Blog Archives
Why I never…
I just realized that I never told you about the weekend beauty-fest. I’m sorry!
Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to mothers and daughters on “Beauty in Christ”. The topic was based on the rough outlines from popular reality shows like What Not to Wear and The Biggest Loser:
- Point out the obvious - help people become aware of their situation
- Teach the truth
- Set people free to try on the truth in their own size
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you see wrinkles, gray hair, sad saggy eyes, unfulfilled dreams, lack of direction? It’s hard in the reality of the world’s focus on beauty to see truth.
Mulan had this problem too. She tried, but she couldn’t quite get her life right. This song Reflection sums up her feelings.
I’m not fond of my reflection, but I need to find comfort in the truth. The truth can be found in our Creator. Here are some words the Creator uses to describe you:
- You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
- I sculpted you from nothing to something.
- I wove you and shaped you from the inside out.
- Your body and soul is beautiful.
- I know you and see you.
- I knit your days together plus those days before and after you.
How do the Creator’s words match up to your reflection words? Probably not quite the same. What’s the difference and how can we gain His insights?
Spend a few minutes, hours, days, weeks studying this passage - Psalm 139. This psalm holds precious truths about you and your Creator. Who knows you better other than the one who made you?
Have you read the quick article called Garage Sale Grace yet? Go ahead, it’ll just take a second. (The article is found on the front page of the document and written by my hubby.)
That famous painting, Ripening Pears, was very valuable from its inception. Yet it got caught between owners, placed in places where it wasn’t appreciated and lost its apparent value. But bring that painting into a community where it has a home and suddenly its worth $1 million dollars.
That’s you friend! Get yourself out of the dumpster and sit in the presence of your Creator. It’s your secret beauty routine. Daily reading and quiet moments in the arms of the One who gave you life will boost your reflection closer toward the real truth.
Try that truth on for size and see how it fits.
The best advice
This weekend I was blessed with the honor to speak about the beauty of Christ to wonderful moms and daughters at Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, IL. While enjoying lunch one of the members gave me the best advice I have ever heard! She said she decided to take God’s Word to heart literally…in particular Philippians 4.
Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV):
Finally, brothers, 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.
I thought of her advice during church Sunday morning. My daughters were acting up and I was steaming mad. I was about to blow when I thought of her advice. I opened the Bible and turned to Philippians 4. And honestly, the peace of God flooded my mind. What a blessing!
Tomorrow we’ll be discussing the 2nd myth in our series of What’s on Your Mind ’09: is Christianity anti-intellectual. Want more info? Take a listen to my pastor’s sermon.
Still wondering about this weekend’s painting? Read all about it in the article called “Garage Sale Grace”.
Weekend Warrior – Thanksgiving Edition
(photo from zebuladesign's flickr.com)
Anyone recognize this painting? (more on Monday)
This edition of Weekend Warrior focuses on PEACE. The best way to cultivate peace in your life is to have a thankful heart. So, this weekend, take a minute to write a note of thanks to the Lord. You can do it privately or right here in the comment section below.
Read Practical Peace for more on thankfulness in the heart.
