Get rid of it!

Hebrews 12

 ¹ 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, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

There have been times that while getting ready for a jog, I misjudge the weather.  Most times, I think it's colder than it actually is.  A few minutes into my run, I feel like quitting because I am so hot!  More than once I have removed a sweatshirt and thrown it on the side of my jogging path (I swing by and pick it up later).  Once I have shed that 'hindrance', I feel so much better!  I feel renewed and ready for the task at hand.  Now don't get me wrong, there is still the tired legs, straining lungs, and tight stomach to deal with.  It's still not easy.  But it is easier!  I was able to take care of at least one thing that was making my run a little tougher.

While reading this scripture, I realized how much we allow ourselves to be weighed down.  We are making things tougher on ourselves, getting exhausted and worn out by carrying around things we weren't meant to carry.  This past month has been difficult.  I am learning a lot about myself and my love for the people around me.  I have also learned some things I need to 'throw off' and in turn, get rid of the 'sin that so easily entangles' me in my walk with God.   I want to, like Jesus, 'run with perseverance the race marked out for me'.  I want to 'fix my eyes on Jesus.' 

Are there things in your life that are hindering you from living a life that glorifies God?  I urge you to ask God to reveal them to you- specifically.  Pray that He would help you throw them off.  You will feel renewed and more ready for the task at hand. 

Lessons from a 5-year-old

My usually observant son, Elijah, was distracted.  He is always the first to notice and comment on the night sky.  He always points out the moon and stars.  Not tonight.  Something else was on his mind. 

Elijah had disobeyed my husband, Chris, while at church.  He was told that he would be disciplined when we arrived home.  While we typically discipline when the incident occurs, the situation didn't allow for that.  He fretted the whole 5 minute drive home.  He was distracted.  When we got out of the car, I commented to him and Hannah on how beautiful the moon looked surrounded by clouds.  Hannah was instantly enthralled by the sight.  Elijah couldn't focus on the gorgeous site.  He had other things on his mind.

While looking at the beautiful evening sky, I glanced over at my concerned son.  He couldn't embrace the beauty because something else had his attention.  I was instantly reminded of how many times I miss something beautiful because of being distracted- perhaps by discipline, anxiety, or even day-to-day duties.  I want to embrace God's beauty, God's blessings and even God's discipline instead of being pulled away by something else that seems to demand concern.  When we begin to focus on God and the blessings he pours out on us, it becomes difficult to focus on our own issues.  That's my prayer.  Lord, please help me to concentrate and embrace your beauty, your love, your blessings and not be overcome by things that try to pull my attention away from You. 

The clutter in my house

I am in Georgia for a children/student ministry conference.  Throughout the day, we have time to worship with a live band.  As I was singing and praying during worship today, I feel like God showed me something.

Chris and I have been trying to sell our house for over 2 years now.  Whenever we get the call that someone would like to see our house, the panic begins.  We hurriedly rush around to de-clutter our rooms.  We light candles for the scent and spray febreeze.  We 'stage' the house to look good but isn't typically practical for our family.  We make sure all the dishes are put away and the kitchen doesn't look like it ever gets used.

Why do we do all of this?  The goal is to attract people.  We want people to be drawn to our house.  We want someone to fall in love with our home and want to make it their own.  We want it to be clean and inviting.  Our goal is to make people feel like they are 'home' when they walk in.

Isn't this exactly what God wants for us?  Have you ever thought that He wants to de-clutter our rooms (our thoughts, our behavior) in order for us to be inviting?  What about the stench (our attitude)?  How about making sure things are in their right place (our priorities)?  Maybe He wants to rearrange or 'stage' some things about us to be more attractive to those who don't know Him.  God wants to clean house.  I don't believe, however, that He desires for it to be a hurried, panicked event at the last minute.  He wants us to live in that constant state of being inviting, attractive to unbelievers, and making them feel like they are 'home'.  Home in His love through us.

Cleaning house takes a lot of work.  Keeping it clean is even more difficult.  Keeping it clean goes a long way when someone calls and wants to look at the house in an hour.  In the long run, the work we put in will pay off.  Someone will be attracted to our house.  Someone will be attracted to your spirit.  Someone will see the love of God through you.  Isn't that worth the sometimes monotonous work of cleaning?

While praying and praising God today, I got a picture in my mind of God de-cluttering my heart and my soul.  Oddly enough, I actually pictured a broom and dustpan.  I pictured God reaching into the smallest crevices and the highest point on the ceiling.  He was cleaning house.  Not just a quick run through before a visitor comes.  Unfortunately, I have racked up piles of clutter.  I'm sure some of you might be able to relate to hoarding some things.  Mistakes?  Guilt?  Resentment?  Money?  Hurt?  Pride?  God doesn't discriminate.  It all goes in the trash- without a second look.

Please do as I did today.  I asked God to clean house.  I begged him to forgive me for hoarding so many life cluttering things that don't leave room for Him.  I want my house to be spotless.  I want people to be knocking down my door to get what I have to offer.  My house will be clean!

Did you hear...?

Hi.  My name is Cassie and I am a.... gossip.  Whew...I feel much better now that that's out in the open. 

God has been getting my attention.  I am finding that specific words (like, authentic) and specific topics (gossip) will be brought to my attention over and over until I get the clue.  We are studying the book of James in church and had a wonderful message this weekend about temptations.  Our pastor, Ron, used gossip as an example of temptation.  Later that evening, our small group had a meeting.  Another member brought up the topic of gossip.  On my journey to becoming authentic, gossip is most definitely a stumbling block.  An authentic (true to the original, real, honest) woman does not feel the need to spread gossip. 

Let's talk about the definition of gossip. In the dictionary, gossip is defined as "idle talk or rumor".  Personally, spreading rumors typically doesn't tempt me.  I don't want to be the one passing along false information.  Now, idle talk, that hits a nerve with me.  I can justify passing along 'important' information to someone if that information is true.  I am a people pleaser.  In fact, let's just get it over with:  Hi.  My name is Cassie and I am a people pleaser.  I thrive when I can be the one telling someone something interesting.  It might be true.  It might even be okay to talk about.  But why?  Why do I feel the need to tell you?  Why do I want to be the first person you hear it from?  Is it the shock factor?  Do I like to see your response when you hear the news? 

No matter what the answer is, the solution is to stop.  If it doesn't concern me or you in a very direct way, it's not for me to spread.  If it's not edifying, if it's not uplifting to someone, it's gossip and is not allowed.  I noticed in the dictionary, one definition (archaic) says "woman".  I find that very interesting.  Are there more relational, people-pleasing women out there?  I long to be authentic.  I want to be pleasing to my Heavenly Father.  I do not want to be responsible for being a stumbling block to someone else.  I cannot blame it on being a woman.  I cannot blame it on those around me.  It's a temptation I have that I need to fight against.  If you find that I'm talking much less than normal, give me a pat on the back!  That can only mean that I am winning against the temptation of gossip!  Please pray for me and help me along my journey.  I will do the same for you.  We will be authentic!

The journey...

Psalm 139: 23-24 (New International Version)

 ²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
       test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
       and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139: 23-24 (The Message)

Investigate my life, O God,
      find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
      get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong-
      then guide me on the road to eternal life.

On the journey to becoming 'Authentic', there are things that need to change.  Psalm 139 is my favorite chapter in the Bible.  I have always been drawn to verses 23 and 24.  When praying these verses as a prayer, we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable.  We are asking the most powerful God to 'cross-examine' and 'test' us.  Does anyone feel a little anxiety with those words?  They typically don't come up in a good situation.  The great part comes with the last part- 'lead me in the way everlasting' or 'guide me on the road to eternal life'.  There!  That makes it all worth it!  The anxiety, the vulnerability- all taken away by one phrase.  If we long to be on the right path- to be authentic, real, genuine, trustworthy, God will honor that!

I truly believe God will gladly (excitedly even) investigate our lives, search us and know our hearts.  He knows that when we 'let go and let God', it is ALWAYS for His glory and our own betterment.  We serve such an amazing, loving and grace-giving God.  Although we may not like what is revealed in our lives, it is for the glory of God's Kingdom!

My goal, as a woman, wife, mother, friend, etc., is to pray this prayer daily.  I believe it is the only way for me to become authentic.  We can only be authentic when we are following the real thing- God is the real thing.  I am excited to begin this journey, to be a better daughter of God, to be a better example of Christ, to be authentic.

Please join me in praying this prayer daily.

P.S.  I love this song by Tenth Avenue North.  God is with us, guiding us, holding us in our toughest times.  Don't fight the hands that are holding you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHgNCj4DU_M

Authentic

Recently, I have been able to more clearly see who I want to be.  I believe, who God wants me to be.  There are a lot of traits that I would like to acquire- and a few I would like to get rid of.  Lately, a word has been frequently brought to my attention.  I think it defines the woman of God I want to be.  Authentic.

not false or copied, genuine, real: having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence, authenticated, verified, reliable, trustworthy.

 

Isn't that a great definition?  This past Friday, the Women's Ministry at our church was launched.  The logo reads: 'the Current. Authentic. Encouragement.'.  We had a wonderful time in fellowship with wonderful women of all ages, personalities, and backgrounds.  One thing I noticed was how many women I know who are authentic.  A couple women, who I truly admire, have helped me to see who I want to be simply by watching them live their lives for Christ.  Not false or copied.  I long to be the unique, spirited, gentle woman God has intended for me to become.  I don't want to live a life that is fake or that seeks to 'fit in'.  I want to be real: having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence.  I want everyone I encounter to know where I come from, where I want to go, and who I put my trust in to get me there.  I want my evidence of my God to be unquestionable.  I want my life to be authenticated and verified by my actions.  I want people to look at me and my life and know I serve a loving, grace-giving, forgiving Lord.  I long to be reliable to it's fullest extent and trustworthy of God's work for me and for His blessings.  

 

I am truly seeking to change some things in my life.  I believe that God has more for me as His daughter, a woman, a wife, a mother, a friend, a sister and so on.  I am tired of feeling like I cannot attain the attributes I see other women exhibit.  Philippians 4:13 reads, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."  God wants me to be authentic.  Authentic to Him and to his people.  Authentic to myself and my family.  He will guide me in the steps it takes to be a better follower of Him.  

 

Authentic.  I will be authentic. 

 

Can I just tell you...

Can I just tell you how much I love my children?  I know I am biased.  I know every parent thinks this way.  I think I have the most wonderful kids in the world.  Elijah, who will be 5 in August, just came in my bedroom and saluted me.  While trying to hold back a laugh (he is supposed to be in bed), I instructed him to get back to bed and get to sleep.  He saluted me again and added a 'yes ma'am!'.  He turned and marched out of the room, giggling.  Hannah, my 2-year-old, steals my heart.  I cannot help but smile when I think of her decked out in her pink high heel shoes, bracelets, headband, and princess 'dress up' outfits on (yes, outfits.  She wears two or three at a time).  Those two little people are so important to me.  I cannot imagine my life without them.

Isn't it the most amazing thing in the world to think that this is how the God of the universe thinks of us?  Seriously?!  We steal God's heart?  He, the creator of everything, thinks we are so important to Him?  So important, in fact, that He would do anything to save us.  I do not like to think of bad things happening to my children.  I get emotional thinking of them being hurt.  Can you grasp the impact of what God did?  He sacrificed His Son!  Is it possible in the moment Jesus was born, and people were joyful, God was hurting?  He knew the sacrifice that had to be made.  He knew His Son would be beaten, tortured, made fun of, and ultimately separated from Him on the cross.  He made this sacrifice for such undeserving people.  I can't imagine showing my kids over and over how much I love them- telling them how much they mean to me without any response.  It would break my heart to tell Elijah or Hannah that I loved them and for them to simply ignore me.  It breaks my heart to think this is what we do to God.  God longs to talk to us.  God longs for us to tell Him we love Him.  God longs to be our Saviour- the One we lean on, trust in, LOVE. 

Elijah is old enough to tell me he loves me.  It is amazing to hear him say that to me.  But, being only 4-years-old, I can see that he doesn't fully grasp the meaning.  When I tell him I love him, I am saying I would do anything for him- I would lay down my life for him- I will always be there for him.  I feel like it's the same with God.  His love for us is so much deeper than we know.  We cannot grasp the concept of His unending love for us.  God has given me a wonderful example of His love for me through my children.  I have become incredibly grateful for the sacrifice that was made for me, my children, their children and so on- for generations to come.  Every time I hear my kids say they love me, I am hearing God tell me how much He loves me.  I want to be a good steward of that love.  I am going to work on seeing God's love in my everyday life and tell Him, in my childlike understanding, how much I love Him!