What is it that you are living for?

This was the question that was posed to us in church on Sunday..."What are we living for?  What is it that we are working towards?" (Dr. Michael Brown).

For some, it may be a bigger house, an increase in pay, a promotion at work, a healthy family, a loving spouse,....the list could go on...But that is not what I want us to look at today.  If you were standing before God at this very moment and He asked you, "what are you here for?"....what would your answer be?

What are we bringing to this earth that we have been placed on to live?  Are we just floating through each day from week to week, living for the moment and not knowing what is around the corner?

Are we striving for satisfaction in our relationships or in our jobs?  Are we doing things that will change the world and leave it a better place than before?

What is it that we are set out to do?  And, are we working towards that goal?  What are we doing to achieve the fullness of what it is that we are striving for?

In I Corinthians 9:24-27, it says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (TNIV)

Are we running the race with everything we have been trained with?  Are we training for the race of  a lifetime?  And in the race, guess what...you don't have to compete with your neighbor.   It is just you running the race for the ultimate crown of a lifetime.  You will win if you just run!!!!

Think on what it is you are running for.  The things I mentioned at the top are not necessarily bad things to hope for...we all want a healthy marriage and healthy children and a good job to support our family...but is it all that we are working towards?  Are these things at the top of your list?  If it is, then something in our life needs to change.  Where is God in the running of the race?  Where does He fit in the picture?  Are we moving in life in the direction of heaven? 

If we are placed in a company that we started and we feel that God put us there, then make a difference there...running the race.  If we in a job that we feel that God put us in....then find out what we are there for and...run the race.  If we are stay-at-home moms raising our children through homeschooling, then do it with all that you have and...run the race.  BUT KEEP GOD IN THE CENTER OF THE RACE....Keep Him as your focus for running.  He is the best trainer in the world and the best reward we could achieve.

Run with all that you have within you.  You are not competing with the guy running beside you...it is a solo race...Run it!

Jennifer

The Prodigal God

I am reading a book called The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. It goes into the story of the Prodigal Son but hits on both brothers instead of just one and explains things about both brothers and what God is trying to show us with this story.
I read a sentence that really stood out to me. He is talking about the elder brother and relating it to the "elder brothers" of the world. He says that the younger brother in the story knew that he was alienated from the father, but the elder brother did not. The younger brother came home expecting to beg for forgiveness and admit he had done wrong. The elder brother thought he had done nothing wrong and did not feel that he needed to ask for forgiveness for anything. Elder brothers in the world do not go to God and ask for forgiveness or healing for their condition. They do not see anything that they are doing wrong and find nothing wrong with their "condition".
The sentence that stood out to me was this, "If you know you are sick you may go to a doctor; if you don't know you're sick you won't - you'll just die." (page 66).
Think about that...not just as a physical sickness or not just as needing a physical healing, but spiritually speaking. If we know that we need to be cured from sickness, disgust, sin, hurt, pain....we go to the doctor, to God...to heal us from all of that. BUT, if we don't know that we even have a problem, if we think we are going along in life with no problems...being "good people", doing "good deeds" and living a "good life", then we see no need to go to the doctor, when, from what I've read and know, there is only one person who has walked this earth with complete wholeness and without sickness and sin and that is Jesus Christ.
We all have "sickness". We all have sin from murder or the mere simplicity of not asking God into our lives and living our lives without the Holy Spirit guiding us. We all slip from "perfectness" sometimes even as strong Christians. We have sin. We all sin. YES...EVERYDAY.
If we DO NOT know we are sick, if we are going about thinking we have done no wrong, then we are living with a sickness that is going to kill us.
Think deep with me for a minute....think spiritually and not physically...we are sick and going to die if we do not realize that we are sick.
Let's avoid being "elder brothers", and if we are elder brothers (and I think we may all carry some characteristics of an elder brother and a younger brother sometimes), let's realize that we are NOT PERFECT PEOPLE, and let's go to the doctor and get help before we die.
Good and easy book to read.

Trying to not be an elder brother in life,

Jennifer

times to be thankful for

As July creeps on by reflection is the way to ease the rush of August....seeing God's Glory in so many moments.

     Watching and listening........summertime is family gatherings with messy grace unraveling with joy.
How beautiful moments are turning into everlasting memories.  The teens who have turned into "dream catchers."

Seeing His grace,
Friendships that make you belly laugh
Girls piercing each others' ears
5 year old playing baseball in the yard
Teenagers going after God with all they have
Overflowing with love
Trying to not be so judgmental
Weekends at the cabin with in-laws
Waterfalls
Frizzy hair days
Clothes all over the bedroom floor
Swim meets ending
Blankets to snuggle up with
A bible that falls open to just the right chapter
Journal readings of past times
A cool day after all of the summer heats
Clouds that bring rain
Toe nail polish
Showers to refresh and cleanse us
Husbands that work hard all day
And dinners around a dining room table sharing

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Summer Time

"A Dog's Life," (I was at a red light couldn't resist taking this pic.)

 Summer-time is for fried green tomatoes.....(Yes I am from "Sweet Home Alabama.")

 My Belarus child helping me cook dinner who learned how to fry and who loves fried green tomatoes!

Summer time is for Best Friends........(BFF's)

 Summer-time is for hard  good-byes........(sisters that hug the hard!)

     When asked what she will miss the most?  "Hot Showers, and my own bed to sleep in."
I asked her when she would be able to take a shower again?  "Next summer when I get to your house!"
When asked where her bed is? "The broken down couch or a chair that she shares with her sister!"

     Summer time is hard goodbyes that we have endured now for 5 years. Can't wait to hear her voice on the other end of the phone to let us know she has arrived the safe.......she is turning the 13 this year in Jan. and when asked what she wanted for her 13 birthday she said an I-pod with American music like her sisters!

May all your weekend wanderings be one of the gratitude for the many blessings that we have;
such gratefulness to God:

a bed to sleep in
clean sheets
flip flops all over the back steps
finding a card written in Russian
Full suit-cases to send home with her
Coffee for her mom
 the chance to tell her that she has been chosen by God (she is the daughter of the most high King)
sisters who love
wet bathing suits on the floor
clogged toilets
mascara on white towels
 husband who drives the lab half way to Florida for Nana to keep while we travel this week
 tomato plants growing in the back yard
 water out of a hose
 teens who laugh the hard
 God who is calling his people
 phone calls that are an emergency that you can wake one of the "Yahweh Sisters," from a dead sleep to ask a sewing question! lol
sea shells drying in the sun
cat hair
the lab that I miss the hard already
a mom (Nana) who drives the long to take the lab that means the world to us so we can travel
toe nail polish all over the bed-skirt in teens room
glitter that I continue to find in bags, on the walls, the floor, and in small boxes?
dirty clothes under the beds


all of grace,
The Yahweh Sisters

Submission

This is the woman God himself has used to change my life. He is so amazing because I was able to meet her last weekend and tell her personally what He had done through her that changed my life!
    After tears and hugs A friend snapped this picture that I will keep forever.  I can truly say that I have met someone who is walking the walk instead of just talking about it. What an inspiration to me and others. Visit her blog if you get a chance....your life will never be the same. (www.aholyexperience.com )
      In "Oswald Chambers," Devotion Book he talked about God sometimes uses others who are a little further along in their walk to help us......and how He will continue using them until we WILLINGLY SUBMIT!  It is then that our whole ATTITUDE of our life becomes one of OBEDIENCE to Him!
God will NEVER insist on obedience, but when we truly see Him we will instantly OBEY Him.
 I can honestly say I have truly seen Him when I look into Ann's eyes and read her heart that she lays out raw for the world to read........ it makes me want to be obedient.  Praise God for people who seek Him with all of their hearts and have found Him............they are not perfect or better just a little further along and they are being used by God to help us want what they have.
      Just as Jesus the "SON," was obedient as our "REDEEMER," because He was the SON, he wasn't obedient to become the "SON."  Checking myself today........What is my level of growth in grace?  Do I want to grow closer and obey the Father even more?  Do I know him? If I do then obedience should come naturally......How about you?   Couldn't we all stand to move a little closer! Wanting a higher view of the word Obedience.......wanting that relationship that makes Obedience possible.

all of grace,
Robbie

stop being consumed with "I"

       Did you know that the only letter in the alphabet that when it stands alone is capitalized is the letter "I"? 

What does that say about "I"?

We get too consumed with ourselves sometimes, and we forget to think about others around us or about God's will for our lives instead of our will for our lives. 

I was talking to Robbie and Amy this past week and in our conversations, I realized that sometimes we get so consumed with where we are going that we don't look at where we are at.  God may have us right where He wants us and we are too busy looking at the "future".

My pastor spoke this past Sunday on "The Spirit of Martyrdom".  In Acts 1:8, it says "we will be his witnesses".  Martus or Martur is the Greek word which is translated into the English word Martyr, which means one who bears "witness" by his death. 

God is looking for a people who will live as a martyr...live as a witness for Him. 

In Matthew 5:10 it says Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Do we not want the kingdom of heaven?  Then are we being persecuted because of our right standing with God?  It doesn't feel good to not be liked, to be called names, and be laughed at.  It doesn't feel good to not "fit in" with the neighbors, or to not be asked out after work for dinner and drinks.  It hurts a little.  We want people to like us.
You see, I am tired of "fitting in", comforming to the world, being liked by phonies who fill church pews on Sunday mornings and live a life of worldliness during the week.  I want to "stand out", be different, be called "Holy Roller", not get asked out to dinner.  It is okay.  It's not about ME anymore.  It's about HIM and HIS KINGDOM.  I want to inherit His Kingdom.  I want to be an heir of His Kingdom.  So, persecute me for His name's sake. 

Three quick points from Sunday's message by Pastor Scott Volk:

1.  The Spirit of Martyrdom is the foundational principle of who we are.

2.  The Spirit of Martyrdom is not measured by how we die but by how we live

3.  Not loving your life is the key to fullfilling your destiny. 
Stop focusing on right now and yourself.  Think about the future with God, think about what Spiritual gifts you are leaving your children and your children's children and the generations to come. 

In Numbers 14  we read about Moses and Aaron and the Israelites and how they were passing through one land that was full of milk and honey and why didn't God take them there.  The congregation began to get angry and wanted to stone Moses.  I can hear them now, "Let's just do away with Him and then we can go get what we want.  We can go back to the land that had what we wanted."

But read on...what happened....

10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.

Moses heard from God, followed His direction, and in the end when everyone came up against him and wanted to stone him, THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED and Moses didn't have to worry.
Let's not worry about "what if" we get persecuted.  Let's not worry about if it gets to that point.  We are to live with the mentality of giving our life for God and to God.  He will protect us. 

I want to see you go after God with openness, with all that you have, without any faking, without being distracted by the influences of the world around you, but with true, open, honest seeking to find what it is that God has for you right now where you are at, and to put yourself aside and start working for the Kingdom, not fearing what may come if you give it your all, but trusting that He is there.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

setting myself aside,

Jennifer

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"The path less traveled"

"Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult in the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7: 13-14

                                          The Road Not Taken.......... by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not travel both
and be one traveler long I stood
and looked down out as far as I could.
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, an just as fair
and having perhaps the better claim
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
had worn them really the same,
and both that morning, equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh,
somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
took the one less traveled by
and that had made all the difference.

The traveler had to choose a path- he came to a fork in the road....

As Christians we have to choose a path- we have to make at least a hundred choices a day.

Our walk with Christ depends on which road we choose..........

The world's path is wide- fun- welcoming- and sometimes easy.... as least at first...

It is enticing- and it draws you further and further down that worldly path.

What the worldly path doesn't show you- is the curves that lie ahead: sorrow- bitterness-emptiness and pain.

Christ's path is the road less traveled- it is sometimes harder and challenging, but on this road- we have a travel partner- Jesus Christ.

He tells us over and over that he will never leave us, that when the road gets too hard to bear- that he will then carry us.

Christ's path may be hard, but it will in the end draws us closer to him.

Along this path- we will find peace, joy, and comfort.

I sat with him one night- I had been talked into working a night shift.

It didn't sound bad at first, but when darkness came- and I wasn't going to bed, I became... to put it nicely- a grump!!!

He was old, and confused, and restless.... Great, I thought- I'm helping them out tonight- why give me this. As I -again walked into his room- his arm bleeding- his clothes off- again- why I asked him??? I don't know he said.. As I cleaned him up- I saw visitors at the window... Great-

" come on in", I said.... Of course it was his pastor and his wife.... " We are praying for you", they said- as they realized it was not the best time to visit-  they left.... First, I felt guilt... Then, shame.... Why had I let the flesh get the best of me. Why is it when I have two paths in front of me- I want the easy one... Not praying first- then knowing that God has a plan- and that I should be thankful he uses me at all!!!

After he was settled- I sat- and sat.... He tried to sleep..... He asked me if he was dying- No I said- which was a lie.   He told me that he had, " a feeling". He said that he wasn't ready... I asked him- If he had Jesus in his heart- He said yes- that he was saved_ I was relieved. But should I have stopped there. I was more patient with him, but my spirit told me to read scriptures to him- I don't have a bible with me, I thought. Well leave it up to God- a bible was in the cabinet in his room. Did I get it???? NO- Why??????? Will I ever learn?????

He died the next night- family at his bedside. I knew that he was dying- WHY?  Why wasn't I honest with him?  Why didn't I pray with him?  I held his hand tight, but was that enough?

Why Lord- do you put me in these situations? When will I learn that each one is a test- Will I ever pass? Did I pass?

I pray for more chances- more chances to show God's love- to witness-

Amy