I know a man who is always talking about the longing of the soul, the desire for something more, the fact that we were created for much more than this world has to offer. I could see the strong desire for more of God in his life, and I watched it from a distance, somewhat puzzled by his discontent. I wondered if it was a "spiritual problem," or was I the one with the "spiritual problem?" Why wasn't I longing for more? I've often been described by friends and family as "so content."
Then I went to Alaska. I prayed that God would change me forever while I was there. I wanted a life changing encounter with Him while being completely absorbed and awed by His marvelous works called "Alaska." I spent a lot of time at Echo Ranch on my own. Taking walks, taking pictures, praying and worshipping. But when it was time to leave, I didn't think I had that "life-changing" event I was looking for.
I knew that I had seen the glory of God displayed in ways I had never seen before as I tried to take in the majesty of the mountains, the size and power of the humpback whales, the incredible beauty of the eagle in flight. But spiritual life changing event? I wasn't really sure that happened.
After being home for a few weeks, I noticed something different about me. I didn't seem content anymore. I kept longing for more of something. Another trip to Alaska? A greater mission in life? What WAS my problem? I wondered. Then on one of my nature walks (something that started after going to Alaska), while praying about all of this, I finally got my answer. What I was longing for was more of God!
In the midst of the time spent praying, worshipping, glorifying God in Alaska, God HAD changed me. It wasn't a lightening bolt moment. It came softly. A stirring for a deeper, more satisfying relationship with the God of the universe.
That realization was a comfort to me. Now I knew what had changed in me. Now I knew that God had indeed answered my "Alaskan prayer." And now I knew what my friend experienced in his constant longing for more of God.
In some ways, life was easier before this stirring of my soul. I was content to spend my life doing all of the things that I had always been doing....teaching school, teaching Sunday School, being a Christian wife and mother. I still want all of those things, but now I also want more. More of Jesus. I hope this longing, this push for a deeper relationship with Christ will never be satisfied, until I meet Him in glory!
I hope that 2011 will be just the beginning of that deeper, sweeter relationship that I am longing for.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 7
Phil. 4:5 (b) The Lord is near!
Your heavenly Father is as "close as the mention of his name" as the old song says. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.
How great is it to share a meal and and fellowship with the people you love? Jesus loves that too, and He wants to eat and share and laugh with you!
He's knocking on the door, waiting for you to answer. Answer the door every morning. Spend time with Him. Don't eat and run. Include prayer time, praise time (sing to Him) and listening time. To listen to Him is to hear Him speak to you through His Word and to hear His soft whispers to your heart.
He loves you and He's waiting for you to take the time to share a meal with you. Anwer Him with a "Come In!"
Your heavenly Father is as "close as the mention of his name" as the old song says. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.
How great is it to share a meal and and fellowship with the people you love? Jesus loves that too, and He wants to eat and share and laugh with you!
He's knocking on the door, waiting for you to answer. Answer the door every morning. Spend time with Him. Don't eat and run. Include prayer time, praise time (sing to Him) and listening time. To listen to Him is to hear Him speak to you through His Word and to hear His soft whispers to your heart.
He loves you and He's waiting for you to take the time to share a meal with you. Anwer Him with a "Come In!"
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 6
Phil. 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice.
In other words, be a doer of the Word. (James 1:22) You know what to do, we are not lacking in knowledge, we are lacking in action.
Pray everyday, asking God to show you and help you to put into practice those things that you need to do. Remember, all of the fruit of the Spirit is "on the table" waiting to be used to bring nourishment and health to your inner man.
Reach out your hand, and take it!
In other words, be a doer of the Word. (James 1:22) You know what to do, we are not lacking in knowledge, we are lacking in action.
Pray everyday, asking God to show you and help you to put into practice those things that you need to do. Remember, all of the fruit of the Spirit is "on the table" waiting to be used to bring nourishment and health to your inner man.
Reach out your hand, and take it!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 5
Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Quit your worrying! It is a sin, and it steals your peace.
Imagine you have the fruit of peace in your hand, just ready to take a bite, and up behind you sneaks Mr. Worry. He reaches over your shoulder and steals your fruit of peace. It happens! When it does, turn yourself around and take the fruit back!
Read or quote Matt. 6:25 " Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Go read the rest of that passage, and then look out the window and study the birds, or the flowers- then RELAX and TRUST GOD.
Quit your worrying! It is a sin, and it steals your peace.
Imagine you have the fruit of peace in your hand, just ready to take a bite, and up behind you sneaks Mr. Worry. He reaches over your shoulder and steals your fruit of peace. It happens! When it does, turn yourself around and take the fruit back!
Read or quote Matt. 6:25 " Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Go read the rest of that passage, and then look out the window and study the birds, or the flowers- then RELAX and TRUST GOD.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Stress Management Tip# 4
Phil. 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Keep your attitude in check. Don't be rude, don't be snippy, don't be grumpy, don't be annoyed with your spouse or your children. It's easy to be "nice" to strangers, how are you doing with your family??
You DO have self-control... another fruit of the Spirit, so let's start using it more! When you notice yourself being irritated or short with your family, just stop it. Go outside, literally, and leave the attitude outside the door. Come back inside in a controlled and pleasant manner.
We have to keep ourselves in check. Would your family describe you as gentle? Hmmm....
Keep your attitude in check. Don't be rude, don't be snippy, don't be grumpy, don't be annoyed with your spouse or your children. It's easy to be "nice" to strangers, how are you doing with your family??
You DO have self-control... another fruit of the Spirit, so let's start using it more! When you notice yourself being irritated or short with your family, just stop it. Go outside, literally, and leave the attitude outside the door. Come back inside in a controlled and pleasant manner.
We have to keep ourselves in check. Would your family describe you as gentle? Hmmm....
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 3
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice!
To rejoice in the Lord is to allow your heart to be thrilled at the benefits that Christ has given us...a home in heaven-
John 14:1-4, NO condemnation- Rom. 8:1-2, Our name written in the Lamb's Book of Life-Rev. 20:15, A God who indwells us by His Spirit- Rom. 8:9, Confidence in being God's child-Rom 8: 16-17... I could go on for days on end!
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then all of these things are yours. Allow yourself to rejoice a little! Spend five full minutes just mulling over in your mind (that's called meditating) just one of the spiritual benefits you have received when you became a Christian. Try taking a five minute "rejoicing walk." It will do wonders for your stress levels, your family might even thank you for it :)
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice!
To rejoice in the Lord is to allow your heart to be thrilled at the benefits that Christ has given us...a home in heaven-
John 14:1-4, NO condemnation- Rom. 8:1-2, Our name written in the Lamb's Book of Life-Rev. 20:15, A God who indwells us by His Spirit- Rom. 8:9, Confidence in being God's child-Rom 8: 16-17... I could go on for days on end!
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then all of these things are yours. Allow yourself to rejoice a little! Spend five full minutes just mulling over in your mind (that's called meditating) just one of the spiritual benefits you have received when you became a Christian. Try taking a five minute "rejoicing walk." It will do wonders for your stress levels, your family might even thank you for it :)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Stress Management Tip # 2
Phil. 4:7 And the peace of Christ which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 tells us that if we have the Spirit then we have the Fruit of the Spirit- including peace. But, we must eat or use it.
If you have a fuit basket full of fruit sitting on your table in a pretty basket, that fruit will not give you any health benefits until you take it and eat it. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit, we must utilize what we have been given.
The opposite of stress is peacefulness. Slow down, reconnect with God. Reach down into your soul and begin using the peace of Christ. It often takes a conscience effort, so..... do it.
Phil. 4:7 And the peace of Christ which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 tells us that if we have the Spirit then we have the Fruit of the Spirit- including peace. But, we must eat or use it.
If you have a fuit basket full of fruit sitting on your table in a pretty basket, that fruit will not give you any health benefits until you take it and eat it. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit, we must utilize what we have been given.
The opposite of stress is peacefulness. Slow down, reconnect with God. Reach down into your soul and begin using the peace of Christ. It often takes a conscience effort, so..... do it.
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