4 key truths

so, as i'm reading this great book that is really rockin' my world (keep in mind, i'm only on chapter 2!) -- i thought i'd pass along some insight that i found to be really sobering. for the first time in my life i really feel that i'm aware of my sin - how frequent i sin - how frequent i offend Christ. granted, i still have a long way to go (praise Him for sanctification) - but i'm so thankful that my eyes are being opened to better understand just how powerful sin is and how there is no escaping it's taunting.

in kris lundgaard's book "straight talk about the power and defeat of sin" -- he points out 4 key truths about just how close sin is to us and how it won't go away.

1. sin living in us is a law.
Romans 7:21-23 "So, I find this law at work: when I want to do good, evil is
right here with me. For my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see
another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law
of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my
members."

2. we find this law inside us. (Romans 7:21)

3. we find this law when we're at our best.
though the law of sin works from the inside, we as believers in Christ sill want
to do good. we still want to please God and give Him glory.

4. this law never rests.
sin is constantly fighting us.
Galatians 5:17 "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and
the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each
other, so that you do not do what you want."

i pray that although it is sobering to see that we can not escape the taunting of sin, and committing sin ourselves - by facing it face on - we can move faithfully in the direction of becoming more like Christ as we turn to Him to get us through this war on a day to day basis.

:)

ain't no way to outrun this one

The Lord has been amazing as always! I can't stop thinking about Africa - Malawi - the 15 million children in the world who have been abandoned by their parents because they've died of HIV/AIDS. But, what a precious burden that I carry now with excitement. The doors continue to open for me in the people that I meet and the opportunities that continue to be revealed. There are orphanages in Malawi that have invited me and hospitals. It's unbelieveable. God is changing my heart - in ways that I never would have imagined. Let's go!

get dressed!

Wow! For the past 2 days I've listened to this sermon by one of our former pastor's, Thabiti. Ephesians 6 - Armor of God has been a section of scripture that I've been -- not so trying hard to memorize. After hearing him speak on this - I can say that I've been encouraged to press on in this. Not to look at it as something that I should do, but rather, something that I want to do. A way to better know the Lord. To better understand the battle that is going on.

He made a few comments that I totally could relate to and felt convicted about. Prayer needs to be a priority. Sometimes by the time I get to bed - I have forgotten to pray and so I try while I'm tired. This does not work!!! Also, putting on the armor of God should be part of my daily routine. I spend enough time picking out what I'll wear, if I have time to run by to get coffee etc. -- I need to spend more time preparing for the day that the Lord has been so gracious in giving me. I hope that you will be as encouraged as I was after listening to this sermon.

Ephesians 6

Get dressed!

... in keeping with tradition...

... in keeping with tradition -- it's nixon's birthday - president number 37! some of you think it strange that i like this guy so much -- but after studying him for 4 years and studying at his presidential library
i can still say that it was an honor. it was an honor to spend time with his daughter (julie nixon eisenhower) as the Lord gave the me the opportunity to lobby for her dad's presidential library.

long story short -- nixon was a true story of how someone can change. nixon became a christian before he died in 1994. it was amazing to hear and read about.

list yourself

so for christmas i got a book titled, "list yourself" -- at first i was skeptical - but i actually think it will be a good thing. it's not so easy to sit down and think about yourself. self examination is something that is essential in growing spiritually. it's so important to get a realistic perspective of who we are in relation to God. it's important to recognize our own sinfulness and how we need to be intentional on working against it in our daily lives.
the "list yourself" questions that i was looking at today were the following: try and list some of these for yourself, it's not that easy!
1. list the spiritual pursuits you've undertaken to give your life meaning
2. list the biggest catastrophe you've survived
3. list the "imperfections" in yourself that annoy you the most
4. list the excesses in your life, from passions to behaviors

:)

another year begins

... another year - gone. it's amazing to me how the older i get the faster the years pass. i know i'm not "old" but it just seems like it was the beginning of 2006. it's a good thing, i pray that i'm a little wiser and a little more sanctified :)

there's been a lot of little things that have happened this past year. i left a job that i was pretty much married to and found myself sleeping on the floor in my office (with my favorite navy blanket!) more times than i like to remember. but, in that the Lord showed me that i'm capable of handling a lot more than i thought. He provided sanity for me by being able to pray and take walks to starbucks throughout the day. i learned about complete dependence on Him after i left there. He provided a great temporary place for me to work at until the Lord opened the doo for me to work at Silas Partners. and now it's a completed year.
this year has already begun with some challenges - mainly the health issue. not sure what will happen with all that this year -- but tomorrow morning i have a doctor appointment, so we'll see :)
regardless of my life's circumstance -- to Him be the glory forever and ever!

enjoy the beginning of '07