This was borrowed from a friend. I agreed so much, I needed to share it. Thanks, Mike, for the reminder. Nicole
"freedom from tyranny
"By his willingly renouncing self-defiance, the Christian affirms his absolute adherence to Jesus, and his freedom from the tyranny of his own ego."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Payback, getting even, revenge - no matter what you call it - is an exaltation of self. It communicates who is truly on the throne of your heart, you. And when you are driven by revenge, you live in tyranny. You are ruled by an evil master who deceives you into believing that revenge is the key to your cell.
Instead of seeking the opportunity to "repay evil with evil", remember that the key to the prison of revenge is forgivness. The door is unlocked when you...
Love your enemy. Pray for those who persecute you.
-Jesus (Matthew 5)"
Mike Park
Monday, May 2, 2011
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Wisdom Justified
But wisdom is justified by all her children. Luke 7:35
"The world is full of "experts". There are people everywhere who want to convince you of the wisdom of their opinion. Yet God says that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time.
Wisdom is not proven by arguments or debate. Wisdom is proven over time. Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best. Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom. The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. When you seek to obey what God has told you, you will sometimes meet resistance and criticism from others who disagree with the wisdom of your actions. Your immediate response may be the urge to vindicate yourself. However, if you wait patiently, time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could through argument.
Through the ages, the wisdom found in God's Word has been tested and proven true. It is critical that you measure everything you hear against the Scriptures. Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God's Word is timeless. Whenever you share an opinion in counseling someone else, make sure that it comes from the Scripture and not merely from your best thinking. As long as you base your life choices on the Word of God, time will be your defender and will validate the wisdom of your choices. If, over time, you clearly see you are wrong, ask God's forgiveness and seek a fresh word from God through the Scripture. Then obey that word and watch to see God confirm His wisdom in your life."
Experiencing God Day by Day; Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
"The world is full of "experts". There are people everywhere who want to convince you of the wisdom of their opinion. Yet God says that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the most loudly or vociferously who is the wisest, but the one who is vindicated over time.
Wisdom is not proven by arguments or debate. Wisdom is proven over time. Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best. Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom. The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. When you seek to obey what God has told you, you will sometimes meet resistance and criticism from others who disagree with the wisdom of your actions. Your immediate response may be the urge to vindicate yourself. However, if you wait patiently, time will reveal the wisdom of your actions far better than you could through argument.
Through the ages, the wisdom found in God's Word has been tested and proven true. It is critical that you measure everything you hear against the Scriptures. Trends in psychology and philosophy come and go, but God's Word is timeless. Whenever you share an opinion in counseling someone else, make sure that it comes from the Scripture and not merely from your best thinking. As long as you base your life choices on the Word of God, time will be your defender and will validate the wisdom of your choices. If, over time, you clearly see you are wrong, ask God's forgiveness and seek a fresh word from God through the Scripture. Then obey that word and watch to see God confirm His wisdom in your life."
Experiencing God Day by Day; Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
Friday, October 8, 2010
Simplifying: Buying Less & Giving More
I cannot tell you how challenged I am by this post from Passionate Homemaking:
“Simplifying means having less, wanting less, being satisfied with what you have or less than what you have. It does not mean boredom. People with too many things are the most easily bored. St. Francis owned only his robe, yet was never melancholy or bored.” – J Matthew Sleeth, author of Serve God, Save the Planet
Simplifying Your Buying Techniques (as shared in the above quoted book):
1. If you think you want something, wait a month. One of three things will happen if you follow this sage advice. One: You will forget. Two: You will no longer need it. Or three: You will need it more. Most often, numbers one and two will happen.
2. Next, borrow and lend. How are we going to live together in heaven if we can’t even share a chain saw? One of my goals this year is to put all my books together in a loaning library database, in order that I might bless and encourage others in my church through loaning out my books or simply donating them to our local library. They are just collecting dust right now! I also have a ton of girl baby clothes. If we have a boy, my first goal will be to find someone who can benefit from the use of these clothes in the meantime.
I am growing to realize that the more I share, the less of a strong hold these possessions will have upon my heart. What things are lying around your house that someone else could use right now? There are so many ways to be generous by loaning and giving away your possessions even if you are lacking in the monetary capacity. This is an opportunity for the body of Christ to come together, especially in this slowing economy, and serve and share with one another. Remember Acts 2:44-45, which states that the believers had all their resources together and distributed them as each had a need. I think applying this principle is so applicable today.
It really comes down to changing our mindset! It starts with waiting a month, then if you still really need the item, looking into your borrowing options. If they are lacking, check out all your used options (craigslist, freecycle, consignment shop, etc). The very last alternative is buying an item new…but you most likely will not even get here if you check out the previous ideas!
“Simplifying means having less, wanting less, being satisfied with what you have or less than what you have. It does not mean boredom. People with too many things are the most easily bored. St. Francis owned only his robe, yet was never melancholy or bored.” – J Matthew Sleeth, author of Serve God, Save the Planet
Simplifying Your Buying Techniques (as shared in the above quoted book):
1. If you think you want something, wait a month. One of three things will happen if you follow this sage advice. One: You will forget. Two: You will no longer need it. Or three: You will need it more. Most often, numbers one and two will happen.
2. Next, borrow and lend. How are we going to live together in heaven if we can’t even share a chain saw? One of my goals this year is to put all my books together in a loaning library database, in order that I might bless and encourage others in my church through loaning out my books or simply donating them to our local library. They are just collecting dust right now! I also have a ton of girl baby clothes. If we have a boy, my first goal will be to find someone who can benefit from the use of these clothes in the meantime.
I am growing to realize that the more I share, the less of a strong hold these possessions will have upon my heart. What things are lying around your house that someone else could use right now? There are so many ways to be generous by loaning and giving away your possessions even if you are lacking in the monetary capacity. This is an opportunity for the body of Christ to come together, especially in this slowing economy, and serve and share with one another. Remember Acts 2:44-45, which states that the believers had all their resources together and distributed them as each had a need. I think applying this principle is so applicable today.
It really comes down to changing our mindset! It starts with waiting a month, then if you still really need the item, looking into your borrowing options. If they are lacking, check out all your used options (craigslist, freecycle, consignment shop, etc). The very last alternative is buying an item new…but you most likely will not even get here if you check out the previous ideas!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Day 19 - A Talent of Yours
I believe most people would say that my talent is singing, and I guess in some way that's true. I do love to sing, and I recognize the Lord has gifted me to be able to do so. But if I had to choose my talent, it would be something different. The talent I want is to be able to glorify God, whether it be with my voice, or with service, or with my writing, or especially with compassion and mercy. This is the talent that I pray that I might have.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 18 - Your Wedding
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| Our favorite picture |
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| The mother of one of my school friends took this pic |
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| The whole wedding party |
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| Us with my mom and dad...despite the looks, my parents really did like Terry :-) |
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| Terry with all his siblings. The last time they were together until this year. |
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| Us with the entire Bartell clan |
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| Me with my brother Bill, Karen my sis-in-law, and Bryan my nephew |
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| Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bartell |
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| One of my favorites - Terry dancing with my grandmother, Bobby |
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| Electric slide anyone? |
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| Here we are with my siblings (all but one) from my Dad's side, plus nieces and nephews. There were a bunch who weren't there. |
Friday, October 1, 2010
Day 17 - An Art Piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc.)
Have I mentioned that my men are very talented?
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| All the pieces together |
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| Spring Stroll by Terry |
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| Indian Summer by Terry |
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| Autumn Stream by Terry |
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| Winter Snowscape by Terry |
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| Flower River by Sammy (with direction from Dad) |
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| Remember Beach by Terry- painted for our friend, Kris |
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Day 16 - A Song That Makes You Cry (or nearly)
This is my heart. I long to adopt a child (or 2...or 3). I'm still waiting, Lord. I would love to be able to live out the gift given to me by my Father by adopting a child into our family and helping them to see the incredible gift given by God: His love and the price He paid to make us His children.
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