2 Corinthians 12 (NIV)
Paul's Vision and His Thorn
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I have tried for the past 5 days to figure out what I think and feel at the events that took place last Friday evening. I have been at a total loss for words, and for those who know me this is seems as if it were an impossibility.
My brother was in a terrible motorcycle accident, and his life has forever been altered. I want so much to say something to make it all better, but that is not realistic. I know that God is in the mist of this journey for my brother to endure, persevere, and hopefully grow into the man God desires him to be. Physical pain has enveloped every fiber of my being because with each passing moment I come to a new level of realization that he will have to figure out how to live his life with out his right arm. I know this doesn't mean that his life is over, but just more complicated...more of a struggle. There have been moments in these last few days that I've wished that I could change places with him because I know that as hard as it would be I would be able to hold my head up to praise God for this tragedy, perhaps with bitter tears from time to time, but I know in the end I could see God at work in my life. My brother doesn't have this
relationship with his God. Perhaps, at times it is harder to trust God to do for your loved ones what he does for you.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
What's In A Name?
Ephesians 5:1-21 (NIV)
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ryan's family name makes some people cringe. The original spelling of the name was Dyck, but Americans wanted to pronounce it dyke, which is apparently the Dutch pronunciation, not the German. In German it is supposed to be pronounced dick. Some other interesting perspectives on the meaning of the name are as follows:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyck_language
"Scottish and English: from a short form of Richard. Although found in every part of Britain, the form Dick is especially common in Scotland, and it was from there, in the 17th century, that the surname was taken to northern Ireland.
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname from Middle High German dic(ke) ‘thick’, ‘strong’, ‘stout’, or in the case of the Jewish name from modern German dick ‘fat’ or Yiddish dik.
German: topographic name for someone who lived by a thicket or patch of thick undergrowth, from Middle High German dicke, a special use of dic(ke) ‘thick’.
North German: from a short form of a Germanic personal name Theodicho, formed with theud ‘people’, ‘race’." http://www.ancestry.com/facts/Dick-name-meaning.ashx
I bring this up because a dear friend of mine told me she felt she couldn't type my blog name as it is to share with others, and this is fine because I'm all about whatever pushes you towards walking blameless before God. I actually haven't thought about our last name in that way in such a long time since a huge part of my life is teaching two girls how important it is to have a relationship with God. Ryan and I felt we wouldn't make a big deal about our last name and even avoid that conversation until someone else brought it to their attention. We decided we would take this time to teach them what being a Dick meant by pointing out the character that has been a legacy handed down through the generations in Ryan's family. The name Dick in Harlowton, MT means that you are completely devoted to God, honest, loving, a servant, hard working, and a man/woman of amazing integrity. I had my issues with the name for a while when Ryan and I were first married, but when Ryan's grandfather died I began to truly understand what it meant to be a part of the Dick family. I'm thankful for Ryan and his family and every bit of who they are, and I feel so honored that I'm a part of this family. So, I just want my intentions to be very clear
that I don't mean anything offensive or the likes with the name of my blog. It honestly was just being at a loss for a title, and it was also a familiar saying between us and close friends. I know most people do not ever think about our name in that way, which brings me to the above passage. I've thought about this passage a lot in the context of how to deal with such issues with our name like we have here. I honestly believe the behaviors described above begin with the attitudes in our hearts since it refers to 'us' as children--seeing things from an innocent point of view. Then through this attitude of the heart we will not be disobedient to God in our actions, but at the same time being conscious of those we surround ourselves with because when we open ourselves up to these behaviors (or being exposed to them) we are standing on a very slippery slope that will end us up in disobedience if we do not diligently watch ourselves. So, perhaps, if we see evil in things that we shouldn't this tells a lot about our own motivations and attitudes.
So, this is what I "feel" that I've learn about this subject since Ryan and I got engaged, and having to deal with these attitudes towards my name specifically. I don't think I've completely figured every aspect of the first part of Ephesian 5, but I am always trying to regain my innocence so that I can protect my girls from a world that is constantly trying to socialize them otherwise. I trust God fully to bring this to fruition because this is something only God can restore. How awesome is He?
1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ryan's family name makes some people cringe. The original spelling of the name was Dyck, but Americans wanted to pronounce it dyke, which is apparently the Dutch pronunciation, not the German. In German it is supposed to be pronounced dick. Some other interesting perspectives on the meaning of the name are as follows:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyck_language
"Scottish and English: from a short form of Richard. Although found in every part of Britain, the form Dick is especially common in Scotland, and it was from there, in the 17th century, that the surname was taken to northern Ireland.
German and Jewish (Ashkenazic): nickname from Middle High German dic(ke) ‘thick’, ‘strong’, ‘stout’, or in the case of the Jewish name from modern German dick ‘fat’ or Yiddish dik.
German: topographic name for someone who lived by a thicket or patch of thick undergrowth, from Middle High German dicke, a special use of dic(ke) ‘thick’.
North German: from a short form of a Germanic personal name Theodicho, formed with theud ‘people’, ‘race’." http://www.ancestry.com/facts/Dick-name-meaning.ashx
I bring this up because a dear friend of mine told me she felt she couldn't type my blog name as it is to share with others, and this is fine because I'm all about whatever pushes you towards walking blameless before God. I actually haven't thought about our last name in that way in such a long time since a huge part of my life is teaching two girls how important it is to have a relationship with God. Ryan and I felt we wouldn't make a big deal about our last name and even avoid that conversation until someone else brought it to their attention. We decided we would take this time to teach them what being a Dick meant by pointing out the character that has been a legacy handed down through the generations in Ryan's family. The name Dick in Harlowton, MT means that you are completely devoted to God, honest, loving, a servant, hard working, and a man/woman of amazing integrity. I had my issues with the name for a while when Ryan and I were first married, but when Ryan's grandfather died I began to truly understand what it meant to be a part of the Dick family. I'm thankful for Ryan and his family and every bit of who they are, and I feel so honored that I'm a part of this family. So, I just want my intentions to be very clear
that I don't mean anything offensive or the likes with the name of my blog. It honestly was just being at a loss for a title, and it was also a familiar saying between us and close friends. I know most people do not ever think about our name in that way, which brings me to the above passage. I've thought about this passage a lot in the context of how to deal with such issues with our name like we have here. I honestly believe the behaviors described above begin with the attitudes in our hearts since it refers to 'us' as children--seeing things from an innocent point of view. Then through this attitude of the heart we will not be disobedient to God in our actions, but at the same time being conscious of those we surround ourselves with because when we open ourselves up to these behaviors (or being exposed to them) we are standing on a very slippery slope that will end us up in disobedience if we do not diligently watch ourselves. So, perhaps, if we see evil in things that we shouldn't this tells a lot about our own motivations and attitudes.
So, this is what I "feel" that I've learn about this subject since Ryan and I got engaged, and having to deal with these attitudes towards my name specifically. I don't think I've completely figured every aspect of the first part of Ephesian 5, but I am always trying to regain my innocence so that I can protect my girls from a world that is constantly trying to socialize them otherwise. I trust God fully to bring this to fruition because this is something only God can restore. How awesome is He?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
In The Beginning...
I decided to start off my blogging career (or something like that) with one of my favorite passages from God's Word.
1 John 4:7-21 ( (NIV)
God's Love and Ours
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[a] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[b] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
This is something that I've been meditating upon a lot lately. This is probably because, to be very honest, I struggle with hating Longview. The old adage of a love-hate relationship is how I would describe my feelings about this town. It has gotten better over the past year, but it's still hard. I'm trying to move on by making a life here, though I think a root canal would be less painful. But no pain, no gain, right? What breaks you makes you stronger? Why do these spurring words bring no comfort, nor encouragement? Who but God knows ?! Sometimes we are just require to obey only to learn later the why, or sometimes we never find out. Can you tell I've read through Job lately? :) Though this makes me think perhaps the why is just so that we will have something to talk to God about in eternity. Ha, ha...maybe so, maybe no!
Another aspect of this struggle, I believe, is the fact that the process of learning to be truly content where you're at is all about trusting God. Yes, I do realize this isn't the most profound thing I've ever thought, but it is fundamental, as well as something that is often forgotten. God gave me a passage almost 7 years ago. Strangely enough it was a verse a girl in 8th grade showed me when I first became a Christian. She wasn't one of my friends, just a girl in my math/science class. She said, "Here, lemme see your Bible. This is my favorite passage...Psalm 91." I remember reading it and thinking, 'What in the world does that mean?'" After God brought it to my attention 7 years ago I was lucky enough to have a study Bible, so I got it a little more this time around.
It's a picture of trust, and what God is able to do in a trusting
relationship.
So, as I start this blogging endeavor I thought it would be best to set my mind to express the meditations of my heart since I don't really have someone to share such thoughts with,
as well as the mere fact that I rarely get to show my pensive side to those I do know. The life
of a nervous, socially awkward person, eh?
1 John 4:7-21 ( (NIV)
God's Love and Ours
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[a] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[b] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
This is something that I've been meditating upon a lot lately. This is probably because, to be very honest, I struggle with hating Longview. The old adage of a love-hate relationship is how I would describe my feelings about this town. It has gotten better over the past year, but it's still hard. I'm trying to move on by making a life here, though I think a root canal would be less painful. But no pain, no gain, right? What breaks you makes you stronger? Why do these spurring words bring no comfort, nor encouragement? Who but God knows ?! Sometimes we are just require to obey only to learn later the why, or sometimes we never find out. Can you tell I've read through Job lately? :) Though this makes me think perhaps the why is just so that we will have something to talk to God about in eternity. Ha, ha...maybe so, maybe no!
Another aspect of this struggle, I believe, is the fact that the process of learning to be truly content where you're at is all about trusting God. Yes, I do realize this isn't the most profound thing I've ever thought, but it is fundamental, as well as something that is often forgotten. God gave me a passage almost 7 years ago. Strangely enough it was a verse a girl in 8th grade showed me when I first became a Christian. She wasn't one of my friends, just a girl in my math/science class. She said, "Here, lemme see your Bible. This is my favorite passage...Psalm 91." I remember reading it and thinking, 'What in the world does that mean?'" After God brought it to my attention 7 years ago I was lucky enough to have a study Bible, so I got it a little more this time around.
It's a picture of trust, and what God is able to do in a trusting
relationship.
So, as I start this blogging endeavor I thought it would be best to set my mind to express the meditations of my heart since I don't really have someone to share such thoughts with,
as well as the mere fact that I rarely get to show my pensive side to those I do know. The life
of a nervous, socially awkward person, eh?
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