Wolverine
01-08-2005, 03:41 PM
Hi, I wrote this to a Yahoo! Group for Christian mothers who work at home. I've gotten a good response from it. I want to share this letter with more people. If God lays it on your heart to share it with someone, feel free to do so. !thumbsup! God bless you. :)
I think...for this year...I have realized I pretty much know the Word of God, the basics anyway. I want to apply it to my life better. Also, I want to learn more about who I am as a person. For instance, I watch my nieces & nephews a lot, but I don't mind doing it. Some people look at watching children as work and I play around more than they do. I mentioned wanting to be able to talk to kids/teens more, so when I ran across an opportunity I applied for it yesterday. The lady calls me back today, I was interviewed, they assigned me to an elementary school to be a child care counselor and the rest is history. I'm still going through paper work and all, but I think I'm set. The schedule is good because I still have time to write and work on my art in the morning while in the afternoon I'll be there.
lol...it was funny because I told one of my friends some of my plans for the year and he was like "are you serious?" But he didn't actually say that...I could tell he was thinking it though. But I told him, how long have we been going to church? We've always heard God can do the impossible; we're more than conquerors; greater is He that is in us, and the scriptures go on and on. So why is it that when we want to do something out-of-the-box we automatically think we can't do it? I believe sometimes we limit God on what He'll do in our lives because we can't figure out how He'll accomplish it. We give up before He gets started. It does take planning on our part, having our priorities straight, being on a good schedule doesn't hurt either. I ask, if God did such miraculous things in the Bible why can't He do it in my life...or our lives?
Can I ask you ladies...or moms a question? When you go to the zoo, do you ever say...I want to jump across the fence and chill with the lions! That will be so cool! ....No...I didn't think so. But a couple weeks ago, I read for probably the 100th time how Daniel was thrown into a den full of hungry lions...the entrance sealed behind him...and he was there all night. But did Daniel perish because common sense says...or a logical mind says...or reality says, "hungry lions...Daniel stuck in there with them...okay he's toast"? No. Daniel didn't perish because God chose to save him. He came out the dawn of the next morning without even a scratch. Yes...we've heard this "part" of the story. But I haven't heard as much about the people who accused Daniel. After Daniel walked out clean, the king ordered "them" and their family to be throw in. And let me tell you...in short..."they" didn't make it, you know what I mean?
What about the three Hebrew men in the book of Daniel? Telling that same king, before this incident, we won't bow down to a statue of...yourself. Now Christians remember...common sense asks; a logical mind asks; and reality asks...are you crazy?! Man, you better bow down! You don't wanna die! lol. :) Okay seriously...the furnace is heated seven times above normal, they're tied up so they can't run away. If I was a betting person, I wouldn't bet they'd get outta this mess. It's over. I don't mean to be so graphic, but this is a true story. The soldiers commanded to throw them in are burned up when the furnace door opens. Doesn't that sound weird to you? "Then" the 3 guys are thrown in. Wow...in this book, the Christians sent to die aren't going down so easily are they? Anyway, you know the rest of the story. They come out without even a first degree burn and they were actually thrown in. The first few soldiers didn't make it just because they were too close to the entrance. The most amazing thing about this is Jesus didn't show up until they were in the fire. Just when we thought He was too late, He says uh ,uh, I don't say so.
I'm supposed to have a point to this long post right? My point is...sometimes we sell ourselves short. We look at the horizon, unseen territory, and because we can't figure out how to get there, we assume Jesus doesn't know how to get us there either. We've been faithful, tried and failed countless times, waiting for years to finally accomplish our goals. If you're like me, 2005 rolls in and you find that you haven't gotten there yet. The situation doesn't look good. Yet you stare at the ceiling until two o'clock in the morning thinking...there has to be more to life than where I am. You're still searching, still seeking, wondering should you give up on your faith in God that He'll make it all reality. The voice is in your head saying, maybe Jesus wants you to be here like this. This is how it's supposed to be. Then...the most devastating feeling comes...as you ease back into your comfort zone.
No...I'm not done talking yet. You've seen the movies right? Good versus evil. Even in the first Spider-Man...Spidey is getting beat up so bad at the end. I mean the Green Goblin is putting a whooping on him. And why do the villains have all the cool weapons and stuff? Even in car chases. The good guys will have this little baby car and the bad guy will have an 18 wheeler or something smacking 'em around lol. I'm looking at this like...hey! Jesus, this is not fair! The good guys are the ones doing right and they're getting toasted. "BUT"...Jesus says, wait. This isn't the end of the movie. Keep watching. And of course...somehow...some way...it stupifies me...the good guys always win. The Green Goblin didn't make it to Spider-Man 2, but Spidey was still swinging and looking better than ever I might add. :) How? How is it that when the enemy seems to be winning; all hope is lost for the Christian; just before the credits read "The End"; we are still standing? Sure the enemy pounds you; runs you over with a big truck; throws bombs, missiles, and everything else not excluding the kitchen sink. But the Word says don't be afraid, Jesus has already overcome the world.
Ladies and...if we have any other gentlemen in here...I've concluded that Spider-Man and the rest of the good guys have one thing in common. Even when the odds were greatly stacked against them, they never gave up. With every ounce of strength they had, they crawled right along if they had to. The whole time the bad guys were talking so much junk. "Look around you," they say, "it's over! I've won! And now...you're about to be finished! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!" When they move in for the final blow...that's when it happens...the good guys receive some type of renewed strength, like they can move mountains. And they proclaim, "Justice, truth, and love will prevail!" And they strike the enemy down where he stands..."The End." Satan's going to paint a picture that shows "you can't win. You can't accomplish this. You've made too many mistakes. You're not good enough. You'll fail."
When Jesus has picked you out to do something...do it. Can I be the one to remind us that Satan lies...a lot? If he does nothing else, he's lying about something. He's deceiving people, putting on a show, telling you everything you don't need to hear. And sadly...at times, since it seems like we fail...we start to believe these are true lies. We buy into it. Satan has literally talked us to death. Because when you believe that you can't fulfill the awesome purpose God created you for...you're dead. So...I need everybody including me to do ourselves a huge favor. Set some time aside today...or tonight; get a pen and paper; close your eyes...and erase your memory. lol. I know...strange request but follow me on this one. Now...think; if you could transform your life into "anything" you wanted it to be...how would your life be? Write it down on the piece on paper. You can put down where you'd like to live; the type of house; having the stuff you want for your children; where or when you would work; the type of job it would be; and don't leave something out because your thinking it's impossible. Stay focused. Now...read over it, organize and prioritize it. You can smile then, huh? Every dream, vision, and goal, stuff from way back when you were a little kid written down. The next step is taking this before the Lord in prayer. No, I'm not joking. Tell Jesus this is how I really, really...really want my life to be. He may point out some stuff you left out okay.
The question is...do we really believe His Word is true or have we just been saying that all of these years? I mean honestly. When the time comes and we have to make an important decision, do we really believe God can take two fish and a loaf of bread and feed over five thousand people? Do we really believe God will make the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the Red Sea part, and the desires He has given us in our heart come true? If you really do believe, give it to Him. Give Him the fish and bread, the problem, or situation that looks out of control. Don't say it's so big that You can't do anything with it. Jesus allows us to have a little bit, be faced with a huge problem or multitude of problems...just so we can come to Him and say "Here, this is all I have." He'll take it and do what He does, fix; heal; save; forgive; set free; deliver...the usual. But if we look at our two little fish, our last loaf of bread and say Jesus, if I give so much away, I'm not gonna have anything left for me...He can't do what He does best. He'll not only bless you with it in His hands, but half of your community, if not more. We have to trust Him, trust in His Word, and trust that we can use the gifts He has given us to do awesome things on this planet...while we're here.
I was talking to a friend today who said to me, Eric, you're single. You can go after whatever you want. I have kids. So I can't.......and he starts going through a list of things he can't do. I'm looking at him like, God gave you gifts, dreams, visions. He didn't bless you with beautiful kids for them to hold you back. Jesus wants you to take your children with you. Don't believe society's notion that children hold you back and are so expensive. Kids need adventure, excitement, to have fun in life. If you never take them on the adventure of going after your goals or childhood dreams...it can turn ugly quick. I've seen some parents tired and stressed out thinking if I didn't have my kids I could accomplish so much more. But the Bible sees them differently. If you show your kids through your life...what God can do in their lives...you may not have to drag them out of bed to go to church in the mornings. They will experience God's power working in your life with you. Then, as they get older...they'll go after their own God-given dreams and come to you for advice on how to make it through because you've gone through the adventure with them. Yes...I admit...going after dreams with your children is more difficult, more complicated...but let's not make it impossible. People are trying to live their lives to the fullest here. Bring your concerns, your questions, your suggestions to Jesus. He'll listen to you. He put the gifts in you to use them all out. He already knew you'd have you adorable children. He already knew you'd make mistakes. But He still gave you gifts to use them all out, because He already made the way for you to do so.
I hope that I encouraged you somewhere in this short novel lol. I want you to realize life doesn't stop when you have children or make mistakes or tragedy happens in your life or things seem like they will never come together the way it should. You serve the same God who created the Earth your standing on and the body your living in; the same Jesus who died for your sins and was raised from the dead; the same Jesus who did all the miracles we've read about in the Word for years now; and don't make the mistake of thinking He has changed because "times" have changed. I know...maybe things look rough...you're out of strength...your last is almost gone...you don't see a way out...and you're trying to do right, the best you can. Hmmm...I've seen and read this before somewhere. Looks familiar doesn't it?
Let me finally leave you with this. Throughout time, history...true and sincere Christians have been where you are and worse. Some die for the cause, even today. But not one of them lost the war. Not one ran this race in vain. God had the power to save them all. I believe He can save us too. Jesus loves you.
Eric
I think...for this year...I have realized I pretty much know the Word of God, the basics anyway. I want to apply it to my life better. Also, I want to learn more about who I am as a person. For instance, I watch my nieces & nephews a lot, but I don't mind doing it. Some people look at watching children as work and I play around more than they do. I mentioned wanting to be able to talk to kids/teens more, so when I ran across an opportunity I applied for it yesterday. The lady calls me back today, I was interviewed, they assigned me to an elementary school to be a child care counselor and the rest is history. I'm still going through paper work and all, but I think I'm set. The schedule is good because I still have time to write and work on my art in the morning while in the afternoon I'll be there.
lol...it was funny because I told one of my friends some of my plans for the year and he was like "are you serious?" But he didn't actually say that...I could tell he was thinking it though. But I told him, how long have we been going to church? We've always heard God can do the impossible; we're more than conquerors; greater is He that is in us, and the scriptures go on and on. So why is it that when we want to do something out-of-the-box we automatically think we can't do it? I believe sometimes we limit God on what He'll do in our lives because we can't figure out how He'll accomplish it. We give up before He gets started. It does take planning on our part, having our priorities straight, being on a good schedule doesn't hurt either. I ask, if God did such miraculous things in the Bible why can't He do it in my life...or our lives?
Can I ask you ladies...or moms a question? When you go to the zoo, do you ever say...I want to jump across the fence and chill with the lions! That will be so cool! ....No...I didn't think so. But a couple weeks ago, I read for probably the 100th time how Daniel was thrown into a den full of hungry lions...the entrance sealed behind him...and he was there all night. But did Daniel perish because common sense says...or a logical mind says...or reality says, "hungry lions...Daniel stuck in there with them...okay he's toast"? No. Daniel didn't perish because God chose to save him. He came out the dawn of the next morning without even a scratch. Yes...we've heard this "part" of the story. But I haven't heard as much about the people who accused Daniel. After Daniel walked out clean, the king ordered "them" and their family to be throw in. And let me tell you...in short..."they" didn't make it, you know what I mean?
What about the three Hebrew men in the book of Daniel? Telling that same king, before this incident, we won't bow down to a statue of...yourself. Now Christians remember...common sense asks; a logical mind asks; and reality asks...are you crazy?! Man, you better bow down! You don't wanna die! lol. :) Okay seriously...the furnace is heated seven times above normal, they're tied up so they can't run away. If I was a betting person, I wouldn't bet they'd get outta this mess. It's over. I don't mean to be so graphic, but this is a true story. The soldiers commanded to throw them in are burned up when the furnace door opens. Doesn't that sound weird to you? "Then" the 3 guys are thrown in. Wow...in this book, the Christians sent to die aren't going down so easily are they? Anyway, you know the rest of the story. They come out without even a first degree burn and they were actually thrown in. The first few soldiers didn't make it just because they were too close to the entrance. The most amazing thing about this is Jesus didn't show up until they were in the fire. Just when we thought He was too late, He says uh ,uh, I don't say so.
I'm supposed to have a point to this long post right? My point is...sometimes we sell ourselves short. We look at the horizon, unseen territory, and because we can't figure out how to get there, we assume Jesus doesn't know how to get us there either. We've been faithful, tried and failed countless times, waiting for years to finally accomplish our goals. If you're like me, 2005 rolls in and you find that you haven't gotten there yet. The situation doesn't look good. Yet you stare at the ceiling until two o'clock in the morning thinking...there has to be more to life than where I am. You're still searching, still seeking, wondering should you give up on your faith in God that He'll make it all reality. The voice is in your head saying, maybe Jesus wants you to be here like this. This is how it's supposed to be. Then...the most devastating feeling comes...as you ease back into your comfort zone.
No...I'm not done talking yet. You've seen the movies right? Good versus evil. Even in the first Spider-Man...Spidey is getting beat up so bad at the end. I mean the Green Goblin is putting a whooping on him. And why do the villains have all the cool weapons and stuff? Even in car chases. The good guys will have this little baby car and the bad guy will have an 18 wheeler or something smacking 'em around lol. I'm looking at this like...hey! Jesus, this is not fair! The good guys are the ones doing right and they're getting toasted. "BUT"...Jesus says, wait. This isn't the end of the movie. Keep watching. And of course...somehow...some way...it stupifies me...the good guys always win. The Green Goblin didn't make it to Spider-Man 2, but Spidey was still swinging and looking better than ever I might add. :) How? How is it that when the enemy seems to be winning; all hope is lost for the Christian; just before the credits read "The End"; we are still standing? Sure the enemy pounds you; runs you over with a big truck; throws bombs, missiles, and everything else not excluding the kitchen sink. But the Word says don't be afraid, Jesus has already overcome the world.
Ladies and...if we have any other gentlemen in here...I've concluded that Spider-Man and the rest of the good guys have one thing in common. Even when the odds were greatly stacked against them, they never gave up. With every ounce of strength they had, they crawled right along if they had to. The whole time the bad guys were talking so much junk. "Look around you," they say, "it's over! I've won! And now...you're about to be finished! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!" When they move in for the final blow...that's when it happens...the good guys receive some type of renewed strength, like they can move mountains. And they proclaim, "Justice, truth, and love will prevail!" And they strike the enemy down where he stands..."The End." Satan's going to paint a picture that shows "you can't win. You can't accomplish this. You've made too many mistakes. You're not good enough. You'll fail."
When Jesus has picked you out to do something...do it. Can I be the one to remind us that Satan lies...a lot? If he does nothing else, he's lying about something. He's deceiving people, putting on a show, telling you everything you don't need to hear. And sadly...at times, since it seems like we fail...we start to believe these are true lies. We buy into it. Satan has literally talked us to death. Because when you believe that you can't fulfill the awesome purpose God created you for...you're dead. So...I need everybody including me to do ourselves a huge favor. Set some time aside today...or tonight; get a pen and paper; close your eyes...and erase your memory. lol. I know...strange request but follow me on this one. Now...think; if you could transform your life into "anything" you wanted it to be...how would your life be? Write it down on the piece on paper. You can put down where you'd like to live; the type of house; having the stuff you want for your children; where or when you would work; the type of job it would be; and don't leave something out because your thinking it's impossible. Stay focused. Now...read over it, organize and prioritize it. You can smile then, huh? Every dream, vision, and goal, stuff from way back when you were a little kid written down. The next step is taking this before the Lord in prayer. No, I'm not joking. Tell Jesus this is how I really, really...really want my life to be. He may point out some stuff you left out okay.
The question is...do we really believe His Word is true or have we just been saying that all of these years? I mean honestly. When the time comes and we have to make an important decision, do we really believe God can take two fish and a loaf of bread and feed over five thousand people? Do we really believe God will make the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the Red Sea part, and the desires He has given us in our heart come true? If you really do believe, give it to Him. Give Him the fish and bread, the problem, or situation that looks out of control. Don't say it's so big that You can't do anything with it. Jesus allows us to have a little bit, be faced with a huge problem or multitude of problems...just so we can come to Him and say "Here, this is all I have." He'll take it and do what He does, fix; heal; save; forgive; set free; deliver...the usual. But if we look at our two little fish, our last loaf of bread and say Jesus, if I give so much away, I'm not gonna have anything left for me...He can't do what He does best. He'll not only bless you with it in His hands, but half of your community, if not more. We have to trust Him, trust in His Word, and trust that we can use the gifts He has given us to do awesome things on this planet...while we're here.
I was talking to a friend today who said to me, Eric, you're single. You can go after whatever you want. I have kids. So I can't.......and he starts going through a list of things he can't do. I'm looking at him like, God gave you gifts, dreams, visions. He didn't bless you with beautiful kids for them to hold you back. Jesus wants you to take your children with you. Don't believe society's notion that children hold you back and are so expensive. Kids need adventure, excitement, to have fun in life. If you never take them on the adventure of going after your goals or childhood dreams...it can turn ugly quick. I've seen some parents tired and stressed out thinking if I didn't have my kids I could accomplish so much more. But the Bible sees them differently. If you show your kids through your life...what God can do in their lives...you may not have to drag them out of bed to go to church in the mornings. They will experience God's power working in your life with you. Then, as they get older...they'll go after their own God-given dreams and come to you for advice on how to make it through because you've gone through the adventure with them. Yes...I admit...going after dreams with your children is more difficult, more complicated...but let's not make it impossible. People are trying to live their lives to the fullest here. Bring your concerns, your questions, your suggestions to Jesus. He'll listen to you. He put the gifts in you to use them all out. He already knew you'd have you adorable children. He already knew you'd make mistakes. But He still gave you gifts to use them all out, because He already made the way for you to do so.
I hope that I encouraged you somewhere in this short novel lol. I want you to realize life doesn't stop when you have children or make mistakes or tragedy happens in your life or things seem like they will never come together the way it should. You serve the same God who created the Earth your standing on and the body your living in; the same Jesus who died for your sins and was raised from the dead; the same Jesus who did all the miracles we've read about in the Word for years now; and don't make the mistake of thinking He has changed because "times" have changed. I know...maybe things look rough...you're out of strength...your last is almost gone...you don't see a way out...and you're trying to do right, the best you can. Hmmm...I've seen and read this before somewhere. Looks familiar doesn't it?
Let me finally leave you with this. Throughout time, history...true and sincere Christians have been where you are and worse. Some die for the cause, even today. But not one of them lost the war. Not one ran this race in vain. God had the power to save them all. I believe He can save us too. Jesus loves you.
Eric