Do You Really Need More Self-Esteem?

Posted On: 29. 05. 12 | 30 Comments

One of the greatest lies we could possibly embrace is the one that says the root of all our problems, our insecurities, our fears, our failures, our broken dreams, and our dissatisfactions in life is a low self-esteem. It is a terrible lie because it will never deal with the true root of the matter; on the contrary, it will only deepen the problem. This lie may seem attractive, but it will only keep us bound to serving the merciless idol of Self.

Octavius Winslow said, “Idolatry of self has been the great and universal crime of our race.” And today, sad to say, the Christian response has not been to fight against this idolatry, but to inflame it, to kindle it. The Christian response has been to write more books, -Become a Better You, Eat the Cookie…Buy the Shoes: Giving you Permission to Lighten Up, The Power of Positive Thinking, You Matter to God, Be Your Best, etc; –to teach more about how beautiful we are, how much Jesus loves us  “just the way we are”, and how He thought we “were worth dying for.”

Sisters, let us come to the light; let us not be bound to this form of deception. The root to our dissatisfactions has never been that we have a self-esteem that needs to be built up. The root to our deepest problems is that we are sinners by nature, that the God of the Bible is not our God, that we love ourselves more than we love Him; the problem is that we have come to believe that the way to be happy and fulfilled, and joyful depends on us, on how we think of ourselves. How far from the truth we are. No wonder we are wanderers in a foreign land. Desperately lost.

“SELF is the idol, and how hard it is to sacrifice this idol and to turn self-seeking into self-denial! But though it is difficult—it is essential. A Christian must first lay down self—before he can take up the cross.” These are words that the Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, and how true they are. Oh that we may have eyes to see how we have erred, how we have sinned.

“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” Luke 9:23. This is where we will find true joy, peace, and contentment: at the foot of the cross. How is it that we have forgotten that when we are weak, He is strong, than even though we are unfaithful, He remains faithful? How have we forgotten so soon that we have been called to serve and not to be served? How have we forgotten, as a wise man prayed, “that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision”? 

The foundation of our sanctification, of our becoming more like Jesus, is not looking at ourselves in the mirror every morning saying, “Hello Beautiful, you are amazing. God loves you and thinks the world of you. Now go and conquer the day. Show the world that you are a Princess.” No!

No, the foundation of our sanctification is Christ. Through his powerful grace we are able to deny our own passions and high view of self. Through him we are able to practice self-denial and live the servant life he has called us to. Because of him we are able to and must bear our cross daily dying to our passions and futile desires. The mirror in which we must look into every day is the Word of God. A mirror, which is not deceiving; which will never say, “You are the fairest of all.” In the epistle of James we read, “the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” It is when we come to the Word and obey it, that we are blessed and receive all the grace Christ has secured for us on the cross. It is through the gospel which says, that “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us,” that our deepest longings are fulfilled, and peace comes to our hearts.

Wilson says it well, “To focus your eyes on anything except the Lord Jesus is spiritually suicidal. If your attention is centered on yourself (whether you see a worm or a superstar is utterly beside the point) you are a priest in the cult of self-worship. A holy life will be God-centered, not self-centered. The antithesis of such holiness is the egocentric demand to be the Main Attraction.”

Let our hearts be turned to the cross as we cry to our Father for forgiveness; let us repent for worshiping this restless idol; for feeding on these lies that have become a part of who we are. Let us look to our Savior for freedom from the sin of self worship. Let us look to the one “who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://desiringvirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/34665_138735496150319_100000416096103_283912_2327431_n1.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]

Becky is a Mexican living in one of the most crowded cities in the world, Mexico City. She has been happily married to an incredible man for almost 20 years. They have four children (from lower grammar to College) and have homeschooled them following the Classical Christian Education model. Becky enjoys the big books and the small books, she loves to study God’s word and read mostly, from dead authors, like the Puritans. She currently teaches Spanish at Veritas Press Scholars; loves to take out her watercolors on a sunny Saturday and paint, and you will always see her with her camera ready to capture the simple everyday moments that make up her days. She loves to bake muffins for her family on Saturdays while they are still asleep, so they wake up to the sweet smell of home. You can find Becky on her main blog Daily On My Way to Heaven.

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This post is linked up with Time~Warp Wife

Becky’s Story of Grace

Posted On: 29. 03. 12 | 8 Comments

 

[box]Today we are very blessed to hear the amazing story of grace that God has accomplished and is still accomplishing in Becky’s life. Join me in reading her beautiful story and giving glory to our God in heaven for salvation![/box]

Where should I start this story of His grace reaching out to me?  I could start with the day I was born. My parents thought that I was the “prettiest baby girl in the whole world” –just like any other parent who holds their first-born baby for the first time in their arms. But little did they know about all the sin that was packed inside that tiny body. They didn’t have to put any effort into teaching me what I shouldn’t do or say. I knew it well. It was part of my nature. I was born in sin.

Or maybe I could share with you the time when I was 11 years old and I was crying, not knowing what would happen to my mom. She had been in the hospital for a week. Dad would only cry and say nothing. I just remember asking, “Is she dying?” The answer was yes. The doctors had said she would only live 15 more days at the most.  Little did they know that God always has the last word. It has been 30 years ago since that day, and my mom is now traveling to another country to visit my sister and her grandchildren.

The story could turn pretty interesting if I’d shared with you how I was a teen broken in half. A young person torn apart, always trying to fit in here… and there. At church I was a “good example” to follow; at school I spent my days crying in the restroom because I just did not fit in; but some other days I would try to do everything I could think of in order to fit into the group. The guilt in my heart weighed heavy on me. 

The years passed by; the music at church kept its beat and the preachers kept telling us how many wonderful things God wanted to do in our lives. The prophecies kept coming. The dancing never ceased. Mourning was not a word I knew. The words of prosperity kept ringing in my ears. I liked them all. Sin? That was not a word I used to hear at church. Repentance? Why? God loved us all to come to Him just the way we were. Sanctification? That was a word that only a theologian would use.  Mortification? No. I’m sorry; I never heard of that one.

But God proved not to be a “gentleman,” as I had been taught. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t reading the right books, that I wasn’t singing the right songs. It did not matter at all what I knew or knew not. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t seeking after Him but was only looking for His gifts, His blessings or that I was too much concerned in claiming all the promises and confessing the right words. It also did not matter that I was happily married with three children and one more on its way. God broke into my life one day; a day I did not call on Him. His grace reached into my heart, which was infested with filthy rags of self-righteousness. I was undone. How could I understand His sovereignty? It was so hard to accept the fact that I had never had the power to choose Him, that my will was not free but enslaved to sin; that it was Him choosing me. Was it possible? “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” It all seemed so different when my eyes were opened and I saw that my salvation did not depend on my own decision, or my confession of faith. It was only by His grace. Period. I tried to hold to some of the merits I thought were mine. “I had accepted Him into my heart!” But every effort I had made was futile. God called me when I did not seek Him. He died for me when I was lost in my sin. He gave me life when I was dead and could not even ask for help. 

And the story has not ended. His grace is still at work in my life. I now know that I cannot lose this salvation. He holds me with His right hand. When I am weak He is strong. When I sin, His Spirit draws me to repentance. His grace is amazing. 

All stories are made up of many threads woven together. Some have prettier strands with nicer colors while others are dull. Some others shouldn’t even be there; or at least that is what we would like to think. But God is the great Storyteller. He is the great Weaver, and His stories are perfect. Trust Him with the story He has chosen for your life.

To read more Stories of Grace click here!

 

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://desiringvirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/34665_138735496150319_100000416096103_283912_2327431_n1.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]

Becky is a Mexican living in one of the most crowded cities in the world, Mexico City. She has been happily married to an incredible man for almost 20 years. They have four children (from lower grammar to College) and have homeschooled them following the Classical Christian Education model. Becky enjoys the big books and the small books, she loves to study God’s word and read mostly, from dead authors, like the Puritans. She currently teaches Spanish at Veritas Press Scholars; loves to take out her watercolors on a sunny Saturday and paint, and you will always see her with her camera ready to capture the simple everyday moments that make up her days. She loves to bake muffins for her family on Saturdays while they are still asleep, so they wake up to the sweet smell of home. You can find Becky on her main blog Daily On My Way to Heaven.

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Becky’s Mexican Hot Chocolate

Posted On: 29. 02. 12 | 1 Comment

For most of us, the chill of winter is quickly being replaced by beautiful spring days. Soak up the last few weeks of winter with this delicious Hot Chocolate recipe from DV contributor Becky!

This is a delicious recipe that I came up with on a chilly Sunday morning. I must say that this is not the way we typically drink our hot chocolate in Mexico. The “real” Mexican hot chocolate doesn’t call for different spices, other than cinnamon. But you know how there are moments when inspiration just knocks at your door, and you have no other option than to follow your culinary instincts. So I did, and the result was great.

Ingredients:

for 8 cups

  • 2 liters of whole milk
  • 3 thick tablets of chocolate Abuelita (I have been in several states in the USA, and in each one of them I have seen this brand of chocolate; look for it in the Mexican food aisle)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 5 cloves
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 6 cardamom seeds
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (or more… depending on your taste)
  • 1 ½ tsp Mexican Vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 orange

Directions:

  1. Grind (I use my coffee grinder) the cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom.
  2.  Using a sharp knife, break up the chocolate into smaller pieces.
  3.  In a saucepan combine the chopped chocolate, milk and spices (including the cayenne pepper and red pepper). Stir constantly until all the chocolate is melted. You want it to be very hot, but don’t let it boil.
  4.  Remove from heat and whisk with a Mexican molinillo or a hand whisk until frothy.
  5.  Serve immediately and enjoy! Hold the cup with both hands, and this is very important, before you take a sip of it, smell it.
  6. Now smile.

Becky is a Mexican living in one of the most crowded cities in the world, Mexico City. She has been happily married to an incredible man for almost 20 years. They have four children (from lower grammar to College) and have homeschooled them following the Classical Christian Education model. Becky enjoys the big books and the small books, she loves to study God’s word and read mostly, from dead authors, like the Puritans. She currently teaches Spanish at Veritas Press Scholars; loves to take out her watercolors on a sunny Saturday and paint, and you will always see her with her camera ready to capture the simple everyday moments that make up her days. She loves to bake muffins for her family on Saturdays while they are still asleep, so they wake up to the sweet smell of home. You can find Becky on her main blog Daily On My Way to Heaven.

This post is linked up at Time~Warp Wife

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Read ALL the Books in the Bible!

Posted On: 11. 01. 12 | 9 Comments

[box]Today, Desiring Virtue contributor Becky, encourages us to not overlook those “difficult” books found in the Bible, but instead to dig deep into them and allow these portions of the Word of God to sanctify you![/box]

Have you chosen a Bible plan to follow this year? I am very, very happy with my reading plan because it allows me to have all the flexibility I love, and at the same time it helps me not to leave out books like Amos or Numbers. Sisters, no matter which Bible Reading plan you follow, make sure you read all the Bible this year, not only the Psalms.

I have learned that the easiest way to read all the books that seem to be hard to understand is to study them in depth instead of just jumping from one verse to the other trying to catch some vague significance.

So my little advice today is this: read those “hard” books from the first chapter to the last with a good study help at hand. You don’t have to spend a lot of money if you don’t want to, however, building a good library with good Bible commentaries will be very profitable if you decide to do so. For example, let us take  a look at the book of Amos; there are many great helps that are available online and are free:

If you would rather buy a commentary you can choose from several good options:

If you would like to listen to a whole series on this book while doing the dishes and folding laundry, why not investing in this, Biblical Studies: Amos, which is a compilation of sermons preached by Douglas Wilson (verse by verse chapter by chapter).

Well, hopefully you get the idea, whenever you come to hard books or passages in the Bible, dig deeper, and you will be sure to find unexpected treasures.

Let us not forget that:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”  (2 Tim. 3: 16- 17)

Dear friends, I don’t want to put a burden over you, or the feeling that you NEED to read ALL the Bible in a year. Many of you, I am sure, have little ones and you hardly have time to read a few chapters every day. My encouragement is that you put every effort to dig deeper into ALL the Bible. If it is little by little, that is perfect, but read, eventually, through all of it. It will be good, very good for you, if you can read a few books in depth, with a commentary at hand this year. Try it and you will see how much you will reap!

May His grace abound as we feast on His Word this year!

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://desiringvirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/34665_138735496150319_100000416096103_283912_2327431_n1.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]

Becky is a Mexican living in one of the most crowded cities in the world, Mexico City. She has been happily married to an incredible man for almost 20 years. They have four children (from lower grammar to College) and have homeschooled them following the Classical Christian Education model. Becky enjoys the big books and the small books, she loves to study God’s word and read mostly, from dead authors, like the Puritans. She currently teaches Spanish at Veritas Press Scholars; loves to take out her watercolors on a sunny Saturday and paint, and you will always see her with her camera ready to capture the simple everyday moments that make up her days. She loves to bake muffins for her family on Saturdays while they are still asleep, so they wake up to the sweet smell of home. You can find Becky on her main blog Daily On My Way to Heaven.

[/author_info] [/author]

Out of the Land of Hurry (A Tale for Moms)

Posted On: 11. 10. 11 | Leave a Comment

Time runs incessantly by like a waterfall, violently. Clock and Watch seem to have the power over the days of men, they are such cruel rulers. The Sun and the Moon are no longer the Masters of the biological clock of the people in the Land of Hurry. Tic Toc; Tic Toc is the sound that can be heard all over the land, no time for listening to the birds’ song or watching squirrels, or kissing longer, or hugging tighter. Moms run from here and there, tirelessly, dragging feet and children. Dads go and go and go….

- But wait!

- Wait? Who dares to say THAT word in this Land of Hurry?

- It is me,  Quiet-Slow-Mom

- Are you talking to me? Sorry… I don’t have time to stay, I have to go. So many things in my list. I just can’t wait!

- Wait, please. Please, listen to me…

For some strange reason Rushing-Busy-Mom always in a hurry stopped. For the first time in months she stopped and even felt her heart pumping blood through her body, and without even thinking stared for a moment at a few small beautiful flowers beside the road, and felt her little daughter’s hand holding hers.

Quiet-Slow-Mom said,

-I used to walk like you, enslaved by the cruel Clock and like you, I loved to be running all day. It made me feel… so… productive. Yes, I felt more important if I could handle more things than I wanted to do. I murmured a tiny prayer whenever I had time and sometimes  I read a Bible verse that had been on my fridge for years. Yes, I had the same endless excuses, the little ones, the laundry, the money, the husband, the Bible study, the bills, the gym, the so longed for “Time-For-Me”, who, by the way, is the most shrewd deceiver around Moms.  But one day I stopped… well actually , He made stop…

-He? I barely remember any of His Words… It has been so long…I hadn’t have time.

- Yes, He made me stop; the Owner of My Days; the One who fixed the Sun and Moon in place to give us a day to work and a night to rest. He spoke clearly to me, I remember well. It was one day when he opened my ears to hear my voice, my dialog. I was scared. The two words that my children were listening from me  all day long were terrifying: Hurry Up!

Rushing-Busy-Mom had a lump in her throat and a tear made of minuscule particles of wasted time, rolled down from her cheek.

Quiet-Slow-Mom kept on saying,

- When I realized how many times I had spoken those words I broke into pieces. I knew in that moment that those words I kept saying all day, all days were exactly the opposite of what my heart longed for… I did not want to rush the hours, I did not want to make the time pass by so quickly, I did not want to hurry the moments… O Beautiful Moments that were disappearing without no one noticing them, and I just let them go by while Clock and Watch observed, and they laughed at me.

Rushing-Busy-Mom sat on the grass, and held her baby girl in her arms who was now sleeping. She took her tiny hands and took a moment to see how much her hands had grown and how beautiful her hair was.  The rays of the Sun were particularly beautiful that day… or so they seemed. She looked at Quiet-Slow-Mom and whispered to her…

- Do you think it is possible, really possible, to stop living under the cruel, rude, and powerful dominion of Clock and Watch? Is there a way out of the Land of Hurry?

- Yes, there is a way out of the Land of Hurry. It is that tiny door over there; it is just like the Door to Paradise which is narrow; it is a door through which you must enter on your knees, face down, with a contrite spirit… slowly, very slowly. You must leave behind all that doesn’t matter and walk through it humbly. When you hear the Owner of Time, the One who holds the days of mankind in the palm of His hand calling you, do not hesitate and walk through it. He will teach  you to number your days; He will teach you to live wisely in the Land. He will help you to kiss longer and hug tighter, and slow down to play and read a book. He will renew your strength every day with the power of His Word; when You come to meet Him early in the mornings you will find out how to live in this frame of time, serving Him and not Clock or Watch. You will find rest under His shadow and peace under His wings. You will  soon find yourself loving more, smiling more, baking more, making love more… It is when we stop and deliberately seek Him that Time stops ruling our days and we start living, fully living under His sun and by His grace…

[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://desiringvirtue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/34665_138735496150319_100000416096103_283912_2327431_n1.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Becky is a Mexican living in one of the most crowded cities in the world, Mexico City. She has been happily married to an incredible man for almost 20 years. They have four children and  have homeschooled them following the Classical Christian Education model. Their oldest son is a sophmore in College and their youngest is a 7 years old girl. Becky grew in a typical Evangelical church, but after much prayer from her Dad and reading A.W Pink’s book entitled God’s Sovereignity she came to love the Reformed faith. Becky enjoys the big books and the small books, she loves to study God’s word and read mostly, from dead authors, like the Puritans. She says that her real education began when she started homeschooling her children. She currently teaches Spanish at Veritas Press Scholars; loves to take out her watercolors on a sunny Saturday and paint, and you will always see her with her camera ready to capture the simple everyday moments that make up her days. She loves to bake muffins for her family on Saturdays while they are still asleep, so they wake up to the sweet smell of home. You can find Becky on her main blog Daily On My Way to Heaven; on her photography blog, My Daily Journey-through my lens- and on her Spanish blog, Delicias A Tu Diestra Para Siempre.[/author_info] [/author]