Discipline

At our Sunday school class the other day the question was asked; are you anxious, angry (and there was a 3rd thing but I can't remember it) everyday. And I thought, yep, at least 2 out of 3. With the being anxious I just try to remember Phil. 4:6. Though I admit I'm not always successful at it. But the anger is something different. It sneaks up on me. I don't think I'm angry about something and then I examine what I'm feeling and realize that I'm angry. Some of it is from past situations that I'm trying to put behind me. But some of it has to do with just the present. My oldest son is the youth leader in our church. One evening I was sitting in a church meeting thinking about him and what I think is his lack of concern for his position. And then it came to me; I actually was angry at him. For various reasons. And I prayed that God would forgive me for that and my attitude. I felt God speak to my heart that it was okay. He forgave me and that it was going to be a process for He and I to work through.
I praise Him for this. He is such a God of love and compassion. And also my Father who disciplines me. And if you think He didn't discipline me about my anger, you need to think again. It breaks my heart to disappoint my Father. And it makes me want to be better. Just to please Him.
So, as I continue to walk with Him, it's good to know that as my Father who loves me, He disciplines me and does so with that love.
Those whom I love I reprove and discipline......Revelations 3:19

Politics

This blog is going to be more about a personal issue than about my growth in Christ. Our elections are now over. And a man that most evangelical Christians did not want elected was. There are brothers and sisters, though, who did vote for him. My concern is the possiblity of division in our "family" in regards to this. And that means that there are things we need to remember.

Though I can't find the verses for these I know the Bible says somewhere about God has chosen our leaders and that we are to pray for them.

It also goes back to my earlier blog about "being anxious for nothing" We have to remember that God is in control. No matter what man chooses God can and will use it for our good and His purpose.

Sing, Baby, Sing

The past year has been a great time of spiritual growth. God is calling me into something deeper, into serving Him in some way. Last Sunday at church I really felt that pull from God about serving Him. But He hasn't shown me what that would be yet. I sent an email to PC (my pastor, Cliff) to talk to him about this. He answered me to keep wrestling. Today there was a church dinner and as he was walking passed me he stopped. PC asked me if I knew what Howard Goodman told his wife Vestal just before he died. It was sing, Baby, sing. Cliff said that as he saw me, this thought came to him. So, is this what I'm to do? I'm willing to wait and see.
"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live, I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."
Psalm 104:33

Perfect love casts out fear

My husband, Gary, and I have been married for 26 years. During our entire married life I've always been afraid of his being angry with me. Mostly because I was afraid he'd leave me or not want me anymore. I've also realized that it comes from my insecurity with my father's love. The fear of Gary has diminished some. Last week a thought came to me about that. How I'm still a bit afraid of telling him something that would make him angry. But I'm not afraid of telling God anything. I can talk to God and say whatever I want and He'll never turn away.

I've been reading a book by Larry Crabb called "The Papa Prayer." PAPA stands for Presenting yourself to God (authentically, being real) Attend to how you are thinking of God (how you picture Him) Purge yourself of your relational faults (getting rid of your interests ahead of His and anything else that blocks intimacy with Him) Approach God just as you are. (tuning in to your passion to know Him and to honor Him above all others.) This is Dr. Crabb's formula for a relational prayer life.

God is now my Papa. I know I can come before Him with anything and He'll still love me. I used to think of Him as being angry with me. But again, He loves me. I want to know Him more. And I can, because He loves me.
"...Perfect love casts our fear." 1 John 4:18