And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:38-39
Mmmm. Jesus help me to live this every single day of my life.
First off I've been gone to camp the last week so that's why I've been quiet lately. :) God changed many lives this last week including mine!
So, for those of you who are familiar with Sheaves for Christ you know what I'm talking about in this post. For those that don't watch this video to get a taste of what Sheaves for Christ does for the kingdom of God.
This year I decided it's high time I did something for Sheaves For Christ beyond a "measly" change can. So over the next few months y'all will see many fundraising efforts featured here on my blog as I endeavor to raise at least $1000 for SFC! My second fundraising push of this effort can be found here. I've gone through my headbands (quite a collection) and weeded out the vast majority of them and have placed them for sale. It seems vain to me to wear something fancy in my hair while missionaries around the world need vehicles and children at Tupelo Children's mansion need shelter. So I'm asking y'all to wear them instead with the knowledge that in wearing it you have contributed to the cause of the kingdom.
My pastor preached a powerful message on Sunday entitled "Endeavoring to Become." He exhorted us to not give up our dreams and to not let the devil tell us what we can and cannot do in God's kingdom. I have a very hard time vocalizing my dreams and what God has called me to do so since a picture is worth a thousand words I think I shall make it into a bit of a puzzle for everyone. So here goes: The story of Lana's dreams, told entirely in pictures...
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.
I went to a lovely wedding Saturday night. My gorgeous and oh-so-sweet friend A married her best friend B. A is the leader of the Nurses' Christian Fellowship Group I am a part of at TU. During the ceremony the groom's grandfather read the following passage of scripture:
Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
King James Version
For half a second as that elder started reading this passage I was confused. I've always heard this preached with regard to an individual's life, not a couple or a family. But then it occurred to me that maybe this passage was a bit more literal than I had initially thought. Maybe instead of the house representing something it really means a house. No, not a building, but a house like the House of Jacob (Israel) or the House of David. In the Bible a house can also refer to a household or family not just a building they live in. So Jesus here was saying if a man builds his family on the rock of Christ the storms of life won't hurt it. But if he builds it on the shifting sands of this world it will fall whether by just becoming a hateful, dysfunctional family, or by ending in a nasty divorce.
The old saying goes like this: "the family that prays together stays together." Seeing that I am currently single (though I do have a wonderful beau) my future marriage, family, and home often are on my mind. I want that family to be built on the rock. If I can't pray with my husband and kids something is wrong. If we can but don't something is wrong. My family has never been one for family prayer and devotion (preferring private instead, not saying we don't pray, just not together) and I have always longed for that. When an uncle was visiting he gathered his wife and kids and invited us to join them in a family prayer meeting in the living room one day. I've never forgotten how beautiful that was. I pray that family prayer and devotion will be a daily fixture in my home. I want my home to be built on the Rock of Ages. I want to build my house on the firmest possible foundation.
A and B's wedding was beautiful not because the people were good looking and the dresses were pretty (they were). A and B's wedding was beautiful because it was Christ centered from start to finish. Almost every song was centered on Him and His love not just theirs. It was a beautiful ceremony in every way. I hope and pray that their marriage will continue to be built on the foundation it has started on. Congratulations A & B!!! May God richly bless your union forever and always!!
[This song was actually one of the songs in the wedding]
Today was a crazy crazy day, but it showed me something important about who my friends are (not that I didn't already know this person was a good friend, etc, we've been friends since 7th grade). So this morning was supposed to be the one morning this week that I got to sleep in and not have to be at work at the way too early (to a college student on summer break) time of 8:50. However at 7:45 my blissful sleep was interrupted by a phone call from my dearest friend S. S was panicky and crying etc. as she informed me that her dogs had escaped. Since they had just moved into a new home that week she was frantic because they didn't know where "home" was yet. So S of course calls me to come look for them with her. She did not want me to waste any time at all, not even getting dressed, because we had to find her doggies N-O-W!!! However I prevailed on that. So we went hunting after my hazy sleepy drive across town to her house. We hunted all morning and had finally given up and headed to Kinko's to put up posters when her phone rang that someone had dropped the little monkeys (ok big monkeys) off at a vet near her new house and the vet had checked the microchip and contacted her father. So we rushed to the doggies and the story of course had a happy ending. [aren't they cute??]
So anyways the real point of this post is friendship not dogs, cute or not. S and I have always been friends but I wouldn't say we are "best" friends. However it meant so much to me that in her time of distress she knew to call me. We have been friends for years but sometimes we go months without talking but can always just pick up again wherever we left off. However that when she needed help she knew I was there told me I must have been a better friend than I thought. So I guess that raises the question: who are your "real" friends? who do you call when you need something right that second? Of course Jesus is the ultimate friend but when you've called on Jesus and the dogs still aren't there who do you call to help you physically look?
The Bible has a few things to say about friendship too. These verses seemed to apply to today's story very well.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble...A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
New Living Translation
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times
King James Version
I'm glad I know who my friends are. Sometimes it seems like their number is few but I am blessed to know that there are several who are always there. Some childhood school friends, some internet friends (though only because oceans separate us), some camp friends, and of course the ultimate friend, Jesus.
CONFESSION: I am by nature a worrier. Every decision I make, even when it's swiftly made, I struggle and agonize about it for hours later. Everything I do and don't do is second guessed. Every word anyone says is analyzed through a lens of fear. I worry about everything. I hate it.
BUT GOD SAYS:
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
New Living Translation
Philippians 4:6
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
New Living Translation
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
New Living Translation
Pray with me that I can overcome my worrying nature. Thanks.
