Start Thinking Like this Now

http://marshill.com/media/real-marriage/selfish-lovers-and-servant-lovers

Emotions

This has been an influential and challenging sermon series.  I should listen to the whole thing once a month!  If you only listen to one sermon, listen to "Sanctification & Our Emotions Part 3".  Really good stuff!

http://www.monergism.com/mp3/2011/06/biblical_emotions_20_mp3_sermo.php

Matt Chandler Teaching Song of Solomon

Hug Me

My love language is Physical Touch.  And I really need a hug today.  Not one of those little side ways ones.  I need a bear hug.  I need a hug that is strong and tight.  And a little too long.  I live in a culture that doesn't hug.  And even the American's I know aren't big huggers.  Sometimes I go days and days with any touch - and sometimes I go weeks without any real hugs.

So, this morning, I confessed to the Lord how much I "feel" like I need a hug.  And I'm waiting expectantly for Him.  I wonder what He is going to do.  On a day such as this, a little old lady was passing and started to trip so she grabbed my arm.  It was just the right touch.  But, maybe He will find other ways to fill me... to remind me of His love.

Even though it's not yet 9am, I've already been delighted 3 times.  And though not a one has been what I feel I "need", the Lord's hand is doing the blessing.

Maybe my unfulfilled need is so I will start paying better attention to the things I do have.

Greatest Love Connection Video EVER!!!

Oh, man...  Things could always be worse.

It's Not Fair

I just heard a seminary professor tell this story.  He had given a really tough exam and the scores were really low.  Instead of bumping everyone's scores up, he decided to only bump up the women's scores.  Of course the women were delighted.  Of course the guys were furious.  It's not fair they kept saying over and over.  Well, the professor went on to explain, fair is getting the grade you earned.  That's fair.  The test included the parable in Matthew 20 where the guy who works for an hour gets paid the same amount as the worker who worked for 12 hours.  

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20&version=NIV

Well, was it fair - really fair that the workers who worked for 12 hours got paid for 12 hours?  Yah.  That's fair. It's what they earned.  I like that.  I'm OK with that.  But... I'm not so good when it comes to watching someone who worked only an hour or two get the same thing.

I'm not so good with grace.

Unless it's me.  Unless I'm the one who worked only an hour.  Unless I'm in the group who gets the grade curve.

I've been having a hard time lately.  I'm really jealous of a friend.  It just seems like she gets life handed to her on a silver platter.  And I get grumpy with her - and with God - and think it's not fair.  It's just not fair.

But then I need to look at what is fair?  Hellfire and brimstone.  Ummm, yah.  That's the fair part of the deal.  That's what a deserve.  That I get eternity in a place where there is no mourning or crying or sickness or lonely Valentine's Days or a week that goes buy without a hug?...

I'm not the worker who worked for 12 hours and got paid for 12 hours.  I'm the worker who worked 3.3348 seconds and got paid a life time of wages.  So what if my friend only worked 333478 seconds and she gets a new car, a diamond necklace or a book deal all in one day?  Does that change my eternity in Heaven?  Absolutely not.

Absolutely not.

And is it fair that I get my eternity in Heaven?
Ab-so-lute-ly not.

It Happened Again

The wounds of years and years of being rejected by boys still sting sometime.  It's crazy how they get rubbed the wrong way and start stinging again.  So, let me get out the salve... the balm of truth.  And it will be the same truth that scars of loneliness, bitterness... well, it will be the same truth that offers healing.

Gen 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  God’s in charge.

Jer 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  It might be uncomfortable, just like when the nurse puts medicine on the stings – but He knows what He’s doing.

Prov 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Even when my emotions are telling me otherwise.

Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Have I stopped to pray yet?  Or am I too busy having a pity-party?

John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. This pity-party is hosted by Satan. 

Phil 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  So, how does my issue fit in with this scripture?  Ummm...

Phil 4:7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I need to stop thinking about myself and think about God.

Isa 53:5: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. He wants to heal you.  Look at what it cost Him.

Heb 12:2: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Yah, that first part.  And the second part. 

1 Pet 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Am I stirring my anxiety or am I casting it?

1 Cor 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  God has a way out!  God has a way out!  God has a way out!

Heb 11:1: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  What am I hoping for?  Really?  … that I will grow in Him and HE will be glorified.  In the end that’s what I really want.