Yesterday as we walked along the beach, Noah and Lydia raced along the waters edge. When an approaching wave would roll ashore, they would race back to safety, only to run back down as the water regressed again. Noah, at 15 months, was unsure about the ocean altogether, but he was easily distracted by the sand and shells. He'd forget about the water and run toward the ocean, which was alarming because one wave would easily knock him down and under. Lydia, almost 4, was definitely aware of the danger and was afraid of "getting drownded," yet she still ventured toward the ocean confident she could outrun the potential danger.
Sometimes we as Christians are like my Noah. We are distracted by the world and get entangled in sin before we realize it. We are not looking toward the danger at all, and are completely blindsided by a wave.
Other times we are more like my Lydia. We realize the danger of sin, but still we inch closer, confident in our own abilities to run back when we need to. We see the wave coming, and intend to flee, but we have gotten too close and are in too deep before we realize it.
In both cases, the waves of sin knock us down and hold us as though we have forgotten how to swim....or more importantly, how to call out to our lifeguard!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Unbridled Tongue
"I consider looseness with words no less of a defect than looseness of the bowels." John Calvin
It is unfortunate that we are not as troubled by our own loose words as we are by loose bowels! What about chronic looseness of words!?
I am troubled by my own lack of control over my tongue sometimes. A curt, sharp response, sarcasm, a tone that conveys annoyance and impatience, idle talk about someones unfortunate circumstances or latest predicament. The list goes on and on. I recently read something that stung me a bit...what about when we gossip with the pretense of a "prayer request?" Ouch. (IE. Did you hear about so-and-so....yep, she did do that...and her husband, well he just.... yes, her children aren't even....we do need to pray for them.) What was the purpose? To genuinely request prayer or to tell the story? God knows the motive of our hearts, even when we may not completely realize our own intentions (The heart is more deceitful than anything else
and desperately sick—who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9)
God, help me to seek to seek to encourage, build up, love, and respect with every word I say. Guard my tongue!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Proverbs 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of
judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen.
James 3
It is unfortunate that we are not as troubled by our own loose words as we are by loose bowels! What about chronic looseness of words!?
I am troubled by my own lack of control over my tongue sometimes. A curt, sharp response, sarcasm, a tone that conveys annoyance and impatience, idle talk about someones unfortunate circumstances or latest predicament. The list goes on and on. I recently read something that stung me a bit...what about when we gossip with the pretense of a "prayer request?" Ouch. (IE. Did you hear about so-and-so....yep, she did do that...and her husband, well he just.... yes, her children aren't even....we do need to pray for them.) What was the purpose? To genuinely request prayer or to tell the story? God knows the motive of our hearts, even when we may not completely realize our own intentions (The heart is more deceitful than anything else
and desperately sick—who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9)
God, help me to seek to seek to encourage, build up, love, and respect with every word I say. Guard my tongue!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Proverbs 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of
judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen.
James 3
Monday, September 13, 2010
Faith of a child
Sometimes I find myself questioning and doubting instead of trusting in faithfulness. Funny how God can show you a clear example of obedience in a simple, unexpected way.
My 3 year old, Lydia, & her (identical) twin cousins had been playing all afternoon. While outside, one cousin, Kaylee, ran over her own toes with a wagon, resulting in a scrape, a little blood and some dramatic tears. Back inside, I was in the kitchen preparing them all drinks while they sat in the living room. I heard Lydia say, "Kaylee, do you want me to pray for your toes? Dear Lord, please help both of Kaylee's toes ...wait, you are Kaylee, right? Ok, In Jesus' name. Amen. Now tomorrow, when you wake up they won't even hurt anymore because I prayed and God heard me. Even though He's in heaven." That evening I talked to her about praying for her cousin. Her reply was so simple and matter of fact..."God hears us pray."
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a common passage of Scripture. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths."
I pray that God will help me as I seek to trust Him more, relying not on personal opinion or worldly advice. I pray that He will be on my mind throughout the day and I will turn my heart constantly toward my Savior. God give me the faith and trust of a child.
My 3 year old, Lydia, & her (identical) twin cousins had been playing all afternoon. While outside, one cousin, Kaylee, ran over her own toes with a wagon, resulting in a scrape, a little blood and some dramatic tears. Back inside, I was in the kitchen preparing them all drinks while they sat in the living room. I heard Lydia say, "Kaylee, do you want me to pray for your toes? Dear Lord, please help both of Kaylee's toes ...wait, you are Kaylee, right? Ok, In Jesus' name. Amen. Now tomorrow, when you wake up they won't even hurt anymore because I prayed and God heard me. Even though He's in heaven." That evening I talked to her about praying for her cousin. Her reply was so simple and matter of fact..."God hears us pray."
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a common passage of Scripture. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths."
I pray that God will help me as I seek to trust Him more, relying not on personal opinion or worldly advice. I pray that He will be on my mind throughout the day and I will turn my heart constantly toward my Savior. God give me the faith and trust of a child.
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