Luke 12:32-34
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
------------------------------------------------------------------
A friend and I spent this morning going to 7 schools in Bessemer to tell the counselors about Angel Food so that they can help us identify families with an urgent need for food.
They were all receptive but three stuck out to me...
One counselor got tears in her eyes and said "You have no idea how much it means that someone wants to help. We had a family just last week that we sent to the Salvation Army because we didn't know what else to do for them. Thank you so much for caring."
One counselor told us that many of their students eat breakfast and lunch at school and they don't eat again until they come back to school. Can you imagine not giving your kids an afternoon snack...nevermind not being able to provide any dinner? What about a snack before bed? These children just go to bed hungry. Right here in Birmingham.
While searching for one school, we had gotten a little turned around and we were later getting to this school than we had planned. We found the counselor and you know what she said? "Oh please come in. I have a family in my office RIGHT NOW that needs help". We met Ms. U and her son. I don't know their story but I know that she doesn't know how she's going to feed her children this summer when they don't have school meals. She was so grateful to meet us. I kind of laughed and said "what are the chances we would be here at the same time?" And the counselor said (in the hallway of the public school), "That was God's timing. He will provide!" Because of God's gracious provision and God's perfect timing, Ms. U and her three children will have a box of food delivered to them this month and in the months to come.
So it's no surprise but guess what? God is at work. He is blessing His people so that they can bless those around them. You don't have to go far to be a blessing. If you're reading this blog, you have internet access. So if you'd like to feed a family this month, please follow the steps below and allow the Lord to use you to minister to the poor and needy in our city. Please forward to anyone you can think of! :)
Blessings,
holly
GIVE THANKS to God
BY HELPING OTHERS
Grace Klein Construction, Inc. and friends are organizing a monthly food drive to help families in need in Shelby County. We are working in conjunction with Angel Food Ministries as they provide boxes of food at a very reasonable price. .
If you are interested in feeding families in Birmingham, in the name of Jesus, please follow these simple steps:
1) Go online to www.angelfoodministries.com.
2) Select order online.
3) Select host site (choose one)
a. Enter Asbury UMC, Birmingham, AL 35242 – Jefferson County
b. Enter Alabaster First Baptist, Alabaster, AL 35007 – Shelby County
4) Click on order online.
5) Select as many boxes as you wish. (Consider the signature and senior box)
6) Under “Your Information” section enter your full name in the first name
field and enter GKC Friends in the last name field. **This is urgent for
pickup**
7) Pay by debit or credit card.
8) Done – you just fed some folks (thank you!!)
Once you have completed these simple steps, GKC & Friends will pick up the boxes of food and distribute to families in need in the Birmingham area. We will represent Christ with each box shared. If you are interested in helping with the distribution of these boxes, please email Tim Bower at tim@gracekleinconstruction.com for Jefferson County and Elon Gilchrist at gilchristcrew@yahoo.com for Shelby County.
Grace Klein Construction, Inc.
3325 Lorna Road, Suite 2304
Hoover, Alabama 35216
www.gracekleinconstruction.com
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Some Clarification
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Obviously my last post has garnered much response (some posted comments, mostly personal emails, phone calls, or in person conversations). The responses have been overwhelmingly positive, but of course some have their concerns. I hadn't thought it necessary to deal with people's concerns directly until I read my cousin Jaclyn's comment. You need to know a few things about Jaclyn. 1. She is a phenomenal mother. Really. We've all noticed it from the moment her first son was born. She balances love and discipline, structure and fun like no one else. When Jaclyn has something to say about mothering - I listen. 2. Jaclyn and her husband have experienced unspeakable tragedy in their lives. She has a quiet strength and knows adversity in a way I do not. When Jaclyn has something to say about pain and suffering - I listen. 3. Jaclyn is the polar opposite of outspoken, obnoxious, in-your-face blunt. So if Jaclyn feels strongly enough to boldly express her concerns - I listen.
So this post is not a direct response to my cousin's comment, but her comment did make me stop and think. And I'm sure that her concerns are shared by many out there who know and love us. So this post is to clarify a few things.
A few things I'd like you to know:
1. We are not going alone. This initiative is being led by one of our pastors. He and his wife have 3 children very close to our girls' ages. 30+ families are seriously praying about moving to East Lake as well. Most have put their houses on the market. One couple has already bought a house in East Lake, several others are in the process. East Lake movers range from young singles to young marrieds to young families to families with teens to retired couples. Each person has an amazing story about how God has been preparing them for this. We could write a book.
2. We are not moving into a violent crime area. Yes we will have an alarm system, no we won't be out at night, and yes our patio furniture may get stolen. We are moving into an area of poverty and will certainly be much closer to violent crime than we are in our current gated community. But we feel like we are being reasonable with our choice of neighborhood.
3. School is our biggest decision at this point. Obviously the public schools are not great. However, we truly want to be in community with our neighbors and sending our children away to private school might hinder that. So we are praying for direction trusting that God will show us what is best for our girls and what is best for this mission He has called us to. Though it's hard for me to fathom, God loves our girls even more than we do. I believe that ultimately what is His will and what is best for our children will not be in conflict.
4. We have served in inner city Birmingham in the past but for many months Jes and I have felt frustrated that we "go" and serve (locally or globally) but then come home to our comfortable, easy life. It's just not enough for us. We are thinking of this much like you would think of moving to another country to become a missionary. In many ways this is much, much easier but our hope is to build deep relationships with people. We believe that there is no better way to show the love of Jesus to people than by sharing life with them and we just can't do that from 35242.
I'm sure this doesn't address all questions. Obviously there is risk involved in what we are doing and we don't take that lightly. To be quite honest the welfare of our children has been my first and greatest struggle. I have literally lost sleep over it and I pray I would never, ever put them in danger because I'm being reckless. However, there is no doubt in our minds that this is a calling from God. Honestly, it wasn't my idea. It wasn't Jes' idea. Trust me. It really wasn't. But if we are certain we are called to this then we are certain we can trust God when we go. We are not promised safety, or comfort, or ease. Jesus certainly didn't have a life of safety, comfort, or ease. But we are promised that if God calls us, people WILL be saved and He WILL be glorified. That's what we are living for.
It won't be easy but we go with confidence knowing that God is with us. We covet your prayers. When you worry about us or are frightened on behalf of our girls, please stop right then and pray. I assure you that you have no worry or concern that I haven't felt 10-fold. But God has been faithful to quiet my spirit and calm my heart. All I have to do is pray.
PS: Ben and Kylie DeLoach are the pastor/wife moving to EL. She recently posted some info on her blog that y'all might enjoy.
http://lifewiththedeloachs.blogspot.com/
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Obviously my last post has garnered much response (some posted comments, mostly personal emails, phone calls, or in person conversations). The responses have been overwhelmingly positive, but of course some have their concerns. I hadn't thought it necessary to deal with people's concerns directly until I read my cousin Jaclyn's comment. You need to know a few things about Jaclyn. 1. She is a phenomenal mother. Really. We've all noticed it from the moment her first son was born. She balances love and discipline, structure and fun like no one else. When Jaclyn has something to say about mothering - I listen. 2. Jaclyn and her husband have experienced unspeakable tragedy in their lives. She has a quiet strength and knows adversity in a way I do not. When Jaclyn has something to say about pain and suffering - I listen. 3. Jaclyn is the polar opposite of outspoken, obnoxious, in-your-face blunt. So if Jaclyn feels strongly enough to boldly express her concerns - I listen.
So this post is not a direct response to my cousin's comment, but her comment did make me stop and think. And I'm sure that her concerns are shared by many out there who know and love us. So this post is to clarify a few things.
A few things I'd like you to know:
1. We are not going alone. This initiative is being led by one of our pastors. He and his wife have 3 children very close to our girls' ages. 30+ families are seriously praying about moving to East Lake as well. Most have put their houses on the market. One couple has already bought a house in East Lake, several others are in the process. East Lake movers range from young singles to young marrieds to young families to families with teens to retired couples. Each person has an amazing story about how God has been preparing them for this. We could write a book.
2. We are not moving into a violent crime area. Yes we will have an alarm system, no we won't be out at night, and yes our patio furniture may get stolen. We are moving into an area of poverty and will certainly be much closer to violent crime than we are in our current gated community. But we feel like we are being reasonable with our choice of neighborhood.
3. School is our biggest decision at this point. Obviously the public schools are not great. However, we truly want to be in community with our neighbors and sending our children away to private school might hinder that. So we are praying for direction trusting that God will show us what is best for our girls and what is best for this mission He has called us to. Though it's hard for me to fathom, God loves our girls even more than we do. I believe that ultimately what is His will and what is best for our children will not be in conflict.
4. We have served in inner city Birmingham in the past but for many months Jes and I have felt frustrated that we "go" and serve (locally or globally) but then come home to our comfortable, easy life. It's just not enough for us. We are thinking of this much like you would think of moving to another country to become a missionary. In many ways this is much, much easier but our hope is to build deep relationships with people. We believe that there is no better way to show the love of Jesus to people than by sharing life with them and we just can't do that from 35242.
I'm sure this doesn't address all questions. Obviously there is risk involved in what we are doing and we don't take that lightly. To be quite honest the welfare of our children has been my first and greatest struggle. I have literally lost sleep over it and I pray I would never, ever put them in danger because I'm being reckless. However, there is no doubt in our minds that this is a calling from God. Honestly, it wasn't my idea. It wasn't Jes' idea. Trust me. It really wasn't. But if we are certain we are called to this then we are certain we can trust God when we go. We are not promised safety, or comfort, or ease. Jesus certainly didn't have a life of safety, comfort, or ease. But we are promised that if God calls us, people WILL be saved and He WILL be glorified. That's what we are living for.
It won't be easy but we go with confidence knowing that God is with us. We covet your prayers. When you worry about us or are frightened on behalf of our girls, please stop right then and pray. I assure you that you have no worry or concern that I haven't felt 10-fold. But God has been faithful to quiet my spirit and calm my heart. All I have to do is pray.
PS: Ben and Kylie DeLoach are the pastor/wife moving to EL. She recently posted some info on her blog that y'all might enjoy.
http://lifewiththedeloachs.blogspot.com/
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Journey so far...
I John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Without really knowing it, Jes and I have been on a journey for several years now. I'd like to share the highlights with you and then let you in on what God is up to (at least the small part that I can see from here).
March 2007: Jes went to Venezuela (first global mission trip for either of us). He was broken by the poverty he witnessed, devastated for how some people have to live. He came home and said he was "physically ill" coming into our large, luxurious home. Realized that many people he just met live in houses that would fit inside half of our garage. He waited patiently for me to "get it". He had a rather long wait.
November 2008: I went to Guatemala. Starting to "get it". Heartbroken. It was also at that time that I first understood what it meant to really seek God. I came home “addicted” to living for God’s glory. I came home and told Jes I’d rather take a mission trip than a vacation to the beach. He smiled and agreed.
Fall 2008: We read the Treasure Principle (Alcorn) and became overwhelmingly convicted that we were not being good stewards of our money. We began to completely see possessions differently and even began to be truly disgusted with the things we had wasted money on. Why were we spending money on temporary, superficial things when God had blessed us to bless and serve others…to make an eternal impact... to bring Him glory?
Fall 2008: Our pastor challenges us with the Radical series. If you haven't heard it, I beg you to check it out at
http://www.brookhills.org/media/series/radical/
We were challenged with the words of Jesus. Jesus says that in order to be a true follower we are to give up everything for His sake. This Christianity is not comfortable or easy but it is the Christianity of the Bible. It is not routine religion. It is outright devotion to follow a Savior who never accumulated wealth and did nothing for selfish gain but lived a life of compassion and sacrifice.
We put our house on the market.
Spring 2009: We began to beg God to make our lives count. Our conversations totally changed. Our goals and dreams started to drift away from wealth and possessions to God’s vision for our lives. God was changing us.
Fall 2009: By this point we were desperate. I was so excited to go to Guatemala but frustrated that it was only for a week. Jes was so disappointed that he hadn’t been able to go to Honduras (thanks to a military coup that shut down the country). God was breaking us.
Fall 2009: Jes attended a Men's Discovery Weekend. He was convicted that he had not been trusting God. God told him, nearly audibly, "I am faithful. I am faithful. Trust Me with everything."
Fall 2009: We began doing Angel Food ministries where we delivered food to needy families once a month. We loved it. We loved spending our day serving others, building relationships, sharing God's hope and love, and living out the gospel. We began to say, “once a month is not enough” “One week a year is not enough”. I was frustrated but Jes was confident. He said over and over, “God is preparing us for something”.
Fall 2009: I came across a blog by an incredible young woman who has given up everything to serve orphans in Uganda. THAT'S the life I want! A life poured out for the sake of others. A life that follows the example of Jesus and brings great glory to God.
(http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com)
So we started to joke about packing up and moving to Uganda to take care of orphans. That didn't seem like a likely route for us but we were yearning to be called to something bigger than ourselves. I started researching international missions, pleading with God to SHOW US SOMETHING.
Mar 5, 2010. Jes and I get a night away. We spend the four-hour drive, dinner, and the rest of the evening having the same conversation we'd had for months. That night I tearfully told Jes that I physically ache to live a life of complete devotion to God. I’m hurting to see God’s glory in my life – it’s a yearning I can’t describe. Jes shares my heart, my longings. So we pray, once more, together, submitting our lives to God, begging for direction.
Mar 7, 2010. We go to church and our pastor presents information on East Lake, part of inner city Birmingham. One of the poorest areas. Staggering statistics on unemployment, orphaned children, single-parent homes, suffering right here in our own city. He challenges us to pray about moving there to serve, be community, be Jesus to the hurting and lost of Birmingham. Something stirred deep within me – to the core of my soul. I couldn't stop weeping, tears flowing down my face. I wrote across the top of my worship guide IS THIS OUR UGANDA?
I will admit that I was scared. I didn't want to go (see previous post What is my Egypt?). I was terrified. Jes was not. He didn't hesitate to commit to praying about this possibility. We even went back and sat through the service again to process all that was said. After several days of praying, Jes realized we were no longer praying "God, tell us if we should go". We were praying "Tell us if we should not" and we could not come up with a single reason. What legitimate reasons do we really have to not go? What is more valuable to us than a life lived out for God's glory?
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
So here we are. Waiting on the house to sell. Trying to be patient but feeling like we will not be living out our calling until we are living in East Lake. We trust fully that God has all the details and all the timing worked out. So we wait. Begging God to use us TODAY to live a life worthy of the calling. Would you pray for us?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Without really knowing it, Jes and I have been on a journey for several years now. I'd like to share the highlights with you and then let you in on what God is up to (at least the small part that I can see from here).
March 2007: Jes went to Venezuela (first global mission trip for either of us). He was broken by the poverty he witnessed, devastated for how some people have to live. He came home and said he was "physically ill" coming into our large, luxurious home. Realized that many people he just met live in houses that would fit inside half of our garage. He waited patiently for me to "get it". He had a rather long wait.
November 2008: I went to Guatemala. Starting to "get it". Heartbroken. It was also at that time that I first understood what it meant to really seek God. I came home “addicted” to living for God’s glory. I came home and told Jes I’d rather take a mission trip than a vacation to the beach. He smiled and agreed.
Fall 2008: We read the Treasure Principle (Alcorn) and became overwhelmingly convicted that we were not being good stewards of our money. We began to completely see possessions differently and even began to be truly disgusted with the things we had wasted money on. Why were we spending money on temporary, superficial things when God had blessed us to bless and serve others…to make an eternal impact... to bring Him glory?
Fall 2008: Our pastor challenges us with the Radical series. If you haven't heard it, I beg you to check it out at
http://www.brookhills.org/media/series/radical/
We were challenged with the words of Jesus. Jesus says that in order to be a true follower we are to give up everything for His sake. This Christianity is not comfortable or easy but it is the Christianity of the Bible. It is not routine religion. It is outright devotion to follow a Savior who never accumulated wealth and did nothing for selfish gain but lived a life of compassion and sacrifice.
We put our house on the market.
Spring 2009: We began to beg God to make our lives count. Our conversations totally changed. Our goals and dreams started to drift away from wealth and possessions to God’s vision for our lives. God was changing us.
Fall 2009: By this point we were desperate. I was so excited to go to Guatemala but frustrated that it was only for a week. Jes was so disappointed that he hadn’t been able to go to Honduras (thanks to a military coup that shut down the country). God was breaking us.
Fall 2009: Jes attended a Men's Discovery Weekend. He was convicted that he had not been trusting God. God told him, nearly audibly, "I am faithful. I am faithful. Trust Me with everything."
Fall 2009: We began doing Angel Food ministries where we delivered food to needy families once a month. We loved it. We loved spending our day serving others, building relationships, sharing God's hope and love, and living out the gospel. We began to say, “once a month is not enough” “One week a year is not enough”. I was frustrated but Jes was confident. He said over and over, “God is preparing us for something”.
Fall 2009: I came across a blog by an incredible young woman who has given up everything to serve orphans in Uganda. THAT'S the life I want! A life poured out for the sake of others. A life that follows the example of Jesus and brings great glory to God.
(http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com)
So we started to joke about packing up and moving to Uganda to take care of orphans. That didn't seem like a likely route for us but we were yearning to be called to something bigger than ourselves. I started researching international missions, pleading with God to SHOW US SOMETHING.
Mar 5, 2010. Jes and I get a night away. We spend the four-hour drive, dinner, and the rest of the evening having the same conversation we'd had for months. That night I tearfully told Jes that I physically ache to live a life of complete devotion to God. I’m hurting to see God’s glory in my life – it’s a yearning I can’t describe. Jes shares my heart, my longings. So we pray, once more, together, submitting our lives to God, begging for direction.
Mar 7, 2010. We go to church and our pastor presents information on East Lake, part of inner city Birmingham. One of the poorest areas. Staggering statistics on unemployment, orphaned children, single-parent homes, suffering right here in our own city. He challenges us to pray about moving there to serve, be community, be Jesus to the hurting and lost of Birmingham. Something stirred deep within me – to the core of my soul. I couldn't stop weeping, tears flowing down my face. I wrote across the top of my worship guide IS THIS OUR UGANDA?
I will admit that I was scared. I didn't want to go (see previous post What is my Egypt?). I was terrified. Jes was not. He didn't hesitate to commit to praying about this possibility. We even went back and sat through the service again to process all that was said. After several days of praying, Jes realized we were no longer praying "God, tell us if we should go". We were praying "Tell us if we should not" and we could not come up with a single reason. What legitimate reasons do we really have to not go? What is more valuable to us than a life lived out for God's glory?
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
So here we are. Waiting on the house to sell. Trying to be patient but feeling like we will not be living out our calling until we are living in East Lake. We trust fully that God has all the details and all the timing worked out. So we wait. Begging God to use us TODAY to live a life worthy of the calling. Would you pray for us?
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ
Friday, March 26, 2010
Our God is Eager to Bless Us
Last week, we read in Deuteronomy 28 about the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience that God laid out for His people. It was a stark reminder that God is serious about our obedience...and He should be. His people are intended to reflect His nature, His name, His glory.
I couldn't help but notice that the section on curses was much longer than the section on blessings. Maybe that's because God knew Israel (and all people after them) would seem to be disobedient more often than they were obedient. But don't miss it...God comes back to blessing in chapter 30. Knowing that His people will turn from Him and rebel against Him, He promises that when they repent He will forgive them and bless them. He will restore and prosper them. And not just a little - "abundantly"!
How many of us love to quote Jeremiah 29:11? "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future." I love that verse. But you know what I love even more about that verse? It's God speaking to His people during their exile. They have rebelled and failed miserably as the people of God and He is drawing them back. He is faithful when we are not. He gives grace when we least deserve it. He is generous when we have nothing to offer in return. He is our God and He loves us and is eager to bless us. May that compel us to a life of obedience for His glory!
-holly
I couldn't help but notice that the section on curses was much longer than the section on blessings. Maybe that's because God knew Israel (and all people after them) would seem to be disobedient more often than they were obedient. But don't miss it...God comes back to blessing in chapter 30. Knowing that His people will turn from Him and rebel against Him, He promises that when they repent He will forgive them and bless them. He will restore and prosper them. And not just a little - "abundantly"!
How many of us love to quote Jeremiah 29:11? "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future." I love that verse. But you know what I love even more about that verse? It's God speaking to His people during their exile. They have rebelled and failed miserably as the people of God and He is drawing them back. He is faithful when we are not. He gives grace when we least deserve it. He is generous when we have nothing to offer in return. He is our God and He loves us and is eager to bless us. May that compel us to a life of obedience for His glory!
-holly
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sick of it
I'm sick of it. Sitting in my fancy office, wearing my nice clothes, looking out my floor to ceiling windows at a beautiful lake. I'm sick of it. I'm physically sick of having hurting people drive across town to see me for an evaluation and turn around and drive right back to their poverty...while I sit comfortably at my desk wondering what the drug reps are bringing for lunch. I am so very grateful for my job and my life but I can no longer deny that there are hurting, starving, suffering people right here in my own city. I've prayed for God to break my heart for what breaks His...and He is doing just that.
I just met a couple. Their story is so similar to so many others I've heard over the years. He was working in a manual labor job, got hurt, and now they have nothing. He is in constant pain with no medical care. They live in the projects and have to beg for help to keep their lights and heat on. And they have a 6-year-old little boy depending on them. She is looking for work but has little experience and even fewer opportunities.
I evaluated him for disability and asked him if he had any questions for me. You know what he said? "Just one question...would you pray for us?" And I broke. For the first time, I really saw this couple, this man and this woman created in God's image. I saw pain and despair and my heart broke. Would I pray for them? You bet. And I did. I prayed with them, cried with them, and hugged them, wishing with everything I had that I could take away their pain.
They left but their story still pierces my heart. Not because it's so unique or tragic but because God's children in one zipcode should not be suffering like this while His children in the next zipcode live in luxury. I'm sick of it.
I just met a couple. Their story is so similar to so many others I've heard over the years. He was working in a manual labor job, got hurt, and now they have nothing. He is in constant pain with no medical care. They live in the projects and have to beg for help to keep their lights and heat on. And they have a 6-year-old little boy depending on them. She is looking for work but has little experience and even fewer opportunities.
I evaluated him for disability and asked him if he had any questions for me. You know what he said? "Just one question...would you pray for us?" And I broke. For the first time, I really saw this couple, this man and this woman created in God's image. I saw pain and despair and my heart broke. Would I pray for them? You bet. And I did. I prayed with them, cried with them, and hugged them, wishing with everything I had that I could take away their pain.
They left but their story still pierces my heart. Not because it's so unique or tragic but because God's children in one zipcode should not be suffering like this while His children in the next zipcode live in luxury. I'm sick of it.
Monday, March 8, 2010
What is my Egypt?
In Numbers the Israelites stand at the edge of the Promised Land. The land God has promised to them for generations, the fulfillment of a promise made to their patriarch Abraham. To get them to this point God has done nothing short of astonishing miracle after astonishing miracle. He has made His presence known to them in a cloud and in fire. They can see His presence with their own eyes. So they stand, an army ready to enter the land...and they lose their faith. They get scared. They forget God's grace and His faithfulness. They even cry out that they want to go back to Egypt, the land of their slavery.
So what is my Egypt? What do I choose over God's promises? What looks safe and secure but is nothing but shackles and chains? When I take my eyes off God and start to panic, what do I turn to even though God has freed me from it? Is it my house? Maybe my job or the paycheck that comes with it? Is it feeling safe in my gated community or knowing my child is getting a great education in an adorable school that looks like a castle? A lot of the times it's the dreams, the vision I have of a "nice life" with summers spent at the pool, fall spent at football games, and life spent enjoying one event after another. These are Egypt to me. At one point they make me feel safe and secure and then I look again and realize they may be the very things that enslave me. The very things that I cling to instead of clinging tightly to my God. The very things that make me swallow hard when I think of giving them up.
But wouldn't I give it all up...every bit of it to see God's glory in my life? The house, the job, the dream are worthless without Him. They are fading, corroding, disintegrating right in front of my eyes. Only His glory is forever.
God, please please show me how to live this short day in light of an eternal tomorrow. I want my life to count. Don't let me waste it. You are worth it.
-holly
So what is my Egypt? What do I choose over God's promises? What looks safe and secure but is nothing but shackles and chains? When I take my eyes off God and start to panic, what do I turn to even though God has freed me from it? Is it my house? Maybe my job or the paycheck that comes with it? Is it feeling safe in my gated community or knowing my child is getting a great education in an adorable school that looks like a castle? A lot of the times it's the dreams, the vision I have of a "nice life" with summers spent at the pool, fall spent at football games, and life spent enjoying one event after another. These are Egypt to me. At one point they make me feel safe and secure and then I look again and realize they may be the very things that enslave me. The very things that I cling to instead of clinging tightly to my God. The very things that make me swallow hard when I think of giving them up.
But wouldn't I give it all up...every bit of it to see God's glory in my life? The house, the job, the dream are worthless without Him. They are fading, corroding, disintegrating right in front of my eyes. Only His glory is forever.
God, please please show me how to live this short day in light of an eternal tomorrow. I want my life to count. Don't let me waste it. You are worth it.
-holly
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Knowing Him is Enough
Here's one of my greatest pet peeves: "When I get to heaven, the first thing I'm gonna do is ask God ________ !"
Doubtful. I bet Job had that thought though. He clearly didn't understand why he was suffering, why his friends were allowed to go on and on about some secret sin that didn't exist, why God wasn't vindicating him. But when God finally revealed Himself to Job (as He will do when we meet Him in heaven), Job was stunned to silence. Then God revealed more about Himself and Job said
"I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted...Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I do not know...I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You"
I'm actually comforted to know that the God of the universe does not owe me an explanation for anything, but if I seek Him, He will reveal Himself to me. He doesn't answer with why...He answers with Who. May that be enough for me.
Doubtful. I bet Job had that thought though. He clearly didn't understand why he was suffering, why his friends were allowed to go on and on about some secret sin that didn't exist, why God wasn't vindicating him. But when God finally revealed Himself to Job (as He will do when we meet Him in heaven), Job was stunned to silence. Then God revealed more about Himself and Job said
"I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted...Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I do not know...I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You"
I'm actually comforted to know that the God of the universe does not owe me an explanation for anything, but if I seek Him, He will reveal Himself to me. He doesn't answer with why...He answers with Who. May that be enough for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)