I found this weekly wisdom on a great site that I visit frequently, and wanted to share it b/c it holds so much truth.
I always feel compelled to share my inner struggles with others, b/c that is being honest about MY true self. Not to necessarily call attention to it, but to show others that we all have our issues we battle!
It is easy to sit back and judge anothers situations, decisions, lifestyle etc, but that is NOT my job. I think I forget too quickly how it feels to have my face on the other side of judging finger.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:12-13 (NIV)
Copyright 2009 ChristNotes
***What advertising agencies do for their clients, we're called to do for Christ.
You've probably heard these slogans: "Just do it," "Drivers wanted," and "It's everywhere you want to be." And you've almost certainly heard of Nike, Volkswagen, and Visa; however, you probably have never heard of the advertising agencies that coined those slogans: Wieden & Kennedy; Arnold Communications; and Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn.
In a lot of ways, we're supposed to be like those advertising agencies. We are called to proclaim the name of Jesus to the entire world; we're not called to proclaim the name of our denomination, our ministry, our church, or our pastor.
Compare how often you talk about your church or your pastor versus how often you talk about Jesus.
When unbelievers see Christianity, I can't help but wonder how many of them simply see a bunch of denominations fighting about petty issues: Contemporary vs. traditional worship? Drums and guitar vs. organ and hymns? Powerpoint slides vs. hymn book? Jeans and tee-shirt vs. suit and tie?
Instead, wouldn't our testimony to the world be so much better if, with one voice, we proclaimed "Jesus!"? In Romans 15:9, Paul writes, Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name. Paul's singular focus was on making the name of Jesus known throughout the world.
It's not about your church, your ministry, your Bible study, your small group, or your denomination. Your single focus should be on shouting the name of Jesus to all peoples. Your life should be a walking advertisement for the hope, peace, and joy that's available to all people in Christ.***
WOW, impacting and true!
Be a blessing....
-april
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
My book....ahhh completion!
I am so beyond excited! I got my full manuscript back from the 2nd editor, and I have made all the corrections and I have just a few more little finishing touches, and it is DONE!
Next is title and cover, but those are just the icing on the cake! I really cannot believe that I am finally here. Me and Andy were talking about it last night, and I asked him to honestly tell me if he thought I would ever finish this, and he said no. I agree with him. I may have been working on this for 10 years, but it was never the right time.
God has done some amazing work in my life, and to Him I dedicate it all! Without His loving and protective grace I would not be typing these words! I hope to use this book to help glorify His name, and allow people to see through my story that it is Never to late...God is always waiting on us.
I am nervous (just a little) b/c I am very exposed and raw in my story, but I believe if I wasn't there would be no point at even writing it. I want to be real. I want people to feel each emotion, I don't sugar coat it. Not one bit. I am sure it may make some people angry, but this is MY story. This was how it felt to that little girl (me).
Anyway...i am just over the moon knowing it has finally come full circle! Thanks to all of you that have continued to pray and encourage me...hugs to you all. You all will be the first to know as soon as I get it ready to release!!
My husband....there are no words. I would not have had the courage to get all those police reports, and read them without you. Thank you for trying to protect me...thank you for sticking by my side and showing me how much our Heavenly Father can change us. Without your support I would have never finished this on top of everything else...I love you!
This verse came to my mind as I thought of my “seasons” of life....
For everything there is a season,And a time for every matter under heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die;A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;A time to kill, and a time to heal;A time to break down, and a time to build up;A time to weep, and a time to laugh;A time to mourn, and a time to dance;A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;A time to seek, and a time to lose;A time to keep, and a time to throw away;A time to tear, and a time to sew;A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;A time to love, and a time to hate,A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Love to you all-
A
Next is title and cover, but those are just the icing on the cake! I really cannot believe that I am finally here. Me and Andy were talking about it last night, and I asked him to honestly tell me if he thought I would ever finish this, and he said no. I agree with him. I may have been working on this for 10 years, but it was never the right time.
God has done some amazing work in my life, and to Him I dedicate it all! Without His loving and protective grace I would not be typing these words! I hope to use this book to help glorify His name, and allow people to see through my story that it is Never to late...God is always waiting on us.
I am nervous (just a little) b/c I am very exposed and raw in my story, but I believe if I wasn't there would be no point at even writing it. I want to be real. I want people to feel each emotion, I don't sugar coat it. Not one bit. I am sure it may make some people angry, but this is MY story. This was how it felt to that little girl (me).
Anyway...i am just over the moon knowing it has finally come full circle! Thanks to all of you that have continued to pray and encourage me...hugs to you all. You all will be the first to know as soon as I get it ready to release!!
My husband....there are no words. I would not have had the courage to get all those police reports, and read them without you. Thank you for trying to protect me...thank you for sticking by my side and showing me how much our Heavenly Father can change us. Without your support I would have never finished this on top of everything else...I love you!
This verse came to my mind as I thought of my “seasons” of life....
For everything there is a season,And a time for every matter under heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die;A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;A time to kill, and a time to heal;A time to break down, and a time to build up;A time to weep, and a time to laugh;A time to mourn, and a time to dance;A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;A time to seek, and a time to lose;A time to keep, and a time to throw away;A time to tear, and a time to sew;A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;A time to love, and a time to hate,A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Love to you all-
A
Monday, April 20, 2009
Awesome insight
Fail to bring your cares to God, and you are not only saying, "I don't need you" but also, "I don't want you around right now. I'm busy dealing with this problem." As is so often the case, Jesus provides us with the example.
Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go on ahead to pray." He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with anguish and deep distress. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me." He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." (Matthew 26:36-39)
Let's first take note of the fact that the night before His greatest trial and suffering, Jesus wants nothing more than to spend time with the Father. Though He must be weary and worn out as His disciples are, there is no greater priority for the Lord than to pray. But what is perhaps more surprising is that Jesus is asking for something He knows He cannot have. When Jesus asks, "Let this cup be taken from me", He is perfectly aware that it is the Father's will for Him to proceed, so why even ask? Jesus speaks these words not to seek a result, but simply to express His anguish and anxiety.
Jesus is not asking for a reprieve; He is asking for comfort. Just as we must do, Jesus is asking His father to be with Him, support Him and give Him the strength to endure what must be done. This is the pattern our prayers must follow. Tell the Lord everything you need and share with Him every care and worry that is on your mind. Don't seek a resolution, but seek God instead and you will receive peace and comfort, along with God's best solution thrown in for free.
It almost certainly won't be the solution you had in mind, and it may not be easy to endure, but it will be the right solution in the long run. --"Delve into Jesus: Devotional (BibleGateway)
Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go on ahead to pray." He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with anguish and deep distress. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me." He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." (Matthew 26:36-39)
Let's first take note of the fact that the night before His greatest trial and suffering, Jesus wants nothing more than to spend time with the Father. Though He must be weary and worn out as His disciples are, there is no greater priority for the Lord than to pray. But what is perhaps more surprising is that Jesus is asking for something He knows He cannot have. When Jesus asks, "Let this cup be taken from me", He is perfectly aware that it is the Father's will for Him to proceed, so why even ask? Jesus speaks these words not to seek a result, but simply to express His anguish and anxiety.
Jesus is not asking for a reprieve; He is asking for comfort. Just as we must do, Jesus is asking His father to be with Him, support Him and give Him the strength to endure what must be done. This is the pattern our prayers must follow. Tell the Lord everything you need and share with Him every care and worry that is on your mind. Don't seek a resolution, but seek God instead and you will receive peace and comfort, along with God's best solution thrown in for free.
It almost certainly won't be the solution you had in mind, and it may not be easy to endure, but it will be the right solution in the long run. --"Delve into Jesus: Devotional (BibleGateway)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)