Showing posts with label Vlogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vlogs. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2015
Monday, June 16, 2014
I'm Fine - discovering the beauty of the gospel in my weakness....
I'm Fine.
If you were a fly on the wall of my home, I'm sure you would hear me repeat these two words often.
They're used in the typical "I'm really NOT fine - I'm still pretty upset" way after a disagreement.
They can also be translated: "I'm actually completely overwhelmed and I don't know how I'm going to get it all done before I run out of hours in the day!!!"
In fact, I can rarely think of a time when the words, "I'm fine" actually mean "I'm fine".
It's most dangerous when I use this phrase inaudibly. I say to myself (and ultimately to God), "I'm fine!"
I can totally handle this mothering thing.
I may not be the best wife, but I'm doing pretty good compared to the other marriages I see.
This spiritual walk thing? I've got this!
What I don't realize is that by deceiving myself about my "fine-ness," I'm actually limiting a display of God's power in my life.
Here's a perfect example from this week....
On Monday, a sweet friend of mine wrote me a message on Facebook to see if I would like her to bring a meal over for dinner sometime later in the week. Honestly, I was pretty surprised. Our church normally schedules meals for after babies arrive, and it seems "appropriate" to help a mom after she's just gone through the exhaustion of labor and delivery.
I never expected someone to offer a meal when I was still relatively "mobile"!
Can I be completely honest? My first thought was, "I'm fine." Sure we've eaten leftovers, frozen pizza, and PB&J for three out of our last four meals because I was so tired by 4pm, but I'm okay. She didn't need to go to the trouble of bringing us a meal. I wasn't completely desperate yet. I could handle it!
I made wiser choice, though, and told her "yes". And let me tell you, friends, it was amazing!
I didn't have to think about what my three hungry guys were going to eat.
I didn't have to spend an hour on my (swollen) feet in front of a hot stove.
We were able to sit down and enjoy some quality family time. Her hard work was a blessing to my family that night (and for a couple meals to follow!). I had to admit my weakness to receive her amazing gift!
What convicts me, is that I behave the same way so many times towards God. Sure, I'll admit defeat when it comes to my eternal destiny. I KNOW I can't ever come close to the perfection God requires for eternal life. I need Christ's sacrifice for my justification.
The problem comes when I start believing Satan's lies that I'm fine for the rest of this Christian walk. Sure, I may not be perfect, but I'm not completely desperate. I'm a fairly "good" person and I'm not a complete embarrassment morally to God's testimony. I'm fine.
In believing that lie, I'm robbing God of the opportunity to be glorified in my weakness! I'm claiming a shallow glory for myself. In my pride, I'm focusing on my limited strength instead of His complete lack of weakness.
The glorious truth of the gospel allows me to transparently admit my weaknesses and sin in order to point to His completed work for not only my justification, but sanctification and eventual glorification one day!
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Corinthians 12:9
Because of His grace, I can boldly say, "I'm NOT fine!" and that, my friends, is the beauty of the gospel!
If you were a fly on the wall of my home, I'm sure you would hear me repeat these two words often.
They're used in the typical "I'm really NOT fine - I'm still pretty upset" way after a disagreement.
They can also be translated: "I'm actually completely overwhelmed and I don't know how I'm going to get it all done before I run out of hours in the day!!!"
In fact, I can rarely think of a time when the words, "I'm fine" actually mean "I'm fine".
It's most dangerous when I use this phrase inaudibly. I say to myself (and ultimately to God), "I'm fine!"
I can totally handle this mothering thing.
I may not be the best wife, but I'm doing pretty good compared to the other marriages I see.
This spiritual walk thing? I've got this!
What I don't realize is that by deceiving myself about my "fine-ness," I'm actually limiting a display of God's power in my life.
Here's a perfect example from this week....
On Monday, a sweet friend of mine wrote me a message on Facebook to see if I would like her to bring a meal over for dinner sometime later in the week. Honestly, I was pretty surprised. Our church normally schedules meals for after babies arrive, and it seems "appropriate" to help a mom after she's just gone through the exhaustion of labor and delivery.
I never expected someone to offer a meal when I was still relatively "mobile"!
Can I be completely honest? My first thought was, "I'm fine." Sure we've eaten leftovers, frozen pizza, and PB&J for three out of our last four meals because I was so tired by 4pm, but I'm okay. She didn't need to go to the trouble of bringing us a meal. I wasn't completely desperate yet. I could handle it!
I made wiser choice, though, and told her "yes". And let me tell you, friends, it was amazing!
I didn't have to think about what my three hungry guys were going to eat.
I didn't have to spend an hour on my (swollen) feet in front of a hot stove.
We were able to sit down and enjoy some quality family time. Her hard work was a blessing to my family that night (and for a couple meals to follow!). I had to admit my weakness to receive her amazing gift!
What convicts me, is that I behave the same way so many times towards God. Sure, I'll admit defeat when it comes to my eternal destiny. I KNOW I can't ever come close to the perfection God requires for eternal life. I need Christ's sacrifice for my justification.
The problem comes when I start believing Satan's lies that I'm fine for the rest of this Christian walk. Sure, I may not be perfect, but I'm not completely desperate. I'm a fairly "good" person and I'm not a complete embarrassment morally to God's testimony. I'm fine.
In believing that lie, I'm robbing God of the opportunity to be glorified in my weakness! I'm claiming a shallow glory for myself. In my pride, I'm focusing on my limited strength instead of His complete lack of weakness.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Corinthians 12:9
Because of His grace, I can boldly say, "I'm NOT fine!" and that, my friends, is the beauty of the gospel!
Monday, November 18, 2013
Timing.....
I love it when I'm reading a familiar passage a new idea jumps out at me. It's such a reminder that God's Word is "living"!
The other night, I was reading Genesis 1. Most kids in Sunday School learn the days of Creation, but there was a phrase that I had never really noticed before. Verse 14 says,
We know about the sea and sky, the land animals and fish, the stars and the sun, but we overlook the fact that God created time!
I don't know about you, but I don't always live that way. I act as if I have a much better handle on the timing of my life's events. It's as if I think I know more about the seasons of life than the Creator himself.
His thoughts and ways are perfect! His timing is perfect - every. single. time, friends!
Obviously this is a lesson that I'm constantly learning. I recorded this video a couple years ago. I thought I'd share it again (mainly to remind myself!).
The other night, I was reading Genesis 1. Most kids in Sunday School learn the days of Creation, but there was a phrase that I had never really noticed before. Verse 14 says,
"And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.' "
I don't know about you, but I don't always live that way. I act as if I have a much better handle on the timing of my life's events. It's as if I think I know more about the seasons of life than the Creator himself.
His thoughts and ways are perfect! His timing is perfect - every. single. time, friends!
Obviously this is a lesson that I'm constantly learning. I recorded this video a couple years ago. I thought I'd share it again (mainly to remind myself!).
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday Feedback....
I LOVE CHOCOLATE......
What's YOUR favorite snack food????
I have a feeling, that your comments are going to give me the "munchies"!! =)
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Friday Feedback.....
Finally, a vlog!!! Enjoy......
(Very Simple) Friday Feedback Question:
What state (or country other than the U.S.) do you live in?
I think it will be SO fun to find out where all my readers live. Don't worry I won't show up on your doorstep (unless you invite me!!) I'm just curious!! =)
Have a great weekend!!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday Feedback....
Meet the Birthday Boy.....
I can't wait to hear some fun birthday party stories from you! Hope you have a great Friday!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday Feedback....
Happy Mother's Day (a couple days early)!!
Make sure to check back tomorrow for an exciting announcement!! =)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday Feedback....
Happy Friday!! Hope you enjoy the 1st weekly Friday Feedback Vlog!!
Don't miss any Friday Feedback Questions, subscribe to A Steady Rain here!
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