Hello ladies,
I hope you are all enjoying your week; I know this week will be pretty busy for me!
If you were asked what devo topic you've heard more than any other, what would your answer be? I know mine..
I can't even tell you how many devo talks I have sat through about modesty. I'll go out on a limb and say it's probably been at least three talks a year since I was in middle school. The issue of modesty is one I think has been harped on to the point it no longer has an effect on many of us girls. When we hear something enough, it stops pricking our hearts; our minds stop storing it because it's become "excess information."
Fashion trends, as we have all noticed, have walked farther and farther down the "Show As Much Skin As Possible" road. I don't believe that's appropriate. However, if I can be honest, I don't think there's a set standard we're supposed to be living by. I've been told, "To the knee." "Three inches from the knee." "Straps must be two and a half inches thick." "Don't show your back." etc.
Where, exactly, have those guidelines come from? I know it's been said that there's a basis in the Old Testament for these garment specifications. While there are specifications, I don't think they apply here. God did clothe Adam and Eve after they tried to cover themselves up with leaves (Genesis 3). The clothing He made did, in fact, cover up more skin than the leaves would have. However, can't we agree that leaves do not function as clothing? In the sermon on the mount, Jesus told the people not to worry about being clothed because God would provide for them (Matthew 6). Adam and Eve did their best, but they had not made clothing for themselves; they tried to cover up but they couldn't provide for themselves so God provided for them.
Now, I know we're not all Adam and Eve. We have clothing available. But bear with me. If you remember last week's post, entitled "A Heart Problem," I'm trying to get to the why we do things, rather than the standards for the things we do.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 reads as follows: “likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness- with good works" (ESV). Peter is talking in this passage about men's and women's roles within the church, and this is what he has to say about women.
First, Peter says we should adorn ourselves in respectable apparel. In case it needs clarifying, "respectable" means worthy of merit, or regarded by society as something good. More literally, worthy of respect. In our society, there is nothing wrong with showing your ankles off to the world. (I'm tempted to laugh when using that illustration, but there were actually times in history when that would have been forbidden.) I believe it is safe to say we have come to a point in history where knees are not distracting to our peers. There are certain standards that should have been held at one point, but we have safely moved past.
However.
(My favorite word again!)
Society has shifted our standards a little bit, however, let's also consider that our society is run much more by sex and sexual attraction than it has been in the past. Yes, it is more socially acceptable to wear cut off shorts, low-cut tops or bikinis. But it's also more socially acceptable to objectify others or be objectified ourselves. Truthfully, as those things have become more socially acceptable, porn has become much more readily available. In a day and age where rapes and molestations seem to be happening more and more frequently, why are we fighting so hard for the "right" to wear revealing clothing? Why do women complain so much about being objectified, but will clothe themselves as if they were objects for beholding at a glance? To dress respectably, we should each see ourselves as more than a "feast for the eyes." We shouldn't simply fit in with society; we should dress to respect not only our brothers (You've heard the Romans 14:13 argument about not being a stumbling block, or 1 Thessalonians 4 on controlling your body in issues of lust) but to respect ourselves, too.
The word: "modest" has its own definition, believe it or not. As in, "modest" does not simply refer to wearing clothes that cover the right amount of skin. The word modest can be compared to "moderate" or "unassuming." Dressing modestly doesn't refer to covering skin, it actually refers to dressing in a way that does not bring attention to oneself. As Christians, our purpose on Earth should be to bring glory to God our Father; what we wear should bring more glory to God than it brings to ourselves. Paul tells us to "do all to the glory of God," (1 Corinthians 10:31) and I'm willing to say that includes the way we dress. Do our made-up faces, our over-the-top beautiful dresses, or our bright patterned--whatevers really bring glory to God? Sure, in our hearts we may use those things as means to glorify Him. But to those who look at us, they see what we wear and give that glory to us. We get compliments on that particular outfit so we wear it again. We should publicly glorify God so that others see us and recognize our glory is not given to ourselves. That's not to say we are to be showy, but as Christians we are the only example some people will ever have of a follower of Christ and child of God. Don't we want them to see that glory belongs to our God?
Self-control is one thing we may not think about, but man is that a tough characteristic to come by. Here's the thing, ladies. Each one of us likes to look good. We want to be admired for the way we look. We want to be told we're pretty, we want to catch boys' attentions, and we really want to like the way we look. But self-control dictates we step back from that need to compensate insecurities and realize that our insecurities can't be filled with these temporary things. We should recognize that just because we can dress a certain way, doesn't mean we should (You can jump back to 1 Corinthians 10 here, if you'd like to. Verses 23-30, possibly?). We should feel pretty, catch boys' attentions, and like the way we look because we've been made, individually, by God. We are unique, we have personalities of our own, and we can do so much good for other people. We should yearn to be noticed for our actions, for our thoughts and for our love long before we're ever noticed for our looks. Is that not what Peter is getting at in verse 10 of 1 Timothy 2? ("but with what is proper for women who profess godliness- with good works").
"Gold, pearls, and expensive clothing" are kind of a weak point for us, aren't they? But if we sat down in our closets and tallied up how much money we spent on our clothing, would that change our minds? I already talked about modesty, but consider this point from a monetary standpoint. Do we really need several hundred dollars' worth of clothes and accessories? The early Christians were often described as pooling together all their resources to ensure that all people in the community's needs were met. We hoard our clothing, rarely giving to those in need and when we happen to give to those in need we usually give them the least of what we have. Having those expensive things draws a distinction between you and everyone else, and that shouldn't be our goal.
Can you see how big of a heart problem this modesty issue is?
This passage tells me two things: first, the standards for what we wear aren't quite as important as many of us have been lead to believe they are; second, what we wear is more important than what many of us have been lead to believe it is. As I've been trying to hit home, our modesty is not about a checklist. We shouldn't be pulling our rulers out to check the length of our skirts. We should, instead, be testing our hearts to see why we're wearing the clothes we choose to wear. What does wearing this item of clothing do? When we're honest, clothing is made for one purpose: to cover up our bodies. When we start tying our sense of self into what we wear, it becomes very easy for our hearts to fall in the wrong place. We easily stop glorifying God and start glorifying ourselves. Why be modest? Why wear the clothes you do?
Girls, I don't expect anyone to be perfect. This is a topic harped on because it's one we all deal with every single day. I just want for each and every one of you to consider why this matters. Why do you, personally, dress the way you do? What is the reasoning behind it?
When you start answering why questions, you can start fixing heart problems too.
I love you dearly, ladies! May God bless and keep you this week!
Kat
"Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" 1 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV).
Monday, November 10, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
A Heart Problem -Kat
It's my favorite time of week again..... Blogging time!
Good morning ladies. I pray blessings on this week for you!
Many of you do not know that I'm a student at a private, Christian university. This post is in no way going to persuade or dissuade you against any such education; it does matter for context, though. Every single day I am surrounded by Christians and non-Christians alike. Chapel discussions, devotionals, Bible classes: these things and more happen every single day of the week for me. I have a tendency to look at most systems I'm in and notice things. I notice what is done well, but I also notice what isn't done well.
A lot of times, in my experience, I find that a lot of things aimed at teaching the Bible do that. Especially here on campus. We have a phenomenal team of teachers, preachers and students. It is super important that we're learning the Bible. I am learning more verses and history from the Bible than I ever have before and I absolutely love it.
What I find missing, though, is "heart" discussions. I hear a lot of sermons preach against doing certain things. I hear a lot of sermons preach for doing certain things. But I have heard very few sermons preaching the why. In student-led discussions, I hear a lot about what the church should or should not be doing, but I don't hear very much about what we should each change about ourselves.
I think a lot of us have a heart problem. Our minds work quite well, you see. Most of us are capable of discerning situations and knowing, mostly, what the correct thing to do is. We have a lot of our "answers" to different questions already memorized and ready for when someone asks us about our hot topic beliefs. We're like a jack in the box: we get wound up and wound up each time a sermon is taught on this belief and then one day, someone comes up and asks us about the topic and we spring on them with our defenses. We're so thankful we know the answer and won't look like an idiot.
I don't think the Israelites had much of a mind problem either. They knew all the answers. They knew who they needed to turn to and they always knew God was the one throwing circumstances at them. But their problems were heart problems.
The thing about rules is once you know them all, you can find a loop-hole. You can find a way around the system so that what you're doing isn't "necessarily" wrong. When we stop looking at rules and start looking at the way our heart should look, that is no longer a possibility. When the rule says, "Do not cuss," that's all you do; you don't cuss. You know what else you do? You find filler words. You say mean things. You get angry. You tear people down or make jokes that shouldn't be made. The thing is, the Bible doesn't specify "cussing" as the problem.
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (ESV).
Matthew 12:36-37 "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (ESV).
These are both addressed to the heart; they give the why not just the what. Because this life is not about rules, it's about living. The Bible is not a rule book, it's more like a script. It's full of a lot more than "Do"s and "Do not"s.
Over the next few weeks I'll be looking at some of the things we see as rules and see how they could be addressed to the heart rather than to our actions.
I love you ladies. I have missed you so very much!
-Kat
"But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12 ESV
Good morning ladies. I pray blessings on this week for you!
Many of you do not know that I'm a student at a private, Christian university. This post is in no way going to persuade or dissuade you against any such education; it does matter for context, though. Every single day I am surrounded by Christians and non-Christians alike. Chapel discussions, devotionals, Bible classes: these things and more happen every single day of the week for me. I have a tendency to look at most systems I'm in and notice things. I notice what is done well, but I also notice what isn't done well.
A lot of times, in my experience, I find that a lot of things aimed at teaching the Bible do that. Especially here on campus. We have a phenomenal team of teachers, preachers and students. It is super important that we're learning the Bible. I am learning more verses and history from the Bible than I ever have before and I absolutely love it.
What I find missing, though, is "heart" discussions. I hear a lot of sermons preach against doing certain things. I hear a lot of sermons preach for doing certain things. But I have heard very few sermons preaching the why. In student-led discussions, I hear a lot about what the church should or should not be doing, but I don't hear very much about what we should each change about ourselves.
I think a lot of us have a heart problem. Our minds work quite well, you see. Most of us are capable of discerning situations and knowing, mostly, what the correct thing to do is. We have a lot of our "answers" to different questions already memorized and ready for when someone asks us about our hot topic beliefs. We're like a jack in the box: we get wound up and wound up each time a sermon is taught on this belief and then one day, someone comes up and asks us about the topic and we spring on them with our defenses. We're so thankful we know the answer and won't look like an idiot.
I don't think the Israelites had much of a mind problem either. They knew all the answers. They knew who they needed to turn to and they always knew God was the one throwing circumstances at them. But their problems were heart problems.
The thing about rules is once you know them all, you can find a loop-hole. You can find a way around the system so that what you're doing isn't "necessarily" wrong. When we stop looking at rules and start looking at the way our heart should look, that is no longer a possibility. When the rule says, "Do not cuss," that's all you do; you don't cuss. You know what else you do? You find filler words. You say mean things. You get angry. You tear people down or make jokes that shouldn't be made. The thing is, the Bible doesn't specify "cussing" as the problem.
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (ESV).
Matthew 12:36-37 "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (ESV).
These are both addressed to the heart; they give the why not just the what. Because this life is not about rules, it's about living. The Bible is not a rule book, it's more like a script. It's full of a lot more than "Do"s and "Do not"s.
Over the next few weeks I'll be looking at some of the things we see as rules and see how they could be addressed to the heart rather than to our actions.
I love you ladies. I have missed you so very much!
-Kat
"But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12 ESV
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Firm Foundations -Kat
Hello ladies!
I have missed you all so very much. The hectic life of a college student is making me feel like a sailor without her sea legs. There hasn't been a whole lot of solid ground to cling to since moving to this new town a little over a month ago.
A few weeks ago, I had a particularly rough week. You know those weeks that seem to be full of bad news and punches to the gut? Yeah, it was one of those.. I felt as though the ground had broken up into little tiny pieces and while my feet were standing on all those pieces, I was sliding around looking for something to hold on to.
One night, I felt super alone. I was about to break down and cry. I don't cry very often, but this night I was on the verge of a hurricane of tears. I just felt lost. I felt conflicted, alone and even a little scared. I kept thinking to myself, "What was I thinking coming to school? I'm not ready for this. I don't know anyone, nobody wants to be my friend and I just don't think this is worth my time." But worst of all was this thought: "I don't want to be here anymore." That thought bounced around in my head for days and I couldn't shake this feeling of insufficiency. I wasn't capable of this, I wasn't able to understand people, I wasn't able to talk to people, I couldn't do any good...
I can't speak for the guys here, but us ladies get really wrapped up in our problems. When we're upset, it feels to us like the entire world is crashing down around us and our shoulders aren't sufficient enough to hold it all.
The truth is: we're not. We weren't designed to carry all of our burdens alone (and neither were men!). We were designed to need each other, and more importantly we were designed to need God.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:30)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121)
It is hard getting to that rock bottom point, feeling like all you can see around you is insurmountable trials and mountains too high to see over. But it is not until we get to that point that we can learn just how desperately we need God. I need God every single day. Not just on Sundays or Wednesdays or bad days. I need Him now and I will need Him for the rest of my life. I pray today that you all come to that realization as well. I love you dearest sisters. Depend on each other and depend on God a little bit more today than you did yesterday.
God bless,
Kat
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." Psalm 28:7
**All verses in this post come from the English Standard Version (ESV)**
I have missed you all so very much. The hectic life of a college student is making me feel like a sailor without her sea legs. There hasn't been a whole lot of solid ground to cling to since moving to this new town a little over a month ago.
A few weeks ago, I had a particularly rough week. You know those weeks that seem to be full of bad news and punches to the gut? Yeah, it was one of those.. I felt as though the ground had broken up into little tiny pieces and while my feet were standing on all those pieces, I was sliding around looking for something to hold on to.
One night, I felt super alone. I was about to break down and cry. I don't cry very often, but this night I was on the verge of a hurricane of tears. I just felt lost. I felt conflicted, alone and even a little scared. I kept thinking to myself, "What was I thinking coming to school? I'm not ready for this. I don't know anyone, nobody wants to be my friend and I just don't think this is worth my time." But worst of all was this thought: "I don't want to be here anymore." That thought bounced around in my head for days and I couldn't shake this feeling of insufficiency. I wasn't capable of this, I wasn't able to understand people, I wasn't able to talk to people, I couldn't do any good...
I can't speak for the guys here, but us ladies get really wrapped up in our problems. When we're upset, it feels to us like the entire world is crashing down around us and our shoulders aren't sufficient enough to hold it all.
The truth is: we're not. We weren't designed to carry all of our burdens alone (and neither were men!). We were designed to need each other, and more importantly we were designed to need God.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:30)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121)
It is hard getting to that rock bottom point, feeling like all you can see around you is insurmountable trials and mountains too high to see over. But it is not until we get to that point that we can learn just how desperately we need God. I need God every single day. Not just on Sundays or Wednesdays or bad days. I need Him now and I will need Him for the rest of my life. I pray today that you all come to that realization as well. I love you dearest sisters. Depend on each other and depend on God a little bit more today than you did yesterday.
God bless,
Kat
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him." Psalm 28:7
**All verses in this post come from the English Standard Version (ESV)**
Monday, August 11, 2014
Lessons From A Happy Camper -Mia
Hi friends!
Recently, I’ve had the wonderful experience of taking part of a camp at a Christian university. There were many inspiring classes and devotionals, and let me tell you- the Christian fellowship there was absolutely refreshing! So many Christians in one place… It was very encouraging (and you all know I’m all about the encouragement!). I met several strong Christians and was able to look up to some godly examples, and I think we all grew a lot in our faith. I know I learned several important things- I learned much about God and His holiness, but I also learned a lot about myself.
For one, I learned that I have a very hard time saying one very simple little word: “no.” This was a church camp, and thankfully, I came in no contact with temptation to do anything bad, such as drugs or alcohol or anything- I’m not talking about any of that. I’m simply talking about when my friends asked me to do something with them or go somewhere with them or for a favor. And most of the time, it doesn’t really matter- these are small things, and it’s all harmless. But there is a danger of being stretched too thin, sisters, and that’s precisely the situation I found myself in towards the end of the week. I’ll admit it- I really made a mess of things.
I have a feeling I’m not the only one struggling with this issue, friends. Sometimes, we just forget that it’s really okay to just say no- forgetting we have that privilege is very easy to do. But we must remember that we do have a choice- we have other options, sisters! Sometimes, the people we declined will be disappointed, but it’s not the end of the world if we have to say no, and sometimes, we really do have to say no. We can’t do everything, ladies.
I know that’s much easier to say than do. I’ve recently experienced it. The friends I confided in about this certain issue kept telling me “you can say no, you know?” and talking with them was a huge relief. But I realized that when I actually had to go through with it, it was easy to panic and just go along with things. It took an awful lot of psyching myself up to actually stick to my decisions, and I honestly couldn’t have done it without the moral support and advice of my friends. One of my friends told me I should just take a walk, think things over, come to a decision, and not let anyone else convince me otherwise; and that was literally the best advice I received. We need to do that sometimes, sisters- we need to take a break from things to think. That’s the only way we can think clearly. I took her up on that suggestion, and I think it was the only way I got through that day.
But that’s also not the only thing I learned this past week. I also learned it’s best not to judge too quickly. I’m guilty of this often, sisters. Sometimes, upon seeing someone- I haven’t even met them yet!- my mind automatically pegs them as “one of those types.”
People tend to make judgment- especially what the Bible says about it- a controversial subject. No one wants to be judged, and in defense, some will pull out Matthew 7:1, which says “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (ESV) Yes, the Bible says this, but you’ll find that this verse is often pulled out of context. This passage is actually talking about not being hypocritical- taking care of your own sin problems before trying to help out a brother or sister with their issues. In fact, later in that very chapter, Jesus goes on to say “You will recognize them by their fruits” in verse 16. This implies that we actually are supposed to “judge”- and I use this term loosely- people, BUT we are supposed to judge by ACTIONS, not by appearances.
But I’m not talking about judging people for their sin- most of the time, I’m just passing them off as an athletic person, or a prissy girl, or a smart kid, or some stereotype along that line. I’m not condemning the person in any way, or even saying the way they come across is bad, but I am forming an image of them in my mind, and I’ve found that more often than not, I’m wrong about them.
And, actually, this does go back to judging by actions instead of appearances. Appearances are often deceiving- I definitely learned that during camp. People are always deeper than the stereotype they’re placed into, even if they don’t know it themselves. There are those people, even once you get to know them, that actually do seem to fit the stereotype perfectly, but, as the old saying goes, until you’ve “walked a mile in their shoes,” then you really can’t “peg” them as a certain type of person accurately. And trust me- it’s pretty shocking when you realize you’ve been wrong about them all along.
Anyway, during that week, I learned one last vital thing, summed up in five simple words. You can make a difference. Yeah- I know we’ve all heard it before. We’ve all seen it before. If you’ve ever been a part of a huge gathering of Christians in one place… it’s spectacular! In a crowd like that, it’s easy to believe you could just march outside and change the world. If we have unity as children of God, we’re unstoppable! But… that’s not what I’m talking about here.
You can make a difference. Alone. You don’t have to have a huge group, or a following, or a network of people to make a difference. Those things help, sure, but they aren’t necessary. Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes, sisters, I feel lost in the crowd. I’ll admit- most of my friends are Christians. I’m constantly surrounded by strong examples and wonderful people willing to give it all for God- which, don’t get me wrong, is great! But it’s easy to get so overwhelmed and forget that we can make a difference on our own too.
“Making a difference” can be interpreted so many different ways, sisters. Sure, ending world hunger would definitely be making a HUGE difference! But I think we forget sometimes that if we make someone smile or do someone a favor or do anything to show God’s love in someone’s life, we’re making a difference in that person’s life. It’s not a spectacular show or a huge change, but I’m willing to bet that it means as much to that person as ending world hunger would.
I’m not saying that we can’t do anything spectacular or huge by ourselves- hey, the vote of one random guy made Texas a state (I won’t go into it here, but that’s an amazing story if you ever want to look it up- it’s true, too)! But I am saying that the little things definitely count! Sometimes in church, we’ll sing the song “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” That’s doable for anyone, ladies! It’s easy! And it’s making a difference.
I hope you all have a wonderful next week!
Mia
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Character Sketches with Kat: Joseph
I would venture to say most of us know the story of Jesus' birth. Christian or not, if you lived in a developed country the chances are in your favor that you've at least heard the story of the virgin Mary who gave birth to Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Mary was a woman very strong in her faith; we know this because she responded to God's call out of humility. She was probably afraid and she certainly didn't fully understand the reality of the situation she was being put in (how often do we really understand the weight of the decisions we make?) but she went for it anyways. She was, without a doubt, someone to learn from. (Read about Mary in Luke chapters 1 and 2)
But today, I want to look at another part of the story. Maybe it's just me, but I never really thought about Joseph much. I always knew he was betrothed to Mary before she conceived Jesus. I also knew that Joseph could have easily annulled their betrothal on grounds that Mary was pregnant and therefor "not a virgin." (if you read in Luke chapter 1, you'd know Mary was, in fact a virgin. However, people aren't impregnated as virgins every day so this would have been an easy misunderstanding) But I never really thought it all the way through.
You see, Joseph is not a main focus for most people. "What did he do?" You might ask; but if it's me you're asking, I'd argue Joseph was just as much of an example to us as Mary is.
I spent some time looking through Jesus' genealogy as it is listed in the beginning of Matthew and I stumbled across the name Boaz. If you remember the story of Ruth, Boaz is the man who took Ruth as his wife. Boaz did everything in his power to take care of this woman he witnessed working hard for the sake of her mother-in-law. There's no doubt that there was some sacrifice in the things Boaz did for Ruth; including his marriage to her. But he was happy to do it because he saw a woman who worked hard and he valued her and the work ethic she displayed.
I don't know if it was intended this way, but that is very similar to what I see Joseph did for Mary. Joseph was not going to publically annul his betrothal to Mary because, as Matthew says, he was "a righteous man..not wanting to disgrace her." Joseph knew that pointing Mary out in front of others for her sins was not the best way to handle the situation. Sometimes, I am tempted to "get even" with someone by telling everybody else what they did wrong. But is that really the attitude I should adopt? I don't think so.
That aside, there's also the example Joseph sets to follow God. In the end, Joseph didn't even secretly annul their betrothal. Once an angel of the Lord came to Joseph and told him not to leave Mary, Joseph didn't even consider the thought. Instead, Joseph took Mary in to take care of her and her child (Matthew 1:24). And during Jesus' early childhood, Joseph paid close attention to the words of God. When King Herod heard of Jesus, he was out for blood. God literally called to Joseph in the middle of the night to leave and Joseph got up and left, he didn't wait for morning or wait to look for a job first (Matthew 1:14). Joseph knew the only security he needed was God.
Joseph was righteous, humble and he trusted God to lead his life. Although Joseph may not be credited with a whole lot when we tell the story of Jesus' birth, he was a man worthy of giving credit to. Even "small characters" make an impact, so don't be afraid to be the small character in some stories.
I love you sisters!
Kat
Mary was a woman very strong in her faith; we know this because she responded to God's call out of humility. She was probably afraid and she certainly didn't fully understand the reality of the situation she was being put in (how often do we really understand the weight of the decisions we make?) but she went for it anyways. She was, without a doubt, someone to learn from. (Read about Mary in Luke chapters 1 and 2)
But today, I want to look at another part of the story. Maybe it's just me, but I never really thought about Joseph much. I always knew he was betrothed to Mary before she conceived Jesus. I also knew that Joseph could have easily annulled their betrothal on grounds that Mary was pregnant and therefor "not a virgin." (if you read in Luke chapter 1, you'd know Mary was, in fact a virgin. However, people aren't impregnated as virgins every day so this would have been an easy misunderstanding) But I never really thought it all the way through.
You see, Joseph is not a main focus for most people. "What did he do?" You might ask; but if it's me you're asking, I'd argue Joseph was just as much of an example to us as Mary is.
I spent some time looking through Jesus' genealogy as it is listed in the beginning of Matthew and I stumbled across the name Boaz. If you remember the story of Ruth, Boaz is the man who took Ruth as his wife. Boaz did everything in his power to take care of this woman he witnessed working hard for the sake of her mother-in-law. There's no doubt that there was some sacrifice in the things Boaz did for Ruth; including his marriage to her. But he was happy to do it because he saw a woman who worked hard and he valued her and the work ethic she displayed.
I don't know if it was intended this way, but that is very similar to what I see Joseph did for Mary. Joseph was not going to publically annul his betrothal to Mary because, as Matthew says, he was "a righteous man..not wanting to disgrace her." Joseph knew that pointing Mary out in front of others for her sins was not the best way to handle the situation. Sometimes, I am tempted to "get even" with someone by telling everybody else what they did wrong. But is that really the attitude I should adopt? I don't think so.
That aside, there's also the example Joseph sets to follow God. In the end, Joseph didn't even secretly annul their betrothal. Once an angel of the Lord came to Joseph and told him not to leave Mary, Joseph didn't even consider the thought. Instead, Joseph took Mary in to take care of her and her child (Matthew 1:24). And during Jesus' early childhood, Joseph paid close attention to the words of God. When King Herod heard of Jesus, he was out for blood. God literally called to Joseph in the middle of the night to leave and Joseph got up and left, he didn't wait for morning or wait to look for a job first (Matthew 1:14). Joseph knew the only security he needed was God.
Joseph was righteous, humble and he trusted God to lead his life. Although Joseph may not be credited with a whole lot when we tell the story of Jesus' birth, he was a man worthy of giving credit to. Even "small characters" make an impact, so don't be afraid to be the small character in some stories.
I love you sisters!
Kat
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Back to the Basics -Kat
I'm glad to see you all this week!
The generation I've grown up in boasts athletics. That may not exactly be "new," I haven't checked the demographics of athleticism, but I do know how my generation has treated it. Everybody is working towards a scholarship to play some sport at some school. They spend hours upon hours practicing, playing, and talking about their sport.
My only experience as an athlete was in my high school marching band. Think what you will about the sport, but the way we practiced was not any different than the way other athletes practiced and that's all that matters for this point I have to make. It has been drilled into me that the details matter. You have got to know your technique backwards and forwards or your entire set of movements will be thrown off. There's no getting around it. Sport teams practice to win, which means they don't take a practice lightly. You have to practice the way you'd play in a game.
Humans, by nature, run on familiarity. Some of us are more methodically or routinely oriented than others (I'm a bit in the extreme) but each and every one of us is wired to like familiarity in some form. That's why when it comes to the "Real Deal," you have to already be trained in the small things. If you already know how to kick the soccer ball, your body won't be trying to figure out what angle to kick it as you're trying to figure out who you're passing to. If you can play your scales, your fingers won't be trying to make the jump from a C to a D flat while you're remembering the 16th notes coming in 4 measures.
If we're all used to this idea that we fall back on our habits, why do we not often value the habits of reading our bibles? Why don't we understand that having an open and honest prayer relationship with God serves to better our entire lives? So many of those athletes I know are Christians. And yet they find they are "too busy" to read their bibles or pray on a regular basis. Myself included! Sometimes, I just don't think I really need to work on my habit of daily reading. But you know what? If I don't work to make it a habit it will not become a habit. If I don't make the conscious effort to work on the little things, those little things won't be what I fall back on when I need to.
I hope you work on going back to the basics this week. Work with me to get back to studying your bible and praying.
I love you all!
Kat
"'For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'" Luke 6:43-45
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23
"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." Anonymous (I've seen this quote with credit attributed to several different people, but I really couldn't tell you who said it first.)
The generation I've grown up in boasts athletics. That may not exactly be "new," I haven't checked the demographics of athleticism, but I do know how my generation has treated it. Everybody is working towards a scholarship to play some sport at some school. They spend hours upon hours practicing, playing, and talking about their sport.
My only experience as an athlete was in my high school marching band. Think what you will about the sport, but the way we practiced was not any different than the way other athletes practiced and that's all that matters for this point I have to make. It has been drilled into me that the details matter. You have got to know your technique backwards and forwards or your entire set of movements will be thrown off. There's no getting around it. Sport teams practice to win, which means they don't take a practice lightly. You have to practice the way you'd play in a game.
Humans, by nature, run on familiarity. Some of us are more methodically or routinely oriented than others (I'm a bit in the extreme) but each and every one of us is wired to like familiarity in some form. That's why when it comes to the "Real Deal," you have to already be trained in the small things. If you already know how to kick the soccer ball, your body won't be trying to figure out what angle to kick it as you're trying to figure out who you're passing to. If you can play your scales, your fingers won't be trying to make the jump from a C to a D flat while you're remembering the 16th notes coming in 4 measures.
If we're all used to this idea that we fall back on our habits, why do we not often value the habits of reading our bibles? Why don't we understand that having an open and honest prayer relationship with God serves to better our entire lives? So many of those athletes I know are Christians. And yet they find they are "too busy" to read their bibles or pray on a regular basis. Myself included! Sometimes, I just don't think I really need to work on my habit of daily reading. But you know what? If I don't work to make it a habit it will not become a habit. If I don't make the conscious effort to work on the little things, those little things won't be what I fall back on when I need to.
I hope you work on going back to the basics this week. Work with me to get back to studying your bible and praying.
I love you all!
Kat
"'For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'" Luke 6:43-45
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23
"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." Anonymous (I've seen this quote with credit attributed to several different people, but I really couldn't tell you who said it first.)
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
A Servant's Heart -Kat
"The highest position we can have within the kingdom of God holds a simple title: Servant."
These words (only altered slightly so as to make more sense to you all out of the context of the sermon) hit me square in the forehead one morning during my preacher's sermon.
Of course, I had heard it before. Several times, even! Not in so many words, but the idea has been said to me so many times, I couldn't count. Jesus actually said this first: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14b). Or later Paul says in Romans 12:3 "..I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think." For someone like me, that's not a hard thing to take in. I have had the high title before. Though I got through it and was commended on my leadership skills, it is not a place I want to be in anytime soon. In fact, my favorite part about being a leader had nothing to do with the orders I gave out or the credit I was given for leading such a large group of people. My favorite part of leading was serving. I absolutely love to be behind the scenes, working my fingers to the bone and doing everything I can to bring the little details as close together as possible so that everything looks seamless. I can't get enough of that.
But.
I know you were waiting to hear that word. ;)
I love that job, however I don't think I even fully understood what it means to be a servant in the Lord's kingdom until a couple of weeks ago.
When I heard "servant," I thought of a man (or woman..) in a suit with silly penguin tails and holding a silver serving tray and standing silently in the corner until summoned. I may have thought of a waiter in a given restaurant as a servant to their customers; they juggle a lot of responsibility to make guests' experiences as nice as possible.
And then I went to camp. I would have loved to post about camp but something about that didn't feel right. I will say though, that camp this year was really eye opening. Our theme was Before His Throne and if I ever went to a camp where the theme meant something, this was it. The line that stuck with me was this: "You can not come before the throne of God and leave an unchanged person." Wow!
That's when I realized that the things I'd been wanting to fix, but hadn't fixed yet, were not getting fixed because I wasn't allowing myself to be changed by my experience before God's throne. I have since tried to change those things. Things like trusting God with my future, reading my Bible every single day, praying even more frequently than I thought would be "standard.."
I have since delved into my Bible and in the past two weeks alone, my entire view of things has changed. Including how I see being a servant. 1 and 2 Samuel is where I decided to start, and I'm glad I did because it's entirely applicable and it helped me to understand this point.
David started as a servant. Did you know the best leaders are also the best servers? David eventually came to be King. And many times, David and his servants were thrust into these difficult circumstances (much like we are faced with today). Each time, David turned to God and said (I'm paraphrasing here. Please, please read this for yourself!!) "I am your servant, I will do what you're telling me to do. This is hard, that is scary, I don't really know 'what's what' but I am your servant and I trust you." In another instance, a man who had literally become David's servant the day before picked his whole life up to follow David as he fled from his son Absalom. Observe: "Then the king said to Ittai the Gimmite, 'Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where?..' But Ittai answered the king, 'As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be'" (2 Samuel 15:18-22).
Mary had to have been scared to death when the angel of the Lord told her she'd conceive and give birth to a child. She was a virgin, she was young, and she stood to lose a lot if her integrity was seen as lost. "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word'" (Luke 1:38)
Ruth had just lost her father-in-law, brother-in-law and husband. Naomi urged her to return home because she would have to find a way to take care of herself and there was no way she could promise to have the means to take care of her daughter-in-law as well. But Ruth stayed. She stayed knowing that Naomi could not promise to take care of her. Knowing that she'd have to move to another new place, one where she would be a foreigner. These famous words were spoken by Ruth: "'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God'" (Ruth 1:16).
A servant is not a passive person waiting to be called on and told what to do. We don't sit in the corner in silence, nor do we always just 'do as we're told'. Servants trust. They act on integrity. They know what is right and they don't even think about hesitating to take up the challenges they're given.
This is the highest position we can take in the Lord's Kingdom.
Ladies, pull up your chairs at the servant's table and get ready for whatever is thrown your way. It will be a lot, but you will be rewarded.
Kat
"It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud." Proverbs 16:19
*All verses were taken from the English Standard Version*
These words (only altered slightly so as to make more sense to you all out of the context of the sermon) hit me square in the forehead one morning during my preacher's sermon.
Of course, I had heard it before. Several times, even! Not in so many words, but the idea has been said to me so many times, I couldn't count. Jesus actually said this first: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14b). Or later Paul says in Romans 12:3 "..I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think." For someone like me, that's not a hard thing to take in. I have had the high title before. Though I got through it and was commended on my leadership skills, it is not a place I want to be in anytime soon. In fact, my favorite part about being a leader had nothing to do with the orders I gave out or the credit I was given for leading such a large group of people. My favorite part of leading was serving. I absolutely love to be behind the scenes, working my fingers to the bone and doing everything I can to bring the little details as close together as possible so that everything looks seamless. I can't get enough of that.
But.
I know you were waiting to hear that word. ;)
I love that job, however I don't think I even fully understood what it means to be a servant in the Lord's kingdom until a couple of weeks ago.
When I heard "servant," I thought of a man (or woman..) in a suit with silly penguin tails and holding a silver serving tray and standing silently in the corner until summoned. I may have thought of a waiter in a given restaurant as a servant to their customers; they juggle a lot of responsibility to make guests' experiences as nice as possible.
And then I went to camp. I would have loved to post about camp but something about that didn't feel right. I will say though, that camp this year was really eye opening. Our theme was Before His Throne and if I ever went to a camp where the theme meant something, this was it. The line that stuck with me was this: "You can not come before the throne of God and leave an unchanged person." Wow!
That's when I realized that the things I'd been wanting to fix, but hadn't fixed yet, were not getting fixed because I wasn't allowing myself to be changed by my experience before God's throne. I have since tried to change those things. Things like trusting God with my future, reading my Bible every single day, praying even more frequently than I thought would be "standard.."
I have since delved into my Bible and in the past two weeks alone, my entire view of things has changed. Including how I see being a servant. 1 and 2 Samuel is where I decided to start, and I'm glad I did because it's entirely applicable and it helped me to understand this point.
David started as a servant. Did you know the best leaders are also the best servers? David eventually came to be King. And many times, David and his servants were thrust into these difficult circumstances (much like we are faced with today). Each time, David turned to God and said (I'm paraphrasing here. Please, please read this for yourself!!) "I am your servant, I will do what you're telling me to do. This is hard, that is scary, I don't really know 'what's what' but I am your servant and I trust you." In another instance, a man who had literally become David's servant the day before picked his whole life up to follow David as he fled from his son Absalom. Observe: "Then the king said to Ittai the Gimmite, 'Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where?..' But Ittai answered the king, 'As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be'" (2 Samuel 15:18-22).
Mary had to have been scared to death when the angel of the Lord told her she'd conceive and give birth to a child. She was a virgin, she was young, and she stood to lose a lot if her integrity was seen as lost. "And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word'" (Luke 1:38)
Ruth had just lost her father-in-law, brother-in-law and husband. Naomi urged her to return home because she would have to find a way to take care of herself and there was no way she could promise to have the means to take care of her daughter-in-law as well. But Ruth stayed. She stayed knowing that Naomi could not promise to take care of her. Knowing that she'd have to move to another new place, one where she would be a foreigner. These famous words were spoken by Ruth: "'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God'" (Ruth 1:16).
A servant is not a passive person waiting to be called on and told what to do. We don't sit in the corner in silence, nor do we always just 'do as we're told'. Servants trust. They act on integrity. They know what is right and they don't even think about hesitating to take up the challenges they're given.
This is the highest position we can take in the Lord's Kingdom.
Ladies, pull up your chairs at the servant's table and get ready for whatever is thrown your way. It will be a lot, but you will be rewarded.
Kat
"It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud." Proverbs 16:19
*All verses were taken from the English Standard Version*
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