Time

Time is a funny thing.


I'm 20 years old and half-way done with college. How on earth did that happen?  I feel no closer to adulthood than when I was 12.


Ok, maybe that's a slight exaggeration.


But in all honesty, I am more than a little uneasy at the pace of life these days. It doesn't just feel like there isn't enough time in my days; it feels like there isn't enough time in my weeks, my months, and (definitely) my semesters. I feel like I am at such risk of missing moments and opportunities.


I've been telling God about all of these worries lately, and the funniest thing has been happening- He's teaching me about His timing.

Besides this you know the time that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep, for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Romans 13:11

He is teaching me the importance of being intentional with my time.  It is ridiculously easy to spend so much time on things that don't matter.  

Its funny how I can be so concerned about time and yet so prone to wasting it. 

So, I was left with a question.

How does God want me to spend my time?

I love when I ask God a question and He answers with a scripture that seems to have been written precisely so I could find it in that moment.


It seems that God spoke through Paul a long time ago on how He thinks we should spend our time:

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you... 

and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.  

Be at peace among yourselves.  

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, 

encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil,  

but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.  

Rejoice always. 

Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances 

for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything.

Hold fast to what is good, abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless as the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He who calls you is faithful, He will surely do it. 

1 Thessalonians 5: 12-24

I pray that I will never stop being amazed at the power of the Creator of the world to fulfill my every need, to quiet every fear, to answer every question.

With 2012 being only a day away, I feel pressured to make a resolution.

This year, my resolution is to make the most of my time.  I am resolving to be intentional. I am praying to be defined by Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians- and I can't wait to see how it goes. 

I'll leave you with an incredible quote I heard on the radio today:

We manage time; we waste time. We spend time; we save time. 

We wish the time would come; we wish the time would pass. 

We see time fly; we feel time drag.  

We watch clocks and carry calendars, creating the illusion that we somehow control time, 

yet all the while moments flow forward like a mighty river that cannot be stopped, harnessed, or re-routed.

Yet, God controls time.  

He created time and we, His creations, are fenced by His time.  

We are directed and guided by His holy and loving Hand.

The year 2012 is a gift of time from God. How will you spend it?

Jon Walker

Rest

Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads, and look.

Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it.
And find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry,and see a fine picture every day of his life in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful, which God has implanted in the human soul.

Johann Wolfgang von Goeth

Beauty in a Testimony

Scripture is full of pictures: masterpiece portraits, as a matter of fact, of real live, flesh and blood people who encountered the living God, whether they meant to or not.  Ever the teacher, God doesn't just tell, He shows.

Beth Moore

This morning, I was sitting in a bible study with some incredibly Godly women at Wildwood Community Church in Norman when the topic of testimonies came up. Since I love to talk so much, testimonies happen to be one of my favorite topics. I love getting to talk about what God has done and what He continues to do in my life.  Naturally, this made me want to blog about it.

I consistently hear from people that “Oh, I wish I had a more dramatic testimony,” or even, “I don’t really have a testimony, I was saved at a young age.”

My first thought at statements like this is “How wonderful!” From someone who didn’t grow up going to church every Sunday or going to VBS every summer, that seems like a pretty fantastic testimony.  I can even let my self get a little envious of people like this, but then I’m reminded by a simple truth:

It takes the same amount of grace, the same death on a cross to save a 6 year old from their sins as it did to save me from mine as a 16 year old high school student, as it does the 32 year old drug addict, as it does to save the 85 year old grandmother.  

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

Hebrews 10:10

You see, all sin is created equal when comparing it to the Holy God.

I have an illustration for this, and it might seem really silly, but I’m going to share it anyway...

In high school, I played basketball. It would be a very far stretch for someone to say I had any talent.  I mostly played because I loved the game, and any talent I might have had was kind of cancelled out by 2 knee surgeries and these 2 awesomely large black knee braces that I got to wear for most of my career.  Regardless, I loved it- and we won state. 

My best friend for most of my life has been Kaylee Wilkins.  In the state championship game, I scored 2 points.  She was named State Tournament MVP.  Obviously, there was a large gap in our abilities.  

During practice, we played a lot of one-on-one.  I laugh at the mental picture of ME trying to go against KAYLEE. Crazy- like I ever stood a chance.  To an outsider just watching practice, it could not have been more obvious that Kaylee was far more talented.


Now, put us both on a court with Kevin Durant.

 

Do you think you would notice the difference in abilities between Kaylee and I? Or would you perhaps just notice the greatness of KD and smirk at the two girls trying to take on an all-star?

You see, when we compare our sins to each other, its easy to see which is worse. Drugs > Lies. Adultery > Gossip.

But when we compare any of these to the holiness of God... they are all the same.  Drugs, Lies, Adultery, Gossip < God.

So to say that you don’t have a dramatic testimony- let me assure you: it took just as much of the Savior's blood for you, as a child, as it did for the worst of sinners.  We all can only stand in awe at the price that was paid on the cross to make us holy in His sight!

...If someone asks you about your hope, always be ready to explain it.

1 Peter 3:15

Our testimonies are important, and they are meant to be shared.  People might be able to argue theology, but they can’t argue with what God has done in your life! I have always heard that, and it has taken me a long time to embrace it- but its so true.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since He did not spare even his own Son, but gave Him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Romans 8: 31-32

Our testimonies can’t be exaggerated.  There will never be a time when you can overstate the goodness of God. Words can’t contain Him! I LOVE THIS. What a big God!

How precious are Your thoughts about me, Oh God. They cannot be numbered!  I can’t even count them, they outnumber the grains of sand!

Psalm 139: 17-18

Our testimonies are personal.  God loves each of us and He knows each of us.  Our testimonies are unique for a reason!  How many people would be able to engage and reach if we all had the same story? There is a beautiful reason why we all go through different things and why we all have a different story- and the reason is to see more hearts be full of Him!

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3: 14-21

Our testimonies don’t end with Salvation.  It’s a relationship, not a religion.  What God did in my life yesterday is just as much a part of my story of His grace as is what He did one Wednesday night in October at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  

Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Home

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.

C.S. Lewis

After typing and retyping more than a few responses to this fabulous quote, I gave up trying to explain its significance.  It really speaks for itself. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Praise God for giving me a longing to be with Him for all of eternity!  I think that sometimes I settle for the things of this world that can temporarily satisfy desires within me... but why settle when we are promised the ultimate fulfillment in Christ?

I think Paul really got this.  He really understood that the best had yet to come.  How else could he have penned these words: 

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Paul, Philippians 1:21

It is gain, it is fulfillment, it is home.

(See 2 Corinthians 5:1-10)

God is so good.  How incredible of Him to make our home with Him?  How much grace did it take for Him to make a way for us to experience this earth temporarily, and Heaven permanently? 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

  He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

 Revelation 21: 3-7

Praise God for a perfect, permanent home. 

So, what does this mean for me now?  Yes, I will be in Heaven one day; but, what does that mean for me in all the days before THE day?  

God is faithful.  He gives us Himself in His Spirit.- a little taste of Heaven on earth.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

I don't know what has led you to this page, but I am so humbled that something has and I pray that something was the Holy Spirit.  I may not know you, but I love you.  I pray that the peace of God would guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and that all would see our precious Savior though us.  He is amazing. He is breath-taking. He is loving.  He is Savior.  He is all.

This is my new favorite worship song and I think it fits what I struggled to say in this blog perfectly... 

Books, Rainbows, and a Fiery Furnace

I wanna talk about books today.


I love books.  I love characters. I love getting the chance to get lost in a story and being completely oblivious to the world around you with a hot cup of coffee in your hand.


I like series.  I like getting to feel like I'm friends with the people in the books.  I know that's super weird... but this is my blog so I feel like I kind of get the opportunity to say what I like.  I really think I'm an honorary member of the Baxter family.  I've laughed with them, cried with them, and even mourned with them for over 10 books.  I have a few series like that, but the newest installment of that series is about to come out so its on my mind... Yay Karen Kingsbury!


I love classics.  Wuthering Heights is so twisted that I can't ever put it down when I start it for the 37th time.  The Great Gatsby is brilliant.  Pride and Prejudice is beautiful.  Anne of Green Gables is art.


I'm a fan of "children's" books.  The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and the newest addition to the list- the Hunger Games.  Adventure, friendship, and lessons learned are always there.  I warn you, if you pick up the Hunger Games you better not have any plans for the next few days because you will want to finish all three books as soon as possible.  Sleep will become a burden during your time with those books.


I LOVE C.S. Lewis.  I could rave about him for an entire blog, but I'l limit myself.  Mere Christianity... Wow.  He is so obviously inspired by the Spirit to be able to explain such complex truth that it leaves me speechless.  Praise Jesus for how He redeems and uses people!  I love the Great Divorce.  I love the Screwtape Letters.  Gracious, I just like all of his stuff. (See the Chronicles of Narnia reference above.) He's the person from modern history I would like to have dinner with.  I already have my list of questions prepared to ask during dessert.


I started to compile a list of my favorite books of all time... but that was far too hard.  Instead, here are some books that I've read lately.  The top 3, I've probably read a hundred times or so.  I consider them my comfort books.  If I have a few hours just to sit and read, these are the books I go to.

1. Anne of Green Gables

She's my namesake.  You didn't think my mom tacked the "e" on the end of my name for no reason did you? The writing is poetic.  The imagery is breath-taking.  The books should be considered art in my opinion. I could go on...

2. Wuthering Heights

Oh, Heathcliff. Need I say more?

3. Mere Christianity

I doubt a book besides the Bible has ever stretched my intellect so far as Mere Christianity.  I had to reread the introduction about ten times to fully embrace its meaning. THE INTRODUCTION. 

4.  The Hiding Place

Corrie ten Boom... Oh Lord, give me a forgiving heart like Corrie when she met that soldier! 

5.  Harry Potter 

I can pretty easily say that these books defined my childhood as much as anything from the moment that Mrs. Coon started reading them in my 3rd grade class. 

6. A Sweet and Bitter Providence

John Piper is brilliant.  Ruth is incredible.  This is an incredible commentary on a woman noted in the lineage of the Savior of the World.  I'd say she's probably a pretty good example to look at...

7. Facing Terror

Carrie McDonnall, will you disciple me? Please? Her heart for the Middle East and Arab culture after losing her husband there is... well, there just aren't words. Read it. 

8. Hunger Games

Tomorrow, I want you to go to Barnes and Noble or wherever you buy books, and get the Hunger Games.  You won't be able to put them down. I promise... They are insanely addicting. 

I'll stop there. This could get a little out of hand in a hurry, I can already tell... 

Now, I don't really know how to transition into the next part... so I'm just going to jump right in.

The most exciting, adventurous, page-turning, suspenseful, poetic, beautiful book you could pick up is the Bible.  Most books are simply words strung together on a page, some are strung better than other... cough Twilight... but even Anne of Green Gables is just ink on paper.  

The Bible is LIVING AND ACTIVE.  I don't know what else to say other than that.  Living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword.  It moves. It lives.  It guides.  It doesn't return void.  If you read it, it sticks in your heart.  You can't get it out.  Its power. Its alive.  

(See Hebrews 4:12 and Isaiah 55:11)

Have I mentioned its alive? Because that is just mind-boggling.

I didn't ever really pick up a bible until I was a sophomore in high school.  I didn't do Vacation Bible School (VBS) or any consistent Sunday School growing up.  As I grow older, I think I appreciate this more each day... because of things like this. 

The other day I was in the middle of a road trip with one of my best friends, Alex, and we got to talking  about the significance of a rainbow.

Who knew a rainbow was God's sign to us that He would never again wipe out the earth with a flood? I didn't until a few years ago. I used to think rainbows were pretty... Now they leave me awestruck.

So, that's amazing.  

God is so cool.

Before you read the rest of this, please try and forget anything you have ever heard about this story before.  Try to read this from a fresh perspective, like you've never heard it before.  Pray for freshness.  God is pretty faithful to answer prayers that let us see more of Him. 

Last year, I heard about some crazy men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  

 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do:  As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.  Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.


  At this time some astrologers^[ came forward and denounced the Jews.  They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,  and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.  But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”




  Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,  and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?  Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”




  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”


  Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 


So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.


 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”


They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”
He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”


Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”


So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. 


They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.


Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”


Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.




So, let me get this straight...


They threw THREE men into the fire that was so hot that it burned up the soldiers that opened the door...


They saw FOUR walking around, unbound...


They came out without even SMELLING like smoke.


God is so cool.


What a story.


And its true.


Praise.

Blinded to Blessing.

Blessing: A means of happiness; that which promotes prosperity and welfare; a beneficent gift.

Sometimes, I am blind to blessing.  

Sometimes, I'm like the pharisees.

I interpret the blessings God has promised to me.  I think I have a general idea of what it will mean for Him to work all things for my good (Romans 8:28) or what His plan for good is for my life. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I don't struggle with if God will be faithful to His plan and His promise to work all for my good.  I know He will.  My issue is that I look for the blessing I am expecting.

The pharisees and all of Israel were promised a Messiah. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of their promised Christ:

 For to us a child is born, 

   to us a son is given, 

   and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called 

   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

 Of the greatness of his government and peace 

   there will be no end. 

He will reign on David’s throne 

   and over his kingdom, 

establishing and upholding it 

   with justice and righteousness 

   from that time on and forever. 

The zeal of the LORD Almighty 

   will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9: 6-7

They expected a political figure.  They could not understand that the Kingdom of Christ is a Heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one!

Because they were looking for a blessing they expected, they missed Christ.  

Sometimes, I'm like Naomi.

"Don’t call me Naomi,"  she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.  I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

Ruth 1: 20-22

Naomi has bad circumstances.  Her husband and her two sons have died while she was in a foreign land.  She is now returning home without those who she left with, but she is taking Ruth back with her! Look at the very next verse, verse 23.

So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

Ruth 1:23

Ruth! Ruth is the woman who said to Naomi the words that we hear so often...

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Ruth 1:16-17

Oh, Naomi! You have Ruth! She is so blinded by her circumstances that she fails to recognize the blessing the Lord has brought to her life in Ruth.

She isn't alone.  There are so many Ruths in my life that I forget to be thankful for because I am so blinded by my circumstance.  

The pharisees aren't alone.  There are so many fulfilled promises the Lord blesses me with that I don't notice because I'm caught up searching for the blessing I'm expecting.

The past week, I've been tempted to miss a lot.  This is me taking a moment to thank Jesus for the blessings I could've been blind towards the past few days. 

James 5:16 says: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

I didn't see this week coming.  Its not what I expected, but God has a way of shattering my expectations and working in mysterious ways.  He used beautiful, righteous people to pray for me so that I would be healed.  

How great is our GOD that He is bigger than my expectations. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

Taylor Tate:  

Thanks for being one of many Ruths while I was 

busy being Naomi this week.