I admit it, I like to watch Oprah. And, yes, I am sad the show will be going off the air this year.
Today, Jenny McCarthy was speaking about the new book that she has published. Now, although, I do not endorse any of the material contained in the book, I was very struck by something she pointed out. She was talking about how women are great at faking it. She was referencing behavior in which we pretend to be something we are not in order to get what we want. I was so struck by her comments and asked myself is this true. And, surely, I do find it to be true.
Now, I do not want to say that yes, all of you, who are women reading this, fake who you are and what you like etc. But, I can identify with what she was saying. We often pretend to be interested in things we are actually not and we tend to try and please others by how we look, act, and respond. And if you are reading this thinking, I never do that, I can honestly tell you, you are most likely lying to yourself. It is the nature of the beast. As women, we think we need to be everything to everyone. But, the simple fact is, you need to be who you are; precious and beloved in the sight of God. God didn't create us to pretend. God created women to represent him in relationships with love, compassion, and power.
I often struggle with trying to please people and starve off my own desires in order to make others happy. Usually, this happens with people I do not know too well, because if you are close to me, you are probably laughing, thinking, "Danielle, really, when was the last time we did what I wanted to do?" So, I am glad that over time, this wears off! However, when I first meet people, I become totally submissive and do whatever they tell me to. Finally, I get fed up and tell them how I really feel. This either results in true friendships or not so true friendships in which the person decides my behavior is beyond repair and leaves. Listening to Jenny speak made me realize, pretending is not what God wants for me. He has made me a really cool person. I have a lot of love to offer people especially when I am not pretending.
So, I challenge you, if you are a woman and you find yourself faking it, ask God to help you figure it out. Some of you may have no clue even what you are all about because you have been trying to please other people for so long! I know that one from experience. There is no punishment for admitting that sometimes you are not honest with yourself or with people around you. It's actually a stepping stone for you and God to get to know one another better. I promise you that he can give you much more than any other relationship, thing, or person can affirm in you.
Today, was a day of letting go of being something to everyone, and learning to believe that I am accepted and useful just the way God intended.
Now...maybe I should write a book and go on Oprah...I have 10 months!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Centurion: Man of Honor and of Heart
Today, I read the story of the centurion in the gospel of Luke. I have read this story a few times and always felt a bit encouraged by it. However, there were several things that I learned today that can apply in way I hadn't thought of before.
When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Luke 7:1-10
The centurion appears as a well respected master. His servant is well respected by his master as well. So much respect does this man have for his servant, that he is willing to go have people find Jesus to come heal him. This relationship is one that we can apply to our workplaces and our churches. When we are struggling to fit into the leadership structure of the work place or the church, we can look at this model of relationship. They worked so well together that when there was a need the boss or elder chose to seek out healing for this man. There is a genuine sense of love and respect noted in this relationship by the willingness to find help for his servant.
Another aspect of this story in which I find fascinating, is that Jesus is able to see the centurion's motives of love and compassion for his servant. He can see that the centurion is willing to admit that he needs Jesus to heal his servant's sickness because he has greater authority. Jesus sees this and rewards it with the healing of his servant. Jesus is able to recognize true humility and responds with his greatness by healing the servant.
This story was such a blessing to me today. It reminds me that God uses all people in all positions to experience his greatness. His only request is a humble heart and a willing spirit. I am awed by the love and respect of these two men for each other and can only hope that the relationships I have at work and at church will model these.
Maybe you are the centurion in charge of many things and many people. Maybe you are the servant doing your best to honor your leadership. Whatever the case, there is opportunity for God to work miracles in and through those relationships. When we submit our hearts and minds to the motives of God, we become ready and receptive to seeing great things. I don't know about you but, I want to see great things happen through God. By modeling the heart of the centurion for those he is in relationship with, we can see the greatness of God shown through us in our work and in our churches.
When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Luke 7:1-10
The centurion appears as a well respected master. His servant is well respected by his master as well. So much respect does this man have for his servant, that he is willing to go have people find Jesus to come heal him. This relationship is one that we can apply to our workplaces and our churches. When we are struggling to fit into the leadership structure of the work place or the church, we can look at this model of relationship. They worked so well together that when there was a need the boss or elder chose to seek out healing for this man. There is a genuine sense of love and respect noted in this relationship by the willingness to find help for his servant.
Another aspect of this story in which I find fascinating, is that Jesus is able to see the centurion's motives of love and compassion for his servant. He can see that the centurion is willing to admit that he needs Jesus to heal his servant's sickness because he has greater authority. Jesus sees this and rewards it with the healing of his servant. Jesus is able to recognize true humility and responds with his greatness by healing the servant.
This story was such a blessing to me today. It reminds me that God uses all people in all positions to experience his greatness. His only request is a humble heart and a willing spirit. I am awed by the love and respect of these two men for each other and can only hope that the relationships I have at work and at church will model these.
Maybe you are the centurion in charge of many things and many people. Maybe you are the servant doing your best to honor your leadership. Whatever the case, there is opportunity for God to work miracles in and through those relationships. When we submit our hearts and minds to the motives of God, we become ready and receptive to seeing great things. I don't know about you but, I want to see great things happen through God. By modeling the heart of the centurion for those he is in relationship with, we can see the greatness of God shown through us in our work and in our churches.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Redeeming God's Glory
I have been inspired by a teaching that I was listening to on my Ipod. This teaching was by Mark Driscoll, think what you will. He was discussing, "Redeeming God's Glory." As he spoke, my heart connected with his message. The main take away I had from listening was that God wants us to be humble people that promote his glory. Too often in life, we are people that are too self promoting or false humble. I often fall guilty to the last category. Yet, I remember quiting Facebook because I felt like I was spending too much time promoting myself.
We live in a world where we need to prove our worth. We need to shout from the rooftops that we are good enough and even better than the next guy. But, friends, that is not how it works in God's kingdom. We are on the same playing field. Whether we feel we need to get glory for our accomplishments, or just prove we are more righteous than the next guy, we are truly in the wrong. Our lives have been given to us so that we may show others who God is. If we are wasting it on a marketing campagin of our talents, we miss out on the blessing intended for us. I am not my talents. Maybe I would be if I didn't love Jesus, but because I do, I am now different. My life is lived with the love of Jesus for those around me. Therefore, there is no striving to be liked or deemed worthy. This is already done for me. What a hard thing to grasp in a world that demands applause.
I read Romans 5 today. What a great follow up on this teaching! My favorite line was, "we hope in the glory of God." What does that mean to you? To me it does not mean that I hope in my abilities, my gorgeous looks :), my friends, my family. No, it means that I have faith that someday whether here or in heaven God is going to get appreciation for all he has done. So, when I go to work, I am not seeking to be noticed by my boss for how great I work. But, rather, I am loving my boss, and helping him with projects that he cannot complete on his own. I am spending time with him to learn about his life and offer compassion for his issues. Our lives are not to be centered on us. Rather, they are to be centered on the love God has given us to give to others. Let's not waste what love God has given to us. Let's spend more time focusing on getting God the glory than trying to achieve glory for ourselves. I tell you there is no glory we can get that is worth wasting the love God has given to us to share with others.
We live in a world where we need to prove our worth. We need to shout from the rooftops that we are good enough and even better than the next guy. But, friends, that is not how it works in God's kingdom. We are on the same playing field. Whether we feel we need to get glory for our accomplishments, or just prove we are more righteous than the next guy, we are truly in the wrong. Our lives have been given to us so that we may show others who God is. If we are wasting it on a marketing campagin of our talents, we miss out on the blessing intended for us. I am not my talents. Maybe I would be if I didn't love Jesus, but because I do, I am now different. My life is lived with the love of Jesus for those around me. Therefore, there is no striving to be liked or deemed worthy. This is already done for me. What a hard thing to grasp in a world that demands applause.
I read Romans 5 today. What a great follow up on this teaching! My favorite line was, "we hope in the glory of God." What does that mean to you? To me it does not mean that I hope in my abilities, my gorgeous looks :), my friends, my family. No, it means that I have faith that someday whether here or in heaven God is going to get appreciation for all he has done. So, when I go to work, I am not seeking to be noticed by my boss for how great I work. But, rather, I am loving my boss, and helping him with projects that he cannot complete on his own. I am spending time with him to learn about his life and offer compassion for his issues. Our lives are not to be centered on us. Rather, they are to be centered on the love God has given us to give to others. Let's not waste what love God has given to us. Let's spend more time focusing on getting God the glory than trying to achieve glory for ourselves. I tell you there is no glory we can get that is worth wasting the love God has given to us to share with others.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Writing the Future
Today, I have made a decision regarding my personal future. Since a young age, I have had a natural desire to write and to analyze various books, periodicals, educational materials and such and transcribe it into an understanding for the reader. There is an innate passion for me to turn thoughts into words and bring them to you, the reader. So, I have decided to freelance. Now, I have been successful with in the past, publishing in various magazines. However, I never took it seriously. I always thought, "I need to be responsible and have a career that puts food on the table." Yet, I never took an honest look at my success. So, I am writing to tell you and to hopefully inspire you to hold me accountable for my quest to publish my works. Now, my ultimate goal is to write a book. But, for the time being, I am going to write, write, write, and submit, submit and submit. Please give me some ideas on what you think current culture is focused on whether it be in arts, media, sports, religion etc. I am ready for the challenge and can already hear to voice of God saying, "You've finally got it, go for it!" If I can run a marathon...I can do this...piece of cake...right??
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Forgiveness= Freedom
Often times, we think of forgiveness as an option for us to offer to another person in order to reconcile the relationship and allow for healing. This is true in most cases. But, like Jesus, we can offer forgiveness to those that have harmed us, in an effort to produce our own freedom.
There have been a few times in my life that I have been trapped by the lack of forgiveness of others for a situation or circumstance I have apologized for. In a certain circumstance, I have apologized only to be told that my apology was not sincere. Therefore, my motive was decided and the apology was not accepted. In another circumstance, I have apologized, and rather than being reconciled to that person, the person has just chosen to cease talking to me and turn their back to our friendship. Each of these situations are not models of Jesus' kingdom in heaven. Each of these situations do not embody the spirit of forgiveness. For a long time, I believed the lie that I got the punishment I deserved. But, today, I have realized that true forgiveness means, the sin is wiped clean and payment has been accepted.
Today, as I was watching the movie, Invictus, I realized that I have a choice, a very distinct choice. I can let the unforgiveness of others reign over me and cause me to seek revenge, or I can look towards Jesus and see his compassion, kindness, and peace cover me and set me free. I write today to encourage you to seek freedom if you too find yourself in similar circumstances. Unfortunately, some choose to harbor unforgiveness for things you may have apologized for and even sought restitution. However, that is the way of the world, not the way of Jesus. If there is some person or persons in your life that will not let you forget what you have done to them, let Jesus' forgiveness come make a home in your heart today. Surely, he is the only way to true freedom. Surely, he is the only way for you to turn to them and offer love and kindness. I trust in him and I believe that he has washed clean my slate and even if someone chooses to re-write it on the wall again and again...it is erased from the memory of the one who matters most...Jesus.
There have been a few times in my life that I have been trapped by the lack of forgiveness of others for a situation or circumstance I have apologized for. In a certain circumstance, I have apologized only to be told that my apology was not sincere. Therefore, my motive was decided and the apology was not accepted. In another circumstance, I have apologized, and rather than being reconciled to that person, the person has just chosen to cease talking to me and turn their back to our friendship. Each of these situations are not models of Jesus' kingdom in heaven. Each of these situations do not embody the spirit of forgiveness. For a long time, I believed the lie that I got the punishment I deserved. But, today, I have realized that true forgiveness means, the sin is wiped clean and payment has been accepted.
Today, as I was watching the movie, Invictus, I realized that I have a choice, a very distinct choice. I can let the unforgiveness of others reign over me and cause me to seek revenge, or I can look towards Jesus and see his compassion, kindness, and peace cover me and set me free. I write today to encourage you to seek freedom if you too find yourself in similar circumstances. Unfortunately, some choose to harbor unforgiveness for things you may have apologized for and even sought restitution. However, that is the way of the world, not the way of Jesus. If there is some person or persons in your life that will not let you forget what you have done to them, let Jesus' forgiveness come make a home in your heart today. Surely, he is the only way to true freedom. Surely, he is the only way for you to turn to them and offer love and kindness. I trust in him and I believe that he has washed clean my slate and even if someone chooses to re-write it on the wall again and again...it is erased from the memory of the one who matters most...Jesus.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Do I REALLY love you?
This weekend I attended a church conference hosted by the organization of churches that I attend. Every year this conference brings anticipation of what will be taught, heard, and prayed about. This year I went expecting to learn great things. And, I did.
The greatest take away for me had to do simply with an honest question asked to me by God. In our prayer time, I felt as though God was asking me if I really loved him. Exploring this with God in prayer was challenging. What I realized through this exploration was that I hadn't been loving God the way he deserves to be loved. The kind of love that God deserves is much bigger than the love I have been giving him. So often, I find myself missing out on the loving relationship that God intends us to have. I surely talk to God throughout the day,but I often miss out on what he is saying back to me. This weekend I feel that I learned that the relationship God desires to have with me is greater than all of the current relationships that I find myself in. He intends that I talk to him and listen to him with such an earnest heart so that our relationship is rock solid never fading and never changing.
So, I bring forth the question to you. Do you REALLY love God? Do you trust him with EVERYTHING? Do you believe that he can change you for his benefit? If not, that's ok...because he will reel you in, just like he did to me today. Our relationship with God can remain like a long distance one, only telephoning when something comes up. Or it can be the most intimate one on one relationship we have ever experienced. It's really up to us, because he is there...always...waiting.
The greatest take away for me had to do simply with an honest question asked to me by God. In our prayer time, I felt as though God was asking me if I really loved him. Exploring this with God in prayer was challenging. What I realized through this exploration was that I hadn't been loving God the way he deserves to be loved. The kind of love that God deserves is much bigger than the love I have been giving him. So often, I find myself missing out on the loving relationship that God intends us to have. I surely talk to God throughout the day,but I often miss out on what he is saying back to me. This weekend I feel that I learned that the relationship God desires to have with me is greater than all of the current relationships that I find myself in. He intends that I talk to him and listen to him with such an earnest heart so that our relationship is rock solid never fading and never changing.
So, I bring forth the question to you. Do you REALLY love God? Do you trust him with EVERYTHING? Do you believe that he can change you for his benefit? If not, that's ok...because he will reel you in, just like he did to me today. Our relationship with God can remain like a long distance one, only telephoning when something comes up. Or it can be the most intimate one on one relationship we have ever experienced. It's really up to us, because he is there...always...waiting.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
How's the Weather?
Hey There!
How have you been? Enjoying the heat? Ha! Well, I sure the heck am. Isn't it funny how much harder things seem to become in the heat. It's like taking a step is twice as hard as it is when its a balmy 70 degrees! It got me thinking... how little it takes for circumstances to muck up my life. I am a stickler for things being in order. This includes a lot of areas of my life. But, when one little thing is out of place, I feel like the world is crashing down. However, this weather has been teaching me a lot. There is so much that a little heat can disrupt. It can disrupt your hair, your clothes, your breathing, your running, etc. You get the idea. What I have been thinking is...hmm..maybe this weather is telling me something...SLOW DOWN! How often I find myself buzzing around when its really not necessary. I feel like I have been learning how to take a step back, slow down, appreciate what I'm experiencing and love life. What a treasure it is when we learn to see our circumstances as oppourtunities instead of disruption! So, bring on the heat wave...I can handle it!
How have you been? Enjoying the heat? Ha! Well, I sure the heck am. Isn't it funny how much harder things seem to become in the heat. It's like taking a step is twice as hard as it is when its a balmy 70 degrees! It got me thinking... how little it takes for circumstances to muck up my life. I am a stickler for things being in order. This includes a lot of areas of my life. But, when one little thing is out of place, I feel like the world is crashing down. However, this weather has been teaching me a lot. There is so much that a little heat can disrupt. It can disrupt your hair, your clothes, your breathing, your running, etc. You get the idea. What I have been thinking is...hmm..maybe this weather is telling me something...SLOW DOWN! How often I find myself buzzing around when its really not necessary. I feel like I have been learning how to take a step back, slow down, appreciate what I'm experiencing and love life. What a treasure it is when we learn to see our circumstances as oppourtunities instead of disruption! So, bring on the heat wave...I can handle it!
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