Monday, February 28, 2011

My Servant

I've been reading in Jeremiah lately. Although it is not my favorite book it IS enlightening.


One passage in the chapters I've been reading keep jumping out at me.

"....my servant Nebuchadnezzar" (Jer 25:9, 27:6) Nebuchadnezzar, or Nebbie as I will henceforth refer to him as, was the King of Babylon in the early 600s. His name was synonymous with fear, on par with Attila the Hun and Hitler. Yet God still refers to him as a servant. Every time I read those three words I'm filled with awe and comfort oddly enough. Awe in that Nebbie still served God and was an intricate part of His major plan. And what makes me think that I can't serve God? Too many times Christians feel like they aren't good enough. If God can use Nebbie, the most feared man at the time, for his greater purpose then why can't He use me? And I take comfort in knowing that I serve God. I may not serve Him like I WANT since I am human, but even in my shortcomings and repentance I serve Him.

Now back to Nebbie......

He's the King in the well known bible story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3) He made an image of gold and commanded his kingdom to worship this idol or be thrown into a blazing furnace. Rach, Shach and Benny (veggietales nicknames ^_^) refused to worship this idol and declared they would only worship the one true God. Nebbie summoned them and asked them point blank if it was true that they would not serve is golden idol. He said "Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image i made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you." (Daniel 3:15) Sounds to me like a challenge...haha

Rach, Shach, and Benny replied "King Nebbie, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If the God we serve is able to deliver us, the he will deliver us from the blazing furnace and from your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know your Majesty, that we will not serve your goods of worship the image of gold you have set up" (Dan 3:16-18)

He threw them into the furnace, God delivered them, and Nebbie's kingdom worshiped the one true God from then on.



And this, dear friends, is why God ASTOUNDS me.

Speculated Love Story

Every girl wonders how her love story is going to play out. Will it be something akin to a Meg Ryan or Hugh Grant movie? Will I want nothing to do with him until he falls in love with me as Elizabeth Bennett did in Pride and Prejudice? Or will my prince take one look at me and want to marry me much like the princesses that ruled my childhood? I don't know....

BUT....
I can make an educated guess.

My speculated story is simple.
It follows two lines from songs sung by Belle.
“Here’s where she meets Prince Charming but she won’t discover that it’s him ‘til chapter three”
This is COMPLETELY me. I’m so oblivious it’s ridiculous. Who knows, I may have already met the person God has for me. But God’s timing is perfect whether we’ve met or not. I can see myself being friends with someone and then realizing later just WHO they are and wondering why I didn’t see it before.


and then after I realize that this is the man God has prepared for me I’ll probably think this:
“New and a bit alarming.
Who'd have ever thought that this could be?
True that he's no Prince Charming
But there's something in him that I simply didn't see”
Relationships in general tend to alarm me. The next one is the last one I plan to have.
I’m not expecting Prince Charming. I don’t want perfection. I want someone whose weaknesses mirror my strengths and vice versa, someone to serve God with.
THAT is my Prince Charming


But who knows the plan except the Father. I trust that He will work out things for my good. Who knows when I will meet this man. Could be today or years from now.
But when he comes I know one thing
I’ll be ready

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Just Ask....

Yesterday brought an odd thought. Not odd in the sense that it is out of the ordinary. It is odd in the fact that I hadn't thought of it sooner. And I've already used odd four times. I'm going to stop now.


I was working out last night, basically hating myself that I don't do it more often, when the thought came. Why don't I ASK God to give me the determination and will power. Why don't I give my weak will and out of shape body over to him? Seems logical to me.

Friday, February 25, 2011

I would rather play a hug o' war

“I will not play at tug o’ war.
I’d rather play at hug o’ war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.”
- Shel Silverstein
 
Shel Silverstein's ability to beautifully capture the simple in life still amazes me to this day

Nonsense....

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A light unto my path

“What is it to have Christ dwell in the heart by faith?

It is to have Jesus Christ continually in one’s eye, a habitual sight of Him. I call it so because a man actually does not always think of Christ; but as a man does not look up to the sun continually, yet he sees the light of it.
So you should carry along and bear along in your eye the sight and knowledge of Christ, so that at least a presence of Him accompanies you, which faith makes.”




— Thomas Goodwin
 
Reminds me of something C.S. Lewis once said "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has rise: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else"

Saturday, February 5, 2011

BOOYAH!

“Jesus’ incarnation was much more than just a kind visit from the Creator. It was the launching of God’s full and final counteroffensive against all the sin, death, and destruction that had entered the world when Adam fell.”

   — Greg Gilbert


I take great comfort in the fact that I'm on the winning team haha. Still recruiting though! Eternal life with the love of my heart. Yes Please!!!

Silhouettes

                                                               These are just fun!!!














and my favorite