Wow!

Harry is at school, Bianca is napping, one load of clothes is in the washer and another is in the dryer. I decided to take advantage of the quiet house and read a bit before continuing my chores.

I'm currently reading "Secrets of the Vine for Women" by Darlene Marie Wilkinson. (And absolutely loving it!!) Well, I just had to take a break and blog because when I opened up to page 96, there is simply a lovely black and white picture of a bunch of grapes followed by Philippians 1:6! He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

I don't think it is any accident that I am reading this book now. And I think it's pretty obvious that God is sending me a clear message. Yes, right now, I am feeling unsettled. I have a job that doesn't satisfy me and takes up too much of my precious time. Because of this, I don't spend enough time with my family - particularly my daughter. I'm feeling restless because I know our family isn't finished growing, but circumstances have prevented us from having more children up until now. I know I was created for so much more than simply going through the motions of this seemingly meaningless existence. I know my life was made to bear much more fruit.

I have a tendency to dwell on the negative. I tend to get down more often than not. I complain, I whine, I cry, I get depressed. But God doesn't want me to live like that. And this week in particular, he is reminding me that HE'S NOT FINISHED WORKING ON ME!!!

I simply need to abide in Him and make Him my heart's biggest desire. And I find a comfort and relief in Wilkinson's book. She says, "You don't have to know more in order to abide. You don't have to wait until you become more mature, more successful, or more accepted. You don't have to prove yourself in any way more worthy. Right now, as you read this page, you are already the object of your Lord's attention and affection. He says, Stay with Me. Be with Me. Remain in Me." I don't have to cram any more serving or doing into my life. It's only as I persue genuine and unbroken intimacy with Him that I can produce the most eternal fruit for His glory. Isn't that such wonderful, comforting news?

When I see God show up in my life like this and speak to me so loudly and plainly, all I can say is "Wow"... and savor every moment of it! : )

Just had to share how awesome our God is....

I woke up this morning feeling rather emotional and bloated with indescribable feelings. (There was no one specific event linked to these emotions; God has just been working on me lately.) As soon as Harry and Bianca left the house, I found myself singing over and over at the top of my lungs: “Hear my prayer, Lord. Hear my prayer.” Tears were dripping down my face, and I felt like I was breathing out so much, even though there were no words coming out except "hear my prayer." In the silence that followed, I felt like I had gone through a huge catharsis in a matter of minutes.

When I got into the car and turned on the radio, guess what verse Tracey read over the air? Psalms 40:1!!!! I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

I couldn’t help it; I burst into tears again. The Lord heard my cry. Though I am but dust, He turned His ear and His heart towards me! He not only heard me, He confirmed that he heard me!! I felt so humbled, so secure and so loved at the same time. It was nothing short of wonderful!

God also reminded me of a sermon that my pastor gave a few weeks ago. It actually goes quite perfectly after my “Unfinished” post. Even though we start strong and fizzle out, even though we quit when things get too hard, even though we leave so many things unfinished, God is the ultimate closer. (Think baseball here!)

Philippians 1:6 says: He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

How comforting it is to know that not only is God doing a good work in me, but He won’t stop until it is finished. Things may get rough. Our circumstances may not be ideal. But He will use every single thing for His glory. There’s no reason to fear. There’s much reason for hope. As Brandon Heath sings, “There is hope for me yet because God won’t forget all the plans He’s made for me. He’s not finished with me yet.”

I came to work with a great attitude. I was diligent at my tasks. I didn’t whine or complain. And I couldn’t wipe this silly smile off of my face every time I thought of how plainly God spoke to me this morning. Isn’t He so, so good?!? All the time!!

Unfinished

So, the A-Z Challenge came to a close last Saturday. As you can see, I didn't quite make it to the finish line. As I explained to my BFF today regarding my silent blog, when I came back to work last week after my vacation, I had a huge mound of work waiting for me. Quite simply, I've been working non-stop, staying late, and having too little energy to do anything at home except hug Bianca and go to bed. I hate when my life gets out of balance like this, but sadly, a permanent rememedy isn't quite within reach at this point. (I have faith it will be one day, though!) Anyway, regardless of my lack of posting of late, I am determined to finish the A-Z Challenge... even if I am a few days late.

It is apropos, then, to mention *some* of the other tasks in my life that are currently unfinished:

~ My massage degree
~ Too many journals
~ Decorating our house
~ Joining a small group at church
~ Getting into shape
~ Eating healthier
~ Having children
~ My Day Zero list
~ Two book reviews
~ My to-do list at work

T is for....

~ Terrible game! The Orioles just lost to the Yankees 15-3. Sheesh!

~ Time. I can't believe that this week is already over. Where did the time go? Next week I go back to the grind, and I'm quite sad about it.

~ Terrific. This week has really been wonderful. Just what my soul needed. I just wish it didn't have to end.

~ Thanksgiving. I am so grateful for the many blessings in my life. I don't deserve them.

~ Tuckered out. It's only 10 PM, but I am craving some quality time with my bed!

~ Tea. I'm going to finish savoring this delicious mug of hot tea first.

~ Tomorrow. In a mere 2 hours, it will be Easter Sunday!!!!

~ This Toddler. I can't even describe how much I love her!!

Don't Leave it On the Desk

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution.
Every student was required to take this course their freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.

"How many push-ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time"

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to
tell me you can do it," said the professor.

Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."

Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday.. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"

Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"

"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"

Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"

Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"

Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.

Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Dr. Christianson said, "Look! This is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "No."

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks..

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."

"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."

Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten. "

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His Only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

Sacrifice

On this memorial of Good Friday, it is only appropriate to highlight Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for us. Though he would rise again in three days, this day was full of sadness, anguish, and despair. Today is a day of fasting, of mourning, of remembering. Today is a day of quiet reflection and confession. Today we remember that it was OUR sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. He was beaten, humiliated, and ultimately killed so that we might live.

Matthew 27, NIV

1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Jesus Before Pilate

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Book Review: For Women Only

Click Here to download the first chapter of this book.

In For Women Only, Shaunti Feldhahn provides insight into the inner lives of men. Touching on subjects such as respect, sex, romance, and competition, the author explores the complex terrain beneath a man’s confident exterior. It is a book written for women who want to support their husbands in becoming all that God intended them to be. The more we understand the men in our lives, the better we can support and love them in the way they need.

I was very excited to see this book available for review - mainly because Shaunti Feldhahn is coming to speak at my church next month. I am so glad I requested it! This quick read is filled with so much valuable information. Even though I assumed I knew a thing or two about my husband, I really had no clue what was really going on inside of his head. After reading this book, I feel so much more confident in our relationship and the way that I relate to him. I was able to put some of the information into practice the very next day, and can I say – it truly made a difference. I feel so blessed that I learned this information early on in our marriage. I know it will make a big difference in the years to come.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.