Thankfulness

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise,

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 100:4-5

With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, I have seen many facebook/blog posts about thankfulness and things that people are thankful for. I love it! I decided to follow suit, not for the purpose of following the crowd, but to (semi-)publicly praise God for the wonderful things He has given me.

First I wanted to look at the Psalm at the top of this post. We are to enter into the presence of God with thanksgiving and praise, blessing His name. Why are we thankful to Him? Look at the latter half of the passage - we're thankful to Him for His goodness and His everlasting lovingkindness (mercy) and faithfulness. (Side note: as I write this, I am listening to How Great Thou Art. It's cool writing about His goodness, lovingkindness, and faithfulness-just three reasons He is so great-while listening to this hymn!) This shows me something else important - because we are thankful for who He is, we can be thankful in any circumstance. His goodness, lovingkindness, and faithfulness are always there, never changing. Even when He is refining us through the fire, we can be thankful, because He is good, merciful, and faithful. He is such an awesome God!

Here is a list of some things I'm thankful for

(this is NOT exhaustive):

1. The fact that I am saved from my sin - though my sin is still present, it no longer has power over me
2. My awesome church families (plural because I kind of live in 3 places; therefore, 3 churches)
3. My family (immediate and extended)- as confusing as it can be to outsiders, I love it!

5. Laughter

6. Being at The Master's College

7. Studying Teacher Education - my classes have taught me SO much

8. Foundation, my college group- awesome teaching and faithful leaders

9. Sweaters, argyle socks, and scarves (can you guess what I'm wearing today?)

10. Being home for 5 nights for Thanksgiving

11. Service opportunities at church

12. My awana kids - they make me laugh and melt my heart

13. The opportunity to meet with Meredith weekly and the friendship that has come from it

14. My wing - full of loud, crazy, fun, and God-loving ladies

15. Spinach (never thought I'd say that)

16. Friends - especially those that include fellowship and fun

17. Red Velvet - cake, cupcakes, cake pops, anything

18. Being able to do laundry free at home

19. The Word of God - it truly is "a lamp to my feet (for guidance for each step I take) and a light to my path (giving me an overall picture of God's plan and the goal of it-His glory)" Psalm 119:105

20. Hymns and other music that is focused on God and on truth

21. Growing up

22. A roof over my head and food in my belly

23. Homemade white bean chili (one of those foods that makes me question why I chose a school that I would have to leave home and eat in a caf....okay not really, but I do enjoy it)

24. My small group on my wing (here's why I love it)

25. Nail polish

26. Pretty things - I have learned a lot about the value of appreciating beauty this semester

27. Banjos, ukuleles, guitars, mandolins - love listening to them

28.  Victory over sins in my life and help from the Holy Spirit

29. So many good memories

30. Good food tomorrow. Favorite T-day foods: biscuits and green been casserole!

31. The sibs - 3 sisters and 1 brother - my best friends and the funniest/funnest people I've ever met

32. Swap meets and swap meet finds

33. Early mornings before other people wake up - such a peaceful time of day that I don't see enough

34. The Valley of Vision

35. Fun

36. Taste buds. They are some of my best buds, that's for sure.

37. Seeing pictures of the snow in Maine (I think I get the better end of the deal...I see the beauty but I don't a) have to shovel the driveway, decks, or roof, b) have toes that I can't feel, c) have a frozen and runny nose...okay none of those are that bad. I'm trying to convince myself that I don't want to be there right now)

38. Things that smell good

39. Things that make me smell good

I could say so many more things that I am thankful for. Because everything that is given to me is good! Even the trials that come are good for me, because I do grow from them and afterward I always see how it is actually better that I went through them than it would have been if I didn't. I do want to clarify something though. More important than the things I am thankful for is the One I am thankful to. James 1:17 - Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Every good thing in my life comes from my heavenly Father. He is so good.

A Couple Thoughts as of Late

God has been doing so much in my life lately. In almost every area of my life, He has pulled me and stretched me and taught me valuable things. But there are a couple things in particular that have been consistently on my mind.

• I love hearing what God has done in people's lives. I love when people tell of a way He has provided for, helped, answered prayer, reassured, saved, sanctified, taught, etc. them or someone they know. It's such an encouragement. These stories are almost always followed by an amazing truth: "God is so good." I love it. But sometimes I think, do we say that in the midst of trials? When we do not see an end of our/someone else's suffering? When God is closing a door we do not want closed? When someone or something is taken away from us? When sin is prevalent in the life of someone we deeply care about? When He says "no" or "wait" to a prayer that we expect a positive answer to? I have been convicted of this lately in my own life. It's like the phrase goes, "God is good all the time; all the time, God is good." It just seems like often people only say that when He is giving them what they want. He has given us life, salvation, forgiveness, the ability to be reconciled to Him, the ability to be seen as righteous in His sight, and provides for our needs, on top of so many things. That alone shows His goodness. He is good, even when our circumstances aren't.
• On a completely separate note, it's often hard to trust that God will provide for our needs. Do I trust Him as my provider? To say that I never fail in that area would be a (big) lie. I struggle to have faith that He will provide everything I need sometimes. Which shows that often my theology is in the "quite messed up" department. I know God will provide for every need. Sometimes I have trouble trusting in the details or in the "how" of His provision. But deep down, I really do know He will provide. Why? Because He promises to do it. He always keeps His word. If He promised to do it, He will. But as I was talking with a friend the other night, I had a realization. God will keep His word, so if He promises to provide, I can rest assured that He will. But it's more than just a promise - it's who He is. One of His names is Jehovah Jireh (the Lord provides). God does not just provide because He promised to do so. He provides because it's who He is. That just really encouraged me. (I had similar thoughts along these lines several months ago; if you want to read my post it's here.)

I could say so much more about what I've learned. But this is what I wanted to/had time to share tonight. Hopefully I'll have more time to write posts over Thanksgiving break (I leave for home TOMORROW). Enjoy your week, friends!

Small Groups

This semester, I have been reminded of one of the best parts about being here at TMC - small groups. My freshman year I was part of one and it was seriously one of the biggest blessings in my life. Last year, unfortunately, since I was so busy with classes (in the fall I had 7, in the spring, 6) at all hours of the day, 6 days a week, I was unable to participate. Even though there were two, on different days, neither semester it worked out for me to be a part of one. So, I was extremely excited to be able to join one this year.

Let me tell you...I so look forward to that time every Tuesday. Though our group is bigger than one I've been in here (10 people total, I believe), it is still small enough for everyone to be open. Or, maybe it's the fact that our wing is very open in general. Either way, we are all comfortable enough to tell things that we normally wouldn't tell so many at once. The girls are such a sweet encouragement, always.

For the last two weeks, we've begun with singing. It's awesome to sing together as a group of friends/sisters in Christ. And, it's cool to see people using their talents you did not even know they had (e.g. Bree playing guitar..never would have known otherwise). Then we share what God has been teaching us the past week, either through classes or chapel or personal time in the word or through whatever other venue He uses (and man, does He use many different kinds). After that, we dive into the Word - we are studying the "I am" statements Jesus made in John. It is so cool to see what He proclaims Himself to be, and how it was shown in the context, and how it is shown today (because He never changes).  After this, we share prayer requests or anything else on our minds. We then close in prayer, and the last couple weeks we have also gone to dinner together afterward.

Some benefits/blessings that come from small groups I've come to appreciate over the years:

• Getting to know people you would not necessarily know otherwise
• Getting to know people on a deeper level...
• ...which leads to deeper relationships
• Investing in others, who are also investing in you
• Having time set aside for conversations of eternal value
• Accountability
• Related to that, having people who will ask you about your walk with the Lord, consistency in devotions, prayer requests, struggles, etc.
• People being real. Sometimes, in passing, it's hard to be genuine. But small group is a safe place to talk about your problems and get advice from others who love the Lord and will encourage you to walk uprightly before Him
• More time studying the Word. Time in the Word with other girls. (Plus, now I'm studying Isaiah and reading Joshua for class...it's nice to be studying in the New Testament too.)
• Talking about my own struggles and sins (and having others relating to the same things) and how the Lord has worked through them with me and given me victory
• Sometimes, we have some girl time thrown in there. There are conversations we just need to have sometimes. It's good to have a time to talk with several girls, to share in one another's joys and sorrows

There is so much more I could say. I love my small group. Though at times I'm sure we're loud enough for all of Cdub to hear, it is such a sweet time of encouragement and conviction. If at all possible, I would encourage every Christian to be a part of a small group. In my opinion, it's worth any sacrifice you can make (reasonably...I wouldn't say drop a class you need for your major, for example) to be a part of one. The blessings are immense, and the rewards are eternal. 

Proverbs 29:5

Proverbs 29:5 - A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps.

I read this verse this morning and it immediately caught my eye. So many times we think of flattering people as a good thing, but Solomon (the writer of Proverbs) is saying that flattery spreads a net? What does this mean?

So I turned to the most handy Bible study tool that I know of - Blue Letter Bible. Meredith showed it to me last year and showed me how to use it, and I am now so grateful. One of the options it gives you is to read commentaries by different people on the chapter you're studying. I went to Matthew Henry's commentary on this verse and this is what it said (it's long, but please read it - so worth it):

Pro 29:5

Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who commend and applaud that good in them (the good they do or the good they have) which really either is not or is not such as they represent it, and who profess that esteem and that affection for them which really they have not; these spread a net for their feet. 1. For their neighbours’ feet, whom they flatter. They have an ill design in it; they would not praise them as they do but that they hope to make an advantage of them; and it is therefore wisdom to suspect those who flatter us, that they are secretly laying a snare for us, and to stand on our guard accordingly. Or it has an ill effect on those who are flattered; it puffs them up with pride, and makes them conceited and confident of themselves, and so proves a net that entangles them in sin. 2. For their own feet; so some understand it. He that flatters others, in expectation that they will return his compliments and flatter him, does but make himself ridiculous and odious even to those he flatters.

A. R. Fausset's commentary is short and to the point: "By misleading him as to his real character, the flatterer brings him to evil, prepared by himself or others."


So flattery is deceitful, misleads a man about his own character, is brought by selfish motives, and has an evil effect on the person being flattered.


This is not to say that complimenting people is wrong. It's talking about flattery that is misleading and born from selfishness. When you want to compliment someone make sure it is genuine and that it comes from a heart wanting to encourage the person, not in hopes of receiving a compliment in return. Also, something we've talked about a lot in my college group throughout my time at PBC is how easy it is to always compliment people on the outward things, to say things like "your hair/makeup/outfit/etc looks great today" all the time. But how often to we comment on the character of people? It's much easier to compliment someone's appearance rather than their integrity, honesty, servant's heart, Christ-likeness, trustworthiness, etc. That is really what we should be focusing on more, rather than vain [fleeting] things like appearance. If someone looks nice, go ahead and tell them. But make sure that you're more often complimenting people for what's on the inside, because that is what really matters. It is also more encouraging to the listener to hear something positive about their character than their appearance, because character comes from living a consistent life, while appearance changes every day.

Selfishness

Lately, I have noticed an over-abundance (I do not know if this is a word, but it is exactly the word needed here) of selfishness in my heart. Through many situations I have really seen how much I focus on myself and my own desires. When I feel as if my desires are not met, I complain. When I feel like I am privy to certain rights and others take them away, I'm just plain unpleasant to be around. I have also noticed other people's selfishness lately. I see theirs way more than I do my own. Of course. Because when other people act selfishly, it affects me negatively. So I, selfishly, am more bothered by their selfishness than my own. There have been times when I have gotten extremely frustrated with a person for their selfishness. Then, I realized that is a manifestation of my own selfishness. Ouch. If I wasn't so focused on myself and my wants and my needs and my rights etc. then I would not care as much when other people act selfishly toward me. I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Then, today I was on Twitter and saw a quote by C.S. Lewis that totally sums this up perfectly: "The more pride we have, the more other people's pride irritates us." It was so convicting, and a perfect summary of what I've been learning lately. Tozer has an interesting point on the subject, too. He says, "The labor of self-love is a heavy one indeed... The heart's fierce effort to protect itself from every slight, to shield its touchy honor from the bad opinion of friend and enemy, will never let the mind have rest." Always "looking out for number one" is exhausting work! Here's what the Bible has to say about selfishness:

I Corinthians 13:5 -  "...[love] does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,"

Philippians 2:3-4 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."

These are just a couple of the many places in God's word that He calls us to not be selfish. But, as always, it is not enough to only put off selfishness. As Philippians 2:3-4 points out, we must also put on humility. We often see humility as not bragging about our own accomplishments, and sometimes people see it as denying compliments they receive. The former is obviously pride, but so is the latter - it's called false humility. Being humble does not mean that if someone praises you for something that you have to say "No, I didn't do it that well" or whatever. C.S Lewis (yes, him again) says, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less," and "God is not proud...He will have us even though we have shown that we prefer everything else to Him." Wow. Now those are food for thought. Humility is not having a low view of self, but rather, just not thinking about yourself. God is the perfect example of humility - how often are we willing to be in a relationship where we are pouring so much into it, and the other person is not? Not very often, if ever, that's for sure. But He is always willing to do just that to us, who refuse to show that same kindness to others.

Picking up where we left off in Philippians 2, the writer Paul goes on to give a beautiful picture of humility - "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant [slave], and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" v5-8. Wow. So, Jesus left heaven, where He was given the worship and adoration He is worthy of, and came to earth to live as a man for 33 years. As we all know, life is hard. He chose this hard life, leading up to the most painful death possible (crucifixion), and also the most humiliating, because it was that of a common criminal. He chose to do all this out of His obedience to the Father and love for us, but also out of His humility. He was not thinking of Himself and what He deserved while He was here on earth and during His death. He was thinking of us, who would later reject Him continually, even though we call ourselves His people. This is such a beautiful picture of humility. 

Jacqueline Heasley summed all of this up really well when she said, "The man, full of himself, can never proclaim the Christ who emptied Himself."

I'd encourage anyone who reads this to take a look at your own heart. Look for areas of pride/selfishness in your own life, because I guarantee they're there. This is something everyone needs to work on, myself (definitely) included. Please pray for me as I fight this sin in my life, and feel free to keep me accountable  by asking how it's going or what I've been doing to fight it.

Hope you all have a wonderful evening. :)

When Trials Come

This semester has been a time of testing for me, for sure. It seems as if I've been hit with hard things from all sides. In it, I see so much of God's goodness and don't wish any of my problems away, because I know He's teaching me so much through them.

Today in OT, Abner talked about how, for once, he had his phone with him in class. Unfortunately, it was because he was anticipating the possibility of a call of bad news - his wife is currently in the hospital, with complications with her pregnancy. Then he started talking about why God allows trials in our lives. Tests come not because He doesn't know how we will respond or where our heart is, but to show us where our hearts are.  He compared it to classes - he could sit down and chat with us for a while and figure out how much of the material we know, but a test shows us how much of the material we know. He said that trials show if we have the right frame of mind or not. They bring out what matters to us and what we love first.

I thought this was so profound. I've always tried to figure it out, because I knew that tests show where are hearts are but I also knew that God already knows that. I didn't understand that tests are to show US where we are. I thought this was super interesting.

James 1:2-4, 12 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing...Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Ultimately, the purpose for every trial is our sanctification. When your faith is tested, and you see your reliance on the Lord and what He's taught you, it produces endurance (verse 2), because you know it will end, and you know it was best for you. And as verse 12 points out, perseverance brings blessing. This is such a great thing to know! So anytime you are encountering trials [which you WILL - it's been said that either you're just coming out of a trial, are currently in one, or are about to be in one - they're inevitable], remember this passage and the comfort and hope it brings! Also, listen to this song :)

Comfort in the Midst of Trials

As I mentioned in my last post, the last couple weeks have been difficult. Soon after writing that post, things got even more complex and difficult. I'm learning to lean hard on the Lord, because He's really all I have. He's also all that I need, and is teaching me that He's all that I want. His comfort is so sure. No matter what happens, I know He will be there with me. He is the one constant in my life, and I am so grateful that He is a refuge when we need it. Seriously, no matter what you're going through, He will be there for you, just ask! Sometimes, it's so hard and I can't even figure out how to pray, but all I do is ask for help and strength and He gives both. I have some really godly people speaking truth into my life, and it's been a huge blessing. A friend encouraged me to read this passage, so I thought I'd share. I know everyone goes through trials and needs encouragement at times, and hope that God uses these verses to help you as He did for me.

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. - I Peter 5:6-11

Verse 7 is very popular ("casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you"). But so often, the emphasis is on the first part - we can cast our cares (as another version calls it) on Him. Which is so true. But people often forget the rest - the reason we are able to cast our cares on Him is because He cares for us. How awesome is that? He cares so much about us that He wants us to come to Him when we're hurting. We serve an awesome God, you guys. Also look at the hope in the last two verses - after suffering for a while, God will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. So awesome to think about. And then it ends with pointing to where the focus of all this should be, on God, who has dominion forever. I am so thankful for His Word that is a constant comfort to me during this time.