Faith in Action + Believing in Yourself pt. 2

I have been finishing up Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend. I had begun this books sometime last year when I lost it on a road trip. It is similar to Love and Logic and right on with my parenting goal and style. It is very enlightening on the nature of kids as well and gives me insight into their little brains. As I was sharing in the last post, I feel like sometimes we don't do what God has called us to not so much because we doubt HIM but ourselves. I would like to add another dimension to this. The "active" personality vs. the "passive" one. To be active is to take initiative, to make the first move. Active people don't attempt to do everything on their own. Activity means doing all you can do, then aggressively seeking that which isn't in you, to complete you. The bible teaches this is a collaboration between us and God. We have our tasks, He has his: "Work out your salvation. . . .for it is God who works in you"(Phillipians 2:12-13). *all bold print quoted from book. Peter walking on the water is a pretty big thing and let's be real he had already "left everything"to follow Jesus so his example is pretty daunting. Despite his brief denial of Jesus I would say Peter was an "active" personality. We are to carry our cross daily (Luke 9:23). We are to be diligent (Proverbs 12:24). We are to seek his kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). We are to knock on God's door as did the widow who needed assistance (Luke 18:1-5). We are to ask for what we need (James 4:2). As God himself is an active, problem-solving, initiative-taker, so we, made in his image, are to be.  I would definitely say if we are talking about taking the steps God asks us to take as individuals in Christ (and also the greater church body) then I came to a realization about myself. I am a passive person. Passive kids are unable to make use of the trying-failing-learning process that teaches them boundaries. They never really step up to the plate; they don't fail, but they don't grow, either. Outside of the parenting this was meant for, we can use these same definitions to examine ourselves. I see this tendency to "take the easy road" too often in myself. God isn't pleased with the person who shrinks back. Pastor Dave encouraged us to take ONLY-GOd-CAN-Do-IT steps. This of course acknowledges that he wasn't trying to say that we can do what God calls us to on our own. I am going to try hard to think more like an "active" personality and develop those traits that honor God and help me become more like Jesus. God will expand my responsibilities (those ONLY-GOD steps) when I am faithful in the daily, just like a parent gives the child who has earned it greater freedoms and responsibilities. I need to do my part which includes the confidence to try. Failure or success are irrelevant; it's the doing that counts. Maturing into the image of God means that we are to work on all the important areas of growth and life, not just the ones in which we are gifted. I hope this clarifies a little where I was going with the self-confidence thing. It's actually a daily obedience thing and a knowing from experience. Don't be discouraged if you are a new believer that needs to get some of this under your belt. Also don't be discouraged if have been a follower of Christ for years and God is opening your heart to greater understanding. It's all about relationship with Him. The depth of that relationship determines the outcome of trust and "activity". Peter was the rock Christ built the church on. Remember that!

Faith in Action + Believing in Yourself

At church Sunday our sermon was from Matthew and included the story of Jesus walking on water. If you aren't familiar with it there was a huge storm and the fishermen (Jesus' disciples and maybe some others) were terrified that they wouldn't get back to shore because they were very far from it. Suddenly, they saw Jesus coming to them on the water. Of course they were amazed, thinking it must be a ghost but Jesus called out to them, identifying himself. Peter wanted proof and said "Lord, if you are really he then let me walk to you on the water" and Jesus said "come". You know what? Peter made it part of the way! Then he looked around him and fear set in; he began to sink and cried out "Lord save me!" Jesus caught his hand saying "oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?" and the two got  into the boat. The disciples declared that now they knew Jesus was truly to Son of God. The traditional take on this scripture would be that Peter did not have enough faith in Jesus to make it to him but what Pastor Dave suggested is that perhaps Peter did not have enough faith in HIMSELF. Now before you freak out that I am going the way of "I can be, or do enough to earn my own salvation" we are not going there. Jesus is the only way to God the Father, end of story. But, did you know that Jesus believes in you? In other words, he sees in you the possibility to be LIKE HIM. One of Dictionary.com's definitions of "believe" when speaking about an object "you" is this:  to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation 
Isn't that what our entire Christian walk is about? Jesus came to this earth, giving up his divine rights to lay down his life for us. When Jesus looked at Peter he probably knew that Peter had faith in him, but when Peter saw the waves and began to sink maybe Jesus simply saw a man who doubted himself. How often has the Lord gently nudged me to do something and I have come up with a thousand excuses not to? Do you want to know the ultimate why? Because I don't believe I can do it. Somehow that is different than believing God can do it don't you think? I don't have a problem believing God is capable to do more than we ask or imagine; I find him awe-inspiring, completely overwhelming, and for sure all-powerful. I am so thankful this sermon was preached. This is telling me that Jesus (my spiritual advocate) has faith ---again from dictionary.com = confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
 that I can be like him, so I am encouraged. And of course we bear in mind that our ability is God-given and not of ourselves but IS spiritually available to us and indeed who we truly are in Christ. Whatever the boat represents to you, if God is calling you to something more (and remember Peter started it by asking Jesus to command him so watch out you earnestly seeking people! lol) have some faith in yourself like your Lord and Savior does. Has he not equipped us (the church) with all we need? Are we not already seated in the heavenly realms with Him? (Ephesians 2 and 4) The scriptures support this idea. It's time for us to BELIEVE in the body of Christ again. We, the church, are the hands and feet of Christ himself! He did not give us that charge lightly, he is counting on us and he is enabling us as much as we are willing to allow him. Love. Serve. Bring in the harvest. It's all for him, to him, and through him.

Catch-up

Okay summer has been crazy and I have thought often of blogging but just not got around to it so there might be a few posts in a row. Trinity had art camp last week, her "birthday" week. I think she had a good time and she didn't have to wear a life jacket in the pool this year so she was pretty proud of that. This week was Run to Win. I didn't realize that the kids "coaches" were actual huskie football players! One of his coaches was just let go from the Kansas City Chiefs training camp so he may be done with his football career but that's still pretty cool if you ask me. How awesome there are Christian athletes out there spending some time in service encouraging kids to dream big. Blake had a great time.

I literally cannot handle how cute this basketball boy is. 

Believe it or not THIS (vid below) is one of Blake's coaches doing a traditional fire dance in his native Hawaii

Trinity did cheer and it's so funny because I got her a dress at Ross yesterday and she was determined to wear it for the last day of camp because it would "twirl great" on the "ballerina" cheer. So sure enough she is in a dress with pink pom-poms ready to cheer. She chooses to be girly at the random-est times!



Today we also had our last swim lesson for the summer. Trinity is only two skills away from graduating to Y2, while Blake has only two skills checked off period. Today he put his head under water and waggled his fingers at me over the edge of the pool to show that he wasn't plugging his nose. It was adorable! Go Blake. Also, in other news apparently we need a dog. There have been cute dogs just about everywhere we go these days. A week ago we walked to the park and a little white dog came over to check us out. It was so mellow and sweet, just walked around the park with Blake and Isaac following him. Blake is obsessed with dogs. Then yesterday when I was out shopping with Isaac this little fellow came over to beg for some cookie at the local coffee shop. We have been to this coffee shop many times and it never had dogs there. . .

 
and this wasn't the only cutie yesterday, at the jewelry store I was having some missing rhinestones replaced in my grandmother's costume jewelry and there was an adorable beagle/terrier cross. She jumped all over isaac and licked him and wanted him to play. They had a treat ball that they actually let Isaac toss around the store right next to glass cases full of valuables! They were dog-sitting. I mean, stop it already with the cute dogs or I'll break down and get one!!
This week is going to be crazy as we prep for our cruise and how to get grandma and grandpa through eight days with the kids. Also I have to get groceries for everyone who will watch the kids and get back to school supplies. Not to mention a mani-pedi for the cruise. =) It will be a busy week folks but a good one.
Last but not least on the penguin classics end I am currently reading Against Slavery: An Abolitionist Reader
I would just like to say that these people were great ORATERS. Who can name me some truly amazing orators of our day? I don't know any off the top of my head but some of the lines written by these people! Powerful, powerful stuff.