"Pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'"
Matthew 12:49-50
Jesus surrounded himself with people who were like family to him. Although he was a leader, a rabbi, to them, they were also a support system for him. They got him food, talked with him, prayed with him, traveled with him, and challenged him, whether knowingly or not. As he died, he appointed one of his disciples to replace him as Mary's son. He also had an "inner circle," of three of his disciples, who were even closer to him that the rest. Jesus didn't mess around as far as friendships went.
That being said, my task today was to evaluate the people with whom I spend my time. Are they uplifting me? Am I helping them? Do I have anybody in my "group" who is dragging me down, making my work and my life more difficult? Is there someone in my group who would betray me? I'm not saying that's a necessity by any means, but Jesus definitely knew what he was getting into having Judas amongst his disciples, and I should make sure I know my friends, too.
Without a great support system, Jesus would have had a much harder time doing ministry. In the Gospels, he sends all of his disciples out two by two and, "They went out and preached that people should repent" (Mark 6:12). How many more people heard the good news because Jesus had such a great community? Many times after he healed someone, he would send them back with the command to tell their families and friends about what had happened and who had done it. The love and support of a vast group of people from different walks of life helped Jesus' ministry to be exceptional.
30.7.11
28.7.11
Day 21
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples...Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it."
Mark 14:22-23
I am extremely blessed. I have a wonderful husband, a house I don't pay for, food, two cars, more jobs than I can keep up with, great friends, a wonderful family, a healthy body, and much, much more. Yet there are plenty of days where I decide that I have nothing to be thankful for. I go hours, days, weeks, without realizing how blessed I am, much less taking 3 seconds to thank God for all the blessings he rains down upon me.
Yet Jesus thanked God for the simple blessings of food, drink, and friends with which to share them. Even though one of them was about to betray him. Even though another was about to deny him. Even though the rest of them wouldn't even take the time to be near him during his time of need. Even though his own mother was going to watch him suffer and die. Even though he wasn't going to live long enough to fully digest his food. Wow.
So today I did my best to be thankful. I started just by thinking about all the amazing blessings in my life (the short list is above). Then, as I drove to work this morning, I thanked God for a beautiful day and for the blessing of work. As always, I thanked him for my food. I even remembered to be thankful for the opportunity to borrow a beachouse and spend the day on the beach--even after the water was freezing and it started to rain on us. I'm going to write out a list of all the blessings in my life and hang them somewhere in the house. Maybe I'll go old school and cut out words from magazines and make a collage. In any case, I want to remind myself of how wonderful God has been to me. Then maybe when times get tough, I'll remember that life is good, and God is great.
Mark 14:22-23
I am extremely blessed. I have a wonderful husband, a house I don't pay for, food, two cars, more jobs than I can keep up with, great friends, a wonderful family, a healthy body, and much, much more. Yet there are plenty of days where I decide that I have nothing to be thankful for. I go hours, days, weeks, without realizing how blessed I am, much less taking 3 seconds to thank God for all the blessings he rains down upon me.
Yet Jesus thanked God for the simple blessings of food, drink, and friends with which to share them. Even though one of them was about to betray him. Even though another was about to deny him. Even though the rest of them wouldn't even take the time to be near him during his time of need. Even though his own mother was going to watch him suffer and die. Even though he wasn't going to live long enough to fully digest his food. Wow.
So today I did my best to be thankful. I started just by thinking about all the amazing blessings in my life (the short list is above). Then, as I drove to work this morning, I thanked God for a beautiful day and for the blessing of work. As always, I thanked him for my food. I even remembered to be thankful for the opportunity to borrow a beachouse and spend the day on the beach--even after the water was freezing and it started to rain on us. I'm going to write out a list of all the blessings in my life and hang them somewhere in the house. Maybe I'll go old school and cut out words from magazines and make a collage. In any case, I want to remind myself of how wonderful God has been to me. Then maybe when times get tough, I'll remember that life is good, and God is great.
27.7.11
Day 20
"'Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.'"
Matthew 12:35-38
Well, halfway through the experiment, I'm definitely feeling closer to God. I am aware of my negative qualities and challenges as both a Christian and a future minister, but I am also more apt to pray, serve, and try to be more like Jesus, even when I fail. I'm only human--I'm not Jesus, and I never claimed to be. But I am a Christ follower, and as such, I should follow his commands and example for my life. Thanks to all of you who are cheeirng and praying me on, because this has not been an easy journey, but it was one I felt compelled to take.
I know that the verse above is more about being patient for Jesus' return, but I think it applies to patience in general, as well. I babysat from 8:30 this morning until 7 this evening, so I figured that would be a good test of my patience. At the first house, the little girl didn't want to go to sleep for her morning OR afternoon nap, so I had to wait out the sadness and crying, which is always sad.
At the next house, the baby boy cried as soon as he woke up from his nap, and then he cried a ridiculous amount afterward. Having a baby scream in my ear is definitely a test of patience. It didn't help that I finally calmed him down by going outside, and he immediately freaked out when we went back outside. Didn't he understand that I had to listen for his sister on the baby monitor? Another test...
The last family went great. Daniel was super excited to see me, and clearly missed me while I was gone for several weeks. He didn't make me want to scream, and it was probably one of the best days I've had with him. No more tests of patience.
I'm not by nature a patient person. But Jesus reminds me that life brings plenty of situations that require watching and waiting. Besides the day to day problems that we face, there is the greater waiting for Jesus' return. We have to be alert and waiting expectantly to usher in that great day. I will have to develop much better patience if I can wait for that day without going crazy. More praying!
Matthew 12:35-38
Well, halfway through the experiment, I'm definitely feeling closer to God. I am aware of my negative qualities and challenges as both a Christian and a future minister, but I am also more apt to pray, serve, and try to be more like Jesus, even when I fail. I'm only human--I'm not Jesus, and I never claimed to be. But I am a Christ follower, and as such, I should follow his commands and example for my life. Thanks to all of you who are cheeirng and praying me on, because this has not been an easy journey, but it was one I felt compelled to take.
I know that the verse above is more about being patient for Jesus' return, but I think it applies to patience in general, as well. I babysat from 8:30 this morning until 7 this evening, so I figured that would be a good test of my patience. At the first house, the little girl didn't want to go to sleep for her morning OR afternoon nap, so I had to wait out the sadness and crying, which is always sad.
At the next house, the baby boy cried as soon as he woke up from his nap, and then he cried a ridiculous amount afterward. Having a baby scream in my ear is definitely a test of patience. It didn't help that I finally calmed him down by going outside, and he immediately freaked out when we went back outside. Didn't he understand that I had to listen for his sister on the baby monitor? Another test...
The last family went great. Daniel was super excited to see me, and clearly missed me while I was gone for several weeks. He didn't make me want to scream, and it was probably one of the best days I've had with him. No more tests of patience.
I'm not by nature a patient person. But Jesus reminds me that life brings plenty of situations that require watching and waiting. Besides the day to day problems that we face, there is the greater waiting for Jesus' return. We have to be alert and waiting expectantly to usher in that great day. I will have to develop much better patience if I can wait for that day without going crazy. More praying!
26.7.11
Day 19
"Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"
John 20:21-22
As I thought about this Scripture this morning, I realized that peace is a very elusive thing. Jesus urges his disciples, who had recently lost their rabbi, the man they thought would save the world, and were definitely not at peace. But there is nothing the disciples have done or can do to achieve this peace on their own. Jesus bestows peace through the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. Sure, the disciples had seen their risen lord, but that certainly didn't solve all the problems they had. Now there were just more questions than answers: Where did he come from? How did he come back? Why didn't he rescue us from the Romans the first time around? Yet Jesus offers them peace. We have all received the Holy Spirit and peace in the same way. We just have to accept that life will not be perfect, and things will still go wrong. Easy enough, right? But true peace, the peace that "passes all understanding" is not affected by the day to day. It is rooted in God's awesome love, Christ's self-giving gesture, and the Spirit's constant presence. I hope I can remember that always.
John 20:21-22
As I thought about this Scripture this morning, I realized that peace is a very elusive thing. Jesus urges his disciples, who had recently lost their rabbi, the man they thought would save the world, and were definitely not at peace. But there is nothing the disciples have done or can do to achieve this peace on their own. Jesus bestows peace through the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. Sure, the disciples had seen their risen lord, but that certainly didn't solve all the problems they had. Now there were just more questions than answers: Where did he come from? How did he come back? Why didn't he rescue us from the Romans the first time around? Yet Jesus offers them peace. We have all received the Holy Spirit and peace in the same way. We just have to accept that life will not be perfect, and things will still go wrong. Easy enough, right? But true peace, the peace that "passes all understanding" is not affected by the day to day. It is rooted in God's awesome love, Christ's self-giving gesture, and the Spirit's constant presence. I hope I can remember that always.
25.7.11
"'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"
Mark 14:36
Jesus doesn't hold anything back when he's praying to his Father, and his example is a great one to follow. Sometimes, I spend too much time faking my way through my prayers. Instead of honestly telling God, "This sucks! Please change this!", I thank God for all the wonderful things in my life. Not that thanking God is a bad thing, but it is bad to be genuine with the world and false with God. God already knows what I want/need before I ask for it, but that shouldn't stop me from asking. Wes knows when I'm getting hungry, tired, want a backrub, etc., but I still tell him. How much more should I do the same with God?
The second half of this is that Jesus doesn't assume he is going to get what he asks. He says, "Yet not what I will, but what you will." When I am honest with God, God is completely honest in return. When I was younger, I used to love the song "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks. In it, he says that God sometimes leaves prayers unanswered. Now, I disagree with this song wholeheartedly. God never leaves us hanging. But sometimes, God says, "No. That's not my plan for you. I love you completely, and that's not what's best for you."
Wes and I have had a couple of issues we have been praying about over the past few weeks. As I prayed about these things today, I made sure that I prayed sincerely, but also left myself open to God's answer, no matter what that is. I encourage all of you to do the same!
Mark 14:36
Jesus doesn't hold anything back when he's praying to his Father, and his example is a great one to follow. Sometimes, I spend too much time faking my way through my prayers. Instead of honestly telling God, "This sucks! Please change this!", I thank God for all the wonderful things in my life. Not that thanking God is a bad thing, but it is bad to be genuine with the world and false with God. God already knows what I want/need before I ask for it, but that shouldn't stop me from asking. Wes knows when I'm getting hungry, tired, want a backrub, etc., but I still tell him. How much more should I do the same with God?
The second half of this is that Jesus doesn't assume he is going to get what he asks. He says, "Yet not what I will, but what you will." When I am honest with God, God is completely honest in return. When I was younger, I used to love the song "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks. In it, he says that God sometimes leaves prayers unanswered. Now, I disagree with this song wholeheartedly. God never leaves us hanging. But sometimes, God says, "No. That's not my plan for you. I love you completely, and that's not what's best for you."
Wes and I have had a couple of issues we have been praying about over the past few weeks. As I prayed about these things today, I made sure that I prayed sincerely, but also left myself open to God's answer, no matter what that is. I encourage all of you to do the same!
24.7.11
Day 18
"'Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'”
He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 'Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?'
'Caesar’s,' they replied.
He said to them, 'Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.'"
Luke 20:22-25
Wes and I are pretty good about tithing. We also pay our taxes. So why do I write about this particular passage today? Because giving to "Caesar" what belongs to him and giving to God what belongs to him extend much farther than just giving back a portion of what we have earned. Being a part of American society means that we should be giving our time and energy to supporting jobs, people, education, and life in America. This, of course, should not be done to the exclusion of other countries, and Jesus also calls us to support the poor throughout the world. However, we are Americans, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the country and the people who allow us the rich lives that we lead.
At the same time, and on a much bigger scale, tithing does not come anywhere near encompassing the return of all that belongs to God. Everything we have, from our money to our lives, is a gift from God. Even that which we return to "Caesar" was never "Caesar's" or ours to give. God grants us all things, so we will never be able to pay him back for all that he has done. We are not called to try to repay the great debt we owe God. We are called to remember the great things he has done, and give all things, from our time to our lives, back to God.
Today, I thought about how I live my life. Yes, I devote at least an hour per week to worshipping God, I tithe, etc. But have I really been surrendering all that is God's to him? I frequently spend more money on eating out and going to movies in a month than I do supporting ministry and doing God's work in the world. I spend most of my week working, watching TV, reading, and hanging out with Wes. Do I really dedicate that time to God? Part of being a Christian is giving of myself, and I definitely need some work in this area. Praying more frequently is a good start. But I am also committing myself to spending at least one hour of time outside of church each week devoted specifically to God.
He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 'Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?'
'Caesar’s,' they replied.
He said to them, 'Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.'"
Luke 20:22-25
Wes and I are pretty good about tithing. We also pay our taxes. So why do I write about this particular passage today? Because giving to "Caesar" what belongs to him and giving to God what belongs to him extend much farther than just giving back a portion of what we have earned. Being a part of American society means that we should be giving our time and energy to supporting jobs, people, education, and life in America. This, of course, should not be done to the exclusion of other countries, and Jesus also calls us to support the poor throughout the world. However, we are Americans, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the country and the people who allow us the rich lives that we lead.
At the same time, and on a much bigger scale, tithing does not come anywhere near encompassing the return of all that belongs to God. Everything we have, from our money to our lives, is a gift from God. Even that which we return to "Caesar" was never "Caesar's" or ours to give. God grants us all things, so we will never be able to pay him back for all that he has done. We are not called to try to repay the great debt we owe God. We are called to remember the great things he has done, and give all things, from our time to our lives, back to God.
Today, I thought about how I live my life. Yes, I devote at least an hour per week to worshipping God, I tithe, etc. But have I really been surrendering all that is God's to him? I frequently spend more money on eating out and going to movies in a month than I do supporting ministry and doing God's work in the world. I spend most of my week working, watching TV, reading, and hanging out with Wes. Do I really dedicate that time to God? Part of being a Christian is giving of myself, and I definitely need some work in this area. Praying more frequently is a good start. But I am also committing myself to spending at least one hour of time outside of church each week devoted specifically to God.
22.7.11
Day 17
"When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.'"
John 6:12
As some of you may know, Wes and I have been making a pretty good effort to be easier on the environment. I've always been a recycler, but I just recently read about how recycling should actually be our last-ditch effort. We frequently forget about "reduce" and "reuse," which are much better ways to help our environment. For example, buying a used car is much better than buying a new car and then recycling it when you're done. Using less water is better than developing a system to recycle water within your house. Although a lot of poeple have made great strides in recycling, we usually forget that there are earlier steps in the process that would help the earth more.
After reading many articles and books about being environmentally responsible, I have started to look more closely at my day-to-day habits. Do I really need to print something out, or can I save a file instead of using a piece of paper? Can I shower by the light of the sun in the mornings, or do I really need to turn the overhead light on? The little things we do on an everyday basis are really the things that make a difference.
Why was Jesus so concerned with collecting the leftovers from this feast of bread and fish? Was it simply so that the amount of leftovers could be recorded, or was there a higher purpose? In this story in John, Jesus clearly states that the purpose is to avoid waste. During Jesus' lifetime, food and wealth were hard to come by, so one can assume that he collected these leftovers to continue to feed himself, his followers, and/or the poor. Yet Jesus is also the Son of God, who created the universe and everything in it. Perhaps his concern for not wasting is related to the beauty and fragility of the earth, and reminds us that part of our duty as faithful people is to care for the earth and all that is in it.
John 6:12
As some of you may know, Wes and I have been making a pretty good effort to be easier on the environment. I've always been a recycler, but I just recently read about how recycling should actually be our last-ditch effort. We frequently forget about "reduce" and "reuse," which are much better ways to help our environment. For example, buying a used car is much better than buying a new car and then recycling it when you're done. Using less water is better than developing a system to recycle water within your house. Although a lot of poeple have made great strides in recycling, we usually forget that there are earlier steps in the process that would help the earth more.
After reading many articles and books about being environmentally responsible, I have started to look more closely at my day-to-day habits. Do I really need to print something out, or can I save a file instead of using a piece of paper? Can I shower by the light of the sun in the mornings, or do I really need to turn the overhead light on? The little things we do on an everyday basis are really the things that make a difference.
Why was Jesus so concerned with collecting the leftovers from this feast of bread and fish? Was it simply so that the amount of leftovers could be recorded, or was there a higher purpose? In this story in John, Jesus clearly states that the purpose is to avoid waste. During Jesus' lifetime, food and wealth were hard to come by, so one can assume that he collected these leftovers to continue to feed himself, his followers, and/or the poor. Yet Jesus is also the Son of God, who created the universe and everything in it. Perhaps his concern for not wasting is related to the beauty and fragility of the earth, and reminds us that part of our duty as faithful people is to care for the earth and all that is in it.
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