Remembering...

As we contemplate the year that has passed on this final day of 2010, I wanted to revisit my first post of the year.  It was the most memorable for me because it was the pre-cursor to one of the heaviest trials of my life that was to begin for me within a month of writing it. 

What you don't know is that I had written this on January 2nd with tears, not knowing what was to come.  I just knew that what I was writing was weighty for me because I had to put my faith into action when the hard things came.  I couldn't write these things from my heart, only to take it all back in the face of adversity because I changed my mind. 

Because of God's grace, I have not changed my mind about what I've written, and I still face the trial.  The trial has changed from what it first was, but it continues.  Have I learned how to suffer well?  Not yet.  I need to keep working on it.

If you are willing to oblige me, let's revisit my thoughts of January 2, 2010.....

2010: A Year of Comfort or Trials?

As we readied to say goodbye to 2009 and ring in 2010, I read many Facebook statuses and heard people saying something like this:

I am ready to be done with 2009.  I hope 2010 is a lot better.  This was a bad year.

I sure can identify with that statement.  I was feeling the same way at the end of 2008, and I'm pretty sure I felt that way the year prior as well.  It seems there were plenty of hardships that seemed unbearable at times and just wanted to get past them. 

Yet I guess it really struck a cord with me this time as I heard it coming from so many people.  I understand what it's all about.  Unemployment has been widespread.  I have friends who have returned to school who are trying to juggle family with that new adjustment in the mix.  Some have lost loved ones to death.  The list of pressures and heartaches goes on and on.

What if we change our perspective, though?  What if we look at what God says about all of our struggles of 2009 and what they amount to?  Would our perspective change?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NKJV)

Do you see the problem with our perspective on trial?  The very things we are ready to escape by turning the page of a calendar are the things God has ordained for us to experience to grow our precious faith.  The apostle Paul calls it a faith that is "more precious than gold that perishes."  And to what end?  That I might bring praise and honor and glory to Jesus Christ. 

But I just want to be happy, you might be saying.  Yeah.  Me too.  Let's be honest, though.  Happiness is relative and passes quickly. 

The truth of it is, we have been called to suffering.  Let me say that again.  Christians have been called to suffering.  Are you cringing right now?  It's a hard truth, I know.  How can you read 1 Peter 1 and come to any other conclusion, though?  He says that these trials that grieve us will prove the genuineness of our faith.  They make it precious.  They make it valuable.  They make it real.

This truth is something I have had to learn in the last few years and something I continue to wrestle with because just like everyone else, I crave comfort, not trial.  The real question is, what am I living for?  Comfort, ease, everything going my way?  Or do I live for the Lord Jesus Christ, hope of heaven, eternal rewards, and a faith to call more precious than gold?

Whatever God has planned for your 2010, it's my prayer that you and I trust Him and cling to Him as our only Source of goodness.  When He gives you the dearest desires of your heart and unexpected joys, thank Him.  And when the suffering and hardship come, thank Him... because He loves you so much He wants to grow your faith.  Will you let Him?

God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

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Love These Links

The article that Paula Hendricks wrote for the True Woman blog this week, My Mom's Courage-Infusing Words, was a challenge to me.  She talked about how we should give courage to others around us.  She shared an example about how her mom does that for her in emails, like when she responded to some anxiety Paula had expressed.  I need to work on being a courage-giver.

Stop Treasuring the Trivial at *Precious Adornment really made me stop and think.  It felt like I got hit between the eyes with the words she quotes from John Piper.  How much of what I do with my day makes it appear to others that I treasure Christ?  Not enough, that's for sure.

I am a new reader of Ann Voskamp's.  I saw her name floating around out there on Twitter, and I thought I'd check out her blog A Holy Experience.  It's a lovely spot on the web, both in pictures and in words.  This week she wrote about gaining a passion for scripture memory on her post titled Returning to Your First Love Bible Memorization: Make a Commitment Booklet.  It made me want to amp up my scripture memorization.

Now, along a completely different vein...

If you're looking to save yourself some money as well as putting something a little healthier into your body, you might want to read The Cheese Wars: Block vs. Pre-Shredded over at Comfy in the Kitchen.  I really need to utilize her suggestion, but I'm definitely gonna need to get a large shredder or else use my food processor.

Be sure to check out these links.  Have a great weekend!

*I have edited this after posting the original because I realized I had mistakenly called the blog Precious Adornment by another name.  I apologize for the incorrect information.

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What An Opportunity!

True Woman, a ministry of Revive Our Hearts, is giving me an opportunity to read Nancy DeMoss' newest book Voices of the True Woman Movement and discuss it on my blog.  I am so excited for the book to arrive! 

When I receive the book, I will be reading it and blogging my thoughts, chapter by chapter.  I thought I might make each chapter a weekly entry through summer, but I'll have to see if it works out that way.  I might need to double up posts on a couple weeks.  (I will be away at camp during two weeks in June.)

If you would like to read the book along with me, you can visit their online store and purchase one.  I receive no compensation for the link or your purchase.

If you have not heard of the True Woman movement and want to learn more, please visit their website and blog.  I also personally enjoy visiting Revive Our Hearts for Nancy's daily radio broadcast and for the plentiful resources available to help with everything from scripture memorization, to articles on women's topics, to a 30-day gratitude challenge.  Plentiful resources!

  

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My Soul Thirsts For You

I am in the process of memorizing this Psalm.  I love the words because they speak of my desperate need for God and how when I seek Him as my only source of fulfillment, He fills me up.  This Scripture is of great encouragement to me, and maybe it will be to you as well.

Psalm 63

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

  O God, You are my God;
         Early will I seek You;
         My soul thirsts for You;
         My flesh longs for You
         In a dry and thirsty land
         Where there is no water.
  So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
         To see Your power and Your glory.
         
  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
         My lips shall praise You.
  Thus I will bless You while I live;
         I will lift up my hands in Your name.
  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
         And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
         
  When I remember You on my bed,
         I meditate on You in the night watches.
  Because You have been my help,
         Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
  My soul follows close behind You;
         Your right hand upholds me.
         
  But those who seek my life, to destroy it,
         Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
  They shall fall by the sword;
         They shall be a portion for jackals.
         
  But the king shall rejoice in God;
         Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;
         But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

(Psalm 63, New King James Version)

2010: A Year of Comfort or Trials?

As we readied to say goodbye to 2009 and ring in 2010, I read many Facebook statuses and heard people saying something like this:

I am ready to be done with 2009.  I hope 2010 is a lot better.  This was a bad year.

I sure can identify with that statement.  I was feeling the same way at the end of 2008, and I'm pretty sure I felt that way the year prior as well.  It seems there were plenty of hardships that seemed unbearable at times and just wanted to get past them. 

Yet I guess it really struck a cord with me this time as I heard it coming from so many people.  I understand what it's all about.  Unemployment has been widespread.  I have friends who have returned to school who are trying to juggle family with that new adjustment in the mix.  Some have lost loved ones to death.  The list of pressures and heartaches goes on and on.

What if we change our perspective, though?  What if we look at what God says about all of our struggles of 2009 and what they amount to?  Would our perspective change?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NKJV)

Do you see the problem with our perspective on trial?  The very things we are ready to escape by turning the page of a calendar are the things God has ordained for us to experience to grow our precious faith.  The apostle Paul calls it a faith that is "more precious than gold that perishes."  And to what end?  That I might bring praise and honor and glory to Jesus Christ. 

But I just want to be happy, you might be saying.  Yeah.  Me too.  Let's be honest, though.  Happiness is relative and passes quickly. 

The truth of it is, we have been called to suffering.  Let me say that again.  Christians have been called to suffering.  Are you cringing right now?  It's a hard truth, I know.  How can you read 1 Peter 1 and come to any other conclusion, though?  He says that these trials that grieve us will prove the genuineness of our faith.  They make it precious.  They make it valuable.  They make it real.

This truth is something I have had to learn in the last few years and something I continue to wrestle with because just like everyone else, I crave comfort, not trial.  The real question is, what am I living for?  Comfort, ease, everything going my way?  Or do I live for the Lord Jesus Christ, hope of heaven, eternal rewards, and a faith to call more precious than gold?

Whatever God has planned for your 2010, it's my prayer that you and I trust Him and cling to Him as our only Source of goodness.  When He gives you the dearest desires of your heart and unexpected joys, thank Him.  And when the suffering and hardship come, thank Him... because He loves you so much He wants to grow your faith.  Will you let Him?

God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

Pray Believing

Ever since I was first asked to teach the Junior Sunday School class, I've been praying over it. I prayed about the decision, and then once the decision was made I began praying for the kids. I've been praying for the ability to teach them and for the Lord to use me to impact their lives.

Ready and girded with prayer as I could be, I walked into class the first day and was met with challenges from the first minute. At first I thought...

What am I doing here, Lord? This isn't the way I thought it would be.

My next thought was...

Please help me, Lord. I know I'm supposed to be here, and you're the only One with the solution to this problem. I don't know what to do, so please show me.

So I've been praying for 3 weeks for God's wisdom on how to get through to my Juniors, to be able to connect with them as I teach, and for His leading concerning the most beneficial way to teach so as to keep their attention.

Yesterday was the third time I walked into that classroom, and as I began my lesson it became very evident to me that the Holy Spirit was there. My kids were attentive immediately. It was amazing! Oh, we still had some issues, but overall I am positive that they were listening and the changes I had made in my presentation had made a difference.

I have recently seen some big answers to prayer in the last month, and I want to encourage you to hope in God and pray earnestly to see Him work change in not only others, but in you too. I've watched God do some amazing stuff. Pray believing!

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NKJV)