Saturday, December 27, 2008

ABIDE IN ME

You on your throne and me all alone,
How glorious a sight, how wonderful
it feels to abide.

Abide in me, I hear you say.
You call my name and the world goes away.
A treasure waits from the heart of
my King.
My knees are my offering

The veil removed,
the scales are gone,
my eyes are clear,
my ears can hear, your Kingdom has come.
It surrounds me, it fills me.
There is no other place I'd rather be
than to abide in Thee!

In you, I see myself;
how I'm meant to be, not who I am.
In you I'm totally content,
completely loved and confident.

I was lost and now I'm found.
The Good Shepherd holds me, I'm no
longer bound.
It's a wonderful place to be,
You never cease to amaze me.

Abide in me I hear you say.
You call my name and the world goes away.
A treasure waits from the heart
of my King.
My knees are my offering.

God Bless,
Theresa Anderson

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

IS IT JUST ME OR IS ANYONE ELSE TEMPTED?

Is it just me or is anyone else tempted? I was Christmas shopping alone recently and noticed the sale prices at every store I visited. Prices are slashed in half so stores can make money and move merchandise during this tough economic time. Every year, I look forward to the after Christmas sales when I can purchase items at a fraction of the original price. However, this year I'm not sure anything is going to be left over after the holidays with stores slashing prices now.
Prices were so low I was tempted to purchase more for myself than as gifts, and I was tempted to purchase items I didn't want or need. I have a red-tag radar built into my soul that beeps when I see a red sale tag. This left me in quite a quandry because my husband and I are in debt and currently following the baby steps of Financial Peace with Dave Ramsey. We have committed to be debt free and sale prices, regardless of how low they go, can sabotage our financial freedom plan.
With student loans, business loans, and personal debt my husband and I have been in debt so long it is hard to imagine life any other way. So, as I walked through Kohl's I wondered how I might feel different when I have the freedom to spend and that particular temptation has no hold over me. A familiar verse of scripture came to mind but with a new meaning to me. In John 13:12, Jesus says, "Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
What this scripture speaks to me regarding my personal financial situation is that those who have money will be given more and those who have little, even what they do have will be taken away. I heard Rush Limbaugh say and I believe it's true that this nation's prosperity is not genuine, it's borrowed. American's who have been financially responsible through the years by saving, giving, and living below their means are acquiring wealth and have been able to weather the storm of this economic crisis. Therefore, they already 'have' and are obtaining more in some cases because they have a strong financial house. However, most american's who save little, and give little, and spend more than they make, what little they have will be taken. Their cars will be repossessed and homes foreclosed with hurt pride and feelings of shame.
What I have learned through our financial journey is that it is never too late to surrender your finances to Jesus and start making wise financial decisions. You or your situation is never too far gone. God is faithful and will reward your actions when done in obedience to His Word and His Ways.
I vividly remember the moment my husband and I drew a line in the sand and said no more to debt. We owed taxes but didn't have the money to pay the bill. Rather than borrow the money to pay on time, we chose to wait and pay when we actually had the money. Consequently, we were penalized with a late fee of several hundred dollars. The government takes their due dates seriously! Since that pivotal moment, my husband and I have tried to be faithful and obedient steward's of God's money. God is the owner of all things and we are managers. If He can trust us to do the right thing with the money He provides us, I believe He will provide more. However, having more is not merely for our entertainment or to satisfy our temptations. Having financial abundance is a tool He uses to fulfill His purposes. Will you join me on the debt-free journey this new year?
I pray God blesses you with financial and spiritual abundance. I pray He will teach you and equip you to receive more of His blessings because you are faithful to Him and His Word. I pray you hold strong against the temptation to spend for the sake of spending and that you obey the Kingdom principles of saving, spending and giving.
God Bless You
Theresa
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Friday, December 12, 2008

WHATEVER HE SAYS TO YOU, DO IT!

I didn't sleep well last night and when I woke up this morning, I didn't feel well. I will skip all the gory details but suffice it to say that I made a few trips to the bathroom. My husband helped me by taking my daughter to preschool and I quietly and gratefully slipped back into bed. Oh, how I love to slip back into bed; into sheets that are still warm from the night's sleep. What can I say, its a simple indulgent pleasure that I have but only indulge in occassionally. My dilemma this morning was a brunch to attend in an hour. Do I call and say I'm not feeling well and can't make it or buck up and go but risk possibly fleeing the room for a bathroom visit? The thought of staying home curled up in my warm bed for a few hours while my children were still at school was very tempting. At the same time, I had made a committment to friends and wanted to follow through. So, I inquired of the Lord. After He answered, I said "but, Looord," don't you know I don't feel well. How embarrassing it would be to go and spend more time in the bathroom. So, I inquired of the Lord again, and again, and again. I asked the Lord what I should do about a dozen times in a dozen different ways. Finally, I surrendered and said, "okay Lord I will go, I trust you but I wonder about you sometimes." So I went and thoroughly enjoyed myself catching up with friends I hadn't seen in a while. It was a blessing to boast about the Lord with ladies who love him as much as I do.
I am reminded yet again that God knows better than I. He knows better what I need and what is best for me. I am thankful I obeyed Him today and I felt great the rest of the day. It makes me wonder if I had listened to my own whining instead, might I still be in bed not feeling well. In John 2:5, Mary the mother of Jesus says to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it. Today, he told me to go and I did it. We can never go wrong when we listen and obey the One who knows all.
What about you? Do you inquire of the Lord and do you obey? The One who created you and loves you wants what is best for you. He delights in you. Will you talk to Him and trust Him today? Whatever He says to you, do it.
Blessings,
Theresa

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

OpportuniTEA

I went to my daughter's preschool today for a mother's holiday tea. It was a social event so the mom's could relax and enjoy themselves and get to know other mom's. The preschool provided two speakers for the event both of which were mother's themselves. As I listened to these ladies, I was intrigued not by their message although their messages were wonderful and grounded in scripture. I was sparked by the message behind the message. That behind-the-scenes prayer, preparation and practice of the message. Both ladies sought the Lord and His heart for what to share and they delivered what was purposed for them to say. Did they wonder if they were sharing their heart or the Lord's? Maybe. Did they have trouble hearing what the Lord wanted them to share? Maybe. Were they anxious that perhaps what they had practiced to speak would be full of errors or omissions? Maybe.
But they said yes to the invitation to speak. In a step of faith, they said yes. As I watched and listened to our two speakers today, I marveled that all God wants is for us to say yes. Once we surrender and say yes, He will provide. Abraham said yes and God provided a sacrifice for the altar. Mary said yes and God provided a Savior. Jeremiah said yes and God filled his mouth with words.
As an aspiring writer and speaker, I think we have a tendency to stress about the part of the journey after we say yes. We might get anxious about what does He want me to say and how does He want me to say it. However, once we say yes our job is done, so-to-speak. Not in a literal sense but once we accept an invitation to share His promises, God will then provide the details. God provides the opportunity, we accept the invitation and He makes a deposit into our spirits. Our job is to unwrap the gift and share it with others.
The mothers' speaking today said yes to the opportunity; they said yes to the invitation then they shared their gift straight from the heart of God. God blessed the speakers today so they could be a blessing and God allowed me to 'see' that unfold. That revelation was not only comforting to me as I anticipate my own speaking opportunities, but it also gave me confidence so when I say yes to God I know He provides the details. The God of Abraham, Mary, and Jeremiah is also my God. He is Jehovah-Jireh the Lord who provides!

Friday, December 5, 2008

IS IT REAL OR IS IT MEMOREX?

Is God real to you or are the stories of the Bible a recording of a life from long ago? Can you say, "I know the God of that Bible"? Can you say, "I know the God that parts the waters; I know the God that raises the dead; and I know the God that sets the stars in their place"?
God is real today and He loves you. He created you and wants you to know Him.