The next time someone implies that my being "just a mom," i.e. not working outside the home, is no big deal or not real work, I think I might slap them. In love, of course. Being "just a mom," is the hardest thing I have ever done.
This sums up the way I feel this morning.
Notwithstanding, I know God has given me everything I need for life and godliness. I'm trusting Him to keep me within the bounds of love today.
4.13.2012
4.04.2012
Feeling Average
This morning I came to the realization that I am not really great at anything right now. I'm okay at a few things, and really bad at some, but not over-the-top in any of the roles I play. I'm not a great housekeeper or cook or organizer and I don't feel like a fabulous mother lately. This isn't a pity party, I'm just wondering if this is just how it is during a season of life when I'm wearing lots of hats and have three little kids. Maybe I don't have time to be excellent :) Can that be my excuse?
Anybody relate?
Anybody relate?
4.03.2012
**This is me processing through something. If you're not into the Bible, or studying the Bible, you may not find this subject to matter at all. From the outset let me say I am not, nor do I claim to be, a Bible scholar, or expert. So, if you disagree feel free to comment.**
For whatever reason it bothers me when I hear people talk about how we are no longer under the Old Testament Law (or they may call it "works") and how we are under grace now, as if there wasn't grace before. As if God used to be a mean guy, but then He sent Jesus to be nice to us. Good cop/bad cop at the highest level.
The Old Covenant was never a covenant of works, because no man's works have ever been enough to save him. The works were supposed to be an outward expression of an inward reality - the heart devoted to the Lord. Always. That's the way it was and that's the way it is. He has always looked at the heart.
"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about–but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:1-3 NIV84)
It goes on to say that Abraham was considered righteous before he was circumcised - before he had any works. It was faith that made him righteous; however, faith requires action, so he followed through with circumcision. He obeyed as a result of his faith. Faith without works is dead and works without faith are dead. They go hand in hand.
The point I am making is this: the Law itself wasn't an agent of salvation; therefore, no man could ever be saved by just keeping the rules. No person who ever entered heaven got there by his own merit or by his own goodness. Every person who has ever entered heaven got there by faith in God and His provision. Since all men have fallen short, and all struggle with the internal filth we call sin, they all entered because God was gracious. Grace is not new. It has been ever-present throughout history. I do not believe that God had a personality overhaul 2,000 years ago. It has always been and always will be about grace.
That is all. And down off my soapbox I go.
For whatever reason it bothers me when I hear people talk about how we are no longer under the Old Testament Law (or they may call it "works") and how we are under grace now, as if there wasn't grace before. As if God used to be a mean guy, but then He sent Jesus to be nice to us. Good cop/bad cop at the highest level.
The Old Covenant was never a covenant of works, because no man's works have ever been enough to save him. The works were supposed to be an outward expression of an inward reality - the heart devoted to the Lord. Always. That's the way it was and that's the way it is. He has always looked at the heart.
"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about–but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:1-3 NIV84)
It goes on to say that Abraham was considered righteous before he was circumcised - before he had any works. It was faith that made him righteous; however, faith requires action, so he followed through with circumcision. He obeyed as a result of his faith. Faith without works is dead and works without faith are dead. They go hand in hand.
The point I am making is this: the Law itself wasn't an agent of salvation; therefore, no man could ever be saved by just keeping the rules. No person who ever entered heaven got there by his own merit or by his own goodness. Every person who has ever entered heaven got there by faith in God and His provision. Since all men have fallen short, and all struggle with the internal filth we call sin, they all entered because God was gracious. Grace is not new. It has been ever-present throughout history. I do not believe that God had a personality overhaul 2,000 years ago. It has always been and always will be about grace.
That is all. And down off my soapbox I go.
4.01.2012
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