I am a bit nervous about what today is going to hold for me. I enjoyed a SUPER RICH time in God's Word this morning, but I have observed that often, when God gives me a really rich meal in His Word, I'm in for near-stellar failure into sin...Still, I'm bubbling over, & just have to share!
I started out in 2 Corinthians:
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
It has become my habit to look up the verses quoted in the New Testament in their Old Testament passages. The first sentence is quoted from Leviticus 26. In it, God is promising His presence with Israel IF they keep the law. We know from the rest of the biblical account that Israel was unable to do that, and so repeatedly suffered God's wrath. The next sentence is from Isaiah 52-- here's where it started getting rich for me! =) In Isaiah 52, God is promising Israel's deliverance from bondage. The chapter ends with an introduction to the "servant" who acts wisely-- we know now that this prophecy is about Jesus Christ. In chapter 53 He bears our griefs, carries OUR afflictions, suffers the wrath of the Holy God against OUR sin! And both Father & Son were PLEASED to make this sacrifice to redeem a wretched, sinful people!!!
Today, I am amazed at the price God paid to fulfill His promise to dwell among His people-- to make ME His dwelling! So, 2 Corinthians 7:1 comes in-- because we have the promise of the Living God to DWELL with us, make it a point to pursue holiness. I am to make it the aim of my life to do the things that will please my Father. And I can rest in His love because Christ ALWAYS pleased the Father in my place, and paid for my failures. My sin is forgiven!!! PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GLORIOUS GRACE!!! =)
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
My Little People
I'm a sucker for making "my little people" happy. I love watching their eyes light up when I do what they've asked just because I love them. And "my little people" are not limited to my Crew, they include any child who happens to be in my house at a given time. =) That's why I spent a whole day painting murals onto our walls...
and why we had strawberry cake with blue frosting for dessert last night...
and why I've spent many hours at my sewing machine making clothes for kids and dolls instead of for myself. =) And it got me thinking about my Heavenly Father, who loves me & delights to give me good things.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
1 Peter 4:7-10
I hope that by making "my little people" happy, I am pointing them toward my Heavenly Father too.
***Just a brief disclaimer. Please don't take my methods for loving as prescriptive. God designed you to love your little people in the ways He's given YOU. Please use YOUR gifts. =)
and why I've spent many hours at my sewing machine making clothes for kids and dolls instead of for myself. =) And it got me thinking about my Heavenly Father, who loves me & delights to give me good things.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
1 Peter 4:7-10
I hope that by making "my little people" happy, I am pointing them toward my Heavenly Father too.
***Just a brief disclaimer. Please don't take my methods for loving as prescriptive. God designed you to love your little people in the ways He's given YOU. Please use YOUR gifts. =)
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Mud: Part 2
Well, when I am slapping mud up on blank walls for hours on end, I have LOTS of time to think! =) So, I've done LOTS of thinking the past month-ish. ;) I watched Daddy supervising my brother & cousin hanging sheetrock when I was in high school, & asked him about a crack between 2 pieces. His reply was "Mud covers a multitude of sins." =) We both laughed, but the point was made that in remodeling, perfection is nearly impossible, but mud makes the finished product more presentable. =)
I followed this train of thought out a ways, too. After all, I've had LOTS of thinking time! ;) And I was reminded of the verse that Daddy's silly quote came from: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
I pondered how that relates. The smaller cracks and holes in a wall can be covered, to the point they are unnoticeable, by a little mud or caulk. So I wondered how love covers sins. Now this may not be entirely accurate (there's my disclaimer! ;)), but I think when we forgive, or refuse to be offended by the smaller things, we are acting like the mud. In God's eyes, all sin is UTTERLY HEINOUS, but all sin is ultimately against Him. And, as we were instructed in Sunday school recently, God will judge sin. If an unbeliever sins against you & never believes, God will judge his sin in eternity. If a believer sins against you, God has already judged that sin in Christ. "If you hold a grudge, you doubt the judge." So go be some mud today! =)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
I followed this train of thought out a ways, too. After all, I've had LOTS of thinking time! ;) And I was reminded of the verse that Daddy's silly quote came from: Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
I pondered how that relates. The smaller cracks and holes in a wall can be covered, to the point they are unnoticeable, by a little mud or caulk. So I wondered how love covers sins. Now this may not be entirely accurate (there's my disclaimer! ;)), but I think when we forgive, or refuse to be offended by the smaller things, we are acting like the mud. In God's eyes, all sin is UTTERLY HEINOUS, but all sin is ultimately against Him. And, as we were instructed in Sunday school recently, God will judge sin. If an unbeliever sins against you & never believes, God will judge his sin in eternity. If a believer sins against you, God has already judged that sin in Christ. "If you hold a grudge, you doubt the judge." So go be some mud today! =)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Friday, July 27, 2012
Mud: Part 1
I like to play in the mud! In fact, I've always liked to play in mud. I didn't do it often as a kid because I didn't want the swats that I knew would follow if I did! ;) I did get permission to play in the mud once when I was 10-ish. That is the one time I remember my Mommy mentioning "the Mother's curse" with regards to me. "May you have many children, and may they all be just like you." Well, it took! =) My kids LOVE to play in the mud. Unfortunately, they don't seem to dread the swats that inevitably follow... so maybe they're not JUST like me! ;)
When I was 14, my Daddy introduced me to a sanctioned form of "playing in the mud". He taught me to tape and float for some sheetrock work we were doing in our house that summer. I followed his instructions really well, so it quickly became my part of the construction process. We were consistently doing some kind of remodel work on the houses we lived in for the next 4 years that I lived at home. I got to the point that I dreaded parts of it, and especially Daddy's perfectionism. I was a teenager, after all! =)
I've been reminiscing the last few weeks as I've been doing remodel work on my own house. It's been really funny. I don't dread the parts I used to. And now I'm fighting MY OWN perfectionism! =? The thought I've had most often, is how thankful I am that the Lord was preparing me for much of what would be happening the first 11 years of my marriage. I had no idea when I first picked up that trowel, that I would be doing SO MUCH playing in the mud-- but God did. He knew that Shorty & I would buy a fixer-upper, and be squeaking by on one income as He added 4 more little people to our family. =)
Now I know that this is a purely physical/temporal example, but the principle applies that God will always thoroughly equip us for whatever path He sets before us.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 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 Timothy 3:14-17
When I was 14, my Daddy introduced me to a sanctioned form of "playing in the mud". He taught me to tape and float for some sheetrock work we were doing in our house that summer. I followed his instructions really well, so it quickly became my part of the construction process. We were consistently doing some kind of remodel work on the houses we lived in for the next 4 years that I lived at home. I got to the point that I dreaded parts of it, and especially Daddy's perfectionism. I was a teenager, after all! =)
I've been reminiscing the last few weeks as I've been doing remodel work on my own house. It's been really funny. I don't dread the parts I used to. And now I'm fighting MY OWN perfectionism! =? The thought I've had most often, is how thankful I am that the Lord was preparing me for much of what would be happening the first 11 years of my marriage. I had no idea when I first picked up that trowel, that I would be doing SO MUCH playing in the mud-- but God did. He knew that Shorty & I would buy a fixer-upper, and be squeaking by on one income as He added 4 more little people to our family. =)
Now I know that this is a purely physical/temporal example, but the principle applies that God will always thoroughly equip us for whatever path He sets before us.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 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 Timothy 3:14-17
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Trials
A couple of members of my church family have had major medical issues recently. Another dear sister is struggling with the difficulties of missionary life. I personally am enjoying a smoother ride, and a very rich time in the Word. In fact, even though summer can be VERY busy for me, it is one of two seasons when I have the "free time" to listen to sermons, & really immerse myself in thinking through things as a Christian.
I listened to a sermon recently about Romans 8:28 by Tim Keller. It was a real blessing to me, so rather than rambling on & possibly mixing up the message, here's the link:
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/christians-happiness
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
I listened to a sermon recently about Romans 8:28 by Tim Keller. It was a real blessing to me, so rather than rambling on & possibly mixing up the message, here's the link:
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/christians-happiness
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sticky Stuff
What kid doesn't like stickers? And what grandparent can resist getting their grandchild what they want for a birthday or Christmas? For that matter, who doesn't like sticky stuff?!? Well, Reanna got several birthday gifts this weekend that involved stick stuff. =? I'm not really an artsy person, but so far, I have 2 daughters who are. They love all those creative craftsy things... And we spent the better part of Saturday (when I wasn't cooking & changing diapers) putting her craftsy gifts together. One of these was a mosaic picture with self adhesive foam squares-- a fancy way of saying super thick stickers! ;) The thing is, most of these come with too many stickers-- I guess in case you mess up or want to diverge from the instructions... =? The result of those extra stickers has been "sticky stuff" on my feet for the last 3 days!
I love to be barefoot, but I HATE stepping on "sticky stuff"! And my children don't seem to have the same aversion. =P So I was thinking yesterday as I pulled yet ANOTHER wad of stickers off my feet, how I could blog about sticky stuff! =) And I have it! Have you noticed how sin patterns tend to "stick" to you? Maybe you don't, but I will be "walking" along, thinking everything is ok, when all of a sudden the Lord shows me a rather obvious sin pattern on my "foot"! =P And like the stickers littering my floor, these sin patterns keep attaching to me!
So I followed that train of thought a little farther, and was reminded that "my sin" is more than just the things I do. Every part of me is messed up by sin, and just like tape is attracted to itself, sin patterns are attracted to the sin that resides in me! =P The good news is that God's grace is active in my life, and His grace is GREATER than all my sin! =)
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 7:18-24
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
I love to be barefoot, but I HATE stepping on "sticky stuff"! And my children don't seem to have the same aversion. =P So I was thinking yesterday as I pulled yet ANOTHER wad of stickers off my feet, how I could blog about sticky stuff! =) And I have it! Have you noticed how sin patterns tend to "stick" to you? Maybe you don't, but I will be "walking" along, thinking everything is ok, when all of a sudden the Lord shows me a rather obvious sin pattern on my "foot"! =P And like the stickers littering my floor, these sin patterns keep attaching to me!
So I followed that train of thought a little farther, and was reminded that "my sin" is more than just the things I do. Every part of me is messed up by sin, and just like tape is attracted to itself, sin patterns are attracted to the sin that resides in me! =P The good news is that God's grace is active in my life, and His grace is GREATER than all my sin! =)
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Romans 7:18-24
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Fruity!
I LOVE fruit! (I've been starting a lot of posts this way lately, but I'm just a passionate person. =)) We eat LOTS more variety & quantity in the summer because the prices are lower at the store then. So I was thinking about fruit the other day, & how there are lots of agricultural, & particularly horticultural word pictures and parables in the Bible. And I was pondering the ideas of bearing fruit & pruning. So I did some research about pruning-- since I didn't know much about it at the time. =)
I found out that as a general rule, fruit trees need to be pruned at the beginning of the planting season, and again at the beginning of the dormant season. The timing of the pruning process is essential to fruit production. The other thing that I found incredibly interesting is that if fruit trees are NOT pruned, their fruit production will dramatically decrease or even stop altogether! We know from science class that plants need leaves for photosynthesis, so they can feed themselves. The thing about fruit trees (and grapevines) is that if they are left to themselves, they will put all their energy into growing more leaves!
This information really hit me as regards my spiritual growth. I am inclined to spend all my energies on "feeding" myself. But God saved me to bear fruit for Him. So He wisely removes some of the extra leaves and branches in my life at timely intervals. The other thing is that I grow most under pressure. Nobody expects to find apples on a tree in Maine in December! ;) God applies the "summer" of difficult circumstances for a while & then gives me a break. And before & after "summer" He prunes me so that He'll get even MORE fruit next time. =)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:1-8
I found out that as a general rule, fruit trees need to be pruned at the beginning of the planting season, and again at the beginning of the dormant season. The timing of the pruning process is essential to fruit production. The other thing that I found incredibly interesting is that if fruit trees are NOT pruned, their fruit production will dramatically decrease or even stop altogether! We know from science class that plants need leaves for photosynthesis, so they can feed themselves. The thing about fruit trees (and grapevines) is that if they are left to themselves, they will put all their energy into growing more leaves!
This information really hit me as regards my spiritual growth. I am inclined to spend all my energies on "feeding" myself. But God saved me to bear fruit for Him. So He wisely removes some of the extra leaves and branches in my life at timely intervals. The other thing is that I grow most under pressure. Nobody expects to find apples on a tree in Maine in December! ;) God applies the "summer" of difficult circumstances for a while & then gives me a break. And before & after "summer" He prunes me so that He'll get even MORE fruit next time. =)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:1-8
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday
I LOVE Mondays! There is just so much POTENTIAL!!! =) I wasn't always a fan of Mondays. When I was in school, the weekend never seemed long enough! Now, though I just feel like every Monday is a fresh start-- even during the school year! ;) It makes me happy! =)
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
Psalms 33:1-5
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
Psalms 33:1-5
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Lasting Moments
I LOVE Lord's Day morning! It is often a bit crazy around here trying to get 4 ladies dressed, coiffed, and ready to leave the house. But by the time we get in the car, I feel like we have time to breathe. It takes us 15 minutes or so to get to church & we have some of the best conversations in those 15 minutes.
Last week we talked about death, & why it feels sadder when children & young people die than when older folks die. This week our topic of interest was why Sunday is different, which led into a discussion on the Trinity. It is so fun to talk to my children about the faith that Shorty & I hold dear! I pray that these moments yield lasting fruit in their lives, I know they do in mine!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Last week we talked about death, & why it feels sadder when children & young people die than when older folks die. This week our topic of interest was why Sunday is different, which led into a discussion on the Trinity. It is so fun to talk to my children about the faith that Shorty & I hold dear! I pray that these moments yield lasting fruit in their lives, I know they do in mine!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Saturday, July 21, 2012
More Precious
It's been a crazy 24 hours around here. We celebrated Reanna's birthday with 26 people in our house! Shorty says that's a few too many at once. ;) I had 7 girls sleeping here-- well, we did a little bit of sleeping! =) *zzzzz.....My Crew is tired, and so am I. Tiredness around here usually yields a few tears.
Reanna was trying to unload the dishwasher & accidentally knocked one of my china cups into the floor. It broke. We asked if she was okay, but she didn't respond, so I went to the kitchen to check on her. She was on the verge of tears. I asked if she was hurt & she said no. So I asked if she was scared & again I got no response. I was finally able to pry out of her that she was afraid that I was going to be angry that she had broken my cup.
Apparently at some point in my parenting, I've done a poor job of letting my children know that they are more important than the things I own. =( I was able to spend a few minutes letting her know that she is more precious to me than any of our "stuff". I told her that even if that had been my LAST china cup-- which it wasn't-- she is more important to me. The beautiful thing that has happened since then, is that she is bouncing around my house, all smiles! =)
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Reanna was trying to unload the dishwasher & accidentally knocked one of my china cups into the floor. It broke. We asked if she was okay, but she didn't respond, so I went to the kitchen to check on her. She was on the verge of tears. I asked if she was hurt & she said no. So I asked if she was scared & again I got no response. I was finally able to pry out of her that she was afraid that I was going to be angry that she had broken my cup.
Apparently at some point in my parenting, I've done a poor job of letting my children know that they are more important than the things I own. =( I was able to spend a few minutes letting her know that she is more precious to me than any of our "stuff". I told her that even if that had been my LAST china cup-- which it wasn't-- she is more important to me. The beautiful thing that has happened since then, is that she is bouncing around my house, all smiles! =)
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26-27
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Friday, July 20, 2012
Interruptions
Well, I was quite sure this morning that my family was conspiring against me getting some much needed time in the Word! Chaya got up at 6:30 instead of 7:30, Adara was up before 7-- as were the other 2 members of my Crew! Shorty decided that it needed to be a cuddle morning. And my brother arrived with my nieces 15 minutes earlier than I expected... And I'm trying to get ready for a birthday party this evening! It seems needless to say that I didn't get my time..... *shrug*
Well, I'm shrugging now, because my kind Father has had 3 hours to remind me that He is orchestrating my moments to teach me eternal lessons. So, Lesson of the Day: I need to be faithful to pursue my relationship with Him, even when my routine makes it hard. You see, I prefer to read the Bible early in the morning for 2 reasons, number 1-- it's easier to point my thoughts God-ward if I've already been reading His Word. Second, I like to be able to "tick it off the list" and then feel like I have the "free time" the rest of the day to do what I want.
So, as I've been running down through my "to do" list for today, God has so gently reminded me that He deserves to be preeminent in my thoughts, and how I use the time He entrusts to me. =)
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
Psalms 86:8-13
Well, I'm shrugging now, because my kind Father has had 3 hours to remind me that He is orchestrating my moments to teach me eternal lessons. So, Lesson of the Day: I need to be faithful to pursue my relationship with Him, even when my routine makes it hard. You see, I prefer to read the Bible early in the morning for 2 reasons, number 1-- it's easier to point my thoughts God-ward if I've already been reading His Word. Second, I like to be able to "tick it off the list" and then feel like I have the "free time" the rest of the day to do what I want.
So, as I've been running down through my "to do" list for today, God has so gently reminded me that He deserves to be preeminent in my thoughts, and how I use the time He entrusts to me. =)
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.
Psalms 86:8-13
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Fragrance
Brief thoughts this time. =) I read Psalm 69 today.
O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.
Psalms 69:5-6
In high school I prayed this with the implied intention that God make me perfect. I was afraid that if people saw me sin, they would reject Christ.
I'm still praying this today, but my intention has changed. I don't believe that there is anything I can do to thwart God's plan of salvation for a person. I just want to be a "fragrance" for Christ, not an "odor". =)
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.
Psalms 69:5-6
In high school I prayed this with the implied intention that God make me perfect. I was afraid that if people saw me sin, they would reject Christ.
I'm still praying this today, but my intention has changed. I don't believe that there is anything I can do to thwart God's plan of salvation for a person. I just want to be a "fragrance" for Christ, not an "odor". =)
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
I read these verses yesterday & it hit me that I have been guilty in recent months of not REMEMBERING Christ as I partake of the Lord's supper. Reanna asked me at our church's most recent observance what the bread & juice mean. It was a good reminder for me to have to answer that question. I told her that the juice represents Christ's blood- as indicated in the verses above- which is to say that Jesus gave his life to pay for the sins of His people. But I was stumped about the bread. Then as she turned to Shorty & he answered, I was reminded that the bread was a reference to Christ's ability & desire to sustain us. He gives LIFE! =)
So, point of the day: "Familiarity breeds contempt." Habits are FANTASTIC things! Habits allow me to fold laundry while I watch a show on TV. Habits allow me to load dishes, sort laundry, put things away, and any number of other repeated tasks with very little conscious effort. However, engaging in worship by HABIT is not acceptable. The Lord wants me to worship him with all my heart, soul, MIND, and strength! So how is it that I can become so INDIFFERENT to the infinite price Christ paid to redeem me?
I've been pondering that for the last several hours, & I think it stems from a pair of related misunderstandings. First, the division between my SPIRITUAL life, and my PHYSICAL life. I'm not saying that there isn't a difference, but Scripture consistently teaches that we should seek to glorify God with our WHOLE lives. ANY act performed in faith pleases Him. (What that "in faith" means is a discussion for another day. ;)) The second point really is more of a sub-point under the first, and it is my tendency to live life with little or no thought of God. As I've been pondering this, I've come to the conclusion that I live so many hours without thinking about Him because I tend to draw that division between the necessary PHYSICAL things, and the really GODLY things like reading the Bible & praying.
I need reminding that I was created to worship my Creator & King in faith in EVERY part, and EVERY moment that he gives me, because I am still a forgetful sinner. But His grace is GREATER than ALL my sin! WOO HOO!!! =)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
I read these verses yesterday & it hit me that I have been guilty in recent months of not REMEMBERING Christ as I partake of the Lord's supper. Reanna asked me at our church's most recent observance what the bread & juice mean. It was a good reminder for me to have to answer that question. I told her that the juice represents Christ's blood- as indicated in the verses above- which is to say that Jesus gave his life to pay for the sins of His people. But I was stumped about the bread. Then as she turned to Shorty & he answered, I was reminded that the bread was a reference to Christ's ability & desire to sustain us. He gives LIFE! =)
So, point of the day: "Familiarity breeds contempt." Habits are FANTASTIC things! Habits allow me to fold laundry while I watch a show on TV. Habits allow me to load dishes, sort laundry, put things away, and any number of other repeated tasks with very little conscious effort. However, engaging in worship by HABIT is not acceptable. The Lord wants me to worship him with all my heart, soul, MIND, and strength! So how is it that I can become so INDIFFERENT to the infinite price Christ paid to redeem me?
I've been pondering that for the last several hours, & I think it stems from a pair of related misunderstandings. First, the division between my SPIRITUAL life, and my PHYSICAL life. I'm not saying that there isn't a difference, but Scripture consistently teaches that we should seek to glorify God with our WHOLE lives. ANY act performed in faith pleases Him. (What that "in faith" means is a discussion for another day. ;)) The second point really is more of a sub-point under the first, and it is my tendency to live life with little or no thought of God. As I've been pondering this, I've come to the conclusion that I live so many hours without thinking about Him because I tend to draw that division between the necessary PHYSICAL things, and the really GODLY things like reading the Bible & praying.
I need reminding that I was created to worship my Creator & King in faith in EVERY part, and EVERY moment that he gives me, because I am still a forgetful sinner. But His grace is GREATER than ALL my sin! WOO HOO!!! =)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
A Time to...
I come from a long line of the species "pakitus ratimus"-- I borrowed that, by the way. =) So is my Shorty! Thankfully, we have both suppressed the tendency to accumulate perpetually. This has been in large part due to the fact that we have lived in a small house with minimal storage the entire 11 years we've been married. =) I did major down sizing about every 6 months for the first 7 years or so. In fact, I'm probably more likely to accidentally throw away something we need than keep something we don't! =) I had trimmed to the point that I had begun to need to acquire again. I very rarely regret eliminating the excesses. We almost never miss the "stuff" once it's gone, but I guess I'm out of practice because I'm having "seller's remorse"-- if that's a term! ;) We've been remodeling & due to the changes, there is no longer space in my house for the school desks for the kids. So I've been selling them. This represents a pretty major change in our school dynamic & possibly schedule... I'm not sure I'm quite ready for this change that I thought I was itching for. (Yes, I know that last sentence is NOT grammatically correct! ;)) But then there is the flip side of less "stuff" to care for & work around, so by tomorrow-- or maybe at the latest, next week-- I'll be excited again. =)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Monday, July 16, 2012
Life with a Song
I almost always wake up with a song or tune running through my head. In fact, for six weeks while I was pregnant with my son, "Larry's High Silk Hat" got stuck! =P Cute song once, but six weeks is a bit excessive! ;)
Some days I really like my song of the day, others I spend a good part of the day trying to get it unstuck. My Crew seems to have that same quirk... however, they only seem to remember about 2 lines & they seem unable to avoid sharing them.... broken record anyone? =D I told them recently that music helps me work. It's true! When I have a song to work to, my motivation jumps & work seems less tedious. =)
I do love to sing! My favorite time to sing is at church. This has not always been the case. There have been times when I was overly critical of the musical quality & refused to be content with making a joyful noise. Thankfully, the Lord worked on my heart. It is a beautiful thing when a group of God's people raise their voices in praise to the King! =)
I love living life with a song!
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
Some days I really like my song of the day, others I spend a good part of the day trying to get it unstuck. My Crew seems to have that same quirk... however, they only seem to remember about 2 lines & they seem unable to avoid sharing them.... broken record anyone? =D I told them recently that music helps me work. It's true! When I have a song to work to, my motivation jumps & work seems less tedious. =)
I do love to sing! My favorite time to sing is at church. This has not always been the case. There have been times when I was overly critical of the musical quality & refused to be content with making a joyful noise. Thankfully, the Lord worked on my heart. It is a beautiful thing when a group of God's people raise their voices in praise to the King! =)
I love living life with a song!
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Compare to Lose
I bet all of you parents have heard a question similar to this one: "Why can't I have a piece of drawing paper? My sister has one." I regularly refuse to answer when it is phrased this way in an attempt to discourage the comparison reasoning in my Crew. I've tried to instruct them that comparing ourselves to anyone but Christ only feeds our sin natures. Either there is someone who we think we are "better than", so it feeds our pride. Or there is someone who we are "not as good as", so we throw a pity party.
This conversation leads me to think about myself & how I tend to compare myself to my friends. I go to one sister's pristine house & leave feeling inferior. I watch another parenting her child & get embarrassed because my children don't responded as well to me. I see how much fun a friend has & wish I was more like her. Don't misunderstand me, I have LEARNED a lot from these sisters. I keep a cleaner house than I used to, I have adopted some parenting techniques & phrases, and I even let my kids have chocolate chips on their pancakes-- sometimes! ;) The point is, God made me for the home, husband, children, time, and place where He put me. And my sisters are perfectly suited for the lives God has given them. So I need to be content with the ways I'm equipped for the path He's given me, and strive to improve in the areas where I'm weak.
for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
I Corinthians 3:3-7
I realize that this is a different context, but as I was reading this recently, the principle of not comparing ourselves to each other is what struck me. So, take it or leave it... =)
This conversation leads me to think about myself & how I tend to compare myself to my friends. I go to one sister's pristine house & leave feeling inferior. I watch another parenting her child & get embarrassed because my children don't responded as well to me. I see how much fun a friend has & wish I was more like her. Don't misunderstand me, I have LEARNED a lot from these sisters. I keep a cleaner house than I used to, I have adopted some parenting techniques & phrases, and I even let my kids have chocolate chips on their pancakes-- sometimes! ;) The point is, God made me for the home, husband, children, time, and place where He put me. And my sisters are perfectly suited for the lives God has given them. So I need to be content with the ways I'm equipped for the path He's given me, and strive to improve in the areas where I'm weak.
for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
I Corinthians 3:3-7
I realize that this is a different context, but as I was reading this recently, the principle of not comparing ourselves to each other is what struck me. So, take it or leave it... =)
Friday, July 13, 2012
One Year Ago
One year ago, I was still asleep. We had been traveling back & forth to Scott & White hospital in Temple for over a week to be with my father-in-law, & I was exhausted both emotionally & physically. Dad had suffered a heart attack & then had a valve tear loose, followed by lots of machines & open heart surgery.
We were expecting this day last year to be pretty normal. Mom & Holly got up & went to work, but Shorty took the day off to be with the Crew & me. He had taken the girls to storytime & I was playing a game with Judah. Then we got the call from Mom. The doctor wanted a meeting with us at noon. When we got to the hospital, the doctor told us that Dad had taken a much worse turn during the night & that there was nothing else medically they could do to prolong his life. What followed were several hours of phone calls & tears as we waited for the time to pass until they could unhook the machines.
Shorty & I felt the love of God SO RICHLY through His people during the month of July. Our church family & my family of origin really carried us. They served us faithfully with prayers, care for our Crew, some cooking & cleaning, & their presence both at the hospital & funeral.
This past year has been hard. The Lord has shown me areas where I didn't love Shorty & his family well. He's reminded me how weak I am & how short life can be. He's grown my love for His church. And he has used all of it to make me long for his return, when sin & Death will finally be defeated.
We were expecting this day last year to be pretty normal. Mom & Holly got up & went to work, but Shorty took the day off to be with the Crew & me. He had taken the girls to storytime & I was playing a game with Judah. Then we got the call from Mom. The doctor wanted a meeting with us at noon. When we got to the hospital, the doctor told us that Dad had taken a much worse turn during the night & that there was nothing else medically they could do to prolong his life. What followed were several hours of phone calls & tears as we waited for the time to pass until they could unhook the machines.
Shorty & I felt the love of God SO RICHLY through His people during the month of July. Our church family & my family of origin really carried us. They served us faithfully with prayers, care for our Crew, some cooking & cleaning, & their presence both at the hospital & funeral.
This past year has been hard. The Lord has shown me areas where I didn't love Shorty & his family well. He's reminded me how weak I am & how short life can be. He's grown my love for His church. And he has used all of it to make me long for his return, when sin & Death will finally be defeated.
It Is Not Death To Die ~Sovereign Grace Music
VERSE 1
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears
CHORUS
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
VERSE 2
It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears
CHORUS
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
VERSE 2
It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Favorite Days
My favorite days are the ones when I get to stay home. Yesterday was NOT one of those days! It was storytime at the library. My Crew LOVES the library, and especially storytime. It is also summer-- bet you didn't know that! ;) -- which means that we have a season pass to the city pool. Due to some sickness at the beginning of the summer, and my home remodel project, we haven't been to the pool NEARLY as much as my Crew would like. =D Throw in prayer meeting in the evening, & we were basically going to be gone all day!
Which gets to the heart of the issue-- literally! I have finally gotten my house back into normal functioning order, & have been looking longingly at my sewing machine for over a week. I REALLY wanted to be selfish & stay home. The Lord reminded me, however, that I won't have my children so near forever. And my sweet husband reminded me that Christ gave up the ease of heaven to live & die in my place... Well, that's kind of hard to argue with!
The funny thing that happened was that I TOTALLY enjoyed library time, and the pool! And today gets to be one of my favorite days-- i.e. I get to stay home! At least it looks like it for now! ;)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Which gets to the heart of the issue-- literally! I have finally gotten my house back into normal functioning order, & have been looking longingly at my sewing machine for over a week. I REALLY wanted to be selfish & stay home. The Lord reminded me, however, that I won't have my children so near forever. And my sweet husband reminded me that Christ gave up the ease of heaven to live & die in my place... Well, that's kind of hard to argue with!
The funny thing that happened was that I TOTALLY enjoyed library time, and the pool! And today gets to be one of my favorite days-- i.e. I get to stay home! At least it looks like it for now! ;)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Why am I bolgging?
Here's the rundown. First, I love to write! There are times when I lie down in bed and can't fall asleep because there are so many words bouncing around my brain. If I try to ignore them, I may lie awake for hours! =P However, if I write them down, they stop bouncing and I fall quickly asleep. =)
Second, I like being able to look back and see what God has been doing in my life. I discovered recently that I can't really see growth in me unless I start writing it down. I use and love Facebook to keep up with my friends, and I do post about my faith, but I don't want to seem fake because every post is about God. Besides, they would end up being really LONG posts! ;)
And I am growing into the electronic age-- a little! ;) I like paper and books, but they take up so much space! Not only that, I can type MUCH quicker than I can write... So this blog is mostly for me, but you are welcome to read it-- that's why it's public! ;)
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Coffee Flavored
Remember a couple of years ago when Facebook had all the "What [fill in the blank] are you"? quizzes? I took several, and my favorite was "What flavor of ice cream are you?" My result was "coffee flavored". The description went something like this: You have a strong personality and are not afraid to say what you think. People often take you the wrong way, and they either love you or they hate you.
I have been working to curb my tongue, and think a little more about what I want to say BEFORE I say it! I still fail more often than I succeed, so it is likely that if you know me-- or read this-- that I will offend you at some point. I am a work in progress!
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
I have been working to curb my tongue, and think a little more about what I want to say BEFORE I say it! I still fail more often than I succeed, so it is likely that if you know me-- or read this-- that I will offend you at some point. I am a work in progress!
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
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