Monday Commentary

WoNderFuL CouNseLor

Yesterday at Copper Mountain we began a new series, "He Will Be Called" which will take us through Christmas.

My husband's message is always so useful for our everyday lives. Yesterday's focus, Jesus was born, and He would be called "Wonderful Counselor". The indescribable-too wonderful for words kind of wonderful!

Chris mentioned a verse from the Bible that tells us how Jesus came NOT for the healthy, but for the sick. We are all sick with something...maybe pride, materialism, depression, lonliness, anger, addictions, mean in spirit. The Wonderful Counselor came for the sicknesses that are found in me: lack of patience, stubborness, oh the list goes on.

Each point challenged me:

First, be honest with the counselor. Why? Because Jesus doesn't know that I'm sick? No way! He knows me inside and out, I get to cast my cares on Him.

Second, listen to His voice. How much do we enjoy in our everyday life when a friend asks us for advice, and even as we are giving it we realize they've already tuned it out. It probably wasn't what they wanted to hear. Or as parents, we try to teach our children. We try to guide them in the right ways to behave...and then they chose their own way. I have to guard myself from doing that with Jesus. Advice doesn't help at all if the hearer doesn't listen. I must train my ear to know, and listen to, the voice of the Wonderful Counselor.

Third, DO what the counselor tells me to do. OUCH! Sometimes I don't want to. Sometimes following advice is painful. Sometimes it means I have to make some changes in me.

To me, the beauty of this message was not that we have to become perfect and eliminate everything that's "wrong" with us. It is that we HAVE a Wonderful Counselor who can help us with our sickness. Jesus, that tiny babe in the manger of the nativity set I just placed in my living room...(well not the little ceramic guy...but the REAL guy)...is my WONDERFUL COUNSELOR.

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Thankfulness

5 things I'm thankful for: (These are obvious.)

1. Jesus- What a God! He loves me, he loves me, he loves me.

2. Chris- He tolerates me. He takes me out for lunch. :)

3. Juliana- My talking partner...she pretty much always has something to tell me.

4. Ryan- My Sonshine. I love that skinny boy.

5. Chloe- Such an angel. So sweet, kind, funny, easy-going...such a fun kiddo to haul around with me where-ever I go

Monday Commentary- Mirror, Mirror

Nuggets from Sunday's talk at CM, and my application. This was written on monday, but hey...it's been a hectic week.

I am, in random order, a:

daughter.sister.wife.teacher.mother.friend.leader

………IDENTITY
Who am I? How do I comprehend my distinctiveness when I’m labeled so many different ways? I was given a name at birth that will be different than the name on my grave marker. So, how do I live my life without experiencing a case of mistaken identity?

I strip away the overlay of my roles. I fold back the coverings that are projections others have placed on me. I peel ALL OF IT to find the core of who I really am. I remove the film from the mirror, so I am able to recognize the reflection. After disposing of all the external layers, I am able to see that my true identity depends upon my closest relationship.

Sovereign God put His gifts in me for his purposes. I am here to serve his will. In the words of Paul, “I am a servant of Christ Jesus”.

Galatians 5:13 says, “You have been called to live in freedom … But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature [self-centeredness]. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

The moment I surrendered my life to Christ, I took on a new identity. I became a new creation. It is impossible for me to be a Christ Follower and also extract being his servant.

“God, may I accept that I am not my own. Help me to not selfishly satisfy my own desires. May be identified as a servant of Christ, let my life bring glory to you alone.”