This was sent to me by Julie Stedman today. It fits perfectly with our topic this week of busyness and making time for God. I hope you enjoy it and are challenged by it!
It is taken from Proverbs 31 Ministries' daily email, written by Karen Ehman.
"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me." Psalm 31:14-15 (NIV)
"Mom, quick…look at that lady!" My fourteen-year-old-in-driver's-education-child shouted at me as we were headed down Michigan's US-27 interstate on an errand-running Thursday afternoon. "She should not be doing that," he added for emphasis.
I glanced over at the car next to us, expecting to see someone without her hands gripped properly at the ten and two o'clock positions like my by-the-rulebook-boy does when he is behind the wheel. Instead, I nearly ran off the road while gawking at what my resident Driver's Ed patrolman had spotted.
Next to us was a woman who was doing all of the following: talking on a cell phone by cradling it on her right shoulder, holding an open fast-food salad container in her left hand, ripping open a salad dressing packet with her teeth and her right hand…all while steering her car with her knees! What in the world!? My boys and I thought surely, if she kept up this multi-tasking method of driving, she was going to cause a crash.
"I would NEVER attempt to do all of that when I drive", I smugly thought to myself. "Entirely too dangerous and probably against the law." Yep, when it comes to being a safe-driving etiquette expert, the apple doesn't fall far from the "Honey-you-didn't-use-your-blinker-back-there" maternal tree.
It wasn't until later that night that it hit me. Yes, I may not try to dangerously multi-task when it comes to driving my car, thereby putting myself and others at risk of a collision. But in my day-to-day life? In my schedule? In my "sure-I-can-take-on-one-more-responsibility-so-everyone-will-like-me" way? Well, I sometimes dangerously multi-task to the point where I too am headed for a crash.
God nudged my heart a few years back, after dealing with some stress-related medical conditions that would not go away, that I needed to do a major plate scraping in my life. Taking on too many responsibilities, no matter how "good" they may be, can often render women ineffective for service to God. He knows our limits. He understands are capacities. He is willing, if we will ask Him, to help us navigate the waters of busyness and activity that often drown many a woman.
On one of my so-busy-I-couldn't-breathe days, I read today's verse. While I'm sure that the author David was talking about actual physical enemies -- men who could chase you, catch you and ultimately hurt you – I thought that day of busyness as the enemy. Too many activities and responsibilities outside of my four walls were abou t to do me in. They chased me, they cornered me and worst of all, they were about to go in for the kill.
Thankfully, God rescued me from the barren life of busyness. And He can do the same for you. He's longing for us to hold our too-full plates up to Him, scrape off all the activities and responsibilities, and then, place back on our plates only the items HE longs for us to possess.
Then, we can create white space in our calendar and places of sweet respite in our days where we can connect with the God of the universe who is just waiting for us to slow down and sit still; to listen and learn from the very Creator of time itself.
So, how about it friend? Rubber spatula ready? Keep reading below and let's start scraping before we crash and burn!
Dear Lord, Forgive me for allowing busyness to overtake my life, crowding out others and worst of all You. Help me as I purpose to place only those items on my plate that You long for me to have. In Jesus ' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
List on paper all the commitments you have said yes to outside of your job or home responsibilities. Catalog approximately how much time you devote to them each week. Pray about what you discover.
Power Verses:
Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (ESV)
Genesis 2:2, "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done." (ESV)
Reflections: (post your comment on these questions...I know you can do it!)
What activities and responsibilities have I said "Yes" to that I know in my heart I shouldn't have?
How can I thin out my optional tasks and duties, freeing up more time for the places where God wants me to focus my efforts?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Busyness
"Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:15-16
My TNIV Bible has application inserts scattered throughout. This one grabbed my attention recently. It follows the scripture above.
" Jesus knew the pressure of a packed schedule. Crowds of people clamored for his attention. The Pharisees continually attacked him. Teaching his followers required a huge investment of his time. Yet he never let his schedule rule over him. He knew the mission God had given him and he didn't allow others' demands dictate how he spent his time. He was never too busy to focus on what was most important - including time alone with his Father. If you're too busy to spend time with God, then perhaps you're too busy."
Ouch. Does that hit any of you "where it hurts" like it does me? Even if our commitments are good ones, or necessary ones, like taking care of our children, homes, etc. they can take us away from having time with Him. Jesus wants our first fruits but often gets our last fruits, our left overs. Even if a quiet time isn't possible in your schedule today, how can you show him that you love Him today?
My TNIV Bible has application inserts scattered throughout. This one grabbed my attention recently. It follows the scripture above.
" Jesus knew the pressure of a packed schedule. Crowds of people clamored for his attention. The Pharisees continually attacked him. Teaching his followers required a huge investment of his time. Yet he never let his schedule rule over him. He knew the mission God had given him and he didn't allow others' demands dictate how he spent his time. He was never too busy to focus on what was most important - including time alone with his Father. If you're too busy to spend time with God, then perhaps you're too busy."
Ouch. Does that hit any of you "where it hurts" like it does me? Even if our commitments are good ones, or necessary ones, like taking care of our children, homes, etc. they can take us away from having time with Him. Jesus wants our first fruits but often gets our last fruits, our left overs. Even if a quiet time isn't possible in your schedule today, how can you show him that you love Him today?
Monday, January 25, 2010
5 Goals Worth Striving For
By Susan Alexander Yates
I’ve felt this way many times. But I’ve also learned to
reassess the way I’ve been living—and the way I want to live.
Here are five things to do any time of the year:
1. To reach someone who doesn’t know Christ
Perhaps like me, you’re tempted to spend all your time with
fellow Christians—people just like you. Yet at the same time,
God commands us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew
5:13–16); that won’t happen if we spend all our time with
believers.
For example, my friend Sandy took an active interest in a
neighbor named Carol. Sandy invited Carol over for lunch
and took her to a craft show. Although Carol and her husband
didn’t have children, Sandy included her in things she did
with her kids. Carol and her husband weren’t believers
and didn’t attend church, but out of curiosity, they soon
began attending with their new friends. After a period of
time, both Carol and her husband became believers. It all
began because Sandy was intent on reaching out in genuine
friendship to non-believers.
This year, resolve to befriend someone who’s not a
Christian. She may be a coworker, neighbor, your child’s
teacher, even your hair stylist. While reaching out feels
scary, when you take the risk, you’ll see God work through
you in exciting ways!
2. To become a grateful person
I used to wake up in the morning thinking about all the
things I had to do and all the people who needed me. I got
depressed before I even got out of bed! I realized I needed an
attitude adjustment. So I started meditating on one of God’s
character traits the moment I awoke. As I lay quietly in my
bed, thinking about how awesome God is, my perspective on
the day changed dramatically!
No one enjoys being around whining kids. But when
they’re grateful, it’s delightful. In the same way, when we
appreciate God, it thrills his heart. My friend Elaine says,
“The practice of thanksgiving is the discipline that helps
us experience God’s love.” Your disposition permeates the
atmosphere of your home. Do you want to raise positive
kids? Then resolve to become a woman of gratitude. You’ll
have a positive impact on generations to come.
3. To spend more quality time with my spouse
My husband, John, and I used to have a wonderful raspberry
patch. In the early years I carefully tended it, and it
produced prolific crops. Then I got busy with carpools and
commitments, and before I knew it, weeds took over and my
raspberries died out.
A marriage can become like my raspberry patch. We get
busy with kids, career, church, elderly parents, and
volunteer needs. We think, I’ll spend time on my
marriage when life calms down. The problem is, life never does.
Don’t let the weeds of “other important things”—even your
children—choke your marriage. Resolve to nurture it. This
year, ask the question, What can I do to help my husband and
I grow closer together? Begin by making a commitment to a
weekly date together—an evening, a breakfast, an afternoon.
Keep in mind, your children’s sense of security is built on
the knowledge you love them, but it greatly increases when
they know you love their dad. You’re raising future husbands
and wives who need to know a happy marriage takes time.
If they see you nurturing yours, they’ll learn a tremendous
lesson.
4. To say “no” to something!
Okay, we all know there are simply too many demands, too
many choices, and too little time. But part of maturing means
learning to postpone something you’d really like to do now
to another season of life in order to focus on something even
more important. Maybe it’s that career opportunity so you
can have more time with your children, or that outing with
your friends so you’re around when your teens have their
friends at your house. Maybe you need to say “no” to your
kids being in yet another sports team so your family can
have dinner together.
Ask yourself, in 10 years, what will matter most—that you
signed your child up for yet another activity and spent
evenings apart, or said “no” and had family dinners together?
Or that you participated in yet another committee, or said
“no” so you could spend more time with your husband?
5. To pursue Christ with fresh vigor
Do you sometimes feel as though your relationship with
Christ is stale? I sure do. But when that happens, I pray
King David’s prayer, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:12).
Resolve to recapture that joy. Vary what you normally do for
your time alone with God. Decide on a new topic for Bible
study. Begin a fresh journal.
If you make some changes but still feel stale, ask God to show
you the reason. Is there sin in your life you’re ignoring? A
wrong relationship, self-pity, jealousy? The writer to the
Hebrews encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus” (12:1–2). That’s one resolution you can’t afford to
break!
Prepare
Which of the five goals jumped out at you? Why?
What are some other personal, spiritual, or relational
goals that have been on your mind lately? Please answer in the
comment section below or discuss with your MAP partner.
I’ve felt this way many times. But I’ve also learned to
reassess the way I’ve been living—and the way I want to live.
Here are five things to do any time of the year:
1. To reach someone who doesn’t know Christ
Perhaps like me, you’re tempted to spend all your time with
fellow Christians—people just like you. Yet at the same time,
God commands us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew
5:13–16); that won’t happen if we spend all our time with
believers.
For example, my friend Sandy took an active interest in a
neighbor named Carol. Sandy invited Carol over for lunch
and took her to a craft show. Although Carol and her husband
didn’t have children, Sandy included her in things she did
with her kids. Carol and her husband weren’t believers
and didn’t attend church, but out of curiosity, they soon
began attending with their new friends. After a period of
time, both Carol and her husband became believers. It all
began because Sandy was intent on reaching out in genuine
friendship to non-believers.
This year, resolve to befriend someone who’s not a
Christian. She may be a coworker, neighbor, your child’s
teacher, even your hair stylist. While reaching out feels
scary, when you take the risk, you’ll see God work through
you in exciting ways!
2. To become a grateful person
I used to wake up in the morning thinking about all the
things I had to do and all the people who needed me. I got
depressed before I even got out of bed! I realized I needed an
attitude adjustment. So I started meditating on one of God’s
character traits the moment I awoke. As I lay quietly in my
bed, thinking about how awesome God is, my perspective on
the day changed dramatically!
No one enjoys being around whining kids. But when
they’re grateful, it’s delightful. In the same way, when we
appreciate God, it thrills his heart. My friend Elaine says,
“The practice of thanksgiving is the discipline that helps
us experience God’s love.” Your disposition permeates the
atmosphere of your home. Do you want to raise positive
kids? Then resolve to become a woman of gratitude. You’ll
have a positive impact on generations to come.
3. To spend more quality time with my spouse
My husband, John, and I used to have a wonderful raspberry
patch. In the early years I carefully tended it, and it
produced prolific crops. Then I got busy with carpools and
commitments, and before I knew it, weeds took over and my
raspberries died out.
A marriage can become like my raspberry patch. We get
busy with kids, career, church, elderly parents, and
volunteer needs. We think, I’ll spend time on my
marriage when life calms down. The problem is, life never does.
Don’t let the weeds of “other important things”—even your
children—choke your marriage. Resolve to nurture it. This
year, ask the question, What can I do to help my husband and
I grow closer together? Begin by making a commitment to a
weekly date together—an evening, a breakfast, an afternoon.
Keep in mind, your children’s sense of security is built on
the knowledge you love them, but it greatly increases when
they know you love their dad. You’re raising future husbands
and wives who need to know a happy marriage takes time.
If they see you nurturing yours, they’ll learn a tremendous
lesson.
4. To say “no” to something!
Okay, we all know there are simply too many demands, too
many choices, and too little time. But part of maturing means
learning to postpone something you’d really like to do now
to another season of life in order to focus on something even
more important. Maybe it’s that career opportunity so you
can have more time with your children, or that outing with
your friends so you’re around when your teens have their
friends at your house. Maybe you need to say “no” to your
kids being in yet another sports team so your family can
have dinner together.
Ask yourself, in 10 years, what will matter most—that you
signed your child up for yet another activity and spent
evenings apart, or said “no” and had family dinners together?
Or that you participated in yet another committee, or said
“no” so you could spend more time with your husband?
5. To pursue Christ with fresh vigor
Do you sometimes feel as though your relationship with
Christ is stale? I sure do. But when that happens, I pray
King David’s prayer, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:12).
Resolve to recapture that joy. Vary what you normally do for
your time alone with God. Decide on a new topic for Bible
study. Begin a fresh journal.
If you make some changes but still feel stale, ask God to show
you the reason. Is there sin in your life you’re ignoring? A
wrong relationship, self-pity, jealousy? The writer to the
Hebrews encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus” (12:1–2). That’s one resolution you can’t afford to
break!
Prepare
Which of the five goals jumped out at you? Why?
What are some other personal, spiritual, or relational
goals that have been on your mind lately? Please answer in the
comment section below or discuss with your MAP partner.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Getting started
We had a wonderful launch meeting on Friday! Thank you to all of you who were able to make it, and to those who weren't but are still participating we are excited to get you connected!
We will be opening this online Bible Study group to all of MOPS but please use this as a conversation starter with your M.A.P. partner. I will post 1-2 session per week. Each short devotion will be followed by a question for you. Please feel free to use the comment section at the bottom to post your thoughts about the article, read others thoughts, and connect more with each other. You do so by clicking on the "comments" link at the bottom.
The topic of our first study is going to be on Setting Spiritual Growth Goals. Here is an excerpt from the introduction. I hope you enjoy it!
You’ve been there, right? When you suddenly realize that for
the past five minutes you’ve been thinking of other things—
driving without paying much attention at all. Buildings,
streets, and landmarks have slipped by unnoticed.
It can be so easy to do the same thing with our spiritual
lives. Instead of living mindfully and intentionally, life
can slip by as we go through the motions on autopilot.
And someday, without quite realizing how it happened, we
realize that we’ve missed our desired destination. Instead
of having a vibrant relationship with God, we’ve landed in
mediocrity-ville. Opportunities to grow have been missed.
Chances to connect with God have slipped by unnoticed.
Life’s busyness has gotten the best of us.
It’s time right now to stop, take stock of things, and refocus
on your goal of intimacy with God. This study
is all about living intentionally. It’s about setting worthy
goals. It’s about how to reach them. And it’s a reminder
that, though we have a definite part to play, ultimately our
spiritual growth is in God’s hands.
We will be opening this online Bible Study group to all of MOPS but please use this as a conversation starter with your M.A.P. partner. I will post 1-2 session per week. Each short devotion will be followed by a question for you. Please feel free to use the comment section at the bottom to post your thoughts about the article, read others thoughts, and connect more with each other. You do so by clicking on the "comments" link at the bottom.
The topic of our first study is going to be on Setting Spiritual Growth Goals. Here is an excerpt from the introduction. I hope you enjoy it!
You’ve been there, right? When you suddenly realize that for
the past five minutes you’ve been thinking of other things—
driving without paying much attention at all. Buildings,
streets, and landmarks have slipped by unnoticed.
It can be so easy to do the same thing with our spiritual
lives. Instead of living mindfully and intentionally, life
can slip by as we go through the motions on autopilot.
And someday, without quite realizing how it happened, we
realize that we’ve missed our desired destination. Instead
of having a vibrant relationship with God, we’ve landed in
mediocrity-ville. Opportunities to grow have been missed.
Chances to connect with God have slipped by unnoticed.
Life’s busyness has gotten the best of us.
It’s time right now to stop, take stock of things, and refocus
on your goal of intimacy with God. This study
is all about living intentionally. It’s about setting worthy
goals. It’s about how to reach them. And it’s a reminder
that, though we have a definite part to play, ultimately our
spiritual growth is in God’s hands.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Welcome!
Hello fellow MOPS!
Welcome to our first online Bible Study for Spring Hills MOPS! This is a new venture for us, and for me to be venturing out in the world of online Bible Studies. I will be posting studies and you can post comments at the end of each entry. You will all be able to see each other's comments and begin a dialog. Hopefully, this will begin some wonderful conversations about the mighty God we serve, life on planet Mom and will help us get to know one another more.
The benefit of doing a Bible Study online is that we don't all have to agree to a time and place to meet. You may be reading this at 7 a.m. over a cup of coffee, or 2 p.m. while nap time creates a hush around your house, or 12 a.m. when you finally get a chance to do something for yourself in your day! Whenever it is, I hope you will be blessed! This site will be better when each of you leaves a trace of yourself here by commenting on the study, or on each other's entries.
Enjoy and may God bless this new adventure!
Welcome to our first online Bible Study for Spring Hills MOPS! This is a new venture for us, and for me to be venturing out in the world of online Bible Studies. I will be posting studies and you can post comments at the end of each entry. You will all be able to see each other's comments and begin a dialog. Hopefully, this will begin some wonderful conversations about the mighty God we serve, life on planet Mom and will help us get to know one another more.
The benefit of doing a Bible Study online is that we don't all have to agree to a time and place to meet. You may be reading this at 7 a.m. over a cup of coffee, or 2 p.m. while nap time creates a hush around your house, or 12 a.m. when you finally get a chance to do something for yourself in your day! Whenever it is, I hope you will be blessed! This site will be better when each of you leaves a trace of yourself here by commenting on the study, or on each other's entries.
Enjoy and may God bless this new adventure!
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