My job was to bring 24 small water bottles to Raney’s class for a party. I was afraid that if I bought them too far in advance- they would mysteriously disappear in the hands of the many and various children that come through my doors on any given day. My children love to provide water to the masses for some reason. So, I waited until the day of the party went to the store closest to my house and lo and behold- the shelves were bare!
There was water with raspberry, lemon and other flavors; there was water with electrolytes, added vitamins, and fluoride. There was boxed water with light sugar added for flavor and all other such nonsense. However, I could not find JUST WATER.
All of the sudden- a quote came to mind from earlier in the week. I had read it within my precepts class and the lesson God was teaching me reverberated in my head. This is the quote:
Who will honor God by treasuring His every word- especially over the words of human beings? O Beloved, woe to you if you have time for the writings of humans and not the writings of God. Kay Arthur (Isaiah Precepts- Lesson 4)
Maybe you don’t get distracted throughout your week by the creations of humans- whether it is music, written words or video- but I do. I was struck by the failure to find JUST WATER…and JUST JESUS not always being enough for me struck me. Sometimes I do my Bible study SO THAT I can read other stuff without guilt. Wow! So convicted…. The Bible is my speed bump to the rest of the road? How backwards is that?
Throughout the Bible we find references to thirst, hunger, and water in regards to the satisfaction found in Jesus/God/our relationship with Him. A profound example is when Jesus talks to the Woman at the Well (John 4). He doesn’t offer her anything except the Living Water-, which is Himself. It was enough for her…is it enough for me?
On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! John 7:37
Matthew Henry says this about John 7:37- “If any man desires to be truly and for ever happy, let him apply to Christ, and be ruled by him. This thirst means strong desires after spiritual blessings, which nothing else can satisfy.”
People who make the water products today add all these extra things to make the water more palatable- ‘easier to go down’ so to speak. I think many of us Christians and Churches today do the same thing. We worry that teachings of Jesus and God are not enough- we have to make them exciting- adding elements that may or may not enhance people’s understanding of Jesus.
I would challenge us to think about this over the next few days or weeks. Is Jesus enough? Why or why not?
Dwell on God’s word, sit and be still listening for Just Jesus- blocking all other ‘enhancers’ so that you are able to hear God’s voice without all the other distractions. There is peace to be found when we realize that all our satisfaction can truly be found in JUST JESUS, we only have to reach for Him.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Not a Sermon, just a itty bitty Thought
Parker has his first EVER basketball practice today. We are making our rounds through the sports- we have tried soccer, baseball and lacrosse. So far, soccer and lacrosse are the winners, but he is really excited about playing basketball.
We went last night to buy basketball shoes. Parker was immediately drawn to the most expensive. I told him he could try all of them on- but just because it was expensive didn't mean it was the best. I could tell he didn't believe me.
He cracked me up. He would put on the shoes and do this little 'run, jump stop, run' routine. After the 6th shoe, I asked him what he was doing. He informed me that he was waiting to see which one squeaked like real basketball players.
So funny! He wanted the most expensive shoes, and he wanted them to squeak like 'real' basketball players and yet, Parker had never even been to a basketball practice!
I told him that the 'squeaking' would come with a real basketball floor, and also after he had actually learned some drills. He then reluctantly admitted that the shoes on sale were the most comfortable. Life lessons.
Isn't that often what we do in our Christian walk, journey, experience? So often, we look to those with more experience walking closely with the Lord and we try to imitate them. But, without actually 'practicing' the activities that draw us closer to being a more mature Christian. We talk the talk- but fail to walk the walk.
We must remain, and abide in Christ fully. He is the only one truly worthy of imitation even though there are people in our lives that we can emulate to bring us closer to God. However, if we are only focused on the outward trappings rather than the inner man or woman, we are missing the mark.
Colossians 1:9-17
For this reason, since the day we heard about this, we have not stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the full knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might live in a manner worthy of the Lord and be fully pleasing to him as you bear fruit in every good work and grow in the full knowledge of God. You are being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, so that you might patiently endure everything with joy and might thank the Father, who has enabled us to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of the Son whom he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether they are kings, lords, rulers, or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. He himself existed before all things, and by him all things hold together.
If you are desiring your life to 'squeak' like a mature Christian- focus on those things that help you grow- prayer, Bible study, a preoccupation with things that please Christ. Just a little reminder to myself and to you.
Blessings,
Julie
We went last night to buy basketball shoes. Parker was immediately drawn to the most expensive. I told him he could try all of them on- but just because it was expensive didn't mean it was the best. I could tell he didn't believe me.
He cracked me up. He would put on the shoes and do this little 'run, jump stop, run' routine. After the 6th shoe, I asked him what he was doing. He informed me that he was waiting to see which one squeaked like real basketball players.
So funny! He wanted the most expensive shoes, and he wanted them to squeak like 'real' basketball players and yet, Parker had never even been to a basketball practice!
I told him that the 'squeaking' would come with a real basketball floor, and also after he had actually learned some drills. He then reluctantly admitted that the shoes on sale were the most comfortable. Life lessons.
Isn't that often what we do in our Christian walk, journey, experience? So often, we look to those with more experience walking closely with the Lord and we try to imitate them. But, without actually 'practicing' the activities that draw us closer to being a more mature Christian. We talk the talk- but fail to walk the walk.
We must remain, and abide in Christ fully. He is the only one truly worthy of imitation even though there are people in our lives that we can emulate to bring us closer to God. However, if we are only focused on the outward trappings rather than the inner man or woman, we are missing the mark.
Colossians 1:9-17
For this reason, since the day we heard about this, we have not stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the full knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might live in a manner worthy of the Lord and be fully pleasing to him as you bear fruit in every good work and grow in the full knowledge of God. You are being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, so that you might patiently endure everything with joy and might thank the Father, who has enabled us to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of the Son whom he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether they are kings, lords, rulers, or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. He himself existed before all things, and by him all things hold together.
If you are desiring your life to 'squeak' like a mature Christian- focus on those things that help you grow- prayer, Bible study, a preoccupation with things that please Christ. Just a little reminder to myself and to you.
Blessings,
Julie
Monday, November 3, 2008
God's Word
I woke up today and really nothing had changed from yesterday. And I will wake up tomorrow and though it is election day- for the most part- my world will go on as normal. And the day after, barring a miserable recount, I will wake up the same way as the day before.
Voting is essential and an expression of a right bought and paid for by many noble men who had a vision for democracy and freedom. Todd and I have recently watched the John Adams miniseries and it is an outstanding look at the heart-wrenching, soul- searching issues that our founding fathers went through in creating our United States. I don’t think I had ever realized the extent though, the written letters have always amazed me, as well as the formal documents created during this time. It was not an easy choice to remove themselves from their country- the issues were not always black and white.
But I woke up this morning being reminded of something even more profound:
For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25).
No matter the outcome of the election, we as Christians need to be reminded that God’s word is what stands FOREVER. No matter who is on the proverbial throne- we have King that we follow no matter who is ‘leading’. We have statutes, principles, and laws that stand the test of time. We have a higher calling:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-8.
So, whether your candidate wins tomorrow or not, you still belong to the King of Kings. Let go of all bitterness, malice and contempt. Do not stop fighting for what you believe in, but let’s all realize that someone much higher than any earthly person is in charge. And though we don’t always understand God’s ways- they are HIS ways and His word is filled with responsibilities for us as Christians to pursue. His Holy Spirit will enable us to live a life filled with faith, goodness, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These are requirements of us, as Christians- and they DO NOT CHANGE. Just as God’s word doesn’t change.
Blessings.
Voting is essential and an expression of a right bought and paid for by many noble men who had a vision for democracy and freedom. Todd and I have recently watched the John Adams miniseries and it is an outstanding look at the heart-wrenching, soul- searching issues that our founding fathers went through in creating our United States. I don’t think I had ever realized the extent though, the written letters have always amazed me, as well as the formal documents created during this time. It was not an easy choice to remove themselves from their country- the issues were not always black and white.
But I woke up this morning being reminded of something even more profound:
For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25).
No matter the outcome of the election, we as Christians need to be reminded that God’s word is what stands FOREVER. No matter who is on the proverbial throne- we have King that we follow no matter who is ‘leading’. We have statutes, principles, and laws that stand the test of time. We have a higher calling:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-8.
So, whether your candidate wins tomorrow or not, you still belong to the King of Kings. Let go of all bitterness, malice and contempt. Do not stop fighting for what you believe in, but let’s all realize that someone much higher than any earthly person is in charge. And though we don’t always understand God’s ways- they are HIS ways and His word is filled with responsibilities for us as Christians to pursue. His Holy Spirit will enable us to live a life filled with faith, goodness, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These are requirements of us, as Christians- and they DO NOT CHANGE. Just as God’s word doesn’t change.
Blessings.
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