My Heart's Desire

The news that you are expecting a baby is different for each person.  For some, it is shock, or maybe horror.  For some, it means a major inconvenience in your life, so much so that they will chose to just kill the baby rather than think of it as a gift or a blessing.  This week, I took a pregnancy test and saw a faint positive line.  I got down on my knees with my face on the floor with tears streaming down thanking God for answering my prayer.  For me, this news was sheer joy. 

We have been trying for over a year and a half to have another baby, and I have been through every emotion about it over that length of time.  First, I started off fully trusting in God's timing on the matter and that He would bless us with another baby at just the right time.  Then, I began to move into to some impatience over the matter wondering, "What is taking so long????"  In the fall of last year, I moved into a touch of a pity party for myself because it seemed that everywhere I turned people I knew were getting pregnant, but not me.  I moved past that, with the help of my encouraging and wise husband. 

However, the worst was a few months ago for me.  We had been trying for over a year, and if I have ever had depression, it was then.  Walking past the baby section in Wal-Mart literally sent me into tears.  I thought it was never going to happen, and then I mourned the end of the baby stage in my life.  We had always planned on having a large family, so for me, this was a time of coming to grips that we may just have two children.  I sold all of my baby stuff in a yard sale last month.  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE my two boys more than anything else, but I had always thought we would have more eventually. 

So, after all the emotions that have occurred over the last year and a half over trying to get pregnant, God finally gave me the desire of my heart.  I think He was definitely trying to teach me a lesson through the waiting, but I can't say I passed the test perfectly...without my share of doubting, questioning, anger, and resentment at times toward God and others.  

I know some probably think God has nothing to do with ones ability to get pregnant or not, but I believe that God is in complete control of everything.  It is just a matter of how I chose to respond to His plan.  When you think of the miracle of life itself, it is evident there is a Creator.  He is the giver of life.  "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb"  Psalm 139:13.

So after three positive tests, and a confirmation from the doctor, we will be having another baby in our near future...

We told the boys and their reactions were priceless.  Lucas shook his head and said, "NO!  I'm the baby!!"  Logan had a look of surprise, then he started tearing up with excitement.  He has been wanting another baby and has been praying for a year.  I was so thankful that he got to see answers to prayers that he had been praying himself.  It was precious. 

I give God praise for this baby and when he or she is born I will say as Hannah did, "For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”    Psalm 37:4

Titus Highlights

This short letter written by Paul to Titus reminds me of 1 Timothy.  It is also a short with only three chapters, but rich book that is practical.  In Chapter 1, Paul discusses the  leadership in the church.  He wanted him to appoint elders in every city that he directed him.   He had to use certain criteria when selecting these elders:

Qualifications (1:6-9)
-above reproach
-the husband of one wife
-having children who believe
-not accused of dissipation or rebellion
-must be above reproach as God's steward
-not self-willed
-not quick-tempered
-not addicted to wine
-not pugnacious
-not fond of sordid gain
-hospitable
-loving what is good
-sensible
-just
-devout
-self-controlled
-holding fast to the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so he will be able both to
  exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict

Paul also talks about another group of people besides those who are prospects for being an elder.  He said "there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain." (1:10-11)  These men were especially those of circumcision, meaning Jews, because there were some who professed to know God, but by their deeds, they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

If everything rises and falls on leadership, then it is essential that we, as those chosen of God, make sure that we know what God says we need to do to set in order our homes, our lives, our priorities, our values, and to appoint godly leadership over the church.  We can be certain that if godly men don't fill the positions of leadership, those who profess to know God but deny Him by their deeds will step in to fill the void.  This is why the appointment of godly elders, overseers, pastors, deacons--whatever title your church or denomination gives them--is so critical. 

Truth for the sake of knowledge alone will not accomplish the work of God.  We must live out the Word of God and put it into practice.  Truth should do more that intellectual assent, it should transform us from being ungodly in our conduct to being more like God.  When we embrace truth, rather than simply acknowledging it, it will produce good deeds.

Paul told Titus to speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. (2:1)  This is referring to truths about our character, our behavior, our relationships, our roles--good deeds which adorn the doctrine, the teaching of God.

God has a standard for His people: Holiness that instructs us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age.  If we lived according to this standard, it would correct many of our socialproblems and restore us to our proper roles as men and women.  It would keep society from self-destructing.  To live with this standard is not impossible because Jesus redeemed us from every lawless deed and purified us for Himself.  Purification produces within us a zeal, a passion for good deeds. 


Chapter 2 discusses right living in the church with five different groups of people:   (2:2-10)
1) Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and perseverance.

2) Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved
     to much wine, teaching what is good so that they may encourage the... 

3) Young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at
     home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

4) Young men to be sensible, in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds with purity
     in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that no opponent will be put
     to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. 

5) Bondservants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well pleasing, not
    argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of
    God our Savior in every respect.  

Although we don't have slaves now, bondservants could be also compared to those who serve under other people. 

Chapter 3 talks about right living in society.  "We are to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men" (3:1-2)
.
If you are a believer, do you remember what you were before you met Jesus Christ, before you were born again, regenerated and given the Holy Spirit.  Remembering this will help us all to be thankful of the sacrifice made for all mankind and help us be more considerate of other people who are where we once were.  "For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life on malice and envy, hateful, hating one another" (3:3).

When He saved us, it wasn't by our deeds but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (3:5).  Jesus saves us, and it is all pure grace.  However, I determine my reward by the way I appropriate that grace and live it to its full measure.  May God's gift of grace toward me not be in vain.

2 Timothy Highlights

This book is about our responsibility to know His Word and to live it out daily.  Paul writes this book at the end of his life from prison to Timothy.  He is in prison for the sake of the gospel, and while he is in prison, he is being treated unfairly.  He feels alone and rejected because everyone has deserted him except Luke.  It is a short book, with only four chapters, but is full of wisdom for our daily lives.

It is generally believed that Nero, the Roman emperor at that time, had set a large majority of the city of Rome on fire and blamed the Christians.  To divert the suspicion from himself, he ordered Christians be imprisoned and executed.  Many Christians were put on poles alongside the highway and then, while still alive, set on fire to become human torches. 

Paul wouldn't escape the psychotic madness of Nero. 

As he writes these words, he is imprisoned and writes his last will and testament to Timothy.

In Chapter 1, Paul gives a greeting to Timothy and says that he longs to see him because he was like a son to him.  Paul reminded Timothy of his former faithful generations through his mother and grandmother, and encouraged him to not be timid, but of power and love and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). 

Paul didn't want Timothy to be ashamed of the testimony (gospel) or of him, Christ's prisoner, but join him in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God (1:8). 

It is through the difficult times that our responses to adversity reveal our true character.  We can sometimes fake our reactions to unfavorable situations, but true, genuine, overwhelming difficulties and tragedies reveal much about us.  Sometimes tragedies, devastating situations, or unexpected events can bring to the surface some emotions, thoughts, and words we never thought were in us.  Sometimes the temperature of response can reveal the temperature of our heart.  I have found this to be true recently, sadly.  I didn't even know some thoughts and feelings were there until a difficult situation arose.  It was ugly, embarrassing, and unlike myself.  I guess God chooses to bring some things to the surface so I could deal with it.

What makes the difference between those who chose to be faithful and carry out their responsibilities and those who abandon the work of God?  Could it be that in those times of great difficulty, knowing the Word of God has something to do with the ability to go through difficult times and respond appropriately?

He wanted Timothy to hold to the standard of sound words, which he heard from Paul and guard, through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." (1:14)  This verse stuck out to me like it was in flashing neon lights.   I thought a lot on that verse over the next few days.  We are to guard the treasure which has been entrusted to us.  What exactly is the treasure, and how to we guard it?  I looked up several commentaries on this verse and I discovered that that the treasure is a rich one that contains the riches of grace, even the unsearchable riches of Christ.  That treasure is more valuable than thousands of gold and silver.  The treasure is the Christian doctrine and it is a trust committed to us to be preserved, pure and entire, and to be transmitted to those what come after us.  We must keep it, and not contribute any thing to the corrupting of its purity, the weakening of its power, or the diminishing of its perfection.  Paul made an investment in Timothy, just as God has made an investment in us.  Are we protecting and preserving (in His power) His deposit of the gospel so that we might be able to reliably transmit it to other faithful men and women?

In Chapter 2, Paul warns Timothy that some strayed from the faith.  Paul encouraged Timothy to entrust the things he taught him to faithful men who will also be able to teach others.  He used three different examples for this very important exhortation:
1) Good soldier:  no good soldier in active duty entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life,
     so he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
2) Athlete: does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules
3) Hard-Working Farmer: ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.

2:11-13 speaks of a trustworthy statement:
1) If we died with Him, we will also live with Him
2) If we endure, we will also reign with Him
3) If we deny Him, He will deny us.
4) If we are faithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

I think we all need to memorize this verse, especially women..."but avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene" (2 Timothy 2:15-16).  I don't know how many times I have gotten myself into trouble over this very thing!  Sometimes, just trying to talk to fill up the silence gets me into some conversations that I wish I could take back.

"The Lord knows who are His and everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness" (2:19).  Paul says "flee from youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and arrogant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will" (2:22-26).  That is a rather lofty list. 

We are not saved by our works, but according to His purpose (1:9); however, we are known by what we do: our deeds, our actions, our reactions.  Our actions bear witness of the condition of our heart.  We aren't saved by our works, but we are recognized by them.  Our works prove who we are. 

Chapter 3 talks about the last days being difficult for Christian service.  "Men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.  Avoid such men as these" (3:2-5). 

Kay defined each of the words this list because sometimes I can skim over it and not have an exact understanding of the meaning.  I thought it was useful, so I will share it...

DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS: a person who resists the authority of his parents, leading him to resist all other authority, both human and divine.

REVILERS: a person who uses his speech to cause harm to people, attempting to "tear them down" in his conversations with others.

IRRECONCILABLE: a person who will not accept a truce but continues in his enmity and unforgiveness

MALICIOUS GOSSIPS: a person who intentionally thinks up evil reports and accusations and falsely accuses someone else.  (This is the same word used to describe the devil).

WITHOUT SELF-CONTROL: a person who is void of any self-imposed restraints over his passions and lusts.

BRUTAL: a person who is untamed, savage, and wild in his actions and attitudes.

TREACHEROUS: a person who betrays any confidence and trust placed in him-a traitor.

CONCEITED: a person who knows it all and cannot be told anything by anyone.

LOVERS OF PLEASURE RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD: a person who loves what is pleasurable to himself rather that what pleases God; a person who is controlled by satisfying his passions--food, drink, recreation, success, entertainment, sex...etc, rather than being controlled by what God would be pleased with.

HOLDING TO A FORM OF GODLINESS: a person who holds to an appearance of religion, a mask of godliness.  This person would attend church as a ritual and embrace some traditions of religious activity (like celebrating Christmas and Easter), but would not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Are we living in the last days?

A recent survey showed that 80% of the people who went to a local church, heard the gospel preached, and made a commitment to Him, quit going to church with just a few months because they said they saw no difference in the lives of the "Christians" and those who did not profess Christ.

We now have megachurches that offer everything from arts and crafts classes to recreational facilities; everything from Mom's Day Out nursery programs to senior adults extended care; everything from summer camps for teenagers to marriage retreats for couples; and everything from single-again activities to college mission trips.  But immortality is infiltrating almost every family.

We feed the hungry, we clothe the naked, we evangelize the sinners, we assist the devastated, we encourage the downtrodden, and we give millions of dollars to the unfortunate.  But no matter what we do, our world is crumbling around us. 

We are liberated as we sing in our services with absolute freedom, we are entertained by humorous sermons, we are enlightened by pulpit discussions on relevant issues, and we even feel better every day of the week because we attended an hour service once a week.  Yet we are bound by feeling of guilt, burdened by the past, and stymied by fear of the future.

One would think that, with all we are doing, we would have more of an impact on the world around us.  Are we doing some good?  Yes, I think so.  But what's wrong?  Why aren't we seeing more improvement in the moral condition of our world? What is the answer? Could it be that we are placing such an emphasis on programs that minister to the physical, emotional, mental, financial, vocational, and recreational pleasure of people that we have abandoned ministering to their greatest need--the spiritual--where we could help them learn what pleases God?

Maybe we've gotten the horse before the cart.  Maybe we need to return to the biblical pattern.  Could it be that we are so busy performing all this work in the name of God through these many programs that we've not had the time to study His Word?  It is the Word that makes us adequate, equipped for every good work. 

Are we living in the last days?  I think so.  Today most people are holding to a form of godliness but are lacking in the power thereof.  Everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes, without regard to what the Word of God has to say about the issues.  What can you do personally to make a difference?  What did Paul do?  What did Timothy do?  Do that!  Study His Word (2:15).  Entrust His Word to faithful men so they can teach others (2:2).  Live out what you are taught (3:10).  Continue in the things you have learned and are convinced of (3:14).

No matter what, Paul wanted Timothy to "continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them." (3:14)

2 Timothy 3:15-16 is quoted often, but I think it is a crucial scripture to understand.  For me, it validates the study of all scripture, Old Testament mainly, because although we are under the new covenant, there are important truths that we can glean from the study of the entire bible.

Some more definitions to these two verses:

TEACHING:  the Word of God teaches us with absolute authority what is right.

REPROOF:  the Word of God convicts us when we think, say or do something wrong.

CORRECTION:  the Word of God shows us how to correct what we've done wrong and to make it right. 

TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS:  the Word of God trains us in righteousness, showing us how to do it right the first time.

In Chapter 4, Paul knows his time here on earth is drawing to an end soon.  He desperately wants to see Timothy before that time.  You can hear the urgency in this chapter.  In his lifetime, Paul had been through more than we could ever imagine--beatings, sufferings, persecutions, imprisonments, abandonment by people who were close to him, opposition to his teaching, the twisting of what he taught to make it heresy, and yet, look at his attitude about the future.  As I read this, I prayed that I would have the same kind of attitude.  

I love this whole chapter that Kay wrote, so I won't try to summarize it.  I am just going to type the whole thing..."Relationships are the canvas upon which our very lives are painted.  Everything we do, think, and say seems to come from our multicolored relationships.  We act like our forefathers.  We are biased in our opinions because of the culture that raised us.  We are recognized geographically by our speech.  We are a portrait of our past associations.  Good friends. Bad friends.  Faithful.  Unfaithful.  Godly family.  Ungodly family.  When physical death comes to pay a personal visit, life boils down to the one very critical, important relationship: the relationship we have with God the Father.  Everything else is temporary.  In the end, that is the relationship that determines our eternal destiny."   

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15

Walking in Power, Love, and Discipline

Deeper Still

Last weekend, Julie and I went to a women's conference in Louisville, KY called Deeper Still. 

We got great seats for both days.  We were actually eight rows back and directly behind all of the speakers.  It is much easier to get good seats when there are just two to find.  Usually, I go with a larger group, but it didn't work out this time. 

One of my favorite parts of going to events like this is for the music.  I LOVE singing together with thousands of women and a few brave men lifting up praises to the Lord.  I also love the freedom to worship, to be able to lift up your hands if you feel led, without fear of others around you thinking you are a total weirdo.  In events like these, you will see many ways to worship, some very foreign to my conservative church☺ I also love Travis Cottrell's voice.  He leads all of Beth Moore's events, and he is not only very talented, but he also leads us to truly worship. 

  

This is the third time I have gone to one of these events and sadly, it is the last one.  Each one I have attended has been moving, convicting, and always stirs me to seek God and live fully for Him.  I wanted to share my notes from each of the teachers because each was powerful and spoke to me in different ways. 

The first teacher was Kay Arthur.  I just love her.  She is real and extremely knowledgeable in the word.  I can't believe she is 77!

What I learned from her teaching...

Kay taught on many aspects of God's love.  It was compelling and extremely convicting for me.  She first told of how the Israelites in Malachi had the gall to ask God, "Tell us how You love us," even after all God provided for them.  She asked us if we had ever done the same by doubting God's love when things don't work out exactly as we had planned and do the same thing to God. 

The main text was from 1 John 3:1-16.  There are two classes of people: those that belong to Christ, those who have moved from death to life, and children of the devil, those who are still dead in their trespasses of sin.  In Romans 5:6, we learn that God came to save us when we were completely helpless and unable to be godly. 

She shared some gruesome details of what Christ endured in His death not only on the cross.  I have heard it before, but every time I do, it makes me want to fall on my face and thank Him for dying in my place and taking the punishment that I deserve.  I can't even imaging the pain of just the scourging alone.  She said the movie, The Passion of the Christ, was great, but it didn't go far enough.  She also said something interesting about Jesus being nailed to the cross.  When God created us, He knew we would sin and He created the bone structure in a specific way.  She said that if you feel down your wrist you will feel a circle where there are no bones.  She said it was like God created a place for Jesus to be nailed to the cross.  I looked up an X-ray of a hand to check out what she said about this because I thought it was an interesting point.

Many pictures of Jesus on the cross show Him being nailed in the palm of His hand, but some say that being nailed there couldn't hold the weight of your body and would rip through the entire hand.  No matter where He was nailed, palm or wrist, it is still excruciating to even imagine.  I am a big baby when I have a splinter in my hand, much less the agony of being nailed. 

In Romans 5:8, we are told that Christ died an unimaginable death, and while were sinners is the time Christ died for us.  This is how God demonstrates His love toward us.  We are helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies of God, but that is when He chose to die for us, not because of anything we do.  You don't get saved because of the family you were born into, or because some willed you to get saved, or even because of a decision on our own.  Ephesians 1:3-4 tells us that He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.  

We know all of this because of studying His word.  Kay asked how many books does God intend us to know?  ALL 66!  If He gave us 66, then we should know and study all of them.  We are too entangled in the affairs of the world that we don't want to work and struggle through the scriptures.  She said that through her study of His word it has allowed her not to doubt God because she believes the word of God.  

The scripture tells us in 1 John 3:4, "everyone who practices sin also practices lawlesness; and sin is lawlessness."  Practicing sin is present tense, to keep doing it over and over.  If we truly believe in Jesus, we will not habitually sin.  Jesus came to break the chain and power of sin, and if that power is not destroyed, then you are not born again.  If your habit of life is sin, then you are a child of the devil. (1 John 3:7-8). This is a hard teaching to understand and want to believe, because we want to live the way we choose to live without consequences.  If we sin habitually, then we should doubt our salvation.  1 John 3:9 is very clear on this..."no one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in Him, and he cannot sin because He is born of God."

She said this concept may go against everything that we have been taught, but do we want to believe a lie and be deceived??  Kay feels that there are many in the church who are not born again.  We ought to behave and look differently, and that is not happening right now.  If the church is more like the world, it is not true Christianity.  If you can't stop sinning, then it should put a BIG question mark on your salvation.  Do we want to be a slave to sin?

We need to have a biblical perspective on the love of God.  In 1 John 3:10, the children of the devil are obvious...the ones who do not practice righteousness and the one who does not love his brother.  A few verses later in 14-15, it says that he who does not love abides in death.  Verse 16 says this is what shows whether you have been transformed by the love of God.  If a person does not love Jesus, He does not love God.  What are your goals and ambitions in life?  To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strenght and your neighbor as yourself is to fulfil the law.  If we do these things, then we wouldn't dream of adultry, coveting, murdering... 

The source of love is God.  If we are filled with bitterness, resentfulness, and hate, examine yourself.  There is only one way.  The one who does not love does not know God.  If I know that God loves me, then I am not needy and require others to constantly tell me and reassure me of their love.  I am able to be so filled with the love of God that I am able to meet the needs of others without being so concerned if people love me. 

How can we be certain that God loves us?  Everything that happens to us is filtered through the sovereign fingers of God through His love.  He is loving, but He also allows bad things to happen to mold us into who we are supposed to be.  

She closed with these two passages...

What then shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare His own Son,

but delivered Him up for us all,

how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?

It is God who justifies.

Who is he who condemns?

 It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also makes intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written:
      “ For Your sake we are killed all day long;
       We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors

through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither

death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers,

nor things present nor things to come,

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-39

 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,

to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints

 what is the width and length and depth and height—

to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;

that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19

Saturday morning, we had the privelege of listening to Priscilla Shirer teach a practical, yet also convicting lesson on enjoying the gifts God gives us without become enslaved.  She is closes to my age and the stage of life that I am currently in. 

Pricilla shared a story of the rarity of snow in Texas this winter, and how many reacted to the multiple snow days being shut in at home.  She said that when there are a few inches of snow, the city practically shuts down because they aren't prepared to handle it.  Many in the city were going stir crazy and ready to get back to their normal routines.  She asked are we so addicted to stress, chaos, and commotion that we can't even enjoy a break, even when forced?

We can be free from the slaves of sin, but we can let good things spiral out of proportion.  Things such as work, food, etc...have been given to us to enjoy, but we can become enslaved and in bondage.  She asked us what are we over-doing in our lives currently?  Some are enslaved to our homes by clutter.  We're not just free from the curse of sin, but from the things He gave for us to enjoy appropriately.

I thought this was a great illustration about purpose of boundaries and how they are good for us.  Fire is a great thing if confined to a fireplace or appropriately contained in its proper place.  We can be enslaved to a gift that God has given us. 

God gave the children of Israel manna and quail when they escaped the slavery of Egyptians and were headed to the Promised Land.  However, His gifts had boundaries.  They were to take a Sabbath day rest to allow for a little breathing room in their daily lives.  They were to collect the manna and quail on the first six days and on the sixth day, they were given a double portion to have enough for the Sabbath day.  That day is to remember who it is that provided everything. 

She asked if there is anything in our lives that we have a hard time stopping, or saying no to.  Perhaps, it is an indulgance, coffee, knick-knacks, collections, shopping...no ceasing point.  It may have overrun your life.  God gives margins as benefits even if it doesn't seen so.  A boundary left to us, in our own flesh, will not be a true boundary.  We will overdo too much, and this is why God puts them here so we can fully enjoy the freedom God has given us. 

In Deuteronomy 5:14, they were told not to do any work.  These people had a slave mentality and had never been told to stop working.  Perhaps we have never been told pause and step into a God-margin.  They were told to stop in saying no to what they have never told no.  Is there any breathing room in your home or office?  Why do we despise space or open dates on our calendars?  Satan may be pushing so much into a gift to keep us from doing what we are called to do.  We need to be able to say enough is enough.  Resist the urge to continue. 

She talked about her hangup...belts.  She brought her collection of belts to show everyone the excessiveness caused her not to be able to enjoy them.  It could be shoes, clothes, etc...but how many do we really need?  Is it hampering us so much that we can't even enjoy what we have because it is too overwhelming?  What is it for you that has become out of control.  You can't enjoy because you have too much of everything.

Exodus 16:25-26 tells us that they were to gather the manna each morning, just enough for the day...don't hoard!  God gave a double portion on day 6, if we go looking on day 7, it won't be there.  She said when we seem to just be spinning our wheels on something and it just won't happen, perhaps God is whispering to you, "you're on the 7th day."  Are we blocking the 6th day double portion that we can't trust in His provision?

They were told to remember what they used to be.  They were slaves and had that mindset.  Slaves hoard, free people give freely.  In Exodus 16:19-20, we are told that like a slave would do, they overdid, and their excess became foul.  When we have too much, it causes frustration and keeps us from fully enjoying the things that God gave is to enjoy...it becomes foul as well. 

The Sabbath originated in Genesis during the creation.  God gave Adam and Eve some control over the earth, but not enough to maintain what God has given us.  The Sabbath is a sign to the world.  We have made an idol of overexhaustion.  This is not an excuse for laziness, but we aren't called to always be tired!  She said that the Sabbath is 14% of the week.  That is what we are given to rest.  She concluded with a challenge to us all.  Take 14 minutes everyday to rest, or to take 14 minutes a day to clear a space to free us up in our excess of gifts.   

In the afternoon, we heard from Beth Moore. 

The scripture she used made me laugh out loud.  Every year for the last several years, we have a mother-daughter brunch at our church and this year, we had difficulty getting a date set for it.  We scheduled it for this day, and I didn't have Deeper Still in my calendar.  It just didn't work out, but we already had the theme planned for the event.  I had been studying in 2 Timothy a few months back and this verse stuck out to me..."Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you" (2 Timothy 1:14).  So, when she told us what passage she would be teaching from, I thought this is the message I need to hear for that day☺

She started out talking about how there are three different generations mentioned in verse 5: Lois, Eunice, and Timothy.  It is a three layered foundation.  God had unique regard for generations.  We are each in our generation on purpose, and each generation is linked to the other two.  He said in Revelation 4:8, I am, I was, and I am to come.  God thinks generationally as well as individually.

Any generation can change the direction of the line-good or bad.  Every generation has a responsibility!  God is such a generational thinker that He can make you a promise and fulfil it in a grandchild.  He sees you in conjunction with your life and can see a broader picture that we can.  It was through Jacob that all the sons were given, as promised to Abraham.  He didn't see the full promise through him physically, but it came right through his line.  

God often characterizes generations, such as an adulterous, perverse, unbeliving, only seeking signs.  He said is there no good generation?  God is into remnants and can reverse a generation.  If we are a faithful remnant in a warped and wicked generation, we can shine like stars in a world of darkness.  

How long is a generation?  A generation in the Old Testament was 100 years.  Greeks thought there were three per 100 years, and some refer to forty years.  In 2 Timothy, the generation is considered from the time it takes to have a parent and a child, around twenty years.

She got three different ladies on stage to represent each generation and asked them each some questions.  The Timothy generation was ages 19-39, the Eunice generation was ages 40-60, and the Lois generation was from ages 61-81 (or older).  Beth said it is great to get to know different generations in your bible studies!!

Meaning of names:

  Lois-"desired" in Greek, I would like to think that you still want me.  We are terrified of age.

  Eunice-"victorious", it's a beautiful thing to start seeing a little bit of the harvest, getting to see a little

               more of the victory.

  Timothy-"honoring God"-You can stand up and honor God in a warped and crooked generation.

Which generation is threatened over the other?  Don't ever get into a trap of competing with one another.  Die to competition!  We are sisters in generations that are linked together.  

We sometimes ask God, "Can I trust You", but in 2 Timothy 1:14, He is asking if He can trust us with His treasure.  She shared some ways in which we can be trusted to do what God has asked us to do:

1) Keep conscious clean.  (2 Timothy 1:3).  1 Corinthians 4:4 tells us, "for I am conscious of nothing

    against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord." 

2) Let people in.  In the Timothy generation, relationships are done electronically, but there is a deep

    sense of isolation and loneliness.  Beth said, even though we have over 400 friends on Facebook

    and still be lonely.  We have to let people in personally.

3) Esteem your blend.  Appreciate your heritage and family no matter if it's broken.

4) Fan the flame.  No one can besides you.

5) Embrace that change. The Lois generation is the "desired" generation.

6) Hold the standard!

At the end, each generation stood up and we repeated a blessing on each one, and we were also spoken over.  It was so moving I cried.  The first generation to be blessed was the Lois generation.  We were to lay our hands on anyone around us in that generation, and the woman next to Julie was so sweet.  You could tell she was touched hearing those powerful blessings spoken over her.  I was reminded of all the women who have gone before us and have lived faithfully and have been examples of Christ in my church.  It was something special!  I am thankful for my generations...

Amazing What a Piece of Fabric Can Do

I haven't felt like sewing or doing anything crafty for months.  This week, my anti-sewing mood has been lifted.  Julie and I made some superhero capes for our kids, and I thought they turned out really well.  However,  the best part was seeing the kids excitement about them.  It's amazing what a little bit of fabric can do to a child's imagination.  It was fun to watch their transformation as they put their capes on☺

My favorite of Aiden...I love how his cape is blowing in the wind:)

 

We also picked the worst possible time to go to Nashville to take these pictures.  The CMA Awards were being held downtown for this weekend and the traffic was horrid. 

This cracked me up.  Aiden said this car has a huge battery on it.  LOL!

Also, it was really hot.  Julie ended up buying a gallon jug of water because we were drinking so much.  We had no trouble drinking the entire thing, which lead to numerous potty breaks on the way home.  However, this was the first time I didn't hear complaints about taking pictures because they loved the capes so much!

Watch this sequence...

Then, of course, Lucas punches Logan in the stomach.

 

Then we went to the dragon park.  My mom used to take me here as a child and I always loved going.

I love this one.  It looks like she is saying, "I dare you to cross me!"

What this superhero does best.