I cannot believe that it is New Year's Eve already. This is crazy. Where did the year go?? I always heard people say that time goes so quickly, and never really believed them. I think I do now.
2010 was a good year once again. The Lord chose to bless me again, and I didn't deserve it. All the ups and downs of the year, and the Lord was once again faithful as He always is. And the provider of all. I am so thankful that He is Sovereign and loves me and forgives me.
It was such a good year for me spiritually I feel. I feel like I realized so much more this year than any other year. I felt like the Lord showed me more where my priorities are, where I need to change, showed me my sin, showed me grace, showed me love, broke me, and showed me why I am here on this earth, and guess what? Its NOT about me. Its about Jesus Christ.
He showed me once again, even though I have heard the story of the cross a million times. I have/had a whole new outlook at what took place on Calvary..It just amazes me and brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it. His sacrifice for me. Ahh. Just amazes me.
I guess some other great things that 2010 brought as far as other things go, a 10lb weight loss (wahooo!!:), a 2nd job, A time to see old friends, time with my brothers, and just hanging with friends.
Some goals for 2011:
--Continue to focus on the cross
--Love others as Christ does
--That the Lord would continue to show me my sin, and the seriousness of it.
--That my life would reflect Christ in every area
--That I would encourage others more often
--And Run my 2nd 5k!!! :)
May the Lord Bless you in 2011!!!!
I had the most amazing time at the wedding this last weekend. Even the snow couldn't stop me from attending this beautiful weekend. After a 15 min. plane ride, a 2.5 hour unexpected layover,2 unknown to me groomsmen who were amazing that picked me up from the airport, sleepless nights, tears, good food, a Packer game, hugs, dancing, chatting, and loving...It was the greatest weekend I have ever had. It was amazing to see so many good friends that I haven't seen in awhile, and to see one of my great friends, marry such a wonderful Godly man who loves the Lord so much and will treat her as Christ would. It was an amazing weekend.
So I am on one of the last chapters in my book, Respectable Sins; and this book has really opened my eyes to my sin, and I was continually reminded that I am nothing, and deserve nothing. My eyes were also opened to how our world that we live in has just brushed sin aside and made it look like its no big deal.
But it is. Sin is sin no matter what way you look at it,and it hurts God when we do it. We need forgiveness daily. I am so grateful that He gives me that forgiveness when I ask, and still loves me everyday, even though I mess up EVERY day. God is good.
I was reading on the sin of worldliness and was looking at different aspects of it, and I was struck by the section on money. I am not good with money. I have always known that, even though my father is a banker and is extremely good with it, I am not. Ever since I can remember as soon as I got that birthday money in the mail, or got that babysitting money, that sucker did NOT go in the bank, No way Jose, I went straight to the local shoe store, or Target to spend that bad boy.
Since I have been working a job when I got out of high school, I knew that I needed to start giving back to the Lord what He so graciously given me. And I have been terrible at doing that. My tithing has not been what it should be, I even have 2 jobs and should be giving more, and I don't. I need to. I always think that If I give to much away I won't have any left to pay for "emergency" things like gas, insurance, or a unexpected Dr.s visits or something. This obviously shows my sin that I don't trust that the Lord will provide. I know He does, and I need to trust that.
As I write this I think I have already blogged about this before, Hmm, guess I really need to work on this. I will. I am blessed beyond measure and I can't take the money with me when I die, so why I am I holding on to it?? For my own pleasure?? My own selfish gain?? Temporal things?? Our giving should reflect the value we place on His gift to us. I need to give back to the Lord what is His. He is faithful. He will provide.
I was challenged by this verse that I came across this afternoon. Maybe I was struck by it because I lack the gift of mercy and this verse clearly has a lot of mercy going on in it :) ..Anyways, I have been trying to meditate on this this afternoon, and hopefully you will too.
"All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers,be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing."
1 Peter 3:8-9.
Well, here it is, the annual Miller Family Christmas Photo. One of these years we hope to add some spouses to the photo for one and all of us children, just obviously not quite yet. And the rents said they would like to have grand kids in the photo as well someday. Guess we'd better work on that...:) Someday... Merry Christmas From the Miller Family.
Check out these 3 cute little faces that I see almost everyday!! Merry Christmas from the Andersen Kids....
Logan Kirk--7 years old
Owen Victor--4 years old
Leah Cortney--2 years old!!
I am one proud Nanny!!
"Philippians 2:4-Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others..."
Was challenged by this verse today.
I am being sanctified daily by Him.
I am growing, learning and changing daily.
May He show me my sin, break me and humble me.
"Give thanks ALWAYS and for EVERYTHING to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20.
I was convicted today of my sin of unthankfulness. This was what my chapter was on today. And yes, it may seem like a such a minuscule sin, but its sin. Yes, I give thanks to Him maybe when things are good, and things are going my way or in my favor, but do I give thanks when things may not be in my favor?
I also realized that I don't thank Him enough for my salvation and for His work on the cross for me. I was also aware of this when I was going through one of my last books; Cross Centered Life. I need to thank Him more for my salvation; for giving me spiritual life. Christ's giving me spiritual life is a far greater miracle, and its benefits are infinitely greater than healing of a disease.
Do I give Him thanks for giving me not just one job, but two? And giving me the abilities that I need to do the job effectively?? Not enough.
I know I don't give Him thanks enough for His grace, forgiveness, love, His providing me with a car, family, friends, church, place to live...and the list goes on.
On the other hand, when things are going bad, Do I thank Him. Probably not. Even though I know, that ALL things work together for GOOD , for those who are called according to His purpose..(Romans 8)...So even if my bags get lost on December 26th with my bridesmaids dress and shoes inside, I must be thankful.
I want to develop a habit of continual thanksgiving for all the blessings God so graciously pours out on me, and the situations He brings my way..No matter what.
