Thoughtful Thursday: What's Wrong With Me???

I got angry today when Alea kept moving around while I was trying to lay down with her and nap for a while.  I got angry today when Evan wouldn't do his school work.  I got angry yesterday when Mickey and I had a miscommunication.
I must have an anger problem.  I am always going to get angry easily.  I will never be one of those calm, go with the flow people.  Why can't I just deal with these situations more peaceably?  I am just an angry person.  This is just one example of how my mind can work after a few bad decisions.  I have been reading a book by Steven Furtick, called, "Crash the Chatterbox".  Mickey and I listened to the sermon series while we were in Africa as well.  It is definitely one of the most powerful sermon series I have ever listened to.  One section of this book deals with condemnation.  Have you ever gone down this road?  Taking something you did and letting it define you?  Who am I kidding, of course you have...we all have.  It the enemy's favorite way to attack.  Quickly, to be clear, in no way am I saying my actions were ok.  Anger like I was having was sinful and not to be taken lightly.  But I love what the author reminded me of,

"The problem comes when we go beyond confessing our sin (which means agreeing with God about it) and begin defining ourselves according to the sin.  In this way we allow our lives to be defined by what we did rather than anticipating our tomorrows according to what Christ has done.  We allow the Enemy to rob us the value of grace's great exchange, which is the central proposition of Christianity. We stop learning from our mistakes under the tutelage of the Spirit.  And we start accepting labels created by the lies of condemnation."   

I do struggle with the sin of anger.  BUT THAT IS NOT WHO I AM.  The enemy wants me to believe I am because anger can ruin relationships and wreck lives. Exactly what he wants.  God will lovingly work with me daily on this sin.  The author puts it this way, "every time God calls out a deficiency in your life, you can be assured that He is simultaneously offering an invitation.  He Himself will fill the voids He is identifying-if you will cooperate."  What sweet words these are...because I know I can't do it on my own.  And God has already done it and He is just waiting on me patiently. 

Romans 8:3-4  "What the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.  And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

Key words: God did.  God conquered sin.  In Him we are pardoned by His blood.  I have said this before and it is worth repeating, this never means we just continue in sin.  But we can rest in His grace and listen to the Spirit.  He will focus us in on living according to what He wants.  We do NOT have to entertain the enemies ideas ever again that we won't be able to.  

The author urges us to do this:
"The next time the Enemy starts bombarding your mind with condemnation...-make him pay. Take the opportunity to remind him of what God did and what He has promised to do for you." 
-"God says He has saved me. And he is saving me."
-"God says He has forgiven me. And His grace is cleansing me."
-"God says He has called me. And His mercy is keeping me."
-"God says He has rescued my life from the pit. And His kindness is crowning me with love and compassion."  

Hope you can gain something by reading this. I know I am learning a lot.  God is not a God of condemnation so if that is what you are feeling, it is not coming from Him.  Believe that without a shadow of a doubt.  

Musical Monday: "That Great Day" by Jonny Lang

Revelation 21:4

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Jonny Lang is right up there with Francesca Battistelli for me, but many people don't know about him.  He is a blues/rock/Christian singer with some mad skills on the guitar. :)  My big bro took me to a music festival in Florida and that is where I got hooked.  I have since seen him 3 times in concert!  There is such great depth in him and his songs.  And what a testimony this man has...hitting rock bottom while on the verge of fame.  Thankfully, his girlfriend and her family prayed for him, took him in, loved him, and he gave his life to the Lord. (Much more to that story of course! Look him up if you can.) He has got another amazing song called, "Only a Man", that covers his journey.  Check this out too if you have a minute.  It's inspiring.  

Back to this song-death has been on my mind lately.  With a high school friend dying very young to being with family and talking about members that have been gone for some time, it just has been... But this isn't a negative post about death, because Jesus has conquered death.  And somehow, even though I deserve death, because of Him taking the punishment I get to live in Heaven with Him FOREVER.  Not only do I get to live with Him for eternity, but that life in Heaven will be beautiful.

Revelation 22:1-5

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Doesn't that sound amazing??? Folks , this song is what "Christianity" is really all about.  This is the hope only God offers.  I know there are many things that block people from believing in God, but my prayer for you today is that you would really seek Him out.  Try to get past all of His imperfect messengers like myself and find out what He is really about.  I think you will  find yourself wanting to experiencing "That Great Day."  (He gives clear instruction in His Word on how to do this!)

Check out the song below-

"That Great Day" by Jonny Lang

"My favorite lines from this song are: "We'll be delivered of every chain" and "And when He appears to wipe all our tears forever away, then we'll be together in Heaven forever".  3 amazing promises from our Savior!  Only He can get rid of everything that weighs us down, take away sadness, and eternal community with family and friends.  What a day that will be!

Musical Monday-"If We're Honest"

Just trying a new idea for a regular Monday post as I am trying my best to get back into blogging.  Moving back to the states has been CRAZY to say the least, and now getting settled into Ankeny is keeping us pretty booked.  Which we love!  It is so good to see people and reconnect.
More on all that soon, but I thought I would share a song every Monday that is getting me to think.  There are just lyrics out there that need to be shared and discussed.  Music can be so powerful.

This song is by my favorite artist, Francesca Battistelli.  I just love her.  Seriously, I have had many friends who tell me when they hear her songs they think of me!  :)  The song is called, "If We're Honest".  Please take a listen-it is only 4 minutes!!!

If We're Honest by Francesca Battistelli

There is soooooo much that could be said about this song.  But this year, as most of you know, we were forced to be incredibly real with people.  Many came along on a journey with us and at the end of it we had to be honest.  It wasn't easy like she says at the beginning of the song- "the truth is harder than a lie" and "yeah, it may be hard but the best thing we could ever do..."  Some have even told us they can't believe we didn't just say something else or explain it a different way.  But here comes the great part of the song and some awesome truth-"There is freedom found when we lay our secrets down at the cross."  Seriously, amen to that!  I praise God for that freedom. That freedom wouldn't have happened if we would have lied.  Yes, our lives would have been "safer" in the dark.  We wouldn't have to defend ourselves or have any kind of spotlight shine on us.
I want to encourage you tonight to know that you don't have to hide.  What would our world look like if people were honest to each other, if we were real with each other???  We are all a mess-let's admit it and be a mess together!  God is big enough to handle the biggest of messes.

"Bring your brokenness and I'll bring mine, 
Cause love can heal what hurt divides,
And mercy's waiting on the other side,
If we're honest."

Musical Monday-"If We're Honest"

Just trying a new idea for a regular Monday post as I am trying my best to get back into blogging.  Moving back to the states has been CRAZY to say the least, and now getting settled into Ankeny is keeping us pretty booked.  Which we love!  It is so good to see people and reconnect.
More on all that soon, but I thought I would share a song every Monday that is getting me to think.  There are just lyrics out there that need to be shared and discussed.  Music can be so powerful.

This song is by my favorite artist, Francesca Battistelli.  I just love her.  Seriously, I have had many friends who tell me when they hear her songs they think of me!  :)  The song is called, "If We're Honest".  Please take a listen-it is only 4 minutes!!!

If We're Honest by Francesca Battistelli

There is soooooo much that could be said about this song.  But this year, as most of you know, we were forced to be incredibly real with people.  Many came along on a journey with us and at the end of it we had to be honest.  It wasn't easy like she says at the beginning of the song- "the truth is harder than a lie" and "yeah, it may be hard but the best thing we could ever do..."  Some have even told us they can't believe we didn't just say something else or explain it a different way.  But here comes the great part of the song and some awesome truth-"There is freedom found when we lay our secrets down at the cross."  Seriously, amen to that!  I praise God for that freedom. That freedom wouldn't have happened if we would have lied.  Yes, our lives would have been "safer" in the dark.  We wouldn't have to defend ourselves or have any kind of spotlight shine on us.
I want to encourage you tonight to know that you don't have to hide.  What would our world look like if people were honest to each other, if we were real with each other???  We are all a mess-let's admit it and be a mess together!  God is big enough to handle the biggest of messes.

"Bring your brokenness and I'll bring mine, 
Cause love can heal what hurt divides,
And mercy's waiting on the other side,
If we're honest."