I think that all of you will be blessed by this beautiful prayer written by Luisa. She sent it to me this morning; it was inspired by the book she told us about on Monday: Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, written by Antony DeStefano
Dear Father God,
I know that You exist. May I continually be sensitive to Your presence in my life. Make me an instrument of Your love, grace, generosity, with purity of intention. Please take me through any situation in my life giving me courage, for You are my strength, and in Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Knowing that everything will work out for good, for your purpose to be accomplished in my life. Make me the forgiving person that You want me to be as I repent of my sins and receive Your forgiveness. Please restructure, rearrange, and rebuild my life so it fits perfectly in to Your perfect plan. May I be like clay in Your loving and powerful hands. I surrender all to You. Please give me the wisdom, the light filled grace, the inspirations of Your Spirit and the willingness to follow them continually, as You guide me to my destiny.
In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Chapter 2 ~
In usual Beth Moore style, she gets substantially deeper in chapter 2. Here are the tidbits that stood out the most to me:
Don't let your insecurity be substantial enough to: cheat you of the powerful life Jesus promised, hurt, limit or distract us from effectiveness or fulness of purpose. I was shocked to find out that 98% of women surveyed had an insecurity that they felt hurt them in some way or another, but I guess I shouldn't have been shocked. After all, I didn't ask y'all to tell me if you had insecurities or not last week, I asked y'all to disclose your biggest insecurity, and only 2 out of 11 seemed to lack a significant insecurity. I'm glad to have such a diverse group of women, and I'm especially glad that we have at least two examples where we can see secure women who know who they are in Christ. Interestingly enough, the two weren't born secure - it was through prayer (either by them or someone else), and faith in God that they were able to overcome insecurities.
It didn't surprise me that the devil has a tremendous amount to gain if we don't deal with our insecurities, but it did surprise me that having insecurities can be just like doubting God about ourselves. According to Ephesians 2:10, we were created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do; If we're not good enough, then how could we possibly complete those good works?
After reading the definition of insecurity, I begin to think "cool, maybe I'm just sensitive and not at all insecure - after all . . . I'm not chronically anything!" Just about that time, Beth says "don't be too hasty to let yourself off the hook just because one dimension of the portrait doesn't look like you." Insecure women are a mix of confidence and self consciousness all rolled into one neat and tidy package. She also, quite conveniently I might add, gives us the definition of chronic and even though we've changed it to mean a very long time, the actual definition means a few days (yes, i've totally been insecure about more than one issue for more than a few days . . . guess I am chronic!)
Forms of insecurity that stood out to me:
Having someone upset at you being hard, even if you're on the right side of the conflict ( I personally struggle terribly with this - I cannot stand for someone to be mad at me. I would never intentionally hurt someone, and it burns me up inside to think that I might have, especially when there's no hope of resolution.)
Anxiousness for no reason
Harboring unrealistic expectations about love or relationships - wanting friends to suck it up and deal with their circumstances rather than whine about it to you, wanting husbands to respond exactly as we would if they were in our situation.
I'm not sure about y'all, but I too was caught up in the trap of thinking that because of my insecurities, I really don't suffer from pride very often (after all, I definitely realize where I'm not perfect and I know that God is King over my life and without Him, I am nothing). And then bam! she shows us how pride and self-centeredness play a major role in our insecurities. This one will have to grow on me again because less than 24 hours after reading and getting it, I'm right back to "seriously? How in the world is that possible?" LOL
I love how she shows us that we are blessed in some relationships and our unrealistic expectations just happen to be met, making us think that our expectations are in fact realistic. Sometimes we go for a long time with every relational need being met until something changes, maybe in our friend's or loved one's availability, and our world comes crashing down on us, causing us to freak out - sometimes without the person who let us down even knowing that they did anything wrong. Sometimes we expect things from people that they are in no way capable of giving, at least for any real amount of time, and this can cause severe pain for us. The funny thing is that in our minds, we aren't the one who changed, they are, and we begin to harbor all kinds of anger and resentment toward them. I personally believe that this is why we should go straight to someone if they have offended us. How will they know if we don't tell them? How will you know that they never intended to hurt you if they don't even know that you've been offended?
Chapter 2 ends like this: Insecurity: it's miserable, we don't need it, we don't want it, and we can live without it! "So what would happen if we quit being accomplices in our own misery?"
I don't know about you, but I can't wait to find out!!! =0) See ya tonight!
Don't let your insecurity be substantial enough to: cheat you of the powerful life Jesus promised, hurt, limit or distract us from effectiveness or fulness of purpose. I was shocked to find out that 98% of women surveyed had an insecurity that they felt hurt them in some way or another, but I guess I shouldn't have been shocked. After all, I didn't ask y'all to tell me if you had insecurities or not last week, I asked y'all to disclose your biggest insecurity, and only 2 out of 11 seemed to lack a significant insecurity. I'm glad to have such a diverse group of women, and I'm especially glad that we have at least two examples where we can see secure women who know who they are in Christ. Interestingly enough, the two weren't born secure - it was through prayer (either by them or someone else), and faith in God that they were able to overcome insecurities.
It didn't surprise me that the devil has a tremendous amount to gain if we don't deal with our insecurities, but it did surprise me that having insecurities can be just like doubting God about ourselves. According to Ephesians 2:10, we were created to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do; If we're not good enough, then how could we possibly complete those good works?
After reading the definition of insecurity, I begin to think "cool, maybe I'm just sensitive and not at all insecure - after all . . . I'm not chronically anything!" Just about that time, Beth says "don't be too hasty to let yourself off the hook just because one dimension of the portrait doesn't look like you." Insecure women are a mix of confidence and self consciousness all rolled into one neat and tidy package. She also, quite conveniently I might add, gives us the definition of chronic and even though we've changed it to mean a very long time, the actual definition means a few days (yes, i've totally been insecure about more than one issue for more than a few days . . . guess I am chronic!)
Forms of insecurity that stood out to me:
Having someone upset at you being hard, even if you're on the right side of the conflict ( I personally struggle terribly with this - I cannot stand for someone to be mad at me. I would never intentionally hurt someone, and it burns me up inside to think that I might have, especially when there's no hope of resolution.)
Anxiousness for no reason
Harboring unrealistic expectations about love or relationships - wanting friends to suck it up and deal with their circumstances rather than whine about it to you, wanting husbands to respond exactly as we would if they were in our situation.
I'm not sure about y'all, but I too was caught up in the trap of thinking that because of my insecurities, I really don't suffer from pride very often (after all, I definitely realize where I'm not perfect and I know that God is King over my life and without Him, I am nothing). And then bam! she shows us how pride and self-centeredness play a major role in our insecurities. This one will have to grow on me again because less than 24 hours after reading and getting it, I'm right back to "seriously? How in the world is that possible?" LOL
I love how she shows us that we are blessed in some relationships and our unrealistic expectations just happen to be met, making us think that our expectations are in fact realistic. Sometimes we go for a long time with every relational need being met until something changes, maybe in our friend's or loved one's availability, and our world comes crashing down on us, causing us to freak out - sometimes without the person who let us down even knowing that they did anything wrong. Sometimes we expect things from people that they are in no way capable of giving, at least for any real amount of time, and this can cause severe pain for us. The funny thing is that in our minds, we aren't the one who changed, they are, and we begin to harbor all kinds of anger and resentment toward them. I personally believe that this is why we should go straight to someone if they have offended us. How will they know if we don't tell them? How will you know that they never intended to hurt you if they don't even know that you've been offended?
Chapter 2 ends like this: Insecurity: it's miserable, we don't need it, we don't want it, and we can live without it! "So what would happen if we quit being accomplices in our own misery?"
I don't know about you, but I can't wait to find out!!! =0) See ya tonight!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Prayer Request
Ladies,
Please keep Tina, Kevin, Samantha and the rest of their family in your prayers. We've been praying for Kevin's mother since she has been battling cancer. She passed away this morning. Samantha's birthday party was tonight at Chuck E. Cheese's so they are waiting until they get home to tell Samantha. Please pray that Samantha takes the news well; she and her grandmother were very close. Please also pray specifically for Kevin, I pray that this will bring him closer to God and ultimately result in his salvation. He is a really nice man, but he has never accepted Jesus. His mother was a Christian and he loves her dearly. Please pray that their friends would step up and be there for them. Kevin is going to tell his brother tomorrow so please pray that he receives the news well.
in His love,
crystal
Please keep Tina, Kevin, Samantha and the rest of their family in your prayers. We've been praying for Kevin's mother since she has been battling cancer. She passed away this morning. Samantha's birthday party was tonight at Chuck E. Cheese's so they are waiting until they get home to tell Samantha. Please pray that Samantha takes the news well; she and her grandmother were very close. Please also pray specifically for Kevin, I pray that this will bring him closer to God and ultimately result in his salvation. He is a really nice man, but he has never accepted Jesus. His mother was a Christian and he loves her dearly. Please pray that their friends would step up and be there for them. Kevin is going to tell his brother tomorrow so please pray that he receives the news well.
in His love,
crystal
Thursday, September 23, 2010
From Luisa . . .
Hi Crystal, I had asked for this information before, but I did not get it on time for Mondays Bible Class. I believe that God Has put in my heart the importance of being free from the offense trap, for it is the basis that holds us back from loving people unconditionally because of hurts from offense. And loving others is the great command that covers all the law. And also I think the more insecure we are the more easily offended we are, So it's all tied together to keep us from being and doing what God wants us to be and do. I pray to God that we are alert to this trap that can keep us from God's best plan for our lives, and also to keep us from being the offenders, that we may be sensitive to others peoples feeling, for it can happen with out even realizing it. That makes us understand that many times people don't even know they have hurt us. May God make us secure, strong, lovers of people, pleasing God with every word every action every though. In Jesus Name I pray.
Love,
Luisa Rodriguez
You can read the transcripts on Mary Welchel's website at: ChristianWorkingWomen.Org
Click on any of the titles in blue if you'd like to go to the website and get the handouts that went along with each radio broadcast.
PROGRAM D-6096
They say there are two sides to every story when it comes to relationships and relationship struggles. We can sit in one of two seats, either in the seat of the offended or the seat of the offender.
I think you will agree that all of us have been in both of those seats; we have offended others, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not, and we have certainly been offended. But neither place is a good place to be; a mature Christian who desires to grow up in Christ doesn't want to spend any time at all in either place-either as the offended or the offender.
Let's look first at the offender. Offending others can either be intentional or unintentional. What would cause us to intentionally try to hurt someone? The first thing that comes to my mind is that we strike back at someone who has hurt us. We've been hurt, so we hurt back. This comes in big ways and small ways. For example, someone may have said one sentence to you today that hurt your feelings, and before you know it, you reacted with a stinger of your own. That's an offensive response to a small offense. The thing is, that can easily escalate to a long-term, hurtful cycle of offenses that each person inflicts on the other.
There are many marriages, as well as other close relationships, that have been in a cycle like this for years, where one small offense generates another in return, and that has become the norm for that relationship-each person offends because she or he is offended, and on it goes. What is needed is for one person in that relationship to be willing to break that cycle. This is why Jesus said, 'If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles' (Matthew 5:39-41).
Jesus is not advocating that we become floor mats for people to run over, but he is saying that if you will be willing to break the cycle, to be the one who refuses to return an offense for an offense, you can stop this hurtful cycle and you can find healing in the relationship. But someone has to decide to get out of the seat of the offender and not return evil for evil.
If you are in the offender's seat, I want to encourage you to decide to get out of it right now. It's really a miserable place to be.
PROGRAM D-6097
It is often true that when we do offend someone, it is unintentional. We don’t stop to realize how words and attitudes and body language and facial expressions—and all kinds of little things—can become offensive. We truly underestimate how easily we can cause hurt. Aren’t you usually shocked when you find out that someone is offended with something you said or did?
I was shocked some time ago when a person I counted as a good friend began to strike out at me, to say hurtful things to me. I just couldn’t figure out why she would do that; I had no idea that she had been offended by me. I certainly never intended to offend her. But as we began to talk and I listened between her lines, I realized that through carelessness and lack of appreciation on my part and lack of paying her some attention, she was carrying around a hurt spirit toward me, and that displayed itself in hurtful ways.
I had been sitting in the seat of the offender, and I was truly sorry to realize it. With some very small and simple changes on my part, the problem went away immediately and there was complete healing in the relationship.
We can cause hurt and offense much more easily than we ever realize. We assume that because we don’t intend to offend, then we haven’t offended. But that is just not the way it is. So, how do we know when we’ve offended someone unintentionally?
Well, the first thing is to pray that God will make you sensitive so that you are more aware of when you are sitting in the seat of the offender. Then watch your words. Most offense is caused by carelessly chosen words, so pray much that God will guard your words and make them words of life, not death.
When you see a change in a relationship—a change for the worse—don’t just let it go on that way. Find out why; be willing to make the first step toward repairing the relationship. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” So, make the first move to find out what’s wrong, and if you need to, apologize and get yourself out of that seat of the offender.
PROGRAM D-6098
How can you break a cycle of hurt in a relationship? How do we get ourselves out of the offender’s seat and keep ourselves from getting into it?
Romans 12:10 tells us to: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” If we honestly tried to honor others above ourselves, that would keep us out of the seat of the offender, don’t you think? Honor is placing high value on someone or something. It means treating them as though they are very valuable.
Treating someone with honor means you say nice things to them; you give them first choice; you find out what they want and try to meet their needs. Just think of how we typically behave toward someone we honor or value or hold in high esteem. We listen to what they have to say; we treat them with respect; we are kind and considerate of them.
Another translation of Roman 12:10 says we are to outdo each other in showing honor. Notice that it doesn’t say treat others with honor if they deserve it—if they are honorable. No, we are to treat others with honor regardless—unconditional honor, if you please. If there is a relationship in your life that is strife-ridden, a person you truly have trouble getting along with, have you ever tried treating them with honor?
Maybe you’re thinking that you can’t do that if they don’t deserve it because that would be hypocritical—or because they don’t treat you with honor. But think about how God treats us with honor, with mercy and grace and love, even though we don’t deserve it. Shouldn’t that motivate us to want to give to others what God has extended to us—to bend the blessing back? And remember the principle of sowing and reaping; if you need honor, sow honor. If you need respect, sow respect. You reap what you sow.
The seat of the offender is an ugly place to be; treating someone with honor gets you out of that seat immediately.
PROGRAM D-6099
Quite honestly, most of us spend way too much time sitting in the offended seat, because we allow our feelings to be hurt so easily and we start throwing pity parties, so we get stuck in that seat. Maybe you’re thinking that someone else has the responsibility to get you out of that seat. You’re thinking that the person who hurt you, who offended you, should now come and do whatever is necessary to get you out of there.
But please clearly: There is nothing that anyone can do in the seat of the offender to get you out of the seat of the offended. If you are in the offended seat, it is because you are choosing to sit there. In fact, there are people in the seat of the offended who enjoy being there. They enjoy being a victim. After all, as long as you’re in the seat of the offended, you don’t have to take responsibility for anything you did in the seat of the offender. You can just keep shifting blame and having your pity parties—and spend your life in the offended seat.
I have to tell you that when you choose to keep sitting in the seat of the offended, it turns you into someone who is sour, unattractive, self-consumed and dishonoring to Christ. Now, I know that some of you have been hurt very deeply; the offense against you is deep and ingrained. Even so, God wants to deliver you from being the offended person, carrying that burden around with you all the time, wearing that chip on your shoulder. But you must be willing to give it up.
What does God say we should do when we’ve been offended?
Romans 12:14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
We are to bless them, not slander them. Regardless of what they did to you, it pales in comparison to what your sin—and mine—did to the Son of God. Do you remember Jesus’ words on the cross—Father, forgive them? He blessed those who persecuted him. He gave us the model for how we are to treat those who hurt us.
Have you blessed people in the offender seat of your life? I mean literally prayed a blessing on them—asked God to bless them. That’s one way to get you out of the offended seat.
PROGRAM D-6100
Forgiveness is the way Jesus taught us to deal with those who offend us. But it’s not easy, is it? It’s not easy to forgive someone who has hurt us and has not even acknowledged that hurt, much less asked for forgiveness.
Remember that forgiving someone who doesn’t deserve our forgiveness simply means that we give up our right for revenge, and we turn them over to God, because vengeance belongs to God and he will repay. They will not get off scot-free. God will do what is right and just; you can count on it. I can’t tell you when, but I can assure you that someday every wrong will be made right.
If you’re unwilling to forgive those who have offended you, it is probably because of pride. That’s because when we’re hurt, we can start to elevate ourselves and think that we deserve to be treated with respect, and it’s wrong for others to offend us. Do you recognize the pride in that kind of thinking? It’s stinkin’ thinkin’!
I remember the story of a saint of old who was falsely accused in the newspaper of all kinds of wrongs. When he read it, his response was, “But they don’t know the half.” Instead of defending himself, he didn’t allow pride to cause him to get into the seat of the offended. You see, it’s hard to offend a truly humble person.
What do you do to get out of the seat of the offended? Romans 12:20 says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” What does it mean to heap burning coals on his head? That is a quote from Proverbs 25, and the idea is that the burning coals do not damage them. They melt their hearts as metal can be melted by hot coals. Their hard-heartedness, stubbornness, their offensiveness will be melted by the generosity and compassion you show them by not returning evil for evil, but instead returning good for evil.
I ask you to examine yourself and see if you are sitting in the seat of the offender or the offended. You really don’t want to be in either one. You can be set free the very day you decide that you’re really tired of being offended, and you don’t want to offend others anymore.
Love,
Luisa Rodriguez
You can read the transcripts on Mary Welchel's website at: ChristianWorkingWomen.Org
Click on any of the titles in blue if you'd like to go to the website and get the handouts that went along with each radio broadcast.
PROGRAM D-6096
They say there are two sides to every story when it comes to relationships and relationship struggles. We can sit in one of two seats, either in the seat of the offended or the seat of the offender.
I think you will agree that all of us have been in both of those seats; we have offended others, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not, and we have certainly been offended. But neither place is a good place to be; a mature Christian who desires to grow up in Christ doesn't want to spend any time at all in either place-either as the offended or the offender.
Let's look first at the offender. Offending others can either be intentional or unintentional. What would cause us to intentionally try to hurt someone? The first thing that comes to my mind is that we strike back at someone who has hurt us. We've been hurt, so we hurt back. This comes in big ways and small ways. For example, someone may have said one sentence to you today that hurt your feelings, and before you know it, you reacted with a stinger of your own. That's an offensive response to a small offense. The thing is, that can easily escalate to a long-term, hurtful cycle of offenses that each person inflicts on the other.
There are many marriages, as well as other close relationships, that have been in a cycle like this for years, where one small offense generates another in return, and that has become the norm for that relationship-each person offends because she or he is offended, and on it goes. What is needed is for one person in that relationship to be willing to break that cycle. This is why Jesus said, 'If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles' (Matthew 5:39-41).
Jesus is not advocating that we become floor mats for people to run over, but he is saying that if you will be willing to break the cycle, to be the one who refuses to return an offense for an offense, you can stop this hurtful cycle and you can find healing in the relationship. But someone has to decide to get out of the seat of the offender and not return evil for evil.
If you are in the offender's seat, I want to encourage you to decide to get out of it right now. It's really a miserable place to be.
PROGRAM D-6097
It is often true that when we do offend someone, it is unintentional. We don’t stop to realize how words and attitudes and body language and facial expressions—and all kinds of little things—can become offensive. We truly underestimate how easily we can cause hurt. Aren’t you usually shocked when you find out that someone is offended with something you said or did?
I was shocked some time ago when a person I counted as a good friend began to strike out at me, to say hurtful things to me. I just couldn’t figure out why she would do that; I had no idea that she had been offended by me. I certainly never intended to offend her. But as we began to talk and I listened between her lines, I realized that through carelessness and lack of appreciation on my part and lack of paying her some attention, she was carrying around a hurt spirit toward me, and that displayed itself in hurtful ways.
I had been sitting in the seat of the offender, and I was truly sorry to realize it. With some very small and simple changes on my part, the problem went away immediately and there was complete healing in the relationship.
We can cause hurt and offense much more easily than we ever realize. We assume that because we don’t intend to offend, then we haven’t offended. But that is just not the way it is. So, how do we know when we’ve offended someone unintentionally?
Well, the first thing is to pray that God will make you sensitive so that you are more aware of when you are sitting in the seat of the offender. Then watch your words. Most offense is caused by carelessly chosen words, so pray much that God will guard your words and make them words of life, not death.
When you see a change in a relationship—a change for the worse—don’t just let it go on that way. Find out why; be willing to make the first step toward repairing the relationship. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” So, make the first move to find out what’s wrong, and if you need to, apologize and get yourself out of that seat of the offender.
PROGRAM D-6098
How can you break a cycle of hurt in a relationship? How do we get ourselves out of the offender’s seat and keep ourselves from getting into it?
Romans 12:10 tells us to: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” If we honestly tried to honor others above ourselves, that would keep us out of the seat of the offender, don’t you think? Honor is placing high value on someone or something. It means treating them as though they are very valuable.
Treating someone with honor means you say nice things to them; you give them first choice; you find out what they want and try to meet their needs. Just think of how we typically behave toward someone we honor or value or hold in high esteem. We listen to what they have to say; we treat them with respect; we are kind and considerate of them.
Another translation of Roman 12:10 says we are to outdo each other in showing honor. Notice that it doesn’t say treat others with honor if they deserve it—if they are honorable. No, we are to treat others with honor regardless—unconditional honor, if you please. If there is a relationship in your life that is strife-ridden, a person you truly have trouble getting along with, have you ever tried treating them with honor?
Maybe you’re thinking that you can’t do that if they don’t deserve it because that would be hypocritical—or because they don’t treat you with honor. But think about how God treats us with honor, with mercy and grace and love, even though we don’t deserve it. Shouldn’t that motivate us to want to give to others what God has extended to us—to bend the blessing back? And remember the principle of sowing and reaping; if you need honor, sow honor. If you need respect, sow respect. You reap what you sow.
The seat of the offender is an ugly place to be; treating someone with honor gets you out of that seat immediately.
PROGRAM D-6099
Quite honestly, most of us spend way too much time sitting in the offended seat, because we allow our feelings to be hurt so easily and we start throwing pity parties, so we get stuck in that seat. Maybe you’re thinking that someone else has the responsibility to get you out of that seat. You’re thinking that the person who hurt you, who offended you, should now come and do whatever is necessary to get you out of there.
But please clearly: There is nothing that anyone can do in the seat of the offender to get you out of the seat of the offended. If you are in the offended seat, it is because you are choosing to sit there. In fact, there are people in the seat of the offended who enjoy being there. They enjoy being a victim. After all, as long as you’re in the seat of the offended, you don’t have to take responsibility for anything you did in the seat of the offender. You can just keep shifting blame and having your pity parties—and spend your life in the offended seat.
I have to tell you that when you choose to keep sitting in the seat of the offended, it turns you into someone who is sour, unattractive, self-consumed and dishonoring to Christ. Now, I know that some of you have been hurt very deeply; the offense against you is deep and ingrained. Even so, God wants to deliver you from being the offended person, carrying that burden around with you all the time, wearing that chip on your shoulder. But you must be willing to give it up.
What does God say we should do when we’ve been offended?
Romans 12:14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
We are to bless them, not slander them. Regardless of what they did to you, it pales in comparison to what your sin—and mine—did to the Son of God. Do you remember Jesus’ words on the cross—Father, forgive them? He blessed those who persecuted him. He gave us the model for how we are to treat those who hurt us.
Have you blessed people in the offender seat of your life? I mean literally prayed a blessing on them—asked God to bless them. That’s one way to get you out of the offended seat.
PROGRAM D-6100
Forgiveness is the way Jesus taught us to deal with those who offend us. But it’s not easy, is it? It’s not easy to forgive someone who has hurt us and has not even acknowledged that hurt, much less asked for forgiveness.
Remember that forgiving someone who doesn’t deserve our forgiveness simply means that we give up our right for revenge, and we turn them over to God, because vengeance belongs to God and he will repay. They will not get off scot-free. God will do what is right and just; you can count on it. I can’t tell you when, but I can assure you that someday every wrong will be made right.
If you’re unwilling to forgive those who have offended you, it is probably because of pride. That’s because when we’re hurt, we can start to elevate ourselves and think that we deserve to be treated with respect, and it’s wrong for others to offend us. Do you recognize the pride in that kind of thinking? It’s stinkin’ thinkin’!
I remember the story of a saint of old who was falsely accused in the newspaper of all kinds of wrongs. When he read it, his response was, “But they don’t know the half.” Instead of defending himself, he didn’t allow pride to cause him to get into the seat of the offended. You see, it’s hard to offend a truly humble person.
What do you do to get out of the seat of the offended? Romans 12:20 says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” What does it mean to heap burning coals on his head? That is a quote from Proverbs 25, and the idea is that the burning coals do not damage them. They melt their hearts as metal can be melted by hot coals. Their hard-heartedness, stubbornness, their offensiveness will be melted by the generosity and compassion you show them by not returning evil for evil, but instead returning good for evil.
I ask you to examine yourself and see if you are sitting in the seat of the offender or the offended. You really don’t want to be in either one. You can be set free the very day you decide that you’re really tired of being offended, and you don’t want to offend others anymore.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Chapter 1 . . .
Well, if Beth can deliver on her promise to help us overcome our insecurity, I'm super excited! I was looking over some of the previous blog comments and I saw one from myself talking about insecurity in May so I know I need this. My prayer is that each of us will learn how to overcome our insecurities, but more importantly than that; I pray that we will apply that knowledge!
Here's what stood out to me in chapter 1:
Insecurity: cripples us, makes fools out of us, makes us miserable, makes us feel worthless and is a form of self-sabotage. The first step to curing insecurity is understanding it. She also warns us that our insecurities won't go away quietly; we will have to scream the truth louder than the lies. I love that she talks about things that each of us have and/or will struggle with. Beth brought up a point that I think of all too often: "what more could I want?" I feel as though God has been so amazing to me, I have a wonderful family, a great church and all of the physical security in this world . . . so how does that make me feel? INSECURE about being insecure LOL . . . it's such a vicious cycle for me. She mentions that she dislikes how she is sometimes "needy and hysterical" - I'm not sure that I personally get hysterical over an issue, but I can easily be placed in the needy category. I'm so encouraged that she mentions falling into the same traps over and over again because I do just that . . . It's like that song the good news club students sing "i get down, He lifts me up. I get down, He lifts me up. I get down . . .
My prayer is that we will remember this journey - I'm actually taking notes as I read this book - that seems so lame, but I would so have been that disciple whom Jesus had to ask "are you still so dull?" =0)
I love you ladies and I'm looking forward to seeing you on Monday - feel free to make your own observations as you read.
in His love,
crystal
Here's what stood out to me in chapter 1:
Insecurity: cripples us, makes fools out of us, makes us miserable, makes us feel worthless and is a form of self-sabotage. The first step to curing insecurity is understanding it. She also warns us that our insecurities won't go away quietly; we will have to scream the truth louder than the lies. I love that she talks about things that each of us have and/or will struggle with. Beth brought up a point that I think of all too often: "what more could I want?" I feel as though God has been so amazing to me, I have a wonderful family, a great church and all of the physical security in this world . . . so how does that make me feel? INSECURE about being insecure LOL . . . it's such a vicious cycle for me. She mentions that she dislikes how she is sometimes "needy and hysterical" - I'm not sure that I personally get hysterical over an issue, but I can easily be placed in the needy category. I'm so encouraged that she mentions falling into the same traps over and over again because I do just that . . . It's like that song the good news club students sing "i get down, He lifts me up. I get down, He lifts me up. I get down . . .
My prayer is that we will remember this journey - I'm actually taking notes as I read this book - that seems so lame, but I would so have been that disciple whom Jesus had to ask "are you still so dull?" =0)
I love you ladies and I'm looking forward to seeing you on Monday - feel free to make your own observations as you read.
in His love,
crystal
Monday, September 20, 2010
Today I met Frank . . .
I met a man named Frank today who was driving his mobility scooter on 646. It was raining so hard that the windshield wipers on high didn't seem to help with visibility. Just thinking of the number of cars that drove past him, makes me sick. How in the world do we ignore those of us who need our help? I'm not judging anyone, I just don't understand how we got here. Even I sometimes ignore those in need because I'm afraid that the situation isn't safe . . . I mean what if they're scammers? What if this . . . What if that . . . My daughter pointed out that we've always been this way - remember the story of the good samaritan? Back then you actually had to WALK past someone if you chose to ignore them. At least the people who ignored Frank had cars and they only had to look at him for a few seconds. Frank was visibly disabled from the waste down and he was wearing a tank top and shorts - no jacket, no hat, no umbrella . . . nothing at all to protect him from the elements. I did a u-turn and I asked Frank if there were anything I could do to help him. I'm 4'11" so unfortunately, lifting him into my vehicle wasn't an option for me. The fact that I couldn't have physically helped him didn't matter to Frank as he was firm in his decision to not leave his scooter. He did ask for a raincoat. I told him that I didn't have one, but I was just a few minutes away from home and I promised him that I would return, even if I could only find a trash bag! He smiled - so grateful for a raincoat. I can only imagine the pity party that would have been happening in my head if I were in his situation.
I went home and found him a rain proof jacket and a hat. When I returned, a worker from the City of League City stopped to help. He actually asked me what I thought we could do. All I knew to do was pray. I prayed that God would somehow help us. Frank and I were literally being drenched by the rain as we tried to dress him in the rain coat and hat. Almost before my prayer was finished, another worker pulled up and he knew Frank. Unfortunately, Frank's mind was not up to par and his intended destination didn't exist. He told me wild stories of how he has been saving every dime since the age of 14. He was on his way to withdraw his money from the "American bank" so that he could fly to Missouri to see his mother. Although many of his stories were clearly confused, he did notice that our behavior was out of the ordinary. He asked me if we were Christians and I told him that I was a Christian. The smile that came across his face was amazing. He said that even though his body keeps failing him, he believes that God isn't through with him yet. Eventually, we reached Frank's son - he called the police earlier to tell them that his father was missing. The three of us were able to lift Frank into one of the trucks. We assured Frank that his scooter would be safe in the back. Happy, content and peaceful, Frank said thank you and goodbye.
When I got back into my car, I burst into tears. I'm not exactly sure why. It felt so amazing to help another person. It felt great to work with strangers to solve a problem, but at the same time, my heart broke for Frank, for his loss of mobility and his loss of lucidity. I was; however, so happy that Frank had not lost touch with his Savior. He was such a happy man - all he asked for was a rain jacket, he was happy to have the use of his upper body and a scooter to get him from place to place. He was so humble as we helped him into the car, not a bit of pride or embarrassment. If only, I had such security in life.
Today I met Frank, and my life will forever be changed . . . I pray.
I went home and found him a rain proof jacket and a hat. When I returned, a worker from the City of League City stopped to help. He actually asked me what I thought we could do. All I knew to do was pray. I prayed that God would somehow help us. Frank and I were literally being drenched by the rain as we tried to dress him in the rain coat and hat. Almost before my prayer was finished, another worker pulled up and he knew Frank. Unfortunately, Frank's mind was not up to par and his intended destination didn't exist. He told me wild stories of how he has been saving every dime since the age of 14. He was on his way to withdraw his money from the "American bank" so that he could fly to Missouri to see his mother. Although many of his stories were clearly confused, he did notice that our behavior was out of the ordinary. He asked me if we were Christians and I told him that I was a Christian. The smile that came across his face was amazing. He said that even though his body keeps failing him, he believes that God isn't through with him yet. Eventually, we reached Frank's son - he called the police earlier to tell them that his father was missing. The three of us were able to lift Frank into one of the trucks. We assured Frank that his scooter would be safe in the back. Happy, content and peaceful, Frank said thank you and goodbye.
When I got back into my car, I burst into tears. I'm not exactly sure why. It felt so amazing to help another person. It felt great to work with strangers to solve a problem, but at the same time, my heart broke for Frank, for his loss of mobility and his loss of lucidity. I was; however, so happy that Frank had not lost touch with his Savior. He was such a happy man - all he asked for was a rain jacket, he was happy to have the use of his upper body and a scooter to get him from place to place. He was so humble as we helped him into the car, not a bit of pride or embarrassment. If only, I had such security in life.
Today I met Frank, and my life will forever be changed . . . I pray.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Prayer Request:
Please pray for my step-mother, Cheryl, and her family. Her father, Bobby, had a cat scan and they are supposed to get the results tomorrow. Bobby has cancer and they are praying that the cat scan shows that his tumor is responding to his treatments and is smaller in size. Bobby has finally regained his appetite and gained back 8 pounds; therefore, they are very hopeful for a positive result. Bobby's wife has been very stressed since they did the cat scan; please pray for peace for this sweet family. Cheryl is a police officer for Galveston PD, she is the one we prayed for a few months ago when her twin brother died. On a side note, one of Cheryl's officer friends lost his brother and his uncle last week - please pray for peace for his family. Love you ladies and see you tomorrow. Thank you so much for your sweet prayers =0)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Prayer Request:
Prayer request from Tina: Kevin (my husband) had to take his mom back to the ER early this morning. She is still there as of right now. She has stage 4 cancer in several areas of the body and has been given approx. 6 months if she doesn't take the treatment. Please keep her and the family in your prayers.
Monday, September 13, 2010
I'm so excited!
Tonight's conversation has me so excited for the future of our study! I can't wait to start reading the new book with you guys. I am looking forward to seeing the growth in each and every one of us! Jennifer Rothchild's outlook on life is truly amazing. I pray that each of us will also be able to say that it is well with our soul even if our circumstances aren't ideal.
Here are the preyer requests:
Please pray that Jacqueline would get relief from her migraine.
Please pray for Lynn's co-worker, Robin, and her relationship with her daughter. Please also keep Lynn's daughter, Tiffany, and her marriage in your prayers.
Please pray for Tracie's sister-in-law, Nikki, as she is in labor as we speak. Pray for a great delivery.
Please pray for my cousin, Kaylee, she is pregnant and her baby is due at the end of October. She is having blood pressure issues and is now on bed rest.
Please pray for Trent and Laura and their relationship with their sons.
Please pray that God work supernaturally in the situation involving Michelle, her husband, her daughter and her son-in-law. Pray that God tear down the prideful lines and mend the relationship.
See you guys next week! I'm going to order "So Long Insecurity, You've Been a Bad Friend" tomorrow night so if you haven't ask me to order one for you, please do so soon =0)
Here are the preyer requests:
Please pray that Jacqueline would get relief from her migraine.
Please pray for Lynn's co-worker, Robin, and her relationship with her daughter. Please also keep Lynn's daughter, Tiffany, and her marriage in your prayers.
Please pray for Tracie's sister-in-law, Nikki, as she is in labor as we speak. Pray for a great delivery.
Please pray for my cousin, Kaylee, she is pregnant and her baby is due at the end of October. She is having blood pressure issues and is now on bed rest.
Please pray for Trent and Laura and their relationship with their sons.
Please pray that God work supernaturally in the situation involving Michelle, her husband, her daughter and her son-in-law. Pray that God tear down the prideful lines and mend the relationship.
See you guys next week! I'm going to order "So Long Insecurity, You've Been a Bad Friend" tomorrow night so if you haven't ask me to order one for you, please do so soon =0)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I missed you guys yesterday!
It was really nice to have some family time last night, but I definitely missed you all. I am growing more and more excited about reading our next book together. God continues to send me confirmations that we are on the right track, and that is so exciting! You guys know me and you know that it's so difficult for me to KNOW the path that God has planned for my life and the things in my life, like this bible study LOL so anytime our Father can verify that we are on the right track makes me quite happy =0)
I pray that all of you are doing well and I'm so excited for those of you online who have joined us for our next journey! God has amazed me with how He has shaped this bible study. Each of us are so different, but we share a love for our Father, and that will forever bind us together.
i love you and I'll see you soon!
in His love,
crystal
I pray that all of you are doing well and I'm so excited for those of you online who have joined us for our next journey! God has amazed me with how He has shaped this bible study. Each of us are so different, but we share a love for our Father, and that will forever bind us together.
i love you and I'll see you soon!
in His love,
crystal
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Next study :)
Well ladies, I have prayed for so long that God would reveal His plan for what our group would do next and I firmly believe that He revealed that! On September 20th, we will begin our next study. We'll be reading "So Long Insecurity, You've Been a Bad Friend".
It never fails to amaze me when a woman whom I consider to be absolutely beautiful will admit that she honestly feels as though she is ugly, fat or even "disgusting". I personally get caught up in this all too often. Our Father created us in His image and I know how I would feel if my daughter thought of herself, even for a second, as ugly or in some way inferior.
Please pray that God would lead those of us who need to be secure in who we are to this study. Pray that we will continue to be an authentic, inter-denominational group of women who love, trust, encourage and support one another, regardless of our differences. Thank you so much for being who you are and for getting real. Thank you for loving those who are different than yourself. I am truly honored to be part of such an amazing group of women.
If you have anyone who may be interested in joining us, feel free to have them call me or email me with any questions. I'm so looking forward to seeing what God has planned in, through and around us. Thank you, Lord Jesus for this wonderful group of ladies.
See you next week for some fun and a little preview of the book.
in His love,
crystal
It never fails to amaze me when a woman whom I consider to be absolutely beautiful will admit that she honestly feels as though she is ugly, fat or even "disgusting". I personally get caught up in this all too often. Our Father created us in His image and I know how I would feel if my daughter thought of herself, even for a second, as ugly or in some way inferior.
Please pray that God would lead those of us who need to be secure in who we are to this study. Pray that we will continue to be an authentic, inter-denominational group of women who love, trust, encourage and support one another, regardless of our differences. Thank you so much for being who you are and for getting real. Thank you for loving those who are different than yourself. I am truly honored to be part of such an amazing group of women.
If you have anyone who may be interested in joining us, feel free to have them call me or email me with any questions. I'm so looking forward to seeing what God has planned in, through and around us. Thank you, Lord Jesus for this wonderful group of ladies.
See you next week for some fun and a little preview of the book.
in His love,
crystal
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