What an uplifting chapter! I hope you all have had a great week (and October) and if you haven't, feel the comfort that comes to you from Chapter Five!
I couldn't help but be reminded of how God is our Father when beginning this chapter. It's almost if I hear Him saying "You are mine, beloved. I am here. And I am in control."
I feel like October has been full of thoughts that CS begins describing on page 75: "What can I as one individual contribute to the overwhelming needs of our world?" Resounding statement through every fabric of my life. But then he gives us this wonderful reassurance: "You are the only YOU in the world."
How comforting it is to know that God took His time thinking of funny little things to add to our DNA to make us unique. He LOVES the fact that I like to clean, wear my pajama pants way too high, despise beets, and how I would just rather work around things that are a little worn instead of fixing them (like my phone that has no back and the battery falls out or my glasses that have no nose piece). He LOVES that! What are funny things that you do or quirks you have?
"You're the only one with your personal convictions, your makeup, your skills, your appearance, your touch, your voice, your style, your surroundings, your sphere of influence---you're the only one" (CS 76).
Page 76 blows me away every time I read it. The impact of only one. We are all searching for a purpose, for a reason of existence. We want to know the answer to the question, "God, why did you make me like this?"
So I am going to recap a story that I found from another book I am reading (Radical by David Platt)... It's pretty lengthy, but I feel it's important so feel free to skip ahead, but come back to it!! This woman, Jamie, sent the pastor of Brook Hills (David Platt) this e-mail after her trip to Guatemala...
E-MAIL: "I made the decision to go to Guatemala after seeing in God's Word that he commands us to go and make disciples of all nations. I was going out of obedience, not because I had a heart for missions or a passion for the people of Guatemala. I want you to understand that I'm a wife, mother, and part-time psychologist-- I'm not a missinoary, and I'm certainly not a preacher. I was just being minimally obedient to what I believed God's Word tells all of us to do. Praise God he isn't minimally faithful and doesn't minimally bless us.
"After spending a week around precious children who eat a small cup of porridge a day, the question I have come back to Birmingham asking God is why he has blessed me when others have so little. And this is what God has shown me: 'I have blessed you for my glory. Not so you will have a comfortable life with a big house and a nice car. Not so you can spend lots of money on vacations, education, or clothing. Those aren't bad things, but I've blessed you so that the nations will know me and see my glory.'
All my life I have completely disconnected God's blessings from God's purpose, and now I realize what I had never seen. God has blessed me to show his love to Domingo [an elderly man whom Jamie saw come to Christ in Guatemala that week]. God has blessed me to show his mercy and grace to children in Guatemala. That is why God has given me income and education and resources. God saves me so that nations will know him. He blesses me so that all the earth will see his glory!"
Amen. What an incredible story? And to be able to see the blessings God has given and then to realize what purpose he seeks with it! For His glory!
On page 78 CS goes on to describe the power of one individual. "Only one missionary invests his whole life in an area and a tribe is ultimately evangelized." If we think about the word "impact" every day and associate it with God's purpose, how liveable and easier and joyful would our seemingly mundane days become!
Right now, I'm not only praying for me to see the purpose of each day, but for strength to face what is to come.
This is why I love Esther. She is incredibly real. At the bottom of page 83, CS recalls Esther's answer when Mordecai first mentions she go to the king. She is scared. Let's try and relate. Esther was around our age, "a maiden girl." She marries the king, someone she barely knows, who also controls her life. He can call for her whenever he pleases. However, at this time, he hasn't asked for her in 30 days.
First, lets talk about the hurt she probably was feeling. I can't imagine living this life. Sure, as queen you would live in a beautiful palace with servants on call and anything you desire. But she is confined to the world within the palace, and tied to a man who has the option of choosing the comfort of some other woman from his harem. And here, we find that the king has not called her for 30 days.
Second, she doesn't even know her people are in danger until Mordecai tells her via a guard or servant. Third, no one knows the Jews are her people! She is about to exhibit an incredible bravery stronger than we could ever imagine: "It's easy [for us] to be brave when we're protected and secure, when we have nothing to risk" (CS 83).
Mordecai replies back. Again, try to relate. Mordecai was probably experiencing every emotion of the rainbow. How hard would it be to tell your child that your existence, the lives of our people, rests on them? But Mordecai knew Esther, and knew that someone else was in control.
MY FAVORITE PART OF THE ENTIRE BOOK OF ESTHER: Mordecai says, "And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" God. Is. Sovereign. He created you and I to live in the times we are living right now. He has created us so that one day we will stand in His name "for such a time as this."
And then look at Esther's response! What an incredible woman! "And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish," Esther 4:16.
And if I should die, I die. Thy will be done. Her faith is so complete, and her dependence on Him is incredible. I love on the bottom of page 86 how CS describes how Esther also knew that she wasn't figting for the lives of her people, but also for the reputation of God. Shouldn't we have this response and mindset? That when someone defames "the living God," shouldn't we react?
"The moment Haman surfaced, Esther began to move from being a beauty queen to becoming a Jewish saint, from being an empty-headed sex symbol to being a passionate intercessor"... (CS 86- 87). I don't know about you, but I would rather be known as a passionate intercessor than to be known as someone who succumbed to the things of this world.
Reality check: "When we have been called 'for such a time as this,' how tragic if we are not there to stand in that hour" (CS 88). Incredible realization.
So shouldn't we be doing something?! Like CS says, shouldn't we be making an impact? How will God prepare us for what's in store if we simply do not act, and continue to let the mundane days be monotonous?
"Quit being so careful about protecting your own backside. Stop worrying about what others will think. You don't answer to them. You answer to Him. He will help. He will give you wisdom and courage. You may be only one, but you are one. So risk!" (CS 89).
Take a minute and think about all the great things in your life. All the blessings God has given us. And all for His glory! How privileged we are to even know Christ, and know about what God has done for us. Do you not feel sympathy for the people in a small tribe in the middle of Africa who don't even know that there is a greater being who loves them?! We are so incredibly blessed! We have a Father who listens to us! Who, when we are alone HE IS THERE! Shouldn't we want to go and tell others about his greatness?!!
"We don't believe in a theory; we believe in the person of Christ [...] The question is not simply, wat do you think of Christ? the question is, what have you done about what you think?" (CS 90-91).
It's been an incredibly journey thus far searching and pursuing God. It's so funny how I think my life is without Him and how much better it is with Him. All last week I was busy and didn't make time to pray or read my Bible studies or read the word. And then Sunday happened. This day overwhelms me with joy because I dedicate it to time with Him. I'm praying right now for God to put a strong urge on my heart for what's next and what I can do to prepare for when I will count most. It may not be something as incredible as Esther's story, but I know that it will be His will and for His glory! I hope all of you find as much comfort in this chapter as I did!
loveandprayers
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Chapter Four: An Evil Interlude
SOO SO incredibly sorry I am just getting this posted.... I wrote a post and it didn't save and therefore didn't show up on the blog... But what's awesome is I get to go through it again and dig deeper!!! Round two:
First, I want to begin by saying I LOVE your comments! I check all the time, and enjoy seeing other perspectives on the chapter. Different things in these chapters hit us at different spots. Even reading it for a second time, I'm always finding something new!
Chapter 4 begins a bit discouraging. But is also full of reality checks. CS does an incredible job bringing us back to earth and really looking at sin in the face. Look at the bottom of page 59 at CS' verb choices when describing sin and sin's aftermath: "sin is a universal disease... it splits, prompts, dissolves, paralyzes, shatters." It is quick. Satan looks for the easiest and smallest entry to inject sin and let it plague our lives. What's even more of an eye opener is when we look at ourselves as sinful.
1 John 2:16 "For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world."
Reality Check #1 on page 61: "You and I have (sin) deep within our hearts. And were it not for the power of the living God, acts of violence would be committed by every one of us, and we would finally exterminate ourselves off the face of this planet."
--At church on Sunday we talked about our Creator. God created in us a deep desire for Him. A craving. Jesus alone can fulfill this craving. However, we so often get caught up in our lives and living for us, that we try and satisfy these cravings for other stuff. We don't go to God to get stuff, Platt (the pastor) said. We go to God to get God, because that's what we crave! But because we are sinful, we look to other things and try to live according to the world.
Right now, I really need this pink and brown Ark and Co. jacket with ruffles that would look great for fall. I just really want it. But if I really think about it, I don't need it at all. I want it, so I can look cute and so society will look at me and think I'm dressed so cute ( I'm being real honest here). But then when I read the word and really devote time to building a relationship with God, I don't even think about the jacket, or where I'm going to work next, or when I'm going to meet Mr. Right, or what I'm doing this weekend. Because I am filled with a joy to praise His name! All I want to talk about is Him!
BUT then I go to work the next day... and there's the jacket. Trivial example, but it's so incredibly easy to get sucked in. It's an ongoing process, but I'm really praying for God to make the things of this world unattractive and for my spirit to be completely insatiated by the things of this world! (whew... that's a long one)
But again, I must revert back to one of my favorite verses : "My grace is sufficient." He. Is. Enough.
Reality Check #2 on page 62: "Life's not only painful; it's also unfair. Perhaps you are thinking right now that you will be promoted because YOU have worked the hardest, YOU have come up with the big ideas, YOU are the one who's done the most for your boss; therefore, it's only right that YOU be given that special position you've been anticipating. Well, be prepared. It probably won't happen. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic. Wrong happens... because of evil."
-- This is one of those DUH moments that is hard to swallow. But I can't help but think, "ain't that the truth." But I also can't help but remember Proverbs 21:1, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." (see CS page 32).
Isn't it comforting to know this? He is incredibly Sovereign, and He will ultimately win. And isn't it cool though to know that whatever we think would be the greatest thing to happen us, be it to win a million dollars or to get a promotion, that God has something even better for us! But it's in these seemingly unfair moments that He is preparing us for what HE has planned next! It's such an incredibly relief to just sit back and know that He has got our backs, right?!
Reality Check #3 on page 64: "Prejudice is something we learn; we're trained in it. We're not born hating.We must be taught to hate."
-- Again, how true this is! Think about it. We see little kids (or maybe this was you too!) at like 4 years old cheering for a sports team, sometimes with as much fire as a grown person. Do they know or understand why they are cheering for that team? No! Then why are they cheering for that team? Because someone has taught them to find favor in that team, to cheer for that team, to love that team, and sometimes to hate another team. Am I right?
I have to admit, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when I see little kids wearing an Auburn jersey! But just as much joy as it brings to my heart when they say War Eagle, it destroys my heart to see a little kid talk about how much they hate another team. Hate. Wow! We are constantly teaching others with our words, and more importantly, with our actions...
I love on page 66 when CS talks about how important it is to surround ourselves with people who "are strong enough to use words like: 'unwise,' 'not good,' 'too far,' 'watch it.'" We need friends who care about us to give us frequent reality checks... (I'm so thankful for each and every one of you!)
Because when we don't have reality check friends, we can be clouded with those sweet acquaintance friends. Though their companionship is wonderful! will they really tell you that's a bad idea, or don't wear that, or you are being irrational? And if we're not careful.... we can hold on to grudges. For months, years, or even a lifetime.
"Life and pain are synonymous. We cannot escape the pain. And if we're not careful, that pain can cause us to carry out the most heinous of sins" (CS 68).
CS then goes on to give us three more valuable lessons.
1. Never forget there will always be someone who will resent your devotion to the Lord.
Sometimes (the way I see it) it's a different softer form of resentment. This can be friends resenting your choice to spend time in the word over going to see a movie with them, you know? Sometimes it's hard for others to understand where you are in your relationship with Christ. In this case, I feel like it's more of them not understanding than resentment. But what a great opportunity to show your faith and devotion, right?
Or think about real resentment. How incredibly hard it would have been to be Noah. People looked at him and thought, what in the WORLD is he doing? He is crazy! He was told to build a big boat to house two of every creature for a rainstom that didn't even seem close. Talk about devotion!
2. Never underestimate the diabolical nature of revenge... and your ability to connive and retaliate.
This hurt can poison us. It can cause us to hold grudges, and retaliate. But isn't it usually that we, the grudge-holder, end up hurting far worse than the person who wronged us? And often times, the person who wronged us don't even know we are mad!
3. Never overestimate the value of your own importance.
This is something I have been praying about. A friend and I were talking about how other Christians view us. I don't ever want to seem self-righteous... That I know this big secret and look down upon others for not knowing or understanding it. It's so easy in the South to fall into the "Southern righteous view of Christianity." I just don't want my attitude to come off as superior, or for nonbelievers to see how I am acting and think "Oh she is a Christian," and for me to be the very thing that dissuades them from looking into what I believe.
As Christians we are to imitate Christ. What an incredibly hard thing to do. We are sinful. But when we call ourselves Christians, we should act like Christians, right? Another trivial example: We wouldn't wear an Auburn jersey and then cheer for the University of Alabama, right? Alabama fans would look at us like, who's this nut? and then wouldn't Auburn fans be ashamed of us?
So these are my ramblings.. I truly feel like I was supposed to read over this twice and write about this chapter twice. A lot of things have been on my heart, and I just want to continually seek the Lord and search for His purpose for my life.
I am so thankful for each of you and am SOOOO excited you are all enjoying Esther. With that I will leave you with some favorite passages from the chapter. Your posts spur my thoughts, so please please continue!!
"You can't escape pain and evil in this life. It's there. I can't even promise you that after giving your life to Jesus Christ there will never be another evil thought of revenge. There probably will be! But I can promise that, with Christ in control of your life, you will have some built-in controls that can keep you from carrying out the wishes of your wicked old nature" (CS 72).
"God and grace are sufficient to change you from a person of wickedness to a person of righteousness. The question is, will you release yourself, by faith, to Him and let Him do that for you?"
2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in your weakness."
loveandprayers
First, I want to begin by saying I LOVE your comments! I check all the time, and enjoy seeing other perspectives on the chapter. Different things in these chapters hit us at different spots. Even reading it for a second time, I'm always finding something new!
Chapter 4 begins a bit discouraging. But is also full of reality checks. CS does an incredible job bringing us back to earth and really looking at sin in the face. Look at the bottom of page 59 at CS' verb choices when describing sin and sin's aftermath: "sin is a universal disease... it splits, prompts, dissolves, paralyzes, shatters." It is quick. Satan looks for the easiest and smallest entry to inject sin and let it plague our lives. What's even more of an eye opener is when we look at ourselves as sinful.
1 John 2:16 "For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world."
Reality Check #1 on page 61: "You and I have (sin) deep within our hearts. And were it not for the power of the living God, acts of violence would be committed by every one of us, and we would finally exterminate ourselves off the face of this planet."
--At church on Sunday we talked about our Creator. God created in us a deep desire for Him. A craving. Jesus alone can fulfill this craving. However, we so often get caught up in our lives and living for us, that we try and satisfy these cravings for other stuff. We don't go to God to get stuff, Platt (the pastor) said. We go to God to get God, because that's what we crave! But because we are sinful, we look to other things and try to live according to the world.
Right now, I really need this pink and brown Ark and Co. jacket with ruffles that would look great for fall. I just really want it. But if I really think about it, I don't need it at all. I want it, so I can look cute and so society will look at me and think I'm dressed so cute ( I'm being real honest here). But then when I read the word and really devote time to building a relationship with God, I don't even think about the jacket, or where I'm going to work next, or when I'm going to meet Mr. Right, or what I'm doing this weekend. Because I am filled with a joy to praise His name! All I want to talk about is Him!
BUT then I go to work the next day... and there's the jacket. Trivial example, but it's so incredibly easy to get sucked in. It's an ongoing process, but I'm really praying for God to make the things of this world unattractive and for my spirit to be completely insatiated by the things of this world! (whew... that's a long one)
But again, I must revert back to one of my favorite verses : "My grace is sufficient." He. Is. Enough.
Reality Check #2 on page 62: "Life's not only painful; it's also unfair. Perhaps you are thinking right now that you will be promoted because YOU have worked the hardest, YOU have come up with the big ideas, YOU are the one who's done the most for your boss; therefore, it's only right that YOU be given that special position you've been anticipating. Well, be prepared. It probably won't happen. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic. Wrong happens... because of evil."
-- This is one of those DUH moments that is hard to swallow. But I can't help but think, "ain't that the truth." But I also can't help but remember Proverbs 21:1, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." (see CS page 32).
Isn't it comforting to know this? He is incredibly Sovereign, and He will ultimately win. And isn't it cool though to know that whatever we think would be the greatest thing to happen us, be it to win a million dollars or to get a promotion, that God has something even better for us! But it's in these seemingly unfair moments that He is preparing us for what HE has planned next! It's such an incredibly relief to just sit back and know that He has got our backs, right?!
Reality Check #3 on page 64: "Prejudice is something we learn; we're trained in it. We're not born hating.We must be taught to hate."
-- Again, how true this is! Think about it. We see little kids (or maybe this was you too!) at like 4 years old cheering for a sports team, sometimes with as much fire as a grown person. Do they know or understand why they are cheering for that team? No! Then why are they cheering for that team? Because someone has taught them to find favor in that team, to cheer for that team, to love that team, and sometimes to hate another team. Am I right?
I have to admit, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it when I see little kids wearing an Auburn jersey! But just as much joy as it brings to my heart when they say War Eagle, it destroys my heart to see a little kid talk about how much they hate another team. Hate. Wow! We are constantly teaching others with our words, and more importantly, with our actions...
I love on page 66 when CS talks about how important it is to surround ourselves with people who "are strong enough to use words like: 'unwise,' 'not good,' 'too far,' 'watch it.'" We need friends who care about us to give us frequent reality checks... (I'm so thankful for each and every one of you!)
Because when we don't have reality check friends, we can be clouded with those sweet acquaintance friends. Though their companionship is wonderful! will they really tell you that's a bad idea, or don't wear that, or you are being irrational? And if we're not careful.... we can hold on to grudges. For months, years, or even a lifetime.
"Life and pain are synonymous. We cannot escape the pain. And if we're not careful, that pain can cause us to carry out the most heinous of sins" (CS 68).
CS then goes on to give us three more valuable lessons.
1. Never forget there will always be someone who will resent your devotion to the Lord.
Sometimes (the way I see it) it's a different softer form of resentment. This can be friends resenting your choice to spend time in the word over going to see a movie with them, you know? Sometimes it's hard for others to understand where you are in your relationship with Christ. In this case, I feel like it's more of them not understanding than resentment. But what a great opportunity to show your faith and devotion, right?
Or think about real resentment. How incredibly hard it would have been to be Noah. People looked at him and thought, what in the WORLD is he doing? He is crazy! He was told to build a big boat to house two of every creature for a rainstom that didn't even seem close. Talk about devotion!
2. Never underestimate the diabolical nature of revenge... and your ability to connive and retaliate.
This hurt can poison us. It can cause us to hold grudges, and retaliate. But isn't it usually that we, the grudge-holder, end up hurting far worse than the person who wronged us? And often times, the person who wronged us don't even know we are mad!
3. Never overestimate the value of your own importance.
This is something I have been praying about. A friend and I were talking about how other Christians view us. I don't ever want to seem self-righteous... That I know this big secret and look down upon others for not knowing or understanding it. It's so easy in the South to fall into the "Southern righteous view of Christianity." I just don't want my attitude to come off as superior, or for nonbelievers to see how I am acting and think "Oh she is a Christian," and for me to be the very thing that dissuades them from looking into what I believe.
As Christians we are to imitate Christ. What an incredibly hard thing to do. We are sinful. But when we call ourselves Christians, we should act like Christians, right? Another trivial example: We wouldn't wear an Auburn jersey and then cheer for the University of Alabama, right? Alabama fans would look at us like, who's this nut? and then wouldn't Auburn fans be ashamed of us?
So these are my ramblings.. I truly feel like I was supposed to read over this twice and write about this chapter twice. A lot of things have been on my heart, and I just want to continually seek the Lord and search for His purpose for my life.
I am so thankful for each of you and am SOOOO excited you are all enjoying Esther. With that I will leave you with some favorite passages from the chapter. Your posts spur my thoughts, so please please continue!!
"You can't escape pain and evil in this life. It's there. I can't even promise you that after giving your life to Jesus Christ there will never be another evil thought of revenge. There probably will be! But I can promise that, with Christ in control of your life, you will have some built-in controls that can keep you from carrying out the wishes of your wicked old nature" (CS 72).
"God and grace are sufficient to change you from a person of wickedness to a person of righteousness. The question is, will you release yourself, by faith, to Him and let Him do that for you?"
2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in your weakness."
loveandprayers
Monday, October 18, 2010
Chapter Three: Strength and Dignity on Parade
So this is probably one of my favorite chapters so I might skip around a bit… I think I refer back to this chapter the most just because it highlights qualities that I strive to acquire.
CS begins by pointing out how incredibly humble Esther is and how removed she is from society’s view of how a woman should act. I love on page 43 how he describes Esther: “Isn’t it refreshing to find a little demureness in a beautiful woman? Isn’t it delightful to observe true beauty, which carries with it a modesty and a disinclination to compete for honors physically? I see that in Esther, and I’m impressed by it.”
I’m greatly impressed by it too. How true it is that in today’s society we are constantly striving to fit a typical mold! To be like the models in the magazine in which most often times the images are distorted and touched up to make these ordinary women seem perfect. I love how CS talks about Esther’s humility and modesty. I think what really makes a woman stunning and beautiful is how she portrays herself mainly through her actions. Personally I strive to be graceful (which is often hard considering I am accident prone in every facet), but also, to be graceful you must leave some to the imagination.
I strive to be like Esther. CS’s six characteristic of strength and dignity is something we all should write down, keep in our wallet and post on our mirror so that we think of these things daily.
1. Modeling Grace. Esther didn’t just model grace before the king, but modeled grace even before those who are often overlooked. Think daily, how do you treat the waitress that brought you your coffee and bagel today? What about the janitor that cleans up after you leave work and takes out the trash? I currently am working at a clothing store, and I greatly appreciate when customers genuinely ask how my day is, or communicate with me in other ways then just looking at me as a drone. I take note of it.
2. Unusual Restraint and Control. Ladies, let’s be mysterious! When I did this study previously, the woman leading it told us to “Never miss an opportunity to keep our mouths shut.” How true is this statement? I feel women most often times get a bad rep because of our ridiculous ability to gab and recall details… many that aren’t our details to share. “There is an air of mystery about a woman, an unpredictability that men find intriguing” (CS 46)…. Hmmmm, something to think about…
3. Sustain a continually teachable spirit. I love this little insight of wisdom CS shares: “Education is going from an unconscious to conscious awareness of one’s ignorance.” We will never reach the wisest of the wise. If we open each day allowing God to show us new things and to learn new concepts, how great our hearts and minds would open up, don’t you agree?!
4. Exhibit an unselfish modesty and authenticity. I think this is a tough one. I just think about how long it takes for me to get ready each day… and sometimes it’s so silly how much time I spend contemplating on what I’m going to wear and how I try to model after others?! What are your thoughts on this one??
5. MY FAVORITE: Model winsomeness. Aren’t we drawn to people who are winsome? When I think of someone who is winsome, I think of how I viewed my mom when I was little. All little girls want to play dress up and be like mom. Yes we go through those stages where nothing mom does is cool, and nothing she suggests is right. But think about when you were little. Wasn’t mom just the best person IN THE WORLD? And why was that? Because moms made everything better. It’s not just a woman’s physical attributes that make her alluring, but rather her “charming and gracious spirit” (CS 50). Esther was winsome.
6. A humble respect for authority. Thoughts on this one???
CS points out that acquiring these characteristics seems daunting and unattainable. But I love his response in telling us that we are wrong in thinking so. In becoming like Esther we must be dead to this world.
1 John 2:15 : "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
I admit, this is difficult. How much easier it is to live according to society. How much easier is acceptance if we live up to the world’s expectations? We are simply weird or odd if we do anything else that is not mainstream or popular, right? But what does the world have, what does society have without God? There is no joy. There is no fulfillment. CS says to ask God “to give you discontent for the superficial and a deeper desire for the spiritual. Make yourself available to His strength, His reproofs. Seek His counsel for the things you lack” (CS 51).
“His light in our life gives us a growing disgust for things that merely satisfy the flesh… It is His working in our lives that uses us even in the harems of life to make a difference and to model a charm and a beauty, a dignity and an elegance that cannot help but cause people’s attention to be drawn to Him and His power” (CS 52).
Here again, I can’t help but think of the prayer my friend prayed over me. She asked for people to be able to see Jesus in me. Through us and by modeling these qualities we are drawing people to Him. How great is that?! How marvelous it is for others to be attracted to Christ through us?! This alone helps me get through the seemingly mundane times.
CS closes chapter three by quoting the Proverbs 31 wife (one of the founding verses of our blog!!). If you ever feel insignificant or powerless as a woman, read Proverbs 31 and the unique gifts that God gives women. You are significant. You do matter. You do have a place in this world. God made you for this exact moment and time, the one thread that is you in His marvelous tapestry. Take comfort in knowing that He is sovereign.
always,
loveandprayers
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Chapter Two: There She Goes-- Miss Persia!
I love thinking about mundane days now. How interesting is it to think we have no idea where we will be in 10 years. We don’t know what tomorrow looks like. The people we are sharing our thoughts with and this blog with, some of us didn’t even know each other a couple of years ago. Can you think of monumental days when you woke up, got dressed, brushed your teeth, ate cereal only for that night to go to bed in a completely different mindset and thinking of things that rocked your world???
It amazes me to think that God is with me, right now, at work, in. my. life. Right now, my life is not spectacular. It’s an organized mess of chaos, more than anything that should be looked at as spectacular or wow. I get up. Go to work. Interact with people. Come home. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
CS does a fantastic job at pointing out how incredibly significant events come out of trivial monotonous days. I LOVE on page 22 where he sets the scene for Christ’s return. “Morning rush-hour traffic will choke the freeways.” For it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that the “day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” We will simply not know He is coming.
Also, think of it this way (in a loose sense). Humor me. It’s like we know who Prince William is. I mean, he’s cute (I personally am more of a Harry fan). He is of noble blood. But we know we will probably never meet him, and are just living out our lives doing what we know to do.
But then all of a sudden, this Tuesday (a seemingly mundane day of the week) you are forced by your parents to go for ONE YEAR away with a bunch of random women and prepare to meet this prince in hopes that he likes the way you look and marries you. But if he doesn’t choose you to be his queen, you will probably just become part of his harem anyway. And to think, that Tuesday morning you got up, got dressed, brushed your teeth, ate your cereal like every other day.
The people we meet and interact with everyday, the choices we make every moment, are all part of His plan. His tapestry. And we are only a thread. He Is Sovereign.
One thing I really enjoy about the story of Esther is really trying to relate to her life. Can you imagine what she felt? Can you imagine leaving for a year to go and prepare to be a Queen? And possibly marry a man whom she never personally met or held a conversation with? We don’t even know! Or what about Queen Vashti? I have a lot of admiration for her. I mean, I would venture to guess that by her rejecting the King’s request at that time would be incredibly risky. But the decision she had to make… to go and listen to the king, her husband at a cost to her character and dignity, or deny him and risk possibly her life!!
On page 30 CS takes us to Isaiah and reminds us of God’s timing. And on 31 he again reminds us of God’s sovereignty. I take great comfort in Proverbs 21. How God holds every leader, ruler, boss, teacher in His hand. Think of those people. God has complete control over them. Like Emma said last week, God crushed Nebuchadnezzar so that he would ultimately find Him. He has our best interest at heart, and we are to work constantly to glorify Him. He is our Father. Our Dad. He Is Sovereign.
On page 34 he points out the importance of a wife and the wonderful role of a wife. With this I think of course to Proverbs 31. Also Ephesians 5:22-33: “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which is the Savior… Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless…”
After returning from war and defeat, Xerxes doesn’t want any woman, he wants a wife. And the role of a wife is a very powerful role. They can build up their husband but can also tear him down. (Can’t WAIT to see how Esther is used in Xerxes’ life even!!) Notes on this to come!!!
Also, before I close (sorry long post again) I wanted to point out what CS says on page 37 and how we need to be the salt and light of the world. I have heard this numerous times but have never really understood exactly what it means. I found THIS link that explains it… but in a nut shell:
“When we want to stress a person’s worth we often say that he or she is the salt of the earth. In the ancient world, salt was highly valued. The Greeks called salt divine. Salt performs two important functions. It is the commonest of all preservatives. It keeps things from going bad. For millions of people in the world, salt still has this purpose. In the second place, salt gives taste and flavor to food. Food without salt is insipid.The Christian’s task is to be the salt of society, preserving, reconciling, adding taste, giving meaning where there is no meaning, giving hope where there is no hope.
We are also called to be the light of the world. The New English Bible translates: ‘You are the light for all the world’. It means we are to be light in all aspects of the world’s life. It also means we are to be light for all the people of the world.”
I’ll never forget one of the greatest prayers a friend ever prayed with me. She prayed with me that the people I was about to meet would see Jesus in me. What a thing to pray for. Wouldn’t our days change if we prayed and lived and act hoping that people would see Jesus in us? I know as women we love to feel loved and to feel beautiful. Can you imagine the beauty people would see in us if they saw Jesus in our smiles, in our eyes, in our hugs, our laughter, our speech? I pray hoping that people will see Christ in me in all aspects, and will do the same for you!
I’ll never forget one of the greatest prayers a friend ever prayed with me. She prayed with me that the people I was about to meet would see Jesus in me. What a thing to pray for. Wouldn’t our days change if we prayed and lived and act hoping that people would see Jesus in us? I know as women we love to feel loved and to feel beautiful. Can you imagine the beauty people would see in us if they saw Jesus in our smiles, in our eyes, in our hugs, our laughter, our speech? I pray hoping that people will see Christ in me in all aspects, and will do the same for you!
loveandprayers
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Introduction and Chapter One: God's Invisible Providence
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."
So here it is! Our first posting and first chapter together! I figured by now you would have the time to buy the book... and read the introduction and the first chapter. But if you haven't, NO WORRIES!! That's what's really great about the blog. You can do this at your own pace!
My goal is to post a new post about each chapter on Sunday of each week. BUT if you want to post your own thoughts, go for it! I would love to hear what you think of the book!
Since it has been a while I thought we could join the Introduction and Chapter One together... (but the Intro is pretty basic, and we'll prob just skip the intro and dive into the chapter)...Soooo let's get started:
In the midst of chaos, when all things just seem to be crumbling and not going my way, it is extremely easy to fall into self-doubt and feel defeated. And then I remember and come across great scripture such as Psalm 46. "Be still, and know that I AM GOD." To know that he is sovereign is just an incredible reassurance and can give such great peace.
I love how Swindoll begins the chapter, "God's presence is not as intriguing as His absence. His voice is not as eloquent as His silence." He emphasizes God's sovereignty and very real presence in the incredible story of Esther over and over, but is also sure to point out that God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther once.
I was talking to a friend the other day about my life and how I wish I could have a sign that I am going in the right direction. What a weird funk we are in.... we are new graduates. Some of us are not doing anything with our major. Some of us are working in areas or jobs that we hate. Some of us are working in areas we love. Some of us are scared about permanence. Some of us are about to embark (or ar embarking) on a new journey with another person and continually learning new things about them each day. And we wake up each day not knowing what we are supposed to do, or act, or sometimes who we are supposed to be. College in no way prepares us for the weird funk.
I admit, I have been a little lost and stressed out about what I am supposed to do. with. my. life. But then my friend and I started talking about God's plan for our lives. And then I felt so silly. I was getting angry because I couldn't see God's big picture for my life. And then I remembered his sovereignty. On page 2 CS (Charles Swindoll) quotes Isaiah and what God said to the prophet, "My thoughts are higher than your thoughts." CS also says on page 3 "Furthermore, God has a will. But make no mistake about it, His ways are 'unfathomable.' No human being can predict or plumb the depths of God's will."
And then I have peace about it. DUH! Why would I want the God I love and the Father I turn to for help and for comfort be limited to the capacity of my small mind? But then here's the cool thing: though He is incredibly sovereign and in control over every big and minute detail... of the entire world... he still wants us to seach him and lets us be with Him. "But if we come with an open heart, in faith, we will find that He is waiting with open arms, ready to accept, to receive, and to fill us with power" (CS pg 3).
I also love on page 6 how CS describes how some of us react when we get frustrated not knowing.. or when we go astray: "(God) is neither fickle nor moody. He will have his way and He will not be frustrated. And if you think He has met His match with you, my friend, you are in for one back-flip suprise."
Moving on to the story of Esther..... if you have not read the full story of Esther in the Bible (which I hadn't before I started this Bible study the first time around) I really encourage you to read it first.
On page 10, I love how CS allows the reader to relate to Esther. Can you imagine a little girl, losing her parents... crying each night... probably not understanding who God is... or if she does, constantly questioning 'Why?'... feeling absolutely alone, lost, insignificant? It really brought it home to actually think about God having his hand on Esther's life from day 1 and when she went through tragedy... how that tragedy was probably necessary in order to prepare for what He had in store for her in the future... to be QUEEN and to one day save her people... WOW!!!! Can you imagine if you went back in time and told little crying Esther what she one day would become?!
Chapter One really is an overview of the entire Book of Esther. However, in other chapters CS goes in depth about each detail, bit by bit. So I won't really dive into the history and significance of each event quite yet. But what stuck out about the story to you? What really hit home with you?
I was a bit appalled about the king's behavior. Sometimes I think we forget that leaders (or perople we put in high positions) that we don't personally know have an actual personality. They too have character flaws. To think... the king gets drunk and wants to impress his buddies. And calls/demands his queen to come and flaunt herself in front of his buddies to make him feel more superior! AND SHE SAYS NO! Insane!
Before I end I wanted to note on page 12 (middle of the page) a great prayer we can pray when we feel lost or become discouraged: "Lord, involve me in the process, if it pleases You. Activate me in Your action plan. I'm available. Speak through me. Use me." And I always add... Be WITH me.
Another friend asked me the other day why I believe in God, and how I am able to just fully act according to something that seems unreal and, at times, can seem quite bazaar. To be honest, I am still fully searching for the answer. And an answer I can fully put into speaking terms. But for certain I know that it is strictly by faith. Hebrews 11 gives a great definition of faith and how we can act as followers of Christ. And sometimes I have to remind myself that He is there and sometimes CONVINCE myself when I feel He is absent.
On page 17 CS says, "I've never heard an audible voice in the middle of the night reassuring me, 'I'm here, My son.' But by faith I see Him and, inaudible, I hear Him on a regular basis, reading Him written in the events of my life."
CS also does a great job of pointing out the gallows that Haman had set for Mordecai. How Mordecai acted out by faith and what He knew was right, even though destruction was right in front of his face. But those gallows weren't for him! CS wants us to "see the relationship of the truths communicated in the story of Esther to the reality of your own life. One way to do this is to realize that the gallows you think are prepared for you are not that at all" (pg 17). And to confront those seemingly looming gallows we must "Be quiet. Be convinced" (pg 18).
CS gives us a great prayer to pray over ourselves on page 18: "I am convinced that You are at work amid the gallows of my life. I can see them in the dawn of the morning sunrise, but I know You're at work! I cannot change the events, but I know You are there in the midst of them. Rescue me. I come to You throught Christ. I come to You alone. I am quiet, and finally, I am convinced."
Again this brings me back to Psalm 46. Read over Psalm 46. If you ever get discouraged, ask God to guide you. I know what it's like to be frustrated... as I continually find myself having to ask God for peace and to give me peace about not knowing.
I would love to also have the opportunity to do prayer requests. So if you are comfortable sharing, what are the gallows in your life?
What is great about the story of Esther is we are able to see how timely God is. AND what's even cooler is we will soon be able to relate to HER life!! Isn't that crazy?! Trust me when I say this... that by the end of the study, you will have a new role model.
I'm so excited about this blog, and even more STOKED about rereading CS's account of Esther. PLEASE comment on what you liked most about Chapter One and any other thoughts, comments, critiques, prayer requests you might have!!
loveandprayers
So here it is! Our first posting and first chapter together! I figured by now you would have the time to buy the book... and read the introduction and the first chapter. But if you haven't, NO WORRIES!! That's what's really great about the blog. You can do this at your own pace!
My goal is to post a new post about each chapter on Sunday of each week. BUT if you want to post your own thoughts, go for it! I would love to hear what you think of the book!
Since it has been a while I thought we could join the Introduction and Chapter One together... (but the Intro is pretty basic, and we'll prob just skip the intro and dive into the chapter)...Soooo let's get started:
In the midst of chaos, when all things just seem to be crumbling and not going my way, it is extremely easy to fall into self-doubt and feel defeated. And then I remember and come across great scripture such as Psalm 46. "Be still, and know that I AM GOD." To know that he is sovereign is just an incredible reassurance and can give such great peace.
I love how Swindoll begins the chapter, "God's presence is not as intriguing as His absence. His voice is not as eloquent as His silence." He emphasizes God's sovereignty and very real presence in the incredible story of Esther over and over, but is also sure to point out that God is not mentioned in the Book of Esther once.
I was talking to a friend the other day about my life and how I wish I could have a sign that I am going in the right direction. What a weird funk we are in.... we are new graduates. Some of us are not doing anything with our major. Some of us are working in areas or jobs that we hate. Some of us are working in areas we love. Some of us are scared about permanence. Some of us are about to embark (or ar embarking) on a new journey with another person and continually learning new things about them each day. And we wake up each day not knowing what we are supposed to do, or act, or sometimes who we are supposed to be. College in no way prepares us for the weird funk.
I admit, I have been a little lost and stressed out about what I am supposed to do. with. my. life. But then my friend and I started talking about God's plan for our lives. And then I felt so silly. I was getting angry because I couldn't see God's big picture for my life. And then I remembered his sovereignty. On page 2 CS (Charles Swindoll) quotes Isaiah and what God said to the prophet, "My thoughts are higher than your thoughts." CS also says on page 3 "Furthermore, God has a will. But make no mistake about it, His ways are 'unfathomable.' No human being can predict or plumb the depths of God's will."
And then I have peace about it. DUH! Why would I want the God I love and the Father I turn to for help and for comfort be limited to the capacity of my small mind? But then here's the cool thing: though He is incredibly sovereign and in control over every big and minute detail... of the entire world... he still wants us to seach him and lets us be with Him. "But if we come with an open heart, in faith, we will find that He is waiting with open arms, ready to accept, to receive, and to fill us with power" (CS pg 3).
I also love on page 6 how CS describes how some of us react when we get frustrated not knowing.. or when we go astray: "(God) is neither fickle nor moody. He will have his way and He will not be frustrated. And if you think He has met His match with you, my friend, you are in for one back-flip suprise."
Moving on to the story of Esther..... if you have not read the full story of Esther in the Bible (which I hadn't before I started this Bible study the first time around) I really encourage you to read it first.
On page 10, I love how CS allows the reader to relate to Esther. Can you imagine a little girl, losing her parents... crying each night... probably not understanding who God is... or if she does, constantly questioning 'Why?'... feeling absolutely alone, lost, insignificant? It really brought it home to actually think about God having his hand on Esther's life from day 1 and when she went through tragedy... how that tragedy was probably necessary in order to prepare for what He had in store for her in the future... to be QUEEN and to one day save her people... WOW!!!! Can you imagine if you went back in time and told little crying Esther what she one day would become?!
Chapter One really is an overview of the entire Book of Esther. However, in other chapters CS goes in depth about each detail, bit by bit. So I won't really dive into the history and significance of each event quite yet. But what stuck out about the story to you? What really hit home with you?
I was a bit appalled about the king's behavior. Sometimes I think we forget that leaders (or perople we put in high positions) that we don't personally know have an actual personality. They too have character flaws. To think... the king gets drunk and wants to impress his buddies. And calls/demands his queen to come and flaunt herself in front of his buddies to make him feel more superior! AND SHE SAYS NO! Insane!
Before I end I wanted to note on page 12 (middle of the page) a great prayer we can pray when we feel lost or become discouraged: "Lord, involve me in the process, if it pleases You. Activate me in Your action plan. I'm available. Speak through me. Use me." And I always add... Be WITH me.
Another friend asked me the other day why I believe in God, and how I am able to just fully act according to something that seems unreal and, at times, can seem quite bazaar. To be honest, I am still fully searching for the answer. And an answer I can fully put into speaking terms. But for certain I know that it is strictly by faith. Hebrews 11 gives a great definition of faith and how we can act as followers of Christ. And sometimes I have to remind myself that He is there and sometimes CONVINCE myself when I feel He is absent.
On page 17 CS says, "I've never heard an audible voice in the middle of the night reassuring me, 'I'm here, My son.' But by faith I see Him and, inaudible, I hear Him on a regular basis, reading Him written in the events of my life."
CS also does a great job of pointing out the gallows that Haman had set for Mordecai. How Mordecai acted out by faith and what He knew was right, even though destruction was right in front of his face. But those gallows weren't for him! CS wants us to "see the relationship of the truths communicated in the story of Esther to the reality of your own life. One way to do this is to realize that the gallows you think are prepared for you are not that at all" (pg 17). And to confront those seemingly looming gallows we must "Be quiet. Be convinced" (pg 18).
CS gives us a great prayer to pray over ourselves on page 18: "I am convinced that You are at work amid the gallows of my life. I can see them in the dawn of the morning sunrise, but I know You're at work! I cannot change the events, but I know You are there in the midst of them. Rescue me. I come to You throught Christ. I come to You alone. I am quiet, and finally, I am convinced."
Again this brings me back to Psalm 46. Read over Psalm 46. If you ever get discouraged, ask God to guide you. I know what it's like to be frustrated... as I continually find myself having to ask God for peace and to give me peace about not knowing.
I would love to also have the opportunity to do prayer requests. So if you are comfortable sharing, what are the gallows in your life?
What is great about the story of Esther is we are able to see how timely God is. AND what's even cooler is we will soon be able to relate to HER life!! Isn't that crazy?! Trust me when I say this... that by the end of the study, you will have a new role model.
I'm so excited about this blog, and even more STOKED about rereading CS's account of Esther. PLEASE comment on what you liked most about Chapter One and any other thoughts, comments, critiques, prayer requests you might have!!
loveandprayers
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