Complete Surrender December 11, 2009

I would consider myself a fairly confident person. I usually approach new tasks with enthusiasm and boldness. But, I am starting to realize this type of thinking can often stand in the way from God’s real plan.

I went back to York College yesterday to do some work in their library and I admit that visiting the campus has been some thing I usually dread. I don’t like to be reminded of the person I was then and the decisions I made. Going back to campus has often brought back memories of a life I work hard to forget. But yesterday’s visit was finally different. I approached my time there through a new perspective. I used those memroies and many mistakes to reflect on how far I’ve come. I realized that the person who went to York College no longer lives in this body. I have finally taken enough baby steps of change to feel like I am a new person, living a life that centers around the life of Christ and doing my best to live and love the way he did. The visit back in time actually felt good!

But, of course the pride issue is always knocking at the door and I started to think, you know I can do this, I can walk this journey with boldness. I believe there’s a level of bolness and confidence that is good for the soul but often times I cross that line and become overly confident. Unfortuantely, this prevents God from really being able to use me for his purpose. I believe people can see this in me and probably wonder which Aimee is going to show up some days. I hate stuggling with pride and I’ve been told that will probably never go awy. I pray it does.

I want to work toward being humble instead of accomplished, toward serving instead of leading, toward loving instead of proving! I believe this is the only way to tryly lead people on the journey of faith, to live a life that reflects His image. It’s easy to stay humble when that’s your measuring stick because I definitely fail horribly every day. I pray that I can stay focused on this through out the next several years and especially once God calls me to serve at one of his churches. So this morning, I am once again completely surrendered, knowing that if anything good comes out of this day, this journey, this life, it is all because of Christ working through me.

Marriage November 27, 2009

You know every year around Thanksgiving Michael & I celebrate a mini-Anniversary. A time spent looking back over the last several years and realizing how much has changed and how far we’ve come. We started dating during the week of Thanksgiving and so it’s neat to reflect during that time. We have discussions like, 5 years ago would you have imagined having another baby, moving into our home, visiting Disney twice, changing cars 3 times, etc… but behind all of that stuff, I step back and look at life 5 years ago. I am still thankful for getting married despite our very rocky start. But I realize that I’ve let all the little nuances of life get in the way and at times I have forgotten to appreciate him. With two kids some days I feel like we play tag in who’s home and who’s working and who’s picking them up or dropping them off.

All that busyness can crowd in on the most important thing, your relationship. I’m sure some will say, we’ll it’s only been 5 years, you wait. But I know this, every year I get with Mike is another year full of blessings, I never take them for granted because I never know which one will be the lat. He’s one man in my life that no one can come close to. I really think that due to Michael’s insane spoiling I’ll only ever be married once because it just doesn’t get any better than this. I’m thankful for having a week to remember and cherish the man I married and love. My running joke is that they just don’t make them like that anymore and well, I still believe that’s true.

So today I hope to encourage you to stop, think about life before you met your spouse and how much love, joy, and life they have added to yours. You might just be overwhelmed. He’s still the one and I’m still in love!

The Attitude of Christ – Shared November 17, 2009

The post below will actually be a part of our Advent Devotional but it was too powerful not to share early!

Philippians 2: 1-5 (New Century Version) Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others. In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

In looking at all the different translations of these verses I like the New Century Version the best because of the direct questions and commands that Paul gives to the church in Philippi. . I never realized just how important this passage of scripture would be in my life. I was blessed to work with Pastor Ron for just one short year and at every opportunity he brought us together, opened his bible and talked with us about this passage of scripture. Maybe I was too blind or hurt or hardened to see it at the time but today I can read those words and clearly see the life and unity he longed for us to experience. The gift of new life that Christ offers us in himself. We have the ability to have the same attitude as Jesus, an attitude of grace, compassion, love, mercy and forgiveness.

Verse 5 says, “In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.” This verse is extremely important to remember and possibly even review daily as we prepare for the Christmas season. If we think and act the way the world does we will miss out on the joy and love God wants to share with us through the celebration of the birth of his son. Let’s face it, Christmas is not about shopping, holiday parties, gifts, or other events. It’s about taking time out of our every day lives to be thankful for the awesome gift of Jesus Christ. If we get wrapped up in the “Holiday Season” we will miss opportunities to love, serve and maybe even disciple the people we meet. But, if we think and act like Jesus, we will see people first and everything else will slowly fade away. This Christmas season, be challenged to think differently, act simply and be in unity with Jesus, acting as a witness for Him.