Today's reading — Proverbs 23
I had a well-meaning family member who spoke over me as a child that I should seek a high-paying profession.
As long as I could remember (from age 6 or 7), I wanted to be a writer. It was my absolutely passion, and I could envision nothing else. Plus, when it came to other subjects, there was none I was better at in school. I was definitely not strong in math, and while I loved science, I did not perform well in chemistry and physics. I felt conflicted by what this man was telling me. Writers don't typically earn a very high income! In my naïveté , I simply sought happiness, which he left out of the equation entirely — something creating an utter confusion in me.
Proverbs 23:4-5 offers a kind of wisdom contrary to that given to my family member:
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Does this mean people who are wealthy are bad? Of course not! Money is amoral. It is without blame. It's the coveting of money and the uses of money by a human mind or hand where blame comes in!
I know many physicians and successful business people who have been financially blessed. As a result, and because of their heart to follow their passion and calling in life (and not to chase money), their donations and contributions toward Christ's kingdom have a multiplying effect. They are cheerful givers who are living out their identity in Christ in both occupation and gifting.
How do you measure up here? Do you think about how much money you will ultimately earn when you weigh career choices? Or do you follow where your heart leads, ask for God's guidance and seek out a blend of your heart's desire and His will for you?
I must admit I've done both in my lifetime, and I came to wisdom in this matter much later than I'd like to admit. It wasn't that long ago that I sacrificed godly service to work more hours so I could "make more money." But I was no longer giving back with my creative talents to the God who handcrafted me and made them a special part of who I am. And when I did that, I was not blessed. My "riches" seemed to go out of my bank account as quickly as they were deposited with nothing to show for it.
There's a balance in here that God wants for you. Girls, God has a unique plan for you. When you cast aside the money matter, you will be blessed beyond measure! He will pour riches upon you that have eternal value, and your checkbook may not be overflowing, but you will have ALL that you need!
{grateful for God's blessing}
Amy
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Day 34: Serving can lead to spiritual riches!
Today's reading — Proverbs 22
This chapter was very convicting to me. Made me think about wealth, poverty, debts, fear of the Lord and how all these things can either work together for His glory ... or not.
Today I'd like to talk about verse 16:
He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich —
both come to poverty.
For some reason, this made me think about the photo shoot we did not long ago for a Mighty Strong Girls magazine column on different body types. (For the record, I made seven girls FREEZE for an outdoor photo shoot. They probably still haven't forgiven me...it was brutal!)
But as I edited the photos this morning, I was reminded that God isn't examining the outer shell, though they are all uniquely different. The bottom line is that girls of many shapes, sizes and colors are ALL beautiful to Him!
I think in verse 16, poverty isn't necessarily material poverty but spiritual poverty. It comes in many shapes, sizes and colors — just like the body type. So beware....whether you are oppressing the poor to increase your wealth or whether you are giving something to someone who doesn't need it. Because the path he wants you to take is the one that leads to a cheerful, giving heart. One that leads to eternal life and spiritual riches!
How can you apply this to life. Instead of taking a prized pair of jeans or prom dress to a consignment store or giving it to a friend who lacks nothing, perhaps you can donate it to a homeless shelter or ask your pastor if there's a family struggling in your own church with a daughter who could really use and LOVE your selfless donation.
As a side note, I want to mention that we had MANY, MANY dresses donated to Mighty Strong Girls for a style show and dress sale fundraiser last month. It was amazing. I'd like to share one story from that event. The mom of one of the girls happened to tell me days later that her daughter is given an "allowance" of $100 per prom or homecoming dress. Anything above that she must pay for on her own. This girl donated a $500 dress to Mighty Strong Girls. This was a big sacrifice, as she might have been able to sell it for $300. A girl attending the event bought it for $50, which was donated to Mighty Strong Girls. What a priceless, amazing act of kindness. My heart is full when I hear of these stories! And that, dear girls, is what a Mighty Strong Girl does!
{seeking spiritual riches alongside you}
Amy
This chapter was very convicting to me. Made me think about wealth, poverty, debts, fear of the Lord and how all these things can either work together for His glory ... or not.
Today I'd like to talk about verse 16:
He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich —
both come to poverty.
For some reason, this made me think about the photo shoot we did not long ago for a Mighty Strong Girls magazine column on different body types. (For the record, I made seven girls FREEZE for an outdoor photo shoot. They probably still haven't forgiven me...it was brutal!)
But as I edited the photos this morning, I was reminded that God isn't examining the outer shell, though they are all uniquely different. The bottom line is that girls of many shapes, sizes and colors are ALL beautiful to Him!
I think in verse 16, poverty isn't necessarily material poverty but spiritual poverty. It comes in many shapes, sizes and colors — just like the body type. So beware....whether you are oppressing the poor to increase your wealth or whether you are giving something to someone who doesn't need it. Because the path he wants you to take is the one that leads to a cheerful, giving heart. One that leads to eternal life and spiritual riches!
How can you apply this to life. Instead of taking a prized pair of jeans or prom dress to a consignment store or giving it to a friend who lacks nothing, perhaps you can donate it to a homeless shelter or ask your pastor if there's a family struggling in your own church with a daughter who could really use and LOVE your selfless donation.
As a side note, I want to mention that we had MANY, MANY dresses donated to Mighty Strong Girls for a style show and dress sale fundraiser last month. It was amazing. I'd like to share one story from that event. The mom of one of the girls happened to tell me days later that her daughter is given an "allowance" of $100 per prom or homecoming dress. Anything above that she must pay for on her own. This girl donated a $500 dress to Mighty Strong Girls. This was a big sacrifice, as she might have been able to sell it for $300. A girl attending the event bought it for $50, which was donated to Mighty Strong Girls. What a priceless, amazing act of kindness. My heart is full when I hear of these stories! And that, dear girls, is what a Mighty Strong Girl does!
{seeking spiritual riches alongside you}
Amy
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Day 33: Does God really CALL people to jobs?
Today's reading — Proverbs 21
One of my favorite books of 2012 was Richard Stern's "Hole in the Gospel." It tells his testimony of how he came to the helm of World Vision, and his fast-moving story had me twitching.
God wanted him to give up his riches and position as a corporate CEO and oversee World Vision, a Christian organization that helps combat poverty and more.
I used to wonder how people could say they were "called" to do something. It sounded like a nice word to persuade the rest of the world they had a personal relationship with the Lord. The Lord doesn't care enough about a person's job to "call" them there. Or. Does. He?
I loved Stern's story because he dug his heels in. He did NOT want to take the job. He did not want to give up his comforts, and he didn't even think God was calling him even as the signs started to build up.
But eventually it became too much. God's fingerprints were all over it. He WANTED Richard Sterns, and God would stop at nothing to prove it to him!
Girls, I have attempted to resist God's subtle urgings in the past. He usually doesn't stop at one attempt. He's been so faithful to give me more than one sign to convince me of His will for me.
That's why I loved verse 30 in today's reading:
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
What He wants, He gets. And if it involves you, there's no tool at your disposal that could stop Him. And girls, would you really want to?
He KNOWS best. And best of all, He knows you. Those special passions, gifts and desires in your heart, He will draw those out of you so you can do His work in His time.
I know. Because He called me here. To Mighty Strong Girls. To use the best of what I have been gifted with to serve Him. And you.
Sometimes it's scary. But all the time, it's a pleasure. It's part of my identity in Christ. And you have one, too, right now that will continue to grow and evolve and stretch your faith! It's that beautiful thing that makes you shine from the inside out; it's what makes you who you are; it starts and ends with Him!
{xoxo}
Amy
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Day 32: How to give your friends more than they expect!
Today's reading — Proverbs 20
One of the wisest things I ever learned at photography seminars and workshops had nothing to do with how to make a photography technically better. It didn't have to do with Photoshop or even how to order or package deliveries. It had to do with relationships.
Under-promise and over-deliver. A message that came up over and over again. Give your customers more than they expect!
Is that how our relationships should be, too?
In today's reading, Proverbs 20:25 says,
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.
Have you ever done this? Made a promise to a friend or a boyfriend? You meant well at the time. It sounded good ... then. But reality set in and you couldn't deliver.
I try hard to avoid this, but last year in the midst of a busier-than-usual season of life, I desperately wanted to help a friend with something I felt passionate about. She was on a tight deadline, however, that I knew I wouldn't be able to meet. And yet, I promised her I would. Because I wanted to. Even our best intentions cannot overcome the reality of our situations!
How much better would it be for our relationships if we didn't err in this way? If instead of promising anything, I just dove in to help if or when I was able?
Carefully contemplate your commitments today. You will find when you put Jesus front and center, He will make more things possible for you than you ever thought you could do alone. And all those other things, you will be able to way over-deliver on!
{seeking improved relationships}
Amy
One of the wisest things I ever learned at photography seminars and workshops had nothing to do with how to make a photography technically better. It didn't have to do with Photoshop or even how to order or package deliveries. It had to do with relationships.
Under-promise and over-deliver. A message that came up over and over again. Give your customers more than they expect!
Is that how our relationships should be, too?
In today's reading, Proverbs 20:25 says,
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows.
Have you ever done this? Made a promise to a friend or a boyfriend? You meant well at the time. It sounded good ... then. But reality set in and you couldn't deliver.
I try hard to avoid this, but last year in the midst of a busier-than-usual season of life, I desperately wanted to help a friend with something I felt passionate about. She was on a tight deadline, however, that I knew I wouldn't be able to meet. And yet, I promised her I would. Because I wanted to. Even our best intentions cannot overcome the reality of our situations!
How much better would it be for our relationships if we didn't err in this way? If instead of promising anything, I just dove in to help if or when I was able?
Carefully contemplate your commitments today. You will find when you put Jesus front and center, He will make more things possible for you than you ever thought you could do alone. And all those other things, you will be able to way over-deliver on!
{seeking improved relationships}
Amy
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Day 31: Seek a new definition for wisdom!
Today's reading — Proverbs 19
Is the concept of wisdom, as defined by God, beginning to sink in with you in the reading of Proverbs? I think one of the biggest benefits of this book of the Bible is to see wisdom as God does, not as the world does.
It's a MAJOR change in thinking!
You see, our cultural view of wisdom is lots of academic degrees, scholastic awards, professional achievements and accolades. Our world would have you think wisdom is tightly connected to authority or maybe even directly related to someone's career or income.
Someone who is wise never stumbles, ask questions or seems in doubt — at least according to our worldview of wisdom.
I was reading an older book, "The Power of Believing in Your Child" by Miles McPherson before falling asleep last night. I decided to stop on this line so I would remember to share it this morning with my daughter who has never stopped asking questions since the day she could form complete sentences:
Kids with leadership qualities are inquisitive.
Whoa! The world says leaders don't need to ask questions. They already know it all, right?
Good leaders are humble, compassionate, always learning and seeking wisdom, and embracing opportunities to serve.
In Proverbs 19, verse 8 says:
She who gets wisdom loves her own soul; she who cherishes understanding prospers.
Girls, it doesn't say "she who is wise." You see, God has big, big plans for you. But you don't just get to have them. It's not a soup kitchen where He's pouring into every bowl equal servings.
You, my precious girl, must ACT. Seek wisdom. Get wisdom. How do you do that?
Ask questions. Learn. Read your Bible. Pray. And serve.
Finally, don't ever stop. Nobody ever arrived at wisdom. They keep actively pursuing her, so they can become even more in tune with God's will for their lives!
{chasing His wisdom}
Amy
Is the concept of wisdom, as defined by God, beginning to sink in with you in the reading of Proverbs? I think one of the biggest benefits of this book of the Bible is to see wisdom as God does, not as the world does.
It's a MAJOR change in thinking!
You see, our cultural view of wisdom is lots of academic degrees, scholastic awards, professional achievements and accolades. Our world would have you think wisdom is tightly connected to authority or maybe even directly related to someone's career or income.
Someone who is wise never stumbles, ask questions or seems in doubt — at least according to our worldview of wisdom.
I was reading an older book, "The Power of Believing in Your Child" by Miles McPherson before falling asleep last night. I decided to stop on this line so I would remember to share it this morning with my daughter who has never stopped asking questions since the day she could form complete sentences:
Kids with leadership qualities are inquisitive.
Whoa! The world says leaders don't need to ask questions. They already know it all, right?
Good leaders are humble, compassionate, always learning and seeking wisdom, and embracing opportunities to serve.
In Proverbs 19, verse 8 says:
She who gets wisdom loves her own soul; she who cherishes understanding prospers.
Girls, it doesn't say "she who is wise." You see, God has big, big plans for you. But you don't just get to have them. It's not a soup kitchen where He's pouring into every bowl equal servings.
You, my precious girl, must ACT. Seek wisdom. Get wisdom. How do you do that?
Ask questions. Learn. Read your Bible. Pray. And serve.
Finally, don't ever stop. Nobody ever arrived at wisdom. They keep actively pursuing her, so they can become even more in tune with God's will for their lives!
{chasing His wisdom}
Amy
Monday, February 4, 2013
Day 30: Are you a good friend to 1 or a friend to many?
Today's reading — Proverbs 18
Many of the last blogs have been about practicing discernment with the tongue and in friendships.
Some of the Proverbs can be hard to swallow. Some seem contradictory. Others seem downright ridiculous!
But I want to draw your attention to the very last verse, verse 24.
Have you ever known a friend who seems to crave the attention of EVERYONE? Someone who wants to be friends with absolutely everyone? A popular seeker? Someone with more than 1,000 Facebook friends?
I've had friends like this. Notice the word "had." Because these so-called friends always seem to come and go. That's not by coincidence!
See what the verse says:
A woman of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
I was almost relieved to read this! I've had friends who seemed so close, but then in another season, they would disappear like the wind — quietly and mysteriously. It's so nice to know it's not my fault!
One of my best friends in college was like this. It was almost like she was addicted to attention. She would commit to doing things with six different people on a Friday night. She couldn't bear to let down any of her friends. Guess how many real friends she was left with in the end?
Girls, one good friend is worth the affection of 10! And if you are the kind of girl who seems to need everyone's eyes on you, liking you, adoring your every word and dividing up your attention, it's time to ask yourself where your loyalties lie. What are your motives in friendship? Are they true? Or are they taking you on a path of self-destruction?
{embracing authentic friendship}
Amy
Many of the last blogs have been about practicing discernment with the tongue and in friendships.
Some of the Proverbs can be hard to swallow. Some seem contradictory. Others seem downright ridiculous!
But I want to draw your attention to the very last verse, verse 24.
Have you ever known a friend who seems to crave the attention of EVERYONE? Someone who wants to be friends with absolutely everyone? A popular seeker? Someone with more than 1,000 Facebook friends?
I've had friends like this. Notice the word "had." Because these so-called friends always seem to come and go. That's not by coincidence!
See what the verse says:
A woman of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
I was almost relieved to read this! I've had friends who seemed so close, but then in another season, they would disappear like the wind — quietly and mysteriously. It's so nice to know it's not my fault!
One of my best friends in college was like this. It was almost like she was addicted to attention. She would commit to doing things with six different people on a Friday night. She couldn't bear to let down any of her friends. Guess how many real friends she was left with in the end?
Girls, one good friend is worth the affection of 10! And if you are the kind of girl who seems to need everyone's eyes on you, liking you, adoring your every word and dividing up your attention, it's time to ask yourself where your loyalties lie. What are your motives in friendship? Are they true? Or are they taking you on a path of self-destruction?
{embracing authentic friendship}
Amy
Day 29: Do you offer LOVE to the school gossip?
Today's reading — Proverbs 17
So, the last blog was about gossip. This one picks up right where that one left off. In Proverbs 17, verse 9:
She who overs over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
I'll be honest, I've got a LOW tolerance for gossip. If you share something with me about someone else that SHOULD come from their lips to my ears and not from your lips, I tend to hold it against you.
I never say anything to you about it, but for darn sure I talk to my husband. And I'll know never to tell you anything of a personal nature about myself. Because now I don't trust you. Even if you had someone's permission, that what they told you was NOT in confidence, I don't feel it's right to discuss other people's problems without them present! Period.
OK, who's sinning here?
According to our verse, repeating the matter separates close friends. And I never repeat someone's secrets, so that must make me a good person. Right?
Hmmmm.... This verse had me thinking that I'm not actually covering over the offense in love. Instead, I get defensive and judgmental, righteous and all holier-than-thou.
{seeking more of His grace}
Amy
Amy
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