Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Although the song Michele listed didn't work here, I went to YouTube and watched it there. It was great and here's my favorite oldie but goodie; David Phelps's Behold the Lamb. These are worthwhile songs to listen to anytime but especially as we navigate this book and during this week. Worship and enjoy!
Monday, March 30, 2015
Wondering if I love Him (Chapter 7)
I have fallen way behind on my reading and devoting, as I feared I would. I skipped ahead to catch up, so I guess I'm like Peter just plunging in! :)
When Tevye asks Golda, "Do you love me?" in Fiddler on the Roof, she doesn't want to be bothered with such a dumb question. "Why talk about love right now?" she asks. But Tevye insists, so she has to stop and think about it. Now, Golda isn't exactly portrayed as a loving, patient wife. She's more like the "continual dripping" kind of wife. Her behavior makes us wonder if she does love her husband. But she looks back over their twenty-five years together and thinks about the hard times she has shared with Tevye. She considers the things she's done with and for him, and ends up surprising herself by realizing, "I suppose I do!"
I feel a little like Golda when I imagine myself in Peter's shoes. I know I'd wish He wouldn't ask me hard questions. But when pressed, l'd have to search myself and come up with an answer. And then, like both Peter and Golda, when I looked back over my behavior and attitudes toward the One asking the question, I'd have to admit to myself that there's much that doesn't look like true love. Many denials, many failures to put Him first, long periods of little to no emotional connection, reluctance to "get together," etc.
But I'd also look at what He has done for me: the hard times He brought me through, the provision, the self-sacrifice, the comfort, the peace. When I consider those things, I'm like Golda: surprised and relieved to find that, "I suppose I do!" I deeply love Jesus for all those things!
I wish there were not this wide disparity between His love in action and mine. I wish I had more proofs of love to offer up. I'm so small in so many ways, and He's so all-encompassing and mighty. I can only praise Him for being so, and ask Him to enlarge my love for Him and others.
When Tevye asks Golda, "Do you love me?" in Fiddler on the Roof, she doesn't want to be bothered with such a dumb question. "Why talk about love right now?" she asks. But Tevye insists, so she has to stop and think about it. Now, Golda isn't exactly portrayed as a loving, patient wife. She's more like the "continual dripping" kind of wife. Her behavior makes us wonder if she does love her husband. But she looks back over their twenty-five years together and thinks about the hard times she has shared with Tevye. She considers the things she's done with and for him, and ends up surprising herself by realizing, "I suppose I do!"
I feel a little like Golda when I imagine myself in Peter's shoes. I know I'd wish He wouldn't ask me hard questions. But when pressed, l'd have to search myself and come up with an answer. And then, like both Peter and Golda, when I looked back over my behavior and attitudes toward the One asking the question, I'd have to admit to myself that there's much that doesn't look like true love. Many denials, many failures to put Him first, long periods of little to no emotional connection, reluctance to "get together," etc.
But I'd also look at what He has done for me: the hard times He brought me through, the provision, the self-sacrifice, the comfort, the peace. When I consider those things, I'm like Golda: surprised and relieved to find that, "I suppose I do!" I deeply love Jesus for all those things!
I wish there were not this wide disparity between His love in action and mine. I wish I had more proofs of love to offer up. I'm so small in so many ways, and He's so all-encompassing and mighty. I can only praise Him for being so, and ask Him to enlarge my love for Him and others.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
For Our Sake
I guess I've always thought that if it had been ME rather than Thomas, I would have believed:)
It's funny how it's easier to see others situations more clearly than our own sometimes. But, although I have the word of God to read, it's my life lived and my thoughts that reveal what I believe to be true.
What stood out, among much, was on page 125, where Jo writes, "he still stands among us and says, "Peace be with you", breaking through the locked areas of our unbelief, the stubbornness of our individuality and self-assurance, and meets us with a grace far greater than all the doubts and cynicism and betrayal we've ever experienced combined. And, that He does this for our sake and invites us to believe". So, in any challenge I'm facing right now; God is not outside of it. He is showing up and is in it giving the grace needed, the strength to believe and rest in Him with confidence that He's working out His purpose. Just as He stood with Thomas; He stands with me and gently pulls me up, through, and out, and to Himself.
Praying for us all,
Kristi
I guess I've always thought that if it had been ME rather than Thomas, I would have believed:)
It's funny how it's easier to see others situations more clearly than our own sometimes. But, although I have the word of God to read, it's my life lived and my thoughts that reveal what I believe to be true.
What stood out, among much, was on page 125, where Jo writes, "he still stands among us and says, "Peace be with you", breaking through the locked areas of our unbelief, the stubbornness of our individuality and self-assurance, and meets us with a grace far greater than all the doubts and cynicism and betrayal we've ever experienced combined. And, that He does this for our sake and invites us to believe". So, in any challenge I'm facing right now; God is not outside of it. He is showing up and is in it giving the grace needed, the strength to believe and rest in Him with confidence that He's working out His purpose. Just as He stood with Thomas; He stands with me and gently pulls me up, through, and out, and to Himself.
Praying for us all,
Kristi
Friday, March 27, 2015
Doubting Voices
Thank you, Jo, for this chapter in your book. What a sweet story of Chris reading to you "The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe". But then Lucy is faced with those that doubt her story and the women at the tomb are faced with the disciples doubting their story of the empty tomb. In walks Thomas who it seems doubts just about everything he is told. I'm afraid that I am more like Thomas than I care to admit. My husband has asked me more than once if I was born in Missouri the "show me" state! They say that "seeing is believing" but that isn't always true. That is where faith steps in and I have my Father in Heaven to have a personal relationship with like no other.
I thank the Lord for walking beside me and showing His great love for me every day!
What a wonderful gift we Christians have in Jesus.
Thank you, Kristi, taking the time to organize this great study. I am so enjoying this book and reading all of your great blogs!
Toots
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Thomas the Doubter!
Boy can I relate to him!! Growing up my parents always compared me to the Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore ... Kind of the downer of the group. I've worked hard (with Christ's strength ) trying to change that flaw in my personality. But it's easy for me to be the negative, sulker one of the group. Seems very natural for me.
When I think of Thomas, that doubter, I can relate. He spent intimate time with Christ but when it came time for his faith to kick into action he wanted proof. Frankly, my belief in Christ is solid, absolutely no doubts!!! But I have to ask myself..why then can't I simply leave things that are out of my control rest firmly in His hands?? In lieu of fretting and worrying, why not simply trust and allow my faith to carry me?
Prior to reading this week's chapter I've never really thought much of "Thomas the faithful disciple" only "Thomas the Doubter". So, although he was slow in believing the fact is he was on fire for Christ! This is my goal ... To be on fire for Him!!
So we press on probably still doubting from time to time but facts are Christ is faithful always and forever! That frankly is enough!
Blessings & faithfulness --
Michele
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Followship!!
Fellowship has always been a tough one for me. I'm so content being alone with my husband (and vise versa...as long as he gets time in the woods) . Ironically, we landed at a huge church were it was easy to slide in and out...perfect for us!!! That is until the work of the Holy Spirit guided me to pray for our relationships with others. Then the power of answered prayer kicked in! I found myself making new friends (Kristi) and eventually Bob and I started attending a Home Adult Bible Study. This was super uncomfortable for us but we've stuck with it and have developed wonderful, deep relationships over the years. Scripture tells us that we are to meet together to spur one another on...But...as much as I love our ABF and my other Christain friends...often I just don't feel like getting together or letting others get too close. So, I say this because revealing our secrets allows the truth to be known. So I cintinue to "press on" and ask God to not only change my heart but my desire to stop shutting others out and just maybe thru it all I could be an encourager to someone else as well!
So, Kristi thanks for doing this book and blog ... Once again I was reluctant to step out but am grateful for this forum !!!
Keep pressing on. I know God will working in all things!!
Love & Blessings!!!
Michele
(Last weeks reading..just a little behind)
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sensory Appeal. It's Sunday morning(I'm home from church with a sick boy), and I'm writing on this past week's chapter. So, it's a timely chapter; Sensory Appeal. After reading this I'm thinking that I often walk around blindfolded, ears covered, hands in busywork, mouth moving, and my nose disjointed; all the senses turned away from the sensing of the Holy Spirit. I become circumstance/feeling driven rather than "taking hold of that which is truly life". How does this happen? How do I get distracted from seeing Him, listening to/for Him, hands lifted, mouth praying/praising, and breathing in His sweetness? I don't want to get into a works=the answer. But, as Jo pointed out from 1Tim 6:19. ( I'm including the previous verse as well) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that may TAKE HOLD of that which is truly life. Maybe it's just the continual reminder that the distractions aren't my sustainer. God has given me Godly friendships, many of you involved in this blog. But, the community of believers, for Jim and I to be part of, in our community has not happened. We've not been able to attend church in our community. This one has always baffled me, because I think it is biblical as pointed out in this chapter. Living out the one another's is an important part of our living as christian's in this world.
Please pray I'll take heed to feed my senses well this week. I am not discouraged, because just as He opened their eyes, appeared to them, and called them; He too is calling me to Himself!
Thankful for you and praying,
Kristi
Please pray I'll take heed to feed my senses well this week. I am not discouraged, because just as He opened their eyes, appeared to them, and called them; He too is calling me to Himself!
Thankful for you and praying,
Kristi
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