Our Pursuit of Christ

On my ride to and from NM (Trader Joes and Dunkin Donuts) I have been thinking a lot about people's pursits of Christ. I remember thinking about this at the end of my freshmen year of college. I heard so many times "If you aren't doing this than you are a backslidden Christian or if you do this you are a back slidden Christian" The "this" was typically something man imposed not scripture backed such as women and skirts or making sure you do all of the "Christian type" things flawlessly. I remeber thinking there must be more to Christianity than this and Jesus never meant life in Christ to be like this. I spent the next three years asking God to show me of all I was taught what was true to His word and what to discard as man imposed. The Lord is the Master teacher and He did and continues to do just that for me. I say all that because I have also been observing people in general that are in the church.

We all know that every Christian is in different places in their walks (Maturity) with Christ. Some are spiritual infants, kids, teens, young adults, adults, and elderly. We are to always examine and make sure that we are in the faith. As we spend time with the Lord Jesus in His word and prayer not because we "have to" but out of a deep desire to draw near to our Savior the more like Him we become. I have observed how some will focus on the do's and don't's and be almost proud that they appear flawless in that area but yet they seem to me missing something when you talk with them and get to know them. The danger in focusing so much on the do's and don't's is that we end up becoming more leagelistic. When the focus is on do's and don't and not drawing near to the Savior we forget the Savior and become what Jesus critisized the pharisees for. I have enjoyed the company of many who truly love our Lord Jesus and focus on Him to the point that it is shows in everything they do and say. They truly exemplify the love of Christ to those around them. They have joy in their life no matter what is going on in it. You're encouraged just to be around them. I have also been in the company of those focused on do's and don't's. They lack joy. They display a struggle with contentment. They have service for the Lord but without the genuine love for those they are serving. They are quick to judge people (by writing them off as not spiritual or worldly because they are not like them) before they ever give them a chance by listen to them not just seeing them. I am thankful that the Lord Jesus did not write off Peter, James, John, Andrew and the rest of the Apostles because they did not fit a mold that man has made in his mind of a godly man who should serve Christ. I have learned in my walk with Christ that the Lord Jesus uses the most unlikely people in man's mind to do the most amazing things for Christ. The Lord Jesus loves those who are teachable and have a broken and contrite heart. May we be like the writer of Ps 73:28 " But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works." Walking in obedience to the Lord is to come through our love for the LORD not because of desiring men's praise by appearancing to be flawless.

As we pursue Christ may we become the elderly in Christ who have a passion for the LORD and desire Him above all else. To love people where they are at and not judge them but embrace them and encourage them to have a deeper pursuit of Christ. May we all draw near to Christ and know that sweet fellowship everyday. To have joy pour from us even in the midst of trials. Let people see that we rejoice always no matter what because we rest and trust our Savior who loves us and gave Himself for us.

Keeping your eyes on Jesus

The family of God is so beautiful. They are more dear to me than family by blood. People say the bond by blood is thick, but I believe the bond through the blood of Christ is thicker. The body of Christ has something in common we are all sinners saved by grace. We share a love for our Savior and a deep desire to follow Him in obedience.
Yesterday I was struggling with the fact I am still not better. I called my friend and sister in Christ who has experienced similar things and she was their to lift me up and told me to maditate on a verse and talk to God throughout my day especially when things are tough. I followed her suggestions. Can I say the hymn "Turn your eyes upon Jesus" took place in my life that day. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." Joy returned to my heart as my eyes got fixed on my dear Savior's face. Nothing else mattered anymore. That is the beautiful thing about the family of God. To be there for one another and to help each other keep our eyes on Jesus. As we draw near to Jesus the more in love with Him we become. As another great hymn says, "I'd rather have Jesus than silver and gold. I'd rather have Jesus than riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords to give."
I am so thankful that God chose me, redeemed me, adopted me and made me His own. - a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Sick Days

As a mom you expect to have to take care of everyone especially when they are sick. What happens when mom is sick? I find it a real struggle to be able to deal with everything when I am under the weather. Since my last trip to CA I haven't been myself. I have Fibromyalgia and I had it managed pretty well until the last trip to CA. It wiped me out completely. I had thought that the dentist was working on trade with my husband that is why I went 3 months in a row. If I had known he would charge me almost full price I would have stay home and gone to a dentist here. I would have to pay anyway, but at least I would have my health. I have been trying to see the positive in it all. I normally can find it easily, but I have to admit that I am struggling. I can see that it makes you more dependant on the Lord for strength which is good and it make you to be still because you can't do much else. I just find it frusterating because I am the type of person that likes my house clean and in order and on top of all of my work and on top of teaching the boys. When the body wipes out your doing good to keep the house somewhat straight, laundry mostly done and kids taken care of. Your head is going ten thousand miles an hour and your body is in neutral. My dream would be to wake up everyday feeling good with energy to take care of everything and even get to do creative things with the kids. The key is to pace yourself and listen to your body. Right now, I nurse my youngest son. I will definitly be celebrating in February when I wean him and am officially done with pregnancy & nursing stage in my life. It doesn't help having someone sucking the life out of you.:D What you do for love for your child. I know the Lord is using even all of this to teach me something. I don't know what it is exactly except endurance, dependancy, dare I say patience.:) You almost have to say that word nervously never knowing if a huge test will come to try your patience.:D This is what I have been dealing with for the past month and a few weeks. Just needed to get out the frustration I have been feeling recently. I am always praying and hoping that tomorrow I will feel better. Maybe tomorrow will be better. In the meantime "This is the day the LORD has made let us rejoice and be glad in it."

The Things you Pray For

Have you ever prayed for something and mean it with all of your heart and then move on with your life and not really thinking about it again? I have been reminded during my devotions recently that I prayed in college that the Lord would allow me to see Him in a real way after talking to a friend and seeing how his family depended on the Lord for everything even the food on their table. I read the biography of George Muller a few years ago and I thought what an incredible man of faith and his calm dependancy on the Lord for his every need. I deep down craved for the confidence of faith for even the basic necessities. Well, the Lord has been answering that prayer. I think people with a pay check can take the provision that they have for granted. I know I did when I worked. Being married to a wonderful man that serves others for a living as a hair stylist has given me the most wonderful thing.... utter dependancy on the Lord for the provisions of the most basic things. Nothing is greater than growing closer to the Lord and growing in faith. I also have grown to value everyone that has a job that is serving other people. I no longer take them for granted because I know that they work hard for their money and the price you pay is how they pay their bills. I use to be a cheap tipper if I tipped at all. Now, I tip generously knowing that a tip means so much to that person more than anything that you can give them as a gift because that tip can pay a bill or buy food. More than that to be able to pray and thank the Lord for the food on the table and mean it with all of your heart is something I wouldn't trade for anything this world affords to give. The economy may effect cash flow, whether it be bountful or scarce, but it doesn't diminish the joy and gratitude and dependency on the Lord for all that He provides both physically and spiritually. To have your eyes on Jesus at all times is the place to have them because storms may come in life and you want to be fixed on the Rock of the Lord Jesus where the storm doesn't feel so rough.