Category Archives: God Stuff

March 1, 2011 · 5:00 am

He Had Me At Colon Spasm.

So sorry I’ve been MIA from the blog.  And, sorry for the ridiculous title of this post.  I thought I might be dying from the colon spasms a few days ago, but it all worked out okay.  I spent much of last week resting and trying to think of creative ways to drink my food.   That creativity ran out by day one. 

But, seriously, y’all.  Thank you for praying for me the way you did.  I am humbled and thankful!

Now, I’m not one to start yellin’ things like “God caused my pain.”  Because, He didn’t. 

But, He did use it.

To get me still.

I’ve been so focused on accomplishing goals, checking items off of my list, and trying to make this and that happen that I have failed to just be still and listen.

One morning, I woke up earlier than necessary, and I was feeling pretty rotten.  I decided to take a hot bath.  And, I became very still. 

“Okay.  I am still,” I told Him. 

So, I listened.  To Him.  His voice.  Not my friend’s.  Not my mom’s.  Not my sweet pilot’s. 

His. 

And, He brought such wonderful reproach in my life.  Yes, wonderful.  Because, it is His goodness that brings reproach.  That corrects.  That tells me I’m not always right.  I didn’t feel condemnation.  That’s not His style.  But, I did feel a holy conviction in a specific issue in my life.  And, listening to Him set me free from it. 

So, my recovery has been more than physical.

And, I’m so thankful.  Thankful that He loves me enough to correct me, so I can live a much more contented life. 

Maybe you are chasing after things so hard right now, and you are not taking time to be still before Him.  To linger with a keen awareness that you are in His presence.  Well?  I’m gonna go out on a limb here and tell y’all to take a moment this week to be still.  He might want to tell you something.  And, that something just might make a big difference.

He is just so good.

3 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, gratitude, health

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

February 14, 2011 · 5:00 am

My Funny Valentine.

Me:  Kris, you never complain about anything.

Kris:  It’s because I have a closer walk with God.

Not only is my sweet husband a contented non-complainer, he’s also very funny.  He knew he would make me laugh with his explanation of why he doesn’t complain.  Kris has an incredible ability to not let things really get to him.  He also has quite the propensity to make me laugh every day we are together. 

But, it’s his capacity to let things go….

To let hurts go.  To overlook people’s faults.  To forgive without hesitation….

It’s one of the things I love about him most. 

How often we think we cannot get over a hurt or an offense.  We internalize and dwell on them.  We want vengeance.  We want that person to know exactly how we feel.  Exactly how they’ve hurt us.  We want to hold them accountable for their words and actions. 

But, that’s just not God’s way. 

God’s way is to think of others as better than ourselves – Philippians 2:3.

God’s way is to be kind to one another and tenderhearted, forgiving them as quickly and fully as God forgave us – Ephesians 4:32.

God’s way is to never avenge ourselves – Romans 12:19.

God’s way is to love our enemies – Matthew 5:44.

God’s way is unconventional.  His way was to go to a cross and never open His mouth even to defend Himself.  His way was to take communion on the same night he was betrayed. 

The. Same. Night.

Now, Kris Takle is no saint, I tell ya.  And, he might confuse a scripture or ten, albeit, sometimes purposefully, because he knows it’ll make me laugh.  But, he gets that God’s way stuff on letting things go pretty dadgum good. 

Kris, thank you for being such an incredible example of God’s love.  You continue to inspire and push me to do things God’s way while still giving me room to grow.  I might be able to quote 1 Corinthians 13 in my sleep, but, you walk it out with such greater ease. 

You’re a good man.  And, a really fun Valentine. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all.  Now, go love on somebody.

3 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Love, Marriage

Tagged as , , , , ,

February 1, 2011 · 8:21 am

Do Everthing Without This.

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.  Luke 6:45

What I say flows from what is in my heart.  Sometimes, the awareness of this hurts my feelings.  I like to think I am that good person mentioned in Luke above.  But, there are times when it is evident from the words I let fall from my lips that my heart needs a serious cleansing. 

Such words that break other people down or judgmental words are obvious checks into our heart.  But, there are other words that may seem less obvious that our heart needs an adjustment.   

Like what?  I’m glad you asked!  Like COMPLAINING WORDS. 

I’m guilty of some occasional complaining.  I might complain about my to-do list.  I might complain about the weather.  I might complain to husband about his entire pilot gear unpacked on my kitchen counter.  I might complain about a lot of things.  Scripture tells us that complaining offends the heart of God.  Yikes!

How often do I offend God’s heart? 

How often do you? 

I’m pretty sure when Paul wrote in Philippians to do everything without complaining or arguing, he meant EVERYTHING. 

There really is no way of getting out of this one. 

So, starting today, I’m going to try to go 28 days without complaining about a SINGLE thing.  I would like for you all to join me in this No Complaining in the Month of Love project, also known as the NCML Project.  I just made that up.  I’m going with it. 

And, you’re welcome, Kris Takle.

Feel free to hold me accountable.  Just don’t get upset if I complain about you calling me out.

Who’s in?

10 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Love

Tagged as , , ,

January 18, 2011 · 5:00 am

Search My Heart.

I love it when I have my blogs already typed out waiting for me to press “post.”  It’s convenient.  I do not like it when I stare at that post with a look of disgust on my face, because I know it’s really not the words that were meant to go up on the Interweb that day.

So, here I sit.  The night before you will read this entry.  With a look of disgust on my face.  Typing a new post.  A post that is much more honest for what is going on in my heart today.

You want the truth?  You can’t handle the truth! 

Sorry.  I love repeating Jack.  And, I will tell him hello for y’all this weekend when we meet for a latte at the Sundance Film Festival.  I’m not at all excited about that.

Okay.  Back to the truth.  The truth is.  I question my thoughts often.  I turn my heart inside out searching for things that may be off a bit.  Am I judging this person?  Are my thoughts on this situation filtered through the Spirit? 

Sometimes, I come out of my heart search with a clear conscience.  Other times, I come out of it with a desperate cry for God to take whatever is not of Him and trash it.  And, replace it with right thinking.

I don’t walk in condemnation with my yuck stuff.  I release it immediately.  But, I do walk with a keen awareness of how much of my life still needs to die to Him.  I cannot tell you how many times I pray, “God, more of You.  Less of me.”  And, I have found that the best way for me to be aware of my own heart is constantly searching after His. 

I have learned that God is not a conquest.  I will not one day be done finding Him.  There is so much more to discover about who He is.  And, there is so much more of me that needs to die to Him.  Because, it is in my dying, that I live a life that brings glory to Him.  It is in my dying that I am a better wife.  A better mother.  A better friend. 

I need to die to myself today.  Again. 

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.  Psalm 139:23-24

3 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , , , ,

January 14, 2011 · 5:00 am

Who You Are.

Apparently, I am not a Libra.  And, you are not who you think you are either.  In case you missed the overnight changes in Astrology, you can read about it here.  Honestly, I am not a follower of my sign, and I’m not about to debate its legitimacy with you.  A) I’m not that smart.  B)  I really don’t care.  ALL of this to share a funny text conversation with my foxy pilot:

Me:  “You’re not a Scorpio any more.  You’re a Libra!”

Kris:  “How come?  Was I born in a different month, and my momma lied?” 

Me:  “No. The Zodiac signs shifted and changed last night.”

Kris:  “Says who?  The Zodiac Czar?”

Me:  “You are all of the Zodiac signs to me, babe.”

Kris:  “Well, I hope I’m still an Ox at the Chinese restaurant.”

I swear he makes me laugh ALL OF THE TIME. 

On a more serious note.  Some of you really aren’t who you think you are.  After yesterday’s post, I was flooded with e-mails and messages from many of you asking me to pray for you. 

I did.  And, my prayers for you did not cease last night.  When I commit to pray for you, I really do.

I can’t tell you what it did to my heart to read your hurts.  Your fears.  Your struggles.  Your what ifs.  I think what broke me most were the few who really don’t see that God wants good things for them.  And, that God’s promises are as much for them as the next person.

So, some of you really aren’t who you think you are. 

But, you ARE who GOD says you are.  And, He says He loves you so much that He watched His son suffer for you.  He says you are so valuable to Him that He knows how many hairs are on your head.  He says you are such the apple of His eye that He pursues you Himself. 

He LOVES you.  And, there is nothing you can do to change that. 

May we all run after Him the way He runs after us. 

And, have a GREAT weekend.

6 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Marriage, Say What?

Tagged as , , , , , ,

January 13, 2011 · 5:00 am

What If.

I’m gonna give it to ya straight.  I know I’ve blogged on this before, and I’m sure to blog on it again.  This is me.  In my head.  Driving my Yukon.  By myself.  Because, who helps one drive?  Stupid:  “by myself.”  But, I’m leavin’ it in this post.  ‘Cause I’m so see me, love me and all.  Rabbit trail, rabbit trail.

Back to inside my  head.  I’m drivin’ yesterday afternoon.  I’m thinking about how much Kris is gone lately.  He is a pilot.  Did y’all know that?  Those pilot people fly airplanes.  Away. 

Little fears start surfacing.

What if he is gone too much too often?  What if our marriage suffers?  What if my children suffer?  What if there is another snow day, and all of my kids are home ALL DAY AND NIGHT, and I’m the only parental reinforcement around? 

What if?

As fast as those thoughts went swirling around my head, another voice calmed my stormy mind.

“I will trust You.”

And, that was the next thought that dominated my little head.

When has He ever not proved Himself to me?

You may be allowing thoughts of fear consume your mind right now.  Worry.  Doubt. 

I can throw out the Matthew 6 scripture to you about not worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself.  But, honestly, that scripture has never helped me with my worry one bit.

I’m just sayin’.

Sorry, Dad.

But, I can tell you that God makes good on His promises.  I can tell you that He has made good of my ugly finances.  He has made good of my messy relationships.  He has made good of those times where I distanced myself from Him.  He has made good of those moments where I failed as a mother.  He has made good of my disappointments.  He has made good of my broken heart. 

He has made so much in my life good. 

So, what if?

I will trust Him.

And, you, my friend, can trust Him, too.

If you would like for me to pray with you today about something that has you worried or an area of your life that you really need to trust God in, comment here or email me personally at durstee@aol.com  I will pray for you today.

1 Comment

Filed under God Stuff, life, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , , ,

January 5, 2011 · 5:00 am

Some Greek to Help With Peeps.

Soooo, how DO we respond to people who hurt us? 

We are patient with them.

Wha?  Patient?  What in the Sam Hill does patience have to do with it? 

Well, I’m glad you asked.  Two Greek words translate into the English word “patience.”  One is “hupomone.”  It means to “remain under.”  This is the patience we talk about when we are enduring tough circumstances.  But, circumstances are not people.  Oh, no. 

The Greek word, “makrothumia” is the sort of patience we need with people.  Bear with me.  Or, be PATIENT with me.  Ha!

Guess what drives makrothumia?  Give up?

MERCY.

Remember yesterday’s story of the king forgiving the servant’s debt?  He FORGAVE that debt.

Again, stay with me.

So, we first have to FORGIVE.

My good friend, Beth Moore, says,   “Patience is the vessel through which God pours His mercy.  Mercy is fueled by forgiveness.”

Okay, let’s just pretend Beth is my good friend. 

When we forgive, we let go free.  We let go of our power.  We cut that person loose.  They no longer owe us a thing.

Sometimes, I think that I have a right to hold this grudge or be angry….and, every right to be merciless.  But, God’s word calls us to forgive.  Who wants to carry the burden of unforgiveness?  The plus side?   When we forgive, God can be released to work the situation to our good.  And, don’t even think you can do it on your own.  You can’t.  That’s what the HS is for. 

Besides, the opposite of patience is judgment.  But, that’s another post for another day.

You see, the patience God desires for us to extend to others is the same patience that meant the salvation of our soul.

That’s all I’m sayin’. 

And, I hope I am CONSTANTLY reminded of this kind of patience….this kind of mercy….this kind of forgiveness…..

Until I love people CONSTANTLY.

6 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Love, Relationships, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , , , , ,

January 4, 2011 · 5:00 am

Debt.

23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him.  24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars.  25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold – along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned – to pay the debt.  26 “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’  27 Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.  28 “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.  29 “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time.  ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded.  30 But his creditor wouldn’t wait.  He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.’  Matthew 18:23-30

 The nerve.  Right?  Is that what you’re thinking?  Yeah, me, too. 

 Yet, we can be that ungrateful, “you owe me” servant.  Someone wrongs us.  Hurts us.  They uncover us or tell something that isn’t true about us.  We expect retribution.  We demand them to take ownership in how they have mistreated or offended us.  We tell them to pay up!  And, we make sure everyone else around us knows they owe us, too. 

 I’ve done it.  You’ve done it.

 We have a huge capacity to be that slimy servant who was forgiven of an even larger debt than the one owed him.

 Haven’t we been forgiven of a huge debt?  I don’t know.  The debt of sin?  Replaced with a gift of salvation?  Eternal life?

 Yeah, that big debt.

 Still, we go out and demand others to pay up their, well, their smaller debts.  And, really.  Aren’t all debts smaller than the one we owed our King?

 I’m just sayin’.

 So, what should our response be to those we think owe us?

 Come back tomorrow, and I’ll tell ya.

2 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Relationships, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , ,

November 10, 2010 · 5:00 am

How to Get Control.

My dad just recently shared Andy Stanley’s message on “A Pot of Stew.”  It was uh-maze-ing.  I do not lie.  He talked about our appetite for always wanting more.  Since appetites are never fully and finally satisfied, we have to reframe our appetites with what is at stake. 

I have been studying the Fruit of the Spirit.  And, I just finished studying self-control.  Ugh.  What an ugly, step on the toes, kind of word.  You really can’t control your appetite without self-control.  And, you really can’t operate in self-control without the power of the Holy Spirit.  You know.  Since it’s a quality of the Fruit of the Spirit and all. 

I like Wikipedia’s definition of self-control:  “Self control or self-control is the ability to control one’s emotions, behavior and desires in order to obtain some reward later.”  God has an incredible future for you and me.  We just have to exercise a little self-control to get there. 

Of course, we find all of the qualities of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  But, six verses above that, we read, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Do ya see where there is going?  Feed the spirit.  The flesh will starve. 

And that, my friends, is how you demonstrate self-control.  That is how you run, Forrest, run from appetites that are going to wreak havoc in your lives.  Or from those awesome shoes on the DSW Shoe Warehouse rack. 

You feed your spirit.  With more of Him.  In HIM, we find contentment.  I kind of wrote about this here, but didn’t really address it from a how do I say no to those delish Jr. Mints sort of way.  Not that God has called me to starve THAT part of my flesh.  I’m just sayin’. 

I love this fifth verse in Psalm 63:  You satisfy me more than the richest feast….And, I love that David wrote this while hangin’ out in the dang wilderness.  Isn’t at that a beautiful picture of how much God satisfies us?

Soooo…..

Feed your Spirit.  It’ll make reframing that appetite of yours a whole lot easier.

Leave a comment

Filed under God Stuff, Shopping, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , , ,

November 4, 2010 · 7:05 am

Put Yo Coat On!

I’m reading through the book of Colossians this week.  In the following passage, Paul encourages us to “clothe ourselves” in these God qualities:

 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.  16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  Colossians 3:12-17

If you leave your house without putting on this coat of mercy, kindness, humility, et cetera, et cetera, you leave your house naked.  (Pronounced “nekked.”) 

Since every member of my little family has appointed himself or herself “The Accountability Authority,” it is impossible to get away with taking off this coat.  So, when we behave or respond in a manner that fails to demonstrate those above God qualities, we simply tell, okay yell, “You bettah put yo coat on!” 

It usually diffuses whatever is causing the nakedness and keeps us accountable to clothe ourselves in these qualities that, let’s face it, make us better people. 

Mercy.  Kindness.  Humility.  Gentleness.  Patience.  Forgiveness.  Love.  Peace.  These really make life better and so much easier. 

So, before you go out around people today, put yo coat on!

3 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Love, Relationships, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as , , , , , ,