Can You Relate?

21. November 2009 by imoomie.

In church this month we started a series called - Relate.

The topic was “How to be Liked…

How, you ask…

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19(NIV)

 Be quick to listen.  How do you feel about someone who takes the time to listen to you in contrast to someone who won’t quit talking?  Sometimes in conversations there can be an aspect of “one uping” within a conversation.  Take the time to listen instead.

“A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.” Proverbs 11:12(NIV)

Be slow to speak.  This is not just a wise relational choice but it will also lower the chances that you will sin.  The less I talk the more I listen.  The more I open my mouth the bigger chance the blah, blah, blah will come rolling out.  Limit the words spoken to careful, measured and sensitive words.

“A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.”  Proverbs 12:23(NIV)

“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” Proverbs 13:3(NIV)

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19(NIV)

 Be slow to anger.  Often anger is fueled by the fact that we don’t take the time to talk.  We silently build a case inside of ourselves until it comes exploding out of us like a volcanic reaction.  I may use others as a sounding board and that may get it out, but it also gets me worked up.  The best thing would be to get the facts, listen and defuse the anger.

“The LORD is gracious and compassionate,  slow to anger and rich in love.” Psalm 145:8

Sometimes I will need to choose between believing the best and assuming the worse.

Our homework was to practice being quick to listen.  

A “talking” fast is a good way to retrain and rethink what comes out of my mouth and helps me to learn to listen.

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From Chaotic to Contentment

10. November 2009 by imoomie.

When I woke up this morning, I was prepared to hit the ground running.

I was talking to myself like a coach talks to his players…pumping myself up.

The schedule for the day was precisely laid out and although there were many things in my day I was really looking forward to, I wasn’t sure how or if I could keep the pace.

Do you ever have days or weeks when your schedule ends up packed past your comfort zone and you wonder how you will keep up without burning out?  I have a 3 day hectic policy, I can stay in the busy zone for about three days and then I crash.  I just long to be home doing the mundane everyday things people do when they are home!

Then suddenly, in the midst of my intense morning, it happened as if God was parting the sea of peace and giving me a clear path for the day!   My busy day became a stay at home day…what a glorious day!  I pull my family close, plan a warm, delicious dinner, start some laundry with Clorox (love that smell) and let out a contented sigh.

I would not have anticipated such a drastic change in plans, but it was what we all needed at my house today.  Just like I weed out my family’s schedule when I know they are close to over the edge, God weeds out mine.  What a gift.

Unwrapping these glorious days with Emily at….ChattingAtTheSky.com

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The Oasis of Worship

8. November 2009 by imoomie.

It was balm to my soul to be in worship service this morning…the words of the songs expressing all that God is and reminding me of His promises.  He is my Savior, if He can move a mountain, my heartbreak of the week is nothing in His capable hands.  If He is mighty to save, He can save the loved one in my life that I so badly want saved.

The songs roll over me like rain bringing healing to that which hurts so deeply, washing and cleansing the open wounds.  It helps me to gain strength thru Him and to push forward with hope for tommorrow…

I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD,  the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

 The LORD will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.   Psalm 121:1-8(NIV)

How do people cope?  How do they find hope without Him?

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Just Ask!

2. November 2009 by imoomie.

Do you have questions about God or for God?  Just ask!

Often, we follow in the spiritual teaching we were taught at home and believe what we were raised to believe.   It is normal to come to a place of questioning whether we believe the right thing.

It is through this spiritual crisis that we begin searching for God on our own. It is thru pursuing our questions that we can finally come to a place of knowing for ourself.

 Does God invite questions?  It is thru Doubting Thomas, who asked alot of questions that we find our answer…

^“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” John 14:5

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 5:5-7(NIV)

Doubting Thomas wants to see the nail marks in Jesus’ hands.  He wants proof.

Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:26-28(NIV)

The answer is an absolute, yes, God does invite our questions.  Jesus hears each of us and He meets us where we are.  Thomas was able to say, you are my Lord.

Asking questions does not mean you do not have faith.  You can still have faith and ask questions, but at some point you do just have to trust.

If we have doubts we tend to hold back our decision to follow Christ until we have all the answers.  There will always be questions and we will always search for answers.

 The crucial questions is…Do we have enough answers to start the journey?

If you ask, if you focus on Jesus and spend time reading the Bible, your faith will grow.  Don’t hide behind the questions to put off committing to Christ.

 You could have questions for the rest of your life.

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Do’s and Dont’s

23. October 2009 by imoomie.

Many people view God as a God of do’s and don’ts, yet deep down; we still want some do’s and don’ts.  Just like a child we gain some security in knowing where the line is and whether we are in or out of bounds.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.  The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-9,11(NIV)

Do’s and Don’ts can make our life better…it can open the door to renewal, wisdom, joy and insight.  Even the do’s/don’ts I don’t understand are for my benefit.  They keep me from harm and help me find my way.  Who doesn’t want to be lead to the hidden treasure of life?

“There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar,” Psalm 19:12-13(MSG)

We think God is a legalist, that we cannot approach him until we get it all together.  That we need to transform our life and then we will risk approaching Him and begin to start a relationship.  When in fact it is thru a relationship with Him that we are transformed!

“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. 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. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

I got so much from these scriptures when they were taught to me this weekend.  It leads me to the truth that God is not just about do’s and don’ts but about freedom and relationship.  That God’s commands are radiant and can give light to my eyes!

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Freedom and Choices

12. October 2009 by imoomie.

Today in church we talked about suffering.  We revisited what is referred to as “The Fall” in which Adam and Eve rocked our world.  The world as it would have been, as God had intended it to be was at that time radically changed.

We were designed to have a free will, to be thinking, living beings that make choices.  We can choose to be under His protection or outside of His plan.  Our freedom comes with consequences for our actions… like a double edged sword.  We want freedom, yet we quickly turn on God and demand to know… why?  “Why, God is there suffering?” as though He should eliminate consequences sprung forth as a result of the choices made with the freedom we have been given.

If God wiped out evil, who would be left?  His love has in fact saved us!

 This was my favorite part, the love part, the God as my father part!

The analogy was beautifully described by our Pastor… of a parent with their child.  Specifically, him with his children.  He walked us through the years of growing up.  The firsts of life, the joys, the disappointments, the challenges and at times the pain… yet, in all that living, after all these things… would he ever wish that he had never had his children?  Never!  He WANTED his kids! That is how our Father in heaven feels about us! He WANTS us!

When trials come our way, when we observe suffering, one of two things will happen…

It will either drive us away from God or it will draw us close.

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourself this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 25:15(NIV)

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He is Super-Duper!

6. October 2009 by imoomie.

su⋅per-du⋅per [soo-per-doo-per]

–adjective Informal.

extremely good, powerful, large, etc.; very super; marvelous or colossal.

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Have you ever devoted every ounce of all that you possess, all your time and all that you are, to something that you are sure if you just work hard enough will come to fruition?  We’ve been working at it, in our own strength, with our own knowledge but to no avail.

In contrast, in the most illogical timing, the most unbelievable of situations, God shows up and amazing things happen!  Not only that but the end result is so much grander and super -duper than anything one could even conjure up in their human mind.  I am just giddy with the thought of it…that’s why I used the term, super-duper!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Ephesians 3:19-21 (NIV)

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