Today, while in chapel, we sang a song with the line, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours." I used to think I really knew what broke my God's heart.
You know, sin of course. God hates sin.
While this is true... I have to wonder if the act of sin is what really breaks His heart.
I don't really think so.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Brutality & Hypocrisy
Wow, this morning I was hit pretty hard with a few lessons on love. God has such a great way of humbling me!
I attended a ladies Bible study that a lady at my church leads and the book the group has been going through was entitled, Lord, Change My Attitude. Today's topic was on "Replacing a Critical Attitude with Love." The opening passage was 1 Corinthians 13, which we've all heard so often. Sure, I thought I would pick up some good reminders.
But, let me tell you.
There was way more than just some good reminders! And I'm praising Him right now for that!
{The Way of Love}
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
{1 Corinthians 13 ESV}
The gist of the message was-- We are to be FULL of BOTH Grace & Truth--just like Christ! :)
{John 1:14}
Truth without love is brutality. {harsh, bitter, aggressive}
Love without truth is hypocrisy. {harmful, leads to destruction}
You see, without LOVE I am absolutely nothing. That's what God says! I do absolutely no good. Even if I give an eloquent, powerful, doctrinally accurate speech, I will reach no one without love. Christ didn't begin His ministry by simply calling out sin in people's lives...no, He began by reaching out and displaying love. He reached out to me. He made a way so that I could know His love.
But, without TRUTH I will do no good. If I truly love someone, I will want the very best for them. That means--I want the unsaved to find Christ and I want my brothers and sisters to pursue Christ! I will be FOR them, and love them even if it stings for a moment {Proverbs 27:6}.
We need to be wise in approaching people with love and truth. We must choose whether an issue is major or minor. {Is it a critical path or just a personal preference? Is it chronic or very rare? Is it someone who is close to me or am I assuming?}
After answering these questions we must be sure to put the individual's needs above our own.
Because, that's what Christ did. He didn't spend His time in constant criticism...He spoke when it was necessary and loved without reserve.
I remember this quote I saw... {I think on Pinterest (; }
"Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words."
*Points taken from James MacDonald*
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Getting Life Together: Perfectionism
Goals: Dreams with Deadlines.
I absolutely adore making plans, lists, goals, resolutions, whatever. The New Year is always an inspiring time for me. I reflect on the previous year--what went right and what went wrong. I consider areas for improvement and begin furiously writing down hundreds of items that I wish to master during the present year.
Okay, not hundreds...but quite a lot.
I contrive this grand idea of who I'm going to become and how I can muster up the strength and dedication to become that someone... this is also known as perfectionism! God has been teaching me about the flawed mindset behind my perfectionism.
Do you ever find yourself trying to stop the world while you try to get your ducks in a row?
I do! Constantly.
I feel as though I can't do anything of worth until I am satisfied with myself and have my life all figured out. *sigh* ...and that is SUCH a lie that Satan uses to cripple us!
Why? Because a perfect life is IMPOSSIBLE.
That impossibility is why we have the Gospel. Jesus Christ came to make us at peace with God. You and I can be used by Christ--even in our imperfection and chaotic lives--because Christ lives in us and is changing us.
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ(!) {Philippians 1:6}
He who calls you is faithful; He(!) will surely do it. {1 Thessalonians 5:24}
Aren't those incredible verses? When we feel like we aren't yet worthy of a task or blessing...we are exactly where we should be. We have recognized our sinful and finite existence.
But, God.
But God makes the broken to be whole; He makes the ugly to be beautiful. He makes the weak to be mighty and the unlikely to be exalted. He makes the old into something new!
So yes, my ducks {and may I assume your ducks?} aren't in a row quite yet... but as I live each day He gives me the strength, grace, and wisdom to follow Him and to slowly see Him put each piece of the puzzle in place.
So what is my theme for 2013? To live primarily focused on the current day--to live each day to the greatest capacity God has for me through His strength!
But as I said, I do love me a list!!
Here's the traditional list ;)
1.Begin a Blog {woohoo!!!}
2. Sleep more! {bed by 11:30}
3. Workout 5 days a week.
4. Work systematically through books of the Bible.
5. Pray each time I enter & leave my unit & as I walk alone between classes.
6. Keep coffee minimal!!!!! {only if absolutely needed ; )
7. Minimize sweets {2 a week} focus on fruits & veggies more.
8. Eat out only once a week. Aaaaaaand.. Starbucks once a week.
9. FOLLOW THY BUDGET.
10. Play violin & piano every week. Sketch & write something everyday.
Alrighty :) Fun and hopefully manageable! Once again...day by day.
What's your theme for the year? Any resolutions? :)
I absolutely adore making plans, lists, goals, resolutions, whatever. The New Year is always an inspiring time for me. I reflect on the previous year--what went right and what went wrong. I consider areas for improvement and begin furiously writing down hundreds of items that I wish to master during the present year.
Okay, not hundreds...but quite a lot.
I contrive this grand idea of who I'm going to become and how I can muster up the strength and dedication to become that someone... this is also known as perfectionism! God has been teaching me about the flawed mindset behind my perfectionism.
Do you ever find yourself trying to stop the world while you try to get your ducks in a row?
I do! Constantly.I feel as though I can't do anything of worth until I am satisfied with myself and have my life all figured out. *sigh* ...and that is SUCH a lie that Satan uses to cripple us!
Why? Because a perfect life is IMPOSSIBLE.
That impossibility is why we have the Gospel. Jesus Christ came to make us at peace with God. You and I can be used by Christ--even in our imperfection and chaotic lives--because Christ lives in us and is changing us.
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ(!) {Philippians 1:6}
He who calls you is faithful; He(!) will surely do it. {1 Thessalonians 5:24}
Aren't those incredible verses? When we feel like we aren't yet worthy of a task or blessing...we are exactly where we should be. We have recognized our sinful and finite existence.
But, God.
But God makes the broken to be whole; He makes the ugly to be beautiful. He makes the weak to be mighty and the unlikely to be exalted. He makes the old into something new!
So yes, my ducks {and may I assume your ducks?} aren't in a row quite yet... but as I live each day He gives me the strength, grace, and wisdom to follow Him and to slowly see Him put each piece of the puzzle in place.
So what is my theme for 2013? To live primarily focused on the current day--to live each day to the greatest capacity God has for me through His strength!
But as I said, I do love me a list!!
Here's the traditional list ;)
1.
2. Sleep more! {bed by 11:30}
3. Workout 5 days a week.
4. Work systematically through books of the Bible.
5. Pray each time I enter & leave my unit & as I walk alone between classes.
6. Keep coffee minimal!!!!! {only if absolutely needed ; )
7. Minimize sweets {2 a week} focus on fruits & veggies more.
8. Eat out only once a week. Aaaaaaand.. Starbucks once a week.
9. FOLLOW THY BUDGET.
10. Play violin & piano every week. Sketch & write something everyday.
Alrighty :) Fun and hopefully manageable! Once again...day by day.
What's your theme for the year? Any resolutions? :)
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Becoming a Beauty Seeker
Beauty Seeker.
Since beginning Christmas break, I've been spending an enormous amount of time lounging around and thinking. This is not terribly unusual for me. However, the type of pondering has been refreshing. Quite often I worry--worry that I will miss God's will, that I will fail, that I will waste my time--all sorts of binding worries. But lately, it's been a little different.
My thoughts of lately have been focused on beauty. Not my beauty routine of the morning! :) Instead,my focus has been on the beautiful moments and simplicity in the world and my life.
Beauty. It's found in unexpected places, people, and moments.
Beauty is found everywhere.
The other day I saw The Hobbit. I haven't read the book yet--I have an awful habit of liking to know what happens first ;) But I was dumbfounded that God had given man the ability to imagine, write, and create. Isn't it a beautiful thing that we can be transported to another world and enraptured by some one's writings?
Late I attended The Piano Guys Concert. I was enthralled by the musical ability and creativity. The way one can interpret music and reach a crowd's heart is a gift unlike any other. Music has the breathtaking capability of making one's heart soar.
How do we see beauty? Perhaps by looking at the world as a child, being curious. Going to the restaurants and shops that are tucked away. Taking the scenic route home. Breathing in fresh air with your eyes closed. Lying on your back gazing at starts. Listening intently with an open heart to someone's story. Rolling the window down and listening to an atypical style of music.
My goal is to no longer let the little things pass by, but to seek the beauty all around me. To live a passionate life, pursuing to make life more beautiful and enjoy it in light of my amazing God.
So, let's be beauty seekers, yes? :)
Since beginning Christmas break, I've been spending an enormous amount of time lounging around and thinking. This is not terribly unusual for me. However, the type of pondering has been refreshing. Quite often I worry--worry that I will miss God's will, that I will fail, that I will waste my time--all sorts of binding worries. But lately, it's been a little different.
My thoughts of lately have been focused on beauty. Not my beauty routine of the morning! :) Instead,my focus has been on the beautiful moments and simplicity in the world and my life.
Beauty. It's found in unexpected places, people, and moments.
Beauty is found everywhere.
The other day I saw The Hobbit. I haven't read the book yet--I have an awful habit of liking to know what happens first ;) But I was dumbfounded that God had given man the ability to imagine, write, and create. Isn't it a beautiful thing that we can be transported to another world and enraptured by some one's writings?
Late I attended The Piano Guys Concert. I was enthralled by the musical ability and creativity. The way one can interpret music and reach a crowd's heart is a gift unlike any other. Music has the breathtaking capability of making one's heart soar.
How do we see beauty? Perhaps by looking at the world as a child, being curious. Going to the restaurants and shops that are tucked away. Taking the scenic route home. Breathing in fresh air with your eyes closed. Lying on your back gazing at starts. Listening intently with an open heart to someone's story. Rolling the window down and listening to an atypical style of music.
My goal is to no longer let the little things pass by, but to seek the beauty all around me. To live a passionate life, pursuing to make life more beautiful and enjoy it in light of my amazing God.
So, let's be beauty seekers, yes? :)
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