Overall, I feel that this media fast has been going really well. The TV isn't even plugged in; I hardly watched it anyway. The most I watched was the Weather Channel, Biggest Loser, and sometimes a free On-Demand movie. We don't even have a DVD player anymore, so I borrowed my cousin's PS2 as a DVD player. Listening to nonsecular music has been relatively easy. I've spent a few dollars on some new songs. "Revelation Song" sung by Kari Jobe and "How He Loves" by David Crowder are probably my new favorites.
The Internet facet of it isn't too bad, either. I definitely spend less time online. I check my e-mail, the weather, our bank account and pay bills online (the only bill I pay with check is rent, and that's only because there is not an online feature). I have, of course, been blogging. I've taken some time to look back at previous blogs, even to as far back as five years ago. I have checked Facebook and Army Wives Forums more than once; however, I was only on there for no more than five minutes at a time.
So, how have I benefitted from this? I have had more time to devote to study... if I want to get all my studies done I kind of have to sacrifice other things. I haven't been as concerned about petty things, or been thinking about those "friends" you have on Facebook and their pointless status updates. I have felt better about myself without constantly comparing.
I have also been using our Internet connection to talk to Aaron via Skype video chat. Technology has come such a long way. I love being able to see and talk at the same time. Sometimes I am marvelled that the person I'm looking at is my husband and he loves me with as unconditional a love as you can find on this earth. We have also been doing a Bible study, and using Skype has facilitated more discussion and it's just easier to not hold a phone and try to write and read at the same time.
I probably don't get any more sleep than I did. I average about seven hours per night, which seems to be the minimum if I want optimum performance the next day.
I guess I feel overall I have a closer relationship with the Lord and definitely do more critical thinking about things in general. I have received some answers to prayer and new things about which to pray have been revealed. Poor and sinful internal attitudes have also been revealed.. we're working on it.
The next three months are absolutely crucial in our life. I feel that Lent will be a springboard for whatever preparation is left before we move.
The following passage from Philippians has been running through my mind nearly every day...
Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And, I think about the five principles from my current Beth Moore study, Believing God:
1- God is who He says He is.
2- God can do what He says He can do.
3- I am who God says I am.
4- I can do all things through Christ.
5- God's Word is alive and active in me.
The verses we've been memorizing in our study (Megan and I) are as follows:
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20)
"Indeed, while following the way of your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for you eagerly; your name, even your memory [renown], is the desire of our souls." (Isaiah 26:8)
(I love how in the NASB the pronouns are usually capitalized!)
Looking back as I proofread this post, I realized that a fast should be a challenging commitment... I'm not sure this is too challenging quite yet. I feel that the most challenging thing for me throughout the next 28 days will be the prayer component.
Sunday, February 28
Thursday, February 25
Help my unbelief!
I have been wavering back and forth about a decision that has to do with our moving soon. We don't know yet where we're going and so I cannot look for jobs or housing or.. anything. I can't even be a dork and look up the average weather or maps online. Last night as I was laying down to bed I just felt torn. Then I felt prompted to read Mark 15. It ended up being the crucifixion story, and I thought that was odd. However, I felt in my spirit that "I have done all of this, and risen from the dead; do you not think I can take care of you and things in your life?" I felt convicted of my unbelief but also so relieved that He is so faithful to take care of us. I think of the Hillsong lyric, "The same power that conquered the grave is in me...".
On my desk at school I have the memory verses for our Believing God study in a plastic sleeve. Guess what this week's verse is?
Hebrews 11:8 - "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."
How interesting. I am having to step out in faith to make big decisions when we physically do not know where we are going. And it's not a matter of simply, "Oh, I think I'll try to let God take care of this one" and pass it off with a sigh and shake of the hand. It is a matter of obedience. Abraham obeyed. And he was blessed.
On my desk at school I have the memory verses for our Believing God study in a plastic sleeve. Guess what this week's verse is?
Hebrews 11:8 - "By faith Abraham,
Monday, February 22
Taking offense
There are two things of which to be offended in the world: God and people. In Day 5 of Week 3 of Believing God, Beth Moore talks about how we can become offended with God because He doesn't pull through like we think He should.
She talks about John the Baptist, who was a man who lived eccentrically but fulfilling Scripture by being the "messenger" the Old Testament prophesies will come before Christ. John is sitting in prison, about to be executed, and maybe he wondered why Jesus didn't pull through for him. Why would Jesus, with all his omnipotence even in his earthly body, not perform a miracle and break him free? However, we must trust that He knew what He was doing - He set forth all the events before they even took place.
I think early in our walk with Christ it is easy to be offended. Often when people become Christians, they feel devastation because all their worldly desires have not been just eradicated from their lives. Maybe even farther along in their faith lose a loved one and all of a sudden feel abandoned. However, when a horrible event occurs, our human eyes cannot see past the situation. We cannot recreate the context of the situation. God has the timeline of our lives spread out before Him. It's in times like those we absolutely have to trust and believe Him because He is all-knowing and all-powerful. And thank God because I would not want that responsibility with my imperfect heart and mind!
The second way to be offended is by people. God is perfect and we can be offended by Him; how much more will be we offended by others? Many times people give their reason for leaving a church because of the people. "They spread rumors" or "I just didn't fit in". Thankfully God is not contained in a church. But too often people seem to lose their connection with God because they've lost a connection with the church.
Philippians 2:14-15 states the benefits of not complaining or arguing (which are side effects of being offended by someone):
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe..."
[The NASB uses "grumbling or disputing" in verse 14.]
The Greek word for dispute or argue is "goggysmos", "a secret displeasure not openly avowed".
I think that this includes all the poor things we think about people and maybe never even voice. However, Jesus says that we can murder a man just by having hate in our hearts. Satan works his way into the tiniest crevasses, even emotional ones.
In our times of weakness and relational frailty we can rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit in our lives to give us discernment and direct our thoughts, actions and speech. I guess the old adage sticks; "Think before you talk". Actually, I would rephrase it to say, "Pray before your talk".
She talks about John the Baptist, who was a man who lived eccentrically but fulfilling Scripture by being the "messenger" the Old Testament prophesies will come before Christ. John is sitting in prison, about to be executed, and maybe he wondered why Jesus didn't pull through for him. Why would Jesus, with all his omnipotence even in his earthly body, not perform a miracle and break him free? However, we must trust that He knew what He was doing - He set forth all the events before they even took place.
I think early in our walk with Christ it is easy to be offended. Often when people become Christians, they feel devastation because all their worldly desires have not been just eradicated from their lives. Maybe even farther along in their faith lose a loved one and all of a sudden feel abandoned. However, when a horrible event occurs, our human eyes cannot see past the situation. We cannot recreate the context of the situation. God has the timeline of our lives spread out before Him. It's in times like those we absolutely have to trust and believe Him because He is all-knowing and all-powerful. And thank God because I would not want that responsibility with my imperfect heart and mind!
The second way to be offended is by people. God is perfect and we can be offended by Him; how much more will be we offended by others? Many times people give their reason for leaving a church because of the people. "They spread rumors" or "I just didn't fit in". Thankfully God is not contained in a church. But too often people seem to lose their connection with God because they've lost a connection with the church.
Philippians 2:14-15 states the benefits of not complaining or arguing (which are side effects of being offended by someone):
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe..."
[The NASB uses "grumbling or disputing" in verse 14.]
The Greek word for dispute or argue is "goggysmos", "a secret displeasure not openly avowed".
I think that this includes all the poor things we think about people and maybe never even voice. However, Jesus says that we can murder a man just by having hate in our hearts. Satan works his way into the tiniest crevasses, even emotional ones.
In our times of weakness and relational frailty we can rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit in our lives to give us discernment and direct our thoughts, actions and speech. I guess the old adage sticks; "Think before you talk". Actually, I would rephrase it to say, "Pray before your talk".
Thursday, February 18
He satisfies
This has been the theme of my time of study today. Psalm 103:2-5 states:
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
He satisfies our desires with good things! Why is it we think that by denying ourselves and picking up our crosses we are losing? People, this is a win-win situation! Maybe it's hard for the world to see our riches since the majority of them are spiritual when in Christ.
Good (Hebrew Strong's #2896): beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fine, glad... and the list goes on and on.
Interestingly enough, A Call to Die today had us read from John 6. Verse 35 states, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst." We can be satisfied in Him. It does not matter what the world holds or taunts us with.. He is all we need... the will of God is for us to know and believe Him! (John 6:40).
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
He satisfies our desires with good things! Why is it we think that by denying ourselves and picking up our crosses we are losing? People, this is a win-win situation! Maybe it's hard for the world to see our riches since the majority of them are spiritual when in Christ.
Good (Hebrew Strong's #2896): beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, fine, glad... and the list goes on and on.
Interestingly enough, A Call to Die today had us read from John 6. Verse 35 states, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and who believes in Me shall never thirst." We can be satisfied in Him. It does not matter what the world holds or taunts us with.. He is all we need... the will of God is for us to know and believe Him! (John 6:40).
Tuesday, February 16
Lenten offerings
I have observed Lent since I was young. It's not something that all Christians are familiar with.. beginning with Ash Wednesday, it's the season in the Christian church during which people fast something until Easter (40 days) to remember Jesus' trying in the desert. When I was little, it was about fasting soda or sweets. Well, now that I'm older I have different idols to lay down.
I will be doing the book A Call to Die with my friend Megan during this time and it requires at least an hour a day for meditation, prayer and study. I have decided to fast from most of the Internet (Facebook, my Army wives forum, other blogs), TV, secular literature and secular music. Of course, I am not saying that any of these things are bad in and of themselves, but I could better spend my time studying the Word and devoting myself to prayer.
Food for me is not an effective fast unless it's a raw food fast or a liquid fast. I don't eat out a lot, eat a ton of sweets or drink a lot of soda. I feel like that would be more legalistic for me.
I am also on an endeavor to become familiar with the Greek language. Coincidentally (or not, haha) a colleague is taking a Greek class for her Master's degree and today she came into my room during my prep to show me a little bit about the alphabet. She gave me a laminated handout of the alphabet and flash cards of the letters.
Are you fasting anything for Lent?
I will be doing the book A Call to Die with my friend Megan during this time and it requires at least an hour a day for meditation, prayer and study. I have decided to fast from most of the Internet (Facebook, my Army wives forum, other blogs), TV, secular literature and secular music. Of course, I am not saying that any of these things are bad in and of themselves, but I could better spend my time studying the Word and devoting myself to prayer.
Food for me is not an effective fast unless it's a raw food fast or a liquid fast. I don't eat out a lot, eat a ton of sweets or drink a lot of soda. I feel like that would be more legalistic for me.
I am also on an endeavor to become familiar with the Greek language. Coincidentally (or not, haha) a colleague is taking a Greek class for her Master's degree and today she came into my room during my prep to show me a little bit about the alphabet. She gave me a laminated handout of the alphabet and flash cards of the letters.
Are you fasting anything for Lent?
Sunday, February 14
Bedtime Stories: Psalm 46:10
I really like how the NASB puts this verse:
"Cease {striving} and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Cease means to stop. Striving means, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "to devote serious effort or energy". So, stop devoting serious effort or attention. This psalm talks about the omnipotence of God.. the wonderful things He does and how nature "melts". Amazing. God is all-powerful and He literally holds the earth in the palm of His hand. So why do we try so hard in vain? We are called to know Him; that's all. Everything else falls into place.
On a side note, I realized yesterday or the day before how I am made in God's image. I was baking, cooking, knitting and starting on a sewing project all within a couple days' time. I like to create things and share them with people. Many times I do all those things for myself, but I really like to see people enjoy the things I've made. I am created in God's image because He also enjoys making things and sharing them with people. I felt.. accepted and part of a family when that dawned on me. But most of all I felt loved, that He would put a desire in me to create things, just like He does. [I am by no means equating myself with God, just drawing a similarity.]
Can I just sum things up right now with this picture? This is how I feel about the Lord.
The two things I've been praying for are these:
"Cease {striving} and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Cease means to stop. Striving means, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "to devote serious effort or energy". So, stop devoting serious effort or attention. This psalm talks about the omnipotence of God.. the wonderful things He does and how nature "melts". Amazing. God is all-powerful and He literally holds the earth in the palm of His hand. So why do we try so hard in vain? We are called to know Him; that's all. Everything else falls into place.
On a side note, I realized yesterday or the day before how I am made in God's image. I was baking, cooking, knitting and starting on a sewing project all within a couple days' time. I like to create things and share them with people. Many times I do all those things for myself, but I really like to see people enjoy the things I've made. I am created in God's image because He also enjoys making things and sharing them with people. I felt.. accepted and part of a family when that dawned on me. But most of all I felt loved, that He would put a desire in me to create things, just like He does. [I am by no means equating myself with God, just drawing a similarity.]
Can I just sum things up right now with this picture? This is how I feel about the Lord.
The two things I've been praying for are these:
I want to fall in love with You!
I want to develop an unquenchable thirst for Your Word!
Saturday, February 13
Becoming more like Christ - bodies and minds
This is the ever-present question of our existence: How do we become more like Christ? Is it by our actions? Our attitudes? Romans 12:1-2 provides a perfect explanation of how to become more like Him.
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (NASB)
These two verses outline two things that must come under submission to the Lord - our bodies and our minds. How does it say we can offer our bodies/minds as a sacrifice? By the mercies of God. It's obviously not of our own effort because look what that did (Garden of Eden). The greatest thing is that HE does the transforming, the renewing, WE are the ones who bring it to Him in the first place. If you ever feel far from Him, just remember He's thisclose. Just one word away.. "Just one word and I am free" (Michael Gungor Band, "Giving It All").
I'm not sure what the verb tense is in the Greek, but take a look at "renewing" in English. That, my dear grammarians [because I know you're all dorks like me], is a present participle. Not a past participle, but present. It's a constant thing, what is happening right now. You can't just lay it down at the cross once and expect it to be over and done with. I think this is why people have a hard time when they first become Christians; I know I did. I thought that my old desires would just go away, I would feel happy and elated every single day of my life. The fact is, it's a constant sacrifice. He tells us to pick up our cross daily (Luke 9:23, NIV). The beauty of it though is that Jesus paid it once.. once was enough. That one act of obedience and sacrifice has brought us out of our misery.. and our bodies and minds can be transformed.
Why are people afraid of the will of God? Beth Moore talks about this in both studies I'm doing right now, Believing God and The Inheritance. We're afraid of what God will have to take from us in order to live a life fully in Him. The fact is, people, that He. Is. A. GIVER! Life will not be boring, will not be stale, will not be drudgery. Anybody got a hanky to wave on that one?
"...prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (v. 2)
It is safe, then, to assume that in Philippians 4:8 we can renew our minds by thinking on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise... Hmm. Let's think for a second. If we did this, we'd be thinking on the very character of God Himself! What a novel idea.
So, what other thoughts do you have on becoming more like Christ?
"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (NASB)
These two verses outline two things that must come under submission to the Lord - our bodies and our minds. How does it say we can offer our bodies/minds as a sacrifice? By the mercies of God. It's obviously not of our own effort because look what that did (Garden of Eden). The greatest thing is that HE does the transforming, the renewing, WE are the ones who bring it to Him in the first place. If you ever feel far from Him, just remember He's thisclose. Just one word away.. "Just one word and I am free" (Michael Gungor Band, "Giving It All").
I'm not sure what the verb tense is in the Greek, but take a look at "renewing" in English. That, my dear grammarians [because I know you're all dorks like me], is a present participle. Not a past participle, but present. It's a constant thing, what is happening right now. You can't just lay it down at the cross once and expect it to be over and done with. I think this is why people have a hard time when they first become Christians; I know I did. I thought that my old desires would just go away, I would feel happy and elated every single day of my life. The fact is, it's a constant sacrifice. He tells us to pick up our cross daily (Luke 9:23, NIV). The beauty of it though is that Jesus paid it once.. once was enough. That one act of obedience and sacrifice has brought us out of our misery.. and our bodies and minds can be transformed.
Why are people afraid of the will of God? Beth Moore talks about this in both studies I'm doing right now, Believing God and The Inheritance. We're afraid of what God will have to take from us in order to live a life fully in Him. The fact is, people, that He. Is. A. GIVER! Life will not be boring, will not be stale, will not be drudgery. Anybody got a hanky to wave on that one?
"...prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (v. 2)
It is safe, then, to assume that in Philippians 4:8 we can renew our minds by thinking on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellence, worthy of praise... Hmm. Let's think for a second. If we did this, we'd be thinking on the very character of God Himself! What a novel idea.
So, what other thoughts do you have on becoming more like Christ?
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