Why?

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. (1 Timothy 4:7-10 NLT)

Why? That's usually what runs through my mind when I start back in an exercise routine. Before the actual start date, I am talking myself into it with all the whys in the world, but once I start I seem to lose focus and forget them all.

The light and momentary situation becomes so real, so big, so hard, so fast.

After that, the struggle.  I remember the reasons but the pain and circumstances, the waves of lightheaded exhaustion and the demands or mistakes of fellow strugglers overshadow me. My mind is in a constant battle of perspective. 

I can't distinguish this description now from exercise and life at times, until I read this scripture. Life is more important, specifically the holy life that God requires is more important than anything, including my own sustainable health. Not to minimize other things, but to understand that these moments in life that seem so hidden, the thoughts that remain unsaid, these duties that seem insignificant, these decisions that affect no one but our attitude, well they are paramount. These are the building blocks of true life and godliness. 

So I continue to struggle through things that devastate my heart. Circumstances that I can not change. Losses that I can't redeem, actions I can't erase.

Until the moment that I catch my breathe.

Remembering that "these light and momentary struggles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." ( 2 Corinthians 4:17)

Remembering where my hope comes from. 

Remembering my Lord, my Father, my Savior, my Friend.

He will never leave me, nor forsake me. He sees every tear, He knows my every thought, He loves me with an everlasting love, He is for me and not against me, though my father and mother forsake me, my God, He never will. He is faithful, He is true. 

Also He is no respecter of persons, so that means, He will do the same for you. Don't give up. Training is underway. There is no way you can fail, so throw your all on God.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

Psalm 90:17

Camelot

Live from Life

Have you ever felt like you were wearing a mask?

I am usually very joyful and happy. I smile on the phone when no one is looking. I smile a lot. (The wrinkles hold that smile longer now too.)

When things are not right in my world and circumstances close in, am I wearing a mask if I walk around smiling and full of joy? Well that depends.

I heard someone say the other day that denial and faith look a lot alike. They do. So what is the difference?
Denial covers the circumstances by ignoring them, numbing them, or leaving them.
Faith covers the circumstances in prayer, intercession, and the promises of God.

So, how should I live? No matter how the circumstances, if we are Christian(this is a must, since the peace that we have as Christians is not known by those who do not know Christ), then we can choose daily to live out of the "not crushed" life, rather than the "pressed down" circumstances. For the Christian, it is a choice because we have access to the Father of Life, who has promised us... well look at it...

2 Corinthians 4
⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.  ...

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

What a Promise! What a God! That He would give us life like this. 

Lord, may my face, my heart, my mind, my actions be lived from Your Life in me. May my head be lifted by the not crushed part, may my back be straightened by the "not in despair" truth, may my lungs be filled with the "not abandoned" awareness, may my song be sung by the "not destroyed" tune. O God, my Father, I am Yours, You are mine. That is all I need. You are all I need.

James 3:18,
Camelot

The Persecuted Church

The Persecuted Church

The link above is a video of believers from Kosovo. I see faith, hope and love. What do you see?

⁸ In every way we’re troubled, but we aren’t crushed by our troubles. We’re frustrated, but we don’t give up. ⁹ We’re persecuted, but we’re not abandoned. We’re captured, but we’re not killed. 
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 “Don’t be troubled. Believe in God, and believe in me." John 14:1

It is not denial, it is faith. Pray for the Persecuted Church. What to pray?

Acts 4:29-30
Ephesians 6:18-20 

James 3:18,
Camelot

You Are What You Eat, Your Children Are What You Feed Them

My daughter has heard me on occasion say, "You are what you eat." I can just imagine her patting my belly saying, "Obviously". O my sweet, sweet daughter. :) Usually when I say that it has more to do with our spiritual life, like "You are fruit of the tree you hang around." Ahh those choice morsels from a loving parent. Well ok the sayings do not go over as well now that she is 17.

However in light of what was on my heart yesterday and what I have been chewing on (not physically, intellectually and spiritually :) ) The people and experiences that define or form me leads me to think about the people and experiences that formed and is forming my daughter. I feel like my time to be an extremely influential part of her forming is almost gone. Wow that was quick, I have been told that the time really ended about 5 years ago, in some cases ignorance is bliss.

In doing research for a class taught by Dr. Dean Blevins, I came across some information that I wish I could email to myself about 17 years back.

It is probably more important to start with the questions so that I can see where my answers line up.

How are we carrying out the The Great Commission to our primary disciples?

What are the principles behind faith?

1. How faith if formed?
2. Who is partnering with me?
3. Where is Christ in the lives of my children?
4. What is faith's primary influence-er?
5. What is my primary goal for my child? How do I begin and continue that path?

What are the primary activities that form faith in children?

What are the characteristics of faith and what characteristics do I look for as evidence of faith in my children?

I plan to share and answer these questions a little more in depth with the parents of young children this Sunday. While my time as influence-er is almost up in some ways, I have been told that you never stop being a parent, so I am excited about what this means in my home and in our lives.

Read this in light of parenting, a true commission of God...
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 (The Message)
"Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God."

My husband reminds me and tells God in his prayers frequently that we dedicated our little girl to God early on...

Lord, Continue to capture the attention and affection of my one and only daughter by Your grace. In the Name of Your one and only Son, Jesus. Amen.

If you have about 5 minutes and want to smile and laugh, watch this video promoting a children's book.

      Kids Talk About God