An Emotional Dummy?

Today I was reminded of a quote that I have loved. Because as a girl I can be thrown around, day by day, by a war of emotions. That was today for me... Today I have been an Emotional Dummy. At least I am feeling like those dummies for car crash testing. Or maybe the fact that I FEEL all these ways is just making me, the opposite of a smarty pants. But it all just goes to show, no area of your life is left unchallenged to walk obediently, and in a manner that is worthy to the calling we have received in Christ.

I am so thankful for the emotions God has created us with.
Emotions are a response, they make us human (created in the image of God) they move us to do things, and they are a deeper form of who we are. Just imagine worship without feeling. 

I used to think that emotions were bad.  But God has given them to us as a tool and a gift. It is when our emotions slip from being a response to truths, and turn making us believe them truth in themselves- that is when we are on slippery ground.

God gave us the wonderful gift of emotions, for the sake of His Kingdom, and to reveal His character, and -as  The Church- to show Jesus' compassion (Isaiah 54:7-8), share His joy (Jesus speaking John 17:13), and even His intercession in prayer (Romans 8:26-27). 

But there is a battle with emotions because like I lion roaming around seeking someone to devour; the devil is pretty sneaky slipping in to trip you up.
Emotions are not what I will build my hope on, for they are like shifting sands; when they shift, I fall. They are not stable. I need a firm foundation to respond to.  I will build my life on The Mighty Rock, the unchanging truth, of Jesus Christ, and His grace for me, and my ever changing emotions. 



I will chose to cast aside tempting emotions that can cause me to sin, or miss out of the joy of worship, and I will hold fast to the steady word of God, the faithful Rock of Ages! God is my steady grasp when the war of emotions bog me down, or try to make me stumble.

I will chose to stand firm, being thankful for the emotions God has given me, but resist the devil from trying to manipulate them away from being good, and true.

                   Where to Hang Your Soul                                      

"Every Sunday morning in our church we repeat a creed. You know what it says." I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible." There's a statement that has nothing whatever to do with my personal opinions or emotions . It's a statement of objective fact, accepted by faith, and when I stand up in the company of others Christians and repeat this statement I am not talking about myself at all. The only thing I am saying about myself is that I submit to these truths. This is where I stand, this is Reality.

   Very Often (nearly always, I'm afraid) when I come to church my feelings are uppermost in my mind. This is natural. We are human, we are "selves,"and it takes no effort at all to feel. But worship is not feeling. Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and this takes discipline. We are to worship "in spirit and in truth." Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them.

... I take my position, I get my bearings. I need to do this often- more often, it seems, in these days when so many have altogether lost there bearings." - 

Elisabeth Elliot from Let Me Be a Woman

So that is where I am at today... A challenge, and a choice to worship, and obey in spirit (emotion) and in TRUTH.

And November has not gone quite like I had intended in productivity. For evidence of my attempts, I have started 4 posts, but just haven't gotten to it. But it is by grace I am saved, and sustained- AMEN to that- because I sure do need it. :)


Thank you for all your prayers!

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." -1Peter 5:7-11

November...

So it is now November.
I know a lot of things have been happening in the States. Whether that be enjoying all the no-shave-november participants, or the more likely, predominant "presidential bus" I know has been a main topic across the country.
I don't mean to be ignorant, or say that the politics don't matter, for I know they do indeed. I also don't mean to boast that I never had to answer a call to share what party I was in favor of, or watch any "approved by such-and-such" television adds, or even look at any lawn posters.

November was a different for me, because living in a different country, yet hearing all the ruckus of the month made me remember an Unshakable Kingdom. Everything that happens in the United States of America is not an earth shaking event. But there is a Kingdom that is!

Since being away, I have needed to be careful not to become too much of an American blasphemer. It honestly can become quite easy. Viewing on from a new perspective I can point out and see the falseness of this generation/age. It is also hard for me to be very interested because I really haven't been involved at all. It seems the same in many ways to me. I missed the hubbub of things. But I do have an idea of things, and it has brought a few thoughts to mind.

I am just reminded of our tendency to try and make our heaven on earth; making up a home, that is not heaven. We look for the unshakable, and fight for a security, but there is no such thing except for Jesus Christ.

November for me has been a time hungering for home, my real home in heaven.

Another unmet goal was to try and take a picture for everyday of the month. As you can see my ideas don't always happen seeing as there are only three days accounted for. :P oh well...