Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Last week, I went to one of our local dollar stores to pick up a few things that I needed. I had all four kids with me, and didn't want to go to one of the large discount stores, because I always wind up spending way more than I should when they're with me. I needed some dishwasher detergent, and was pleased to find that they carried a liquid detergent that was a fraction of the cost of my regular brand. Much to my chagrin, I find that this brand doesn't work as well as my regular brand. I have had to re-wash my dishes a few times now, which defeats the point of spending less on detergent--not to mention the additional water that I've had to use.

Sometimes, things cost more because they are worth more. I am reminded of the movie The Apostle starring Robert Duvall. In this movie, Mr. Duvall plays a wayward Christian, the Apostle E.F. My favorite line in the movie is when E.F. says that "grace is free, but it ain't cheap." To me, this is so true and profound. God's grace--though free--is not cheap. We may attempt to substitute God's gift of grace with other things that seem less costly, but in the end are a poor substitute. No other thing on this earth will fill our hungry souls the way that Christ does. All other things are cheap substitutes that don't last.

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Consider the Lilies...

I am a recovering worrier. When I became a mother almost fourteen years ago, I was stunned to find that with the tremendous love that I felt for my newborn son came a crushing sense of worry and fear for his safety. By the time that I was pregnant with our second son less than two years later, I was a full-blown mess. I was staying at home full-time and had become an insomniac. I would lie away at night, thinking of all of the things that could happen to my husband, my son, or to me. Looking back, it seems so absurd to allow fear to control me. My sweet husband bought me a book called When Mothers Pray that was a tremendous help to me. That book began a journey for me--a journey back to the heart of God.

At some point during this time, someone pointed out to me that in Matthew 6:25, Jesus says,"Do not worry." Since Jesus is God, then when He says not to do something, that means it is a command! It was as though a weight lifted from me. Of course, through the years, there has been a temptation to fall back into my old worrying habits. The book When Mothers Pray taught me some exercises to release my worries to God through prayer, which I still use when I am tempted to worry.

We have a painting above our bed that says, "Consider the lilies." This is a portion of Jesus' words in Matthew 6:25-34. It reminds me to place my trust in Jesus, because He loves me far more than the lilies of the field, and yet He cares for them. I wanted to put this sentiment above me while I lie in bed at night, when the temptation to worry is at its peak.

God bless you, Dear Friend, in whatever situation you find yourself in. May God keep you in His perfect peace, free from the worries that plague us,

Jennifer

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Woman of Valor!

I am leading the Bible study Esther by Beth Moore on Monday nights. This past Monday, during the video session, Beth points out that in Proverbs 31:10, the Hebrew word translated as "noble" in the NIV translation of the Bible is the same word used in Judges 6:12 that is translated as "valor". It means "to be brave". In other words, we may describe the wife of noble character in Proverbs as a brave wife--a woman of courage. I like that, don't you? This confirms to me that we should pursue courage and strength.

Women may be the "weaker partner" (1 Peter 3:7), but that does not mean weakest. Being weaker than something that is very strong does not mean that we have no strength. Additionally, God uses the weak--He declares that "my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). I think that the world may confuse gentility with wimpiness. I also think that women forget that being brave doesn't mean that you have no fear--it means that you press on despite of your fear.

I was encouraged to know that being a woman of virtue is more than being good--it means being a woman of valor!

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer