When The Light Comes On -- Roaches Scatter

I have been thinking a lot about Moses the past couple of weeks. God has been helping me to see some of Moses' life experiences in a brand new way. Moses' life was filled with "wilderness", loneliness and even rejection. Consider this: 40 years in the dessert followed by years of representing a grumbling, whining, people who finally follow him out of Egypt to wander in the dessert for another 40 years until they arrive at the Promised Land which Moses wasn't allowed to enter because of his disobedience.

And what about Jesus? Perfect in every way. Willing to die for our sins so that we could have eternal life. He had twelve disciples who lived with him 24/7 but when the rubber met the road where were they? Nowhere to be found.

I have learned a lot over the past year, but the one thing I have figured out I already knew from studying the Bible. If you are doing the right thing. You stand alone.

Whether you are Moses leading the people out of Egypt.

Whether you are Jesus hanging on a cross.

or whether you are just a mom trying to do what is right.

You have to make a decision. Count the cost. Be willing to stand alone.

For a more rudimentary analogy: When the lights come on, the roaches scatter. (Shiver.)

8.08.08

Today is the first day of the Olympics. What an athlete goes through to prepare themselves for this competition is astounding to me.

My baby sister competed in gymnastics when she was little. She ooozes talent. She went to Bella Karoli's gymastic camp in Texas. She was Olympic material. Had she made that decision we would have supported her, but making that decision is a BIG one. These athletes give up their life to live the life of an athlete. More often than not, they leave their family to live and train with fellow athletes.

Watching those athletes in their discipline and perseverance makes me think about my relationship with God. God has so much to say about the race we run each day:

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? - Galatians 5:7 (This one has really been bothering me because I have had a couple of "whos" that I have allowed to cut in on me. They stole my joy and more importantly threw me off course.)

[ God Disciplines His Sons ] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (The Bible is my course map and compass. Sometimes I actually forget to use it. - Hebrews 12:1 How can I be so silly? Of course, sometimes I get the sad reminder that there are people out there who consider the Bible to be just a book of stories and myths. How they manage their path without a compass I am not sure, but I will pray for them as I follow the "Word that is light to my path".)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. --2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have never been much of an athlete, but when it comes to races the one I am most concerned about winning is the way that is talked about in 2 Timothy. I want to finish the race having fought the good fight and having kept the faith.

Doing that is better than any Olympic gold medal.

Would Gandhi Go To Church With You?

I like your Christ.
I do not like your Christians.
They are so unlike your Christ.
--Gandhi

What a thought provoking quote. Even Gandhi didn't want to go to church because he felt it was filled with a bunch of hypocrites.

I understand. Despite being a Christian I am struggling with that same feeling myself right now. I have been watching someone single handedly speak all the right words with their mouth, but destroy literally hundreds of people with their actions. This person is in a position of leadership and actively and loudly professes to be a Christian. When I listen to them say "love one another" and then shred people literally to ribbons, I understand why there are so many people who feel as Ghandi.

God Answers Knee-Mail!

A friend sent me this over email and I loved it. I wanted to post it on my blog so I would have it in a permanent place as a reminder for myself!!

1. Wake Up!! Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4 . Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!!... To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!!... Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

God answers Knee-Mail.