This was my online devotional today, thought someone might like it.   It made me think ..... how much do I think about myself!!?   Let me know what you think!!!!

Ending the Obesession with Self

“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

Have you ever considered how much time you think about yourself?  Do you wander by a mirror and catch a quick glance?  Do you browse fashion magazines and imagine for hours how you would look in some snazzy new outfit?  Have you ever thought about how many of your sentences begin with “I” or end with “me”? The obsession with self starts early.  Moments after birth, the self demands its own way.  A baby will scream, pout or keep his parents awake for hours at night asserting his obsession with self.  Have you ever wondered why it is that your parents never had to teach you how to be selfish? For most, no matter what the issue, life seems to revolve around answering the question, “What do I get out of this?”

One of the most compelling sermons I ever heard was given years ago by the former president of Moody Bible Institute, Joe Stowell. The sermon I heard hit me at the core of my being.  He said, “One day, life won’t be about 'me’…it won’t be about you.  It won’t be about the covers of magazines, or CEO status, or diplomas or anything else.  Life will come down to Jesus.”  I was challenged by the following portion from Joe’s message and hope you will be also:

“I’m only fifty-seven, and I already find myself weary of the hollow thoughts of what few accomplishments I may have mustered in my life.  My failures continue to embarrass me.  The inadequacies I have carried with me since my youth still frustrate me.  My insecurities still trouble my soul.  And the praise of others has an increasingly hollow ring. I’m tired of worrying about what people think about me.  I’m weary of the carnal feeling that sometimes haunts me when someone talks about his favorite preacher and it’s not me.  Bottom line, I just get flat-out tired of me.  BUT I NEVER GET TIRED OF JESUS.  After all these years, I still find Him more compelling, more engaging, more awesome, more surprising, more fulfilling, and more attractive than ever before.  I never get tired of singing His praises or of watching Him perform.  I find Him to be gripping.  Absorbing.  Beyond comprehension.  And that’s why – along with Paul, my grandmother, Billy Graham and countless others through the years – I find myself longing to know Him better.”

Today, work on ending the obsession with self by taking your eyes off of yourself. Instead, direct them toward Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

What a summer!!! South Dakota was a great trip, and then Day Camp.  Of Course ending the summer at Surf City.  I couldn't go to Mexico but I heard it was a ton of fun!!! Tell me your favorite story from camp, or what God has taught you this summer. God, once again, has reminded me that He is always in control.  No matter what we think should happen or what we want to happen God's way is the best way.  Sometimes it is a hard lesson to learn.  Forgetting what I want and what I think is the best is not always the way God sees things.  He is Big, He is Good, and He is in control of my life.  Sometimes I try to get control and things never work out, ever!  God's way is the only way I want for my life.  His timing, His plan-His way!!! 

Don't forget to tell me what you are learning, oh and go to hebrononline.org to see pictures from this summer

Carrie

This is one of the passages I talked about on Sunday, and it just really spoke to me.  Hope it does the same for you:) 

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?  All this time and money wasted on fashion-do you think it makes that much difference?  Instead of looking at fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers.  They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it?  The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. 

If God gives such attentiuon to the appearance of wildflowers-most of which are never even seen-don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?  What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.  People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.  Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.  Don't worry about missing out.  You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. 

Matthew 6:27-34

Running on Empty

“As the deer pants for streams of water, o my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2

It had been a busy day.  In fact, it had been a busy week.  On my way home, I had decided to stop by the UCLA hospital to visit my sister who was working the night shift.  I left the hospital just before midnight, ready to crawl into bed.  I couldn’t get home fast enough.  It wasn’t more than fifteen minutes after leaving that my power steering went out on the freeway in Los Angeles.  My heart sank; I knew the problem.  I had run out of gas.  Luckily, I was able to coast off at an exit, but I only had enough “oomph” to reach a side street.  I was stuck. 

I was so frustrated with myself.  How could I have let this happen?  All day, my warning light had beckoned.  But I had been too busy, too preoccupied, to actually stop and fill up.  I just kept driving and eventually forgot I even needed gas.

Sometimes I do the same thing with God that I did that day with my car.  I stop paying attention, or get too busy to fill up, and the next thing I know, I’m stranded and helpless.  What’s my reaction then? I cry out for God and beg for Him to come to my rescue.  Perhaps I wouldn’t need to be rescued so often  if I would always put God first and make filling up my top priority.

I love how nice it is outside!!!!  I spent the day yesterday in the sun and walking in the park, I loved every moment!!!  Barrett and Steve both caught fish and then we went to Mrs. C's and sat by the fire! It was a great mother's day. I can't think of any thing to buy my mom for mothers day...what did you get or do for your mom this year?  help  me out, I have no creative ideas, I need help!!!

 Don't forget about Western Night at the Barclay Building on Friday.  It is only $5!!! I don't really like Country music but I love to dance to it!!!!!  The night starts at 7:30-9:30.  We are going to have so much fun  Learn to Crochet is Saturday at 9am-11am only #5.  Make sure you tell me if you are coming on Saturday.  Also if you know how to Crochet we are looking for helpers!!!  let me know