Monday, April 27, 2009

My Walk Mondays. Faith in Motion.


"The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. " Genesis 12:1

Our family has been going through a lot of changes lately. My husband was laid off in January from his job of more than 12 years. We have also been attending a new church for the last month. Yes, a lot of changes. It reminds me of Genesis 12 where God told Abram to take his family and set out for the place He will show them. Abram was to leave everything that was comfortable and familiar and travel somewhere new. But God didn't give Abram any details other than the command to go. For some reason God didn't want Abram to know the details - maybe because Abram wouldn't have wanted to go had he known the situation. Or maybe, God wanted to test his faith, or maybe the journey WAS the destination.

This is hard to grasp because I am a person that likes to know all of the details. For example, last Summer we took a trip to So Cal to visit Disneyland, Sea World and Universal Studios. I planned the entire trip in advance, we had our tickets, coupons, everything. Nothing was left to chance. I thoroughly enjoyed going over the details again and again- well in advance. I spent hours reading park reviews, maps, mulling over ticket prices, and hotel accommodations because I wanted everything to be just right. I wanted our vacation experience to be well thought out and well prepared. I just wanted us to have the best time possible.

Going on vacation took no faith on our part. We had the maps, ticket receipts and itinerary confirmations. Everything was set for us to simply show up.

But Abram was given a completely different mission. He was basically told to leave home and start walking with directions to follow.

This is the faith that Abram was later commended for in Hebrews 11:8-10


"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

He didn't merely believe what God said, but he took it a step further. He put his faith into motion when he took his family and set out for this unknown destination. His faith was activated the moment his sandals hit the road. He obeyed before he saw any evidence, before there was a Messiah or the Holy Spirit.

As I think of God's faithfulness in Abram's life I am excited to see what God has in store for us. I want faith like Abram, where I don't just believe in God, but I want to put my faith into motion. Maybe it's not so much about the destination as it is about the journey.








Tuesday, April 21, 2009

My Walk Monday - Perfect Day


This past Sunday Jeff and I decided to go to the beach after church. As soon as church was over we raced home to get our beach gear. The weather in Santa Cruz was probably the hottest I can remember and made for a perfect beach day.

We had fun wading in the water which was surprisingly refreshing for the month of April. We also took naps under the sun and even got some color. Jeff of course got brown, while I got a nice shade of pink. Later that night we went to the wharf and enjoyed a great meal at a fabulous seafood restaurant. We had a beautiful view of the ocean from our table, and enjoyed personal and intimate conversation. I felt as though I fell in love all over again. The day was awesome and we even got lost on the way home. It was so fun.

We both agreed our date day was amazing because it was as though we were boyfriend and girlfriend again. It was definitely a blessing to get away for a day, even if it was only to Santa Cruz. Ever since we got home we feel so much closer to each other, as if our relationship was completely refreshed. I can definitely see how important it is to get away with your spouse and take that time to really get to know the other person in a new way. We didn't talk about money, or kids, or errands we need to run, we just opened our hearts to each other. I am so blessed for the wonderful Sabbath and the amazing friend God has given me in Jeff.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Thankful Thursday. Resting on God's Promises.


This has been a tough week for me, but I am thankful that I can always find comfort in God's word, no matter the circumstance. We as Christians have a choice in the way in which we live out our Christian walk.
We can choose to live life through the eyes of faith, or we can look at our circumstances and walk by sight. In order to live a live of faith we need to constantly meditate on and choose to believe God's word. God's Word actually gives us faith. "So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17
I am also thankful for loving friends God has blessed me with who are wonderful examples of faith in action. I am also thankful that God's Word NEVER changes. It's solid and concrete, just like a rock.

I have a collection of verses posted on my desk at work which always minister to me.

I have posted them below, I hope you like it. :)


  • You say: "It's impossible." God says: All things are possible. Luke 18:27
  • You say: "I'm too tired." God says: I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28-30
  • You say: "Nobody really loves me." God says: I love you. John 3:16, John 3:34
  • You say: "I can't go on." God says: My grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthinas 12:9 , Psalms 91:15
  • You say: "I can't figure things out." God says: I will direct your steps. Proverbs 3:5-6
  • You say: "I can't do it." God says: You can do all things. Philippians 4:13
  • You say: "I'm not able." God says: I am able. 2 Corinthians 9:8
  • You say: "It's not worth it." God says: It will be worth it. Romans 8:28
  • You say: "I can't forgive myself." God says: I forgive you. 1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1
  • You say: "I am afraid." God says: I have not give you a sprit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7
  • You say: "I am always worried and afraid." God says: Cast all your cares upon me. 1 Peter 5:7
  • You say: "I'm not smart enough." God says: I give you wisdom. James 1:5
  • You say: "I feel all alone." God says: I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5