I've been thinking about humility a lot lately and found this writing by Ronald Goetz, a Century editor. This article appeared in the Christian Century in 1979. Anyhow, here is a little tid-bit from it that I found interesting:
Paul exhorts people to humble themselves because humility is an honest and objective reflection of our real relationship to God. The fact is that we are dependent. All that we have comes from God -- our lives, our salvation, our hope, our Christ. God has given all; nothing is our own. God gives; God will take away; God will give again. To be humble is not an act of self-effacement best cultivated by spending years in a monastery. It is a simple, objective recognition of the reality of God. Humility isn’t even a virtue, any more than to recognize that the sky is blue is a virtue. If God is God, then we are God’s creatures. To be humble toward God is to acknowledge what is both the most obvious fact and yet the most difficult admission: we are not God.
Mar 2, 2011
Feb 18, 2011
Joy, Sisters, and Mochas
"This is the day the Lord has made...I will rejoice and be glad in it!"
It's one of those days where this verse is a lot easier to say than other days. Maybe because it's Friday, maybe because I picked up a sugar free blended mocha this morning, maybe because I had great God time at 7 a.m., or maybe just becuase the Lord is just plain Awesome. I don't know, but it feels good to have the joy of the Lord exploding inside of me.
It's also my sister's birthday today. She is on my heart. I love her and I pray that she feels loved today...by me and most importantly by the Lord.
Thank you Lord...for all that you do and for everything you will do.
It's one of those days where this verse is a lot easier to say than other days. Maybe because it's Friday, maybe because I picked up a sugar free blended mocha this morning, maybe because I had great God time at 7 a.m., or maybe just becuase the Lord is just plain Awesome. I don't know, but it feels good to have the joy of the Lord exploding inside of me.
It's also my sister's birthday today. She is on my heart. I love her and I pray that she feels loved today...by me and most importantly by the Lord.
Thank you Lord...for all that you do and for everything you will do.
Jan 19, 2011
I Belong
These past few months have been filled with the quickest ups-and-downs I’ve had in a while. I’ve gone from thrilled…to nervous…to hopeful…to devastated…to faithful…to acceptance…to dependence…all in a short while. I think about how the Lord holds our hands through this life and what His comfort and guidance mean to me…
…everything.
One thing I know and keep learning in this life is that I would never want to live one second of the day without my Lord’s hand holding mine. He is my strength when I am weak. He is my hope when I have none left. He makes me happy.
Some people don’t like the idea of the Lord knowing our inner-most thoughts all the time; but this gives me peace. No one knows me more than the Lord and yet He still loves me. Isn’t that what we all truly desire…unconditional love? Aren’t we all looking for that special “someone” who will love us in spite of ourselves?
The Lord sees me and knows me…
…and I belong…
…not just to a 'something' or a 'someone'…
…but I belong to Him.
…everything.
One thing I know and keep learning in this life is that I would never want to live one second of the day without my Lord’s hand holding mine. He is my strength when I am weak. He is my hope when I have none left. He makes me happy.
Some people don’t like the idea of the Lord knowing our inner-most thoughts all the time; but this gives me peace. No one knows me more than the Lord and yet He still loves me. Isn’t that what we all truly desire…unconditional love? Aren’t we all looking for that special “someone” who will love us in spite of ourselves?
The Lord sees me and knows me…
…and I belong…
…not just to a 'something' or a 'someone'…
…but I belong to Him.
Oct 7, 2010
To Risk
I’ve been thinking a lot about dreams lately. Not the kind that plays in our mind at night, but dreams that we think about during the day.
When I was little I had many dreams. Most of them were the kind of dreams that only a five year old would have. But some of them are dreams that I still hold onto today. I believe that there are dreams that God places in us at a young age and continue to grow throughout our lives. They may disappear for a while, as if under a fog, but they are still there as soon as a little sun pops out.
The question is how far do we follow our dreams? Do we allow them to take us into uncharted territory? Do we allow them to bring us to places we never thought we would be and wonder if it’s just too risky? How risky is too risky?
We pray, we ask for wisdom, we seek counsel, we do everything we can logically do and then…we jump. We jump because if we don’t we might suffocate in the comfortable world we have created for ourselves. Or...we can just wander in the desert for forty years.
It’s true that it’s easier said than done to jump into the deep and unknown. But God brings us to places in our lives where the idea of jumping with Him sounds…impossible…but necessary. God knows we all have the tendency to “be safe” and choose to wander in the comfortable. I’m glad my God nudges me into the unknown. With Him life is never boring and it’s good to know that with my God I can do all things…even follow my dreams.
When I was little I had many dreams. Most of them were the kind of dreams that only a five year old would have. But some of them are dreams that I still hold onto today. I believe that there are dreams that God places in us at a young age and continue to grow throughout our lives. They may disappear for a while, as if under a fog, but they are still there as soon as a little sun pops out.
The question is how far do we follow our dreams? Do we allow them to take us into uncharted territory? Do we allow them to bring us to places we never thought we would be and wonder if it’s just too risky? How risky is too risky?
We pray, we ask for wisdom, we seek counsel, we do everything we can logically do and then…we jump. We jump because if we don’t we might suffocate in the comfortable world we have created for ourselves. Or...we can just wander in the desert for forty years.
It’s true that it’s easier said than done to jump into the deep and unknown. But God brings us to places in our lives where the idea of jumping with Him sounds…impossible…but necessary. God knows we all have the tendency to “be safe” and choose to wander in the comfortable. I’m glad my God nudges me into the unknown. With Him life is never boring and it’s good to know that with my God I can do all things…even follow my dreams.
Sep 2, 2010
A New Perspective Today
Father, help me to have a new perspective today…Your perspective. Help me to look at my life and my circumstances through Your eyes. As You look down from above You see the full picture…the entire canvas. All I can see is one stroke. You see every color…every texture…every piece. You see how all of ‘this’ fits together.
Today, help me to see as You see. Help me to stop and take in deep breaths that bring Your goodness and Your peace. Yes, You see the whole picture and You have made it possible for me to join You; in knowing as You know.
Psalm 36:4-6
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
Today, help me to see as You see. Help me to stop and take in deep breaths that bring Your goodness and Your peace. Yes, You see the whole picture and You have made it possible for me to join You; in knowing as You know.
Psalm 36:4-6
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
Aug 11, 2010
just hold your horses
Wesley and I were chatting outside on our lawn today at lunch. I had been cold all morning and the blazing sun made my entire body tingle with warmth. It was just what I needed. As we lounged on our blanket I mentioned how much I love the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. Very relaxing.
That comment made Wesley think about the leaves and how they were already starting to fall in our yard. I then exclaimed, “I can’t believe it’s almost fall!” But then I started thinking about what I just said and how often we do that…jump to the next thing when it’s a ways off. It sounds a lot different to say, “Fall is almost here,” then, “Wow, we still have over a month left of summer!”
Realizing that we still have a month left of summer instead of thinking fall is almost here really made me feel different. It was quite calming actually.
So, I’m going to hang onto the fact that we still have plenty of summer left and that fall will get here in due time. So what if the leaves are starting to fall a little…maybe they just wanted to lay in the grass and soak up some rays with Wesley and me.
That comment made Wesley think about the leaves and how they were already starting to fall in our yard. I then exclaimed, “I can’t believe it’s almost fall!” But then I started thinking about what I just said and how often we do that…jump to the next thing when it’s a ways off. It sounds a lot different to say, “Fall is almost here,” then, “Wow, we still have over a month left of summer!”
Realizing that we still have a month left of summer instead of thinking fall is almost here really made me feel different. It was quite calming actually.
So, I’m going to hang onto the fact that we still have plenty of summer left and that fall will get here in due time. So what if the leaves are starting to fall a little…maybe they just wanted to lay in the grass and soak up some rays with Wesley and me.
Aug 2, 2010
Together
This Sunday Wesley and I will have been married for two years. I can't believe how fast the time goes by! And yet, it feels like Wesley and I have always been married. It's been a FUN two years and I can't wait to see what the next fifty hold!
I was telling Wesley that there are things I'm willing to try and venture out in that I would never have tried on my own. He really helps me in the areas I feel weak. But I was also thinking how often we try to do things on our own when we really don't have to. It doesn't have to take a husband or a wife to always push us into something new and exciting. We can lean on friends, family, or a church body. Sometimes we feel God is calling us in a new direction but it can seem scary or just too big for us. My thought, maybe it is too big for just one person. Could it be that God is telling us to move forward but to not do it alone?
If something seems too big for just you, then grab a friend to help you in the areas you feel really weak in. God designed us to need others. Maybe God is asking us to step out in faith with a brother or sister in Christ who can help us along the way. Together, through Christ, who knows what could be accomplished!
I was telling Wesley that there are things I'm willing to try and venture out in that I would never have tried on my own. He really helps me in the areas I feel weak. But I was also thinking how often we try to do things on our own when we really don't have to. It doesn't have to take a husband or a wife to always push us into something new and exciting. We can lean on friends, family, or a church body. Sometimes we feel God is calling us in a new direction but it can seem scary or just too big for us. My thought, maybe it is too big for just one person. Could it be that God is telling us to move forward but to not do it alone?
If something seems too big for just you, then grab a friend to help you in the areas you feel really weak in. God designed us to need others. Maybe God is asking us to step out in faith with a brother or sister in Christ who can help us along the way. Together, through Christ, who knows what could be accomplished!
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