To be like You

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had" Philippians 2:5

MY goal. MY challenge. This is what i want.

I also like the King James which states...

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5

This mind? What mind...God's mind? God's attitude? Imagine how different this earth would be if we all had the attitude of GOD Himself.....

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too."

"Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross."

How important it is to God for us to have the mind of Christ. And even more important to be an example to others...to Shine...to be Light...among the dark. How could we be an example of Love...such pure real merciful love...which Jesus displayed to us. How important this must be to Him. How happy it must make Him when we listen (apply) to the many times He instructed us to love..not to judge or criticize...simply to love.

"Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?"

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.


“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. "


“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

There are not many things that make me "mad"..passionate yes but not angry. I am passionate about being judged and being judgemental. It is one characteristic i do not admire and one that i strive not to display. Jesus said "You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone". Anyone!!

So i don't really have a purpose to this post. I was just thinking and reading about loving others...and how we are taught by society and family to judge others. And if no one taught us anything...if society did not play its part and we were not taught anything by our parents...what would come natural??

Yearning and learning to be like You Lord....

JM

"Who said"?

This story might seem silly to post...but i wanted to write it down like you would a strange dream so i wont forget it. I dont know why.

I was leaving work yesterday and through the double glass doors at the exit of my building I could see a homeless man holding up a quarter and asking the people passing for spare change. Although i would like to do more for the homeless...like bring them home...let them shower give them clothes...help them get a job...and tell them about God, I sadly settle for giving what "extra" money i have in my pocket when i can. And not for self gratification...although it does feel good...but for the chance to give them more than what they are aking for...maybe the chance to give them joy. So as i watched him ask each person i put my hand in my pocket for the two singles i knew i had there. I passed through the double doors waiting for his voice.."miss do you..."but nothing, he did not ask me. I kept walking a bit slower towards the parking lot secretly hoping he would notice he missed someone...but still nothing. So i walked to my car and heard him ask someone "sir do you have extra change"...the man answered "sir...don't call me sir when you don't know me"...my heart broke into pieces. I put my things in my car and grabbed only the two singles from my wallet. I closed my door and proceeded to walk back into my building. As i approached the doors i realized the "sir guy" had not given him any money at all but instead gave him a cigarette and the homeless man was now sitting against the wall smoking. I made a glance towards the "sir guy" and noticed he was talking with what i assume was his co-worker in their freshly pressed suits. They both were smoking as well with big smiles and expensive brief cases. I waited for him to ask me...but instead he mumbled "hi" (maybe tired of all the no's) and he looked at me with a strange glare. I took the two dollars out of my pocket and handed it to him. His response was confusing. His big blue eyes widened at the dollars he saw...and he didn't look at me. He took it slowly and said "For who" ..."for you" i responded with a smile. Then he looked up at me with the same strange look that i noticed leaving the first time...and he spoke "who said"...now not thinking i blurted out "I did". I walked through the doors again pretending i forgot something inside without giving him the chance to say thank you or anything else for that matter. I walked through the lobby...waited for a minute and then turned around to go through the double glass doors again. He was still there and i glanced quickly as i walked away..."goodbye" he stated.

Now why did this random conversation repeat in my mind the whole way home...i kept seeing his eyes...and the way he looked when he spoke "who said". The more and more i thought of his life...i could not hold back my tears. I though about the "sir" who passed him so easily with no tug to the heart. I wondered how many times a day that must happen. I don't know this man nor why he was homeless or how he became homeless. But I continued to weep for him. And then i stopped and i thought of a much better response than the one i had given. "Who said"...this man gave me a perfect opportunity to tell him something...anything that could help him more than money..more than food or shelter. He gave me an open door to respond to his "who said" by saying "God said" GOD tells me in His word to help...help you because He loves you and He can help you too. I failed..my opportunity had passed and here i was almost home.

This haunted me for most of the afternoon...as i thought about how much more i could have helped him. More than two stinky dollars. I almost felt like it was a test...which was silly...but at one point his eyes looked like he knew what he was asking...like he knew what he wanted to hear. Which is also very silly. But this brief encounter touched my heart...i felt God close...closer than usual yesterday afternoon. Close like after 3 hours of a worship service. I know it was definately not because of the money i gave him...but maybe for a different reason. And not to bring me glory or praise but because my desire was to bring Him the Glory.

And i hope to see my blue eyed friend again today and try once more.

JM

Routine...Longing

I seem to have two things on my mind this week...among many other things. One is routine...I'm am trying to get back into my "routine" after a week away that seems harder than i thought. But i also don't want to have a "routine" where life is so expected and usual. Wake up...drop Abe off at the train...go to work..work...eat...drive home..pick up Abe from train...go to gym...go home..cook dinner...laundry...dishes...read bible...pray with husband..sleep...wake...start over. Ugh! And then i realize...its everyone. I know its not just me that has these routines. Especially with children i could imagine...but is that the way it should be? There are many things that i look forward to during my weekly routing...Monday night bible study...Wednesday night worship practice...Friday night FNL...Saturday date night...Sunday church, worship, fellowship! Those are the things that i love being routine and i wouldnt want them to change. Those are the activities I missed during vacation. I think i am more aware of my routine after a week away with no agenda...I'm sure in a few weeks it will just be normal again. But is it?

Which brings me to the second thing on my mind this week...longing. Lately i have felt a longing for something and i don't know what it is. Its not a void necessarily but i cant seem to figure it out. I know i am filled and fulfilled by God and I could not live without His presence in my life. He already filled a large whole in my heart a long time ago. I have a wonderful husband who loves me and fills my life with joy. I am happier than i have ever been at church and with my church family and i know that God is using me there. And i also know that He has big plans for Abe and I in the future...His future. I have a mother and father who love and support me..a niece I adore with all my heart. I have a good secure job...which is definitely not what i would have choose for my life. But seemed to fall into place whether is was my fault or not...but i am grateful to be working and to be in a secure job. But is it that? Is there somewhere else i should be spending 8 hours of my day Monday through Friday...should i be in school...am i wasting my time...my life? These are the things i have been pondering this week. So i will pray and seek my Father in heaven for guidance..for peace..and as always He will not let me down.

Is longing natural? Can you still feel it all the major things in your life are taken care of (what we consider major) and things are where they should be? Will it always exist? Is it possible to be filled to the brim in life with everything your heart desires...even the things you cant put your finger on?

I have longings that i am aware of...longings to show people Christ and His love...longing to bring my family to church and for them to want to be there (two different things)...longing to be all that God wants me to be...longing to be the wife he created me to be...the friend i should be...eventually the mother He instructs me to be...and above all I long to be an example.. His example.. with His character shining through me...His follower but one that draws people to Him and does not turn them away. Those longings i am conscious of...but then there is something i am missing and i don't know what it is. Could they all be linked? Are they all the same thing? Just some thoughts i guess...which for some odd reason always feel better when you write (type) them down.

Longing for the right routine...

JM