Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ~John 8:32


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I’m Encouraged

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are now doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

 

I had never heard of a “meme” before I asked my teenager to explain it to me last year. After making me feel really old and uninformed by saying, “Really, Mom? You really don’t know?” he said it was like a picture on Facebook with some words on it, usually funny.

give me a tiny log cabinOh? I’ve been attracted to memes all my life and didn’t realize it. I especially remember back in high school when I had posters plastered all over my bedroom walls. They were mostly outdoor scenes and cute animal pictures with pithy sayings that made me smile and feel good.   And now I collect internet memes by saving them to My Photos on my iPhone. I like some funny ones, but mostly I save memes that make me stop and think.

2 old ladies sitting in churchThe Oxford Dictionary says the word “meme” originated in the 1970’s from the Greek word “mimema” which means “that which is imitated.” The definition from Wikipedia says a meme is “an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture.”

So my wall posters from high school qualify as memes. And a lot of what is posted on Facebook are memes. I realize that what I see on Facebook is filtered because I only see what my friends post, but almost every day, I find a new meme or two that I think is worth saving. I’m guessing I have hundreds. What do I do with all these memes?

Memes operate similar to proverbs in my life. They are “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is If a girl is silentright and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.” (Proverbs 1:2-6 NIV)

I save a lot of memes with scriptures on them and of course, there are many memes that I ignore because reading them doesn’t stir up any connection for me. That’s the good thing about memes, unless they quote the Bible, you can take them or leave them.

Right now I am trying to establish a habit of reviewing the memes that I’ve saved to my phone on a periodic basis. It’s usually only when I’m waiting in a doctor’s office that I check my memes. You have a choiceIt’s great for when I’m a little worried or feeling down but don’t have a lot of time to search the Bible or to call someone. I just start scrolling through my pictures and I don’t have to go very far before one sparks a memory about somebody or starts a deeper thought process and I start praying.

And praying is one thing I can count on to really work to improve my attitude. Every time I review my memes, I feel refreshed and encouraged. Even when the meme brings up a memory of something I regret, I resolve to do better now that I know better.

just remain silent and smileThe mobile Bible app called “YouVersion” includes a built in menu option to make your own memes from any Bible verse. The app calls it making “Verse Images.” You can make a meme and then save it to your phone or share with social media.

I think sharing these little bits of wisdom is one way we can obey God’s word in Hebrews 10:24 where it says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” (NLT) Thanks to my Facebook friends, I am encouraged.


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A Lifetime of Yes

As I browsed Amazon in December trying to decide what to buy the family for Christmas, I clicked on Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person. I didn’t buy it, haven’t read it, and probably won’t — I already have about a gazillion books that I’ve bought and never finished, thank you very much! I simply liked the title and wanted to see more.

Reading the blurb made me want to write a book myself. If I were to begin such an ambitious project, the book might center around my need to say yes to God whenever He nudges me. My title could be something like A Lifetime of Yes: How to Dance In Praise, Stand in the Son and Be God’s Wholly (Holy?) Unique Person.

IMG_5572So far, I’ve not felt called to write a book — this blog is even a bit out of my comfort zone. Maybe you’re like me and fear doing anything you’ve never tried before. Why is that? What’s the worst thing that could happen? What is it I fear about stepping out of my comfort zone?

Do I really believe God would ask me to do anything that He could not or would not provide the resources to accomplish? Perhaps it’s just that I’m fearful of my motives. Maybe this is not really God’s nudging but my own selfish desires exerting themselves. Whatever my excuse , I believe every time I say no to God, the underlying reason is that I want to accomplish great things in my own power and using my own wisdom. I probably want to take the credit for any successes, too.

When I try to accomplish anything God asks of me in my own power, the waves will always overwhelm me as they did Peter when he took his eyes off Jesus (Matt. 14:30). I too often forget that failure or success is not mine to determine. All God asks of me is to be faithful in following His lead. He will take care of the outcome.

What types of things have you felt God nudging you to do, but, like Moses (Exodus 4:1-12), you’ve always told God you didn’t have the skills or courage to do them? As if He didn’t know how weak and incompetent we are without His power! Exactly how dangerous are the things He’s been asking of you — if not dangerous, perhaps just scary to you?

What if you did “scary” things like telling a friend that you admire her and would love to spend time getting to know her better? What if she ship in harbor - comfort zonerejects you? She might think you’re a weirdo and run for the hills!

But then again … maybe she has been thinking the same thing about you. Maybe God has put her on your heart because He wants you to bring her to Him. A beautiful, even a saving, relationship could develop just because you had the courage to say yes to that impulse to connect.

Let’s pick at least one thing for this new year that God has been nudging us to do for Him. Let’s simply ask him for His strength, His wisdom and His power to do that one thing. He will shower us with His blessings as we are faithful to His calling, not just this year, but for a lifetime of yes.

Father, forgive me for being fearful when You nudge me to do Your will. Help me to listen only to You, and give me the courage to always say yes. Give me the power to trust You and to remain faithful.


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Be Kind

Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32def

On the past two New Year’s Days, I have chosen a word to focus on throughout the year. Because I needed to, I chose the same word both years—intentional. I think I’m ready for a new word for this new year, and I’ve chosen the word kindness.

I have the most trouble with those I love the most and spend the most time with—my family members. Several years ago during a parent-teacher meeting for one of my sons, the teacher complained that he was extremely sarcastic with her at times. Her comment cut me to the core. At once, I could hear myself responding to my husband and my sons sarcastically, using humor to cover a multitude of sins.

SONY DSCThat day I began to listen to myself. As a young child, our son, Josh, was diagnosed with Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD). A counselor told us raising him was going to be like guiding a surly, disobedient teenager who had less than half the maturity of a teenager. Now a fine adult who spreads God’s love through music, Josh was willfully noncompliant as a child. He had fits of rage and I was often the target of his anger.

During the time we were trying to find someone who was able, willing and knowledgeable about what was going on with Josh, a counselor suggested that we record one of his episodes. One evening at bedtime, one of the worst times of day for us, I put a voice-activated recorder in my robe pocket, steeled myself for the inevitable confrontation awaiting me and opened the door to his bedroom.

In the forty minutes that followed, I was called hateful names that no mother should hear, I dodged blocks hurled at me and I tried desperately to coral him into bed. In all of the bedlam, I completely forgot about the recorder in my pocket until I took my robe off to finally get into my own bed.

“Let’s hear if it caught any of that,” I said to my husband, hitting the Play button. I was not prepared for what I heard.

The recorder had captured my son’s wrath. It had also captured my own.

Oh, I didn’t call him names or heave insults at him. But the tone of my voice could have curdled milk. “Get over here,” I growled at him at one point, and “I’d be ashamed,” at another. The words I hissed at him through gritted teeth were filled with venom and—dare I say it?—hatred.

Some have said I had every reason to be angry and I agree. But I was the adult. It was my responsibility to control myself, even in the face of great difficulty. I also realized that my anger had turned into resentment and was spilling over on all who loved me.

After that experience, I changed my tune. When I was tempted to respond with sarcasm or bitterness, I quickly adjusted my attitude and reframed my comments as statements or questions. For example, when my husband said, “This casserole might be good with pork instead of chicken,” I checked the urge to say, “Great idea, genius! You can make it that way when you cook it.” Instead, I said, “That’s a good idea. I’ll try that.”

It wasn’t easy and I wasn’t always successful, but when I was able to build up instead of tearing down my relationships, they grew stronger and healthier. The environment at home became more of a safe haven and less of a combat zone. I’m still not the perfect wife and mother, but I have progressed by leaps and bounds, and the relationships with my husband, my sons and their loved ones reflect the progress that practice has produced.

Dear God, help me to practice kindness to all, especially those who are closest to me. Remind me that honesty does not require cruelty and that words can wound just as they can inspire. May I always partner with you, whether I am crafting a sentence or cooking a meal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 


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The Disciplined Life

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

I’m writing this before Christmas for you to read after Christmas. My mind is filled with all kinds of plans and emotions and memories. I envy children young enough to still be innocent and believe in the magic of Christmas! They are infectiously exciting to be around!

headache-reducedBut instead of bubbling with anticipation of Santa’s visit, I’m sitting here with a headache because I haven’t had breakfast yet. I can’t eat until after I have my blood drawn for a fasting blood test And I’m making my headache worse by worrying about whether or not my plans for all the holiday parties, gifts, and travel are going to work out. I’m letting my mind spend too much time on earthly things and that will get me into trouble.

It’s time for my quarterly check-up at my cardiologist. In my younger days, I took advantage of being healthy, not realizing I was carrying a time bomb in my body (a family history of heart disease). Just like the cliché says, “if I’d known I was going to live this long I would’ve taken better care of myself.” I have poor eating and exercise habits I’ve been practicing for 50 years that really have me in shackles now. Ever since my blood pressure went through the roof several years ago, it’s been an endless series of doctor’s visits, medical tests, new symptoms and prescription drugs.

I wonder why I bother going to doctors when it’s my poor lifestyle habits that are causing my health problems. I don’t need a doctor to tell me what I need to do because I already know. Maybe I’m hoping one of my doctors will say something that will motivate me to change? Not likely; I know it’s up to me to change and I need self-control.

It’s in Galatians 5:23 that Paul says that self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Most of the time, in most things, I have plenty of self-control and don’t have any problem doing the right thing. Paul goes on to say in verse 24, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” There you go: I haven’t crucified my flesh.

christmas-cookies - reducedI have a life-long habit of abusing food, and even if you don’t have an issue with food, maybe you can relate to my struggle with lack of self-discipline in another area. I belong to Christ but my flesh still desires too much harmful food and not enough exercise. It seems to me that I have failed to take that next step and surrender all my fleshly desires; specifically I’m holding on to foods that comfort me and help me tolerate stressful and anxious times.

When I pray earnestly for the self-control and discipline to stop overeating and start intentionally moving every day, it works. When I pray like that, the Holy Spirit kicks in and I start feeling better and start losing weight. When I focus my mind and make the commitment to accept the power that Jesus provides through the Holy Spirit, I have the discipline to eat less and move more. But so far, it’s not been permanent.

My sinful nature is still inside me and just waiting for me to slip up. In over 45 years of trying (and 40 of those as a Christ-follower) I have not been able to put together more than 3 to 4 consecutive years of healthy eating and exercising.

All it takes is a short interruption in my routine. Like right now, the place I normally exercise is closed for the holidays. That’s just enough excuse for me to quit. And it happens every year at this time. Even when I plan ahead and purchase a short-term membership at another facility, I don’t easily transition to the new place without a lot of anxiety first.

chocolate cake-Christmas - reducedAnd this time of year when everyone is baking special treats, sharing meals and celebrating with food, I’m really stretching my self-control to its limit. When I don’t have the structured routine of going to my job every week day for work, I’m in danger of following my fleshly desires to lie on the couch, watch TV and snack on potato chips.

I read in 2 Peter 1:3 that “God has given us everything we need for living a godly life” so we can “escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:4) I know as long as I stay aware that Jesus is the Lord of my life, I am headed in the right direction. Someday the disciplined life I want to live may get easier, but today it’s really a hard struggle, and I have to lean heavily on my Lord Jesus to keep from completely giving in to my human desires.


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I’ll Take the Gain without the Pain, Please

phone-1052022 copyI’ve recently had cataract surgery on both eyes. Because I’ve worn glasses since the seventh grade, my excitement was running high over the possibility that I would never have to wear them again. Even though my ophthalmologist cautioned prior to the surgeries that it could take several months for the eyes to adjust to their new lenses, I really expected that it would happen sooner rather than later.

For years I’d heard people talk about having cataracts. My husband had already had cataracts removed from both his eyes. I didn’t fully understand what that meant, though, until I experienced it myself.

Good sight is dependent on the lenses of our eyes remaining clear so that the light can enter and focus just as God intended. However, as our eyes age the lenses can become cloudy. It usually happens slowly, and we may not even realize our vision has changed or is not as sharp as it used to be.

I am simply in awe of the intricacies of the human body and especially the eyes. I’m also amazed God has given us the ability to learn about those intricacies and has even permitted us to join him in the healing process.

Cataract surgery allows the doctor to remove our old cloudy lenses and replace them with clear artificial ones. Unfortunately, my doctor was right. It does take time for the eyes to heal and begin working together again with the new lenses in place.

I’ve become rather impatient that the process isn’t working at the speed I envisioned. Not only is my closeup reading vision still slightly out of focus, but if you see me about town you’ll probably find me wearing sunglasses—sometimes even inside. That’s because the new lenses allow much more sunlight to enter my eyes than I can often comfortably endure.

Just as God designed our eyes to see the light of the physical world, so He intended that the eyes of our souls let in the perfect light of His Word. However, over the years our spiritual sight can become darkened. You might say we develop cataracts in the eyes of our souls. Sin darkens our spiritual vision in tiny increments and so gradually that we may not even realize we’re no longer seeing clearly.

Jesus, the Great Physician, wants to clear the lenses of my soul’s eyes. But He won’t do surgery without my permission. I have to want my vision cleared so that I can see the truth He has set plainly in front of me.

I must be patient with the process, though. Just as with my physical eyes, I want my spiritual healing to be amazing and instantaneous, and I don’t want any pain associated with it. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. As Rick Warren of Saddleback Church has said, “The truth will set you free, but first it may make you miserable!”

The problem is we don’t like to be uncomfortable, and when we are, we want to fix the situation immediately. Just as I wanted my doctor to fix my cataracts without discomfort and without waiting, I also want the Great Physician to simply heal my soul immediately and without any pain.

However, that’s usually not the way God chooses to work. When we truly know and understand God and what He wants for our lives, it’s not at all surprising that He takes his time to develop our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. He knows how quickly we forget. I think He often chooses to show us in the physical realm what he wants us to learn in the spiritual realm.

It takes time to learn to trust our physicians. As we see their knowledge, skill, and compassion bring us healing, we trust them more and more. The same is true in our relationship with God.

God doesn’t have to take time to heal us. He can do that instantly. It is for our benefit that He takes His time as we see in Ephesians 3:17: “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” It takes time for us to learn to trust God, and it may not be without pain, but where else can we go for healing?


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The Gift of a Child

“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)

 

My oldest daughter just had a birthday. She is now 11 years old. Baby girl, turn young woman over night.  She loves Christmas. It’s appropriate since her name in Hebrew means Christmas tree. She was an unexpected, unplanned surprise for her daddy and me. We were young, ill-equipped and unmarried. But we had love.

Natalie was not planned by her parents but she was carefully knit together by a Master Craftsman. He intended her to be just as she is. We delight and marvel at what a precious young woman she is blossoming into.

Whenever my children’s birthdays come around, I always get a little melancholy, reminiscing of their milestones, their challenges, memories of dance recitals and their first time riding a bike. I think of how much joy and delight I have in them, how precious their lives are to me, and how much God has blessed me to be the one that they are entrusted to.

Then I think: our God loves us like that too, but even more so. “As a mother comforts her child so I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13)  As grand as my love is for my children, even on my “best mommy” day, my love does not compare to God’s.

And even if you are not a mother, you still love and, therefore, understand the grand-scale love I am talking about. It’s a kind of love worth fighting for, a love that requires sacrifice and attention. Yet, this love still falls short of the tremendous, wondrous, extraordinary, exalted, magnified love of our Abba, Father God!

I know without hesitation that my greatest earthly blessings are my children and husband. I know what a gift each child’s life is. I have learned more about God’s love for me through the tough lessons of motherhood. All the while, I know I am not doing this alone but with a Creator who knows my innermost thoughts because He crafted me carefully as well.

I find it absolutely perfect when I think about how God’s love story for all of His creation unfolds. What does God choose to do to win back his people? The solution was lying in a manger. “A child born to us.” (Isaiah 9:6) A child! The greatest example of pure love was given to us by our God. He gave us His own child, a son, so that we may have life.

As a mother, I have given life. I continue to give my life, but I cannot comprehend giving my child’s life. That is how we know God’s love. He found us worthy of such a sacrifice. “And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Sarah

Sarah Apa


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5 Tips for a Season of Peace

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

The fact that Thanksgiving comes during the month preceding our celebration of the birth of Christ reminds me of the importance of our gratitude for our Savior. Often, we focus our attention on what we want from our Lord, and then we approach Him with a laundry list of wants and needs, perhaps only afterwards remembering to thank God for being who He is.

We are instructed to model our prayers after the one that Jesus gave us, the one we call The Lord’s Prayer. In it, the first thing Jesus says is “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” If our Savior praises our Father first, so should we.

During this month, there are many reasons to be in conflict: over-commitment, financial over-extension, unfulfilled expectations, confusion, traffic jams…the list goes on.

Here are a few ways to ease the stress of the season so we can be called to peace.

  1. Just say no. Try not to schedule more than one event per day. However, when you must, try to also schedule time for a nap or at least to put up your feet.
  2. Pay by cash, check or debit card rather than credit card. This will help keep spending to a reasonable level. Be sure to put aside God’s portion before starting to shop. This will help prevent using His portion to finance overspending.
  3. Give without expectation of receiving. What you choose to give you will not resent if kept within reasonable limits and if given freely. It can, however, be uncomfortable for the receiver who is taken by surprise. It is perfectly acceptable to say to the receiver, “Let’s make a time for me to drop by. I have a little something I want you to have. It reminded me of you the moment I saw it.”
  4. Make room for your quiet time with the Lord. This is always important and never more so than at this time of year.
  5. Take time to plan. List and order your responsibilities for the day. Lay out a route in your mind using back streets where possible. This will help avoid excessive traffic and frenzied drivers.

Let us remember to praise God first and foremost, offering our hearts and allegiance to the One who is love and His Son who is love personified. If we approach our world as we do our God, we will ultimately live in peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Dear God, We love you so much and thank you for always inviting us to your throne. We praise you for the seasons of celebration at this time of year. Help us to keep things in perspective and to keep our priorities in order. Let us keep our eyes on you so that we may resist the many temptations of the enemy. Bless us with the peace that passes understanding and we will give you the glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.


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A Teenager in the House

I was convinced I knew it all when I was 13 years old. I ignored my parents and my high school counselor and graduated early, in November of my senior year when I was just 15 years old. I turned 16 that December and started college in January. Looking back, I regret missing all the traditional high school senior activities my former classmates enjoyed. But at that time all I could think about was gaining my independence and being on my own.

RamonaPost4Pic1I was sick and tired of my parents controlling my life. It seemed like I’d been having one long argument with my father as long as I could remember. I thought the only way to get out from under the tyrannical oppression was to hurry up, get a college degree, and start earning my own money.

So why is it so difficult for me to understand my teenage son’s attitude? My only child turned 18 four months ago. And he quickly let us know that he was now an adult and he wanted full control of his life. No, I thought, he’s still my child. I haven’t taught him everything he needs to know yet.

I don’t mean to control him but I do have a few years more life experience that he can learn from. How can he expect me to keep my mouth shut when I see him making a poor choice? It’s so hard for me to wait for him to ask me for help when I think I know exactly what action he should take. And who knows better than me what is in his best interest?

On the other hand, hadn’t I declared my own independence as a teen? I fought with my parents to be able to follow my own will. But now that I’m nearly 57 years old, I know that if humans are left alone to do whatever seems “right in their own eyes,” they end up making poor choices (see the book of Judges). Like King David we are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5).   We all need training and discipline to drive out the foolishness we’re born with (Proverbs 22:15).

As tempting as it was for me to think that loving my child might be letting him make his own choices, I knew that he couldn’t know what was good for his body, his mind, or his soul for quite some time. According to Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang in Welcome to Your Child’s Brain, the human brain is not fully developed until one’s early 20s. The parts of the brain responsible for controlling impulses and planning ahead are among the last to mature.

RamonaPost4Pic2Still, if I really take time to stop and study it, my son reminds me of myself a lot. We look alike and we both are strong-willed. But in the heat of the moment I don’t seem to be able to find any empathy. Afterwards, when I’m calm, I can re-play the situation and identify with my son even though he insists I have no idea what life is like for him. But in the middle of our conversations when I’m angry and worried about him, I can easily forget how sensitive and intelligent my child is. And I forget how fragile all relationships are and how harsh words can shatter our connection.

My mother would often smile and comment that my son was behaving like I used to behave. I was too blind or arrogant to see the similarities my mother could see. I thought she couldn’t possibly know anything about what it was like to have a kid with a temperament that was difficult to parent.

I looked to books like Dobson’s The Strong-Willed Child or Townsend’s Boundaries with Teens. I still couldn’t control my anger and never seemed to have enough energy to stay calm when my son kept disobeying me—especially when he tried to talk me out of believing that I have any authority.

When he was young, all it took was a mention of the 5th commandment about honoring your father and mother. But the older he got, the longer his arguments became.  He just will not give up!

RamonaPost4Pic3So, the reality is that my son is 18 years old, and he’s registered in the Selective Service System with over 16 million other men potentially subject to being drafted into the United States military. He is an adult with adult responsibilities whether I like it or not.

Over the past couple of months, we have written up an agreement that outlines the behaviors we will follow as a household of three adults. We’re not sure this is the best way to handle things, but we are prayerfully taking one step at a time.


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Idols of the Heart

Elizabeth and Melanie

Elizabeth and Melanie

Gripped with anxiety and fear, I clung to my eleven-year-old daughter’s hand, as she escorted me into our church for a “Beautiful” mother/daughter night sponsored by our women’s ministry. Because my friend was the event coordinator, I had offered to do whatever she needed in my Tennessee volunteer spirit. And what Satan meant for evil, the Lord ordained for good.

The need was for a model in my age bracket (yikes—middle 40’s!) for the Clinique representative to demonstrate a skincare regimen. Willingly, even eagerly, I agreed, only to discover fifteen minutes prior to the event that I was to arrive naked faced.

How on earth could I face one of my greatest fears—being literally unmasked—on a stage in front of 150 beautiful ladies? The fleshly desire was to bail on my commitment, but the Lord’s whispers of His Truth thundered over Satan’s lies.

The Lie: my physical beauty is not enough.

The Truth: the beauty that matters most to God is my inner spirit.

Rachel and Melanie

Rachel and Melanie

1 Peter 3:3-5 tells us, Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

As the mother of two daughters (18 and 11 years old), I have continually poured into them the Word of God about their identity in Christ. However, I had somehow missed that Truth for myself.

The Truth:

I am His. Psalm 119:94
I am chosen. (John 15:16)
I am loved. (Romans 5:8)
I am worthy. (Ephesians 4:1)
I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16).
I am righteous. (Romans 10:4)
I am flawless. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
I am beautiful. (1 Samuel 16:7)
I am redeemed and forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7)

All of these promises of Christ’s identity in me are true because of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross for my sin. The God of the universe ordained that “Beautiful” night of opportunity to teach, refine, and lovingly reveal an idol in my life.

Matthew 10:26-27 (NIV) tells us, There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. I am bound in shackles of darkness no longer because of the Lord’s revelation.

When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). When we love the Lord and others with everything that is in us, there will be no room in our hearts for idolatry.

We each were made to love and worship God, but the most pressing question is, Who or what do we actually worship? We each have modern day idolatry in our lives. What do we do about our idols? How can we discern our idols? How can we be free from our idols?

Mark Driscoll provides a list of questions to help discern idols of the heart (taken from his June 18, 2006, sermon notes):

What are you most afraid of?
What do you long for most passionately?
Where do you run for comfort?
What do you complain about most?
What angers you the most?
All of your anger is about you.
What makes you happiest?
How do you explain yourself to other people?
How we explain ourselves may indicate our identity.
See, idolatry is building your life on anyone or anything other than Jesus….
What has caused you to be angry at God?
What do you want to have more than anything else?
What do you make the biggest sacrifices for?
Whose approval are you seeking?
     Is it Jesus?
And what do you treasure the most?

Elizabeth & Melanie

Elizabeth & Melanie

These questions are not for the faint of heart. They require authentic and transparent answers where heart surgery is often necessary. Humbly submit yourself to our heavenly Father who is absolutely crazy nuts in love with you! If you are ready and willing, the power of the Holy Spirit will guide you to the Truth.

As Christ followers and lovers of the Lord, our walk (heart/mind) will define who or what we truly worship. Daughters of the King, the whole wide world is watching… .

 


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Does God Really Want to Give Me What My Heart Desires?

Be delighted with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 (TLB)

When I was growing up, my three sisters used to tell me that because I was the baby of the family, I usually got what I wanted when I asked our parents for something, especially Daddy. So whenever they wanted something and were afraid Daddy would say no, they would send me to ask him.

Now, I don’t really remember that to be true, but I do remember that it was comforting to hear it. That made me feel special—to think that Daddy might have a hard time saying no to me. I believe my heavenly Daddy—Papa, as I like to think of Him (not only because I love William P. Young’s book The Shack but also because that’s what we called my sweet maternal grandfather)—loves me even more than Daddy did and doesn’t want to say no to my requests.

Unfortunately, I seldom felt that Daddy paid much attention to me, well, unless I did something he felt a need to punish me for. Oh, he was a good provider for his family, but I think I was a bit afraid of him. It seemed he had more important things to do than listen to me whining about something I wanted.

I’m afraid that has carried over into my relationship with Papa. I suppose I’ve always been a little afraid of Him, too. I’ve had a hard time believing that He loves me personally enough to listen attentively to what I say to Him, much less that He wants to give me “the desires of [my] heart.”

bread-789833I take a great deal of comfort in Matthew 7:9-11 (MSG): “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”

I love that: “Don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?” Do we truly believe God wants only good for us, or do we see Him through the lenses of our earthly parents who were anything but perfect?

We are definitely limited by our history, by how we viewed our parents and how they interacted with us. At some point in our lives we need to own the fact that, although our earthly parents are in some ways like Papa, their love for us is only a poor reflection of the perfect love Papa will always have for us. Papa is love (1 John 4:8)…pure, unadulterated love that we can only begin to understand and reflect to others in this life.

The best I know to do is to trust Jesus to continually intercede for me at Papa’s right hand (Romans 8:34). He knows what I’m going through because He’s been through all the same emotions, temptations, frustrations, and needs. Papa now knows exactly what it feels like to be human. I like to think He has even more compassion for us since Jesus became one of us.

Now I am delighted to go to Him with my requests because my heart truly believes He loves me. I understand that He wants to give me the desires of my heart because—only through his power—my heart is becoming more like His heart every day.