"Courage inspires courage. Lack of courage inspires timidity."
-Doug Phillips
Showing posts with label character. Show all posts
Showing posts with label character. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
How Do You Want To Be Remembered?
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.”
Psalm 116:15
Perhaps this is a little morbid, but I sometimes wonder, “If I died right now, what would people remember about me and say of me at my funeral?”
(Does anyone else ever ask themselves this question?!?)
- Would they remember that I complained a lot?
-Would they remember my disrespectful attitude?
-Would they remember my self-centered outlook on life?
That’s not what I want! But all those things are true about me...
The week before last one of my Dad’s uncles died, and his funeral was such a blessing. He was a pastor with a real heart for the sick; he and my aunt would spend hours at the hospitals, visiting and praying with the sick and their families. I know, because they often visited my grandparents when they were sick and dying.
But anyway, as I sat at his funeral listening to the minister preach and speak about the impact of Uncle Joe’s life, I thought- “That’s what I want at my funeral!” Another thing I thought of was the story of Michael Billings. Some of you may be familiar with his story, as it is set forth in the book, Life is but a Vapor: The Life and Legacy of Michael G. Billings.
As I read the aforementioned book (which I would list as one of the five most influential books I’ve ever read), I was convicted as I saw the number of people who were touched by Michael’s life, and who genuinely loved and admired him. Would people have any reason to write or speak of me the way they did of Michael Billings?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. I would not want any little girls to travel down the paths I was once on. I have many regrets from my past, as I am sure we all do.
But I want the answer to the above question to be yes. It is my desire to leave a legacy of godliness-- particularly godly womanhood, to the next generation.
Yet my heart is so prone to wander from the God I love, as the hymn says, and from His paths, as well.
Even though when I die I will never know what others will say about me, I want them to bring glory to God. And that’s what matters, I suppose. It’s not what others say about me that matters-- it’ what they say about what God did in my life!
I want to be remembered for being Christlike. But to be remembered that way, I must live that way!!!
Psalm 116:15
Perhaps this is a little morbid, but I sometimes wonder, “If I died right now, what would people remember about me and say of me at my funeral?”
(Does anyone else ever ask themselves this question?!?)
- Would they remember that I complained a lot?
-Would they remember my disrespectful attitude?
-Would they remember my self-centered outlook on life?
That’s not what I want! But all those things are true about me...
The week before last one of my Dad’s uncles died, and his funeral was such a blessing. He was a pastor with a real heart for the sick; he and my aunt would spend hours at the hospitals, visiting and praying with the sick and their families. I know, because they often visited my grandparents when they were sick and dying.
But anyway, as I sat at his funeral listening to the minister preach and speak about the impact of Uncle Joe’s life, I thought- “That’s what I want at my funeral!” Another thing I thought of was the story of Michael Billings. Some of you may be familiar with his story, as it is set forth in the book, Life is but a Vapor: The Life and Legacy of Michael G. Billings.
As I read the aforementioned book (which I would list as one of the five most influential books I’ve ever read), I was convicted as I saw the number of people who were touched by Michael’s life, and who genuinely loved and admired him. Would people have any reason to write or speak of me the way they did of Michael Billings?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. I would not want any little girls to travel down the paths I was once on. I have many regrets from my past, as I am sure we all do.
But I want the answer to the above question to be yes. It is my desire to leave a legacy of godliness-- particularly godly womanhood, to the next generation.
Yet my heart is so prone to wander from the God I love, as the hymn says, and from His paths, as well.
Even though when I die I will never know what others will say about me, I want them to bring glory to God. And that’s what matters, I suppose. It’s not what others say about me that matters-- it’ what they say about what God did in my life!
I want to be remembered for being Christlike. But to be remembered that way, I must live that way!!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
What do you Love?
This past Sunday Mr. Bruce Rogers spoke, and it was so good, I wanted to share with everyone a little bit of what he said! His main Scripture passage was Psalm 139-
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all...Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me; and lead me in the everlasting way."
I was so convicted because this went along so well with what I have been thinking on since we listened to Mr. Doug Phillips' Identity Theft cd. When we left church, one question Mr. Bruce asked was stuck in my brain, Does God loathe what we love?
This week as I meditated on Psalm 139 and thought back to those messages, I continued to ask myself, What do I delight in? What do I love? Are my priorities in life straight?
Unfortunately, too often I am like the Israelites-- I forget what the Lord has done for me, and I wander back to Egypt, in my words, attitudes, etc.
Something else that pricked my heart was when Mr. Bruce pointed out that nothing we do is hidden from the sight of God. Not even a thought is hidden from God's all-seeing eye. In fact, Scripture says that He is "intimately acquainted" with all our ways! Anytime I slip back to feminist thinking- even just in my heart- God Knows!
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all...Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me; and lead me in the everlasting way."
I was so convicted because this went along so well with what I have been thinking on since we listened to Mr. Doug Phillips' Identity Theft cd. When we left church, one question Mr. Bruce asked was stuck in my brain, Does God loathe what we love?
This week as I meditated on Psalm 139 and thought back to those messages, I continued to ask myself, What do I delight in? What do I love? Are my priorities in life straight?
Unfortunately, too often I am like the Israelites-- I forget what the Lord has done for me, and I wander back to Egypt, in my words, attitudes, etc.
Something else that pricked my heart was when Mr. Bruce pointed out that nothing we do is hidden from the sight of God. Not even a thought is hidden from God's all-seeing eye. In fact, Scripture says that He is "intimately acquainted" with all our ways! Anytime I slip back to feminist thinking- even just in my heart- God Knows!
Monday, February 22, 2010
More on the Tongue
Yesterday at Church my Daddy gave a very interesting talk on the Apostle Paul and his life and work, and Mr. Trent Hendrix gave a wonderful (and very convicting/encouraging) message on how we are supposed to use our Tongues! One of his main Scripture passages was Ezekiel 2:3-8.
"Son of man, I am sending you to...a rebellious people who have transgressed against Me to this very day. I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God.' As for them, whether they listen or not- for they are a rebellious house- they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house..."
There were things that stood out to me in this passage:
1.- Several times it mentions "speaking" the Words of the Lord. It made me think, Do I know enough of what God's Word says to incorporate it in my speech?
2.- I realized one part of this passage was very necessary to the rest: "listen to what I am speaking to you". I have to heed what Scripture says! I can't make Scripture say what I want it to-- it can only mean what God wants it to mean!! Even when it's difficult.
3.- Fear Costs! Fear is death wish to anything. And look at what God tells us not to fear! "neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles are with you and you sit on scorpions" How often does fear keep me from being a witness to the Lord with my life?
4.- "Speak My Words to them whether they listen or not" How discouraging this can be! It is so hard to apply this, especially with family members you love. For me, it's hard to keep on keeping on when the person your heart wants to help doesn't seem interested AT ALL!!!
5.- Last of all, it is sooo easy (at least for me) to fall back into old ways of thinking, ways of thinking that are worldly and anti-God. And look at what God says here: "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house..." Rebellion is especially hard for me... I want my way NOW!!! (What a terrible attitude!)
Another Scripture he used was Galatians 4:6- "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
He asked all of us, "Are you "full of grace" or are you a "salt shaker"?" He pointed out that neither are right if not properly balanced with the other! If you are always kind and full of grace in your speech, but you don't share the Truth of God (which sometimes hurts) it's no more right than being "too salty"-- speaking the Truth of God, but with no love or grace towards others! One thing that I noticed was the ending of this verse: "so that you will know how you should respond to each person". That is so true. When we speak God's Word,with Grace, we can answer in a godly way, that points others to Christ.
I hope this encourages all of you as much as it has me! Do any of you have any tips for keeping our tongues in submission to Christ? If you do, I would love to hear them!!
"Son of man, I am sending you to...a rebellious people who have transgressed against Me to this very day. I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God.' As for them, whether they listen or not- for they are a rebellious house- they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house..."
There were things that stood out to me in this passage:
1.- Several times it mentions "speaking" the Words of the Lord. It made me think, Do I know enough of what God's Word says to incorporate it in my speech?
2.- I realized one part of this passage was very necessary to the rest: "listen to what I am speaking to you". I have to heed what Scripture says! I can't make Scripture say what I want it to-- it can only mean what God wants it to mean!! Even when it's difficult.
3.- Fear Costs! Fear is death wish to anything. And look at what God tells us not to fear! "neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles are with you and you sit on scorpions" How often does fear keep me from being a witness to the Lord with my life?
4.- "Speak My Words to them whether they listen or not" How discouraging this can be! It is so hard to apply this, especially with family members you love. For me, it's hard to keep on keeping on when the person your heart wants to help doesn't seem interested AT ALL!!!
5.- Last of all, it is sooo easy (at least for me) to fall back into old ways of thinking, ways of thinking that are worldly and anti-God. And look at what God says here: "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house..." Rebellion is especially hard for me... I want my way NOW!!! (What a terrible attitude!)
Another Scripture he used was Galatians 4:6- "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
He asked all of us, "Are you "full of grace" or are you a "salt shaker"?" He pointed out that neither are right if not properly balanced with the other! If you are always kind and full of grace in your speech, but you don't share the Truth of God (which sometimes hurts) it's no more right than being "too salty"-- speaking the Truth of God, but with no love or grace towards others! One thing that I noticed was the ending of this verse: "so that you will know how you should respond to each person". That is so true. When we speak God's Word,with Grace, we can answer in a godly way, that points others to Christ.
I hope this encourages all of you as much as it has me! Do any of you have any tips for keeping our tongues in submission to Christ? If you do, I would love to hear them!!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Tongue: A Deadly Weapon
One of the things the Lord has been teaching me lately is how powerful my tongue is. As Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” And that's true. We have been given the power to build up or tear down others simply by our words!
“No one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison…so also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” James 3:8,5
Do any of you have trouble controlling your tongue? I do! As it says in the above passage, the tongue “is a small part”, yet I often find it to be the most difficult to bring into submission under Christ!!
A passage I found the other day sounds terribly like myself:
“…Grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining advantage.” (Jude 16)
After doing a little research, I found something very shocking. What do you think is the characteristic of the “strange woman” of Proverbs described most? Her speech! Over and over we find passages like the ones below:
“To deliver you from the strange woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words.” – Proverbs 2:16
“For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech.” – Proverbs 5:3
“The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naïve and knows nothing.” -Proverbs 9:13
Do you know that three of the seven things that the book of Proverbs says that God hates and are abominations before Him deal with the Tongue?
“Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil. A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” - Proverbs 6:17-19
One of the things I seem to struggle with the most is “babbling” on with nothing edifying to say, or simply blurting out things that are hurtful to others (even if they might have some truth to them). Scripture speaks clearly to this:
“The wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be ruined.”
-Proverbs 10:8
“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” -Proverbs 10:19
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” -Proverbs 25:11
“A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.” -Proverbs 18:2
“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.” -Proverbs 11:22
One of the other things I battle the most is Pride, which naturally overflows into my speech! When I read what Proverbs said about this…ouch!
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” -Proverbs 27:2
I think we, as daughters are often careless with the great responsibility of edifying others with our speech. There lies before us a great decision: Will we identify with what the Scriptures call the ‘Strange Woman’?
“She is boisterous and rebellious, her feet do not remain at home.” -Proverbs 7:11
Or the ‘Godly Woman’ of Proverbs 31?
“She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” -Proverbs 31:26
As Thumper says on Bambi, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!” President Calvin Coolidge said it this way, "I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say."
“Even a fool when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered wise.” -Proverbs 17:28
“No one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison…so also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” James 3:8,5
Do any of you have trouble controlling your tongue? I do! As it says in the above passage, the tongue “is a small part”, yet I often find it to be the most difficult to bring into submission under Christ!!
A passage I found the other day sounds terribly like myself:
“…Grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining advantage.” (Jude 16)
After doing a little research, I found something very shocking. What do you think is the characteristic of the “strange woman” of Proverbs described most? Her speech! Over and over we find passages like the ones below:
“To deliver you from the strange woman, from the adulteress who flatters with her words.” – Proverbs 2:16
“For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech.” – Proverbs 5:3
“The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naïve and knows nothing.” -Proverbs 9:13
Do you know that three of the seven things that the book of Proverbs says that God hates and are abominations before Him deal with the Tongue?
“Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil. A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” - Proverbs 6:17-19
One of the things I seem to struggle with the most is “babbling” on with nothing edifying to say, or simply blurting out things that are hurtful to others (even if they might have some truth to them). Scripture speaks clearly to this:
“The wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be ruined.”
-Proverbs 10:8
“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” -Proverbs 10:19
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” -Proverbs 25:11
“A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.” -Proverbs 18:2
“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.” -Proverbs 11:22
One of the other things I battle the most is Pride, which naturally overflows into my speech! When I read what Proverbs said about this…ouch!
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” -Proverbs 27:2
I think we, as daughters are often careless with the great responsibility of edifying others with our speech. There lies before us a great decision: Will we identify with what the Scriptures call the ‘Strange Woman’?
“She is boisterous and rebellious, her feet do not remain at home.” -Proverbs 7:11
Or the ‘Godly Woman’ of Proverbs 31?
“She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” -Proverbs 31:26
As Thumper says on Bambi, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!” President Calvin Coolidge said it this way, "I have never been hurt by anything I didn't say."
“Even a fool when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered wise.” -Proverbs 17:28
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