My Modern Day God

The idols of today, are unlike the ones of ancient times for those idols seem more straightforward and less complicated. Nowadays, idols are different for each person, and have become more hidden and personal. They might not include kneeling in worship or animal sacrifices, but they do direct us away from God and bog our hearts down with earthly concerns and desires. I have this thinking pattern that if I have access to something I am wasting it if I am not utilizing it's full capacity. And somewhere down the line this belief turned into 'if I spent all this money then I should be using it as much as I can.' Breastfeeding gave me the excuse to do just that, but it permeated into other facets of my time.

My moment of conviction came when I unknowingly knocked my phone into a soapy bowl of water. (I had been checking a recipe on facebook while cooking.) I was flooded with the feeling of disappointment, self anger, foolishness, sadness to near depression, and worry upon discovering what I had done. After a day of prayer, meditation and feeling terrible, I realized that my phone and social media had become an idol to me. I felt convicted by the Spirit to fast from facebook and I knew the best way for me to follow through with that conviction was to get a cheap phone that couldn't support the apps I had on my old phone. "Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free." (Psalm 118:5) I am on my phone less and after a week of being off of facebook, I am giving myself once a week to go on it. I realize that things (God's blessings) are not bad of themselves but "his blessing bring us wealth and not pain or toil." (Proverbs 10:22) I got to a point where I would pick up my phone and just be nauseous and feel gross like I hadn't changed my clothes in three days; I would get headaches, hand cramps and eye pain. Since fasting and having a lesser phone, all of those things have gone away. Reflecting back and reflecting on how I feel now, I can say that I feel a new freedom I had available to me all along but never utilized (Matthew 11:28-30). Now I am free from a mental bondage and emotional burden that had controlled me and trapped me in my addiction.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

Rest

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him,” ~Psalm 62:2

As a parent, I find that I am more aware of the ugliness of Sin and also the beautiful aspects of God and His love for us.  For those who are unaware of this, sin in children is blatant and very difficult to overlook.  I am constantly reminded of different proverbs as I watch my children grow, learn, and interact with others.  (For children have not yet learned what adults have, to hide their sin from those around them.)  I feel at times my children’s outward behavior mirrors my ugly inward rants and tantrums.  Recently, I was granted the privilege of experiencing attributes of God’s love but in the context of Motherhood, and through the ugliness of my own sin.  My youngest was restless and cranky, unable to lay down and be still on my lap while I was doing work so she didn’t have my full attention.  I knew instinctively that she needed “rest” but I was busy and pre-occupied.  She did not just need “sleep” but also a feeling of comfort and security that only I, and my full attention, could provide her.  So I set aside my work and turned my full attention to my restless little one; I offered her my lap, which she gladly accepted.  Upon entering my arms her restlessness just melted away and a sense of peace, joy, and security washed over her and overwhelmed my heart.  Seeing that instant transformation in her face and change in her demeanor made me realize this is just a fraction of what God experiences when I come back to him and curl up in his lap, cradled in his arms, relishing in his loving embraces.  My experience did not stop there—as I rocked my youngest in our lazy boy chair my oldest nestled in at her sisters’ feet half on my lap half on the arm of the chair.  As the youngest fell asleep (which did not take long) my oldest and I sang children songs.

“All the lands are at rest and at peace they break into singing.” ~Isaiah 14:7

 For me, the songs were a form of worship even though they were not “Christian” or “worship songs”—in my heart it was an act of thankfulness, and gratitude for the ability to be mentally and spiritually present in this moment. My thoughts were with my girls and enjoying that moment (it was as if when I sat down and watched my youngest melt in my arms all my worries and concerns and tasks became non-existent).

Later that night my husband and I read from “Abiding in Christ” by Andrew Murray.  There was one particular sentence that jumped out at me as if God was speaking to me through Andrew Murray’s words. The message I took from this sentence was a reminder of what that moment truly was and how to personally get back to that state in my relationship with God.

“Retire frequently with Him into the inner chamber of the heart, where the gentle voice of the spirit is only heard if all is still.” (Abiding in Christ. Andrew Murray)

The Lord longs to hold us and embrace us and give us His rest.  (Mathew 11:24)  Indulge Him and he will heap blessings upon us.

To Sing is to Praise

I am sure most of us have said “I can’t sing.”  And maybe we feel like we can’t, especially when comparing ourselves to professionals.  But really, everyone CAN sing.  Some people choose not to out of embarrassment or shyness, or disappointment, etc.  I am not the exception—I have uttered the above sentence more then I can count in my short life time so far.  I grew up with a step-father who informed me at a very young age that listening to music was OK but singing was not.  He his words succeed in stopping me from singing in the car or at home when he was there but there was one place he couldn't stop me and that was at school where 

I joined the choir. I remained a member of it all through elementary school, but sadly ended there for a long while. 

After becoming a Christian and a mother, that desire to sing was aroused once more.  It keeps me at peace while rocking my children at 3 a.m.; it puts them asleep when I put them down for naps and bed time.  I now watch my three year old make up her own songs.  This has made me realize how much singing is a natural, innate a part of us like an involuntary reaction.  

Specifically, I sing different Psalms, songs of deep praise to a Father who loves the world.  David understood singing and worship in a way that most of us struggle to. He knew that singing is a powerful act of worship of God, all that He is, and all that He does.  God also doesn't care that I am not a good singer or that any of us are 'good' singers.  What He cares about is the praise He receives from us all and that we worship Him with all of our heart from the bottom of our heart.

Remember next time you are afraid to sing that singing is an act of worship, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.  He is not paying attention if you’re off tune or tempo He is looking at your heart. 

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2)

The Family of God

There are a variety of people that we interact with daily; we place these people in categories like strangers, acquaintances, friends, family, etc.  It is easy to let these categories affect how we treat them.  But if they are in Christ they are our family no matter how we classify them.  And they should be treated accordingly.   If they are not Christians we are to be a light to them showing through our actions the fruit of the spirit. God has blessed our lives with these people, Christian or not, and He has told us to love everyone as our selves. It is easy to forget this command and ignore the call to love, show patience, and forgive all because of our selfishness and sinfulness.

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  ~Mark 12:29-32

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”     ~Galatians 5:22-23

People who are not Christians may not be a part of God’s family now but could be in the future.  We don’t know who God is calling to Himself or when.  The rudeness and short tempers of Christians could dissuade or distract these people from His call.  Whether they are family now is not our concern— we must think as if all people are in the family of God and all deserve love, patience, and forgiveness from us as we have received from Christ.  He didn’t know us, we weren’t apart of His family yet and He still died for us, and gave His life up for us trading our sinfulness for His righteousness. 

As God’s people, we should be sharing God’s light and treating everyone as our own family.  Having the mindset that everyone is a part our family may help us learn how to love ALL people not just those we know even the strangers around us.  Love brings peace, understanding, and great wisdom to those who listen to the Spirit daily.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” ~Colossian 4:5-6

Honoring Parents

God has given His people commandments to follow that are straight forward and come with no exceptions. But some Christians like to think that certain commands are no longer relevant to them.  One such command this is “honor your father and mother.”  It is taken as something that is said just to children, but as grownups they don’t need to follow it.  But nowhere in the verse does it mention that God is speaking to children. All people, children and adults, are commanded to honor their fathers and mothers.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” ~Exodus 20:12  

Another ‘but’ a Christian might add to the commandment would be that they had horrible parents.  Despite how parents treat their children as they grow up, despite their flaws, bad parenting skills, or the inflicted pain, God still commands His people to honor their parents.  He is quite aware of the downfalls of the parents and He still chose them to be the parents. He did this for His purpose, not the parents’ or the child’s. Christians are commanded to do this not suggested or asked, and so it is expected that the command be obeyed (as well as the rest of them).  A Christian’s role is not to focus on what their parents did or still do wrong but to honor, respect, and love their parents ALWAYS. 

As adults this can be hard because we have our own opinions, and our own ways.  Adults can see and understand their parents in ways they couldn’t as a child.  But it is what God has told us to do, and not our place to pass judgment upon them; that is God’s.  Also by obeying and trusting in the Lord in all that we do concerning our parents we may be a light to those around us.  One day we may have children of our own and be a light to them.  All good things come to those who obey the Lord.

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” ~Proverbs 23:22

Being a Godly Mother

Being a mother is definitely challenging and difficult.  I found this on the Desiring God website and felt I just had to share it.  It is well written and convicting in a gentle loving way.  It is a reminder of what we should be as mothers despite any situation we come across.  It is an inspiring blog that makes you want to do better as a mother and a child of God.        http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-application

God's Children

With the increase of internet use in the young and social networks, the children of this generation need God and Godly parents.  Cyber bullying has become an issue in this generation and children have not been equipped to respond to it properly. (See link below). God calls us (parents) to train up our children, to teach them His truth and gospel, and discipline them, that as they become teenagers they will be more equipped with discernment and wisdom; in how they conduct themselves and the situations they get involved with.  

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” ~Proverbs 22:6 

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”.     ~Deuteronomy 6:6-9 

Children must also be taught from a young age the Love of God and how to love others, so that they may have love and compassion on those around them as Christ had for us.  

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” ~John 13:34

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters…Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” ~1 John 3:16, 18

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” ~Romans 12:9-10

Let’s show them God’s love; discipline our children through Godly discipline not worldly discipline, and train up your children as God has called you to.  It is not the church’s role, or the school’s role to train up your children— it is yours! I pray that ours will be the generation to heed His call and hear the cries of our youth who are in such dire need of God’s truth and love.  

http://abcnews.go.com/US/bullied-teen-amanda-todds-death-investigation/story?id=17489034#.UH7Q5Wc25QA