God Knows Our Humanness Psalms 103:13-14: "For [God] knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust" (v.14). "Sometimes I feel so alone," revealed the wife of a busy executive and mother of three preschoolers. "I wish my husband would spend time with the children and me. But I guess I'm just being selfish. I shouldn't let my wants or needs get the best of me. God probably wants to teach … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Journey Into Burnout Psalm 115:1: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." A friend said to me after weeks of ten to twelve hour work days, "Please pray that I will not be resentful of all the things I have to do -- of all the things that make demands on me." "I'll pray for you," I responded. "What are the things that make demands on … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
I'm Not Perfect, Lord! Isaiah 54:10: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken...says the Lord..." "I got mixed messages growing up," said my friend. "On one hand, I received the message that I was a perfect little girl; responsible for bringing pleasure to adults. Yet, I felt bad, afraid I might not measure up." I nodded … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Taking Care Of Yourself Matthew 12:14-15: "But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from the place." There was a plot to get rid of Jesus. He knew it, and left the place of danger. But he did not withdraw from serving; he continued to minister wherever he went. He did not stop being the person God the Father wanted him to be. Later, when … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Being Versus Doing John 6:28-29: "What are the things God wants us to do?" (v.28, NCV). When people asked, "What are the things God wants us to do?" Jesus said, "The work God wants you to do is this: to believe in the One that God sent." You may be asking: "Lord, what do you want me to do?" This is a valid question, but some of us ask this to the exclusion of the more essential question, "Who … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Time Alone is Okay! Luke 9:18: "[Jesus] was alone, praying, with his disciples nearby..." (TLB). Some of us may think that we should wait to rest until everyone else is satisfied or preoccupied. When our spouses go on a business trip, after the children are in bed, if no one in our Sunday School class needs us, when all the extra office work is done -- then we consider taking time for ourselves. … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Learning To Receive Romans 1:11-12: "Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you" (v.12, NCV). "I'll be praying for you as you recover from your dental surgery," I promised my friend as she left our Bible study and headed for the clinic. She was the working mother of two preschoolers. I knew that the operation would severely affect her schedule and energy level for the next few days. … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Our Inner Slave Driver Galatians 5:1: "...Do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." "I'm tired," shared my friend. "When my husband's gone I don't go to sleep at a reasonable time." "But he travels every week with his job," I said. "You must be tired a lot." "Yeah, I guess I am," she admitted. "Recently I stopped long enough to ask myself why I don't go to bed at a decent … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Burnout Benefits? James 1:2-4: "...is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow...For when your patience is finally in full bloom, ...you will be...strong in character..." (TLB). The jack pine and lodgepole pine trees produce seed-filled pine cones that may cling to an overloaded tree for twenty … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect
Focusing on the Source Philippians 1:20-21: "For to me, to live is Christ..." (v.21). Paul was not obsessed with his ministry. His main focus was Christ himself. Oswald Chambers wrote: "If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity..." When … [Read more...] about Meditations for Christian Who Try to Be Perfect