Idols

October 12th, 2010

Have you thought much about that word before? What is an idol? I mean here in America we think of American Idol the hit talent show where singers come from all over to try out before a panel of judges and they all hope and pray that this could be the big break they have been waiting for. Only one wins the title American Idol and many go home crushed and defeated. Then there is the group that makes the top ten and gets to perform around the country and hopes that they still may be signed with a large record label. That’s what many of us think of when we think idol.

But the Bible talks about idols in a very different way. God had much to say about putting another god or idol before him. He makes it clear in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” He goes on in verse 4 and explains that we are not to make gods of any kind and in case he was not clear enough in verse 3, he reminds us not to worship them.

I find this so interesting that God states this so early in The Ten Commandments.

Which makes me think that God really wanted us to know that He is the one and only God and he does not share that spot.

I think we often think of idols as “churchy” or from another culture– maybe made out of wood or some precious stone, but I would like to say that we all have idols in our lives or functional gods. We believe in God but we serve a lesser god.

I began thinking about this because I am reading a book called No Other Gods by Kelly Minter.  In the book she is challenging us to look at our life and find those gods or idols that we might not even realize are there. She says that these idols take up space in our hearts, space that God would normally occupy.

Many times these gods can be good things or good people in our lives. It is really anything that we set our heart on that motivates us and masters us….ugh

This definition really hit me. What motivates me? Am I motivated by the approval of others ? Success in ministry? What is my heart set on? Other people, my family members, are they taking up space in my heart that is designed for God?

Is one of my gods trusting in myself?  I challenge you today what motivates you each day and where is your heart set? Do you love God and profess to others that He is God but serve a functional god?

Join me in removing the idols and making more space for God.

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Yoke is no joke!

September 17th, 2010

Yoke is not a word that we hear often in our culture. A yoke of course is the wooden cross tie that binds to animals together.

Think of Little House on the Prairie

Pa has to plow the fields with the cattle and he yokes them together (it’s just easier when they go the same direction…)

Christ says in Matthew 11:28-30 “ come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I think God knew we would go somewhere to find relief in this world. He knew that the pain we would experience would cause us to “yoke ourselves” to something other than him.

Who or what do you yoke yourself to? I have been thinking about this lately. What do we turn to instead of God? I know God will give me rest and peace but I often turn to other gods. I yoke myself to people’s approval or the comfort of food and television to numb out the emptiness of this world.

Christ knew we would get weary and tired. He knew we would want to turn to our old life patterns instead of to Him. I think that’s why He reminds us that His yoke is easy and light. When I turn and yoke myself to other things it is empty. I never seem to feel satisfied with trying to make a relationship give me the attention I crave or maybe working until the wee hours of the night only to find that when the project is complete that empty feeling comes back. You see the work project or the relationship is not gentle or light. They are exhausting and painful with our hearts. They promise us satisfaction but leave us wanting more. That kind of yoke is heavy and binding. Christ’s yoke is as easy and light as walking hand in hand with Him. He gives us guidance and instruction for this life. When we yoke ourselves to Him we are bound to Him, and yet we find more freedom and satisfaction than anything we have tried before. I hope you will ask yourself, who am I yoking myself to?

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Think about what you think about

August 31st, 2010

This is a challenge for all of us… to stop and think about what are minds are focusing on takes practice and discipline. As women, are minds are busy processing so many thoughts at one time that it is hard to stop and think of one.

Psalm 46:10 says to be still and know that He is God. I think God has asked us to be still and refocus on Him because He knew we would need it. He knew that the cares and worries of this world could cause us to lose the ability to take every thought captive as the Bible says in 2 Cor. 10:5

You see, as women, it can be just one thought that takes us to a place we don’t need to be. It could be “I am a loser” or “I will never amount to anything” or “I am a bad Mom” … all lies that we sometimes believe and then allow to affect our behavior.

So I encourage you today, be still…hit the “pause button” on life, turn off the noise around you, and think about what you think about. Practice running thoughts by God. If it is a negative thought (or just lies), take those thoughts captive. If, however it is a God-thought full of truth, then that’s one you want to focus on.

While it can be challenging to think about what you think about, it is a habit that can produce great results in your life as you learn to intentionally focus on the truth.

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The Things I Take For Granted

July 27th, 2010

My Mom is 84. She is a member of an over 60 dance troop called the Kickers. They perform at nursing homes, YMCAs and senior centers. They practice twice a week and perform once a week.

She loves it. She is also a member of the Red Hat Society, a national group with local chapters in each state. They meet once a month on Saturdays. She takes a class on Tuesdays for line dancing and she teaches dominos. I did mention she is 84.

She had a fall recently which has made if difficult for her to drive. I have taken over the weekday driving for her. She says she will drive again soon although the physical therapists do not give us any hope for that.

I help her get in the car and fasten her seat belt. I open all doors for her because her left arm is so weak. I gave her a small microwave to heat up her meals because the door on the ultramodern range in her home was too heavy.

I moved a chair from her closet so she wouldn’t trip and she said to put it back because she needs it to sit in and put her clothes on..She never complains or gets grumpy.

One day with her and you realize sitting in Atlanta traffic is not that bad–at least I am driving.

When I am sore after working out–I am thankful I can work out. Every time I open a can or drag the garbage cans up the driveway–I should be thankful that I am moving!

I love her attitude! I was with her at my office one day and a gal asked her with all of her health issues did she ever complain. She simply said,” Yes, I tried it once and it did me no good! So I don’t do it anymore.”

Wow! Isn’t that what the Lord tells us to do. Psalm55:22 says ” Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” I want to learn from my Mom and trust my cares to God because for me to carry them just ” does me no good.”

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Hair

June 24th, 2010

I grew up hearing my Mother say the same phrase every week. “I am going to get my hair done.”

That’s how I knew it was Saturday. Every Saturday morning my mother would go spend several hours at the beauty shop. She came back each week with the same style, but she also brought back her confidence and joy.It was an amazing thing that took place during the time she spent in the beauty shop.

I like to go get my “hair done.” Now that I am the mother, I don’t go every week, although I would if I could. The place I go is best when it’s busy. I like it filled with loud women telling stories about their lives and laughing so hard that the hair dresser has to stop to catch her breath. All of these women are there in the hopes of feeling transformed into a Hollywood star, filled with sex appeal and confidence. That usually happens to me when I go, but it’s not the cut or color treatment they may put on my hair, it is the WORDS the hairdressers say to me. They tell me I look beautiful and sexy and that my husband will love my new hair.

It works. I feel better. I walk with more strength and confidence . Words are powerful The words we tell ourselves and others can take them from a good day to a very bad day in a matter of minutes. The Bible says the power of life and death are in the tongue. The words we speak to others and to ourselves can have a huge impact on their life.

So why is going to get my hair done such an upper for me? My hairdresser tells me she loves me right when I walk in the door. She gives me a hug and hugs me again as I leave. Special treatment, you say, because I have known her for so long. She treats every customer the same way. Everyone feels special when they arrive and when they leave.

Maybe I should try some of that hairdresser treatment with myself, and my family, and all of those around me. Words, a smile, and hugs… good stuff!

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Really?

June 23rd, 2010

I was trying to decide what to title my blog, which in blog land is kind of a big deal, so I played around with several different titles. Here are just few.

He Loves Me– not bad, because in the Christian world that fact is really celebrated. He really loves us…so much so he died for us!

Love Wins– a favorite of my son’s because he says when you think about it love always conquers evil, love wins over hate, and ultimately love forgives.

Whats Love Got to do with It? The Tina Turner song. I have realized in life, love has everything to do with it. You see love is big, bold, and beautiful. It is so big that we can’t comprehend it, its bold because it can invade a cold heart that looks like a fortress from the outside and turn it into a peaceful park. It is beautiful to watch, from a child sitting on her grandfathers lap while he reads her a story,to a hospital bed where my Father lay dying of cancer reached out to take my hand and for the first time told me he was so proud of who I had become…yeah, that is big, bold, and beautiful.

Even though all of these titles are good I kept coming back to one. Really? I think I know why. You see, I know He loves me, or I thought I did, but I still find myself saying, “Really? God loves me, really?”

I realized I do not always live as if I am loved by the creator of the universe, because if I did I would whine less about long check out lines in the grocery store, and I would believe in myself more because I would know that I am so loved.

Then there is the love wins. Really? That word keeps popping up, challenging my faith. I would not struggle with fear if I really believed that love wins.

What does love have to do with it ? Really? I hope it has everything to do with my life and how I live it on this planet.

Really God’s love is big. Really love wins over anything that is thrown at us. Really the love of God invaded my heart and changed me so that I will never be the same nor would I want to be…Really.

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