Less Than Everything Under Control

It is good to take account of what's happening in one's heart. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the things of life that we lose sight of what's going on inside of us. We focus on externals and forget internals. Yet God tells us it's from inside of us that life proceeds.

Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life. - Proverbs 4:23

One of the issues I've struggled with for years is control. I confess. I am a control freak. I have been since I was a child. For one, I'm the oldest of three siblings. Bossy girl. For another, my dad is a control freak. His way ruled growing up. Just as he had to pack the car for road trips (and you'd better not get in his way), I too have to pack for trips (because, after all, there's less likely to be a hassle or a mess along the way if I do it). Oh! And don't get in my way, either. Unless you want to be blinded by my glare. Lastly, if I'm in control, then I'm the only one who can screw it up. And I'm great at admitting my own faults, so I don't have to worry about whether or not someone else will take the blame for their mistake.

Yes, I am the most freakiest of control freaks ever.

Which is why I cringed when I got to these sentences in Mary DeMuth's book, Everything. "Could it be that we are guilty of flawless Christian performances? That we've taken up ownership and control of our relationship with Jesus?" (p. 77)

I'm sure you could hear me gasp clear out in California. She pegged it. I'd have to say it's been probably three years since I sat down with God and did a serious weighing of my heart. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. (Proverbs 21:2) Sure, I've prayed, fasted, read my Bible, sought the Lord and His will. I certainly haven't neglected our relationship. But I've also become that Christian performer, controlling the relationship. If I'm honest with myself. Truly honest.

Which makes me feel, well, less than. It's humbling to come to a realization that I've been reading less than what God would have me read. I've been praying less than I should be. I've been focusing on Him less than I've focused on outward things. I've done less than I could do for my husband and my kids. I've been less than compassionate. I've been less than zealous. I've been less than humble. Less than.

But Jesus is more so. So much more. Jesus is Everything. And it's time to make Him Everything in my life once again. It's time for me to relinquish control and allow God to take me on a journey down unfamiliar roads. My heart longs for a new adventure. One only God can lead me on. One I need to follow Him on, rather than lead another.

Have you ever been in a place like this? One where you suddenly discovered such a truth about yourself and an even bigger one about the Lord? How did it make you feel? What did you decide you needed most? 

Graphic courtesy of Microsoft.com

Thank You!

I've returned from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference, where this blog, A. Morales Thinks, took First Place in the Blog contest!

I'd like to thank my readers, my friends and family who encourage me to keep writing, and all of the faculty who had the responsibility of judging many fabulous blogs! 

I'd also like to congratulate my friend, Lori Roeleveld, for taking second place with Deeper with Jesus in Rhode Island!

 

Edie Melson, BRMCWC Co-Director,

Me, BRMCWC Attendee,

Alton Gansky, BRMCWC Director

Reading Through the Word

"Your word I have hidden in my heart, 

That I might not sin against You."

~ Psalm 119:11

Photo Copyright 2010 Alycia W. Morales

 

Are you new to reading the Word, wondering about starting a reading plan to get through your Bible in a year, or just love immersing yourself in the Word of God?

 

I remember the advice several immersed people gave me when I first picked up my Bible after dedicating my life to Jesus Christ. It went like this:

 

- Start in the New Testament. Once you've read through the NT several times and are starting to know Jesus, then you can read the Old Testament and see Him throughout it.

 

- Read the gospels over and over and over again. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Get to know Jesus first.

 

- Read a Psalm a day.

 

- There are 31 Proverbs. There are 30-31 days in most months. That makes a Proverb a day. This keeps the _____________ (fill in the blank) away. Note: The Proverbs contain practical, everyday wisdom that can easily be applied to life. Wisdom's voice can be heard in these.

 

- Read a chapter of the epistles every day until you've made it through them. Skip Revelation until you've matured from the milk to the meat of the Word. You'll have a better understanding of what John's talking about once you've gotten to know Jesus intimately.

 

- When you go back to the Old Testament, read from Genesis straight through.

 

I followed this advice, and I fell in love with the Word of God. I didn't get confused as much, and the scriptures came alive to me. I began to see the patterns God has woven throughout the tapestry of His Word. It applied more and more to my life than I'd ever imagined it could. And God spoke to me throughout the Bible.

 

My favorite part of getting to know Jesus has been the hours I've spent immersing myself in His Word. My favorite parts? Matthew and John. Psalms and Proverbs. James. 1 John. Genesis. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. My favorite stories? John's Revelations. The woman with the issue of blood. Esther. Hannah. Ruth. Women who gained God's attention by their heroic acts. Rahab. Men who didn't doubt God's promises. Caleb. Joshua. Gideon. And, of course, the accounts of Jesus' time here on earth. 

 

I've considered doing a new thing here at A. Morales Thinks. I've considered starting in April with devotions based on Proverbs and their application in my life. I'm considering doing one a day for the month, choosing one Proverb from that day's reading. I'd love to share with you what God has shown me throughout life and how His Word still applies to today's trials and triumphs. What do you think?

 

Your Thoughtful Spot: What's your favorite book of the Bible and story from the Word of God? I can't wait to hear your thoughts! 

A Method on Monday

I received a wonderful compliment from a reader today! She said that she loves my blog, and she asked how I set up my tabs that run along the top of my blog, introducing y'all to my writing and my husband's and my ministry. 

Blogger has this cool new feature called "Pages," which we can use to introduce our readers to ourselves, display information, etc. They can be viewed by tabs on the top of our blog page, like mine are. Or, they can be viewed in a side column, like most of my other information is. 

To set up a page, simply click on the "Edit Pages" link under your Blogger Posting Tab. It can be found next to the "Edit Posts" link. When you click on Edit Pages, it will give you the option to set up a new page. It's as simple as setting up a new blog post! I love how easy Blogger has made it for me! 

If you still have questions, check out the information provided here:

Blogger Help: Pages

I hope that this information was helpful! Have you seen the new options for page templates, too? Mine is designed from one of them. I love it! I'm always looking for ways to make my blog more visually pleasing. How about you? 

And thank you for continuing to read my posts! You're the best!