great post on pleasure

Lee Bezotte posted some great thoughts today, especially on the idea that pleasure can be both learned and unlearned. Interesting how this relates to our relationship with God. Check it out: http://www.leebezotte.com/the-problem-with-pleasure/

Pastor John on temptation

So I head to 9am service this morning and our kids pastor speaks on (what else?) temptation. Really good message. Focusing in on James 1 where we're reminded that: 

1. God is never the one tempting us.
2. Unchecked desire leads to temptation, unchecked temptation leads to sin, and that unchecked sin ultimately leads to our destruction.

The key here being unchecked. John (our pastor) urged us to ask God to reveal the reality of our weaknesses. Telling us we must identify and deal with those problem areas or else the enemy will use them to his advantage.

John reminded us of Matthew 4 where Christ is lead into the desert to be tempted. The enemy tries to persuade his to show off his power, to give in to the easy way, even to worship the enemy himself. But Christ always responds with God's truth. Way to go!

Which reminds me of Beth Moore's words: "We're going to have to let truth scream louder to our souls than the lies that have infected us."

no new temptations

I just started reading Beth Moore's "So Long, Insecurity" that my Grandma gave me. In the first chapter, Beth quotes the familiar 1 Corinthians 10:13. Or so I thought. That it was familiar, that is. I was caught off guard as I read:

no trial has overtaken [us] that is not faced by others. And God is faithful.

I've read that passage a million times. Or at least a hundred and two. But the different translation (NET) really made it stand out like a new truth for the first time. I'm not alone. I never will be. I'm never going to face a challenge, a temptation, a struggle so new and different that no one else has never faced it. It's all the same stuff through history, just packaged a little differently.

And God is faithful. Thank You, Father God, and Amen!

thanksgiving is happy, killing them was not

I want to guide my children in the truth as they grow up. For instance, it's great to celebrate Thanksgiving. I love the time with family, the extra time off work, the long weekend. I like celebrating how Native Americans save the Pilgrims in 1621 by helping them fish and cultivate their land. However, I also think kids (as they get old enough to understand) should also know some of the rest of the story.  How we weren't always grateful and great friends with our Native American neighbors. I think we should teach how yes, we are to be thankful. But also how we later mistreated our new neighbors and how that was wrong. Just saying.

Introducing Ten Boom Tuesdays

This woman portrayed Corrie Ten Boom at an event last week. And that when I fell in love. I'd heard the name and knew she fell on the list somewhere of famous missionaries or something like that. But I had no idea the extent to which God worked in and through her life, especially in regards to hiding Jews and enduring the German prison camps. I've been reading In My Father's House, which chronicles how she grew up and how God prepared her for the work He'd called her to. I'm hoping to read the Hiding Place as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.

So I'm totally stealing this idea from the great Lee Bezotte. He hosts Tozer Tuesdays, which I love. I was thinking how I love the idea of focusing a year on the wisdom and writings of a faithful woman of God. So here it is. My first week of Ten Boom Tuesdays. Welcome!

Phoebe & Pastor Rob

I love the Friends where Phoebe gets kicked out of singing songs at the kids library because she sings about how all people die at some point and how hamburgers are made from cows. I really love how the kids seek her out because they want to hear from "the lady singer who tells the truth." I was thinking today how Pastor Rob at my church is like Phoebe in that he speaks the truth. And boldly. Thank you, Pastor Rob!

what I should have said was

Do you ever have those conversations in your head about what you should have said when a particular incident happened? It's so much easier to think of what you should have said after the moment's over and you have to time to really think.

So I was rehearsing this morning what I should've said to the weird guy at my door last night. In light of the fact that we had a break in last week at the house, I was leery. I answered the door to find this guy I'd never seen asking if Phil was back in town. And let me clarify that there is no Phil who lives here, nor has there been in recent years. The guy's asking me if I'm new and I'm starting to wonder if he's just trying to case the joint. See who lives here. Size me up. He asks me for money, which I don't give him and I send him on his way.

Anyway, what I should have said was "Hmm, no I don't think I've met Phil yet. But I'll ask my boyfriend when he gets back. He might be one of his hunting buddies. He's a real good shot, you know."

sick for Jesus

"The difference between Uncle Sam and Jesus Chrsit is that Uncle Sam won't enlist you unless you are healthy and Jesus won't enlist you unless you are sick." -John Piper, Desiring God

I used to think needing Jesus was a weakness. Thinking I was pretty strong on my own, I didn't want to need Him. And yet, I've learned through the years that realizing my need for Him is exactly where I need to be.

I've come to dearly hold onto the words of the famous hymn "I Need Thee Hour." And Father God, may I never forget it.