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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Foundations

During the past few weeks, I've been thinking more and more about my "foundations" --
what I have built my life, my faith, my hopes on. I've gained a lot of insights into my own heart, some good with assurances and a basic knowledge of how to pass it on, and some. . . well, let's say I found out I needed some brushing up and studying to do.

As my brother went through the final stages of lung cancer, he shared with me some of the "projects" he had been working on. I think that anytime a question was raised that he could not answer, it became an unending quest until he was satisfied with the answers he found. Doubts? I don't know. We always seem to criticize the word, "doubt," as it sounds so opposite to the word, "faith." Yet, is it not our doubts and questions in life that send us on our quests to find the ultimate truth in Christ? I know I have my brother to thank for igniting the spark in me to dig around my "foundations" and see if they are right and built upon the true Word of God.

Years ago, my pastor did a series called, "On These We Stand." Week by week, he went through the doctrines (like Sanctification, Justification, etc), and made it all so simple to understand. Ever since the day I was born, I was in church. From the cradle roll all the way through I never missed a Sunday School class, church services 3 times a week, youth groups, DVBS, camp, and whatever else was going on. I did all the Bible Memory Association verses, memorized chapters for contests, etc. I even went to Bible School for 3 years. But all of this learning was never "filed away" in some sort of "grab it and use it" kind of way. It was through this series of messages that I finally got a filing cabinet in my mind where things started falling into their proper places!!! Thank you, Dan!

I don't think I ever realized before how important it is to get the "foundation" right. Paul says in I Cor. 15, "So, then, brothers and sisters, don't let anyone move you off the foundation of your faith." In my old age, though, I have come to see how everything topples and falls apart if the foundation is not right from the beginning. When all is said and done in life, it all boils down to where we put our trust and faith. Most of the guilt, fears, doubts and regrets that we carry with us are so unnecessary, but are there because we have built our lives and beliefs on foundations that are incorrectly taught to us.

Hosea 6:3 says, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord." To know Him is to know the truth. And this was Paul's utmost desire as he expressed it in Philippians 3 -- "That I may know Him. . ."

There were so many sleepless nights for me during Tony's illness, and I would dig into the deepest parts of my heart and brain for stuff I had once learned but had forgotten. It bugged me to no end! I don't like loose ends and unanswered questions. My brother had spent so much of his life searching the Scriptures, and I'm sure he knew them way better than I do. I have him to thank for rattling my cage because I found lots of rusty hinges and loose screws!!!

Beth Moore is challenging women to memorize at least 24 verses this year -- that's just 2 verses a month.

http://blog.lproof.org/2011/01/2011-siesta-scripture-memory-team-verse-2.html

She even has a little spiral notebook you can buy (or download for free and print out yourself) to write your verses out and join in on the challenge. Since I love tags, I made my own and I'm off and running with it. I'm picking verses that are foundational to my faith in Christ, promises I can count on through eternity, and principles I can live by. I don't know what's in my future or who I will yet meet along the way, but I NEVER want to be caught without an answer!

I feel like I'm rambling today. Maybe it is because I feel I'm entering new doors and I don't know where they are taking me. Maybe it is because there are holes in my heart that need to be filled. Anyhow, thanks for listening!

5 comments:

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

I believe we all have to regularly have to brush up on things in our life. I know I do. That is a great challenge to memorize 2 verses a month. I'm going to give it a go. I have a hard time remembering things especially scripture so maybe this is just what I need.
Hope each new day gets a little easier for you.

Denise said...

Hello girl!!!!!!! So good to see you here tonight.. and you are NOT rambling!!!!!! Blogging, that is what we are here for...... Our thoughts and concerns and hopes are all a part of life....... The bible tells us to study to show our self approved... HE wants us to know HIS word..... My people perish due to lack of knowledge....... HE wants us to know what HE has said so that we will be able to fight when the battle comes...... Good for you and you keep it up! AND remember HE is out foundation..... build on HIM....... always on HIM and when the winds blow we will not be moved! Love ya girl..... you are loved......

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Its a blessing to have you post again and with your words you open others eyes to get them thinking on what foundation they build their life on.

We are always learning each day and I pray you find what you seek with the help of the lord.

God's peace and grace.

LindaSue said...

Just read back through a few of your postings - Cora what depths you are reaching with the Lord - I'm sorry for your family's loss - yet those of us with faith know it is a separation not an eternal loss. Your dedication to absorbing the Word is great - I am not wonderful at knowing the "address" of all scripture which is in my heart but it is definitely there - thank you Lord for Your Word. Bless you Cora

Ladybug said...

Wonderful post ... and comments as
well !! we all need to reflect upon
our lifes...with checks and balances !!Trusting the Lord for
direction...

Blessings,Peace to you....