All of us naturally think that if we obey God THEN He loves us. We picture Him as a giant in the sky who turns his love switch and off. Why do we do this ? How many of us believe down deep that God only truly loves perfect people? As believers, we want to walk with Him and please Him, of course, but pleasing and loving are 2 different concepts. We please Him in obedience but His love is not dependent on us. His love is constant-despite our daily sins and even in the midst of our chronic sin patterns. God’s LOVE never ever changes. How does our day change if we think on this, immerse ourselves in this, and believe this ? Right now, He loves us & wants to overwhelm us with His unwavering & seemingly unreasonable love! Just say ,”Thank you”.
Gals Who Show Me Jesus
We all want friendships that reflect our faith. Some friendships focus on mentoring while others are centered on the simple beauty of Jesus! In His rich kindness, God has allowed me to know groups of amazing women! These gals have challenged me, these gals have inspired me and these gals make me want God more. THESE ARE THE KIND OF WOMEN THAT MAKE US BETTER.
Thanks to MY DAUGHTER’S CREATIVITY , h
ere are some pict
ures of gals who have inspired me over the last 20 years!
May we all have this gift in our lives!
Search carefully (and prayerfully!) for friends that walk with God, love His Word, and want to become more like Him. Surround yourself with those who bless you and challenge you. Maybe the greatest indicator of a successful group time is not “what was accomplished” but WHO showed up. And to you sweetie gals pictured here (and many more!) -I just love you! Tristie
Microwaves, Crock Pots, and Faith
It’s the silly things God can use to teach you. Like, um…a microwave oven? I use my microwave multiple times a day. It’s fast and requires minimal work. I dig speed! My faith can be like that silly microwave…punch it, zap it and heat it up fast! I want God to answer my prayer requests FAST & I want character in 30 seconds! It’s HARD to wait. I want powerful faith in less time that it takes to make my popcorn.
But, biblically, God seems to use a slower pace more often than not. He uses it to mature, to deepen, and to refine.
If I step back from chaos & activity, I realize I want that. I want to hear Him, have time to think deeply on what He’s revealed, and to relish in His love for me.
Not microwave faith Lord? Ok. What then? Not that opposite-of-who-I-am machine that I never use?! That old school way of expressing my domestic (read: food) love for my people?!
THE DREADED CROCK POT.
This thing is not my speciality. Cooking with a Crock Pot takes forethought, planning, and even time. I don’t even speak this language! Why do people use this thing? Because the food tastes better than microwave food. It’s rich, moist, and flavorful. I get it , Lord. You want to do something new in me. You challenge me to simmer, not nuke. You want depth in me. Flavor that comes from the Cook.
Apparently, a Crock Pot makes good food. Why? It has to cook SLOWLY to be really good.
God kindly shows me things in me that need to change, but mostly how much He loves me. My favorite thing is that He is increasing my level of thankfulness for everything..especially Him. “Promised Land Living” by J. Oswald Sanders is about the book of Joshua. In it, Sanders uses one of my favorite phrases “the Realized Presence of God.”. To experience the “realized Presence”, I have to stop & receive . I have to be quiet to hear Him and go slower to experience His peace. This is no 30 second experience.
Lord, free me from speed and the immaturity of instant gratification. Deepen my faith and increase your Aroma of Grace through me.
Now, time for dinner.
Tristie Fisher, 2014