Do you have those days where you open your Bible and after reading something you respond with an "Oh, me"? Those are the days I wish my Bible had a hole in the center of the page. However, we are to live out the Bible in its entirety.
As Christians, I believe many of us truly have the desire to live that way. So what happens? Pride, selfishness, jealousy, greed or denial sets up camp in our thoughts and causes us to stumble. When we accept Jesus in our heart, the head (our thoughts), tends to be a slow learner. I guess that is where "hard headed" comes into play. For me, I find myself often trying to be right instead of righteous.
Ridley and I were talking to our son, Harrison, last night about a boy at school who was bragging and boasting about being the best baseball player. You could see that the daily antagonizing was wearing him out. Harrison was probably correct that this boy was not the best baseball player at the school, however we were trying to remind Harrison that he doesn't have to convince the boy that he is right because Jesus knows the truth. I tried to explain to him that it is normal to be upset or angry, but how we respond to that is where maturity and responsibility come into play. Oh me! As I was parenting, the Holy Spirit was parenting me. I often say if you catch yourself saying "Oh me" or "what?", that is probably the Holy Spirit speaking.
As I went to bed, I pondered on the 1 Peter verse in chapter 3:14 "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed." There are so many times it just doesn't feel like a blessing. In this world, I think we long for a life free of difficulties, but that is false hope. We are told in His Word that we will have trouble in this world. The problem free life is in heaven.
So, I am praying today that my head will catch up and fully grasp the concept of Hosea 14:9 "The ways of the Lord (not Lisa) are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them."
We can't always be right, but we can always be righteous. It's a choice!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Hissy Fit!
This past weekend I started a big hissy fit. This is normally not a good thing to witness in children and is never fun when adults are involved. Mine was necessary! When your husband is challenging the whole church to get in the Bible and read it all the way through in 90 days, that can sure make satan mad.
I love to share/teach God's Word in a way that sticks. A way that kids will learn that it is truly living and active and a way that adults can remember it when in the middle of junk. For example, when The Word tells us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), I translate that to mean "trap the crap". Satan wants nothing more than to get in my thoughts and repeat those lies that take me back to my past. When I share with my husband, Ridley, what those triggers are, he learns to recognize them and will look me in the eye and say "trap the crap". I instantly remember my responsibility to take every thought captive.
In praying about marrying Ridley, I knew the warfare was going to be taken to a new level as a pastor's wife and I needed to be ready, willing and equipped to fight. Right off the bat, during Ridley's preaching I would hiss during the parts that reminded me of the enemy. Finally, he came to me and asked what I was doing during his sermons. It had just become a habit of mine in an effort to always be aware that satan is very real. Now I can hear an occasional hissing during a sermon and realize my friends are catching on. Poor Ridley.
Last night something was going on in my house that must have had me in a fit. The transition between the corporate world during the day and coming home to start my momma responsibilities can be challenging for me. My youngest daughter, Landon, whispered "Momma!" and then she hissed at me while showing me her version of my snake hand (picture making a shadow puppet on the wall of a serpent). I immediately stopped, smiled at her and whispered a thank you back to her.
Some might say we give Satan too much credit. Ephesians 5:15 & 16 reminds us "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." As the army of the Lord, I believe we must be able to recognize the enemy when he is at work. Genesis 4:7 says "sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it".
Satan is not welcome in my house. He can crouch all he wants at my door but I am going to teach my children to recognize the traps of our enemy. I want them to stand firm in the battle and even have a hissy fit to remind their mom that she doesn't need to invite him in for dinner.
I love to share/teach God's Word in a way that sticks. A way that kids will learn that it is truly living and active and a way that adults can remember it when in the middle of junk. For example, when The Word tells us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), I translate that to mean "trap the crap". Satan wants nothing more than to get in my thoughts and repeat those lies that take me back to my past. When I share with my husband, Ridley, what those triggers are, he learns to recognize them and will look me in the eye and say "trap the crap". I instantly remember my responsibility to take every thought captive.
In praying about marrying Ridley, I knew the warfare was going to be taken to a new level as a pastor's wife and I needed to be ready, willing and equipped to fight. Right off the bat, during Ridley's preaching I would hiss during the parts that reminded me of the enemy. Finally, he came to me and asked what I was doing during his sermons. It had just become a habit of mine in an effort to always be aware that satan is very real. Now I can hear an occasional hissing during a sermon and realize my friends are catching on. Poor Ridley.
Last night something was going on in my house that must have had me in a fit. The transition between the corporate world during the day and coming home to start my momma responsibilities can be challenging for me. My youngest daughter, Landon, whispered "Momma!" and then she hissed at me while showing me her version of my snake hand (picture making a shadow puppet on the wall of a serpent). I immediately stopped, smiled at her and whispered a thank you back to her.
Some might say we give Satan too much credit. Ephesians 5:15 & 16 reminds us "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." As the army of the Lord, I believe we must be able to recognize the enemy when he is at work. Genesis 4:7 says "sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it".
Satan is not welcome in my house. He can crouch all he wants at my door but I am going to teach my children to recognize the traps of our enemy. I want them to stand firm in the battle and even have a hissy fit to remind their mom that she doesn't need to invite him in for dinner.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The rest of the story....
After reading my very first post, a few people have asked me about the rest of the story. How does a girl go from the kitchen floor, with her world falling apart, to being a pastor's wife? JESUS! Yes, you are getting the Jesus answer because only He can turn ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3).
In speaking to women's groups, I tell them what I have been telling my girls for years. "Let Jesus be your boyfriend". The world wants to tell us we aren't anything without a man. That is a lie that even Christian ladies tend to believe. I come across more women that are desperately trying to find a man to fill a void. Their tongues profess they know Jesus should be the center of their life, but their hearts long for that prince charming. God's Word says in Psalm 146:3 "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save." Believe me, I know the loneliness, the fear, and the loss of more than just a husband. Through my divorce I lost friends, an extended family, and a career partnership I had invested in. I was scared to death and my heart was about to explode. Deep down I knew I only had two options at that point. I could let it tear me down or let it transform me. I decided the only way to heal my heart was to go to the One who made it and knew it best. It is ok to be mad at God. He can handle it.
Three months after my husband (at that time) left, I was jogging with my best friend and as we passed a nearby house. She asked me to pray for the pastor who lived in that house. She had taught his son, Harrison, at school. Harrison's family was in a car accident. He lost his mom and then lost his 17 month old brother several days later due to a medical error at the hospital. I passed that house on my way to work for the next 3 years and prayed for that single dad whose life probably was a little similar to mine. Then I happened to meet his sister and brother-in-law in a cooking class (of all places). I was a third wheel on a date once again with my married friends. But I instantly knew God was "cooking" up something when I found out who they were.
I married that single dad/pastor on July 15, 2007 and I continue to be humbly overwhelmed by the story that God is writing for us. If I had tried to orchestrate the steps of my journey myself, I would have missed all He had for me. He sure can write the story better than I can. God's timing really is worth the wait, even when it is hard.
Are you letting Him write your story or are you arm wrestling Him for the pen?
I found great comfort during those years alone in Hebrews 6:12. "We do not want you to become lazy but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Notice it mentions "faith and patience" together. When both are running thin, do not become lazy or tired. Get in the Word and read His promises. They are coming.
In speaking to women's groups, I tell them what I have been telling my girls for years. "Let Jesus be your boyfriend". The world wants to tell us we aren't anything without a man. That is a lie that even Christian ladies tend to believe. I come across more women that are desperately trying to find a man to fill a void. Their tongues profess they know Jesus should be the center of their life, but their hearts long for that prince charming. God's Word says in Psalm 146:3 "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save." Believe me, I know the loneliness, the fear, and the loss of more than just a husband. Through my divorce I lost friends, an extended family, and a career partnership I had invested in. I was scared to death and my heart was about to explode. Deep down I knew I only had two options at that point. I could let it tear me down or let it transform me. I decided the only way to heal my heart was to go to the One who made it and knew it best. It is ok to be mad at God. He can handle it.
Three months after my husband (at that time) left, I was jogging with my best friend and as we passed a nearby house. She asked me to pray for the pastor who lived in that house. She had taught his son, Harrison, at school. Harrison's family was in a car accident. He lost his mom and then lost his 17 month old brother several days later due to a medical error at the hospital. I passed that house on my way to work for the next 3 years and prayed for that single dad whose life probably was a little similar to mine. Then I happened to meet his sister and brother-in-law in a cooking class (of all places). I was a third wheel on a date once again with my married friends. But I instantly knew God was "cooking" up something when I found out who they were.
I married that single dad/pastor on July 15, 2007 and I continue to be humbly overwhelmed by the story that God is writing for us. If I had tried to orchestrate the steps of my journey myself, I would have missed all He had for me. He sure can write the story better than I can. God's timing really is worth the wait, even when it is hard.
Are you letting Him write your story or are you arm wrestling Him for the pen?
I found great comfort during those years alone in Hebrews 6:12. "We do not want you to become lazy but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Notice it mentions "faith and patience" together. When both are running thin, do not become lazy or tired. Get in the Word and read His promises. They are coming.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Do You Smell?
I love to watch my kids play outside and it blesses me to see my husband exercising outside. However, I dread when they come in because they have an "outside" smell. Icky! Ridley laughed the other day when I said, "You smell". He asked, "What do I smell like?" I replied, "Outside." He began to laugh and couldn't grasp exactly what I meant.
Today I had a real estate appointment at Starbucks. I told myself the whole way there I wasn't going to be tempted to have a caramel macchiato. I probably have 2 a year since I am not a coffee drinker but I try to stay away from Starbucks and the temptation. While driving, I began to justify why I could splurge. After all, I have been doing my workouts and eating healthy. I even found myself using my quiet time track record as proof to reward myself. One wasn't going to hurt. So after my meeting, I walked out of Starbucks with my head held high and my stomach growling. Funny though, I walked around all day smelling like Starbucks. I was sure everybody could smell me. Every person I came in contact with I wanted to say, "I was there but I didn't get the caramel macchiato."
When I stopped at an office supply store later, I walked by a man that smelled like smoke and a lady that smelled like mothballs. As I krinkled up my nose, I thought to myself, "Boy that was strong. Do they not know they smell like that?" Then I laughed because they were probably on the other side of the store questioning whether I drank the coffee or spilled it all over myself. As I got back in my car, a verse came to mind immediately. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." Wow! I better be careful what I smell like. I know I don't want an outside smell. A smell of me being outside of His will.
Choose wisely. You may not fall to the temptation but you just might hang out near it long enough to smell like it.
Today I had a real estate appointment at Starbucks. I told myself the whole way there I wasn't going to be tempted to have a caramel macchiato. I probably have 2 a year since I am not a coffee drinker but I try to stay away from Starbucks and the temptation. While driving, I began to justify why I could splurge. After all, I have been doing my workouts and eating healthy. I even found myself using my quiet time track record as proof to reward myself. One wasn't going to hurt. So after my meeting, I walked out of Starbucks with my head held high and my stomach growling. Funny though, I walked around all day smelling like Starbucks. I was sure everybody could smell me. Every person I came in contact with I wanted to say, "I was there but I didn't get the caramel macchiato."
When I stopped at an office supply store later, I walked by a man that smelled like smoke and a lady that smelled like mothballs. As I krinkled up my nose, I thought to myself, "Boy that was strong. Do they not know they smell like that?" Then I laughed because they were probably on the other side of the store questioning whether I drank the coffee or spilled it all over myself. As I got back in my car, a verse came to mind immediately. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." Wow! I better be careful what I smell like. I know I don't want an outside smell. A smell of me being outside of His will.
Choose wisely. You may not fall to the temptation but you just might hang out near it long enough to smell like it.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
A hope and a future
What an amazing day of worship today! My quiet times from this week seemed to all roll into today. My week has been focused on HOPE. That is one of those feel good words we often throw around with our Jesus lingo. So, I looked up the exact definition in my bible the other day. It says "to desire something with confident expectation of its fulfillment."
It struck me how many times I use that word to represent a lack of confidence. "I hope so", "I hope I can" or "I hope it will". Today the definition of hope was lived out in conversations. Ladies I talked to at church were excited about this new year. The tone of hope in their voice was just so fun to listen to. A friend who is trusting Jesus with a new direction in her job by taking a risk....HOPE. A friend who is taking the next step to be debt free this year....HOPE. A friend who has had health issues in the past year and is fired up about 2010.....HOPE. A friend who can relate to my personal journey and who has received healing through forgiveness....HOPE. A friend who worshipped a heavenly father believing this year she will adopt....HOPE.
All of that was super cool! At my house when something just really touches me I say "you made my heart pop out". To all of those ladies today, you spoke about the hope that Jesus is all about. During economic struggles and in a world that is so backwards, I know you made Jesus' heart pop out as well.
God's word says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. I was reminded of that in an even bigger way today. My best friend from 5th grade not only hosted my first sleepover, but on this day I got to worship and pray with my sweet friend Kate as we celebrate her birthday today. After years off being disconnected, Jesus had a plan that she would later water the seeds in my life and lead me to Jesus. That is a hope and a future that Jesus had planned way before I knew him.
Make sure your hope is in Him so that your HOPE is full of confident expectation!
It struck me how many times I use that word to represent a lack of confidence. "I hope so", "I hope I can" or "I hope it will". Today the definition of hope was lived out in conversations. Ladies I talked to at church were excited about this new year. The tone of hope in their voice was just so fun to listen to. A friend who is trusting Jesus with a new direction in her job by taking a risk....HOPE. A friend who is taking the next step to be debt free this year....HOPE. A friend who has had health issues in the past year and is fired up about 2010.....HOPE. A friend who can relate to my personal journey and who has received healing through forgiveness....HOPE. A friend who worshipped a heavenly father believing this year she will adopt....HOPE.
All of that was super cool! At my house when something just really touches me I say "you made my heart pop out". To all of those ladies today, you spoke about the hope that Jesus is all about. During economic struggles and in a world that is so backwards, I know you made Jesus' heart pop out as well.
God's word says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. I was reminded of that in an even bigger way today. My best friend from 5th grade not only hosted my first sleepover, but on this day I got to worship and pray with my sweet friend Kate as we celebrate her birthday today. After years off being disconnected, Jesus had a plan that she would later water the seeds in my life and lead me to Jesus. That is a hope and a future that Jesus had planned way before I knew him.
Make sure your hope is in Him so that your HOPE is full of confident expectation!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The beginning....My entry from an old blog in 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
August 8, 2003 my life changed unexpectedly. I remember lying in the middle of my kitchen floor clutching the phone as I dialed my father's phone number. I can recall using every ounce of energy to beg him to come and get my sweet girls so they would not have to watch me fall apart. When you find out your husband for life is not who you thought he was, desperation sets up camp in your heart. At that moment fear was all over me and claiming that the "Lord was my strength and my song" (Exodus 15:2) was the last thing on my mind.
After all, I felt about as weak as I could feel and I can assure you I did not feel like singing.
Looking back now, if I did feel like singing I probably would have chosen the chorus to "She's a Maneater" from the 80's. Remember the line "Here she comes. Watch out boy, she'll chew you up".
That next year felt like I was living in a bubble where my world was in slow motion while everybody else moved at their own pace and passed by with what seemed like their perfect, happy lives. I remember praying so hard just to act half way normal around people hoping that the labored sounds of breathing weren't so evident in my everyday task. After all, unless you were the town gossip, hadn't everybody gotten tired of talking about my pain and drama? Yet what was the appropriate grace period for 10 years of total dedication to making your marriage something great? That's when I really decided I better quit asking God "Why?" and start asking Him "Now What?"
Almost four years later I have finally come to the conclusion that I want Jesus to orchestrate my life. For years I made my own path in life and often found myself way off the beaten path. Beaten by the ways of the world and my own pride. Most of that path was in the weeds where I couldn't even see clearly and I got burrs in my socks. Oh, I loved Jesus. I just thought I didn't need Him in all areas of my life. "Here God, this is where I need you, but I got this part over here covered." Therefore, Psalm 16:11 has become my personal verse. "Make known to me the path of life and in Your presence, I will experience joy." Trust me, there are days that His path isn't fun or comfortable at all. Those are the moments I reflect back on how I felt on August 8, 2003. So now each day I choose to lay on the floor and call on my heavenly Father with a different type of desperation. Desperate to know the next step He has for me, I call on Him asking "Now What?"
August 8, 2003 my life changed unexpectedly. I remember lying in the middle of my kitchen floor clutching the phone as I dialed my father's phone number. I can recall using every ounce of energy to beg him to come and get my sweet girls so they would not have to watch me fall apart. When you find out your husband for life is not who you thought he was, desperation sets up camp in your heart. At that moment fear was all over me and claiming that the "Lord was my strength and my song" (Exodus 15:2) was the last thing on my mind.
After all, I felt about as weak as I could feel and I can assure you I did not feel like singing.
Looking back now, if I did feel like singing I probably would have chosen the chorus to "She's a Maneater" from the 80's. Remember the line "Here she comes. Watch out boy, she'll chew you up".
That next year felt like I was living in a bubble where my world was in slow motion while everybody else moved at their own pace and passed by with what seemed like their perfect, happy lives. I remember praying so hard just to act half way normal around people hoping that the labored sounds of breathing weren't so evident in my everyday task. After all, unless you were the town gossip, hadn't everybody gotten tired of talking about my pain and drama? Yet what was the appropriate grace period for 10 years of total dedication to making your marriage something great? That's when I really decided I better quit asking God "Why?" and start asking Him "Now What?"
Almost four years later I have finally come to the conclusion that I want Jesus to orchestrate my life. For years I made my own path in life and often found myself way off the beaten path. Beaten by the ways of the world and my own pride. Most of that path was in the weeds where I couldn't even see clearly and I got burrs in my socks. Oh, I loved Jesus. I just thought I didn't need Him in all areas of my life. "Here God, this is where I need you, but I got this part over here covered." Therefore, Psalm 16:11 has become my personal verse. "Make known to me the path of life and in Your presence, I will experience joy." Trust me, there are days that His path isn't fun or comfortable at all. Those are the moments I reflect back on how I felt on August 8, 2003. So now each day I choose to lay on the floor and call on my heavenly Father with a different type of desperation. Desperate to know the next step He has for me, I call on Him asking "Now What?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
