"Like a yellow rubber duck on a swelling sea."

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"
-James 1:1-4

It is so very hard for anyone to consider the hard times in our lives as joy. Especially when those hard times seem to drag on and on with no end in sight. We forget that the hard times always end with good results. The hard times in our lives build us up. Make us stronger. Teaches us valuable lessons needed for our future. Lessons that we may not have learned if not for those hard times.

James tells us that the hard times test our faith and develops perseverance. Beth Moore explains it as "Perseverance means "nerving oneself" like a person determined to stay on his feet, holding tight to Jesus, while storm winds try to toss him like a yellow rubber duck on a swelling sea." That is such a clear picture. Totally the way that life seems to be at times.

When we persevere and make it through those tough moments in life, God blesses us with the wisdom and knowledge that we need for future storms. The awesome part is that after we make it through we see the good that comes from it. Eventually we forget and move on. Until the next storm hits and we are now more prepared than ever to persevere once more.

With God's Love,
Christian

The sower sows the word

"Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." -Mark 4:13-20

I have often wondered why some people tend to have the Christian walk down to a "science". They make it look easy. Yet others like myself have to fight day in and day out to include God in my life. I know that we all have to fight our flesh daily. We have to pick up our cross daily and follow Him. But why is it so hard for some and easier for others?

As I read Mark 4 the answer comes to mind. God's word is not planted in the right spot. The soil that His word is sown has to be good soil. Our faith has to be strong. We have to put our selves into the position that no matter what happens in our lives, we will completely whole heartedly trust Him. Not wavering or loosing sight of Him. Not trying to take over and find the answer on our own. We have to be still and know that He is God!

What kind of soil is His word sown into in your life?

With God's Love,
Christian

Be careful what you wish for!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I find it marvolous how when I sit down to my journal and pour my heart out to God, He always has a clear responce. Today, I was wrighting. Pouring my heartaches out to Him. Longing for a healthy, stronger, relationship, not only between my children and their grandparents but also between me and my parents. Something that I have longed for, wished for, and even prayed for, for many years now. I was in mid sentence when I feel God not in so many words but basicly saying, "Be careful what you wish for!"

Just maybe the vary relationship that I have dreamed of could cause me to stumble. Or worse yet my children. You see the relationship that I seek is one that does not agree on who God is. Both parties are Christians but the other has very different views of God. Maybe that relationship is not something that God sees as a way to prosper me or my children. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents with all of my heart. I know that they love me and my children the same. But the relationship is weak. I only seek to make it stronger. Maybe it is fine the way it is. Maybe God has it right where HE wants it to be. I truly believe Jeremiah 29:11. God has a plan for us! He has a plan to make us better. To form us into the person that He made us to be. A plan not to harm us but prosper us.

With my history in relationships, (haha) I know that I tend to place people in my heart where they do not belong. In the place where only God should be. This said, this relationship might prohibbit me from growing spiritualy. Not because of anything that my parents would do but because of my own self.

On a side note, The times that I have tried to grow a stronger realtionship with my parents, I have always ended up fighting with them, feeling angry, and or pressured. I don't think it of any reason or fault of either of us, but both parties. Our life styles are very different. I love to have my space. I like to have my life seperate in so many ways. And our lack of relationship is probably due to our own selfish attitudes. One that will require a huge change on both parts.

So, in a nut shell. My lack of relationship could be what God has planned. Or could be because of our attitudes. Either way I realize that I must be careful what I wish for! I want nothing more than for God's will in my life to prevail, and IF that does mean a lack of relationship with my parents, then so be it.

I will always love and cherrish my parents. It breaks my heart that my children don't know them as I do. But I will always make sure that my boys know just how special and loving my parents truly are. I pray that some day, God willing, that they will experence it for them selves.

Father, I pray your will over this situation in my life. I pray that you will open my eyes and heart to see Your plan for us. I pray for peace and contentment in Your will. Help me to love as You love.

Amen.

 

with God's Love,

Christian