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It’s More than Just a Finger

Live like you’re making a difference for Christ no matter what you might be doing!

beccasramirez's avatarBecca Ramirez

On Wednesday nights I work with the student ministry at my church. My husband and I have had to create a work around to balance this with our daughters and with his work schedule. It’s can be a tad complicated some weeks, but all-in-all, it seems to have worked—if I get my timing correct.

You see, I have to make sure I don’t lose track of time because there is that precarious balance of prepping and cooking dinner, ensuring naps occur but not too long, then gauging the travel time as to not get caught in rush hour madness that would ensure that I was late.

Once particular afternoon, I thought I was doing well. The girls were starting to get up and I was getting dinner together so it would be finished cooking before we had to leave—making one less thing for my husband to have to deal with…

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Created for Community

beccasramirez's avatarBecca Ramirez

Something amazing happens when I begin to find community…I’m happier. It’s no real secret that my claim to personality fame is that I am an extroverted introvert (I love people. I have no problem with public speaking, but I fear initiating conversation with people I don’t know and if given the choice will hole up with a book in a cabin alone for a weekend and be incredibly content).  But even as an introvert, I need those few people to share my life with (and my poor husband gets worn out when I don’t have them).

Since moving this past January (has it really been almost 9 months already?!), it’s safe to say that I have experienced some periods of loneliness. And when no friends is coupled with being a stay at home mom to two littles, it equals an emotional challenge to say the least.

For those of you…

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Learning about the Bible vs. Learning the Bible

I have found that often I’m drawn more to learning about the Bible rather than learning from the Bible itself. God tells us that His Word is living and gives life to those that read it and seek wisdom from it’s pages.  Why then am I drawn many times to hearing ‘about’ it rather than hearing it for myself? 

Look at the masses of books that are written, most well intentioned and with great authority, about a portion of God’s Word.  That’s well all and good but if we are getting our daily dose of His Word from someone elses interpretation, are we truely experiencing the life-giving Word that God speaks about? 

We can take that concept one step futher as well as you listen to sermons from many well intentioned pastors today.  They often take several words to several verses and then speak on those giving us their interpretation of God’s Word.  Though all well and good, it is their interpretation.  It behooves us to spend time in God’s Word each and every day to develop our OWN interpretation of what God is speaking to us through His Word.  It is then that we can listen to or read other’s interpretation to round out the concepts that God has placed in our minds and hearts. 

Are you spending time in God’s Word each day or are you reading about His Word.  I challenge you to find a plan that will enable you to read through the Bible in one year.  In doing so though, don’t read it just to read it.  Take the time necessary to ponder and pray about what God is telling you.  I found that I need to get up at 5:30 each day to allow the time necessary to do this (Coffee is very helpful as well!!)

Let me know how you’re doing.  Are you challenged to read His Word today or to just read and hear about Him?

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Sanctification does not equal sanitation

Santification … Think about it…

beccasramirez's avatarBecca Ramirez

There are times that I believe that God is genuinely trying to wreck my little world that I am so content living within. The reality is that, well, He is.

When God gave us the direction to move eighteen hours away, we did it. When He told me to pursue my book further, I did it. Now He has given me this ideology that I just can’t seem to shake and know that it will lead me through a difficult, but ultimately honoring and humbling path.

As a believer in my late 20’s I’ve gained a little perspective. I have allowed myself to forgive my younger self for the (now) obvious mistakes I chose to make. I have grown in how I approach (and cherish) relationships with my friends and my family. I have learned to appreciate knowledge and wisdom, especially that which comes from God, whether revealed through spoken…

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The Crutch

I’m reminded while reading Isaiah 36 this morning that we all lean on something at times in our lives for strength.  Isaiah was warning Israel not to lean on Egypt because they will get their hands pierced.  You see, the Israelites saw Egypt as a land of strength and prosperity so they felt that an alliance with them will also bring the same their way.

Isn’t that common in all of our lives?  Look at yourself today … what are you leaning on, what is your crutch?  For many in our country, its wealth or seeking ‘happiness’.  For others it is searching for fulfillment in keeping their physical body in shape.  For others, their crutch comes in escaping the world around them either through alcohol, drugs, or illicit relationships. 

Yet God calls to us to lean on Him all of us who are weary or heavy laden and He will give us rest.  Rest … isn’t that ultimately what all of us are seeking?  Rest from worry, rest from conflict, rest from the unknown, rest from … well, UNrest!  How do I get there?  How do I receive that rest?  I think that it only comes with surrender and giving up the control in my life and handing the reins over to God.  I don’t see this as a once and it’s done kind of thing though even for the devout Christ Follower.  Instead, it is a daily mental activity.  Sometimes if life is really coming at you full-on, it may be an hourly activity or maybe even more often than that. 

“In Christ alone” I will stand and to do that I give Him the reins, the control of my life today.  In doing so, He becomes my crutch and I can think of nothing stronger in which to lean. 

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Well worth watching “This is Life Episode 2 Information Overload” on YouTube

This is a recent message regarding Social Media and how its barriage of information tends to DISconnect us rather than connect us.  It goes on to discuss how we can fill our minds with the RIGHT stuff and how that changes my perspective on life and those around me.  Very, very good and well worth taking your time to view.  You can find it here: http://youtu.be/Do59iAOKtsc