Wise Counsel

Surround yourself with wise counsel. He who walks with the wise grows wise, and a companion of fools suffers harm. Have you ever noticed in your own life that you sometimes allow people and influences in to speak into your life that are no good for you? Have you noticed that when you hang around those that are driven by money that all of a sudden you become money hungry? Or when you spend time with the constantly negative people – your attitude changes to one that is negative? Or spending time with those that gossip or slander – all of a sudden it becomes okay for you to speak maliciously about others?

As said in II Timothy 3 - the world will become more and more godless in the last days. People become lovers of themselves, lovers of money, disobedient, abusive, unforgiving, and slanderous. False prophets and negative people will weasel their way into our lives (ever so slowly) to the point that we don't know what is right and what is wrong. If we allow them or even our own thought life to overtake us - we will truly struggle with the reality of life and God.

It’s no wonder that we are surrounded by unfaithfulness, depravity, depression, and so many other struggles. We bring it on ourselves by allowing ourselves to be influenced by the ways of the world instead of the will of God.

This is not the will of Christ for His people. We are to surround ourselves by and have close relationships with those that are growing in their faith. Those that are actively seeking the Lord in all circumstances. Grow together – be with those that are like minded. Seek counsel from the wise people the Lord places in your life. Ask God for guidance 1st, rather than the empty words of man.

So when you face the troubles of the day (and we all face trials), and are confused and needing answers. Go before the throne of Grace first. Then seek Godly, Wise Counsel from one you respect and know is walking faithfully, daily with the Lord. God speaks to His children, and sometimes brings you confirmation or encouragement from your brother or sister in Christ.

Amen!

The Psalms

The Lord is always teaching His children something new. This week I've been bombarded by much turmoil, confusion, questions, and fear. When I first detected a hint of "something brewing" I came before the throne of Christ asking for guidance, for peace, for understanding, for patience, and for grace in my actions that were to follow. As I've been studing God's word today I've been highly encouraged by a number of the Psalms. Specifically Psalm 102:1-2:

"Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly."

These verses have been my hearts desire today as I look at the confusion of my life currently, and try to figure out what God's best is for me. God speaks in amazing ways, and within this verse it shows that even in my suffering and days of trials, our requests are still heard by the Lord. In my own life, he speaks to me in a still small voice - almost a whisper in the wind. But He prompts my heart to action or to wisdom in doing so. He shows me His unsurpassing grace and dignity, and teaches me the ways in which I should go. Sometimes He does not answer quicky, but he is still there - whispering in the 1st seconds of waking up or in the silent moments of prayer and studying God's Word. He is there, even when we don't feel Him or see Him and His plans.

This last Sunday there was a sermon at Mars Hill Church by Mark Driscoll in which he specifically describes a Christian's reaction to Suffering. As said in I Peter 3:8-17: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20peter%203;&version=31

Peter describes how a Christian should act during their times of suffering. And Suffering can be something affecting our lives either relationally, emotionally, physically, financially, or even mentally. God never said life on earth would be easy, but He did say that He loves us and will carry us through the trying times with His strength and everlasting love. However, suffering causes people to think of themselves more than others - almost allowing people to sin in the process.

I find that when I'm in the midst of trials and tribulations that the only thing I can do is rely 100% on the Lord for guidance. Going to Him first and most for support, love, and healing. At the same time, it's also vitally important for me to get out - interact with people - and love on others in a big way even though I don't necessarily feel like sharing love at that point in time. Through this, God teaches us patience and wisdom - He speaks and leads our lives, and makes us realize that the few items in our own life that are causing us so much fear and strain, are really nothing in light of eternity.

There will always be someone who suffers more than you. There will always be someone who suffers less. And there is always an opportunity to bless others in every circumstance of life -sharing the light and love of Christ along the way.

I pray Lord, that you would always use my life to help light the way for other's to come to an understanding of and relationship with you. That my life would be for your eternal glory - and that opportunities would come knocking at the right time and place.

Suffer knowing that Christ is all, knows all, and loves all.

Act to React

Recently, I've been reminded of the incredible grace and love that the Lord has over his children. Even though we constantly mess up and disappoint Him, He's still standing beside us encouraging us to take one more step. It's funny, so often we don't realize the impact a choice has on our lives until it's too late...

Your actions have consequences… and sometimes those consequences will torture,torment, and haunt your memory for life. Lately I've been bombarded by decisions I made reluctantly, knowing it was not right for me. My memories swarm around the choices I've made that will be those little things that torment me for life... just the stupid decisions that are made selfishly, irrationally. Yes I'm human, yes I'm selfish, and yes I'm a sinner. Why is it so hard sometimes, to live the lives we dream of?? I can only come back to realize that I need to...

Think before I act.

Pray before I decide.

Hold my tongue when tempted to react.

See myself from another person’s point of view, and make your decisions knowing they will positively or negatively affect you… forever.

Think.
Pray.
Don’t Speak.
Patiently.
Listen.



Listen and learn...

Example

I. Thess. 1:7-10 - from the Message 7-10Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore—you're the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

Who looks up to you? Do you know of anyone that looks to you for leadership, love, support, and guidance? Just as we look up to Christ for guidance and peace, so do others look to us for hope in finding the peace that only Christ gives.

As Christians, we should be leading a life of example - an example of the Spirit of God, living to His decrees and His standards - so as to not cause anyone to stumble along the way.

As Paul states in I. Corinthians 10 as an encouragement to the people in Corinth:" 31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."

Just as we are to be examples of the love of Christ - so are we also to live lives free from causing others to stumble. This is not only applicable to food (alcohol and Kosher), but also to everyday life - (i.e. swearing, lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, etc). Anything that gives way for others to look to your leadership and see that you believe what you're doing is "okay", will also follow suit to the example you show. If you're sitting around lying to people, and someone catches you in that sin, and they are not in the faith, they will get a poor idea of Christians.

So I ask, who looks up to you for guidance? Who are you influencing in your life by the choices you make? Who do you need to live a better life for? We have all sinned and fallen short, but we can still strive to live to the standard of Christ.

Overwhelming Everyday

Have you ever had that feeling of being so completely overwhelmed by the everyday that you literally feel "out of body"? How about those days that you wake up in the morning bombarded by the issues and problems that have dominated your life for so long? Or, what about those evenings when you finally hit the pillow only to find your mind racing with worry and doubt, questionning why on earth you're going through what you're facing?

The funny thing is, I think all of us are way too comfortable with being fake - convincing ourselves and those around us that we're "okay". Okay with the overwhelming issues of the everyday. Okay with the fact that we feel like we're going nowhere. Okay with the idea that we may never get to where we dreamed of being. Okay with the idea that we can do everything on our own. We're just okay - right?

Wrong. The second that we convince ourselves that we can get through life on our own is the second that we lose our faith in Christ as the leader and sustainer of our life. God never said it was going to be easy, in fact He said it would be quite the opposite. It's interesting to me that we as humans compare ourselves to one another so frequently. Why in the world does it matter if we can keep up with the Jones'? Why is it such a big deal for us to worry about what others think? Why can't we just get in touch with ourselves - the person that God has created us to be - and accept who we were called to be? What is so difficult about living life, ups and downs included, as joyful - accepting - loving followers of Christ?

It's called society.
It's called gossip.
It's called peer pressure.
It's called "generational".

It's called... Sin.

Those times when we doubt the power of the Lord to completely bless us and carry us through our trials and tribulations is when we falter the most. The times we decide to plan our lives on our own. The time when we think we know best - and tell God how things should be.

I bet God laughs at us constantly.

Why in the world are we so smug and arrogant to think that telling the God of the universe, of all Creation, of every life, breath, and blessing - that we know best? Who do we think we are??

Recently, I've been frustrated with the fact that no matter how much I pray, ask, and even complain to the Lord about the happenings in my life and those around me - I still get nothing of an answer from God. Then I'm reminded by Him - almost silently - that God has three answers to prayer: 1. yes, 2. no, 3. It's not the right time/I have something better coming. It's when we lose patience that we become dissatisfied, frustrated, depressed, confused, and downright angry.

Love is patient. And if we love Christ, shouldn't we be patient with His timing and listen to what He has to teach us along the way?

I know in my own life, when I'm most frustrated I'm also the most selfish. What I should be doing is looking around to the needs of others. It's amazing how staying busy and building into the lives of others when we're struggling the most allows us the freedom, love, and joy that only Christ can bring. So I encourage each of us (myself included) to see the needs and fulfill them in any way possible. And I bet while we're at it, we'll also find the peace that passes all understanding.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding." -Prov. 3:5 NIV

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own." - Prov. 3:5 The Message


“I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” Charles Swindoll

Small

Again with the music my friends! I just can't get enough it. This week... playin' on my local iPod is some seriously rockin' Country love! WOOT! And yet again Carrie Underwood has taken my attention. Her most recent song to just throw me for a loop is called "So Small", which I think I may have blogged about in the past. However, this song is so incredibly true. Take a look:

What you got if you ain't got love
the kind that you just want to give away
It's okay to open up
go ahead and let the light shine through
I know it's hard on a rainy day
you want to shut the world out and just be left alone
But don't run out on your faith

Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand
What you've been up there searching for
forever is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else seem so small

It's so easy to get lost inside
a problem that seems so big at the time
it's like a river thats so wideit swallows you whole
While you sit around thinking about what you can't change
and worrying about all the wrong things
time's flying by
moving so fast
you better make it count 'cause you can't get it back

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand
What you've been up there searching for
forever is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else Seem so small

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand
What you've been up there searching for
forever is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Oh it sure makes everything else Seem so small


Recently, I've looked back on my life over the past year. It's been a rollercoaster and I've faced many challenges and struggles. However, as I sit here and look back on everything that's happened I seriously feel like it not all that bad. At the time my break up and school struggles seemed like something so overwhelming that I couldn't even make it through the day...

And I remember having arguments with the Lord, pleading that He would take it all away. The great news is that He did take all that pain away and replaced it with His eternal grace and love. It didn't come all at once and it took TIME to get to where I am today....but even in my darkest hours, I was able to press forward
one
step
at
a
time.

Simply with the love of Jesus holding me up along the way... and giving me little tid bits of grace.
And as Carrie says, "Sometimes that Mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand." In the grand scheme of things, those devastating months of my life were just that - a grain of sand. And that grain of sand has made me stronger, more aware of my needs, and in the long run a much happier and appreciative person. Thank you Lord for carrying me through the trials of life and teaching me along the way - for I know that the mountains are often a grain of sand that you use to bring forth your blessings and future hope.

Just remember when you're in the valley, there's always a mountain of hope and blessings for you on the other side - much greater than you can ever even imagine. It just takes TIME to get there....

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, pleans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

:-)

Disconnected

Recently, I've come to the realization that I'm surrounded by people, yet there is an overwhelming feeling of disconnectedness that comes while living in today's society. How is it that we can be standing right next to someone in an elevator yet lack the ability to even say "hello"? Or how do we work day in and day out with dozens of people yet know nothing about them? Where they live, who they love, where they go outside of the office. . .

We are disconnected from each other. But, we're also disconnected from God and from the physcial world in which we live. Currently, I'm reading the book "Sex God" by Rob Bell (thank you readers for the suggestion!) - and it's amazing how many quesitons come up out of one little book. In Chapter Two (Sexy on the Inside) Rob specifically describes the disconnect we as humans have with the world around us. As the chapter concludes, he says, "You can't be connected with God until you're at peace with who you are." How true is that?

I know in my own life when I surround myself with standards that the world puts in place, I struggle with being myself and the person the Lord has called me to be. It's when comparison becomes a part of my everyday life that I see not only my relationship with the Lord crumble, but also my human connections. Society around me would have me worried about what I look like, what size I am, what kind of designer purse I do or don't have. The world would have me judge others so that I can pick up and praise myself. How selfish is that? What in the world gives me the right to sit on my high and mighty throne and point the finger at everyone around me? The truth of the matter is the more I point and judge, the more depressed and disconnected I become. And when I'm disconnected, not feeling and living and encouraging towards/with those around me, I've lost myself in the oblivioon of this life. Unable to sustain relationships and live for the one who created me.

Wow... "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." - Hebrews 12:1

Here's to choosing to live a life of connectedness with those around us. Loving, living, and enjoying life - together.