Rest

A few thoughts from a TCC sermon on Rest vs Work:

Confidence in Jesus is necessary for true rest.

He still is working to sustain us.

Rest allows us to see Who sustains us.

Resting in God is fruitful.

And am I working out of faithfulness or anxiety for our provision of all things?

Remember Jesus Christ Over the Holidays

I read this blog from our pastor last week. I thought it was a superb reminder. May our hearts be stirred towards our Savior.
(if you click on the title of the post it goes to his blog!)

November 24, 2010

Remember Jesus Christ Over the Holidays

By Sean Cordell

Remember Jesus Christ over the Holidays. I am so tempted personally to get selfish over the holidays. The time that is meant for thanksgiving to God, I make about me. I am tempted to want to serve less, think about my needs more, and to associate rest with gorging myself with food and TV. I thank God for holidays. They are much needed for time with family and friends, naps, reading good books, playing games, watching sports or a movie or a myriad of other things we find enjoyable. But in all our leisure we can’t forget Jesus. Signs that we have forgotten Jesus over the holidays is when we don’t serve others; we get angry easier at others because our plans aren’t working out (Holidays are notorious for anger associated with unexpressed yet unmet expectations); we begin to think more about getting than giving (Husbands help lead your family to think about how this holiday season can be more about giving than receiving). Other signs that we have forgotten Jesus is that we give ourselves license to sin- overeating, overspending, neglecting responsibility especially in the home; we also forget to proclaim the gospel in our homes and to others we come in contact with (don’t forget to act like Jesus especially on Black Friday. Whew that day can be rough). The sad thing is that I can make this list and more because I have done them all. So I write not only to caution your heart but mine. What prompts this blog is the sad wandering of my own heart. Even as I try to finish my work-week, I am looking so forward to “the holidays” that I feel the gravitational pull to forget Jesus.

The great news of the gospel is that we aren’t left as orphans. Our heavenly Father has given us his Spirit promising that we can walk in joy-filled hope and obedience this holiday season. “If God did not spare his Son but gave him over for us all, how will he not also in Him graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32). “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,…” (2 Peter 1:3). Therefore if he has given his Son for us he will give us everything we need not to forget Jesus. If he can raise Christ from the dead, he can deliver on His promises to produce his fruit in our lives.

So friends take these days that God has given, whether you have several days off of work or none off, to remember Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:8). Remember to show genuine concern for others, especially if you are spending time with family that you never see. Pray for ways to get to the gospel and to express how God is at work in your life. Remember to love those that are closest to you. We can get so relaxed that we become self-absorbed and forget to love, in word and deed, those we love most. If you have holiday traditions, don’t give into the temptations of the devil to forget Jesus. Express thanksgiving to God throughout the holidays, not just at the thanksgiving dinner table. If you put up the Christmas tree (which we do every day after thanksgiving) don’t get mad at the Christmas lights which always seem to get tangled or go out or are too bunched in one part of the tree or get knotted up by the kids, etc. (You can tell that is a potential point of tension for me). Make it your mission to lead out in joy. Be on your guard and even if everyone around you is choosing to be sour, you can choose joy by the Spirit. Be thankful. And Remember Jesus Christ. Make the most of these days because the days are evil and the evil one will try to cut you down with his fiery darts of self-pity, discouragement, materialism, or self-absorption. I am praying that God rescues us from Christless rest and makes us mindful of mission over the holidays. Have a great time over these next few days enjoying Jesus, lovingly pursuing others like he did you and me. He pursued us in our sinfulness all the way to the cross. So this holiday season Remember Jesus Christ.

Very Interesting-what about time

A perspective on "time".

Quote-

"I think we are underestimating the power of technology in rewiring young peoples brains".

worth watching!

Journaling-8 Questions and their subquestions I have been asking myself

Learning to ask good questions...

1. What character traits to we want our family to pursue?

2. When my kids "inconvenience" me, how do I respond?

3. Does the budget drive my ministry or ministry drive the budget? (areas of ministry-food, hospitality, giving, discipleship, etc...) Are we eating food that gives us energy and life or are we eating it simply because it is cheap/easy?

4. What things do I need to reconsider/change when being a wife, training my kids, and keeping a home? In what ways have I become complacent?

5. Do I really believe that Prayer works? Does it have the ability to change my life and those around me?

6. When I need to ask for forgiveness, do I ask whoever I offended? Or am I to proud?

7. Do I take care of myself (do my hair, change out of pjs, wash my face, try to get enough sleep) only when I am going out to run errands or have something on the calender for the next day? Do I make sure my husband and kids have a wife/mom that looks nice for sometimes only them?

8. Am I trying to live in the tension of a Grace filled life, abiding with Jesus and yet working with all I am to live well-pursuing God in all things? Am I falling to hard to one side or the other?

What if there is a God?

Then it CHANGES EVERYTHING.

And it DOES.

Generosity is more then just money

Hey all,
If you have a minute check this out...isn't this a neat act of generosity within talents? click here

LifeCare Pregnancy Banquet...stopping the spead of abortion...one person at at time

Justin and I had the privilege of attending the LifeCare Pregnancy Banquet this past Thursday. The food was good, the fellowship great and the speaker tremendous! A few facts that I can remember that caught my attention...

All these break my heart...

Since 1973 there have been somewhere around 50,000,000 abortions.

Most abortionists work, 4 days a week, 4 hours per day, making about $60,000 each week. Money is the need, desire and sole motivation.

The average abortion costs $500 for first trimester, $1000 second trimester,
and about $5000 for a third trimester.

There are over 10,000 abortions each year in wake county, NC alone.

Most abortion clinic are located in the inner city...catering to the poor and needy.

Most research now concludes there is a high association between breast cancer and those that have had an abortion.

But...Pregnancy care centers receive no federal funding and yet are growing!!

At LifeCare here in Raleigh, they serviced 904 new clients in their two centers,
Saved 328 babies, 7,434 viewed abstinence presentations in schools and churches, and 28 decisions were made to received Jesus Christ as their Savior!!!

Our speaker-Dr. Noreen Johnson (OBGYN, practices in college station TX, born in Trinidad, West Indies)-was once performing abortions, but GOD got a hold of her life and as a gifted speaker and doctor, now travels around speaking the truth from statics and personal experience...if you ever have the chance to hear her, take the opportunity!

Here below is a poem by Hannah Lamb a High Schooler here in Raleigh

Give Me a Chance

Just give me a chance,
Just give me a try,
You haven't even seen me
You haven't heard me cry

You may say I'm not a human,
But you gave me life that night.
I'm a defenseless little being,
And I can't put up a fight.

To you I'm like a weight,
And I've ruined all your plans,
I'd fix it if I could,
We both know that no one can.

Your fun came with a price,
And I'm the debt that you should pay.
You'll remember me forever,
I can't just be thrown away.

The experts say I'm not a human,
The papers say that I'm not real,
But you were once in this same spot,
How would this stuff make you feel?

You are responsible for two now,
You will decide what my fate will be,
Just remember it's not my fault I'm here,
This is my final plea...

Just give me a chance,
Just give me a try,
You haven't even seen me,
You haven't heard me cry.

Question about ministering to the broken and hurting...

Option one...
It is harder to minister to a hurting person if they tell you their life, the good, bad and ugly. If they unload onto your relationship. If they are transparent, real and honest about the issues of their life. What they are struggling with and how much they need Jesus-is that person hardest to minster to...

Or

Option two....
It is harder to minister to a hurting person if they don't share their struggles, and they don't seem to be struggling with sin, but you know they are hurting. They are a "good" person on the outside, but it seems in their heart they are confused, frustrated, and depressed-is this person the hardest to minster to...

I think option two is the hardest. It is so hard to watch someone struggle and never be allowed into their life. To see their hurt, but not allowed to struggle with them in their issues, to not be praying with them and seeing restoration come from sweet fellowship. We each have "issues", we each are hurting in someways. But Praise be to God that I have friends that I can be, "good, bad and ugly" with in response to my sins. You ladies and couples know who you are. Thank you for getting into my life and walking with me (us). And above all...thanks to Justin, my love, for seeing all the struggles and still marring and loving me!