Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice to God
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Romans is one of my favorite books of the Bible!! It touches on so many different areas with specific instructions! Don't just pretend to love others! Really love them. Help all people EVEN your enemies. Pray for blessings upon your enemies (really?!? It is very hard, but get creative especially to start, I've prayed for Hearts to be blessed, so the person is transformed or that they were financially blessed so I could be repaid.)
Baby steps, love better the easy people then start working to love the harder people! Fake it till you make it real works. If you do loving acts then you can be changed from the inside out!
Work hard, work enthusiastically, encourage others, follow your gifts and judge yourself fairly! Work for God in everything you do- cleaning house, making dinner, caring for children or aging parents, taking care of your marriage, your day job, and all those insignificant tasks that seem to suck the life and energy from you! Do it for the Lord and see if it changes you! It is a process I have to remind myself continually as I do another load of laundry, dishes or pick up for the twentieth time that day! But I do feel better overall, I feel more peace, rest and joy!
I love you and I pray for you!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
Happy New Year!!
Today in church we talked about letting go of the past and moving forward in 2012. I had to think about what I might be holding on to. I can't just let go of what happened to Katie because it is part of her journey, but I realized I can let go of my worry! I try very hard not to worry, but it is a unlovely human trait. Also, I need to let go of my exhaustion. I am tired! Constantly tired! When I give you a run down of my days and weeks it is easy to see why, but I give myself little grace because I know people handle so much more. That leads me to let go of my desire to be as good as everyone else looks.
We all see the warm fuzzies of each other. Oh, look she keeps her house so clean! Oh, she always looks so beautiful! Oh, she is always so organized. She has so much on her plate and handles everything perfectly. She works 50 hours a week and can still do it all. She has so many kids and still has time to help and volunteer. What we don't see is how hard they work, or how often they break down or the help they receive, or that 90% of the time they are not perfect but can put on a great show. We didn't see how they were raised or what there personal struggles are. They may look beautiful and perfect but see themselves as ugly. They may work so hard to never feel that they are doing enough. What I desire is to push myself, but to be at peace with my weakness and limitation, and yet always strive to do better. I need to lean more on God since He works best through our weaknesses. "I can do all things through HIM who gives me strength." "This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it!" I need to hold on to those verses as I start this new year. I need to lean on God for my strength and find the joy in each day!
Happy New Year!! What can you leave behind this year?!?
Today in church we talked about letting go of the past and moving forward in 2012. I had to think about what I might be holding on to. I can't just let go of what happened to Katie because it is part of her journey, but I realized I can let go of my worry! I try very hard not to worry, but it is a unlovely human trait. Also, I need to let go of my exhaustion. I am tired! Constantly tired! When I give you a run down of my days and weeks it is easy to see why, but I give myself little grace because I know people handle so much more. That leads me to let go of my desire to be as good as everyone else looks.
We all see the warm fuzzies of each other. Oh, look she keeps her house so clean! Oh, she always looks so beautiful! Oh, she is always so organized. She has so much on her plate and handles everything perfectly. She works 50 hours a week and can still do it all. She has so many kids and still has time to help and volunteer. What we don't see is how hard they work, or how often they break down or the help they receive, or that 90% of the time they are not perfect but can put on a great show. We didn't see how they were raised or what there personal struggles are. They may look beautiful and perfect but see themselves as ugly. They may work so hard to never feel that they are doing enough. What I desire is to push myself, but to be at peace with my weakness and limitation, and yet always strive to do better. I need to lean more on God since He works best through our weaknesses. "I can do all things through HIM who gives me strength." "This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it!" I need to hold on to those verses as I start this new year. I need to lean on God for my strength and find the joy in each day!
Happy New Year!! What can you leave behind this year?!?
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Tears
I can't stop crying, well, I do then I start up again. I just started thinking of when Katie was in the NICU, longest 16 days of my life. If she had been my first born, I do not know if I would have left the hospital much at all! But with an almost two year old who had never spent the night away from me until I went into labor waiting for me! The feeling I had every time I left the hospital was I was forgetting something. The pain of having to leave her over and over again. Longest 16 days ever with usually at least 4 trips to and from the hospital. I am amazed at the process of grief, of grieving "what should of been". My heart and soul goes out to those who lost a child, a spouse, or anyone in a manner of not "how it should of been". I am at peace with Katie and what happened and why. BUT that doesn't stop my heart from hurting!! I hurt for those who don't get to take their child home from the hospital at any age! I am sorry!! Compared to that my tears seem petty, but I allow myself grace to feel my feelings and hope I can continue to use my experience to help others. May the tears come in waves as I grieve and give thanks for Katie's life and her recovery! I thank God daily for her progress!!! I reflect to last year this time all Katie did was sit up. She has come a very long way!!
Thank you God!! Thank you for being with Katie when I wasn't. Thank you for being with me on each drive to and from the hospital. Thank you for being faithful in this long journey which is only the beginning!! Thank you God!!
Thank you God!! Thank you for being with Katie when I wasn't. Thank you for being with me on each drive to and from the hospital. Thank you for being faithful in this long journey which is only the beginning!! Thank you God!!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
My Grandma
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
This passage reminds me of my Grandma Lehmann!! She was a beautiful, wonderful, lovely woman!! I would be happy to live a life like hers!! May God fill me and mold me to be more peaceful. To put others first all the time, without feeling resentful. May God mold me and help me be more gentle and sincere and peace loving!! May I bless the lives of others as my Grandma blessed mine!! It will be two years ago this month that she passed away!! She is truly a beautiful perfect angel now!!
I love you Grandma!!!! I miss you so much!! Thank you for showing me how to be a Godly wife, mother and grandmother!! You were beautiful in so many ways!! You were warm, caring, loving, kind, spirited, gentle and fun loving!! I know you are having fun singing and dancing and watching us grow to be more like Jesus!! Thank you!!! I love you so much Grandma!!!! I miss you!! Hugs and kisses!!
This passage reminds me of my Grandma Lehmann!! She was a beautiful, wonderful, lovely woman!! I would be happy to live a life like hers!! May God fill me and mold me to be more peaceful. To put others first all the time, without feeling resentful. May God mold me and help me be more gentle and sincere and peace loving!! May I bless the lives of others as my Grandma blessed mine!! It will be two years ago this month that she passed away!! She is truly a beautiful perfect angel now!!
I love you Grandma!!!! I miss you so much!! Thank you for showing me how to be a Godly wife, mother and grandmother!! You were beautiful in so many ways!! You were warm, caring, loving, kind, spirited, gentle and fun loving!! I know you are having fun singing and dancing and watching us grow to be more like Jesus!! Thank you!!! I love you so much Grandma!!!! I miss you!! Hugs and kisses!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Faith
Faith is something that is not easy to come by and is a lifelong struggle to truly keep. But faith is searching and finding. Faith requires trust in that which you can't see, trust in something greater! God requires faith, we are forced to believe. Believe in what we can't see, but I believe that creation is filled with too much beauty to be chance. It is easier to believe that God exists than life is worthless, meaningless and temporary. My Katie exudes hope, joy, and life in her little miracle of a life!! There is a God!! I believe he allowed Katie's stroke to occur, but I believe He has restored her and has used her stroke to better my life, my family's life and those closest to us. I am a better person!! I am a better mom, a better friend, a better prayer, a better wife! God has used my struggles to better my overall life, so I can show His Love and Faithfulness!! God is faithful and we must have faith. Faith that we have a greater purpose!! So believe, have faith, have hope and LIVE your life to it's fullest!!
Hebrews 11
1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying-“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith-for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead-a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.
22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.
23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.
29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.
30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.
31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.
But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11
1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying-“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.
8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith-for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead-a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them.
13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” 19 Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.
20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau.
21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.
22 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.
23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 27 It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. 28 It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.
29 It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.
30 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.
31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death.
But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
Hebrews 11
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Positive versus Negative
Positive versus negative. What do you do more throughout the day- give thanks or complain, see the good in people or their annoyances, love or are indifference? Do you have more positive thoughts than negative thoughts? I am talking day in and day out, I understand we all have our bad days or down days. On most days where do your thoughts lie?
The Bible says that where your thoughts are that is where your heart is. The book, Crazy Love says that how you spend your days is how you spend your life. So, think about that- where are your thoughts, is that where you want your heart, think about your days- how do you spend them?- is that how you want to spend your life?
If most of your day is spent watching too much tv is that what you want your life known for or if you clean too much or you don't know what you do all day is that what you want to be know for?
If you spend it worrying or complaining or gossiping is that what you want to be known for?!?
I want to live a life of love and encouragement and giving!!!
I want people to see Christianity as a positive thing, not a negative thing!!
I want you to love more, encourage more and give more!!
I will talk another time on giving because it doesn't take money to give!! But that's for another day!!!
Today... Think, do, look at more positive things than yesterday!! Give thanks to God for all you do have!!!!
I love you!!!!
Live love!!!!!!
The Bible says that where your thoughts are that is where your heart is. The book, Crazy Love says that how you spend your days is how you spend your life. So, think about that- where are your thoughts, is that where you want your heart, think about your days- how do you spend them?- is that how you want to spend your life?
If most of your day is spent watching too much tv is that what you want your life known for or if you clean too much or you don't know what you do all day is that what you want to be know for?
If you spend it worrying or complaining or gossiping is that what you want to be known for?!?
I want to live a life of love and encouragement and giving!!!
I want people to see Christianity as a positive thing, not a negative thing!!
I want you to love more, encourage more and give more!!
I will talk another time on giving because it doesn't take money to give!! But that's for another day!!!
Today... Think, do, look at more positive things than yesterday!! Give thanks to God for all you do have!!!!
I love you!!!!
Live love!!!!!!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Not of This World
I have the sticker on my car. Yes, I do. This world is about status, money, places, and things, things, things. If we focused more on people really loving people and we give with no end care, love, empathy, compassion, forgiveness, friendship, honesty, joy, kindness, patience, encouragement, and LOVE!!! Let's make this world a better place. Are you happy? Do you have a full heart? All the time, ok 99% of the time, I do!!!! I can be beat down, but I pop right back up! I am better, I can help make this world better! You can too!! Try to love more than hate! Try to compliment more than critisize, try to care more than ignore, try to forgive more than hold on, try a genuine smile more than a solemn face! Love, overwhelming love!! I do not love you with my mere love capacity. But with the love I have been given by God, through God!! I do not live for this world!! I live to make this world more like the next.
It is not easy by any means!! BUT LOVE!!!
Love today more than you did yesterday!! LOVE!!!!!!!
It is not easy by any means!! BUT LOVE!!!
Love today more than you did yesterday!! LOVE!!!!!!!
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