In Praise of Podcasts

The combination of getting out of work "early" (6:00!), my new PINK exercise shirt, and beautiful evening for a run, made my night just lovely!  My workouts have been transformed by the discovery of the podcast.  I've downloaded tons of sermons from R.C. Sproul and our very own Lon Solomon and I can be infused with God's word and the wisdom of great leaders while I get my body in shape...LOVE technology in this case!

Tonight, as I ran past the Capitol, wondering what the fate is for our beloved country, wondering how much longer I'll be working there, and even why God gave me this job in the first place, the Lord, through Pastor Lon was speaking to me - about His omniscience.  It's always a good thing to be reminded that our God is omniscient: "having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things."  Taking that to heart is freeing on so many levels!  I don't have to worry about the future of America - he's got the whole world in his hands.  No need to fret about future employment - he's preparing me and my path for that.  And I can take heart in the face of a difficult situation - God had it planned before my birth and its for a purpose.  I just need to be obedient in trusting Him to show me His way.

Okay, so I may not have had the most hard core work-out b/c I was so focused on the good word I was hearing, but oh well!  Edification is good for the soul.  And at least I had my pink shirt on :)

Let's cling to Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Looks like a delicious blackberry pie with a little Americana flair - notice the USA cutout in the middle? Well, I have a lot to learn. On my first attempt at photo-cooking-blogging, my dessert was a temporary failure. Frustrating! 6 hours gone and lots of dishes to be cleaned. I guess I know what to do differently next time. While tiring, I do find the cooking/baking process therapeutic - I feel comforted by my creative juices flowing. And when you're given lemons...make lemonade, right?! Actually, I believe that the blackberry mixture - salvaged - may just be perfect for another dessert. Can anyone say, cheesecake...?

Trust and Obey, There is No Other Way

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is an absolutely incredible portrait of trust and obedience. It was awesome to dig down deep into her character and life over December and January as we celebrated the birth of our Savior. Mary DECIDED to obey God when she willingly accepted the role as Mom to Jesus, despite having to deal with the stigma of being an unwed mother, and all the trials that would go along with his life. And yes, it was a conscious decision she made, but we know that she must have lived a godly lifestyle - what a witness at such a young age! - because she was highly favored by God. WOW. So it was natural inclination to obey.

That's a powerful example to me. I need to be cultivating a life of obedience. What does that mean? Daily prayer and meditation and studying of the Word. And daily DECISIONS to obey - not speaking a bad word about someone at work, not worrying over something silly, offering encouragement to a friend when it's inconvenient for me.

And right along with Mary's obedience, was her steadfast TRUST in GOd. Even when the decision to obey comes naturally, a lot of trust is needed on top of that. I am certain Mary must have experienced fear and doubt when Jesus was turned on by his own people and sent to the Cross. But she trusted that when God told her he was the Messiah, that he was true to that.

I know the promises of God's Word, I just need to trust more! Ultimately, I know that nothing can every separate me from his love, and that he is directing my paths. Perhaps I should memorize the words of that great hymn, Trust and Obey, there is no other way and sing it to the Lord when those daily trials arise!

Dealing with Sin

sIn my Sunday School glass with the 5th grade girls today, we were talking about the story of Jesus being tempted in the desert. He had to have been physically exhausted after fasting for 40 days, and yet when tempted multiple times by Satan, he was equipped with Scripture to rebuke the devil. What a perfect, literally, example for us!

God has been convicting me that it is not enough to just get frustrated my by continual sins, ask for forgiveness, and think that I am done with it. Sanctification is a continual process. Jerry Bridges offers a great way to ward off complacency:
-Apply the Gospel
-Depend on the Holy Spirit
-Recongize your responsibility
-Identify specific respectable sins
-Memorize and apply appropriate Sciptures
-Cultivate the practive of prayer
-Involve one or a few other believers with you

I have been most convicted lately about relinquishing my control over my sanctification. I need to let go - I need to completely trust in Christ's power to give me victory over my sin nature. No worldy self-help book will accomplish that.