What I Learned From a Week With No Internet
While having a computer with internet access is almost a necessity these days, we all get distracted with it sometimes, don't we? We sit there in front of Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, or whatever it is you like to look at, and end up sitting there longer than we intended.
When my computer's modem broke last week, I thought it would be a huge blessing. I would be forced to stay off the crazy computer and focus on more important things. It would be a breath of fresh air to not even sit down in front of that screen. I thought I might even have the chance to see for sure just how evil that computer was and decide to get rid of it for good!
But I learned a different, very important lesson.
It's not the computer that's the problem. It's me.
Computers and internet are incredible tools. They help us do all sorts of good things, like preparing Sunday School lessons, blogging encouragement to Christian women, and staying in touch with long-distance friends and far-off missionaries to name a few.
But they can be huge time-sucks too. We get on Facebook to say hi to a friend from church that we didn't see on Sunday or to read the latest update about an injured teenager we know, and the next thing we know it's been half an hour. Then we need to hop over to Pinterest to look up that recipe we were planning to make for supper. Another half hour gone. It's so easy to get lost on the internet even when you get on with the best of intentions.
You can see why I thought it would be nice not to even be able to get on.
But here's where the story didn't turn out like I thought it would.
First, it was terribly annoying not to be able to take care of things that needed to be taken care of – paying bills, sending emails, making a couple purchases, etc. I think having internet is getting to a point where it could actually be considered a necessity.
Second (and this is the part I don't like), I found out that I can find ways to waste time even without getting on the internet!
I am a born procrastinator! I hate it! Without even thinking about it, I find myself doing the least important things possible, instead of doing what I really should be doing.
Furthermore, when I do have some legitimate “down time”, I automatically seek out something entertaining rather than edifying.
I made a promise to the Lord years ago that every day I would not look at any type of media (books, magazines, movies, computer, etc.) unless I had already spent time reading His Word and praying. I haven't kept that promise perfectly, but I can honestly only think of a handful of days where I haven't.
But, here's the thing. Is there anything wrong with reading my Bible two times a day? Three? What kind of a person would I be like if I ran to spend time with the Lord every time I had a moment to sneak off?
As I think back to the days when my husband and I were dating, I can say for sure that I took full advantage of every possible opportunity to be with him. He was a dorm student at a local Bible college, and I was a commuting student, living only about 5 minutes away. I was in that cafeteria sharing every meal that I could with him. We were allowed a certain number of hours of dating every week, and you better believe we used up every minute. If I knew he was going to be somewhere, I would purposely make sure I ended up in the same place at the same time, even if all I had time to do was to say a quick hello.
If I can be that in love with a man, should I not be even more in love with the One who gave His very life because He loved me? And if I'm truly in love with Someone, wouldn't I want to spend time with Him every chance that I had?
Instead I've found the ugly attitude of “Well, I've already read my Bible today, so I shouldn't feel guilty doing something fun right now.”
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with entertainment, as long as it is wholesome. Everyone needs some rest and “down time” occasionally.
But I am wondering what kind of person I would be if I had such a passion for Jesus that I couldn't keep myself away from spending time with Him — if I went apart to spend time with him because I wanted so badly to be with Him. (Psalm 42:1)
No, friends. The computer is not the problem in my home. It's me.
I am begging God to continue to do a work in my heart – to give me more of a desire to be with Him and to be like Him. However, I must also remember that love is an action. With that in mind, I will be making the choice to spend time with the Lord during my down times, even if I feel like I'd rather do something entertaining. I think the results will be better than I could ever hope for.
What about you, my dear readers? What would our nation be like if we all got a passion for Jesus and just couldn't stay away from Him? I believe that's when we'll see revival. And it can happen. But we must make the choice to love him. Our love must be based upon action, not feeling.
What will you choose to do today to love your precious Lord?
Lessons from a 5 Year Old
I'm always learning something from my kids. Sometimes it's because they're just not afraid to say things as they see them. Sometimes it's because they see the world from a different perspective than adults who like to over-complicate things.
I think I may have to start a regular series on things I've learned from my kids.
Today my little boy said, “Mom, if people are poor and need clothes and food, and we don't help them, we're disobeying God, aren't we?”
I had to agree that he was right and then quoted James 4:17 to him: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
The Bible is clear that not doing right things is just as much sin as doing wrong things.
But, maybe we feel that we're excluded because we don't personally know anyone that needs clothes or food.
In our minds, ignorance is bliss.
But ignorance is actually sin.
If you truly wanted to find someone to help, you wouldn't have to look very far. They're living in your community. They're homeless, living their life in a vicious cycle of hopelessness. They're your co-workers, experiencing marital problems. They're your neighbors, depressed and feeling like life is pointless. They're the children playing in your neighborhood, with parents too busy to care about their physical or emotional needs. They're the unwed pregnant mothers, faced with difficult decisions. They're cashiers at the grocery store, addicted to drugs, and finding their life spiraling out of control. They're members of your very own church, struggling with financial stress, but you haven't cared enough about them to get to know them and their needs.
God forgive us.
A New Year – Refresh and Organize
1. Prepare an habitation for the Lord and ask Him to direct your steps. We cannot do this unless we know Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. He alone is the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2. Plan your method of organization and stick with it. However, if plans need to change, don't stress over it, but accept it as God's divine intervention. His way is best! Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
3. Put your husband and children before your home. Don't be so focused on organization and decluttering that you neglect your wonderful family that God has given you. They will vanish quickly. Pay attention and ask God to show you what/who is important. He can help you to set your priorities. Proverbs 31:27-28 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
4. Pay Attention to God's Word and meditate upon it. Here are some Scriptures to think upon:
- Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
- Psalms 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
- Psalms 132:3-5 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
5. Place a song in your heart. Consider some of the following songs regarding God's Guidance and your devotional life.
Summary: Do you want to be refreshed this year? According to Webster's Dictionary this means to give new strength to; to invigorate; to relieve after fatigue; as, to refresh the body. As we give our day to God He will strengthen and invigorate us for the day. Do you want to be organized this year? Psalms 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Trust the Lord to direct your day. He is ever faithful and will never leave or forsake you. May you have a refreshing and organized 2013!
When I Grow Up…
I just love mornings. I'm usually propped up in my bed reading my Bible when my 5 year old gets up and comes in to snuggle with me. He's so active during the day that I rarely get a chance to sit and spend time with him.
The conversations we have in the mornings are absolutely priceless.
This morning I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up. I had no idea what he would say because it's always changing from a fireman to a policeman to Daniel Boone or an Indian.
But he said, “I want to be a Pastor.”
“Really?!” I thought about commending him for the wonderful choice he had made. I would be honored to have a son grow up and become a Pastor.
But I just couldn't. Instead I had to say, “Do you know what I want you to be when you grow up? I want you to be whatever God wants you to be.”
He simply replied, “That's awesome.”
And it is. Whether he ends up being a garbage collector, a doctor, a woodworker like his dad, or a pastor, it's just awesome to be doing exactly what God wants.
Trust and obey,
For there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Relishing the Ordinary
It was an ordinary evening. I was unloading the dishwasher while dinner was heating up on the stove. My 15-month-old was “helping” me, while my 5-year-old ran around the kitchen like a wild Indian, playing with his new ball. My husband was in the other room spending time with our 3-year-old daughter.
I stopped to take it all in, and I realized I was having the time of my life!
It wasn't a special holiday. Everything that was going on was very ordinary, but I was enjoying myself immensely!
I could have this much joy every day if I would only choose to.
I don't need to wait for something special to happen to enjoy life. I can choose to enjoy every moment.
When I'm cooking an “ordinary” supper, I can stop and thank the Lord that I have food to prepare for my family and a stove on which to prepare it.
When I'm doing an “ordinary” dishwasher unloading, I can be thankful I have the luxury of owning a dishwasher.
When I'm changing an “ordinary” diaper I can be thankful for these little ones God has entrusted to me.
If I stop and think about the blessings God has given me, the ordinary things seem so much more special.
Just since that evening a few days ago, I have tried to stop and think throughout the day about God's blessings and to make a conscious choice to enjoy what He has given me – not just on the special days.
What will you enjoy today, my friend? The smell of a Christmas candle? The sound of Christmas music on the radio? The love of your family on this ordinary day? The pretty things God has given you to decorate your home?
Stop. Look. Listen. Enjoy.
Everything we have is a gift from God. He loves us, and has given us “richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
So let's enjoy what He's given.
You’re So Pretty!
My 5 year old tells me all the time, “Mommy, you're pretty.” I love it, and it makes my heart melt!
Yesterday, he gave me this flower, and of course I thanked him profusely. I then tucked it in my hair.
“Mommy, you look pretty!” he squealed in delight.
Believe me, my outward appearance was anything but pretty. My hair was an absolute mess from running around outside with the kids and I had no makeup on.
But that's not what he noticed. To him, I was pretty because I was pouring out love and attention on him.
Outward beauty is such an unimportant thing compared to the inner beauty that we all can possess if we are living a life in love with Jesus.
He's not looking at the way we look on the outside.
1 Samuel 16:7Â for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1 Peter 3:3-4Â Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;Â But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
What do you want others to notice about you? That you're the most fashionably dressed woman they know? That your hair, nails, and makeup are always perfect? That you obviously spend a considerable amount of time primping in front of the mirror?
Or do you want them to see past the outside and think you're beautiful because they know you love them?
Do you glow with the radiance that flows from a pure heart?
Proverbs 31:30Â Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.