I was listening to a Chuck Swindoll podcast tonight. He was preaching on Romans 12:1-2 - God has been challenging me with this passage lately - so I was anxious to hear his thoughts on the passage. He defines transformation as:
Transformation is a deliberate determination to think Biblically and act accordingly!
WOW - Lord, let me live that way!
He says that Romans 12:1-2 contains cooperative commands - it requires something of us and we must rely on the Holy Spirit to make it happen.
Showing posts with label being intentional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being intentional. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
An Amazing Summer
Tonight, as I swam laps outside - only a few more days to do this :( - I was thinking about what an amazing summer it has been. I have many things to be grateful for.
It started off in early May as I took a trip to visit a dear friend near Virginia Beach. I had several opportunities to sit on the beach for extended times with the Lord. Praying, listening, reading, writing, considering all that He has been doing in and through me this past year. It was very refreshing. I didn't so much hear specific directions, which I admit I was hoping to hear, instead I heard words of comfort and peace and acceptance - I sensed I just needed to rest - Matt. 11:28-30.
In June, I had the opportunity to spend a long weekend with two dear friends from Seminary days at a condo, on Pacific Beach, in San Diego. I absolutely love both of these women - they love Jesus, they are real, they are single and know what that path is like, neither has kiddos and both know the pain and the joy of that. It was good to just be with them and, as dear Delene says, "let it unfold". I felt refreshed and encouraged. We laughed, swam, enjoyed a few margaritas and rested.
In July, I was privileged to serve with Women of the Harvest on their Furlough Retreat. It was one of those experiences that I find myself saying "Lord, THANK YOU that I didn't miss it!" It started out as a commitment to serve as a counselor for missionaries who are home on furlough and before it was over I was the worship leader and a small group leader as well. In my mind, it was too big a task (and it was, for me, but not for God) and I have to admit I thought about saying "no", but I am so very grateful that the Lord didn't let that happen, because I treasured each of the roles I had the opportunity to play as much as the I treasured the women that I had the chance to get to know.
August has been a blur - lots of swimming outside (I LOVE, LOVE LOVE THAT!) and dossier prep for my third try at International Adoption.
Abba, thank you for the many gifts of your presence this summer in such varied ways!
It started off in early May as I took a trip to visit a dear friend near Virginia Beach. I had several opportunities to sit on the beach for extended times with the Lord. Praying, listening, reading, writing, considering all that He has been doing in and through me this past year. It was very refreshing. I didn't so much hear specific directions, which I admit I was hoping to hear, instead I heard words of comfort and peace and acceptance - I sensed I just needed to rest - Matt. 11:28-30.
In June, I had the opportunity to spend a long weekend with two dear friends from Seminary days at a condo, on Pacific Beach, in San Diego. I absolutely love both of these women - they love Jesus, they are real, they are single and know what that path is like, neither has kiddos and both know the pain and the joy of that. It was good to just be with them and, as dear Delene says, "let it unfold". I felt refreshed and encouraged. We laughed, swam, enjoyed a few margaritas and rested.
In July, I was privileged to serve with Women of the Harvest on their Furlough Retreat. It was one of those experiences that I find myself saying "Lord, THANK YOU that I didn't miss it!" It started out as a commitment to serve as a counselor for missionaries who are home on furlough and before it was over I was the worship leader and a small group leader as well. In my mind, it was too big a task (and it was, for me, but not for God) and I have to admit I thought about saying "no", but I am so very grateful that the Lord didn't let that happen, because I treasured each of the roles I had the opportunity to play as much as the I treasured the women that I had the chance to get to know.
August has been a blur - lots of swimming outside (I LOVE, LOVE LOVE THAT!) and dossier prep for my third try at International Adoption.
Abba, thank you for the many gifts of your presence this summer in such varied ways!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
More Verses
Here is another verse that I've committed to memory. It hits me between the eyes every time I say it out loud!
1 Cor. 1:8-9 NLT
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But, as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.
I know my suffering has never been anything like what Paul experienced. But I pray that the little suffering I am experiencing will produce the same outcome that Paul experienced! That I will learn to stop relying on myself - my "wisdom", my ways of doing things, my effort - or lack thereof - and instead rely fully on God who raises the dead.
1 Cor. 1:8-9 NLT
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But, as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.
I know my suffering has never been anything like what Paul experienced. But I pray that the little suffering I am experiencing will produce the same outcome that Paul experienced! That I will learn to stop relying on myself - my "wisdom", my ways of doing things, my effort - or lack thereof - and instead rely fully on God who raises the dead.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Verses I am memorizing
I realized over the past couple of weeks that I have been caught up in what Joyce Meyer's refers to as "stinking thinking"! PU!
So in an effort to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" 2Cor. 10:5 I am memorizing Scripture. Here are two of my favorites!
Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only this, but also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation bring about perseverance; and perseverance brings about proven character; and proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Amen!
So in an effort to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" 2Cor. 10:5 I am memorizing Scripture. Here are two of my favorites!
Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Romans 5:3-5
And not only this, but also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation bring about perseverance; and perseverance brings about proven character; and proven character, hope and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Amen!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Way Closing
There is a Quaker tradition/belief that closed doors in one's life can often be more telling/guiding than open doors - that is of course if one will pay attention. That is definitely where I am at right now. There are many recently closed doors in my life and I find myself waiting for a new door to open. I'm trying to pay attention to what the closed doors have to say about my life and what I might have to learn from the "way closing". It's easier to look for and pursue doors that might be opening, but I have to admit I am intrigued by what the closed doors may have to say.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Packing Shoeboxes
Tonight at church our whole community packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Then we laid hands on the boxes and prayed for each little boy or girl who would receive the gift of the box and hear the Gospel - maybe for the first time. It is a really precious time as the kiddos in our community get so excited to pack the box. This year Operation Christmas Child has the option to track your box so you will know where it went in the world and who the child is that receives the gift. So sweet. Wish there was a way to request that they send some boxes to the Bishkek Baby House in Kyrgyzstan. I would love to know that my sweet Hannah and her friends received a gift like this.
Monday, November 9, 2009
"Busyness"
I really hate it when I let my VERY full schedule take over and I don't make time to be intentional about my relationship to the Lord. Today was one of those days! Lots of really good things on the schedule, but it's now 10:45pm and I am so sleepy and I haven't yet been intentional about seeking the Lord. Throughout the day I communicate with Him, but it's in the midst of doing other things. I want to carve out time everyday that is just for Him! Sigh.....
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