Happy Resurrection Day

A blessed Resurrection Day to you. He is risen!!

Living by Faith

In his book, Crazy Love, Francis Chan poses a question that he was faced with many years ago:

What are you doing right now that requires faith?

Merely nine words, yet they dig deep into the soul of my Christian walk. Do I live in a way that requires faith on my part? Sadly, I'd have to say, "No, not really." My life is comfortable, bordering on complacent. He mentions in this particular chapter that his life would probably look no different were he not a believer in Christ. I have to concur. If someone saw my life from afar, without actually talking to me - sort of a silent movie - I don't know that there would be anything to distinguish me from those who don't care to know Jesus.


Ouch.


This chapter spoke of our love for God being evidenced by what and how we give. Do we give the bare minimum, if anything? Or do we give wholly and completely? Of everything.

Another important element of giving is with our time. Most of us are so busy that the thought of adding one more thing to our weekly schedule is stressful. Instead of adding in another thing to our lives, perhaps God wants us to give Him all all of our time and let Him direct it as He sees fit. One of the most memorized verses in the whole Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave..." (John 3:16). Right there we see the connection between loving and giving evidently established. (from Crazy Love)

Francis' words speak volumes here. I have become so possessive and selfish with my time. As if it's mine to begin with. If I truly believe the words of Christ, and I say I am His child, how dare I claim things - time, money, possessions, talents - as MINE. I would tell you that it's all His, but I don't live that way.

What an appropriate place to be. On this day, which we call Good Friday. But it's more than just "good." It represents so much more. Today we commemorate the the greatest gift, the greatest sacrifice ever given.

Jesus Christ, God incarnate,


LET them unjustly accuse and convict Him


LET them spit upon, blindfold, and beat Him


LET them shove a crown of thick, cruel thorns into His head


LET them pierce His hands and feet with spikes as they nailed Him to the cross


LET His life be poured out in horrific pain,


KNOWING that it was God's will,


KNOWING that he would be separated from God,


KNOWING that this act would satisfy the penalty for the sins of all mankind,


KNOWING that some would still reject Him,


KNOWING that this was the only way you and I could be reconciled to a holy and just God.

In light of all that Jesus gave, how can I give so little? Do I truly love so little? Trust so little?

May this Good Friday, this Easter, this Resurrection Day be bigger and more significant. May I learn to give all out of a heart of love for my Lord and Savior.

BORing

Isn't it funny how we can like something for a time and then suddenly are bored with it? Or maybe that's just me.

I really love my blog design - especially cause I did it almost entirely by myself. But now I want something else. Problem is that I don't even know WHAT I want. At all. Not colors, not style, not anything. Bah!

Sadly, this type of thing becomes consuming for me and I do stupid things. Like stay up until after midnight obsessing looking at blog designs, instead of getting the sleep I need. And what then? Do I look for a freebie, tweak my own (which is what I did here), or pay someone to do it for me?

Maybe I'll just change my colors. Maybe green and plum. Tidy up my sidebar. Throw in a 3rd column...or not, cause I wouldn't even know where to begin. It'll be kind of like a fresh coat of paint.

So, what do you all think about colors? I mean colors for my blog? Throw out some combinations. Include links if you have any. I'm up for something funky, fresh, and new.




The photo has nothing to do with the post. Just something I was playing with.

Inspired

I've been participating on and off in the A Woman Inspired online conference the past few days. If you haven't been a part of it, there is one more day, so check it out.

Anywho, I've not been able to listen to all of the sessions, but those that I've heard have been SO inspiring! As is often the case, I've come away from these talks with one significant theme:

I have GOT to remember to take EVERYthing to God and SEEK HIM in ALL things.

It is far too easy for me to just (try to) run my life on my own. To make my plans and then hope that God blesses them. To try and figure things out myself.

And I know better. It's crazy that I do that, but I do. I pray that I can get this one down. Or at least improve. I want to be a woman who takes absolutely every single thing to Him, all the time. My thoughts, fears, dreams, desires, concerns, etc.

Wordless Wednesday - InvisiGirl

For more wordlessness, go here and here.