Learning to live for HIS glory

As I've been going about life these past few weeks I've heard a lot of talk, seen a lot of hustle and bustle, heard a lot of music, and seen a lot of decorations for Christmas, or as some people say--to be more politically correct--"X-mas."  You know . . . when I hear that I want to respond with, "What's that?"  Don't take the meaning out of Christmas!!  Yet, so often I become guilty of that.   It's so easy, isn't it?  SO easy to get wrapped up (I didn't intend that pun.) in all the "trimmings" of Christmas and forget about what the season really should center on . . . Christ.  The incarnation.  The God-man who gave up Heaven's highest throne to be born as a frail human baby who came into this world in a stable and was laid in a feed trough.  So often I forget about all that in the day-to-day living that fills the holiday season--the decorations, the parties, the concerts, the food, the shopping, the presents . . . and yet...

It's Thanksgiving week, and as I think over the things that God has blessed me with, these are a few that come to mind: A Clear Conscience Jesus' precious and unconditional love for me Friends: The ones that challenge me, the ones that talk to me about everything, the ones that make me laugh, the ones that just like to give me a hard time (sigh . . . I guess I'm thankful for them ;), and the ones that do life with me . . . particularly them.   My senses, especially the ability to hear and see.   The color G R E E N !  :)   Actually, all colors for that matter.   My amazing family Music The B-I-B-L-E My job The challenges God puts in my life to help me grow. A God who invites us to participate in His Story Warmth that comes from within and also from blankets, sweaters, heat, etc.   Eternal Life, and the anticipation of it . . . The list could go on and on, but that's just a few of my favorites =)

Sometimes I struggle, Life can be hard. Sometimes I wonder, what should I do? Sometimes I cry, Wonder where to turn, Sometimes I trust And depend on His word. Sometimes I mess up, I'm far from perfection. Sometimes I try, And don't succeed. Sometimes I fall, And feel the frustration. Sometimes I fail, Always He catches me. Always, I'm loved, Sometimes I feel it. Always, I'm forgiven, Sometimes I don't realize. Always He's more Than enough for me. Sometimes I think, Can He really fill me? Always He's faithful, Sometimes I'm faithless. Always He's loving, Sometimes I forget. Sometimes I trust, Sometimes I forget, Sometimes I love, Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I look-- To Him--For rest. Sometimes I try . . . And make a big mess. Always He loves, Always He forgives, Always He's faithful, Always He's enough. Am I willing to love? Am I willing to forgive? Am I willing to trust? Am I willing t...

Waiting   by Russell Kelfer Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied. I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate . . . And the Master so gently said, "Wait." "Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. "My future and all to which I relate Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait? I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign, Or even a 'no' to which I can resign. "You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, We need but to ask, and we shall receive. And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply." Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, As my Master replied again, "Wait." So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, And grumbled to God, "So, I'm wait...

In my online class this week one of the discussion questions was, "Being as practical as possible, describe the difference between a people-lover and a people-pleaser." That was challenging . . . because it's so easy to be a people-pleaser instead of a people-lover.  My answer challenged me!  haha.  :)  So I thought I'd copy it here . . . Practically? People-lover's are joyful, people-pleaser's are stressed. Maybe not always, but most of the time! See, people-lover's, love unconditionally--they love because God loved them first, and He has commanded them to follow His example. They love out of an overflowing of the love God has poured out into their lives. And it shows--they're cheerful about loving and they extend that love to everyone they meet. They don't care how that person treats them, just that they have the opportunity to shower God's love on that person. On the other hand, people-pleaser's love because of what t...

"The secret of life is letting go" ~Completely by Ana Laura~ "The power of change is in giving my life, and laying it down, down at Your feet." I was processing these lines tonight, thinking them through and searching for verses about this "subject."  God says a lot on it . . . I'm thinking that means I should pay close attention!  :) Some that I found and thoughts/questions that they raised: Romans 12:1~ Living sacrifices, that's a challenging thought. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20~ I am not my own . . . do I live that way? Romans 8:13~ I must be putting "self" to death, and this isn't just a one time thing, it's a day after day commitment. Colossians 3:3&5~ I died with Christ, so I should consider myself dead to "immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."  (Just a side note, I'm pretty sure "dead to" means I should not be doing these things.) Romans 6: 2, 6...

As I was reading back over this blog today, I was convicted of how much I really should be spending more time with God.  Somehow, I don't think I'll ever be spending enough time with Him!  It's interesting how that kind of ties into what I've been learning in my discipleship counseling class this week.  On the forums we were talking about how when we view God in the right way (and we're continually learning more and more how to do that) it helps us to view ourselves in the right way.  Isn't that a cool thought?  As we seek God, grow closer to Him, and give ourselves to Him as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1), we discover more not just of who He is, but of who we are.  That's such a beautiful picture. It makes me think of a quote I love from C.S. Lewis , "The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become--because He made us.  He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be . . . It is when I turn to Christ, when...

Today I had an amazing experience.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I usually get teary eyed when God does something that makes me think about how real He is, and how involved He is in my life!  I was at work bagging teas and praying for customers.  (Bagging teas gives me a great opportunity to pray for all sorts of things!)  But . . . I wasn't just praying we would have customers . . . instead, I was also praying that we would be able to be a blessing to those who came in.  Well, a little later I had an opportunity to talk with a lady who came in who said she felt at peace there, and that she didn't feel like she ever had a chance to be at peace.  It's a long story, but we were able to be a blessing in her life, and hopefully a catalyst for directing her to God.  That was awesome.  It was almost like God was saying, "yes Allison, I do hear you, and I'm just waiting for you to ask so I can answer."  I get teary eyed just thinking about i...

So the other night, my family and I watched "Facing the Giants" again for the first time in a while.  It really challenged me again.  That movie is just soooo good!  I feel like my faith is challenged every time I watch it, and trust me, I've watched it a lot! A couple things that really stick out to me from it . . . This song, it plays while Brooke is in the doctors office, wrestling with whether or not she will still love God if He never gives her children.  That scene has always been powerful to me, and I've always loved the song, so I thought I'd see if I could find it, and when I did I loved it even more!  :) Here are the words: "The secret of life is letting go The secret of love is letting it show In all that I do, in all that I say Right here in this moment The power of prayer Is in a humble cry The power of change Is in giving my life And laying down Down at your feet Right here in this moment Take my heart, take my soul I surren...