This past weekend, I had opportunity to spend the night at a dear friends house. In the room I stayed, there were 2 large closet doors that were mirrors. As I was getting ready for church Sunday morning, I couldn't help but glance at myself numerous times in those mirrors. I have been pondering "mirrors" ever since.
Just how many times do we use mirrors each day?? While getting dressed (this is 5-6 times for me), checking make-up (another 5-6 times), looking into the rear-view mirror of our vehicles (at least every stop light), and after eating (I always check my teeth), just to name a few.
I looked up the word "mirror" in the dictionary. Out of the 13 different definations, my favorites are: "any reflecting surface..." and "to mimic or imitate (something) accurately".
Think for a moment about your life being a mirror. What are you reflecting? Who are you accurately imitating?? Are people drawn to you because of Who they see in your reflection? Many years ago, I remember overhearing someone describe me. Their words were, "you know, she's the one with the angry look on her face all the time." This challenged me. Although I had a relationship with Jesus, I wasn't reflecting Him. My circumstances dictated my appearance.
As I've thought about mirrors this week, I have been reminded about numerous scripture references. I am listing a few below. I pray that the Lord personalizes them for the place you are today.
1 Timothy 2:8-10
Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.
Matthew 6:27
"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
James 1:22
Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
Proverbs 27:19
Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
God Bless You!!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Death is required!
A few years ago, I was going through a time in my life that I was deeply concerned about my heritage. For those of you that don't know this, and to remind those that do, I am adopted. I was placed for adoption at birth, and presented to my parents who had been on an adoption waiting list for 7 years. I really didn't ever have issues with this. My earliest memory dates back to when I was 2-years old sitting on my mother's lap as she was telling me that I was "a-d-o-p-t-e-d", which at that time, I had no idea what that word meant. I remember her going on to tell me that I didn't grow in her tummy, I grew in her heart.
After having children of my own and doing some family research with others about their history, I began to wonder about my own heritage. Everywhere I looked I was finding stories about adoption and families being re-united. I began to seek the Lord about what I should do. After a few weeks, I had a dream.
I dreamt I was in a huge open room, much like a gymnasium. There were people in a large circle all around the edge of this room. There were also people, like intercessors or elders, in the center of the room. The intercessors would walk around and people from the outside circle would go to them for prayer. I was standing in the outside circle, holding up this very frail, crippled woman. I remember wanting this woman to be prayed for, but no one was noticing us and she could hardly walk. Finally, an intercessor looked our way but did not come too close. The intercessor held out her hand for the crippled woman to walk toward her. I remember not wanting to let this poor woman go, but, with everything I had within me, I did let go. The moment I did release her, she was instantly healed and continued walking upright toward the intercessor.
Right after this, my vision went black and I saw what looked like a typed article. There were words highlighted and my view of these words zoomed in and became very clear, "3 siblings; 2 brothers and one sister." I then heard a loud voice "Now you know your heritage, but, WHO ARE YOU IN CHRIST?"
Since that dream, many years ago, God has taught me a great deal about my identity. First and foremost, I am a child of God (1 John 3:1), I am the apple of his eye (Ps. 17:8), I am a daughter (Romans 8:15). I have access to His throne room ANYTIME (Eph. 2:18). When I call, He will answer (Psalm 17:6).
When we accept Jesus, we all receive a "Spirit of adoption". In Romans 8:15 it says: For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! This is GOOD NEWS! God loves us SO MUCH!!
Ironically, I believe in my dream, the crippled woman was me, also the person holding up the crippled woman was me. I was healed, but first, in order to receive, I had to "let go"; let go of my own selfish desires, let go of my own ambitions, and let go of myself. In other words, I had to die. It's one thing to know your identity, it's another thing to walk in it. In order for me to totally surrender to the Lord, death is required.
It is my prayer today that we all would die, die to ourselves, die to our own plans and agendas. Only then, can we truly "live for Him!!!"
After having children of my own and doing some family research with others about their history, I began to wonder about my own heritage. Everywhere I looked I was finding stories about adoption and families being re-united. I began to seek the Lord about what I should do. After a few weeks, I had a dream.
I dreamt I was in a huge open room, much like a gymnasium. There were people in a large circle all around the edge of this room. There were also people, like intercessors or elders, in the center of the room. The intercessors would walk around and people from the outside circle would go to them for prayer. I was standing in the outside circle, holding up this very frail, crippled woman. I remember wanting this woman to be prayed for, but no one was noticing us and she could hardly walk. Finally, an intercessor looked our way but did not come too close. The intercessor held out her hand for the crippled woman to walk toward her. I remember not wanting to let this poor woman go, but, with everything I had within me, I did let go. The moment I did release her, she was instantly healed and continued walking upright toward the intercessor.
Right after this, my vision went black and I saw what looked like a typed article. There were words highlighted and my view of these words zoomed in and became very clear, "3 siblings; 2 brothers and one sister." I then heard a loud voice "Now you know your heritage, but, WHO ARE YOU IN CHRIST?"
Since that dream, many years ago, God has taught me a great deal about my identity. First and foremost, I am a child of God (1 John 3:1), I am the apple of his eye (Ps. 17:8), I am a daughter (Romans 8:15). I have access to His throne room ANYTIME (Eph. 2:18). When I call, He will answer (Psalm 17:6).
When we accept Jesus, we all receive a "Spirit of adoption". In Romans 8:15 it says: For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! This is GOOD NEWS! God loves us SO MUCH!!
Ironically, I believe in my dream, the crippled woman was me, also the person holding up the crippled woman was me. I was healed, but first, in order to receive, I had to "let go"; let go of my own selfish desires, let go of my own ambitions, and let go of myself. In other words, I had to die. It's one thing to know your identity, it's another thing to walk in it. In order for me to totally surrender to the Lord, death is required.
It is my prayer today that we all would die, die to ourselves, die to our own plans and agendas. Only then, can we truly "live for Him!!!"
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Power of HOPE
Hopeless
Have you ever felt hopeless? Has your situation ever looked hopeless? Raising two teenage boys right now sure has it's feelings of hopelessness. We have had some intense struggles recently. On Sunday, Boston invited me to play minature golf with him. He even paid for our game with tickets he had received for his birthday. We had a wonderful time together, laughing, sharing and just hanging out with each other. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Later that evening though, he and I butted heads about bedtime. In his teenage-ness, he said, "You know, the entire time I was playing golf with you this afternoon, I FAKED IT! I hate being with you!"
My feelings were crushed! The pain in my emotions ran deep. I never expected that! I felt hopeless; at times, our situation feels hopeless. I am thankful I know that my "feelings" do not dictate the "facts." I know our situation isn't hopeless, I just "felt" that way.
Hopeful
As some of you may know, Jay received the knowledge of his Completion Date. Shortly, my husband will be returning home to continue on with this journey. Together, we will begin a new chapter, hopeful. Fears try to rise in me, but the Lord gently reminds me HE will not give me more than I can handle.
I remember plainly the day Jay first arrived at Teen Challenge. I was anything but hopeful. The past weeks had been packed full of drug and alcohol abuse, suicide attempts, broken promises, rage, hurt, despair, and heartbreak. We made the 3-hour drive to Colfax mostly in silence. I was emotionally exhausted, yet prepared to make final decisions about the outcome of our marriage once again. As we walked through the doors of the center, I participated on a tour of the facility, but I was anxious to leave. No contact for 2 weeks seemed the only hope I had.
Little did I know the full extent that God working. If we let Him, He does take our broken hopes and dream and turn them around for His glory. My favorite book of the bible is Isaiah and one of my favorite passages is Isaiah 61:4 where it talks about rebuilding the ancient ruins, restoring the places long devastated, and renewing the cities that have been devastated for generations. So much has taken place since the day we first walked into Teen Challenge. God has used my hopelessness and restored my hope. Praise the Lord!
Hope "IN"
The Lord has been challenging me recently to think about where my hope lies. About 3 weeks ago, I was driving down the street. Thoughts crossed my mind, "What if Jay doesn't finish Teen Challenge? "What if he returns to the old patterns?" I wasn't for sure where those thoughts came from, "Was it the enemy?" or "Was it my own fears?" Still to this day, I cannot be certain of the origin. BUT, I can say with clarity that the Lord used these thoughts to teach me. Where was my hope? What was I hoping "IN"?? Is my hope for the future wrapped up in the choices my husband makes, like whether or not he completes this program, or whether or not he returns to the old patterns, or is my hope IN the Lord?
I, then, heard that still, small voice, "I have plans for YOU, Jody Rhoden, plans to prosper YOU, plans to give YOU HOPE and a FUTURE!" I pondered that for a moment. NO WHERE in that promise does God say His plans for ME are contingent upon OTHERS choices. I had to make a decision that day, however difficult it seemed, that regardless of the choices my husband made, past, present, or future, I would continue on the path God had for ME. That thought is sobering, but true.
In the NIV version of the Bible alone, the words "hope in" are found 31 times. I will list a few:
Psalm 31:24
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 119:74
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 147:11
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Whether you feel hopeless or hopeful right now, the question I pose to you today is...
"What is your Hope IN??"
Have you ever felt hopeless? Has your situation ever looked hopeless? Raising two teenage boys right now sure has it's feelings of hopelessness. We have had some intense struggles recently. On Sunday, Boston invited me to play minature golf with him. He even paid for our game with tickets he had received for his birthday. We had a wonderful time together, laughing, sharing and just hanging out with each other. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Later that evening though, he and I butted heads about bedtime. In his teenage-ness, he said, "You know, the entire time I was playing golf with you this afternoon, I FAKED IT! I hate being with you!"
My feelings were crushed! The pain in my emotions ran deep. I never expected that! I felt hopeless; at times, our situation feels hopeless. I am thankful I know that my "feelings" do not dictate the "facts." I know our situation isn't hopeless, I just "felt" that way.
Hopeful
As some of you may know, Jay received the knowledge of his Completion Date. Shortly, my husband will be returning home to continue on with this journey. Together, we will begin a new chapter, hopeful. Fears try to rise in me, but the Lord gently reminds me HE will not give me more than I can handle.
I remember plainly the day Jay first arrived at Teen Challenge. I was anything but hopeful. The past weeks had been packed full of drug and alcohol abuse, suicide attempts, broken promises, rage, hurt, despair, and heartbreak. We made the 3-hour drive to Colfax mostly in silence. I was emotionally exhausted, yet prepared to make final decisions about the outcome of our marriage once again. As we walked through the doors of the center, I participated on a tour of the facility, but I was anxious to leave. No contact for 2 weeks seemed the only hope I had.
Little did I know the full extent that God working. If we let Him, He does take our broken hopes and dream and turn them around for His glory. My favorite book of the bible is Isaiah and one of my favorite passages is Isaiah 61:4 where it talks about rebuilding the ancient ruins, restoring the places long devastated, and renewing the cities that have been devastated for generations. So much has taken place since the day we first walked into Teen Challenge. God has used my hopelessness and restored my hope. Praise the Lord!
Hope "IN"
The Lord has been challenging me recently to think about where my hope lies. About 3 weeks ago, I was driving down the street. Thoughts crossed my mind, "What if Jay doesn't finish Teen Challenge? "What if he returns to the old patterns?" I wasn't for sure where those thoughts came from, "Was it the enemy?" or "Was it my own fears?" Still to this day, I cannot be certain of the origin. BUT, I can say with clarity that the Lord used these thoughts to teach me. Where was my hope? What was I hoping "IN"?? Is my hope for the future wrapped up in the choices my husband makes, like whether or not he completes this program, or whether or not he returns to the old patterns, or is my hope IN the Lord?
I, then, heard that still, small voice, "I have plans for YOU, Jody Rhoden, plans to prosper YOU, plans to give YOU HOPE and a FUTURE!" I pondered that for a moment. NO WHERE in that promise does God say His plans for ME are contingent upon OTHERS choices. I had to make a decision that day, however difficult it seemed, that regardless of the choices my husband made, past, present, or future, I would continue on the path God had for ME. That thought is sobering, but true.
In the NIV version of the Bible alone, the words "hope in" are found 31 times. I will list a few:
Psalm 31:24
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 119:74
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 147:11
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Whether you feel hopeless or hopeful right now, the question I pose to you today is...
"What is your Hope IN??"
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