Mutualistic Symbiosis

Mutualistic symbiosis is a biology term for a relationship in which all partners obtain an advantage... its usually having to do with plants or algea. Like this one gets food from eating the dead cells off this algea- and the algea gets cleaned and can breathe better or something. Gonna leave the actual analogy superficial.

I LOVE this in life. Relationships where both parties benefit? Its beautiful. I am thankful for all the relationships in my life where this is true- and we can mutually encourage one another in different ways! You have this one thing down... and I struggle. And vise versa. So thankful to God for putting relationships in my life. And for giving his people different strengths and weaknesses- this is why marriage is such a beautiful thing... and so sanctifying!

Yesterday we went to the nursing home to visit, and my friend Jamie said to me as we were leaving- "Its so good for them for us to visit! and its so good for us to see them!" Isn't it the truth? They need to see my joy, love, innocent trust, health and vigor- and I need to see there maturity, their pain and lonliness, their faithfulness/ tried trust/longsuffering.

May I never get prideful as I serve! If I go on mission trips to help people, as I am a Physical Therapist to help people, as I am in relationship with others, regardless of their religion or level- I need to learn something through them as much as they can learn from me! Thank you God for this truth and may you constantly remind me of it! Keep me from pride and remember me.

Expectation

Expectation... probably is the number one cause of disappointment and depression in the US today.


Bold statement? I authored it so I wouldn't tout that statistic to anyone... I really do think it is true though! Two weeks ago at church, a Biblical counseling professor from Masters Seminary was talking about depression- the cause not being from hating yourself, but loving yourself too much, and then being dissapointed in yourself- that you aren't skinny enough or your lips are too small, your husband doesn't make enough money...

You can listen to the sermon here:
http://gracebiblerichmond.org/media_player.asp?messageID=23200

Its true with me! My counselor mom has some catchy phrase about expect leads to reject or something like that... (obviously it wasn't catchy enough, right?) But whenever I have expectations of something that doesn't happen- serious discouragement is not far. I remember the entire 2 weeks I was in Malaysia last Christmas I was looking forward to going out with my parents to the Cheesecake factory after they picked me up from the airport. They promised it before I left, we even emailed about it... then- trauma of traumas- I got off the plane and into the car (seriously sleep deprived mind you, having been awake and traveling for 27 hours) and my parents told me we weren't going. NO LIE- I burst into tears. ;) Over the Cheesecake factory!!! LAME-O. I know... there is power in expectation.

The complete word expectation is only used a few times in Scripture... although expect is used a few times more.

Psalm 5:3 is one of them
"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

Thats a scary one... huge set up for dissapointment, no? This goes along with praying in faith- a concept I definitely don't think I understand.

The one that came to mind instantly was Romans 8:13
"The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."

I love Philippians 1:20
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."

Note expect is differentiated from hope here.
I think this is an important distinction.... My thought of the day is that I cannot expect ANYTHING except for the return of Christ and the things Im promised in Scripture. Anything else that I expect from my life will lead to disappointment and depression...

I can have hope for other things, but I dare not expect them! I can hope to be married one day, hope to wake up tomorrow, hope to hike Mt. Whitney... but the ONLY hope that does not dissapoint is found in the person of Christ (Romans 5:5) AMEN!

Woman among Women

While reading for the Sunday School lesson this week- it was on Luke 1... the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary...

He said to her- greetings you who are highly favored! and this greatly troubled Mary... was it just the fact that an angel was speaking to her? Or was it something about what he said? This puzzled me enough to look to MH. I love Matthew Henry... ;)

He chastens women to ask some questions regarding compliments they receive and the motives behind them... Some things that Mary may have wondered about Gabriel's greeting:
Was it from heaven or of men? Was it to amuse her? was it to ensnare her? was it to banter her? or was there something substantial and weighty in it?


"Mary's thoughtfulness upon this occasion gives a very useful intimation to young people of her sex, when addresses are made to them, to consider and cast in their minds what manner of salutations they are, whence they come, and what their tendency is, that they may receive them accordingly, and may always stand on their guard."

AMEN! Nice Challenge MH.
"The wise in heart are called discerning..." (Proverbs 16:21)

You are so wealthy

Been reading the book of James over and over... and loving it. God is continuing to show me more and more each day.

Definitely on initial read through you see a lot of condemnation toward wealth... chapter 2- don't give special treatment to the rich... chapter 5- You have lived your life in self-indulgence and luxury!

Chapter 1 is seems backwards when you first read it: (new living translation below) ;)

"Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements."

This also makes you be scared to have riches. YIKES. After meditating a few days first I decided to see what the infamous Matthew Henry says:

Good Christians may be rich in the world. Grace and wealth are not wholly inconsistent.

And my favorite thing he says is- BOTH the rich and the poor are commanded to rejoice! I didn't catch that- I was thinking, if you are poor- praise God, but if you are rich, LAMENT because your wealth and YOU are going to be destroyed. NO. James tells us regardless- we are to rejoice! Based on what? Not because God has blessed us with wealth! See below quote.

"For this reason let him that is rich rejoice, not so much in the providence of God, that makes him rich, as in the grace of God, that makes and keeps him humble; and in those trials and exercises that teach him to seek his felicity in and from God, and not from these perishing enjoyments."

O thank you most gracious Father! You give me just what I need. You are constant and the same- yesterday, today, and forever.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have FOR He has said- never will I leave you and never will I forsake you." -Hebrews 13:5

Honest Struggles

Hypocrisy defined by a great theologian- "The masking of inward evil by an outward show of righteousness."

I struggle with my evil heart.
RID YOURSELVES of all hypocrisy and desire the pure spiritual milk of the Word to transform you!

I love that this is the first post of December. ;) God transform my wretched heart...

James 3 says- 'But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it OR deny the truth.
Lord I don't want to glory in my wretchedness or dwell on it... I also don't want to deny the fact that I truly am wretched! Thank you for giving me a right standing before you.

Top 10 things I am thankful for

In no particular order... if I had none of them except God himself I would have enough to keep me singing, praising, worshipping, blogging with gratitude for the rest of my life


1. Religious freedom. This is something that I am profoundly unaware of most of the time and I really take it for granted. I just found out recently that a bracelet I have been wearing that says 'Pray for China'... if a Chinese person is caught wearing it, they are arrested! I honestly cannot even fathom that. Lord. THANK YOU! May we USE this freedom to proclaim you more boldly, rather than an excuse to be less on fire for you. Thank you for persecution in China and for growing the church there way more than the church in America! Accomplish your sovereign work God!

2. HEAT, a home, a sweet big bed, and an amazing Godly roommate. Lord thank you for providing above and beyond my needs and blessing me with blessing upon blessing from the fulness of your grace! (John 1:16)

3. The best FRIENDS and support system. O man! This is such a gift!!! Lord thank you for placing people in my life to 'do life' with! Lord you have created us to love companionship and I thank you for filling this desire in my life. God that my parents are still alive! I honestly could not have made it in life without them. For people who will sharpen me and speak truth into my life and give me Godly counsel. Who will encourage me and point me to the Word. Who will enjoy laughter with me and levity and merrymaking... ;) For a CHURCH and the other parts of my body who are faithful to the commands of Scripture and have consciences that are sensitive to the Holy Spirit.


4. PT School. Can you BELIEVE this is on the list? This is one of the biggest gifts my Father has ever given me. I really am so thankful for it and so ashamed to say it because of my behavior and actions! Its like saying- O I am so thankful for this gift you gave me but I hate this about it... and I hate the way you wrapped it- and did you have to give it to me now? And what about the color- can we change that? UGH. I'll look at it later.

5. Jordan. This man the Lord has brought in my life... I honestly don't know what will happen or how things will work out. But I am so challenged by him! I am beyond amazed that I get to date and serve alongside someone this cool. His passion for the Lord truly inspires me, sharpens me, and edifies me. I have had more opportunites to share the gospel in the 3 months I have been talking to him then in the whole year leading up to it. And he is handsome and hysterical at the same time! ;) Also just the fact of dating in general is a cool privilege I am thankful for. I am learning a lot and experiencing a lot of things I never have before... exposed to emotions, selfishness, communication. All a part of the Lord's plan to grow me up into the daughter He wants me to be!

6. Opportunities to exercise discernment and wisdom. This kind of goes hand in hand with number 5. And all of life! I am so thankful for this Lord! Thank you so much for leaving some things unknown! For not telling us how to walk and move every single step of the way! For giving us choices to make! And the freedom to disobey! For circumstances and signs in life- for confusions, things that throw us off that cause us to seek your face and make us use our brains and act out of the wisdom you have given us! I pray to be wise and then hate the opportunities I get to practice! THANK YOU MY ALL WISE GOD!

7. The Word of God. Kind of a lead off as well from the previous one. My guidebook! Thank you so much for it Lord! I value it so much and help me to value it even more! What a gift! Without it we would be so lost- you have chosen out of all mediums to reveal yourself through the written Word...

8. Christs death on the cross. The point of all of Scripture... God's plan from the beginning of creation- My romantic Lord created me to redeem me! Thank you for providing a way for us to be in relationship with you! Knowing you is the greatest gift we could ever be given. Thank you for giving us your Son, a Savior, an advocate! "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!!" AMEN!!!

9. My legs. My body in general really. Health... MOVEMENT basically though. I love walking! Thank you God for giving me legs to carry me around. That I can walk around and see your creation and get exercise. For muscles, muscle fibers, CELLS, SENSATION.... For hands to type this entry! Ears to hear an alarm clock in the morning. A mouth to speak and sing. For TEETH to smile and take care of... A stomach to digest food to have strength and energy to move... For a back to carry a bookbag! For giving me the biggest hair of anyone I know. ;) For eyes to take in the glory of creation around me...

10. Mountains, beauty, and splendor. O GOD!!! I love the things you have made. Thank you for aesthetics! For attractivness. For creativity. I love to appreciate beauty- may I attribute it ALL to you. Thank you for creating mountains, canyons, and things to humble us and remind us of our lowly estate before you! Thank you for allowing me to climb up them and shout from the tops of them! Thank you for creating the leaves to change color- the SUN to shine faithfully... the sea to churn and the life that swims inside of it. For animals big and small. For fur and hair and slimy slugs. For texture and color! Lord your attributes are everywhere! Your testimony is everywhere- thank you for the analogies and picture that your creation is!

"For every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of Heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:16

"For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." 1 Tim 4:4

LORD! Thank you! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!! MAN. What evils in me cannot coexist with a thankful heart. May I bring you praises constantly- always and forever precious Lord!

Happiness can not always equal love

So I have made friends with a lovely homeless lady named Linda. She is great and Im glad I have gotten to know her. She has quickly become dear to me and I really want good for her- I want her to REALLY know the Lord! I want her to get a job... I want her to find joy.

Its funny because she really loves Cigarettes... she tries to space em out and get a pack every 3-4 days. Its funny to hear her talk about them and they really bring her a lot of pleasure. The last time I saw her I asked her what kind of cigarettes she liked... (Newport 100s) trying to think to myself- is this a gift I could bring her to show her love? The Bible does not say that smoking a cigarette is a sin...

My wise boyfriend looked at me like I had grown a third head when I mentioned that I had contemplated buying her cigarettes and that it might be a moral dilemma... how on earth could I give her something that she is finding her joy in or fulfilling an addiction!? (wow Vanesa.)
I told Linda that I wanted what was best for her and it wouldn't be loving for me to give her something that could kill her! It also wouldn't be loving for me to give her something to find peace in apart from Jesus Christ.

I think its the same when a wife has a husband who has an addiction to food and loves to overindulge... and she just goes ahead and fixes him whatever he wants because she would rather see him happy. That cannot be 1 Corinthians love... desiring what is best for the other person above their comfort. So hard though I know! Its so tempting to pray for ease and comfort for the people you love instead of praying God to conform them into His likeness. I am so glad for a Father whos PERFECT love always chooses what is best for me, regardless of my opinion on the issue... Lord always answer my prayers according to your unfailing love!!!!