I had a great father and am a blessed woman because of him. In honor of Fathers Day, I will share a few things my dad taught me.
1. You have two ears and one mouth. Use your ears twice as much as your mouth.
2. Cash is a great gift to give because people don't return it.
3. If you are feeling urgently pressured to do something with the notion that it is from God, it's probably not. God doesn't force or pressure us.
4. Take time for lowly, downcast, sick, and poor in spirit. There is true blessing in visiting the unseen.
5. Getting it done is more important than making it perfect.
6. Saying "I love you" has a huge impact. I remember the day when my dad first told me he loved me. I think I was in second grade. It made a lasting impression. He has been good about saying it since then.
7. If an "expert" says something that doesn't sound right or make sense, get another opinion.
8. Don't think you are indispensable at your work place.
9. If you pay income taxes, it means you are making money.
10. Once you have made your point, stop talking.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Strength in Weakness
I had a friend ask the question, "Is the common saying 'God will not give you more than you can handle' a Biblical statement?" I thought I would share what I wrote to her, so my response is below:
Here are some thoughts related to the question you posed. I think we are given more than we can handle by ourselves everyday. From a very practical standpoint, we enlist the services of physicians, attorneys, counselors, accountants, engineers, plumbers, electricians, IT people, designers, etc. because we do not have expertise in all of those areas and cannot possibly do everything alone. There is nothing wrong with not being able to handle something ourself. We are built for community and to lean on each other and the Lord for strength. Seeking help is not wimpiness, it is wisdom. I am still actively learning this.
Many people commonly rephrase/misquote another area in the Bible by saying, "when I am weak, then He is strong," but that is not what the Scripture says. Instead it says "For when I am weak, then I am strong." He doesn't become stronger in my weakness (He is already strong), but it is in my weakness that I can acknowledge His strength, and I am able to more fully appreciate the depths of His love, mercy, and grace.
On a personal note, the Lord has been showing me more and more of my own weakness, both physically and emotionally, over the past 8+ months--this has been quite a journey. Last month during a very low moment where I was feeling frustrated with the pain and weakness in my leg and the emotions that went with it, my physical therapist said to me, "You are strong." Then my trainer said the same thing to me shortly thereafter. They were seeing strength in me that I certainly did not see or feel. So I hope it encourages you to know that even when you feel weak, others see the strength you carry because you are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
"But 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Here are some thoughts related to the question you posed. I think we are given more than we can handle by ourselves everyday. From a very practical standpoint, we enlist the services of physicians, attorneys, counselors, accountants, engineers, plumbers, electricians, IT people, designers, etc. because we do not have expertise in all of those areas and cannot possibly do everything alone. There is nothing wrong with not being able to handle something ourself. We are built for community and to lean on each other and the Lord for strength. Seeking help is not wimpiness, it is wisdom. I am still actively learning this.
Many people commonly rephrase/misquote another area in the Bible by saying, "when I am weak, then He is strong," but that is not what the Scripture says. Instead it says "For when I am weak, then I am strong." He doesn't become stronger in my weakness (He is already strong), but it is in my weakness that I can acknowledge His strength, and I am able to more fully appreciate the depths of His love, mercy, and grace.
On a personal note, the Lord has been showing me more and more of my own weakness, both physically and emotionally, over the past 8+ months--this has been quite a journey. Last month during a very low moment where I was feeling frustrated with the pain and weakness in my leg and the emotions that went with it, my physical therapist said to me, "You are strong." Then my trainer said the same thing to me shortly thereafter. They were seeing strength in me that I certainly did not see or feel. So I hope it encourages you to know that even when you feel weak, others see the strength you carry because you are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
"But 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
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