Will You Make an Impact?

Think about this:

• Martin Luther was born into a family of trading class (middle class) background.  On October 31, 1546, Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral sparking the beginning of the Reformation – the beginning of Christianity becoming the people’s religion.
• John Wycliff is known to be the major translator of the Bible from its once elite translation of Latin, usable only by the most educated priests of the church, to the language of the common people, making it readable by all who could read, giving us the priviledge to read God’s word for ourselves.
• Rosa Parks is called the “Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement.” At the height of segregation, Parks refused to give her seat on a bus up for a white man to sit. This simple act became a major motivator in the fight against racism in the South.
• A 19 year old girl heard about a Buddhist man recently diagnosed with terminal tuberculosis. She determined to visit him and pray for him. As she told him about Jesus and knelt to pray with him he was touched and gave his heart to Jesus, converting from Buddhism. Today this man, David Yonggi Cho, pastors the world’s largest congregation, Yoido Full Gospel Church, in Korea.

These people performed seemingly simple acts of conviction, all of which significantly changed the course of history and had great eternal value.

What about you? What seemingly insignificant acts have you engaged in lately? Are you doing the little things that might make an eternal change in someone’s life?

Are you dreaming that your life will leave a legacy and consequently dreaming or trying to be involved in BIG things?

Matthew 25:34-45 says,

34. “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35. I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. 36. I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37. “Then the people who have God’s approval will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38. When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear? 39. When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40. “The king will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant [they seemed], you did for me.’ 41. “Then the king will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels! 42. I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. 43. I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me into your homes. I needed clothes, and you didn’t give me anything to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t take care of me.’ 44. “They, too, will ask, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or in need of clothes or sick or in prison and didn’t help you?’ 45. “He will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you failed to do for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant [they seemed], you failed to do for me.’

 

btw-Thanks, Heath, for preaching an excellent sermon that still has me thinking!

 

Tradition!

I LOVE Christmas! Who couldn’t really. It’s especially fun with my kids. We’ve been hard at it decorating our house. We feel particularly blessed this year since we’re finally in an actual house and not crammed into an 800 sq ft apartment like we’ve been the last three years. I can’t believe I really have the room for a big tree, and that I have a real fireplace mantle. I have an actual dining room to entertain in, and an outside to decorate too – it’s funny what becomes a big deal when you go without for awhile.

Most important to our Christmas season is our traditions. I’m a huge proponent of having traditions with your family. Specifically, realistic ones that can be maintained. Because ministry has always kept us away from our family, we determined early that regardless of whether we had family with us or not, we would always maintain our traditions. And in our home Christmas is chock full of them, starting with Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving dinner is the beginning of our season. I make the full dinner, turkey, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, etc. And we pull out our fine china. My kids even eat on the china (with a lot of, “please be careful!”). Then after our requisite Thanksgiving afternoon nap, we always go as a family to the movie theater to watch a Christmas movie. (There wasn’t a very good one this year, I must admit.)

We don’t often do too much to support Black Friday. I refuse to give up an extra minute of sleep just to fight the crowds at any store or shopping center. Instead, we do stockings on this morning, rather than Christmas morning. And then we spend the rest of the day decorating our house, both inside and out.

The last big tradition we do on a yearly basis is our Jesse Tree. Using our Jesse Tree ornaments, we learn the Old Testament background for the New Testament story of the birth of Christ. We have a devotional book which includes daily Scripture readings that we use as family devotions.

If you’re trying to change the way your family celebrates Christmas, think about starting some traditions. Here is a link to a calendar of activities that you could pick from or it might spark some ideas of your own. Whatever the case, make sure that you refocus your time and attention on Christ this Christmas season. Help your kids to understand why we celebrate this time of year. And most importantly, make sure that you are focused upon Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer. Many blessings!

 

Ten Things I’m Thankful For

1. My husband and children – they’re all so CUTE!
2. My extended family – mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews
3. My home – particularly my fireplace and big kitchen!
4. My weight loss (50 pounds! woo-hoo)
5. Cool friends near and far
6. The call of God upon me and my family
7. The freedom I have to post this because I live in the US
8. The endless journey I am on in my quest for understanding God
9. God’s answers to my prayers – although not always what I asked for, always the right answer
10. The enduring love of my Savior and King, Jesus Christ

 

Spinning Plates

Ever been to one of those stage shows where there is someone trying to get as many plates spinning at one time as possible? Usually those plates are on top of gravity-defying poles, or stacked taller than a human. Watching those shows leaves you breathless and wondering how they do it? How do they keep up? How do they get them all balanced correctly? How often do they drop a plate?

I have to admit – I’m a plate spinner. No – not an actual plate spinner. If I tried it for real my husband would be miffed at the number of plates we were replacing. But I am a spinner of plates metaphorically. Most days leave me breathless, wondering how to do it? How to keep up, stay balanced, and hoping not to drop anything. Can I get a witness??

Mark 6:30-32 (NIV) says,

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

Being a plate-spinning woman can be a real challenge. When my job requires a lot of attention (most days) I have to have my cup of coffee to keep up (at least that’s my excuse). Even more, when my kids want my attention, they don’t want me to be spinning 2 other plates while talking to them. They want undivided attention. Whatever the case, there never seems to be enough hours in a day to get everything on the “to do” list accomplished, nor enough hours at night to get sufficient rest.

In Mark we read that the apostles were busy, busy, busy, too. So busy, in fact, that they hadn’t even taken the time to get a meal (boy, do I know about that one!!). In response, Jesus encouraged them to get away. To take some time to rest and rejuvinate. That same invitation is extended to you and me.

God wants us to pause our plate-spinning and be his captive audience for a minute. He wants you to dwell in His presence (Ps. 84:4), be still in his presence (Ps. 46:10), to worship Him in Spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24), to be found by His grace (1 Cor. 15:10) - to find rest (Mt. 11:28). He wants your full attention. Just as my kids don’t want me to spin several plates at the same time that I’m spending with them, neither does our Heavenly father.

My prayer today is that God would be your peacegiver, your place of rest, and your sustainer. Take some time to read Psalm 103 and be blessed!

 

Scripture Friday: Psalm 91 (NASB)

1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” 3. For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper. And from the deadly pestilence. 4. He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. 5. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; 6. Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. 7. A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. 8. You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked. 9. For you have made the LORD, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. 10. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. 11. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. 12. They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. 13. You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down. 14. “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known my name. 15. “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16. “With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.”

 

Saying “No”

I read a great post this week from christian author John Eldredge and wanted to share this with you today. Be edified and encouraged…

http://www.ransomedheartblog.com/john/2008/09/saying-no.html

 

Scripture Friday: Matthew 10:28-30 (MSG)

28. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. 29. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

 

The “I AM’s” of God

I AM
I AM THAT I AM
I am a father to Israel
I am a great King
I am alive for evermore (Jesus)
I am Alpha and Omega (Jesus)
I am for you
I am from above (Jesus)
I am God
I am God Almighty

 

Scripture Friday: Hebrews 6:1-3 (MSG)

1. So come on, let’s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; 2. baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. 3. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it!

 

Meekness is weakness?

So – we’re human. And we’re ALL that the label means. We often believe that perception is reality and get ourselves in trouble as a result. I believe that there is spiritual warfare going on that creates this in our human world. The enemy works overtime on a regular basis to tempt us to believe things about the people around us that may not be true. It’s important to remember that God created us to be in fellowship – both with Him and also with each other.