Wisdom

Wowzers

Might be the best read I've come across in a while. It takes 2 minute so give it a go...

http://www.tonygentilcore.com/blog/a-house-divided/

Improvement

After reading [what seems like] a million articles stating that plastic is the devil and is going to kill us sooner rather than later (their words, not mine. Read here http://www.wisebread.com/is-plastic-killing-us-the-true-cost-of-convenience), Tim and I have made a long term goal to eventually be plastic free. It's harder to do than you'd originally think. Plastic is EVERYWHERE; coffee pot, spatulas, water bottles, Tupperware, etc. Anyhow, we realize this can't be done overnight but we've made our first steps:

We also got a Brita filter for our sink (so we don't drink chlorine) and bought our first glass storage container (those things are definitely more expensive but hopefully will last longer. If Tim doesn't drop it of course...). Sooner or later, I'll get a glass coffee press an we're using our bamboo and stainless steel spatulas. Small steps! Anyways. I'm outta here.

Inspiration

I'm stocking our fridge to look like this...

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In hopes it'll help me look like this...

HA!

Oh Boy

Winter came a little early this year to Boston! 4-8 inches expected tonight so I'm making some stew and laying on the couch while watching football. Cozy time!

Huh...

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:30-40 NIV)

That'll teach me to complain about my "problems".

Redemption

"“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

I've read this verse plenty. But I have been asking God to show me where he wants me to serve up here and when I saw the last part of this verse it hit me - I can't clearly discern his will until I offer my whole body as a spiritual act of worship.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" (Matthew 16:24 NIV)

Or try this one...

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 NIV)

God bought me with his Son' life. He loved and cared enough for me that he sent his Son to his death and I can't hand over my struggles to him?

He has a plan and a purpose for my life and I need to offer ALL of me to him so that he can work on perfecting me to his will.

I'm not just talking about what foods I put in my mouth - though I'm convicted that's a large part of it. I'm talking about the way I handle anger when it rises up in me, the way I respond when I want to be lazy, the way I treat people I come in contact with on a daily basis. This is all part of giving my entire body as a living sacrifice.

I'll tell you... I'm 100% convinced that even when I was living my life away from Christ, he had his hand on me. After all he has done for me - finding living situations, jobs in every city, an amazing family, etc - the very least I can do is offer myself as a sacrifice. It's not easy. It takes effort and desire to give ourselves completely over to him. But I try. It's an uphill battle every day. But I know it's worth it for God to be able to complete his works in my life.