God is faithful June 28, 2009

We were blessed to have Pastor John Seibling from Life Church in Memphis come and preach at our church today. I feel like I need to share the cliff-notes version of his message because it really spoke to me and I think it is meant for others too.

Exodus 34:6 says, And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”

First off, this is an important verse–God decides to just stroll on by Moses and give Moses some descriptors of Him and His character. Of all the words and phrases He could use to describe Himself, the above are some of the words He chose, so pay attention! More often than not, in the Word, faithfulness and love are talked about together.

Faithfulness is the greatest expression of love. Think about that for a moment–it can be applied to a relationship with Jesus, a marriage relationship, an employee/boss relationship, or really any relationship. Being truly faithful to that person, that relationship, is the greatest and highest expression of love and commitment.

Pastor gave a definition of being faithful as 5 parts: 1) show up 2) on time 3) with a good attitude 4) every day 5) and get something done. Faithfulness = fruitfulness. Rewards and opportunities will overflow as you remain faithful, and there may be things that  you miss out on if you show up to things habitually late.

Pastor talked about 3 rewards of faithfulness:

1) Significance of a good reputation

Proverbs 3:3-4 says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

2) Strength of longterm relationships

There’s something powerful about being in a relationship for a long period of time. Whether family, friends, or employer, there is strength in that consistency, loyalty, and trustworthiness that is not easily undone.

3) Blessing of accomplishment

When you are faithful, you will eventually walk into blessing. Remember the story of Jesus going to the prominent Pharisee’s house and He tells the story of the wedding feast (Luke 14)? “8 When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.”  You see, it’s not about assuming the highest seat or rank automatically. But if you are a faithful friend, your friend will want to place you in a seat of honor and will want to bless you. That longterm friendship will yield rewards and blessings.

When you are faithful, you will eventually walk right into blessing. If you focus on faithfulness, you WILL accomplish. Don’t focus on the accomplishment, as many of us are prone to do, but focus on faithfulness.

He closed with Matthew 25:23 which says, “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” The journey of having few to having many is the result of faithfulness.

Prayer June 2, 2009

So, David and I have been reading through an interesting devotional book together called Spiritual Classics and we’re reading through the selections on prayer. While it’s been very challenging to me and my walk of faith, we also heard a good word from the pulpit this Sunday that I wanted to share.

Acts 9:36-42 says:

Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

The significant piece of this story is in the prayer. Here is Peter who’s been a very busy preacher and healer for a time now. When he came to this circumstance, the order of events and posture in this time of prayer is key. This situation was overwhelming–a blessed woman of God had died, he was surrounded by people mourning her loss, and he was possibly shaken at all of this. What did he do? He sent everyone out–he silenced the many around him to get his focus on the One Voice that mattered. He turned away from the body and prayed to get the faith he needed to face the body and situation. Looking at the circumstances and the facts head on was more than he could handle in his flesh. By turning away from that circumstance, he was able to clear his mind and focus on God. When he got the faith he needed through prayer, THEN he was able to turn around and face the circumstance head on. Isn’t it funny how when we get our steps back in order and let God be Lord and King that everything seems to fall into place?

new “home” in Tampa January 22, 2009

i use the word “home” very loosely as i’m only here temporarily and even then i’m sneaking back home to Jax on the long breaks. part of my clinical experience through UNF involves a 2 month stint down here in Tampa. the housing is free, which is great, but i share this house with 7 other people, and that makes it a bit crowded when everyone’s here. but, it’s temporary, and i’m still commuting home as much as possible to be with David and my home and my dog. those make me happy.

in any case, here are some pics of the new pad for now through february, after which i hope never to return!

holiday splendor January 22, 2009

i really do love the holidays. every year they come and go too quickly though, and with school cramping my style, i feel like my time is even less. however we did manage to have some fun times over Christmas, and i’m excited to share these with you.

we spent the morning and afternoon just hanging out and playing. ate some oatmeal, breakfast of champions, opened gifts, played with gifts, went for a bike ride, played some more, then went over to hang with some dear friends for a night of fun and food. i love Christmas!!!!

thankful December 12, 2008

i feel so far like this holiday season is just wizzing by. i’ve been terribly tied up with school, and my off days have been spent being busy with cleaning or gift-shopping or studying. a couple days ago though i just took some time to read and reflect. while thanksgiving weekend kept us busy with cooking and having people over and decorating for Christmas, i still found myself incredibly grateful for the blessings God has given. my faith is number one, and the hope of a future. i’m truly blessed with an amazing family, in my husband and my parents and siblings. David continues to be my best friend and confidant, and my love for him just grows and grows. he takes such good care of me. our families have grown this year with both David and my siblings getting married, and it’s a beautiful thing. i’m more than half-way through my grad school, and i’m continuing to push on with confidence. David’s business is staying strong in spite of some difficult economic times for many others.

i just feel very blessed and very thankful for the life God has given us. God is good, all the time.

total slacker November 21, 2008

so, i’ve been completely neglecting the blogosphere in my weakened academic state. school has been kicking my you-know-what lately, and we’ve had much gto do even on my days “off”. what i have learned is that i don’t really have days off. there are days when i’m not directly working in the hospital for my clinical hours, but i’m at home studying, or cleaning and keeping the house up, or running errands. to be honest, i think true days off only come around when i’m not actually at home–when i’m away on a vacation, not with family or scheduled plans or anythihng, but just away. sad but true.

so, let’s see if i can summarize the recent events in the Rosai life. David’s sister, Laura, got married a couple weeks ago, and the wedding was simple and beautiful. laura and her new hubby, Steve, are doing well and getting back into routine. David is absolutely loving the new convertable and never knew he’d love some material thing quite like this! it’s been a lot of fun for him. i have repainted my office this fabulous brick red color and am planning to redo the bathroom next–probably in a deep blue. my laptop is broken for good and to repair it would be half the price of a new one, so we’re shopping for a new one. hopefully black friday deals will prove helpful! my schooling is going well, and i’ve crossed over that halfway mark–hooray for small victories!

i guess that’s it. nothing super-crazy-exciting to report, but life is good, and we are so blessed. and i’m very much looking forward to the Christmas season!!!!!

new addition to the garage family November 2, 2008

check out David’s new wheels!

what you feed grows, what you starve dies October 30, 2008

sometimes i’m thrown off guard by how the things and values (or lack thereof) of this world are able to sneak in and pull Christians away from their faith. Romans 12:1-2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV). i don’t want to come across as being judgmental–i’m merely talking out loud about a heartache i have. look at someone like Jessica Simpson who grew up rooted in the faith, trying to make things work in the Christian music world. when things didn’t go her way, she went to the secular venue and made her way there. same with Katy Perry, who used to be known as Katy Hudson and even released a Christian album back in 2001–she’s now singing the pop song “I Kissed a Girl.” is it a problem with the Christian music industry? a problem with roots deeper than we see on the surface? maybe. but i’m merely thinking that it really is a daily struggle to keep the faith, to feed and water our roots in the Word. it makes me sad to see these young women be pulled away, yet i’m all the more aware of my own need to stay grounded and rooted.

it’s been too long, i’m in too deep October 19, 2008

School’s been crazy this month! I’m in the middle of my cardiothoracic (i.e. heart/lung) rotation in anesthesia school, and it’s been ridiculously busy and demanding! I am enjoying it, but it’s a lot of work. Sorry to have been so quiet–that’s just the way it is sometimes. i’m almost halfway through the program though, and for that, i’m grateful.

Anyway, a couple random tidbits I have today. First, did you know that Hershey Kisses had pumpkin spice kisses? It’s like a mini pumpkin pie in every one, and I highly recommend trying them! I think they’re at Target.

Secondly, my father-in-law recently was in Japan on business. he was quite impressed with the control panel for the toilet in one of the hotel restrooms, and i couldn’t resist sharing this pic with you too. you’ll probably have to click on it to get the full details–amazing…

love those Jags October 5, 2008

i must admit that i love our jacksonville jaguars! i’m not a crazy addict or anything, but i love to go to the games or watch them on t.v. i do also happen to own jones-drew jersies (yes, that’s plural). well, tonight’s game is special for a variety of reasons. first off, i grew up in cleveland, ohio–ergo, i don’t really care that much for the pittsburgh steelers. secondly, one of the back-up quarterbacks for the steelers used to be a quarterback for jacksonville–byron leftwich. so, if he comes close to actually having to play in tonight’s game, then we just might have a riot on our hands. if i didn’t have such an early start tomorrow, i’d be at that game tonight–GO JAGS!!!!!!!!