My Desire

This week I have a guest blogger. The funny thing is, she probably didn’t even know what a blog was. Mrs. Helen E. Phillips was born on February 4, 1911 and died on May 7, 2011. Yes, she was 100 years old. She was the grandmother of a dear friend and when she shared a few of “Granny’s” poems with me I knew they were too wonderful to keep to ourselves. Even though they were written 50 years ago they still ring true today. That’s what I love about God’s word. It’s always fresh, new and relevant. So, with her families permission I share with you . . .

My Desire by Helen E. Phillips

I would like to be like Jesus, Always patient, loving, kind, Help to bear some pilgrim’s burden, Help relieve some troubled mind.

I would like to be like Jesus, Never say a word unkind, But try to help some poor lost sinner, Peace and joy with Christ to find.

I would like to be like Jesus, Help someone who’s in despair. But I can only speak kind words And take them to the Lord in prayer.

I would like to be like Jesus, Help someone who’s in the gutter. Oh! How pitiful they seem to me, Just like a ship without a rudder.

I would like to be like Jesus, Try to help some struggling brother, Never thinking of myself, Only live my life for others.

I would like to be like Jesus, But like Him I cannot be. I could never do for others, What my Lord had done for me.

I cannot be like you, Dear Jesus, But help me do the best I can. Lord, May I here be true and faithful, And always be a friend to man.

Join me on tomorrow, Tuesday, May 24th from 4-5:00 on 1030 AM with Steve Noble on Called2Action.

Symbiotic

I’m singing my heart out to God—what a victory! He pitched horse and rider into the sea. God is my strength, God is my song, and, yes! God is my salvation. This is the kind of God I have and I’m telling the world! This is the God of my father— I’m spreading the news far and wide! God is a fighter, pure God, through and through. (excerpt from Exodus 15:1)

“Mommy, we have a symbiotic relationship.”, my son declared as we were riding down the road. “What do you mean?”, I asked as I was trying to recall those school science lessons from so long ago. “Well, you needed me to sweep the porch and when I did you gave me money. We have a symbiotic relationship. Just like the clown fish and sea anemone.” I was so glad my husband and daughter were in the car to hear this one or I don’t think anyone would have believed me.

For those of us who can’t remember all those old science lessons (me included): “A symbiotic relationship is one where one organism lives off another organism without causing either harm. In most cases, one organism benefits from the relationship and the other is not affected at all. ” (Askkids.com)

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. Titus 3:3 (NLT)

I began thinking back on  how my life was before I was in daily communication and fellowship with the Lord. It wasn’t pretty and there were no benefits to my prideful life as I tried to navigate this world on my own without any direction. I am so thankful God has given us His living Word so that we can have “live” forgiven, encouraged, empowered and meaningful lives in His name!

Sometimes, I still feel like a parasite draining the host dry with constant prayers, requests, conversations, needs and more. I praise Him that He is all powerful, mighty, unchangeable, and bigger than any of my problems or needs. He never sleeps or slumbers, never tires of hearing our praises or petitions and NEVER stops loving us.

Yes, life gets tough (sometimes it even seems unbearable), but God promises protection (Psalm 91). Not removal, but protection. Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross for us. I’m just thankful that He lives inside me and fills my heart with joy, peace and love so that I can share it with others. It if wasn’t for the love of Christ dwelling in me, it would be impossible to love others as He has called me to.  Christ has claimed victory over death. The least we can do is try to live our lives in way that honor Him, His word and His sacrifice. Will you join me?

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:4-5

God Hates?

“Oh, I hate it when that happens”, I said under my breath. “Mommy, we don’t say “hate” in this house!”, my son quickly reminded me. Kids never let you off the hook. (If you are a mom – you know what I mean.) But, he was right. We don’t use that word in our house because it isn’t a kind word and it’s not one I want my children to grow accustomed to. It’s hard enough to teach your children that God has called us to love our enemy and turn the other cheek.

Do not bear a grudge against others, but settle your differences with them, so that you will not commit a sin because of them.Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:17-19

God has called us to love as He does and leave any revenge in His hands. For this reason, these verses from proverbs really struck me when I was reading my Bible this week.

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6:16-19

I looked up six or seven different Bible translations of this passage to see if the word “hate” appeared in them. It did! It occurred to me that we tend to focus more on God’s love for us, His promises and His truths. Those are all important, but just as important are the things that our God hates. He hates sin and especially hates these certain ones listed in Proverbs. These verses are a good reminder that we need to maintain a healthy respect for our Lord and Savior. We are to be God-fearing and not forget His power and glory above all things. This world down plays the things listed in Proverbs such as arrogance, deceit, lying, evil, wickedness and troublemakers, but our God and His rules are to be taken seriously.

Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure.⁵ If you do, you will know what it means to fear the Lord and you will succeed in learning about God. It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:4-6

For further study, I have also included Proverbs 6:16-19 from the Message translation. I hope it takes you deeper as you abide in His word.

Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family. Proverbs 6:16-19 (The Message)

GodChick Contest Winner

Thank you to everyone who sent in their definition of a “GodChick”. Your answers were incredible, heartfelt and made my decision a tough one.

Congratulations to Amber Ward of Franklinville, NC!

GodChick:  A woman who searches after God, longs for His presence in her life, strives to be all He has called her to be, in her home, in her work, her community, her world.
Have a blessed weekend.

Abide

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

My son and I were discussing who should let my daughter in on some bad news when he said, “Mommy, you should tell her because you always find a way to lower her “out of controlness!” I was amazed he thought that, because I don’t see it that way at all. In fact, sometimes I think I raise her “out of controlness”.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

When life seems to spiral out of control or I am facing challenges that seem impossible to overcome I often think that God thinks way to highly of me. Then I remember He formed me in my mother’s womb and knows my heart even better than I know it myself. My earthly flesh tends to spiral into the “out of controllness” zone, but then I am reminded through God’s word to abide, to dwell and to remain in Him and He will provide, protect and proclaim for me.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16

I learned this week that in Greek the literal translation for the Word means a face-to-face relationship with God. What a marvelous thing to remember as we try to overcome these earthly reactions and try to stay grounded in the Word of our Father.

In God’s Word, He  talks a lot about abiding which to dwell or reside in a place, or to await something or someone. I can’t think of anyone I would rather reside with or wait for than our Lord and Savior. The one who created His written Word so we could have a face-to-face relationship with Him and allowed His son to die for us so the Holy Spirit could dwell in us.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

Rejoice today! We have a provider, a protector and one who will proclaim His Word through us to all the nations if we remain in Him and allow Him to dwell in us.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-6
**** Don’t forget***** There is only one more week left in the “GodChick” contest. Send me your definition of a GodChick and win a t-shirt and signed copy of my new Bible study.