"Behavior is a choice, it isn't who you are"- heard this on an audiobook today. And for believers, who walk according to the flesh- that is a true statement! Our actions and attitudes we have when we are living from the flesh are NOT who we truly are in our new creation inner man. Our new creation inner man is holy and righteous- our flesh (how we cope with life apart from God) is not. But our flesh is not our identity, our identity is from Christ.
Simply BE who you really are.
A child of God- beloved, holy, righteous, blameless, healed, forgiven, brand new, sheep, salt, light, a branch, temple of God, reconciled, a saint, God's workmanship, hidden with Christ in God, an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life, a partaker, a living stone- crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives IN ME!
Monday, June 29, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Pondering....
This whole year I have been pondering things like:
Where and how are You leading me in ministry, Lord?
Where and how are You leading me in work, Lord?
Do I continue cleaning houses? Or is there something new God has for me? What about money? I have to make money to help with the family bills but- how much? Is it selfish of me to want to loosen my schedule so that I can do more ministry? And which ministry are You calling me?
I believe where God calls us to minister, learn, grow, share, encourage- is INHERENT in our new creation inner man. What are my leanings? The "ways" I go? I think I know- at heart I am not a counselor but I am a teacher. I LOVE learning- I love God revealing Himself to me- in me- and through me. Joy! I love to share these truths with all people. Who God is- and who I am because of Him. But what has God brought into my life in way of ministry? And how do I not get overwhelmed? It seems for me what I enjoy most is small group Bible study- women and men. I also enjoy going to the boys detention center in Jonesville.
But how do I NOT get overwhelmed with being here- spending time with and taking care of my family, work, ministry, family in Ky- and the churches/groups I am involved in?
That's my dilemma.
Praying that I get this straightened out because I feel like I waste a lot of time.
Jesus- lead me.
Where and how are You leading me in ministry, Lord?
Where and how are You leading me in work, Lord?
Do I continue cleaning houses? Or is there something new God has for me? What about money? I have to make money to help with the family bills but- how much? Is it selfish of me to want to loosen my schedule so that I can do more ministry? And which ministry are You calling me?
I believe where God calls us to minister, learn, grow, share, encourage- is INHERENT in our new creation inner man. What are my leanings? The "ways" I go? I think I know- at heart I am not a counselor but I am a teacher. I LOVE learning- I love God revealing Himself to me- in me- and through me. Joy! I love to share these truths with all people. Who God is- and who I am because of Him. But what has God brought into my life in way of ministry? And how do I not get overwhelmed? It seems for me what I enjoy most is small group Bible study- women and men. I also enjoy going to the boys detention center in Jonesville.
But how do I NOT get overwhelmed with being here- spending time with and taking care of my family, work, ministry, family in Ky- and the churches/groups I am involved in?
That's my dilemma.
Praying that I get this straightened out because I feel like I waste a lot of time.
Jesus- lead me.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Gave Away
I guess the best thing my Dad ever did for me was probably the hardest for him.
The best thing he did was to give me away.
When Nick and I married my Dad who had been my sole parent since I was 9 gave me away to be fully married. I was to cling to Nick- no longer him.
That had to be hard. How do you hand a 19 year old your daughter? And expect him to take care of her? My Dad did. Somehow I knew without really being told that now- Nick was to provide for me and take care of me. My Dad gave me what I needed to have a strong marriage. He gave me to independence to be dependent on another.
June 16, 2012 Allison and Ben's Wedding Day
The best thing he did was to give me away.
When Nick and I married my Dad who had been my sole parent since I was 9 gave me away to be fully married. I was to cling to Nick- no longer him.
That had to be hard. How do you hand a 19 year old your daughter? And expect him to take care of her? My Dad did. Somehow I knew without really being told that now- Nick was to provide for me and take care of me. My Dad gave me what I needed to have a strong marriage. He gave me to independence to be dependent on another.
July 2, 1988
June 16, 2012 Allison and Ben's Wedding Day
Friday, June 19, 2015
Broken
I look at this kid and I say, "What has happened to this kid to be so filled with hatred?"
Whether people believe it or not- whether people like it or not- we are all born in sin. We are born sinners and born with a sin nature.
Every single person has the tendency to end up like this young man. Filled with hatred and violence. Further more, satan- whether people believe it or not- whether people like it or not is out to KILL, STEAL and DESTROY. Each community. Each family. Each person.
How is the best way satan does this? Turning people away from the Truth.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
But Jesus! He came to give us a new life. He came to make things right. He came to take away our sin nature and give us a new nature (2 Peter 2:4)- one in which He lives and abides. He came to bring us to His Father, so we have a new Father. He came to set the captive free and heal the broken. Yes, you and me! He gives life and life abundantly!
The Scriptures are VERY clear that who we were before we believed in Jesus is NOT who we are now. We have been exchanged. A believer can't just say, "Oh, I've decided not to be a Christian." Because you have been changed from the inside out and that old inner man is dead and gone.
The breakdown of a community starts with the breakdown of the family and continues with the brokenness of an individual. But the healing of a community starts with a person who has been healed from their brokenness and this healing of love and grace speads to their family and then the family to the community.
Where does Dylans continual brokenness lie? His family? Is his family broken? Poor parenting? Is his Dad around? (You can say whatever you would like about that but from what I have seen of teenage boys in detention centers they ALL lack a loving father that has trained them up with proper teaching of how to be a man.) Is his parents emotionally healthy? Was he raised in a healthy, stable environment? Was his parents verbally abusive? Broken parents have broken children. Yes, I know- a lot of people don't want to take the blame for their children's behavior. But we have to face it. At one time I was NOT the mother God intended from me to be. I was emotionally and verbally abusive at times. And guess what- our children learn their behaviors (conversation and conduct) from us. Are you fearful, angry, depressive, explosive, secretive, manipulative (add your own to this list)? Well then eventually if something...aka Someone...doesn't come in and heal that brokenness then your children will follow YOUR EXAMPLE. Someone has to "stop the madness"! Why not you?
Looking at Dylan all I see is- a kid who could have had a different future. A kid who could have peace instead of anger. A kid who could have loved instead of hated. A kid would was kind and good instead of violent and unforgiving. He could have been made whole. Before the darkness within overwhelmed him. Maybe someday- Light will shine in that darkness.
What about you? Believer or unbeliever, is there peace in you? Is their joy? Is their love?
Luke 4
14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.
16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/on-facebook-dylann-roof-charleston-suspect-wears-symbols-of-white-supremacy.html?mabReward=A7&moduleDetail=recommendations-2&action=click&contentCollection=Science®ion=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&configSection=article&isLoggedIn=false&src=recg&pgtype=article
Whether people believe it or not- whether people like it or not- we are all born in sin. We are born sinners and born with a sin nature.
Every single person has the tendency to end up like this young man. Filled with hatred and violence. Further more, satan- whether people believe it or not- whether people like it or not is out to KILL, STEAL and DESTROY. Each community. Each family. Each person.
How is the best way satan does this? Turning people away from the Truth.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
But Jesus! He came to give us a new life. He came to make things right. He came to take away our sin nature and give us a new nature (2 Peter 2:4)- one in which He lives and abides. He came to bring us to His Father, so we have a new Father. He came to set the captive free and heal the broken. Yes, you and me! He gives life and life abundantly!
The Scriptures are VERY clear that who we were before we believed in Jesus is NOT who we are now. We have been exchanged. A believer can't just say, "Oh, I've decided not to be a Christian." Because you have been changed from the inside out and that old inner man is dead and gone.
The breakdown of a community starts with the breakdown of the family and continues with the brokenness of an individual. But the healing of a community starts with a person who has been healed from their brokenness and this healing of love and grace speads to their family and then the family to the community.
Where does Dylans continual brokenness lie? His family? Is his family broken? Poor parenting? Is his Dad around? (You can say whatever you would like about that but from what I have seen of teenage boys in detention centers they ALL lack a loving father that has trained them up with proper teaching of how to be a man.) Is his parents emotionally healthy? Was he raised in a healthy, stable environment? Was his parents verbally abusive? Broken parents have broken children. Yes, I know- a lot of people don't want to take the blame for their children's behavior. But we have to face it. At one time I was NOT the mother God intended from me to be. I was emotionally and verbally abusive at times. And guess what- our children learn their behaviors (conversation and conduct) from us. Are you fearful, angry, depressive, explosive, secretive, manipulative (add your own to this list)? Well then eventually if something...aka Someone...doesn't come in and heal that brokenness then your children will follow YOUR EXAMPLE. Someone has to "stop the madness"! Why not you?
Looking at Dylan all I see is- a kid who could have had a different future. A kid who could have peace instead of anger. A kid who could have loved instead of hated. A kid would was kind and good instead of violent and unforgiving. He could have been made whole. Before the darkness within overwhelmed him. Maybe someday- Light will shine in that darkness.
What about you? Believer or unbeliever, is there peace in you? Is their joy? Is their love?
Luke 4
14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.
16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”
20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/on-facebook-dylann-roof-charleston-suspect-wears-symbols-of-white-supremacy.html?mabReward=A7&moduleDetail=recommendations-2&action=click&contentCollection=Science®ion=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&configSection=article&isLoggedIn=false&src=recg&pgtype=article
Monday, June 15, 2015
Romans 1:18-32
I am so thankful to my associate pastor and Sunday School teacher, Joe Burnett. He is now teaching through the book of Romans. This last week he was in Peru- at our church plants there- and asked me to teach his class. He had already taught on Romans 1:1-17. I finished up the chapter.
What means so much to me is that Joe sees me as an equal. See, there are men in the class. Some people think women shouldn't teach a class when men are present. Joe is not one of those that believe women shouldn't teach. Some people think women can only teach women and children.
I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene. At the little church I went to it was mainly my grandmother and older ladies. No men. So- it was always women teaching. Except the preacher. Women are allowed to be pastors/preachers in the Nazarene church but we never had one at the church I went to.
I've attended some Baptist churches where women do speak or pray from the pulpit. At my church, women have on occasion spoke from the pulpit- a testimony, or something going on their life or to do with the church but I have never personally witnessed a woman teach or preach a sermon at my church. I have never heard a woman pray over the offering or benediction at my church.
Recently I taught for Joe during a series he was teaching and a couple chose not to come because I was teaching. Yeah, it hurt. But Jesus was so offended he could be offended anymore, I take a cue from the One that lives in me.
One of my mentors, Gregg sent me the following link- and it really really helped me. I am going to share it. It cleared some things up for me.
http://www.raystedman.org/thematic-studies/questions-and-answers/should-a-woman-teach-in-church
So thanks Joe- thanks for seeing me as Christ sees me. It means a lot to me!
What means so much to me is that Joe sees me as an equal. See, there are men in the class. Some people think women shouldn't teach a class when men are present. Joe is not one of those that believe women shouldn't teach. Some people think women can only teach women and children.
I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene. At the little church I went to it was mainly my grandmother and older ladies. No men. So- it was always women teaching. Except the preacher. Women are allowed to be pastors/preachers in the Nazarene church but we never had one at the church I went to.
I've attended some Baptist churches where women do speak or pray from the pulpit. At my church, women have on occasion spoke from the pulpit- a testimony, or something going on their life or to do with the church but I have never personally witnessed a woman teach or preach a sermon at my church. I have never heard a woman pray over the offering or benediction at my church.
Recently I taught for Joe during a series he was teaching and a couple chose not to come because I was teaching. Yeah, it hurt. But Jesus was so offended he could be offended anymore, I take a cue from the One that lives in me.
One of my mentors, Gregg sent me the following link- and it really really helped me. I am going to share it. It cleared some things up for me.
http://www.raystedman.org/thematic-studies/questions-and-answers/should-a-woman-teach-in-church
So thanks Joe- thanks for seeing me as Christ sees me. It means a lot to me!
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Yummy....well that's questionable
I've been feeling a little "poorly" over the weekend so I thought it was time to get out the herbs (several are natural antibiotics):
Garlic
Oregano
Ky mint
Ginger powder
Dandelion leaves
Anise flower
Coconut oil
Apple cider vinegar
Olive oil
Garlic
Oregano
Ky mint
Ginger powder
Dandelion leaves
Anise flower
Coconut oil
Apple cider vinegar
Olive oil
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
One year ago!
One year ago today Nick and I were in Nenagh, Ireland! 9 great days!
This is Nenagh Castle.
This is Nenagh Castle.
Gardens!
Lavender
Baby pecans!
Good use for an old hottub!
Blackberries (From my Dad in Ky)
Raspberries! (From my Dad in Ky)
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
We are His instruments here on this earth- Matt Crosland
Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
I have a friend who is an interim pastor at a church about 15 minutes from my house. So from time to time I drive to down to hear him preach.
In January I was on my way to the church- having a few things on my mind. One was a missionary family. They are in Papau New Guinea. They were raising money for their oldest daughter to go to school. I said to the Lord, "Lord, I'd really like to give the Crosland's a $100. They could use it for school or whatever they choose." But I knew I just didn't have a $100 to give them. But, oh, how I wanted to!
After the service I was gathering my things together and gentleman walked up to me. And this is what he said, "I felt like God said to give this to you."
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
I have a friend who is an interim pastor at a church about 15 minutes from my house. So from time to time I drive to down to hear him preach.
In January I was on my way to the church- having a few things on my mind. One was a missionary family. They are in Papau New Guinea. They were raising money for their oldest daughter to go to school. I said to the Lord, "Lord, I'd really like to give the Crosland's a $100. They could use it for school or whatever they choose." But I knew I just didn't have a $100 to give them. But, oh, how I wanted to!
After the service I was gathering my things together and gentleman walked up to me. And this is what he said, "I felt like God said to give this to you."
He gave me an envelope. I just stared at him and said, "Thank you."
I just KNEW what was in that envelope. And I also knew- I was a "middle man".
Yep, a $100 bill was in that envelope.
When I emailed Matt (the missionary) this is what he wrote back, "I love how God is always 2 steps ahead of us. But He never leaves us out of His plans or His work. We are His instruments here on earth."
Here's the thing- I didn't give the Crosland's the money. Like I said, I was simply a middleman. But God allowed me to share in the giving!!! He didn't have to work like He did. But He did. He allowed me to see the blessing.
I wrote the gentleman that gave the $100 a note via the church. In the note I told him about how God had used him. I gave him information about the Crosland's. Recently I shared with him how their son had fell from a tree and received a lot of injuries. Now, I am not a middleman. Now, he can get Matt's updates himself. Now, he can share in being a part of their support family.
About a month later my pastor friend preached a message on giving (time, finances, prayer, resources) to world outreach/missions, this was a few of his points from 3 John:
- when we give to world outreach we participate in the ministry of others
- when we give to world outreach we please God
- when we give to world outreach you provide a financial base for the gospel
-when we give to world outreach we produce joy in our missionaries (There is JOY in supporting missionaries).
- when we give to world outreach we please God
- when we give to world outreach you provide a financial base for the gospel
-when we give to world outreach we produce joy in our missionaries (There is JOY in supporting missionaries).
I would say all 4 points above pertain to the gentleman that gave the $100.
But this is what I want you to know- the world is not JUST overseas. The world is right outside your and my front door.
World outreach isn't just about money but telling others about Christ- discipleship.
Give- yourself. Simply be available to even be a middleman sometimes. : )
Monday, June 1, 2015
Death to death!
Remember today- Christ put death to death! For the believer, you and me, we will never never never again be separated from God- for that is true death.
Rejoice today! For through His death- and being risen again- we have Life!
Live as one- alive!
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
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