Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Light Load of Random Thoughts

"My yoke is easy and my burden is light" Jesus

Oh, you can tell when you are taking on something more than God wants you to. You start to feel heavy. You start to feel burdened. You start to feel like you are pulling a load that is too much even though you may be as determined as can be to get to the place you want to go. Yet the fact is (1) That may not be the place God wants you to go, (2) Your not meant to carry that load, and (3) You're a stubborn ox who God loves enough to let you know it.

For me, the door is closing on a lot of theological issues brought up on the blog lately. Why? Because I think the answers have been complete and biblically based (in fact they have mostly been scripture itself). I am thankful for all who have been discussing on both sides of the issue. I will continue to pray for God's glory in all of your lives.

More importantly the Lord is telling me to be still and know that He is God. He is also reminding me of this passage:
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

These discussions on God are very possible even though we disagree at times. This is all because of Christ though. His love in us is our only way to not become defensive, proud, and accusatory. Since I feel that all has been covered I now lean on the need for the attitude developed and consistently showing in me that is commanded of me in the verses above. I will be thankful for the Lord for this time and I know that because He is faithful it will bear fruit in season.

I look forward to May. Because of the anniversary of my dad's passing I have decided to visit the wonderful and encouraging topic of heaven. I will be going back through Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" and sharing thoughts along the way. My life forever changed because of the things I learned from my dad's death and the reading of this book by Alcorn. I hope to encourage others and have everyone ready and eager for our future to come. I know that remembering these things will keep my heart steady on through the emotional month.

I painted my kitchen today! I also scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. I even mopped the floor under my fridge...yuck. The grease in the stove vent, the muck on the top of the cabinets. As I scrubbed I remembered a similar story our pastor told about cleaning out sewage with a neighbor and commenting to him over and over "oh, this is so like our hearts!" I was convicted today to be always aware of my need for Christ to clean out the muck of my heart.

1 Cor 13:2
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

I got a note from Amy that she was sad to hear the discussion was ending since she felt we were just getting to the heart of the issue. I realized that I may have not been clear above. I will not be going on with it. Anyone wanting to continue is more than welcome to keep discussing on the post comments. I would never keep anyone from saying whatever they needed to or to ask what they needed to ask. If there are more questions, I would be happy to seek biblical answers. I feel that all topics that have been presented all ready have been fully explained in a biblical way. I encourage myself, and others to seek the word and pray.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good on you Alicia! Follow God's direction!

Jude 1 : 24To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

I am just an email away! Bye!

Tami

Tricia said...

Alicia,

All day yesterday and today everytime I thought about the discussion going on the hymm "Trust and Obey" kept going through my head. Now I am not the music person you are, but I thought how fitting these words are to life and this discussion. I would share the lyrics with you in case you don't know them.
Trust and Obey

Christian Hymn Lyrics Online
© 2008 Carden's Design. All Rights Reserved.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Thank you for being faithful to the Lord and trusting Him to do His work. I look forward to reading next month about heaven.

Tami- Thank you for part of the discussion. I can still hear your at times during my crazy days, telling me to part the curtain and about so much more. Thank you.