First of all, I have read all of the ancient practices series and have loved every single title. Tithing is the 7th volume. I think there's pressure in society to only move forward, but God intends for us to remember the ancient practices that we might establish a lasting relationship with Him. I really enjoyed the interviews from several people that offered differing opinions on tithing. The common theme was that tithing initiates our lives as believers by showing compassion and trust. I found it incredibly interesting that tithing is the only time in the Bible where God says, "Test me in this." The one and only time! He said to look at your checkbook register and you will find out where your heart is. OUCH! And very true. Sometimes I feel in more than one way more committed to starbucks than I am to the ways of Christ. It was an excellent reminder not just to give 10% of our income to the Lord, but to live a life of giving. Live so that the Lord can trust us with the money and resources He makes available to us whether that's time, energy, money, physical possessions, etc. It was a good reminder to keep the mindset that what we have belongs to Him anyway. Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Test Me in This Thomas Nelson Blog
First of all, I have read all of the ancient practices series and have loved every single title. Tithing is the 7th volume. I think there's pressure in society to only move forward, but God intends for us to remember the ancient practices that we might establish a lasting relationship with Him. I really enjoyed the interviews from several people that offered differing opinions on tithing. The common theme was that tithing initiates our lives as believers by showing compassion and trust. I found it incredibly interesting that tithing is the only time in the Bible where God says, "Test me in this." The one and only time! He said to look at your checkbook register and you will find out where your heart is. OUCH! And very true. Sometimes I feel in more than one way more committed to starbucks than I am to the ways of Christ. It was an excellent reminder not just to give 10% of our income to the Lord, but to live a life of giving. Live so that the Lord can trust us with the money and resources He makes available to us whether that's time, energy, money, physical possessions, etc. It was a good reminder to keep the mindset that what we have belongs to Him anyway. 
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
God Speaking
I'm absolutely certain God speaks through His word ALL the time and I'm grateful for that. But I really love when He speaks through unexpected things which tends to happen to me, well, all the time.
The other day I was walking 2 of my dogs. Ella will walk right beside me as long as I want to walk and happily go home, curl up on the couch, and take a nap. She does not waver from the path. She doesn't smell everything that goes by. She just walks at whatever pace I decide for her. Odyssey acts like a crazy dog the minute I pick up his leash. He has never walked straight even with many books by The Dog Whisperer and lots of hours on the path. He's distracted in a half second by just about anything and goes home to run circles around the house until he passes out from exhaustion. I was thinking on that particular walk, "Ella, you are so much easier to lead. Odyssey, you're killing me. It would be more enjoyable for both of us if you were more willing to be led." I don't know what sounds the Lord is prone to making, but he more than occasionally resounds in my soul with a loud AHEM!
Oh, He's so right!! I've got His plan. I know His way. I know what He expects on this walk. I know His ways are perfection and He wants the best for me. And then I'm distracted by, well, everything. I can almost audibly hear the Lord saying to me, "This would be more enjoyable for both of us if you were willing to be led."
I'm really trying to get the word "but" out of my relationship with the Lord. I tend to have conversations more like this at the moment.
God: This way.
Me: okay, but, that way is shorter.
God: This way.
Me: okay, but, that way is easier.
God: This way.
Me: But I think I'd like that way better.
God: This way.
Me: Fine.
(Oh, he must delight in my immediate obedience!)
But this is the conversation my soul would rather have on a more regular basis.
God: This Way.
Me: Absolutely. Your way is best. I don't have to understand all the details, I just have to know You. After you. And then proceed to actually follow Him at HIS pace.
After a conversation last night about how we can't get it all together and be perfect in an instant (DARN), I had to laugh at a sign at starbucks this morning. "Our promise. Your drink will be perfect." It was such a sweet reminder to my life that we will be perfect too. It won't be here, but it will happen in a twinkling of an eye. We have the promise of Heaven and the hope of one day having it all together. Until then, we have to trust the One who can unravel the cords, put the pieces together, and meet us at every turn. It made such a difference to my life this morning to stop long enough to really hear His heart. He promises if we seek Him, we WILL find Him. What a relief that He's not falling off His throne every time we don't look or act like Him. But He does expect more from us. He expects us to give Him time to respond to our questions in whatever way he chooses. He expects us to give Him the time to work out the things in our life on His terms and in His way. He deserves that. I might think so, but I don't know better. Those who cannot save themselves need a Savior.
Hear Him telling you today, "Let me lead you on the path. It will be more enjoyable for both of us. And don't worry. You will be perfect one day. It's my promise to you."
The other day I was walking 2 of my dogs. Ella will walk right beside me as long as I want to walk and happily go home, curl up on the couch, and take a nap. She does not waver from the path. She doesn't smell everything that goes by. She just walks at whatever pace I decide for her. Odyssey acts like a crazy dog the minute I pick up his leash. He has never walked straight even with many books by The Dog Whisperer and lots of hours on the path. He's distracted in a half second by just about anything and goes home to run circles around the house until he passes out from exhaustion. I was thinking on that particular walk, "Ella, you are so much easier to lead. Odyssey, you're killing me. It would be more enjoyable for both of us if you were more willing to be led." I don't know what sounds the Lord is prone to making, but he more than occasionally resounds in my soul with a loud AHEM!
Oh, He's so right!! I've got His plan. I know His way. I know what He expects on this walk. I know His ways are perfection and He wants the best for me. And then I'm distracted by, well, everything. I can almost audibly hear the Lord saying to me, "This would be more enjoyable for both of us if you were willing to be led."
I'm really trying to get the word "but" out of my relationship with the Lord. I tend to have conversations more like this at the moment.
God: This way.
Me: okay, but, that way is shorter.
God: This way.
Me: okay, but, that way is easier.
God: This way.
Me: But I think I'd like that way better.
God: This way.
Me: Fine.
(Oh, he must delight in my immediate obedience!)
But this is the conversation my soul would rather have on a more regular basis.
God: This Way.
Me: Absolutely. Your way is best. I don't have to understand all the details, I just have to know You. After you. And then proceed to actually follow Him at HIS pace.
After a conversation last night about how we can't get it all together and be perfect in an instant (DARN), I had to laugh at a sign at starbucks this morning. "Our promise. Your drink will be perfect." It was such a sweet reminder to my life that we will be perfect too. It won't be here, but it will happen in a twinkling of an eye. We have the promise of Heaven and the hope of one day having it all together. Until then, we have to trust the One who can unravel the cords, put the pieces together, and meet us at every turn. It made such a difference to my life this morning to stop long enough to really hear His heart. He promises if we seek Him, we WILL find Him. What a relief that He's not falling off His throne every time we don't look or act like Him. But He does expect more from us. He expects us to give Him time to respond to our questions in whatever way he chooses. He expects us to give Him the time to work out the things in our life on His terms and in His way. He deserves that. I might think so, but I don't know better. Those who cannot save themselves need a Savior.
Hear Him telling you today, "Let me lead you on the path. It will be more enjoyable for both of us. And don't worry. You will be perfect one day. It's my promise to you."
a book club cop out
Well I'm not going to review The Help our fiction book from January because well, it's a fiction book. But I will say I very much enjoyed it and it sounds like you did too. Excellent.
And, in a change of plans I'm not going to review Mere Christianity either. I loved reading your thoughts about the book and 1. I cannot fit everyone's comments into one entry. And 2. I don't want to ruin your experience of the book by interjecting a whole bunch of my own opinions. I really hadn't considered that outcome when I chose it, but I think it's best to let you dwell on your own thoughts. You can look up book reviews of it on-line if you want to and get all kinds of opinions, but as far as my blog goes, I'm going to leave you with what you discovered. I consider it a must read for every Christian and particuarly every non-christian. I'm glad it meant something to you and pray the changes you feel are eternal.
That said, I absolutely will review Between the Dreaming and the coming true (duh) and Beth Moore's latest book by the end of the month. Thanks for humoring me by letting me read my favorite book and reading along with me :) After this month I'll stop talking about it for at least a few days. :) And I'm loving/hating Beth Moore's latest book already which probably means it was a good choice! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
Happy reading! Brenda
And, in a change of plans I'm not going to review Mere Christianity either. I loved reading your thoughts about the book and 1. I cannot fit everyone's comments into one entry. And 2. I don't want to ruin your experience of the book by interjecting a whole bunch of my own opinions. I really hadn't considered that outcome when I chose it, but I think it's best to let you dwell on your own thoughts. You can look up book reviews of it on-line if you want to and get all kinds of opinions, but as far as my blog goes, I'm going to leave you with what you discovered. I consider it a must read for every Christian and particuarly every non-christian. I'm glad it meant something to you and pray the changes you feel are eternal.
That said, I absolutely will review Between the Dreaming and the coming true (duh) and Beth Moore's latest book by the end of the month. Thanks for humoring me by letting me read my favorite book and reading along with me :) After this month I'll stop talking about it for at least a few days. :) And I'm loving/hating Beth Moore's latest book already which probably means it was a good choice! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
Happy reading! Brenda
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Question Answered
I again never really meant for my blog to become all about books, but I know it has an overwhelming theme of reading. I understand. I love when people tell me what to read and what not to read. I again am not an expert on books. Reading a lot does not make one an expert I am sure, but I do read a lot-always have. And having a long reading list complete and an even longer one still to read does not make me anything-except a reader. That said I keep getting questions on the blog similar to this one.
"I know you've read a lot of books, but what ones are the core. Like, what 10 books would you take with you and read for the rest of your life if you had to and why?" -Lisa K.
Okay, I'll answer that one.
1. I would take the Bible in the NASB and The Message (parallel edition so it only uses up one book! ha!). I love to study from the NASB and I love the way you can sense God's heart in the Message. I alternate between them all the time.
2. I would take the C.S. Lewis classics collection because you can definitely read C.S. Lewis over and over again and learn something every time.
3. I would take the Chronicles of Narnia too. Every time I've read it my longing for Heaven someday is renewed and my desire to live for the Lord today is further established. Pretty incredible for a "children's" series.
4. I would take Robert Benson's Between the Dreaming and the Coming True because it's been my favorite book of all time for more than 6 years and I feel like it's spot is secure.
5. Something of Brennen Mannings-Probably Abba's Child or maybe Ragamuffin Gospel. It would be hard to choose.
6. I would take my personal quote book that has all my favorite quotes from books that I've read for the last 12 years. It's my most treasured possession.
7. I would take The School of Dying Graces which is a true story of a man and his wife as she's dying of cancer. Entries from her journal are raw and incredible. The dying have much to teach the living and this book does it best.
8. I would take Kristin Billerbeck's Spa Girls series. I normally don't read "chick-lit" but she is so, so funny.
9. I would take Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers because seriously there has never been a better fiction book written. Ever. And it's long-bonus!
10. And it's a toss up between My Utmost for His Highest and Streams in the Desert, but I think I'll have to go with Streams. My very favorite devotional.
That would keep me entertained for a little while, but I don't know about my whole life! Yikes :) Good question. What 10 books would YOU read??
"I know you've read a lot of books, but what ones are the core. Like, what 10 books would you take with you and read for the rest of your life if you had to and why?" -Lisa K.
Okay, I'll answer that one.
1. I would take the Bible in the NASB and The Message (parallel edition so it only uses up one book! ha!). I love to study from the NASB and I love the way you can sense God's heart in the Message. I alternate between them all the time.
2. I would take the C.S. Lewis classics collection because you can definitely read C.S. Lewis over and over again and learn something every time.
3. I would take the Chronicles of Narnia too. Every time I've read it my longing for Heaven someday is renewed and my desire to live for the Lord today is further established. Pretty incredible for a "children's" series.
4. I would take Robert Benson's Between the Dreaming and the Coming True because it's been my favorite book of all time for more than 6 years and I feel like it's spot is secure.
5. Something of Brennen Mannings-Probably Abba's Child or maybe Ragamuffin Gospel. It would be hard to choose.
6. I would take my personal quote book that has all my favorite quotes from books that I've read for the last 12 years. It's my most treasured possession.
7. I would take The School of Dying Graces which is a true story of a man and his wife as she's dying of cancer. Entries from her journal are raw and incredible. The dying have much to teach the living and this book does it best.
8. I would take Kristin Billerbeck's Spa Girls series. I normally don't read "chick-lit" but she is so, so funny.
9. I would take Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers because seriously there has never been a better fiction book written. Ever. And it's long-bonus!
10. And it's a toss up between My Utmost for His Highest and Streams in the Desert, but I think I'll have to go with Streams. My very favorite devotional.
That would keep me entertained for a little while, but I don't know about my whole life! Yikes :) Good question. What 10 books would YOU read??
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I should have seen it comin
Oh I should have seen this bad day coming from a mile away. Yesterday was the best day I've had in months. Bible study in the morning was the best it's ever been. I loved learning about the Adamic Covenant and how God established a covenant relationship with us. He sets up covenants on His terms and He keeps them. I can't explain it very well, but trust me, it was fantastic. Work was good. Bible study last night was awesome. Such great conversation and beautiful reminders that God wants us to be free even more than we want freedom. I could go on about that forever, but trust me, it was awesome. Then the best conversation I've had in weeks and the start of some excellent accountability at dinner. I went to bed last night exhausted but totally in awe of all that the Lord had done.
I'm soooooo glad last night when someone mentioned that we should be prepared for trials for being in the Breaking Free study that I just nodded and agreed like that was the best thing I've ever heard. GOOD GRIEF! I should have taken that as a warning and said some extra prayers. I bet Satan was thinking to himself, "That's fine. You enjoy your little Bible study, your little time with God. I've got PLANS for you!"
Today dawned. Sigh. It's been a battle since before my feet hit the floor this morning. Stress at my house, unfocused time with the Lord, frustration at work that by me being frustrated really changed nothing, and a bunch of other things that don't need to be mentioned. I feel like I'm filling out Satan's scorecard. And I hate that. I hate that I let him steal everything that yesterday brought to my soul and to my life. And by steal I really mean willingly handed to him. STUPID!
I can't change today, but I can make sure it has changed me. I should have seen it coming absolutely, but I also should have seen HIM coming. I should have known He would have been there had I handed him even one of the mounting frustrations of this day. I should have trusted that not a moment of this day took him by surprise. I should have rested in the fact that He still loves me and thankfully sees me as I long to be in Him. I should have taken a moment to re-establish His lordship in this life. I should have. But I didn't. And maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better, but taking the time to be miserable about it and seeing it as something I don't want to happen again MIGHT just be progress in itself. I'm going with that anyway so if you disagree PLEASE don't tell me! :)
The struggle of faith I suppose. Yesterday I think God could have been sitting next to me and would not have felt any closer. And today, well, today I wouldn't want anyone to think that's what God looks like. Life is so frustrating.
I'm so glad God sees us for what we can be in Him. That He focuses on the finished product and not the process itself. I need the bigger picture and new mercies tomorrow for sure!! Maybe taking life one day at a time is too much. Minute by minute might work better :)
I'm soooooo glad last night when someone mentioned that we should be prepared for trials for being in the Breaking Free study that I just nodded and agreed like that was the best thing I've ever heard. GOOD GRIEF! I should have taken that as a warning and said some extra prayers. I bet Satan was thinking to himself, "That's fine. You enjoy your little Bible study, your little time with God. I've got PLANS for you!"
Today dawned. Sigh. It's been a battle since before my feet hit the floor this morning. Stress at my house, unfocused time with the Lord, frustration at work that by me being frustrated really changed nothing, and a bunch of other things that don't need to be mentioned. I feel like I'm filling out Satan's scorecard. And I hate that. I hate that I let him steal everything that yesterday brought to my soul and to my life. And by steal I really mean willingly handed to him. STUPID!
I can't change today, but I can make sure it has changed me. I should have seen it coming absolutely, but I also should have seen HIM coming. I should have known He would have been there had I handed him even one of the mounting frustrations of this day. I should have trusted that not a moment of this day took him by surprise. I should have rested in the fact that He still loves me and thankfully sees me as I long to be in Him. I should have taken a moment to re-establish His lordship in this life. I should have. But I didn't. And maybe I'm just trying to make myself feel better, but taking the time to be miserable about it and seeing it as something I don't want to happen again MIGHT just be progress in itself. I'm going with that anyway so if you disagree PLEASE don't tell me! :)
The struggle of faith I suppose. Yesterday I think God could have been sitting next to me and would not have felt any closer. And today, well, today I wouldn't want anyone to think that's what God looks like. Life is so frustrating.
I'm so glad God sees us for what we can be in Him. That He focuses on the finished product and not the process itself. I need the bigger picture and new mercies tomorrow for sure!! Maybe taking life one day at a time is too much. Minute by minute might work better :)
Rant
I'm seriously conservative to the point of being totally boring most of the time. That's not an apology or an explanation, just an observation. I feel certain I would have fit better into society several decades ago. I have some wonderful friends who hold very similar values to my own and are themselves very conservative. Most of them live forever far away from me, but still I'm thankful for them about 800 times a minute. And the rest of the world around me I want to choke most of the time.
I will preface this by saying that I have not in any way arrived. No really, I haven't. I cannot think of another season in my spiritual life that the Lord and I have so much to work on it's making my head spin. I fluctuate several times a day between being very thankful for grace and feeling like the biggest project the Lord has ever undertaken.
But I've really had enough of people in my life professing to be Christians and living their lives for Christ and being involved in all kinds of things they have no business being a part of. And then somehow convincing themselves that this is not only God's best for them, but HIS WILL. I'm fairly certain that the standards the Lord set for his people have not changed. If you like things changing to fit the way you think, then be Morman. Otherwise I'm sure the Lord would like you to do things His way.
About 6 months ago I felt very much like God was telling me 2 things. 1. Do not be mediocre. and 2. Do not compromise. It did not feel like a suggestion. It did not feel like a threat. It just felt like what I needed to do at any cost. It wasn't the easy option and it still isn't. By far life with the Lord isn't boring, but sometimes it makes Thursday nights feel boring :) And still I feel like it's totally worth it. I want to live for the Lord now more than anything this world has to offer at any given moment. But it's hard sometimes.
It's not my responsibility to know the mind of Christ. I don't know how he picks what to do or when to do it or who to bless with what at what time. I don't know. It doesn't always (ever) seem fair to me but it wasn't exactly fair that Christ hung on a cross for sins I committed either now does it?
But I will tell you one thing. I'm totally done with participating in other people's compromises. If you ask my opinion about the sin you're living in, I'm going to tell you with all the love of Jesus I can find. People do not need other people to make them feel better about their sin. I need more people in my life to tell me the truth about a lot of things, and I'm going to tell the people in my life (who ask) the truth too. As a matter of fact I already have in recent weeks both given and received hard truth. I found it much easier to give (ha!).
I will preface this by saying that I have not in any way arrived. No really, I haven't. I cannot think of another season in my spiritual life that the Lord and I have so much to work on it's making my head spin. I fluctuate several times a day between being very thankful for grace and feeling like the biggest project the Lord has ever undertaken.
But I've really had enough of people in my life professing to be Christians and living their lives for Christ and being involved in all kinds of things they have no business being a part of. And then somehow convincing themselves that this is not only God's best for them, but HIS WILL. I'm fairly certain that the standards the Lord set for his people have not changed. If you like things changing to fit the way you think, then be Morman. Otherwise I'm sure the Lord would like you to do things His way.
About 6 months ago I felt very much like God was telling me 2 things. 1. Do not be mediocre. and 2. Do not compromise. It did not feel like a suggestion. It did not feel like a threat. It just felt like what I needed to do at any cost. It wasn't the easy option and it still isn't. By far life with the Lord isn't boring, but sometimes it makes Thursday nights feel boring :) And still I feel like it's totally worth it. I want to live for the Lord now more than anything this world has to offer at any given moment. But it's hard sometimes.
It's not my responsibility to know the mind of Christ. I don't know how he picks what to do or when to do it or who to bless with what at what time. I don't know. It doesn't always (ever) seem fair to me but it wasn't exactly fair that Christ hung on a cross for sins I committed either now does it?
But I will tell you one thing. I'm totally done with participating in other people's compromises. If you ask my opinion about the sin you're living in, I'm going to tell you with all the love of Jesus I can find. People do not need other people to make them feel better about their sin. I need more people in my life to tell me the truth about a lot of things, and I'm going to tell the people in my life (who ask) the truth too. As a matter of fact I already have in recent weeks both given and received hard truth. I found it much easier to give (ha!).
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