Writeous Living http://writeousliving.posterous.com Most recent posts at Writeous Living posterous.com Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:09:35 -0800 Surrender in Order to Overcome http://writeousliving.posterous.com/surrender-in-order-to-overcome http://writeousliving.posterous.com/surrender-in-order-to-overcome Here's a learning experience for everyone...Make sure you have the correct receipt when you go to the store to exchange an item. This weekend, I picked out a ring that I really liked and my mom offered to buy it for me. Something was all jacked up with how the coupons worked during her transaction so they had to redo the whole order. Well, I guess in the process - it invalidated the items on the receipt. So, when I went to return the ring and exchange it for one that fit my finger, the receipt said that the item had already been returned. How wonderful since I found a ring I liked better (but also cost a little more) and wanted to just pay the difference. Here we go...the fiasco begins. Not only was the sales associate not understanding what the transaction was all about (because of the receipt), she was also extremely rude. To spare myself from repenting for bitterness again I won't go into detail. :-) But I will say that my sparks tend to be ignited when people are rude and inconsiderate. There's no need for it...I get heated quick-fast-& in a hurry! While I was standing there, I was praying for patience and that God would give me grace to deal with the woman...I was trying to help her (and the company out) by doing the right thing when they rang it up incorrectly the first time...and she's belittling ME! "Oh, Lord...come quick!" Shoot! I had calculated the difference to be about $7 or $8. After she tried to convince me that, in the second attempted transaction, she had credited the original ring and that I now owed x (which was actually the price of the new ring) I was REALLY frustrated. Where did the credit go from the original ring? Then she re-did all of it AGAIN and the difference came out to $2 and something...I didn't argue anymore...I accepted this as the reward for not flipping out when I felt like I could. What is my point in all of this? Not to rant and rave about my experience...but to tell you about what God is trying to work out of me...impatience. This is the latest P&G (Patience & Grace) test...there have been many others (that I've failed miserably). These P&G tests are not only tests about self-control...but also about my ability to love others - regardless of what they are doing. I can't keep my composure on my own...God has to keep me in line. In moments that are overwhelming like that - it helps to think of it as a test (because it very well may be)...it is then and only then that I am able to respond to the Holy Spirit and His peace. Which test seems to recur over and over in this season of your life? Perhaps God is trying to work something out of you to replace it with something more like Him. Surrender in the moment and you will be surprised with the strength He provides to overcome.

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Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:42:17 -0800 Shut Your Mouth! http://writeousliving.posterous.com/shut-your-mouth http://writeousliving.posterous.com/shut-your-mouth Where I live, the ground is frozen for 9 months out of the year, everywhere you look you will see white and everyone wears Ugg boots year round (regardless of the outfit...we make it work). Living in such a cold and tundra-like environment for a few years, it is plausible that some people may become used to the slap-in-the-face wintery air and the inability to walk normally on pavement without sliding around a bit (or wiping out). The truth is, however, most of us complain about it just as much as those who visit...none of us like the weather and it's always at the forefront of new conversation. Usually in the form of a complaint. I'm so guilty of this...I'll be straight up honest - I hate the weather here and I'm sure I encourage others to join in on my rants when I start raving. It seems like every time I complain though, there is a check in my spirit...a still, small Voice saying - quit complaining...just shut your mouth. Why though? I really do hate this weather! ... Well, here's why... Galatians gives us a list of all of the characteristics (fruit) that others should be able to identify when they interact with us or simply observe our behavior...Do we operate in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Tell me...when we are complaining about something (the weather)/someone or judging other people - which of the above "fruits" are we cultivating? Any? There are plenty of verses that tell us to shut our mouth...They speak against grumbling (Phil 2:14-15, 1 Peter 4:9) and judging others (Matt 7:1-2, Prov 3:30, James 5:9). We must have control over our tongue (Prov 13:3, Prov 21:23, Matt 12:36, 1 Peter 3:10) at all times. Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. - Ephesians 4:29 Father, shut our mouths for us when we're too stubborn to do it ourselves...even in what seems like -68 degree weather.

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Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:48:17 -0800 Street Smarts from Biblical Homeboys (and Homegirls) http://writeousliving.posterous.com/street-smarts-from-biblical-homeboys-and-home http://writeousliving.posterous.com/street-smarts-from-biblical-homeboys-and-home

(This is taken from the NLT Study Bible: "Who's Who in the Bible")

  1. AdamOur sins have far greater implications than we realize.
  2. NoahGreat rewards come from obeying God.
  3. Abraham - Faith alone makes one right in God's eyes.
  4. IsaacSeeking peace brings true respect.
  5. EsauIt is never too late to put away bitterness and forgive.
  6. AmalekThere are evil men and nations who seek to harm God's people.
  7. Israel (Jacob)While our sins may haunt us, God will honor our faith.
  8. JudahGod can change the hearts of even the most wicked people.
  9. TamarGod works His purposes even through sinful events.
  10. PerezYour background does not matter to God.
  11. BoazThose who are kind to others will receive kindness themselves.
  12. JesseNever take lightly the impact you may have on your children.
  13. DavidTrue greatness is having a heart for God.
  14. JoabThose who seek power die with nothing.
  15. AmnonGiving in to lust leads only to tragedy.
  16. AbsalomThose seeking to oust a God-appointed leader will have a difficult battle.
  17. Adonijah -  God must determine what is rightfully ours.
  18. BathshebaOne wrong act does not disqualify us from accomplishing things for God.
  19. SolomonHuman wisdom is foolishness without God.
  20. Reuben -  What is gained from a moment of passion is only perceived; what is lost is real and permanent.
  21. AaronDon't expect God's leaders to be perfect, but don't let them get away with sin either.
  22. Nadab -  Pretending to be God's representative is dangerous business.
  23. EleazarThose who are consistent in their faith are the best models to follow.
  24. Korah -  Rebelling against God's leaders is rebelling against God and will always be unsuccessful.
  25. JoshuaReal courage comes from God.
  26. SaulThose who say they follow God but don't live like it waste their God-given potential.
  27. Jonathan -  True friends always think of the other person, not just themselves.
  28. [[[ Insert Your Name ]]] - What would we learn from your life?
 

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Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:25:08 -0800 Fighting God http://writeousliving.posterous.com/fighting-god http://writeousliving.posterous.com/fighting-god From a heart that has shed many tears, I can tell you that going through "the fire" isn't easy. There are times in life when God draws us into an uncomfortable place...whether for a moment or a season. Imagine a fiery wall built up all around you. Your vision is blurred, your senses play tricks on you and nothing makes sense. It seems as if no one is around and you are left to fend for yourself. Abandonment. Your heart is affected most severely...it breaks and wants nothing more than to escape. You long to find some kind of relief - even if it's temporary. All the while, you have voices surrounding you on every side - "give up," or "move on"...some say, "hang in there" and "keep fighting." There is a saying that is said in may different ways, but the essence of it is - "Anything worth having is worth fighting for." After listening to many different voices and opinions of how to get yourself out of the fire, this phrase seems empowering. It seemingly offers hope and strength when all that you've previously known seems to have disintegrated into ashes. But I want to pose this as somewhat of a counter-question...When we're in the uncomfortable place of refinement - where God strips us of ungodly things and makes us more like Him...What are we fighting for? To take it a step further...who are we fighting? Are we fighting back the tears that don't seem to end? The tears that flood from your heart when your eyes dry up.  Are we fighting to be strong for the voices surrounding us and the eyes recording our every move? Or...are we fighting against God for what we feel has been taken away from us? I would argue that, more often than not...we pick the wrong battles. I'm learning that the fight is against ourselves. We must fight the desire to hold onto what God is trying to free us from. Fight the inclination to entertain any voice other an God's. Most importantly, we must fight -daily- to nurture our connection with God. He is our Source of life...He promised to "guide [us] along the best path for [our] life. [He] will advise [us] and watch over [us]." (Psalm 32:8) If the best path for my life is through testing and trials to make me more like (and closer to) Him...I surrender, knowing full well that it won't be easy and it'll be the furthest thing from comfortable...But so was the cross. Lord, make us better. Send Your refining fire.

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Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:14:54 -0800 Sometimes I Wish I Didn't Even Have the "Other Cheek" http://writeousliving.posterous.com/sometimes-i-wish-i-didnt-even-have-the-other http://writeousliving.posterous.com/sometimes-i-wish-i-didnt-even-have-the-other There are moments where I hear the Word of God and I’m encouraged that I’m on the right track. But not even as much as two minutes after that, the Lord will send a test to show me that I’m still a mess. Thanks for that. Last night at our organization’s gathering, we had a guest speaker. He talked about relational wisdom that we glean from reading a few key verses in Proverbs. Unfortunately, the one that stood out to me was talking about people behind their back. One of my weaknesses has been expressing my negative opinions about someone in the form of “venting.” Venting is just an excuse to gossip or tear someone down. Later on at our “after party,” I was talking with an individual who I’ve never met before. Some time into the conversation, he began to talk about how Communication Studies wasn’t a real major and how there is no inherent value in it…we need more innovative people to keep the country running. :-) (For all of you who don’t know, I happen to hold a BA in Communication Studies…how ironic that he would pick that major out of all majors…) So, initially I took offense to it and all kinds of judgments (out of defense) flooded my mind. As soon as I escaped the conversation, my eyes were searching the room for someone I could vent to. But I remembered our speaker saying, “When you feel like [venting], take it to the Lord and pray about it for a week. See if you still feel the same when that week is up.” So I left and went home – on the way, I started my week of prayer. :-) Shoot…sometimes I wish I didn’t have to turn that other cheek…Matt 5:38-39. But this is a good test. A great reminder that I can’t do what I’m supposed to do in my own strength. My integrity suffers when I try to maintain it. The Lord doesn’t play…He doesn’t wait around – He’ll put you in check on the spot. I’m a witness. My prayer about this? Teach me how to love regardless of how others act. Diminish the offense and spirit of pride that tries to rise up within as a result. Yuck. Am I alone in this struggle? What's your strategy?

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Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:12:45 -0800 Yielding When You Feel Like Bolting http://writeousliving.posterous.com/yielding-when-you-feel-like-bolting http://writeousliving.posterous.com/yielding-when-you-feel-like-bolting Recently, a friend of mine asked if I would like to serve as one of the prayer leaders during our conference this weekend. Since I'm a little self-conscious about praying in front of others, I usually stay quiet. Being a prayer leader requires that I speak up. When I asked what all I needed to do, he said I'd be praying and prophesying. Excellent...not only do I tense up when it's my turn to pray, but I'll probably wig out when it comes to prophesying...I don't know what I'm doing. So, I told my friend I would get back to him (in order to come up with a good reason not to do it). Here's the thing though, I can only come up with one reason why I shouldn't - and it's not even a good one. My reason? Because I don't know what I'm doing and what if I don't have anything to say? What if I miss God's voice?Someone once told me, there are times when you're in the will of God and it doesn't make any sense. You can't see what's in front of you, you don't know where you're going and nothing makes sense. So what do we do? We plant the mustard seed-sized faith that we have and we ask God to bless it (and MULTIPLY that baby!). Think about this - no one likes to admit when they are wrong or that they really don't know what they are doing. However, what is the most common excuse used when it comes to doing God's will? We come up with all kinds of reasons why we can't do it or shouldn't be the one to do it, and most of them stem from "I'm not good enough" or "I'm too afraid." I remember hearing my pastor at Abiding Savior say, "God doesn't send the equipped, He equips those that He sends." Here's the thing, we are absolutely incapable of fulfilling God's will for our life on our own. So we need to quit having this pity party about how we're incapable of doing what God asks us to do. Our gift, Holy Spirit, was sent here to help us maximize our potential - if only we would yield to Him. My flesh, in its stubbornness, only wants to do the will of God when it's comfortable and convenient...when I'm able to control (or at least predict) the outcome. What a shame if I let my flesh rule my life...what a waste. So here is my reassurance that I am not in this alone this weekend: 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT) says, "Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives -- especially the ability to prophesy." If I should desire this from the Spirit, that means He's willing to give it. Bring out those mustard seeds! 2 Peter 1:20 (NLT) says, "Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding." Ha! This proves that the prophecy may not make sense to me...it doesn't have to - if it's from God, He'll use it how He wants to. I am still a little nervous, but I know I just need to relax and just trust Him. He's got it all worked out. If I don't do this, I fear there may be someone who God wants to speak to through me...who am I to inhibit someone from a word from the Lord? I don't know what will happen - but I know that if I yield, God will bless me for it! Is there something in your life that God is asking you to do, but you are unwilling to yield?

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