This was a thought I wrote down from a sermon a few weeks ago, that I just reread and was reminded of how true it is.
There are 2 documents that say in black and white what you value and what you invest in. Those two things are your bank statement and your calendar. You can say you value a certain thing, but these two documents will show if you actually do. You can think you don't really care about certain things but these documents will show if you actually do or not. because these two documents will show how you spend two of your most valuable resources; your money and your time. And that shows what you actually value.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
March 16, 2014
April 28, 2012
Yesterday, today, tomorrow
At the beginning of semester my Old Testament lecturer was taking about the timelessness of Gods Word. About how we need to study the Old Testament as much as the New.
I know the verse that says God's word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) but until then I didn't understand it. I didn't get that when God inspired people to write the Bible thousands of years ago he had in mind all the people who would read it. That he wrote it for the people then, who would read it just after it happened. He wrote it for the Jews in exile. He wrote it for the Jews in Jesus' time. He wrote it for the new church. He wrote it for the church during the reformation. He wrote it for now.
God knew that through history people would read his word, and He wrote it the way he did to help all of his people to know Him. He wrote it to help the Israelites to know God better, yet he also wrote it for me (A 20-something single, educated, English speaking girl in 21st century Australia) to know God better.
How amazing is that?
I know the verse that says God's word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) but until then I didn't understand it. I didn't get that when God inspired people to write the Bible thousands of years ago he had in mind all the people who would read it. That he wrote it for the people then, who would read it just after it happened. He wrote it for the Jews in exile. He wrote it for the Jews in Jesus' time. He wrote it for the new church. He wrote it for the church during the reformation. He wrote it for now.
God knew that through history people would read his word, and He wrote it the way he did to help all of his people to know Him. He wrote it to help the Israelites to know God better, yet he also wrote it for me (A 20-something single, educated, English speaking girl in 21st century Australia) to know God better.
How amazing is that?
March 7, 2012
Returning to study
Sitting in front of my computer, books all around.
Oh yes, I remember this feeling. A number of words to write, a question to answer. Pushing the word count button every few minutes. Text books sitting around.
Only this time there is another book among the pile. A Holy book. A book with words that have eternal ramifications.
And the questions I have been set to answer aren't just about showing I understood all the facts my lecturers told me.
They are asking about what I think about God and what I've learnt from God's word and how I would apply it to my life.
Which is scary. And liberating.
You mean, I get to have an opinion? You mean, my essay can be in first person? Suddenly it's not just about the marks (though I still want to do well). It's about learning, thinking deeply, understanding, questioning, and believing.
Joining in with Just Write
Oh yes, I remember this feeling. A number of words to write, a question to answer. Pushing the word count button every few minutes. Text books sitting around.
Only this time there is another book among the pile. A Holy book. A book with words that have eternal ramifications.
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| Image credit |
They are asking about what I think about God and what I've learnt from God's word and how I would apply it to my life.
Which is scary. And liberating.
You mean, I get to have an opinion? You mean, my essay can be in first person? Suddenly it's not just about the marks (though I still want to do well). It's about learning, thinking deeply, understanding, questioning, and believing.
Joining in with Just Write
February 26, 2012
What happens next?
First few weeks of college is over. I was completely overwhelmed by meeting new people, getting assignments and reading lists, finding where my classes are, navigating the library. But now I'm feeling more settled, moving around the campus with purpose and recognising people from classes. It's a very small Bible college which is nice. Not as anonymous as university was.
image on my pintrest board - couldn't find original source
It's lovely to be in such an open, evangelical Christian environment. Conversations at the lunch table are amazing. Everyone has a reason they are here, many are completing their study for a purpose; they are hoping to become a minister or a missionary. Some already have appointments all around the globe that they will go to when they finish their study. I feel a bit of a minority; I don't have any real plans for when I finish my study.
When I tell people I am going to Bible college they ask if I am going to be a minister (this is usually from people outside my church, those inside my church share my beliefs about women ministers). But going into full time ministry isn't on my agenda at the moment. Mission has always interested me (I recently read that Missionary kids are more likely than other Christians to be involved in cross cultural mission when they are adults; interesting), but at the moment I don't have immediate plans.
Rather the opportunity to study came up unexpectantly. God used situations in my life to give me the push I needed to study now, not just think 'I'll do that someday'.
At this stage I am planning to stay as an early childhood teacher. As far as 'professions' go, I can't imagine anything else. I love working with children and helping them learn. Most of my life I never thought I would have a career. I thought I would be married and having children before I finished uni, so work never really entered my consciousness. But obviously that wasn't God's plan :). He has decided this is the best place for me now.
When I finish this degree I'll still be me; a bubble-blowing, dancing, communication-modelling, singing, story book reading, block building, relationship-negotiating, behaviour guiding, fine motor strengthening, confidence building, tear-soothing, (insert 100 other roles), early childhood teacher - with a deeper understanding of my God and my Faith.
Until God decides to give me a push in another direction. Because I've stopped trying to work out what God's plan is for me until it happens. I'll love Him, and follow His word and wait to see what He has in store.
January 30, 2012
Suffering
Found the church bulletin from a few weeks ago with some scribbling on it.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
And the notes I had written down from the sermon were;
"We will suffer and expect to suffer in this life. But we can also expect to be comforted by God in our suffering.
One of the reasons is so that we can comfort those who are also suffering."
The comfort from a friend who has walked the path I am walking is one that reminds me that God was with them through that time, so He will be with me. *
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.
And the notes I had written down from the sermon were;
"We will suffer and expect to suffer in this life. But we can also expect to be comforted by God in our suffering.
One of the reasons is so that we can comfort those who are also suffering."
May I not be overcome by my trials, but allow God and friends to comfort me. And may I use these times to be able to reach out to others who are hurting and point them to God.
--------------------------------
*That's not to say that people can not comfort you if they haven't experienced what you are going through. I have had many wonderful friends who have let me cry on their shoulder and spoken amazing truths to me who are living and live a completely different set of circumstances to me. The ones who do this best point me to God, rather than try to make me believe that they understand exactly how I am feeling.
January 26, 2012
Decisions
I've been trying to write a post about knowing God's will and direction in your life. But at the moment it's all just a disjointed mess of thoughts and words.
Instead I'll share my exciting news - I'm going back to study! Something I had thought I would do at some point but not this soon after finishing uni :). And about a month ago I had absolutely no plans to study, hadn't even crossed my mind; but God closed the door on the direction I was sure he was leading me and this opportunity came up suddenly and I thought, "Why not?"
I've organised to work part time and study part time; the plan is that in two years I will have a Graduate Diploma of Divinity. It's all been very sudden, each decision made within days - and now I start in one week!
Instead I'll share my exciting news - I'm going back to study! Something I had thought I would do at some point but not this soon after finishing uni :). And about a month ago I had absolutely no plans to study, hadn't even crossed my mind; but God closed the door on the direction I was sure he was leading me and this opportunity came up suddenly and I thought, "Why not?"
I've organised to work part time and study part time; the plan is that in two years I will have a Graduate Diploma of Divinity. It's all been very sudden, each decision made within days - and now I start in one week!
January 15, 2012
For the Love of God
This year, the Bible reading plan I am following is the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, devised by Robert Murray M'Cheyne in the early 19th Century. The idea is that you read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice through the year.
I've started using my Bible app on my phone (I have YouVersion), which has it set up so you can select the reading plan you want and it will read it out. I like to listen to it on the way to work, I like that the app automatically moves onto the next reading, rather than needing me to manually search for the next chapter in the plan.
Then at night (inspired by an article about studing Gods word, not just reading it) I study one of the readings in more detail. I use my study Bible and Don Carsons book For The Love Of God (It's also posted daily on his blog) which takes one reading from the M'Chenyne plan each day and looks at it more closely (I can't remember if I've written about this book before or not, I've had both volume 1 and 2 for a few years and enjoy using them) .
So far I've found this really good. I like starting the day with the different readings, I hate to admit that I tend to skip over parts of chapters I find repeditive, but having the audio means I'm forced to actually hear all of the words. The more detailed study of one chapter is also good, because I have the ability to unpack it and think more deeply.
While the aim is to do it each day, I admit I've gotten a little behind already. But thats ok, I just pick up where I left off (ignoing the date at the top of the page) and keep going. Something like this forces me to read parts of the Bible I don't normally read, and over the year or so I will have read the whole Bible which will be a good overview.
I've started using my Bible app on my phone (I have YouVersion), which has it set up so you can select the reading plan you want and it will read it out. I like to listen to it on the way to work, I like that the app automatically moves onto the next reading, rather than needing me to manually search for the next chapter in the plan.
Then at night (inspired by an article about studing Gods word, not just reading it) I study one of the readings in more detail. I use my study Bible and Don Carsons book For The Love Of God (It's also posted daily on his blog) which takes one reading from the M'Chenyne plan each day and looks at it more closely (I can't remember if I've written about this book before or not, I've had both volume 1 and 2 for a few years and enjoy using them) .
While the aim is to do it each day, I admit I've gotten a little behind already. But thats ok, I just pick up where I left off (ignoing the date at the top of the page) and keep going. Something like this forces me to read parts of the Bible I don't normally read, and over the year or so I will have read the whole Bible which will be a good overview.
January 1, 2012
New Year
I took myself away, for a retreat of sorts. Just me, my Bible, note book and laptop for a few hours of prayer, reflection and planning.
I found a little beach on a map and set the GPS. It was peaceful, I laid out a blanket under a tree, away from other people.
I reflected on the year that's been. From this position, looking back I can say it's been a good year; I've stuck to several resolutions, watched special people get married, merged churches, made good friends, got new flatmates. I made mistakes and learnt from them. I've had my downs but been able to recover from them. I've laughed and cried and lived.
It was a lovely time, and I came home refreshed and rejuvenated (and unfortunately, a little sun burnt). I didn't get all the planning done I wanted too as the sun was too bright to use the computer effectively so I wasn't able to work on some blog posts and menu plans, but that's ok. I got the idea from a guest post at Keeper of the Home and it's something I hope to continue as a tradition. It's a great way to get ready for the year ahead and commit it to God.
I found a little beach on a map and set the GPS. It was peaceful, I laid out a blanket under a tree, away from other people.
I read God's word and prayed.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
I reflected on the year that's been. From this position, looking back I can say it's been a good year; I've stuck to several resolutions, watched special people get married, merged churches, made good friends, got new flatmates. I made mistakes and learnt from them. I've had my downs but been able to recover from them. I've laughed and cried and lived.
I planned for the year ahead. There's that quote about a wasted life is an unplanned one, but I can't really remember it. It's too easy to be swept along with life and not plan out what we're doing. Then suddenly you realise you are not where you wanted and haven't done what you thought you would. Life happens whether you do it intentionally or not. I'd rather plan for an intentional life. I chose a Bible reading plan, rejigged my weekly schedule, worked out when I would plan times for everything I want to do and everything I have to do.
I wrote down goals, and prayed prayers about the dreams I'm too scared to put to paper just yet.
What a lovely view :)
Hope you all had a lovely New Years!
December 26, 2011
Happy Christmas
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means, “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23
A day to celebrate that God has not left us without a way to know him, but wrote himself into the story of the world.
November 12, 2011
Defining Marriage
Confession. I actually know who Kim Kardashian is.
I like to pretend that I don't but I do. I know a basic amount about the Kardashians. It's not something I'm particulary interested in, but friends watch their show and talk about it.
In the last week or so I've been glad I can join in those conversations. (For those who don't know, Kim Kardashian is a reality TV star who is basically famous for being famous. She married a few weeks ago and then got a divorce after 72 days of marriage). I have had so many good and interesting conversations about marriage, what I believe about marriage, how people should approach marriage.
This is an interesting video that interviews Tim Keller, minister of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York.
I liked how he emphasised the importance of the vows that you make in marriage and how you need to work everyday at keeping those vows, and also how marriage is about both people being selfless in their relationship.
One of my favourite quotes is. "You should have a vision for what God is doing in that persons life, and you want to be part of the process. . . [and] you want that person to be part of the process of you becoming the person God wants you to be."
I like to pretend that I don't but I do. I know a basic amount about the Kardashians. It's not something I'm particulary interested in, but friends watch their show and talk about it.
In the last week or so I've been glad I can join in those conversations. (For those who don't know, Kim Kardashian is a reality TV star who is basically famous for being famous. She married a few weeks ago and then got a divorce after 72 days of marriage). I have had so many good and interesting conversations about marriage, what I believe about marriage, how people should approach marriage.
This is an interesting video that interviews Tim Keller, minister of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York.
I liked how he emphasised the importance of the vows that you make in marriage and how you need to work everyday at keeping those vows, and also how marriage is about both people being selfless in their relationship.
One of my favourite quotes is. "You should have a vision for what God is doing in that persons life, and you want to be part of the process. . . [and] you want that person to be part of the process of you becoming the person God wants you to be."
November 5, 2011
Alive
I am thinking big things. And asking big questions.
It always happens, when I can't distract myself enough to ignore what's in my mind.
Why would God create life, only to let it be taken away? Why does God grant some peoples desires and not others? Why is surrender so hard? Why are the best decisions the hardest to follow through on? Why does God let the world keep going when it is so messed up?
Why is questioning so much easier than listening to the answers?
It always happens, when I can't distract myself enough to ignore what's in my mind.
Why would God create life, only to let it be taken away? Why does God grant some peoples desires and not others? Why is surrender so hard? Why are the best decisions the hardest to follow through on? Why does God let the world keep going when it is so messed up?
Why is questioning so much easier than listening to the answers?
June 19, 2011
Seek
At church today someone read out a verse, Proverbs 13:12Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Only I miss heard it and thought it said 'Hope deferred makes a heart seek'.
I was thinking how when we face difficulties and when our life doesn't go as plan we have a choice. We can choose to be full of anger or we can seek God.
(photo credit)
May 2, 2011
A new Necklace
Using some of my birthday money I bought a necklace and (with our postal system) it finally arrived today.
Isn't it so pretty? I love it!
I bought it from Ladybughugz on Etsy. I wanted my own phrase on it, rather than names or a saying. The words I picked are from one of my favourite verses;
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
As soon as I picked up the parcel I put it on and plan to wear it everyday - a lovely reminder that when the noise of the world and my mind gets too much, I can focus on Him and he will quiet my heart.
February 23, 2011
That your love may abound
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through
Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11
(photo credit)
February 3, 2011
Deliverance will arise
When it gets to the climax Mordecai says the line that many know from Esther 4 ‘And who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?’ This line in the story is often quoted to back up that God puts us in certain places for certain reasons. Which I believe is true.
But I was struck by what Mordecai says just before this (In Esther 4:14) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.
I suddenly realised that Mordecai knew that God would deliver his people. Mordecai hoped that Esther would be a part of that deliverance, but Gods plans did not depend on Esther.
God would save the Jews whether Esther trusted Him or not.
God’s plans are not set in place by men; God makes his own plans and sets them into motion himself. God does not need to rely on a person to make His plans come about. If God gives us an opportunity to be part of His plans and we decide not to trust Him, then God will still complete His plan, but without using us.
How insignificant this makes me feel to realise how large and in control God is! How amazingly blessed it makes me feel to know that God can do so much without me and yet still chooses to allow me to play a part in his plans!
December 13, 2010
Being
The last few weeks at night service at church we have been listening to Kirk Patstons talks from 2009 Easter Convention about a Biblical perspective on time, from Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is a difficult book to read, but for the first time I was beginning to understand the perspective it was written from, and the imagery it uses to provoke thoughts.
I have been really challenged by the talks and can't recommend them enough. There is so much in each talk to think about and consider. I could go on about them all - but really Kirk says it so much better than I can :), you can download the talks here. (scroll down a little)
One of the things that I was challenged about was 'being in the moment'. Whatever I'm doing now is important, and I should be doing it well. Whether it's playing with kids, getting dinner ready, talking on the phone. I find I have gotten into the habit of always doing more than one thing at a time, distracting myself from the moment at hand.
So it was a good reminder to be, not constantly rushing and multitasking.
I have been really challenged by the talks and can't recommend them enough. There is so much in each talk to think about and consider. I could go on about them all - but really Kirk says it so much better than I can :), you can download the talks here. (scroll down a little)
One of the things that I was challenged about was 'being in the moment'. Whatever I'm doing now is important, and I should be doing it well. Whether it's playing with kids, getting dinner ready, talking on the phone. I find I have gotten into the habit of always doing more than one thing at a time, distracting myself from the moment at hand.
So it was a good reminder to be, not constantly rushing and multitasking.
A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
October 4, 2010
Never, never, never
On the commute home I've been listening to a range of things. One of them is my Bible on CD.
Romans 4:7-8
"Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
Romans 4:7-8
"Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
August 18, 2010
Trust
One of the things I struggle with the most is trust. I struggle with trusting other people to do things they say they will. I often find it hard to trust that people around me are being honest in their dealings with me. I sometimes don't trust that I can do things properly, I am paralysed by fear. But the biggest one is that I don't trust God, that he cares enough about me to do what is best.
I like plans, I like lists, I like knowing what will come next. Most of my freak-outs occur when I see a big blank ahead.
It seems that I've had alot of sources (sermon, Bible study, conversations) reminding me to Trust God. Maybe God is trying to get a message across to me? :)
But what does that look like? I don't think it's enough to just say 'I trust God' and then go on with my life.
It means really laying everything at his feet, saying 'This situation is yours' and then really trusting - not worrying, obsessing about it anymore.
It means being surrounded by Gods word so that you are able to discern what Gods will is.
It means not expecting that everything will go bad, but believing that God has a plan for good in my life.
So much easier said than done. As crazy as it sounds, I need Gods help to trust him.
I like plans, I like lists, I like knowing what will come next. Most of my freak-outs occur when I see a big blank ahead.
It seems that I've had alot of sources (sermon, Bible study, conversations) reminding me to Trust God. Maybe God is trying to get a message across to me? :)
But what does that look like? I don't think it's enough to just say 'I trust God' and then go on with my life.
It means really laying everything at his feet, saying 'This situation is yours' and then really trusting - not worrying, obsessing about it anymore.
It means being surrounded by Gods word so that you are able to discern what Gods will is.
It means not expecting that everything will go bad, but believing that God has a plan for good in my life.
So much easier said than done. As crazy as it sounds, I need Gods help to trust him.
Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28, verses 6 and 7
June 24, 2010
Identity
At church on Sunday night we didn’t have many people so we ended up doing a Bible study thing rather than having a proper service.
We were looking at 1 Corinthians 9
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Something that our minister said was that Paul was willing to give up anything to be able to tell people about God. It occurred to me that Paul’s identity wasn’t in the way he dressed, what he wore, his culture, his friends, his family. His identity was in Christ, and Christ alone.
I wonder what my identity is in? Is it in things that don’t last? Which things would I be willing to give up to serve God? My dreams, my health, my way of life, my comforts?
We were looking at 1 Corinthians 9
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings
(1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Something that our minister said was that Paul was willing to give up anything to be able to tell people about God. It occurred to me that Paul’s identity wasn’t in the way he dressed, what he wore, his culture, his friends, his family. His identity was in Christ, and Christ alone.
I wonder what my identity is in? Is it in things that don’t last? Which things would I be willing to give up to serve God? My dreams, my health, my way of life, my comforts?
May 16, 2010
The truth always exists
While flicking through Mays copy of Notebook Magazine this quote jumped out at me.
It was in the middle of a book report of a book about a court case, but the quote made me think of our faith.
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