Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

I read this good analogy about God’s love for us and the forgiveness we have in Jesus who died to pay for our sin.

(From “How Good is Good Enough?” by Andy Stanley)

When my children were very young, I bought a used Infiniti. It was the nicest car I have ever owned. It was in mint condition, and I intended to keep it that way. Unfortunately, I was alone in my pursuit.

Read more of “What is Salvation”

Going to church brings out the best in me, giving me a false sense of “righteousness.” After all, I am doing good works by helping at church, loving people (at least superficially), and giving money. But those very acts can make me blind to the real sins in my life. Sins of pride, selfishness, worldliness. I begin to feel comfortable desiring the things of the world (don’t I deserve something nice?), I can justify my selfishness (don’t I need to take care of my needs first to be more effective in serving others?), I can ignore my indifference to those in need (someone else is more gifted in helping them).

“How’re you doing?” we ask each other at church. The answer is always, “Ok, fine.”  There’s no real way to force us to examine ourselves and let others give us honest feedback and accountability. Even in small groups we only go so far.

Next time, I’m going to ask someone at church, “What’s God doing in your life?” and see what kind of responses I get.

I have a feeling that when I am on my deathbed, I will regret not taking more risks in doing adventurous things – skydiving, waterskiing, traveling, etc.

Yet, when I consider doing those things now, I say, “Why? Why should I want to get out of my comfort zone? Is there anything to gain other than the thrill of the moment and to say that I’ve done it?”

Would it change the way I live after an adventure? Would it change me? I don’t know. But I can only accept myself and my life for who I am and what it is.

At the end of my life, I may regret many things. But fortunately, by the grace of God, I will have a chance in heaven to truly live. I cannot even imagine what that would be like. All I know is that it’ll be fantastic. So if I miss anything now on earth, I’ll get it in heaven. 🙂

 

I would say this is a must read for every parent. While I do not agree with everything the author says, Shepherding a Child’s Heart gives very good clear Biblical ways to raise our children. The priniciples are not new to me, but they are articulated well.

One thing I do not agree with is it seems to imply all parenting books are not Biblical unless they state the principle directly from Scripture. I have read many good parenting books that do not quote the Bible verses but the principles are definitely from the Bible.

I also do not agree with some of the discussion about spanking. But overall, the content is the kind of thing I’ve been teaching parents. It’s worth the money if you are a parent.

I have 4-5 books by my bed that I am reading. And I just finished this one.

The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time gives stories of companies such as Zappos, Apple, Ford that made innovative decisions that made a huge positive impact on their company. In hindsight some of their decision was counterintuitive, but later those decisions defined the company.

Many good lessons in this book. It made me want to start my own business and make an impact on the world!

 

 

One of those forwards, kind of cute.

Dancing With God
I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement does not flow with the music and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness and attentiveness from one person and gentle “g u i d a n c e” and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word “g u i d a n c e”. When I say “g” I thought of God, followed by “u” and “i”. “God “U” and “I” dance.”

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

– Author Unknown

I’ve been in 4 car accidents and am very thankful that none were catastrophic.

#1 When I was in college I borrowed a friend’s car to go to an early morning internship. I was rushing to a prime open space in the parking lot and didn’t see a car backing out of a space. It was minor, but I had to pay the guy a couple hundred for the damage. My friend’s car had a slight paint scratch. He was not happy, but he was ok. (It was a yellow Mustang.)

Read more of “Thankful”

“Many Christians think stoicism is a good antidote to sensuality. It isn’t. It is hopelessly weak and ineffective. Willpower religion usually fails, and even when it succeeds, it gets glory for the will, not for God. It produces legalists, not lovers. ” (In Our Joy by John Piper, p 35)

“Our natural tendency is to think that if Jesus tells us to do something and makes this a condition for entering the kingdom of God and having eternal life, he will then stand back and merely watch to see if we will do it. We don’t naturally think that if he demands something, he will enable us to do it.” (p 66)

I’m afraid that people often misunderstand that being a Christian is about being good, or at least try to be good. New believers may think that once they accept Jesus, they will now have to obey a set of rules. This is not what Jesus teaches.

Jesus wants us to enjoy life, truly enjoy life, and he knows that without him, we cannot. The stuff of the world that seem to satisfy will always disappoint.

Being a Christian is to get to know our Lord Jesus, and trust him to help us do those things that he teaches us to do that are counterintuitive to our old nature, and in doing so, we get further away from sin and find our ultimate happiness in him.

 

 

What are you thankful for this year that you couldn’t say last year?

I am thankful that my son is living closer to home, at least for now.

I am thankful for my new job as children director at a church with many fellow faithful servants.

I am thankful for the memory foam on my new firm bed – SO comfortable!

I am thankful for being able to play tennis again, trying to get into shape.

I am thankful that my husband and I are spending every Monday together, my day off.

I am thankful the automatic door on my van is fixed and functioning properly.

I am thankful for new shutters and curtains.

I am thankful for friends who support me and work with me at church.

I am thankful for the addition of 2 lovebirds to our family – Avocado and Banana.

What are you thankful for this year that you couldn’t say last year?