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Saturday, 11 July 2009

  • "Yawn"

    We will be participating in our church's summer camp for the next week. (It starts today) I will keep to my regular posting schedule, but I probably won't be around to visit you much. Blessings on your weekend and the week following! 
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Complacency is defined as: A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy.

    Being complacent is dangerous, but easy. Don’t make waves. Chill. Be cool. Don’t rock the boat. Go with the flow. Perhaps this is just what the enemy of our souls would like. If we become lulled into a sense of complacency, we are not doing anything. We are not reaching out. We are just being swept along by the current of this sin-sick world. We are not standing up for anything. We have no     passion. We become lukewarm.

    We must keep in mind that the enemy does not rest. While we may be content in our present circumstances, the enemy is at work. How sad it is when tragedy strikes and we suddenly wake and ask, “How did this happen?”

    One of the most convicting songs I have ever heard was written by Keith Green and is entitled “Asleep in the Light.” As I read the lyrics this morning, my heart was stirred, and I asked God to help me stay strong, awake and alert. I do not want to become complacent to the condition of those around me. I want to see the world through my Father’s eyes.

    Do you see, do you see, all the people sinking down,
    Don't you care, don't you care, are you gonna let them drown?
    How can you be so numb, not to care if they come,
    You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.

    "Oh, Bless me Lord, bless me Lord," you know it's all I ever hear,
    No one aches, no one hurts, no one even sheds one tear,
    But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs,
    And you just lay back and keep soaking it in, oh, can't you see it's such sin?

    Cause He brings people to your door, and you turn them away, as you smile and say,
    God bless you, be at peace, and all Heaven just weeps,
    Cause Jesus came to your door, you've left Him out on the streets.

    Open up, open up, and give yourself away,
    You've seen the need, you hear the cry, so how can you delay?
    God's calling and you're the one, but like Jonah you run,
    He's told you to speak, but you keep holding it in,
    Oh, can't you see it's such sin?

    The world is sleeping in the dark,
    That the church can't fight, cause it's asleep in the light,
    How can you be so dead, when you've been so well fed,
    Jesus rose from the grave, and you, you can't even get out of bed!

    (You can watch it here)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik-XOVZcwow

    Sometimes I wonder if the sin of what we DON’T do, is worse than the bad things we DO do. It’s just a thought. 

    Let’s not be complacent!

Wednesday, 08 July 2009

  • They're Only Words

    We are not always very careful with our words. Maybe we do not realize how powerful they can be, and what influence they can have. Words can build up, or tear down. Words can be a warm embrace, or a stab in the back.

    (James 3:7-10 NLT) “People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!”

    How many of us can still remember hurtful words that were spoken to us long ago? Those words have power, to shape our lives. I have observed people whose lives have been prone to failure, and much of the cause can be traced back to words that have been spoken to them. “You are no good. You will never amount to anything. You’re stupid/fat/ugly/a bad mother/a fool.”

    (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) “Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit--you choose.”

    What can we do about negative words?
    1. We can choose not to let them influence us. Like a duck sheds water from its feathers, let those words just slide off you. Do not receive them into your heart. I know that is hard to do, but God can be your protection.

    (Psalm 27:5 NLT) “For He will conceal me there when troubles come; He will hide me in His sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

    2. We can fill our minds and hearts with what God says about us. If we are focused on the truth of what God says about us, we will be less likely to be influenced by the curses of others.

    (Psalm 16:8 NLT) “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.”
     
    3. We can decide that we will not be someone who speaks curses and negativity to others, because what we sow, we will reap.

    (Psalm 34:1 KJV) “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

    4. If we really want to be free from these curses, we must forgive those who have hurt us. Unforgiveness is far harder on us than on the one we will not forgive. Holding on to the hurt will continue to give it power over you.

    (Matthew 6:14-15 MSG)  "In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.”

    Let’s use words wisely.

Monday, 06 July 2009

  • Danish Lesson

    When we went out to do the shopping last week, I took some pictures of signs. I am thankful the Danish language has quite a few words that are similar in English, and that they also have incorporated many English words into their language. I am also grateful that except for a few extra vowels, the alphabet and numbers are basically the same.

    This sign says "It takes only 5 minutes..." The store is letting you know that you don't have to wait in long lines here. Actually, this is because the store is small and only carries the basics, but if the basics are all you want to get, it's a good place to shop.


    This is a sign that's in the elevator if you park underground at Føtex. It is reminding you to set the time indicator in your car. Each car in Denmark has a little "clock" on the inside windshield, and you are required to indicate the time you arrived on the clock. Many places allow you to park for an hour or two free, but you have to let them know when you arrived. There is an enforcement person who comes around checking, and if your timer is over the time, you will get a ticket. Yes. We do forget sometimes! Thankfully, we have been spared a ticket. God is gracious!



    This is aisle five in Føtex. Honestly, I am not sure what that first word means!  It is a compound word. "Sur" means sour, and "varer" means wares, so it probably means pickled stuff and other condiments like that. Maybe a Danish person can help me out here? "Saucer" means sauces, and "krydderier" means spices.



    Hey! Cookie shop! You can figure that out, right?  "Kager" means cake. "Friskbagt" is fresh baked. Pea Hater and I have no business even LOOKING in this section!



    That's your Danish lesson for the day, folks! Did you find it interesting? I have noticed some interesting things about living in a nation which speaks a language different from my mother tongue.

    * If I have been speaking/reading/listening to a lot of Danish, and then try to play a spelling game in English like Scramble or Pathways on Facebook, I mix some Danish words in there, and that slows me down!
    * I often cannot remember how to sing certain songs in English anymore.
    * If I am going to call a repairman, doctor, etc. who may not speak English with me, I have to look up words I don’t know, and might need to use in my Danish dictionary so I have them on hand.
    * In a store, I speak Danish to the clerk, and they speak Danish back to me, but I can’t understand what they said! Embarrassing!
    * Often, in a store, I speak Danish to the clerk, and she, upon hearing my not-so-great Danish accent, speaks English back to me!
    * Sometimes, when I speak English, I use Danish grammar and it comes out weird.
    * Sometimes, when I speak Danish, I use English grammar, and it comes out weird. My husband says I speak “Danglish!”
    * I listen to something in Danish and think I understand it, but have missed just enough to have understood it as the exact opposite to what it actually is! (Did that make sense?)
    * At about 10 PM, my ability to understand Danish seems to just stop, and my brain goes numb.
    * I rejoice when I find a book at the second hand in English. It’s even nicer if it is a decent book that I would like to read.
    * Imagine – you buy hair color, get a new prescription, a bill comes in the mail, you buy a newspaper or magazine, see an ad, whatever -- and it is all in a language you don’t understand. When we first moved here, that happened all the time. Now – not so much.

    It is so easy to get in a rut and become very comfortable with what you are used to, isn’t it? But there is nothing challenging about that. I am glad I am pressed, challenged and shoved out of my comfort zone. It keeps me learning, and it keeps me depending on God! That's not a bad place to be.

    Is God challenging you to step out of your comfort zone in some area? Are you still making excuses? If you are, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to learn and grow.

Saturday, 04 July 2009

  • My Nation

    (Deut. 32:28-29 KJV) “For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”

    (Proverbs 21:2 NLT) “People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.”

    I have no doubt that President Barak Obama has the best interests of America in his heart. He believes he can make changes which will benefit his country and make it safe and prosperous. He is not a bad guy. He loves his wife and kids. He is intelligent, compassionate, dedicated and sincerely wants to make things better. However, none of these qualities alone will make any difference. Man’s wisdom is so limited, man’s resources so small. Mankind does not have the ability to bring about the changes which are needed.

    (1 Corinthians 3:19-20 NLT) “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, "He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness." And again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; He knows they are worthless."

    Do you know why? Because so many of the issues facing America are HEART issues. The heart cannot be changed by man’s wisdom and cleverness or by laws and legislation. The heart cannot be changed by the sincerity and promises of man. Selfishness, murder, drugs, poverty, unrest, abortion, corruption, a crumbling economy and a weak education system – these can all be traced back to the condition of the heart.

    (Proverbs 14:34 NLT) “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

    (Psalm 7:9-10 NLT) “End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For You look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.”

    Please pray for the United States and for President Obama.  Oh! And happy Independence Day!

Thursday, 02 July 2009

  • Oops!

    (2Timothy 3:16 MSG) Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way.

    Most of us don’t like to make mistakes. Mistakes can be costly or dangerous at their worst, and embarrassing at best. But, we all DO make mistakes, don’t we? And, probably, as long as we are alive, we will continue to do so. To live, is to make mistakes!

    Having a right attitude concerning mistakes is important. They can help us grow, or they can destroy us. Some people prefer to deny that they make mistakes, and this is never a wise thing to do. It’s better to admit it and deal with it. I have a lot of respect for people who are willing to say, “Yep! I goofed. Sorry. What can I do to make it right?”

    It’s important to learn from our mistakes. They can be wonderful learning experiences! Nothing teaches you what NOT to do better than doing it, and having to deal with the consequences!  We need to stay teachable. We need to get what we can out of it and move on.

    When training people for ministry, I don’t look for perfect people, I look for people of good character who are teachable – people who can receive correction without getting all bent out of shape, touchy and offended. These people will do well. It is healthy (and honest!) to admit that occasionally, we mess up. It’s usually not a big deal unless we make it a big deal.

    It is best to be able to learn from our mistakes and move past them. Some go through life beating themselves up over things from their past they can do absolutely nothing about. They are held captive by their hurt, or pride or perfectionism, and it keeps them from moving on. They give their mistakes the power to shape their futures. How much more valuable it is to learn from our mistakes, and even from observing the mistakes of others. Learn and move on.

    Use your mistakes to grow.

DanishDoll

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    • Name: Mae
    • Country: Denmark
    • Birthday: 12/3/1951
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 4/14/2006
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