The kids are all sleeping. They have just been sleeping on and off all morning and I can't sleep (to much caffeine so I could stay awake this morning & now I can't sleep) :(
I have pretty much quit trying to read the Bible chronologically for now. It's just too much jumping around to do when I need something right now(with 3 babies) that I can read quickly and focus on. (make sense?) So, I have been reading along with Amanda in James. We are on James 3 right now.
I am really enjoying reading along with her. James is really convicting me of some issues I need to deal with in my life at this point. It's not easy reading but it is what I need to do right now. Hopefully, I can share more with you about that later this week. I feel like I have walked around in a haze this past year and I am struggling so hard to break through it. I feel like God has so much in store for me that He wants for me but I feel like it is such a fight to get there. Spiritual battles have been VERY heavy lately.
Well, I have to go and get some things done. Just wanted to let you know I will be sharing more on what I am learning in James throughout the week. Today I am understanding just HOW MUCH evil my tongue can do.... more about that tomorrow. :)
Love you all,
Julie
Showing posts with label bread of life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bread of life. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The message is clear....in the midst of the storm
I found this today & thought it fit the storm right now. I hope it helps you. And I am praying for you. Julie
He is Waiting in the Midst of the Storm
by Max Lucado
Peter knows he is in trouble.
The winds roar down onto the Sea of Galilee like a hawk on a rat. Lightning zigzags across the black sky. The clouds vibrate with thunder. The rain taps, then pops, then slaps against the deck of the boat until everyone aboard is soaked and shaking. Ten-foot waves pick them up and slam them down again with bonejarring force.
These drenched men don’t look like a team of apostles who are only a decade away from changing the world. And you can be sure of one thing. The one with the widest eyes is the one with the biggest biceps—Peter. He’s seen these storms before. He’s seen the wreckage and bloated bodies float to shore. He knows what the fury of wind and wave can do. And he knows that times like this are not times to make a name for yourself; they’re times to get some help.
That is why, when he sees Jesus walking on the water toward the boat, he is the first to say, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
He is aware of two facts: He’s going down, and Jesus is staying up. And it doesn’t take him too long to decide where he would rather be.
Perhaps a better interpretation of his request would be, “Jeeeeeeeesus. If that is you, then get me out of here!”
“Come on” is the invitation.
And Peter doesn’t have to be told twice. It’s not every day that you walk on water through waves that are taller than you are. But when faced with the alternative of sure death or possible life, Peter knows which one he wants.
The first few steps go well. But a few strides out onto the water, and he forgets to look to the One who got him there in the first place, and down he plunges.
Peter’s response may lack class—it probably wouldn’t get him on the cover of Gentleman’s Quarterly or even Sports Illustrated—but it gets him out of some deep water:“Help me!”
And since Peter would rather swallow pride than water, a hand comes through the rain and pulls him up.
The message is clear.
As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option. As long as you can carry your burdens alone, you don’t need a burden bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief, you will receive no comfort. And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him, because he won’t be taken half-heartedly.
But when you mourn, when you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your cares on him, and when there is truly no other name that you can call, then cast all your cares on him, for he is waiting in the midst of the storm.
From The Applause of Heaven© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
· Beauty in Unexpected Places· Salvation· God's Revelation· Convictions of Christ· Choosing Your Residence- Previous Messages -
· When You Can't Hide Your Mistakes
· Subscribe to the Video Podcast and watch Max's newest messages. Max's most recent speaking series, "Fear LESS."Subscribe in iTunes or view the video online.
UpWords ® is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
He is Waiting in the Midst of the Storm
by Max Lucado
Peter knows he is in trouble.
The winds roar down onto the Sea of Galilee like a hawk on a rat. Lightning zigzags across the black sky. The clouds vibrate with thunder. The rain taps, then pops, then slaps against the deck of the boat until everyone aboard is soaked and shaking. Ten-foot waves pick them up and slam them down again with bonejarring force.
These drenched men don’t look like a team of apostles who are only a decade away from changing the world. And you can be sure of one thing. The one with the widest eyes is the one with the biggest biceps—Peter. He’s seen these storms before. He’s seen the wreckage and bloated bodies float to shore. He knows what the fury of wind and wave can do. And he knows that times like this are not times to make a name for yourself; they’re times to get some help.
That is why, when he sees Jesus walking on the water toward the boat, he is the first to say, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
He is aware of two facts: He’s going down, and Jesus is staying up. And it doesn’t take him too long to decide where he would rather be.
Perhaps a better interpretation of his request would be, “Jeeeeeeeesus. If that is you, then get me out of here!”
“Come on” is the invitation.
And Peter doesn’t have to be told twice. It’s not every day that you walk on water through waves that are taller than you are. But when faced with the alternative of sure death or possible life, Peter knows which one he wants.
The first few steps go well. But a few strides out onto the water, and he forgets to look to the One who got him there in the first place, and down he plunges.
Peter’s response may lack class—it probably wouldn’t get him on the cover of Gentleman’s Quarterly or even Sports Illustrated—but it gets him out of some deep water:“Help me!”
And since Peter would rather swallow pride than water, a hand comes through the rain and pulls him up.
The message is clear.
As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option. As long as you can carry your burdens alone, you don’t need a burden bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief, you will receive no comfort. And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him, because he won’t be taken half-heartedly.
But when you mourn, when you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your cares on him, and when there is truly no other name that you can call, then cast all your cares on him, for he is waiting in the midst of the storm.
From The Applause of Heaven© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
· Beauty in Unexpected Places· Salvation· God's Revelation· Convictions of Christ· Choosing Your Residence- Previous Messages -
· When You Can't Hide Your Mistakes
· Subscribe to the Video Podcast and watch Max's newest messages. Max's most recent speaking series, "Fear LESS."Subscribe in iTunes or view the video online.
UpWords ® is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
My negative nature
First of all, I have a confession to make. I have a tendency to be negative! Shocking, isn't it?! =)
I struggle with this and believe that I have finally found quite a bit of freedom in this area. However, for most of my life, I have struggled with being negative. I truly believe that it came out of habit and the influence of some people in my life.
Do you know anyone who you really dread being around? Because of the attitude and the atmosphere they create with their negative and critical spirit? I do, it is someone very close to me, and it is very hard to overcome the negative atmosphere this person creates in my life. So much that I have often times seen myself becoming just like this person. And I that makes me really sad.=(
I think, that when we are so automatically negative, it is a result of our lack of FAITH. This person I know rarely if ever truly places their life in God's hands. They may say they do and even advise you to do so with your life but by their actions, attitude and negative spirit, you can tell that they haven't taken that step themselves.
So, the past few days I have really struggled to do away with a negative mindset and focus on positive thoughts. I have tried to be encouraging and loving and considerate. I have worked hard at being there for my husband and my children instead of dwelling in my own pit. And today, I feel like I have experienced a breakthrough at last!!! My sister gave me some insight in an email this morning and that combined with the words I read in Scripture at 4 am helped me to see this:
"Do all things without complaining and disputing" Philippians 2:14
If we complain, it shows that we don't have faith in God. It shows and proves that we don't believe that God is capable of handling our problems. That we don't believe that He is in charge. It also shows that we don't pray oftentimes because we don't trust God to answer or to answer like we want. It shows that we are not praying oftentimes for this very reason. This is so very difficult to admit in my own life and I do not want to be this way or fall back into this way of living any longer! Lord, help me to be different! Help me to be positive! Help me to trust in YOU!!!!!
This is just something I had to journal about today. Hope it helped someone. Just getting it down has helped me so much already. Thanks for reading and I would appreciate your prayers.
Love,
Julie
I struggle with this and believe that I have finally found quite a bit of freedom in this area. However, for most of my life, I have struggled with being negative. I truly believe that it came out of habit and the influence of some people in my life.
Do you know anyone who you really dread being around? Because of the attitude and the atmosphere they create with their negative and critical spirit? I do, it is someone very close to me, and it is very hard to overcome the negative atmosphere this person creates in my life. So much that I have often times seen myself becoming just like this person. And I that makes me really sad.=(
I think, that when we are so automatically negative, it is a result of our lack of FAITH. This person I know rarely if ever truly places their life in God's hands. They may say they do and even advise you to do so with your life but by their actions, attitude and negative spirit, you can tell that they haven't taken that step themselves.
So, the past few days I have really struggled to do away with a negative mindset and focus on positive thoughts. I have tried to be encouraging and loving and considerate. I have worked hard at being there for my husband and my children instead of dwelling in my own pit. And today, I feel like I have experienced a breakthrough at last!!! My sister gave me some insight in an email this morning and that combined with the words I read in Scripture at 4 am helped me to see this:
"Do all things without complaining and disputing" Philippians 2:14
If we complain, it shows that we don't have faith in God. It shows and proves that we don't believe that God is capable of handling our problems. That we don't believe that He is in charge. It also shows that we don't pray oftentimes because we don't trust God to answer or to answer like we want. It shows that we are not praying oftentimes for this very reason. This is so very difficult to admit in my own life and I do not want to be this way or fall back into this way of living any longer! Lord, help me to be different! Help me to be positive! Help me to trust in YOU!!!!!
This is just something I had to journal about today. Hope it helped someone. Just getting it down has helped me so much already. Thanks for reading and I would appreciate your prayers.
Love,
Julie
Monday, August 18, 2008
My strength
"I love you, LORD; you are my strength." Psalm 18: 1
I really truly desire with everything that I am for this to be true. I want to praise my God in every circumstance and trial. For now, I truly want to lean on the LORD and Praise HIM as I go through childbirth and enter my new phase of life as a wife and mama of 3. Pray for me, please. And please read the simple beauty of the Psalms. They are always good for the soul.
Love and Prayers,
Julie
I really truly desire with everything that I am for this to be true. I want to praise my God in every circumstance and trial. For now, I truly want to lean on the LORD and Praise HIM as I go through childbirth and enter my new phase of life as a wife and mama of 3. Pray for me, please. And please read the simple beauty of the Psalms. They are always good for the soul.
Love and Prayers,
Julie
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