Sometimes the best part of living in community with other Christians does not directly connect to Christianity. Sometimes the best part is simply having other people to lean on, to share encouragement with, to laugh with.
Last night, I hosted a tea for the women in our graduate Cru ministry. We call the event 'Ladies' Tea', and it is incredibly fun. It's so fun that the guys are jealous that they do not qualify as 'ladies'. I baked scones and prepared tea, and then we sat around and talked about all sorts of things. It was a break from our usual ministry activities, our school work. It was a time to debrief and unload the things that weighed heavily on our minds. It was a time to encourage and be encouraged.
I am so thankful for the community I experience as part of this ministry. The support and love that these women and the others in our group give me on a regular basis is such a blessing. Today, I thank God for placing these people in my life, for filling my life with such amazing blessings.
Are you seeking community? What are you thankful for today?
Today's Verse
Psalm 55:14
What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.
An exploration of faith and hope in the midst of fibromyalgia and the various and sundry things of life.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Choosing Happiness
Lately, I am finding life to be full of cynicism and discontent. There are always things to complain about. There are always scenarios that can be over analyzed and stressed over, and there are always potential outcomes to fear. There is always something that isn't going as well as it could or as well as one might wish. I feel like these things are crowding in, trying to push me to a place where I complain and over-analyze and stress and fear.
Earlier, I wrote about joy as a fruit of the spirit and how lately, for me, being joyful has meant having a positive outlook on life, even in the face of all these things. When I was looking for definitions of joy, I kept coming across the word happy, and I find myself contemplating happiness today.
I have always thought of happiness as temporal, fleeting, something based on my circumstances and the current events of my life. But what if being happy is more nuanced than that? What if happiness is not rooted in circumstances, but is instead rooted in choice?
What if we can choose to be happy or not? What if we crowd out happiness, pushing it away by focusing on negative things, on potential problems? What if it isn't life that makes us unhappy but our own approach to living?
The next time I find myself complaining about something, I want to choose to focus on the good things that are happening. I want to diffuse negative conversations that crop up around me by noticing positive things about the people and situations being discussed. I want to encourage my friends to choose happiness rather than cynical discontent, to encourage them to choose happiness and positivity rather than stress and fear.
Surely joy is a good place to start when choosing to be happy, but it may work the other way too. Maybe choosing to be happy in everyday moments helps cultivate joy. Maybe we need to get out of our own way and let happiness in. Maybe if we make room for happiness, we will actually be happy.
Are you making the effort to be happy? How might you change your approach to things to increase the happiness in your life? How do you encourage others to be happy?
Today's Verse
Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
Earlier, I wrote about joy as a fruit of the spirit and how lately, for me, being joyful has meant having a positive outlook on life, even in the face of all these things. When I was looking for definitions of joy, I kept coming across the word happy, and I find myself contemplating happiness today.
I have always thought of happiness as temporal, fleeting, something based on my circumstances and the current events of my life. But what if being happy is more nuanced than that? What if happiness is not rooted in circumstances, but is instead rooted in choice?
What if we can choose to be happy or not? What if we crowd out happiness, pushing it away by focusing on negative things, on potential problems? What if it isn't life that makes us unhappy but our own approach to living?
The next time I find myself complaining about something, I want to choose to focus on the good things that are happening. I want to diffuse negative conversations that crop up around me by noticing positive things about the people and situations being discussed. I want to encourage my friends to choose happiness rather than cynical discontent, to encourage them to choose happiness and positivity rather than stress and fear.
Surely joy is a good place to start when choosing to be happy, but it may work the other way too. Maybe choosing to be happy in everyday moments helps cultivate joy. Maybe we need to get out of our own way and let happiness in. Maybe if we make room for happiness, we will actually be happy.
Are you making the effort to be happy? How might you change your approach to things to increase the happiness in your life? How do you encourage others to be happy?
Today's Verse
Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Alone but not Lonely
I am an extrovert. In fact, just saying I am an extrovert is a bit of an understatement. I love people. I love being with them, talking with them, studying them, writing about them. On personality tests my results are always people-oriented. People like me are concerned with what other people need to feel loved, to feel provided for, to feel comfortable. I am 'The Teacher', always wanting to share ideas and communicate. I find energy in being with others, serving others.
I think sometimes I am afraid to be alone. Afraid that all the thoughts I think about myself will overwhelm me if I just sit still instead of distracting myself, instead of drowning them out with other people, books, music, work.
But today, I find myself taking space to breathe, to rest. I find myself alone. I don't have to be - I've been invited to do several things. I could have gone out with a friend for lunch or shopping or just a walk. I could have gone downtown and spent time at a coffee shop, at least near other people if not actually chatting with them. I decided not to. I wasn't feeling all that great and I had things to get done at home so I've been alone. All day.
I love how God reaches out and really grabs me, really opens my eyes on the days when I choose to be alone. Sometimes, often times, I'm not trying to use my longer stretches of alone time to be with God. But still, He shows up.
Today I find myself incredibly happy. I am alone, my thoughts aren't filled with things I could or should or did not do. I'm alone, and I am at peace. I am filled with the knowledge that God is with me, that God's plans for my life exceed the circumstances of my day. I know that I am walking the path He has laid before me to the best of my ability. I know that I don't need to worry about anything: God has it all handled.
I can spend today alone, in my house, and not screw anything up. I can rest. I can be alone.
When did you last let yourself be alone? Is alone time something you make time for?
Today's Verse:
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
I think sometimes I am afraid to be alone. Afraid that all the thoughts I think about myself will overwhelm me if I just sit still instead of distracting myself, instead of drowning them out with other people, books, music, work.
But today, I find myself taking space to breathe, to rest. I find myself alone. I don't have to be - I've been invited to do several things. I could have gone out with a friend for lunch or shopping or just a walk. I could have gone downtown and spent time at a coffee shop, at least near other people if not actually chatting with them. I decided not to. I wasn't feeling all that great and I had things to get done at home so I've been alone. All day.
I love how God reaches out and really grabs me, really opens my eyes on the days when I choose to be alone. Sometimes, often times, I'm not trying to use my longer stretches of alone time to be with God. But still, He shows up.
Today I find myself incredibly happy. I am alone, my thoughts aren't filled with things I could or should or did not do. I'm alone, and I am at peace. I am filled with the knowledge that God is with me, that God's plans for my life exceed the circumstances of my day. I know that I am walking the path He has laid before me to the best of my ability. I know that I don't need to worry about anything: God has it all handled.
I can spend today alone, in my house, and not screw anything up. I can rest. I can be alone.
When did you last let yourself be alone? Is alone time something you make time for?
Today's Verse:
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
Monday, March 4, 2013
What Really Matters
Today I find myself incredibly aware of the protective nature and provision of God. I'm not quite sure why these things are so clear to me today, but I do know that the feelings of peace and assurance that go with them make going about the day and my to do list a lot easier.
I am in the midst of the (hopefully) final revisions and changes for my Master's Thesis. I've sent it to my committee chairs. They might hate it. They might want me to do even more work. The whole process has now officially taken two semesters longer than it was supposed to: what if they hold that against me? What if they don't want me to pass?
I've realized that it doesn't matter what they think. Not really. If they want me to pour more work into my thesis, I will. But it won't change what really matters, because I don't do this work for them. I don't do it for my department. I do it for God and for me. I work hard, not to please my department, but because being a diligent steward of my talents and skills is something God calls me to do. All I care about is whether my work glorifies Him, not Penn State, not my adviser.
My department might not be pleased with me, but if I am walking the path God lays before me, that is all that matters. God goes before me, He honors me and my work when I honor Him. He protects and provides exactly what I need, in academics and in other areas of my life. When I make it about Him, when I keep my eyes on the true prize, the pressures and distractions of academia fade away and I am left with only God. And that's what matters.
What distracts you from God? Are you looking for approval from other sources?
Today's Verses
Psalm 91: 14-15
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."
I am in the midst of the (hopefully) final revisions and changes for my Master's Thesis. I've sent it to my committee chairs. They might hate it. They might want me to do even more work. The whole process has now officially taken two semesters longer than it was supposed to: what if they hold that against me? What if they don't want me to pass?
I've realized that it doesn't matter what they think. Not really. If they want me to pour more work into my thesis, I will. But it won't change what really matters, because I don't do this work for them. I don't do it for my department. I do it for God and for me. I work hard, not to please my department, but because being a diligent steward of my talents and skills is something God calls me to do. All I care about is whether my work glorifies Him, not Penn State, not my adviser.
My department might not be pleased with me, but if I am walking the path God lays before me, that is all that matters. God goes before me, He honors me and my work when I honor Him. He protects and provides exactly what I need, in academics and in other areas of my life. When I make it about Him, when I keep my eyes on the true prize, the pressures and distractions of academia fade away and I am left with only God. And that's what matters.
What distracts you from God? Are you looking for approval from other sources?
Today's Verses
Psalm 91: 14-15
"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Simple Sundays: Cake Mix Cookies
Don't have the ingredients necessary to make cookies from scratch? Make these!
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Combine cake mix, egg, oil, and water. Beat until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredient (s).
Drop by teaspoon about 1 inch apart onto greased cooke sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes or until done.
Makes about 30 cookies
1 package of Devil's Food cake mix
1 large egg
1/4 cup of oil
1/4 cup of water
1 cup of mini chocolate chips
1 large egg
1/4 cup of oil
1/4 cup of water
1 cup of mini chocolate chips
Combine cake mix, egg, oil, and water. Beat until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredient (s).
Drop by teaspoon about 1 inch apart onto greased cooke sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes or until done.
Makes about 30 cookies
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Being Positive
A while back I went to a conference about finding God's calling for your life, and the application for the conference asked which fruit of the spirit I thought was most evident in my life. I chose joy.
But what is joy? The dictionary defines joy as "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires." Yes! Exactly. In Christ, I am well, successful, and I have what I desire.
So what does this mean for my life? What does having joy look like? I am discovering more and more that having joy means being positive. When I cultivate joy, I don't complain as much. I don't get annoyed with other people as easily. I roll with the punches of life much more readily. I see the silver linings all around me, even in the midst of chronic pain. My heart and mind and eyes are opened to the beauty of the world, the fun to be had just being alive. I have everything I need and I rejoice in God's provision in my life. If God is with me, who or what could be against me?
Do you experience joy in your life? Which fruit of the spirit do you see most in your life?
Today's Verses
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
But what is joy? The dictionary defines joy as "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires." Yes! Exactly. In Christ, I am well, successful, and I have what I desire.
So what does this mean for my life? What does having joy look like? I am discovering more and more that having joy means being positive. When I cultivate joy, I don't complain as much. I don't get annoyed with other people as easily. I roll with the punches of life much more readily. I see the silver linings all around me, even in the midst of chronic pain. My heart and mind and eyes are opened to the beauty of the world, the fun to be had just being alive. I have everything I need and I rejoice in God's provision in my life. If God is with me, who or what could be against me?
Do you experience joy in your life? Which fruit of the spirit do you see most in your life?
Today's Verses
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Friday, March 1, 2013
No Fear in Love
I hear about love a lot. From friends, from books, from TV. I hear about fear and struggles and longing and disappointment. I hear messages of defeat and sadness and bitterness and hopelessness. Words of hope and joy fight to keep from getting drowned out by all the negativity and fear. Sometimes they lose the battle. Sometimes I hear that negativity, that fear, coming from myself.
Lately I've been thinking about what love really is. It isn't disappointment and hopelessness and discontent. It isn't being afraid of pain, rejection, or being alone. It isn't being afraid.
The bottom line: THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE
Love is not what we tend to make it out to be. It's not puppies and rainbows and Valentines. Nor is it some kind of young adult novel, characterized by angst where fear and insecurity mean things are going well. Instead, GOD is love. That's it. God. Is. Love.
When we find ourselves looking for love anywhere but God, we are bound to be disappointed. Why are we surprised that we struggle and face negativity when we take our eyes off of God, who IS love, and look for His perfect love from someone or anything else? God's love drives out fear. When we except His love for us, how can we fear that we will never be loved or fear being alone? Why do we fear disappointment? We aren't unloved. We aren't alone. God loves us. God is with us. God will never disappoint.
When you feel unloved and alone, where do you turn? What do you look to for comfort? Live in the love God has for you.
Today's Verses
1 John 4: 16, 18
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them...There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Lately I've been thinking about what love really is. It isn't disappointment and hopelessness and discontent. It isn't being afraid of pain, rejection, or being alone. It isn't being afraid.
The bottom line: THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE
Love is not what we tend to make it out to be. It's not puppies and rainbows and Valentines. Nor is it some kind of young adult novel, characterized by angst where fear and insecurity mean things are going well. Instead, GOD is love. That's it. God. Is. Love.
When we find ourselves looking for love anywhere but God, we are bound to be disappointed. Why are we surprised that we struggle and face negativity when we take our eyes off of God, who IS love, and look for His perfect love from someone or anything else? God's love drives out fear. When we except His love for us, how can we fear that we will never be loved or fear being alone? Why do we fear disappointment? We aren't unloved. We aren't alone. God loves us. God is with us. God will never disappoint.
When you feel unloved and alone, where do you turn? What do you look to for comfort? Live in the love God has for you.
Today's Verses
1 John 4: 16, 18
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them...There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)