Proclaim!

Recently in church service, we sang a well known song by the Newsboys. I'd encourage you to take a moment to listen:

                          

Great words! But what really caught my attention was listening to the congregation. There is little that is more moving than listening as the voices of 250-300 people soar and swell while singing the chorus:

We believe in God the Father!

We believe in Jesus Christ!

We believe in the Holy Spirit!

And He's given us new life!

We believe in the crucifixion!

We believe that He conquered death!

We believe in the resurrection!

And He's comin' back again!

This was more than just singing along with the worship leader; it was a portion of the body of Christ proclaiming their faith and it was absolutely beautiful!

As I listened, I couldn't help but think about carrying this out into the world. It is wonderful to so exuberantly and bolding proclaim what we believe when in the comfort of a family of believers, but how well does it translate outside of the walls of our church building? Some I'm certain do well; I also am certain I could do so much more.

I've long struggled to put what I believe into words, getting overwhelmed with the details, but no more. Using this song, here is what I believe:

I believe in God the Father:

I believe in God the Father- faithful and true, holy and just, creator and judge, full of grace and truth. The One who was and is and is to come.

I believe in Jesus Christ:

I believe in Jesus Christ, His son, the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords, the Word who was in the beginning and spoke the world into existence, the suffering servant and conquering king, the light of the world and hope of the nations. I believe Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that He is "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20)


I believe in the Holy Spirit:
I believe in the Holy Spirit, a gift from God who helps with my weakness, convicts me of sin, righteousness and judgement, intercedes on my behalf and testifies that I am a child of God.


I believe that thanks to them, I have new life:
A new life not based on the desires and impulses of my natural, earthly self but one that is led by the Spirit, freeing me from the shame, condemnation and shackles of sin. A life of joy- based not on my circumstances but on the value God has placed on me.


I believe in the crucifixion:
I believe Jesus Christ, the only man to walk this earth without sin, chose to bear the infamy of my sin, the shame of the cross and the punishment for my wrongdoings that I might have the opportunity to approach the throne of grace. I believe He did all of this as a gift of love and grace, one freely offered to all but forced on none, a gift we each must choose to accept or deny.


I believe that He conquered death:
I believe that death, one of two things we jokingly say are the only certain things in life, could not hold Him because He is the creator and as such has authority and dominion over every aspect of His creation. I believe that with His triumph over the grave, Satan's illusion of power was destroyed and the war was won.


I believe in the resurrection:
I believe Jesus not only defeated death but He returned to walk on this earth, meeting with several hundreds of people and when that time came to an end, He was taken up into the heavens to sit at the right hand of the throne of God.


I believe that He's coming back again!
I believe that He will return one more time but this time He will come with trumpet blasts and all WILL know He is Lord and King. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. He will call the faithful to Himself and take them to paradise.

So how does what I believe- all of the above-express itself in my life? Can it only be heard in my words? If so, what needs to change so it is seen in my actions and proclaimed through my life?

How does what I believe affect my time/schedule, my finances, my priorities, my relationships?

How do I treat my family members, my friends, my co-workers, the people I meet for a moment?
How does what I believe change how I treat those who have hurt and belittled me?

Is what I believe expressed in my thoughts, my attitudes, and mt response to our society & culture?

I know I have a long way to go but these are the areas where I want my life to proclaim the words of the chorus above, and as I work on myself, I will stand to say:

 I believe!

Control

I feel it Lord. I don't know exactly why it is rearing its ugly head now but it is none the less and it is doing so with a vengeance. Something seems to be spinning far beyond my control and it leaves me desperate to control every other area in my life that I think I can reach. 

The worst part is that this doesn't just affect me. My desperation and consuming control-grab leaves our girls and Drew in my wake all too often. A harsh word, a remark rashly spoken and belatedly regretted, heightened frustrations and impossible expectations. Requirements hard to keep myself as a full grown, competent and able woman laid at the feet of young children. Lines in the sand I push to make them follow instead of leading with a gentle word and encouraging hand.

Perfectionism and control leave so little room for grace, compassion, mercy and patience. Worst yet, perfectionism and control only considers my pride and arrogance and runs rough-shod over Your right and authority, Your honor and love. Too much of me and too little- far too little- of You. 

Help me Lord. Help me to begin by taking control of my actions, my words, my thoughts. May I hold them captive to You, Lord and may all that I do eminate from thoughts that coincide with this: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8) I know I cannot do it alone but I also know that You have not left me alone. May I take hold of that- not just as knowledge but at the very core of my being. May it invade my way of thinking and ever raise my eyes above my own wants and needs to see You and Your kingdom.

Thank you for accepting me in my broken state, for loving me in spite of my stong-headed, independent self, and thank you for not leaving me there but offering to transform me if I will but stay in Your presence.

My Little Bug-A-Boo

Darling Noelle,

Earlier this month you turned three years old and what an incredible and wonderful three years it has been. I have particularly loved this last year as your personality has truly begun to shine and I love getting to know the unique, beautiful little person you are. Happy Birthday, sweet, sweet little one.

As I think on you, little Noelle, I cannot help but smile as I recall your sweet, joyful spirit. You are so often like a little ray of sunshine. In fact I have found myself often saying that you wake up with "rainbows and sunshine" because that is exactly the kind of atmosphere you create with your sweet smile and bubbly spirit. It is hard to be gloomy or upset when you are nearby. Lord, Thank you for Noelle's beautiful spirit. I pray that this infectious joy and pure delight will not be squelched by the passing of time or the ways of this world. I pray that Noelle's spirit might remain a source of brightness in the lives of those around her.

These last few months have proven just what a little comedian you are. Your Daddy and I have known for some time that you loved to make others laugh and would repeat something time and again if it brought a smile to another's face. Yet in the last few weeks, your sense of humor and love of laughter has only increased and found new avenues of expression. I love your voices; they never fail to make me laugh. Lord, as before, I would ask that you protect this part of Noelle. Too often this world can weigh us down- whether through hardship or repetition- but Noelle's love of laughter is a beautiful counter to all of that. I pray that she would learn when the time is appropriate and could use this as a gift to others.

Unfortunately we have also been made aware of what appears to be a great fear in your life- being left alone. You have always been a bit more concerned when we left you in a new place, but that fear appeared to quickly disappear. Yet lately, even in our home, you will become quite nervous and upset if you think we are leaving you or if you cannot find us (ie. waking in the middle of the night). At these times, you always voice your fear, "Don't leave me,"; "I thought you'd left me." Daddy and I may have to leave you for a time and sometimes- particularly at your age now- that time can seem like forever, but we would never willingly leave you indefinitely. Lord, it is hard to hear Noelle continually voice a fear that we will leave her, yet for her, it is a true concern. We thank you Lord for the assurance that no matter what may happen in this world, she (and us as well) will never be alone. We pray Lord that as she grows older, she will come to understand this and rely upon this when the days seem dark and her path appears lonely. Never will You forsake her; never will You leave her.

Thank you for our little Bug-A-Boo- for her beautiful, infectious spirit and the joy she has brought to our lives. Thank you for sharing her with us and granting us the responsibility and honor of guiding her through these years. May our example and our words continually point her to You and may the works of our hands help her become the young lady You have made her to be.

Noelle, I can think of no greater gift to give you, for your third birthday or any to come, than to pray for you. The Lord entrusted you to our care but in the end, you are still His child- first and foremost. I pray that you will never forget that and will always desire to better know your Creator and Heavenly Father. And we pray that you will always know that your Mommy loves you. Your Daddy loves you.But above all, God loves you!

All the love I have,

Mommy