamed to skip? what's wrong with skipping, what's wrong with skipping and singing and enjoying your God, the creation and the day? nothing. so why are you so half hazardly throwing a pathetic little hop in your step. I got a little bolder, a couple skips in a row, alright, i'm doing good now, oh no, I hear a car coming, better pretend like i'm just walking plainly down the street, la-de-da-de-dah, ok they're past, a couple more skips, wow this is kinda, really fun. Finally i hear another car, i hesitate, but continue bursting forth in the air with unexpected freedom. and for good measure i even throw a little wizard of oz, yellow path step or two in. awesome. oh there's someone, normal, walk normal, no you can skip, skip away.
Why is it so hard to skip as a 25 year old? Skipping shouldn't be this hard. If my soul is bursting with joy, why not let my body show it? Have we allowed our culture to force us to downplay excitement and joy? Why not walk around with a big smile on your face? What's so wrong with that? Why not skip down the street? Why not wave at unsuspecting passerbyers or cheer on the neighbor kids basketball game. Let outbursts of joy penetrate into our culture, rather than letting the culture shape us, let's start shaping the culture. Don't be afraid to show emotion, to show pure joy, give a little shout out, whistle, skip, run, jump, hum or sing as you walk, draw a pretty picture, or give some one a big smile, laugh heartily. Live life abundant. Enjoy life, God's not some mean old boss who wants always to rain on our parade, in reality, He's probably the drum major, or on the trumpet, or oh yeah, maybe throwing candy...whatever, He wants us to enjoy life, to delight our selves in Him and He will give us the desires of our hearts. Are you enjoying life, or just going through the motions? Are you enjoying God or just trying to stay off His "bad side"? From now on I'm too cool not to skip...

as children

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 john 3:1
I feel so blessed to be able to watch my niece Annabella grow up. She's only 6 months old, yet we all say, 'oh, she's so big.' This morning i was observing my sister Jamie give her bath, she loves the water so it's fun to watch her play in it. While Jamie was scrubbing her she sat her up to get her back and for the first time Annabella stayed sitting up with no assistance, just a splashing in the water. In that same bath time she also stuck her toe into her mouth, another first, and quite impressive if I must say so myself. I did not know that these were firsts for hers, but you better believe my sister did and proud of her too. She marvels at her growth (and flexibility!) Just like our Father notices all the little growing that we do. He knows that extra little step of obedience that we took, that any old outsider, or even close relative (or even yourself) might not have noticed. He noticed how we went just slightly out of our way to help somebody out, or share His love with someone. It's easy to get discouraged when we don't get noticed, or feel like we're not going anywhere, but just like a loving parent notices their child's every little growth so too does the Father, and He is proud. He calls you child because He knows you like a loving father and mother know their own children. He recognises when you are deliberately disobedient, but He also recognises when you joyfully obey. Will you let the Father lavish His love on you? It's a lot harder than it seems. But if you let Him lavish you with His love, it will change your life and you will find you can't resist but to love Him back and to love the one in front of you. He takes great delight in you, He quiets you with His love and rejoices over you with singing! (zephaniah 3:17)