GUEST POST: This Terrible Duty

Sometimes living every day with Jesus means doing the hard things. Christ did them, and He expects us to do them. But He doesn't ask us to do them in our own strength. Instead He empowers us with his Holy Spirit.

One of the things I do to live every day with Jesus is to pray each morning, and read my Bible and a devotional book like Streams in the Desert or A Year With C.S. Lewis. These things edify my spirit and help me to have a more Godly attitude as I interact with others. Without this morning anchoring of my soul to the eternal God, my ability to show kindness and the love of Christ is greatly diminished.

Praying in the spirit with groanings which cannot be uttered, infuses my being with fresh, holy energy. Reading the quick and powerful words of God, lobs off the excess weights of bitterness or agitation that try to choke my psyche. And once my spirit is engergized and free of cloudy, carnal thinking I can drink wise words of wisdom from such spiritual giants as C.S. Lewis.

I wanted to share C.S. Lewis' thoughts on forgiveness with you today because it is an area that I often have to revisit and refocus on. So below is his post humorous post as it were.  I hope you enjoy it, and take something away from it that will help you live everyday with Jesus with joy.

THIS TERRIBLE DUTY by C.S. Lewis
[One of the most unpopular of the Christian virtues] is laid down in the Christian rule, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' Because in Christian morals 'thy neighbor' includes 'thy enemy', and so we come up against this terrible duty of forgiving our enemies.

Every one says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive, as we had during the war. And then, to mention the subject at all is to be greeted with howls of anger. It is not that people think this too high and difficult a virtue: it is that they think it hateful and contemptible. "That sort of talk makes them sick', they say. And half of you already want to ask me, "I wonder how you'd feel about forgiving the Gestapo if you were a Pole or a Jew?'

So do I. I wonder very much. Just as when Christianity tells me that I must not deny my relgion even to save myself from death by torture, I wonder very much what I should do when it came to the point. I am not trying to tell you in this book what I could do - I can do precious little - I am telling you what Christianity is. I did not invent it. And there, right in the middle of it, I find 'Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that sin against us.' there is no slightest suggestion that we are offered forgiveness on any other terms.

-From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Modesty

I have always believed in the power of modest dress. God honors it and designed it as such because He understands our flesh nature. Plus it is sign of submission and humility before God. My heart grieves every time I see a pre-teen girl wearing sexually alluring clothes. I don't think they realize that they are losing their purity little by little by dressing this way.

I was appalled last year when I noticed one of my grandaughter's video games had little virtual models who wearing extremely risque clothes and singing and girrating in a definately sexual manner. My grandauther was 12 at the time - TWELVE! But video games aren't the only avenue that young women today are quietly being seduced. It's in the toys, the comic books, the Saturday morning t.v. shows. And even once wholesome Miley Cyrus has 'grown up' supposedly and is now modeling what I consider to be a very unwholesome image.

One of my Facebook friends posted this video recently that sums up very well my opinion on this topic. I know this post is very different from what I normally write about but I feel so passionate about it that I just had to share it.

Besides, taking a stand on important issues is also a very important part of living every day with Jesus.

P.S. I came across this very cool BLOG that I may put as one of my favorites after I can check it out more. But for now, see what you think. It's written by a Dannah Gresh, a mom who cares alot about the dressing down of our young women.

MONDAY MUSING: Soul Awareness

It's another Monday Morning dear reader, and if you are like me, another work week awaits.

But before we jump full force into all the demands and expectations that our respective professions require, let us pause for a moment and think about the many souls that we interact with today.

Yes, these souls are wrapped in all kinds of uncomely packages.

 From the cubicle mate who constantly sucks on her teeth with a loud, grating sound, to the too cheery, and way too chatty woman who seems to always plant herself in your office seeking your undivided attention, and saying nothing of any real consequence or importance.

And yet, the Lord Jesus has seen fit to place them in your path, in your company or on your customer list. Why? Perhaps He trusted you enough to see past their outer wrappings.

Or perhaps He felt that whatever irritations these individuals might cause you today will force you to become aware of your own judgemental attitudes or shortcomings.

Whatever Christ's reasons are for having you in your present situation, one thing is for sure He's specifically chosen it and He's watching to see how you will handle it.

May we all learn to see past the facade of those around us and seek to love their souls as Jesus Christ would expect us to do.

" Man looketh on the outside, but God looks on the heart"

Who Is Saved?

My friend Susan* and I were chatting the other day about a boy we know named Seth* who has been on several mission trips to Haiti, Guatemala and South Africa. Seth is only 22 years old, and has not only served as a worker on these trips, but also recently headed up a project to take a group of high schoolers from his CCD class, back to Haiti to experience for themselves what it’s like to serve in a 3rd world country.


“I’ll be glad when Seth is saved.” My friend said.

Her statement startled me. Let me explain why:

My friend and I both believe the Apostolic doctrine clearly spelled out in the book of Acts which says to repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues. (Acts 2) However, Susan clearly saw Seth as a poor misguided, doomed to hell soul that needed redemption. I on the other hand saw Seth as a passionate disciple of Christ who simply had not come to an understanding of the fullness of the truth yet.

Susan’s attitude really bothered me. Who’s right? This is an answer I’ve been contemplating a lot lately. What do you think? Based on the scripture below, the people that Paul spoke to were already disciples, ie believers.

So my question to you today is based on the scripture and the dilemma I presented, whose approach is more Christlike? (I’m not looking to prove anything. I just would honestly like some feedback.)

“ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,


He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.


And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.


Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.


When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.


And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6)

*Not real names

In Daddy's Arms

This is a picture of my son-in-law holding my granddaughter as they go down the slide into our pool. As you can see, Mikensey my granddaughter is quite scared, but willing to face what to her must have been sheer terror because her daddy was holding her safely in his arms.


Mikensey’s daddy is her hero. She follows him all around the house. And if she’s been away on a sleepover at one of her grandparent’s house, it is her daddy’s arms she runs excitedly to, not her mommy’s – much to my daughter’s dismay.

Mikensey’s actions are understandable because she obviously feels totally at peace when her daddy’s around. Her little heart relaxes just because she knows he’s nearby and, if anything happened, he’d be there to take care of it.

I think the Lord Jesus wants us to feel about Him the way Mikensey feels about her daddy. What dreadful unknown awaits you today? Are you anxious and fretting over circumstances that feel like your flying off the pool slide about to plunge into the deep?

Then relax and lean against your Heavenly Father’s chest – just like Mikensey did and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ has His arms wrapped around you tightly and will never let you go – no matter how deep the water is!

“Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,…” (Mark 9:36)

WEDNESDAY WEIGH-IN: Loving Jesus

Wow, it’s been 5 weeks since I posted about my Wednesday Weigh-In. That’s because quite honestly, I quit weighing myself for awhile because I was off track. I was off track and couldn’t bring myself to face the scale. But I kept praying and trying and reaching for tools that have helped me in the past like Beth Moore’s book called Praying God’s Word.

Each Praying God’s Word chapter is filled with scripture prayers that address specific areas of human weakness such as pride, unforgiveness, sexual sins, and food related strongholds. Whenever I feel weak, or like I can’t pray, I pull out my well worn copy of Praying God’s Word and immerse myself in the Biblical truths. And when I am done, I always feel better (cleaner). And more ready to face my struggles.

The Bible verifies the liberating power of meditating on the word of God: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” (Psalm 119: 9)

And Jesus himself testified of the cleansing power of spoken word: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”(John 15:3)

The word is meant to cleanse. It’s intended to scrub our minds and spirits of the filth of the flesh. So why do I still fall short so many times? Because I am flesh, because I am as the word says, ‘but dust’(Psalm 103:14).

And yet, Jesus Christ still reaches for me – and you. Even in our failings, mine with my weight and yours with whatever trips you up. Jesus keeps reaching because He loves us, and wants what is best for us. And because He loves us so much, we ought to keep trying. At least that is what I’ve determined to do – not because I necessarily believe I can really lose all 200 pounds that I need to lose, but because I love Jesus, and it pleases Him that I make the effort.

So for today, my way of living every day with Jesus is to share these thoughts with you, and post a few current pictures so you can see what I’m dealing with.  But mostly it's so I can stay accountable to you my faithful reader, to myself and to my Lord.

FLAT BALLOONS

I’ve had family in all week from Tennessee which means my normal devotional routines are off.

I normally get up at 5am, but so does my sister-in-law. This means I’m spending the first hour of my morning with her, instead of with Jesus.

Although, I’ve enjoyed the time with my sister-in-law; I can’t help but feel that Jesus is sitting in the next room waiting for me. There is a song by Larnell Harris that says, “I miss my time with you, those moments together…” which sums it up exactly what I mean.

 I wonder how often we miss our quiet time with the Lord because the demands of life creep up on us. Maybe we hit the snooze too many times, or perhaps we jumped on our Facebook first thing in the morning instead of opening our Bible. I know I am struggling with all of this today, and can feel the lack of buoyancy in my spirit.

Prayer fills up my soul like helium fills a balloon. And when I’m not praying my ‘balloon' as it were goes flat.’

Oh God, help all of us to always seek you first no matter our circumstances!

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

SIN'S CONFUSION

My heart is heavy this morning with the confusion and deception that sin causes.

I spent most of my weekend with people who want to live so contrary to the word of God, and yet say that God approves.

It’s kinda scary really. They have somehow mixed up their own version of right and wrong with God’s version and come up with a new and convoluted mantra for their life.

 I’ll share just one example:

An aquaintance recently separated from their spouse of 20 years, stepped down from church leadership, and started bar hopping to find a new partner. She found someone, who is still married and cheating on their spouse ,and now the two of them are playing house.

This person said to me, “Well, now that I have this new person in my life, I will of course introduce them to church because that is what God would want me to do.”

Of course, God wants all people to come to Him. But my heart was filled with sadness as I realized this individual saw nothing scripturally wrong with what they were doing.

Now, I am far from perfect, and very well aware of the scripture that says, “let he that is without sin cast the first stone” but it really saddens me that in today’s world black is not always black, and white is not always white.

How sad when we try to make the scriptures conform to our lifestyles rather than the other way around.

So today, as we get ready to face another week let's remember that a vital part of living every day with Jesus is to hold fast the ancient landmarks of the scriptures and let them be the roadmap for our life.

“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” –Proverbs 6:23

CONTENTMENT

Woke up with the word CONTENTMENT on my mind… I know it was from God because I spent a good chunk of time yesterday being discontent about my job. Not because the job itself is bad – I actually like it – but because I want to be in a job where I’m writing, or not have a structured job at all so I can be home writing and/or traveling etc.

But this morning, I realized (again – sometimes God has to reteach me life lessons until I get them solidly in my mind) that my job is really ideal for me. The variety, the different people I meet, the great relationship I have with my boss, the fact that when I come home at the end of the day I can forget about it. It is my nature to strive, and lately I have been working very hard on this – which is actually an oxymoron if you think about it, because working very hard is also a form of striving…

Oh, how God must shake his head at us humans. Today, I want to spend more time thanking God for His many provisions and spend a lot less time grumbling about the circumstances of my life that unsettle me.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

(I Thessalonians 5:17)

Christ's Ears Alone

"My praying friend, continue to make known your desires to God in all things. It is when we can speak with one another about anything and everything that conversation really affords us freedom and relief. Let Him decide whether you are to recieve what you ask for or not." -O. Hallesby

This quote really speaks to me this morning. It's been a challenging week for me as God has allowed me to be in situations that I can see He's chosen to use to chisel away at some of the hard places in my heart.

God has been dealing with me heavily about pouring out my grievances to HIM ALONE to allow HIM TO DECIDE what's best in my situations. I challenge you to try it - even for a week. It's much harder than you can imagine. Everytime you get bumped, or jostled in your spirit, instead of calling your mother,or your best friend, or your spouse... TAKE IT ALL TO JESUS AND NO ONE ELSE.... and then wait for HIS ANSWER or admonition.

I'm not there yet, but I have been trying to do this more and it's amazing the depth of emotion I'm able to release in prayer. And it is equally amazing how much the Holy Spirit speaks to me about the attitudes in my own heart that need to be adjusted.

How do you handle the injustices in life that come your way? Is your first response to you fall on your knees in prayer, or to call some frail human to talk to about it?   This struggle within ourselves, is part of our humanity and part of living every day with Jesus.

"Let your requests be made known unto God..." Philippians 4:6

The Great Inventor

“ He is the inventor, we are only the machine. He is the painter, we are only the picture” – C.S. Lewis


Oh how true this quote is and yet how often we get to thinking we are self-made. Often, I get in my mind what I want to make of myself.

 In my 20’s, I wanted to be a successful college graduate, but those plans fell by the way side when I met and married my husband. Then in my 30’s, I was going to be a successful executive recruiter. I realized that dream for awhile, but ultimately decided it wasn’t for me. Now, in my forties, I want to write to make a difference in others. Will this desire also pass off the scene? I do not know. But one thing I do know, my joy is fuller and my sense of self is greater when I make every effort to key into what Jesus created me to be.

And what is that?

It will take a lifetime for me to fully discover it, but one thing I do know, Jesus is all about souls. So I try to very hard to make everything I do about souls too. Loving them, extending friendship, sharing Biblical truths.

All of my goals now, are first put through the filter of Christ’s great commission to ‘go ye therefore and teach all nations'. I believe if what I set out to do in life compliments God’s great agenda, then I am at least fulfilling part of what the Great Inventor planned for me.


"...Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Matthew 6:33)

THE FALLEN

News Commentators are saying that Mel Gibson’s career is over because he was caught on tape making a lot of derogatory comments to his girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. The media is really bashing Gibson and seemingly having a field day with Gibson’s fall from public favor.


You may remember that in addition to being a gifted actor, Gibson also directed, and partially funded the film The Passion of the Christ which rocked both the secular and Christian worlds for the cause of Christ.

Non-Christians who went to see The Passion of the Christ were said to have made life changing decisions after seeing it. Many Christians felt validated that an actor with Gibson’s influence would ‘lay it all on the line’ for Christ and produce such a Hollywood caliber film to the glory of God.

Gibson made us proud – proud to be Christians; Proud to have Christ’s message proclaimed for all to see.

And now he’s fallen in disgrace.

Those who stood by him may feel ashamed – yet another high profile Christian bites the dust. But many believers and  non-believers alike seem to be jumping at the chance to say ‘see I told you so! He’s not the real deal. He never was and never will be…’

My heart aches for Mel Gibson this morning and for all the other men and women who have done magnificent works for the kingdom of God only to have lost out in the end. Two scriptures come to mind which I don’t have the time to expound on at the moment:

“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (I Corinthians 9:26-27)

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

Obeying the scripture, even when our opinion may be otherwise, is also part of living every day with Jesus.

Agree or disagree with this post? Tell me why...

You

Good Morning My Sweet Readers! I have been thinking of you alot and praying for you. :-)

Sometimes, I go to my Statcounter link to see what geographical areas those who visit my blog are coming from. I get excited and praise God when I discover that some of you are from Switzerland and Ghana and other far off places. Oh how wonderful our Lord Jesus is to knit us together across the oceans!

I also spend time each morning praying for you! Sometimes it's a generic, 'God bless those who read my blog and impart your truth to them today.' But sometimes it's much more specific - especially if you've left a comment or been a return visitor. Then I thank God profusely for your choosing to visit my blog and I ask God for many wonderful things for you, or I intercede for a need of yours that He might lay on my heart.

That is the most wonderful part about living every day with Jesus. When we are truly keyed into the body of Christ, albiet in our local church or across the internet waves, He moves on us in prayer - and often with 'groanings which cannot be uttered' which then skip across the continents to meet the specific needs of each individual prayed for.

So today, as I'm drinking the last drop of my morning coffee and getting ready to rush out the door for work (I rush often don't I? LOL) I am thanking God immensely that part of living every day with Jesus is enjoying the support and fellowship of wonderful people just like yourself!

I honestly and truly would like to get to know you better. Won't you leave a comment and extend a virtual hand of friendship to me????

Have a blessed and strengthened day. And may you too feel the joy of living every day with Jesus!

Deceptions

My back yard faces a beautifully groomed, park like cemetery. Because the headstones lay flat, and there are lots of trees, and little benches strategically placed, most people who come to sit by our pool, or to swim never realize that morbidity lies just beyond the fence.


Instead, they comment on the serene view and the fantastic get-away we have right in our own backyard.

But this morning, as I was cutting back the vines that grow on the fence between our yard and the cemetery, it occurred to me how incredibly deceptive it all is. The sun was cascading gently over the green, lush leaves of the cemetery trees. The birds were chirping. And there’s even a tulip patch with bright red and yellow blooms that was planted no doubt to comfort those who come to visit their loved one’s graves.

Everything about the cemeteries surface speaks of life and energy. But it’s just a facade. The truth is there are hundreds of putrid, decaying, worm eaten bodies just below the surface.

The stark reality of it all is quite sobering, isn’t it?

Yet a similar deception goes on in a hundred different ways in our lives.

Consider the drug dealer who uses a beautiful woman to lure a young man to take his first hit. Or the casinos who offer glitz, glamour and a chance to escape life’s pressures to working men and woman to spend their paychecks. And pornography, which is poised like a cobra waiting to strike with one click of the mouse. These are just a few examples of seemingly beauty on the outside when all the while there is deterioration on the inside.

God help us to see the truth clearly and never be deceived. Sin comes in so many pretty packages, and seeks to trip us up. Help us Lord Jesus to recognize the lures for what they are. Empower us to refuse its temptation. Give us spiritual eyes to see below the surface. In Jesus name, Amen.

Choose

I used to think that joy was a feeling that came and went at its choosing. After all, which of us can control our feelings? The psychologist tells us there are no right or wrong feelings. Whatever we feel, is okay, they say. It’s what we choose to do with those feelings that make the difference.


For example, I can be angry because the guy next to me cut me off in traffic. The feeling of anger I cannot control (according the experts) but how I react I can control. In other words, I can choose to smile at my fellow driver even though he almost ran me off the road, or I can launch into flailing my arms and shouting obscenities. The choice is mine, they say.

For most of my Christian walk I believed this theory, and struggled often to rid myself of the tumultuous, unholy feelings that would arise within me: anger, rebellion, jealously etc. I’d pray often and hard, only to get bumped along life’s road and feel a twinge of the above mentioned feelings. Then I’d sink into despair assuming I was not the Christian woman I professed to be because these ungodly, unholy feelings obviously still abided within me. I’d pray until the negative feelings abated and go about my merry way until the next time.

But recently, I’ve realized that joy or acceptance or forgiveness seems to be much more about choosing and decisions than feelings. Let me explain:

I have a problem for quite sometime with “X”, a young woman who has damaged my whole family structure. Each time her name is mentioned, my insides twist and wrench in pain because of the confusion and division she’s caused. I’ve been praying about my negative feelings towards her and my struggle to forgive her without much relief from the hurt. I guess I kept waiting for God to miraculously lift my anger and resentment. But I’ve finally figured out it doesn’t work that way. At least for me it doesn’t.

So I decided to let go of my frustration with “X”. To forget about it, to treat her as I would any other person I’m trying to minister to. It was an intellectual decision. I know what is right. I know what the word of God says, so I simply chose to obey the word and trust that perhaps one day my feelings will follow.

There is a quote from the movie “First Night” with a very handsome older actor who’s name escapes me at the moment, Richard Gere(sp?) and an attractive younger woman. The younger woman is married to the king (the older actor) but has become increasingly more attracted to Richard Gere. When the king finds out about it, his wife acknowledges her feelings for Richard Gere, but says “It is my will that sets my course, not my feelings. And my will chooses you.”

That quote resonates with me, although it may not be the best analogy since I think she eventually does go with Gere – (if anyone knows please help me straighten out my facts).

But my point is our choosing does indeed set the course for our feelings. Perhaps that is why the scripture says “Choose you this day whom you will serve…” note, it does not say See how if you feel and see if you want to serve the Lord.

So on this Friday morning, as I’m trying to hurriedly finish because I have to go to work, I think it’s important to acknowledge that part of living every day with Jesus is living in the valley of decision where our feelings and responses are concerned. May you choose well today my friend.

Skittles

I teach a weekly women's Bible study. Last night, when we met I gave them a bag of Skittles and asked them to count out 24 of them.

Then I told them that each Skittle represented one hour of their day. Next, I instructed them to group their Skittle according to how they spend their day.

It was interesting, fun and quite revealing.

Most of the women had extra hours they could not account for.  Yet out of a group of eight, not one of them alloted even one Skittle to time spent in prayer, Bible reading, or devotion to God. Naturally, I pointed this out and then told them the following story:

When my husband, Buddy was about 12 years old, he had a job delivering newspapers. He had to get up at 4am to do his newspaper route before school. When payday came, he gave most of his earnings to his parents who were struggling to make ends meet. But Buddy kept back a small amount for himself and one week he chose to buy his little brother David some M&M's. David was thrilled and ripped the package open right away and started munching. Buddy asked David for one of the M &M's and little David's response was "No! These are mine!"

My students got the point of the story immediately.

Just as Buddy had given David the whole package and only asked for a small portion back, if we're not careful, we do the same thing with God. He gives us the gift of 24 hours of life each day, and often we refuse to give God even an hour of the 24.

Part of living every day with Jesus is recognizing our responsibility in maintaining the relationship.

Let's do our best to share our time with God, afterall, it all belongs to Him anyway!

In Christ Alone

Sometimes, living every day with Jesus means to maintain your focus on Him alone.

Life's circumstances and pressures often come at us like so many waves in a storm.

 We may feel like the Tidy Bowl Man trying to navigate the immenseness of it all.

But, rest assured my fellow believer, even when were drenching wet and utterly depleted from bailing water, Christ is with us.

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full...And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? ...And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:37-39)

Doing The Hard Things

"See that you do not use the trick of prayer to cover up what you know you ought to do." -Oswald Chambers

Oh, how well Mr. Chambers understood how we can sometimes use prayer to ease our conscious, when really we need to just get over the grudge we are holding, or get up off the couch and serve our neighbor in love.

I struggle with this myself sometimes.

 It seems it's easier to boo-hoo to God about feeling overwhelmed because the house needs cleaning and the grocery shopping hasn't been attended to yet, than it is to just press on and do what needs to be done.

My prayer today is:

Compassionate and understanding Lord Jesus, make me willing to do the hard things that arise in my life. And empower me to them with joy and thankfulness. In Your holy and powerful name. Amen