Scrapblog

Blogging Again

I never really have time to Blog, but I enjoy writing and musing about life and spiritual matters. I'm currently involved in helping teach the book of Colossians to a small group of women at an International Institute here in Monterey.

We are studying chapter 2 and I thought this was a good lead-in to me blogging again. Part of the concept here is to 'Keep Making Spiritual Progress'.

"In the Christian life, we never stand still: we either go forward or gradually slip backward." As Hebrews says, '... Let us go on to MATURITY...!' When we aren't making spiritual progress we are open to attack from the enemy. Satan is walking around like a lion seeking whom he may devour.

One of my favorite books is 'Screwtape Letters" by: C. S. Lewis. It is a fabulous look at how Satan's goal is to keep us complacent and unfocused. He recognizes that if he pushes us to far we will run to Christ, but if he just keeps us fat, dumb, and happy (on a worldly level) then we will remain that way. And, in this state be totally ineffective for the kingdom.

In order for us to battle this complacency we have to be STEADFAST in our desire to seek Christ and learn more about Him. "The Christian life is compared to a pilgrimage, and believers must learn to walk."

It is difficult to set aside worldly desires for Kingdom desires, but it is a daily challenge that all Christians must face. We must trust and lean on Christ to give us the strength. I know from personal experience that when I lean on my own strength, I fall. So, let us go forward trusting and relying on His strength to guide us and carry us through each day.

FIVE WEEKS TILL HAWAII AND CALI

It's hard to believe after 5 1/2 years in Japan and 9 1/2 years overseas that we are headed back to the states. It is with extreme mixed emotions that we leave Japan. We have loved our time here and cherished our friendships. God has blessed us beyond our wildest imaginations. We have seen and experienced things that most people will never experience in their entire lifetime. We could seriously have a reality TV show based on the Amis' adventures!


California Here We Come!
I am prepping for our 14th move since we have been married. You would think I was a pro by now and I guess by most standards I am, but I still stress and have to work hard to make things run smoothly. I have to remind myself that no amount of preparation will make everything run perfectly. So, I rest in God and His faithfulness to supply all our needs, and off we go!

This is a photo of beautiful Monterey beach. I'm thrilled to be headed that direction and seeing a part of the US that the kids and I have never seen. Also, we can hardly wait to see Mike's stomping grounds from when he was little. So much to do and see and so little time to do it all!

Stormy Week

Psalm 91:1-2

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

What a truly amazing and awesome God we serve. My week was filled with activities, prayer, and service to others. At each moment of the day I noticed something amazing. When I tried to do the work in my own strength I was exhausted and overwhelmed, but as soon as I would ask God to intervene and help me I had amazing energy and love for all the different situations going on around me. I am so thankful that He doesn't expect us to live life in our own strength. What a mess we would be in!

As Paul puts it, suffering is for us to become more like Christ, and so we will be made aware of our need of God. It also grows our faith.

Faced with the possibility of even death during his trips to Asia (which we don’t have much info on) Paul quit relying on himself and learned to rely on God. God DID rescue them from mortal danger and Paul’s faith was increased.

I pray that we will continue to rely on God for our strength. I pray that when we go through fire and trials that we will trust that God is refining us for His service and that when we make bad decisions that He will lovingly correct us and that we will continue in His service.

Praying Praying Praying

James 1:2-4

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I feel like I have been down on my knees for days, asking God to intercede on my friends' behalves. There are seasons in life where you feel spiritual darkness more than other times. I don't know if it is just living in Japan and being a foreigner that makes it seem more intense, but for whatever reason right now it is very intense. There are so many battles and struggles going on around me that really need deep prayer. God is a God of answers and I am praying for answers for my friends and for myself.

I love to talk and share any wisdom that I have gained from my own life that might help someone else, but sometimes there just aren't words for the pain that someone else is going through. As I'm writing this a flood of situations surrounding me are coming to mind. I wish I had all the answers and I could make it all better, but I can't.

God is truly the author of our lives and while I don't believe he causes harm to us, I do believe he allows things to happen to refine us for his glory and for our work in this world. Lately I have felt like sifted wheat. There was a great analogy in my study this week on Daniel. It talked about how God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to become like a great tree providing for everyone with fruit and shelter. However, the King still didn't recognize the one true God as the author of his life and God took him down to a stump. He protected that stump and wouldn't let any harm come to it except what was good for building him back up to be fruitful and serve God.
I think that's what he does with us sometimes. He is taking us to a stump where we can only rely on Him to grow us back into the kind of children God wants us to be.

One of the hardest things for me right now is to be vulnerable in my prayers. How do you say, 'Your will be done' when death is involved? How do you trust when it comes down to precious relationships and precious lives? These are the questions I have had to ask God and even through asking Him I know my heart still says ' Your will be done'. I know He is perfect and His will is perfect. The Bible tells us to make our requests known to God and He will answer them. So, I am requesting on my knees and asking for His grace and mercy, but ultimately... YOUR WILL BE DONE!

Unshakable Security

Where can we find unshakable security?

I read this phrase unshakable security in my Bible study this week and it hit me like a 10lb brick. People see me as confident, strong, ambitious and most definitely secure. My personality traits that other people see solely rest in Christ. I work daily on my insecurities, lack of ambition, and other struggles. It is only by God's grace that I can overcome those things.

Christ is the foundation of unshakable security for me. I second guess my thoughts all the time. The more I study God's word the more I am learning how inferiority complexes are just as self-indulgent as superiority complexes. They both are relying on self and not God.

He knitted us together in our mother's womb. He told us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. His word also says that he has a plan for us to prosper us and to make us into His image! It is so amazing to think that God doesn't want us to sit around and be depressed and self-indulgent. He wants us to use our God given talents and desires to serve Him and bear much fruit.

I keep running into people with insecurity issues especially with self-image. It's amazing how many fad diets there are and how many ads or commercial there are pushing us to lose weight, get fit, have surgeries, etc. The bible talks about each of these areas. Amazingly God didn't put a height/weight chart in any of the books of the Bible. He does mention literally that exercise is of 'some' value. He does call us to care for our bodies because they are temples of the holy spirit. We should honor our bodies and care for them, but to overindulge in any of the areas I believe is a sin. Trusting God with exercise and eating seems to be tough for most of us. He wants our very best for us and has already given us the tools to live a god-centered life.
My prayer is that I/we will take each day captive and trust God with what He is going to do with it.

Freedom from sin...Walking in the light

Freedom from sin...Walking in the light

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:7-9 NIV



I have been listening to some amazing sermons lately that deal with sin. Christians, in my experience, tend to fall away from reading scripture, worshiping, and wanting to be around other strong or passionate believers when they continue in sin.

This is when I believe we need Jesus more than ever. We all have struggles and sin in our lives. Do we let it beat us up? I hope we turn to Christ and keep asking Him to give us ways out and help us to have the guts to take the right path.

I have a list of sins many miles long and I am thankful that I was bought with a price and my sins have been paid for. My goal isn't to sin, but our sinful nature drives us away from God while our regenerated hearts long to serve Christ and make right choices. The Apostle Paul says we are at battle with our spirit and flesh and it could never be truer today.

Our modern day Babylon is one that is calling us constantly to serve ourselves and not others. One of the studies I'm currently in is on Daniel. It is opening my eyes to how our daily struggles with image and success along with a host of other issues are as true today as they were then.

My prayer is that we look to Christ and not the world and chose to serve others more than we serve ourselves.

I'm not saying, 'Don't have your Tall, Mocha Late, with a shot of espresso, sprinkled with cinnamon.' We just need to keep it in perspective with serving others as Christ serves us.

Nick Is An Inspiration To Us All

JANUARY 22, 2009

Nick Vujicic is a young man, 22 years of age, a resident of suburban Brisbane, Queensland. Nick has a positive approach to life, is outgoing and friendly, with a happy, cheerful personality. He has a smile that makes anyone feel comforted and at ease. But life hasn’t been easy for him.

His parents had eagerly anticipated the birth of Nick, their first child. But when he arrived, all his mother could say was, “Please, take him away!” Nick, although generally healthy, was born with neither arms nor legs.

Read about Nick Vujicic here: http://www.signsofthetimes.org.au/archives/2005/march/0305article5.shtm

Now Nick works as an inspirational speaker. Nick says his interest in young people comes from a deep concern about the high rate of suicide among teens. “If I can save just one, I’d feel I’ve achieved,” he says.

Although Nick says he’s already seen God’s glory revealed through his own early struggle of life without limbs, he continues to dream big. “My dreams won’t be fulfilled until I take my last breath, but I’m content right now, with my life in God’s hands.”





Read the rest of this story by Glenis Lyndley: http://www.signsofthetimes.org.au/archives/2005/march/0305article5.shtm

Visit Nick's website: www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Learn more about Nick's inspirational speaking: www.attitudeisaltitude.com

2 Peter 1

This is from my morning reading. I will write more later.


Greeting

1 Simeon1 Peter, a servant2 and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained aa faith of equal standing with ours bby the righteousness of our cGod and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 dMay grace and peace be multiplied to you ein the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him fwho called us to3 his own glory and excellence,4 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become gpartakers of the divine nature, hhaving escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith iwith virtue,5 and virtue jwith knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control kwith steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness lwith brotherly affection, and brotherly affection mwith love. 8 For if these qualities6 are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or nunfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he ois blind, having forgotten that he was pcleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,7 be all the more diligent to make your calling and qelection sure, for if you practice these qualities ryou will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you san entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend talways to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in uthe truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this vbody,8 wto stir you up by way of reminder, 14 xsince I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, yas our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ’s Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow zcleverly devised amyths when we made known to you bthe power and ccoming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but dwe were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, e“This is my beloved Son,9 with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on fthe holy mountain. 19 And gwe have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention has to a lamp shining in a dark place, until ithe day jdawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For kno prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God las they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

False Prophets and Teachers

Glorious Good Deeds

I couldn't have said it any better so I won't try to.

This was taken from Beth Moore's Blog.......

The good works that God has prepared for us are most often the ones closest to us. “God has created us to do our good works in the midst of the humdrum of daily living,” explains author Jerry Bridges.

Not glamorous, I know; but we’ll get to that.

Good works begin at home right outside our bedroom door. Paul says that young people should “first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God” (1 Timothy 5:4).

Doing good to our family is often harder than doing it for someone else. But it is a mark of sincere love for Christ. So how can you serve your Mom or Dad today? How can you do good to your siblings? No one else may see, but these deeds are pleasing to God.

The Bible also says that we are to “do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). “We are called to follow Christ together…with some particular people” says Pastor Mark Dever. And these particular people make up the local church in which God has placed you.

The church where your family is involved is not just your parents’ church. God has called you there as well. He has good works lined up for you to do in that church. In fact, God has given you unique gifts and talents specifically for use in your church. Ask your mom, dad, and pastor how you can use those gifts to do good for those in your church.

Finally, the godly young woman is to reach out and do good to all people. First, you should look for ways to share the gospel with our local community. Participating in your church’s evangelistic efforts, bringing a friend to church, or caring for the poor are all deliberate deeds worthy of your devotion.

You can even do good to those around the globe by sponsoring a child, raising money for churches, praying for the persecuted church, or even going on a short term mission trip. Prayerfully consider, along with your parents, what good deeds God has called you to do for others.

Genuine good works don’t point to us. They are like big neon signs that point to Christ. “It is when people see these [good works]….they will glorify God, for they embody the good news of his love which we proclaim.” says John Stott.

So get going already…and show off the love of Christ.

Why Some Leave Christ

QUOTE:
"No mischief that ever befalls our Christian communities is more lamentable than that which comes from the defection of the members. The heaviest sorrow that can wring a pastor's heart is such as comes from the [betrayal] of his most familiar friend. The direst calamity the Church can dread is not such as will arise from the assault of enemies outside, but from false brethren and traitors within the camp..." - from Why Some Leave Christ

We are all sinners and have fallen well short of God's glory. I know each of us has been walked on in one way or another and many of us have walked on others. It is by God's grace and mercy in sending his son to die on the cross for our sins that any of us have solid ground to stand upon. I am continuously thankful for His amazing gift of eternal life and the holy spirit dwelling within us. I know we don't deserve and never will deserve it.

Romans 5:16-21
16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass [5] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness [6] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Wisdom

I have been a part of many amazing studies, but when it all comes down to it the Bible is the one true inherent word of God. We all have opinions and thoughts about what we are learning and my prayer is that we would trust the unchanging truths of the Bible. Today is the 4th of Feb. in Japan and I'm starting my day by reading Proverbs 4.

Proverbs 4

Wisdom Is Supreme

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a boy in my father's house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,

4 he taught me and said,
"Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

The Beginning

Okay! I said I wouldn't be a blogger, but in an attempt to stay current and keep up with my kids ...HERE I GO!
Hopefully, I can be purposeful and have fun at the same time.