In Other Words Tuesdays ~ Results

It's In Other Words Tuesday and our host this week is Esthermay of The Heart of a Pastor's Wife. She has chosen the following quote for us:
As I pondered this quote by John Piper, I looked up the word "pragmatist" in the dictionary. It says "a person who is oriented toward the success or failure of a particular line of action, thought, etc.; a practical person".

In our society, people often look at the bottom line. What were the results of the action? Was it a success or a failure? And how quickly was it achieved?

We turn to self-help books so we can follow a set of rules. Isn't that what the people in the Old Testament tried to follow? And how well did that work for them?

Spiritual growth and lessons take time. And often the results aren't seen immediately.

Think about the missionary Jim Elliot who died at a young age attempting to share the love of Jesus with the Auca Indians. He and three others were killed by them. Their bodies were pierced with spears and hacked by machetes!

Was Jim Elliot a failure? If the world read about this killing in the newspaper today, many would think his attempts ...were a failure.

But as his wife continued on in this ministry, the Auca's came to know Jesus over time. Elizabeth Elliot and the other wives of the slain men didn't leave. Instead, the people who killed their husbands were curious and many came to know the Jesus that these missionaries knew.

I'd say that ...Jim Elliot's life was a success.

So, let's not use the world's success or failure standard. Whatever you do, work at it as to the Lord. We may not see the results of our work but we can trust that they will not be wasted. Some plant the seeds and others may water them.

Do your part and ...trust the Lord with the results.

Dancing with Jesus

Would you like to dance with Jesus?

My Uncle Bob sent me this message along with the image and ...I loved it.

I wanted to credit the author so I googled it and found a site called John Mark Ministries.

Dancing with God

When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness gentle guidance and skill ...

My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "U" and "I"
"dance".
God, you and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you this day and every day.

May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you
through each season of your life.

Isn't that beautiful? It reminded me of a video I had seen on YouTube that seemed to act out this dance with God.

In our flesh, we often fight Him and want to lead. We want to be like everyone else because it can be hard to be different.

Are you willing to trust Him, surrender to His will and ...abide in Him?

Our dance with Jesus will be different from the world around us.

But He is worth it!

Over at Laced with Grace

Today I'm over at Laced with Grace. I hope you hop over to read my devotional called Living Out Your Faith.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday ~ Give Thanks

It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders. I encourage you to visit other participating blogs.

Since this is the month of celebrating Thanksgiving, I thought I'd post an all time favorite song of mine. It's Don Moen's Give Thanks. I love the beautiful images in this video. So, sing along, enjoy and ...give thanks!

Happy Then Sings My Soul Saturday and thank you for visiting Heart Choices.

I'm thankful for all of my bloggy friends.

Fitness Friday ~ Discipline of Exercise

It's Fitness Friday and dare I mention the word discipline? Discipline sounds so rigid and legalistic. After all, aren't we all ...about grace?

My mom was such a good example of a disciplined person. Although she had a weakness for chocolate, she only purchased one large Nestle's chocolate bar each week. She would break off a single square each day and that satisfied the urging. There was no sneaking back and eating another piece either.

Mom was also disciplined about exercise. She would work out on her treadmill just about every day without fail. Even as her health was failing, she tried to get in some form of exercise. I even have a photo of her on the treadmill in her bathrobe. She knew it helped give her energy and keep the weight off.

I recently read a post on Internet Cafe that was written by Gina of Chats with an Old Lady. Now, I had to find out how old Gina is and do you know what? She's only in her late 40s; much younger than me. Oh well, lately it seems everyone is younger than me but that's OK.

But her post was entitled "Have You Worked Out Today?" and I thoroughly enjoyed it and could relate. Here's an excerpt from that post:

"One day while on the treadmill I was thinking about how hard it is for me to step on the thing every day. I started to think about how I am the same way spiritually. I am drawn to the Word, know how important it is for me to be in it, and love the benefits of spending time with the Lord. Unfortunately, my flesh does fight the discipline of sitting down, quieting my mind, and listening to the Lord. It seems like it is a battle every day to not get distracted and to choose to spend the time I need in the Word!

I heard someone say once that American Christians are "lazy, fat, and happy!" Just like I would probably be lazy and fat if I didn't discipline myself to get on the treadmill every day, the same would happen if I didn't discipline myself to be in the Word. As I age, I will become more vulnerable to disease and obesity if I don't exercise. The same will happen if I am not in the Word, learning how to discern between biblical and unbiblical thinking. I will become lazy and fat spiritually, and will open myself up to wrong ways of thinking, if I don't discipline myself to spend time with the Lord, nurturing our relationship."

I thought this was right on. You can read Gina's full post on Internet Cafe Devotions.

So, even though you might dislike the term discipline ...we need it in our lives.

Do I skip my exercise sometimes? Yes, of course I do. But it's choosing to create a habit of exercise even if my natural flesh wants nothing to do with it.

(Photo credit: Southern Living)

Today, will you simply go for a walk around the block? Or go to the park and walk? You might ride your bicycle (the pink one Helen) or climb a small mountain. Just do something to take care of your health and get moving.

Slow and steady but ...it's a great way to start.

Now, don't forget to stop by Sandy at God Speaks Today for her Fitness Friday post about working out when you have small children. And Sarah of All Pain, No Gain is sharing her photos after 8 weeks of rest, so check it out.

Thankful Thursday ~ Trials

It's Thankful Thursday and Iris of Grace Alone is hosting us for the month of November. My friend Iris is the originator of this meme which I've grown to love. Knowing that I'll participate each week, I'm on the lookout for all I can be thankful for each day. Thank you Iris!

However, Iris chose the theme of trials for this week. Can I really be thankful in the midst of trials?

Well, this is exactly what the Lord is teaching me during this season of trials in my life. So, I can personally answer with ...a resounding YES.

What am I thankful for in the midst of my trials?

I'm thankful that:

• Instead of only focusing only on getting out of my trials, I'm learning to focus on trusting the Lord in the midst of them.
• I learn valuable lessons if I choose to rest in Him.
• Each trial has a purpose to grow me up.
• I have the opportunity to glorify God.
• My faith is growing.
• I have the opportunity to share with non believers the reason I have hope and faith despite life not always being easy.
• I have become more empathetic with others who are going through trials.
• I'm drawing closer to the Lord.
• I'm learning to live a lifestyle of prayer.
• I'm learning to not attempt to escape my trials through things in this world.

I will close with a letter from Sheri Rose Shepherd's book His Princess: Love Letters from your King. It's entitled "My Princess ...triumph through trials":

"I see you when you are in the garden of grief, My princess. I hear your cry for help in the dark hours of the night. I Myself cried out in the garden the night I was betrayed. In My suffering I asked My Father for another way - a less painful way. Yet I trusted his will and purpose for My life and knew the ultimate victory was at the cross. Just as olives must be crushed to make oil, I poured out My life as a love offering for you. Don't ever doubt that I am with you and that I long to take you to a place of comfort, peace, and victory. Even when you cannot see me from where you are, I am working on your behalf. Give to Me the crushing weight of your circumstances, and come to Me in prayer. When it is time to leave the garden, I will walk with you across the valley and straight to the cross - where your trials will be transformed into triumph."

Love,

Your Savior and your Victor

How can I not be thankful in trials after reading that?