Fun in Florida at the Park

Resurrection

Philippians 3:10-14 "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

I have read this passage several times in the past and always thought it was talking about our life and making it until the end. But while studying the other day, the Holy Spirit revealed to me what I believe the passage is talking about (It was like a light bulb came on!). It did not help that in my Bible some of these verses were separated with a chapter break and new title.

What I now believe is that Paul is talking about being resurrected. Resurrection is his goal. Yes we are to press on in this life and live in a manner worthy of the gospel, but that is not all of what this passage is talking about. It is talking about being found in Christ and when He returns, being resurrected with Him. Paul wants to be like Christ in every way possible- that includes resurrection. When we are resurrected we will be perfect, we will be with Christ, and we will be finally complete. This type resurrection is not for all, but for those who by faith believe and are found in Christ.

With resurrection being Paul's goal, he presses on to make it his own, because Christ has made him His own. He is staining forward, pressing on, and forgetting what lies behind. These all seem to be things that help you to focus on the future, not the past. They are also all verbs. Obtaining this resurrection is something we have to work towards.

Paul is not saying that we have to do something to earn God's favor or that we have to earn salvation. He has already said in Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." But what I believe him to be saying is that we do have to work out our salvation. Believing in Christ is not the first and last step in our journey of faith. We have to persevere and press on through this life so that we will obtain the final goal- being resurrected from the dead and living forever with Christ in the new heavens and the new earth!

We need to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Grace

I have been thinking about grace these past couple of days. I was so overwhelmed with the saving grace that God has shown me the other night that I was completely humbled. Sometimes I have to take time and remember where I came from, to appreciate where I am now- where God has brought me to be. Going home, to where I grew up, is always a reality shock- or rather a reality check.

I am so undeserving of the love that God has lavished on me. He saved me from so many things. I look at my family- broken homes, sin is rampant everywhere (with little care about what is right), lack of love and forgiveness, hurt, jealousy, and a multitude of other sins that break my heart. Yet God in His great mercy and grace chose me and saved me from this. I did not deserve it, nor do I deserve it today. But He has called me to be His child.

It is often easy to live in the "Bible Belt" (as I do now) and think that it is like that everywhere... A church on every corner, people are (for the most part) kind, God is something people talk about and believe in... the list could go on. But these past few days back home have renewed my thinking on grace and life and brought things back into perspective. I live in a fallen world where people are in desperate need of a Savior (even those who do not think they do).

Here is where it is hard- to show grace to others- especially my family. I am to be salt and light to them. I am so very different from them -that is the point I suppose- I am to be "in and not of the world". If I were like them, then I would be just as lost as they are. It is difficult because we do not value the same things. We do not enjoy talking about the same things. My very presence at times is just unwanted- yet I am to share the love and grace of God with them. Growing up this way has challenged me and strengthened my faith, but it has also made me very alone at times.

So, I often find myself wondering how to show this grace that I have received. Especially to those who do not want it or see a need for it- not just my family, but to all that I encounter.

Bowling Tournament

We did great last weekend during our bowling tournament, well, we did better than I thought we would. Actually God blessed our time and I had the game of my life. We made it through the first cut. I bowled a 209!! That is 106 point above my average. I was in shock, and I also beat my husband for the first time ever (and probably the last). We did not make the next cut, but that was fine. We were able to make a little money and pay for our expenses down there. All in all I did enjoy bowling. I have learned many things and enjoyed spending time with my family!

The Beauty of God's Creation

This was a cool picture that I had to share. I had never seen an albino dolphin before!

Bowling is Almost Over

Well our bowling season has come to an end. By the grace of God we are going to the tournament this weekend. Only the top have of the league got to go and we made it!! I laugh at that accomplishment. They gave out awards last Saturday and I got three, no kidding! I received the "Most Improved Average" award. My average increased 11.56 points. I also received the "League High Series" and "League High Game" both of these awards were just against other women, but hey, we all have to start somewhere. I have enjoyed bowling a lot more than I thought that I would. God has used it to teach me many life lessons. He has also used it to help me listen more to my husband. He is a great bowler and he has taught me a lot. I am not always the best student! It is hard to receive criticism and be able to change, but I would not be where I am now without his help!! Thanks baby! 

I will post how we do in the tournament.

Lego Millenium Falcon Stop Motion

This is for my Star Wars, Lego loving man!! This is cool.

Happy 4th of July!

We went and watched some fireworks last night. They were great! It was a time to remind me of how thankful I should be. Today we should thank God for all He has provided for us. We have many freedoms as Americans, but I have a greater freedom as a believer in Christ. I am free from the burden of sin, free from death, free to live a new life in Christ. John 8:38 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Romans 8:2 says, "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

All Things as Rubbish

Philippians 3:8-9 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-

Paul counted everything as loss and lost all things for Christ. That made me think about the things that I hold onto in my life. Not all of the "things" are bad, there are things that are important to me. I guess the question is: Are there things in my life that keep me from being what God would have me to be or that hinder me from living the way God would have me live?

God has blessed me with many things. We are by no means rich, but I am not wanting anything either. So, could I "suffer the loss of all things and count them as rubbish"? I would like to answer yes, but I am not sure how I would feel. I am not someone that holds onto things very tightly, but I have never had to face that situation.

Maybe Paul is not just talking about monetary things. Maybe he is talking also about our life, will, desires, goals. If we are to be found in Christ, then we need to lose all those things and take on Christ. Our focus has to change in order for us to have faith and a righteousness that comes from God. We cannot hold onto anything! All has to be given up.

When we are found in Christ, we surrender all that we have to Him. Nothing should be between us and following after Him. May we evaluate our lives and see if there are things that we spend too much time on, devote too much attention to, or love more than Christ- and lose them! This will come at a cost. We may suffer as Paul did, but it will be worth it to gain Christ.

Too Cute!

What If?

Philippians 3:10-11 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

The Apostle Paul had a heart for Christ. You can read it in his words. Here in Philippians chapter three, he lists four things that he desires. What if we had the same desires?

1. That I might know Him and the power of His resurrection.

That I might know Him. What an overwhelming thought. To know Christ. To know Him better than I know anyone else. Do I seek that? Is that something I desire as Paul did? It should be. I can know Him through His Word, the Bible. So do I study it? Do I seek after Him with all my heart? Can I truly say that I want to know Him above all? It is my prayer that I might know Him. That I will seek Him and be conformed into His image more and more.

2/3. Share His suffering, becoming like Him in His death.

Share in suffering! How crazy is that? Yet that is exactly what God has called us to. To carry the burden of a godly life. To endure ALL things for the sake of Christ. I do not know a lot about physical suffering. I am not even sure I know what it means to suffer. I have endured my share of pain in various forms, but I would not call it suffering- compared to what Christ suffered. Do I long to suffer as Christ did, even unto death? In the culture we live in it would sound crazy for someone to say that they want to suffer. So why does Paul say this? [That he might know Christ and have hope and endurance. (Romans 5:1-5) ] It is easy to say I would suffer for Jesus, but when faced with it, what would I do?  I pray that I would suffer for His sake- even to the point of death. 

4. Attain the resurrection from the dead.

To be raised with Christ when He returns. One day Christ will return and take His people home. We will be reunited with our bodies and made perfect as we were intended to be from the beginning. (1 Corinthians 15) We will be in the new heavens and the new earth living forever with God. What a glorious day that will be- for all eternity. This is something that I anxiously await!