You Mean Me?

Have you ever wondered what Jesus looks like? What do you think He looks like?

This was the opening question to the message this past Sunday.  My mind went back to pictures in Bible story books and such.  As I drifted in and out of what was being said with mental images of a man with long, brown hair going through my head, I heard the pastor say, “He looks like you…me…us”.  As followers of Jesus, we put off the old self and are transformed to become like Him.  We take on his characteristics and become Jesus to others.  He went on to talk about the holiness of Jesus.  Webster defines holiness as “exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness”.  To be holy is to be different from the world so that others recognize the difference and want what is missing in their lives.  Being a good example to others because we may be the only Jesus they come in contact with.  

The excuse of being a sinner is often overused in many offenses.  In Romans Paul says where there is sin that grace is greater.  Even we as Christians are our own worst enemy and we take advantage of the grace as the basis of the excuse to continue in the same sin.  I fully agree that we are sinners, but where there has been conviction and repentance, “the sin” should become more difficult to embrace and hopefully avoided.  Can we be perfect? Absolutely not…but to use the above excuse to not strive for Christ’s perfection is amiss.  We have to strive to be more holy, more like Jesus.

So if we take on his characteristics, what exactly should others see in us in our day to day lives?  The fruit of the Spirit reveals 9 characteristics we have probably all heard.  I researched some other traits that include:

Forgiving others, even for insignificant things and not being resentful. Ignoring wrongs so relationships can be healed.

Humility- admitting that God is responsible for our achievements.  Not thinking we are “all that”.  There is always someone that is better than us in any given situation, no matter what our title is.  Submission and serving others, not thinking everyone should serve us. 

Honesty & truthfulness- Doing what is right and being straight forward with others. 

Obedience- submitting to do what God requires of us.

Reverence- recognizing and respecting people, not just because of their position but because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Avoiding Anger- knowing its destructive force and striving to maintain serenity

Being a good example- We have to live out what we believe.  Literally “be” Jesus to others.

Communication- Be willing to share thoughts, feelings, and actions in a kind manner that reflects Christ.  This works in conjunction with being straightforward. One thing is for sure…no situation will get better without communication of the concern.

Being discreet- not bullying people with personality types or actions, or even with sound and right opinions.  Yet being genuinely respectful in what we say and do. 

Being Decisive- sticking to right and just decisions, based on God’s perfect will.  Letting our “yesses” be yes and our “nos” be no and not letting the presence of other people or situations cause us to waiver.

Integrity- this allows us to keep our word and do our best even when no one else is looking.  

Boy have I got some work to do!  I enjoyed reading through the list I found because they were all applicable to interacting with others on a daily basis.  I am guilty of only being aware of the traits when I am at church, in Bible Study and when I am about God’s business.  They seem to go out the door any other time and I feel I can act and treat people however I choose.  This was a good reminder to me.  Thanks for reading! Go be Jesus to someone today!

 

New Life

Today is the first day of spring. This beautiful season of blooming flowers and such always reminds me of new life.  God’s beautiful creation seems to become vibrant with colors and comes to life this time of year.  Springtime always means Easter is right around the corner.  Unfortunately, the true meaning of Easter seems to always be dampened with bunnies and eggs.  Before you get disgusted and call me a prude, my kids will be hiding and/or hunting eggs along with many others.  It is so much fun for them and us too!  

New life.  So how do you make a life that already exists a new life?  What exactly does that mean?  If a life is made new … there had to be death of the old life.  So, without death, there is no life. 

If we are still here on this earth and get to experience a new life, our old self has to die.  We become a new person.  

Even if we, or a loved one, experiences death then we still experience a new, eternal life in heaven. 

But how?  How is all of this possible? What has to be done? What has to be said? Nothing and nothing.  It is strictly if we believe.  Being a Christian, a Christ follower, is hard for non-believers to understand because it is based on faith.  Nothing that can be seen or touched… simply a belief.  Yet so difficult…faith alone.  

Many years ago, a baby was born in a stable.  This baby was no ordinary baby.  This baby was born of a virgin.  This baby grew up and lived on this earth and experienced life much like we do today….(well sort of, minus the Lady Gaga’s and such).  He performed many miracles and served others. He taught that love was and still is the greatest commandment.   He lived life and never sinned.  He loved the people of this world so much- sinners, you and me, that he gave his life for us.  He died for us.  He experienced a cruel death by being nailed to a cross.  The story doesn’t end there- Praise the Lord!  Three days later, he rose from the grave.  

This is the gospel story…Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection.  This is the death that gives new life.  A life that allows us to travel around each and every day with His Spirit in us guiding us.  His Spirit in us makes us different from the world.  We choose differently because we are Spirit filled. Our lives begin to look different because we become reflections of Him.  Are we perfect? No…we simply have forgiveness and hope when we screw it all up.  Sure, sometimes that Spirit gets squashed and our flesh overtakes us because we are sinners.  But because of a death on a cross, we are forgiven.  We are made new.  We get a do over…  IF we believe. Who in this life doesn’t need another chance?

Do you believe? 

Romans 10:9 

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

It's a Zoo Out There!

My hubs is a wise man.  Beyond his ability to participate in Jeopardy with the best of them and win at just about every trivia game there is, he has great words of wisdom for me when I need them most.  Here are a few:
Two hurts don't make a right.
Never form an opinion/assumption/judgment until you have heard from all parties involved. (He is still a cop at heart I guess)
Your own business keeps you busy enough so stay out of everyone elses. 
Do your job, do it well, and don't worry about what others are or are not doing.
...And my recent all time favorite is never be a sheep or a wolf. 

Let me explain because I know if you are familiar with the parable in God's word, you would prefer to be a sheep rather a goat.  Actually, I will give credit where credit is due- He actually learned this profound statement from Chris Kyle's father (American Sniper). Actually I believe Chris' father learned it from a veteran named Grossman.  The moral of the story goes like this.  There are three kinds of people in this world: "wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs."  Grossman's metaphor was to issue a call to action to defend yourself against your enemies.  "If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen: a sheep.  If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath- a wolf.  But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for you fellow citizens?  Then you are a sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path."  Hence the advice..."Never be a sheep or a wolf!"

This profound military statement reminded me of Matthew10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:  be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Dove- harmlessness and innocence
Serpent-wisdom and cunning

The take home message is that the Lord wants us to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.  That is, we adapt the cunning of the serpent, but not to the extent that we trick, deceive, harm, injure, and we adapt the gentleness and innocence of the dove but not to the extent that we cannot teach, rebuke, or stand for the truth.  To be wise but not harmful, and to be gentle but not weak.  This is a perfect harmony of wisdom and gentleness because they both somewhat limit each other.  This is actually the wisdom and gentleness that Christ lived. 

It truly is a zoo out there! Sheep, wolves, sheepdogs, serpents, dove...What will you choose?

I will leave you with a few verses.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance...

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Sleepless in Milli

As I toss and turn on another sleepless night wondering why I keep waking up at 3-4am every morning, I decide to put my racing thoughts into words. Why is it that my thoughts seem so clear when I can't sleep? Maybe it's the silence? No chaos. No confusion. No loud chatter. No negativity. No self seeking motives. No twisting or bending of facts. No distractions. Only me and God. He whispers, " I am not the author of confusion." So the people and situations that I still can't wrap my mind around become clearer and the sinking, unresolved feeling fades.

 Sometimes people never take responsibility, no matter what. For some reason they don't understand how it looks when they say one thing and do another. Some are good at sweeping things under the rug while others are lingering trying to figure out where things went wrong... Lost in the bends and twists. Some people assume others are stuck in their self destructing past and continue to remind them of it by labeling them as having serious problems.

God never makes me feel my friendship with Him is more of a burden than a benefit. He is faithful and doesn't find me difficult. He is my Rock. He loves me more than I can put into words! He provides reassurance and peace. It is Him I should go to.... Always! I'm not sure how many times He will put me in situations that when down the road I look back and ask, " why do I put so much faith and hope in fellow man?" As humans, we, I, am rotten to the core. I wonder why or how He could even love us? He sent His only Son to die for us flesh seeking humans!

Love so undeniable I can hardly think!
Peace so unexplainable I can hardly speak!
Your a good, good father-that's who you are
and I'm loved by You-that's who I am!

As my mind eases and eyes become heavy, I am content in His love!

Love you, friend!
Thanks for keeping me company on another sleepless night.

El Roi, The God Who Sees

As part of my graduate studies in nursing, our class visited the Capitol to mingle and voice our concerns of the laws that make the nurse practitioner role difficult in Georgia.  If you know me at all, you know I am nothing near a political woman and  I can assure you I was there because it was expected of me to go...for the grade.  I remember standing there quietly, dressed professionally, pretending to be important.  I knew I would never approach a Congressman and discuss anything.  All around me I could here these very political, intellectual sounding conversations.  In that moment, I  remember feeling unimportant.  In that particular instance, for me, I preferred to remain unseen and unheard...invisible.  Remaining invisible is never once preference.  However, there comes a time when even the quietest of people want to feel seen and heard.

Sometimes, we allow the world to convince us that we are not worthy.

Sometimes, we compare ourselves to others and quickly decide we are invisible and she isn't.  We are less, she is more.  We are insecure.  She is confident.  We are wanna be's. She has arrived.  The comparison game causes us to do ugly things.  We begin to strive to be heard.  Then we begin to sulk and just want to throw in the towel.  The feeling of being invisible begins to compound.  

Sometimes, God reminds us of a recent Bible study we participated in and the scripture leaps out at us.  I am reminded that other people don't necessarily speak for God.  Because I am not invisible to Him, I can be in a crowded room of important strangers and remember I am seen by the only One who really matters.  

Matthew 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  

One of my all time favorites...

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."


Suddenly, I realize God is my El Roi.  He sees me.  He listens to me.  He cares about my feelings.  I am important to Him.  And for some stinkin' reason, He loves me more than I will ever know.

Seeking Him,
Leah
 

Older and Wiser

This year has been a year of growth for me;  I have grown to realize how people operate and behave is quite a comedy yet sometimes sickening all at once.  As 2014 winds down, I will share what I have learned through various circumstances...in no particular order.  These are clearly observations and may or may not have directly involved me.

Adult tantrums, rants, quarrels, closely resemble childlike behavior.  Adults will always in some way act like children.

People find the shortest route with the least amount of work yet always expect optimum results.

40 year old hormones do weird things to one's body.

Choosing kindness no matter what is always best. 

Truth and honesty prevent a life of looking over one's shoulder in fear. 

People don't receive when someone is blunt yet they thrive on the interpretations of what they think someone meant either in their words or deeds. 

If you have a problem with someone...go to them, not everyone else- it's painful and sometimes difficult, but omits lots of unnecessary talk, chatter, and opinions. 

God loves me no matter how busy life is!

Telling others I attend a non denominational church was strange for me in the beginning, but in today's society and culture...I have never been more proud!

I don't have to be the driver in all situations.  The passenger's seat is always a thrill ride!  Just buckle up and shut up!

Thoughts are sometimes best left at thoughts that never form into words.

Never say never!

Always listen to what you feel God says is best and don't let other people's opinion persuade you otherwise. 

The biblical perspective of marriage can never be studied enough. 

Parenting is hard!

Optimism is hard for me and I secretly (not anymore) am envious of people who are good at it. 

Our pasts, no matter how good or bad, not only become the answer to every Bible study question but also follows us everywhere we go- so choose your paths carefully.

Flesh is easy to give into! When the Spirit prevails, it is always a great feeling!

God and family are really the only ones that have your best interest at heart, no matter how much others try to convince you otherwise.

What others think of me is thankfully becoming less of a driving factor for me.

I really am blessed with a job I enjoy doing and don't dread going to work.

I am still trying to learn my role as a wife and mom after 17 years of marriage.

This year I have learned the importance of  family time and how awesome it feels to just be together.
 Thoughtfulness is important and little things mean a whole bunch!

Fake is always ugly and truth sometimes hurts!

I am blessed (not cursed) to have experienced true forgiveness in marriage.

I really miss my mama and would live to hear her silly laugh!

Things change and people do to...but life goes on.

People can't take back wrong doings yet only learn from their mistakes, seek forgiveness, and move on with lessons learned.

Being as wise as a serpent yet innocent as a dove is an awesome theme in any situation.

Not agreeing with someone's lifestyle= I hate you...I am judging you??? This I will never understand.

Being an effective leader involves making rules, being in charge, confrontation when needed, accountability, not being a people pleaser...Unfortunately or thankfully, I would never be a good leader.

People get upset when someone decides to try to eat healthy...yep you read that right!  Go figure! 

People talk out of both sides of their mouth and this is quickly becoming one of my least favorite things to witness.

People go to extremes to avoid dealing with situations...That's too much work...just deal with it!

People with equals rarely accept them as equals.  Power struggles will be the downfall of many relationships.

People, whether intentional or unintentional, make others feel unimportant.


Sorry if this sounds morbid but 2014 has been a very eye opening experience for me!  Thanks for reading!

Today Is The Day

There is no time like the present!  Today is the day!  It is for me anyway.

 Yesterday was a whole different story!  Yesterday was a day that held many emotions for me.  It started as any other day does...busy as soon as my feet hit the floor.  (As everyone's days are) I received a call and learned of the passing of a lifelong friend who was like another mother to me when I was young.  I then jumped into the "wonderful world" of social media in between patients and my new feed was full of people griping about others being thankful, "only in November", people who had been hurt expressing their concerns to the world of social media, people asking for prayer because of the dreaded "c" word, and in between the cracks of yuck...I would find some encouragement or scripture.  Satan then had his way with me as my mind went into a tail spin of why? why? why? Why bother? Why even try?  Your past has guided you down this "love from a distance and you will be safe" kind of thinking. 

Loving God and loving others as Jesus did is a major theme throughout the Bible.  Loving others is hard!  We can say we love others and even genuinely be concerned, but are your actions showing it?  Do they know it?  What little things that take very little time are you doing for them? I did not inherit the thoughtfulness gene that involves simple thank you notes when I receive gifts, remembering the importance and following through with RSVPs, sending cards, messages, texts, etc when someone is sick or in the hospital, sending notes when you haven't seen someone in a while and asking- Hey! How are things?  All of these seem like second nature to so many people.  IT IS NOT TO ME.  But guess what, I am STILL a Christian.  I am still HUMAN.  You've seen the bumper stickers right?  Christians aren't perfect ...just forgiven.  People that hold positions in whatever arena you may be in, are humans and will fall short- they will at some point in time not meet the expectations you had for them.  Why do we tend to hold standards for people, no matter what their title, at a height that we ourselves wouldn't want to be held to?  Would we want their role?  Are we aware of what all their role involves and what may be going on in their personal life?

 If someone has hurt you...I challenge you not to do as I did yesterday and have yourself a pity party.  I challenge you to ask yourself these questions.  What are YOU doing to serve others? Where can YOU get involved?  There are many, many things that need to be done in the body of Christ and very few that get involved. 20% doing 80% of the work.  People grow weary, get tired, and need help!  There is a job for you!  Jesus came to serve, not be served.  Don't merely be a consumer!  Jump in- there's lots to be done, trust me!  Today I will choose to take the lessons I have learned and move forward and begin to be intentional about thoughtfulness and loving on others. I invite you to take your eyes off of yourself and direct them towards God and serving others.  Let's see where that takes us.
 Honestly, I am thankful for the eye opening experience I had.  We learn through our mistakes, right?

My day ended on a happy note...I went to visit my friend who had lost her mother and we laughed and reminisced about our crazy childhood and asked ourselves...how in the world did we survive?  I was able to see a man who still smiles and laughs knowing confidently that his love was ready to leave this world and meet her Maker.  What a blessed day!  My pity party has turned to joyous singing...just ask my family about my morning run on the treadmill- I sang it out, cried it out, praised it out!

Today is the day, let's go!

Leah