Detox

The holidays are winding down, and while I've enjoyed them (as usual), I'm REALLY looking forward to getting back into our "normal" routine. The last five weeks have been JAM PACKED for us with birthdays, parties, family time, and lots of yummy (if not terribly healthy) food. I've been telling Shorty for the past few days that I'm ready for a "detox". Not just a food type detox, (Although more vegetables and less sugar are DEFINITELY on the menu!) but also a detox from the holiday "gimme's". You know, when we open our first gift, we're super excited, but as the opened stack grows, our thankfulness can dwindle. And the same is true for our children. Add to that the extra free time and coolish (for Texas) weather, and you end up with too many video games and movies... and a grumpy family. I think the reason that this particular problem plagues us is because we were made for More. But because sin has so corrupted every part of who we are, we need regular cleansing from our God through Jesus Christ. And we get that through prayer, time spent reading and meditating on God's Word, and gathering with the church for worship. Detox for our souls! =)

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalms 51:1-12
 
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:1-5

Meditate

meditate: 1) to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect

We live in a fast-paced world. We have microwaves to heat our food, drive-thru's for almost everything, and express shipping (among other things). It's a "now" culture. And with all the things out there vying for our attention, it is hard to be still and quiet long enough to ponder much of anything. But pondering, or meditating, is a worthwhile exercise-- especially with regards to Scripture.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Psalms 77:11-12
 
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalms 119:14-16

The Psalmists understood that Scripture is LIFE! Knowing the God who made us is the most worthwhile of pursuits! And it is pleasant! So rather than skimming over the top of a passage, make an effort to meditate on it, soak in it, simmer it-- or whatever analogy you like! But fill your soul with the goodness of the Word. =)

When Your Idols Crumble

Do you know what your idols are? I feel relatively confident that they are not small statues on a shelf, or in a corner, in your home. Some of mine are money, beauty, well-behaved children, and intelligence. I could probably make a REALLY long list if I were to devote myself to introspection. However, I'm SURE I'd be ashamed to share them.

So what happens when your idols begin to crumble? First of all, it feels like your entire world is collapsing with your idol. This is often followed by anger. How DARE my idol fail?!? And then whoever seems to be standing between me and my idol, (or whoever is nearby) suffers the brunt of my anger. But do you know, Christian, why your idols crumble? It is because God is TOO GOOD to allow your idols to satisfy you for long. He knows that worshiping HIM is the only way your soul will be TRULY satisfied. And so He removes what is paltry, to draw you to what is infinitely valuable.

"And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
Psalms 39:7-11

Not Necessarily Indicative

I LOVE wrapping presents! I just finished (almost) all of ours for the year! =) But wrapping is another relatively mindless activity, which leaves my brain available for other ponderings...

When I was eight I eagerly opened my gift from my grandparents. However, once the ribbons and paper were off, I was TERRIBLY disappointed. The box I held in my hands was Shredded Wheat biscuits. (The full sized, unsweetened ones that you were supposed to crumble into your bowl.) =P
And the words that immediately proceeded from my eight-year-old mouth were, "I don't even LIKE this kind of cereal!" That was the year that I learned that "the box is not necessarily indicative of the contents". This is a HUGE theme in our family. Especially if you have homemade gifts, (or if you just like trying to fool the recipient ;)) boxes come to mean almost nothing! So I was reminiscing as I wrapped and listened to my Christmas music. And then it hit me, Jesus' "box" (what we can see) was not indicative of the "contents". Here's what I mean:

Jesus is God. He has always existed with the Father, and is equal in essence with the Father. Infinite, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Creator, King. And yet... He looked just like us. Just another baby born all squishy. Just another little boy running around making noise. Just another man plodding along the dusty roads in Israel. Yes, He did miraculous things. But so had many prophets before Him. Only this "box", Jesus' human body, held the fullness of God! (And just to be clear, Jesus is FULLY God and FULLY man.) WOW! All I can say is that this concept BOGGLES MY MIND!!! =)

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4-7
 
And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Luke 2:40 

For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:2
 

Hormones

When I was a sophomore in high school, I was sitting on the couch in our living room, folding clothes-- and bawling! My brother walked in, stopped, and asked, "What's wrong with you?" I responded with classic teenage drama, "I FEEL LIKE I'M A SPECTATOR IN MY OWN BODY!!!" He promptly turned and left the room.

I'm not a teenager anymore (THANKFULLY!), but there are still days that I feel like a spectator in my own body. That particular time of the month draws near, and I fall into all kinds of discombobulation! We know that hormones impact our brains, bodies, and emotions. And it's easy to just want comfort. But my hormonal chaos is not a free pass to act however I want. Hormones are not a sufficient excuse to be rude to my husband or children (or whoever else I may encounter), or to eat whatever I want, or to just "check-out" for a few hours (or days). Whether or not I feel like it, I am still an ambassador of the King. And He has called me to share His love, ESPECIALLY when I don't feel like it. Because after all, to love is to sacrifice.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
 
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 3:16
 
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21

It will cost you.

We went to see "Frozen" with our Crew Friday night. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together, and the movie. Shorty and I talked when we got home about the great depiction of love in the movie. One of the main characters is within reach of what she thinks true love is (namely, romance and mushy feelings), but she chooses instead to put the needs of another above her own. And I was reminded of this very same depiction in "Tangled". Rapunzel chooses to give up her freedom (the thing she's been chasing the entire movie) to save Flynn. But he would rather die than see Rapunzel a prisoner. It's a beautiful thing!

Love IS a beautiful thing. But it will cost you. It may not cost your life, but it will cost you. When your friend says something that really hurts your heart, forgiveness will cost you. When your spouse comes in from a hard day, and you've had a hard day too, love will cost you. When you decide to make more little people, getting up to feed them in the middle of the night, or comforting them after a nightmare, or tending one of their many little (and big) injuries will cost you. However, real love sees the cost and determines that it is worth it!

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:9-11
 
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, 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 2:5-8 

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Hebrews 2:14-15

Our Holiday

I don't have to tell you that Christmas is near. It is (I believe) the biggest commercial holiday of the year. Stores all over are trying to lure you in with sales, or lights and sparkle, or promises of the "perfect gift". But I got to have the most FANTASTIC conversation with my Crew this morning. Christmas is OUR holiday. And by "our" I mean it is a Christian holiday. Here's how I explained it to the Crew.

There are a superabundant number of holiday movies and songs out there boasting to have the "true" meaning of Christmas. You get things like, family, love, giving, and peace. But this morning I pressed the issue. I asked, "If you take Christ out of Christmas, what do you have?" And I got precisely those answers repeated. But why?

The concept of family was created by God in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. And it is redeemed in Christ becoming the propitiation for our sins so we can be adopted into God's family. What is "love" without the picture of Christ leaving the glories of heaven to sacrifice Himself for those who are utterly unlovely? What is "giving" without God giving us His Son, and the Son giving His life? And what is "peace" without the knowledge that through Christ we have peace with God? All these concepts are hollow apart from Christ! Now, PLEASE don't hear me saying that you should throw out your tree, or stop giving gifts, or whatever you do to celebrate Christmas! I love the trappings and sparkle and songs and stuff! I agree with the song that says "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Just remember the FULLNESS of Christmas! God the Father sent His Son so that He could reconcile sinners to Himself!!! =)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:3-10
 
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
Galatians 4:1-6

Generous

I've been trying to memorize Psalm 37. It's been a bit slow going, first because it is one of the longer Psalms (it has 40 verses), and second because I've also been working on memorizing some other passages and verses at the same time. But I began working on verses 21-22 a few weeks ago and was kind of floored by the content of that particular pair! And I continue to be convicted each time I practice it.

The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
Psalms 37:21-22

My oldest was reading over my shoulder when I typed it the first time. At the end I said, "Wow!" And she asked, "What, Mama?" So I explained to her that these two verses are teaching us something about greed. The wicked "borrows" but does not pay back. He's greedy. He wants to hang on to EVERY LITTLE THING that he can get his hands on. But the righteous is generous and gives. Why is the righteous generous? According to these verses, because he knows that he will inherit the land. In other words, he has a FUTURE! He trusts that he will be taken care of when his needs arise. (You can see that earlier in the Psalm.) In a similar way, the wicked person, who is cursed by God, somehow realizes that he has no future. Now is as good as it gets...

But as I practiced this pair of verses again today, I had a following thought. As believers after the first Advent of Christ, we have His example to follow. Jesus is the only TRULY Righteous One, and He both WAS and IS generous. He was generous when He became a Man some 2,000 years ago, then lived and died in the place of His people. And He continues to be generous as He gives us temporal blessings, and present fellowship with Him, and hope for a future when all things will be made right. So I find myself convicted for my lack of generosity. I want to hang onto my comfort, rather than trusting that my needs will be met in the now, and that I have a future.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
 
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21

Song of the Day- 14

I spent my day yesterday in the kitchen listening to Christmas music and making candy. It was marvelous! One of my favorite albums is titled "Savior", by Sovereign Grace music. I think my favorite thing about it is how beautifully the lyrics marry Christ's humanity with His deity, and the perfection of His sacrifice. As I think about Baby Jesus sleeping, I'm reminded of the verses that say God never sleeps. God never sleeps, but the God-Man did. So, for today:

Emmanuel, Emmanuel

VERSE 3
You who with a word created
Sun and moon and seas and sand
Lay there sleeping in a manger
Cradled by Your mother’s hand
You who made the mighty forests
Would lie down upon a tree
Fastened there with nails for sinners
Would bleed and die to set us free

I know I use this passage a lot, but it never ceases to amaze me!!!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14
 

Once for All

I was practicing my memory verses this morning, and was struck by the phrase "once for all". (By the way, if you are interested in practicing scripture memory, and have easy access to a computer-- or an iPhone, Scripture Typer is a great resource!) So back to the point, I was practicing Jude 1:3.

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 1:3

This immediately brought a second verse to mind.

He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
Hebrews 7:27

But since I wasn't sure of the exact reference, only that it was in Hebrews, I used the search tool in our e-sword program. (By the way, e-sword is a great Bible study program. And the base program, as well as many translations of the Bible and commentaries, can be downloaded for free.)

So my search yielded seven verses with the phrase "once for all". In Psalms, God swears "once for all" that the forever king will come from his line (Ps. 89:35-36). In Romans and Hebrews, Jesus died for sin "once for all" (Rom. 6:10, Heb. 7:27). And because of His death, He entered the holy places-- that is God's presence in heaven-- "once for all" (Heb. 9:11-12,24-26), and sanctified His people "once for all" (Heb. 10:10).

With that in mind, and because of some of what I've been studying in the theology class I'm taking, I was struck by the fact that "the faith" in Jude 1:3 was delivered "once for all". The gospel was entrusted to the apostles, and ever since then the church has been handing that very same faith down through the ages! God is so amazing!!! =)

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7

Linger

I just looked at the clock and realized that it's nearly ten! This surprised me a bit since we sat down to breakfast at 8:20. Until I realized that we got to linger over our breakfast. We need food to survive, and being in America, we are privileged to have plenty of food. But sometimes our ever busier schedules require us to wolf down our sustenance, rather than lingering over the variety of flavors and textures that we have been given to enjoy. As I was thinking on this briefly, it occurred to me that I have a lot of opportunities to linger over my meals. And I am thankful for that.

Then I began to think about the Word. Do you know, Christian, that God's Word is as necessary to your spirit as food is to your body?

But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Matthew 4:4
 
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
John 6:35
 
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 3:16-17

Then I began to think about my devotions. Some days there are ever so many things demanding my attention, and I have to rush through, because I know I NEED time with my God. Other times, I get to sit and bask in His Word for hours, savoring the truths that are found inside. And there is a place for both. But if it's been a while since you lingered with your God, I encourage you to put that on your "list". Near the top! ;)

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:5-11

Today

I sometimes suffer from Scarlet O'Hara disorder. She says, "I won't think about that today... I'll think about it tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day." I may have a good idea, or a new thing I need to start doing... but my today is full, so I'll think about it tomorrow... But when tomorrow comes... I'm still busy, and the "whatever it was" keeps ending up on tomorrow's "list".

After reading a few blogs/articles yesterday, coupled with some current circumstances, I came to the conclusion that I need to get up half an hour earlier to get my exercise in. After all, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy." And I like being happy! =)
But I was all prepared to start that jump tomorrow... or next week.... or after the holidays! ;)
Then a scared little man walked into my room at 4:30 this morning... and I had a half an hour pillow chat with my Shorty... and I set my new alarm... but by the time it went off, I wanted to go back to sleep. And then I thought, "Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?" So I got dressed and got on my treadmill.

But that got me started thinking about how many other things I put off until the ever-elusive "tomorrow". The encouraging note to my sister who's been struggling, or the phone call that I should have made yesterday (or last week!), or devotions, and the list could go on and on. And I thought of this verse:

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13
 
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
Psalms 95:6-9

Be Still

I love Thanksgiving and the intervening weeks until Christmas! But ESPECIALLY during the holidays, I have a hard time stopping (or not starting) long enough to get my devotions in. And most of the time, it's not about something to "cross off my list". It's LIFE! Time spent reading and meditating on God's Word is NEVER wasted. This past week we spent a lot of sweet time as a family playing games, watching movies, and reading books-- and in the lazy fun, I skipped a lot of devotion time. But while we were at my parents' house on Friday I saw this verse:

"Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalms 46:10a

It was a quiet reminder that in the busyness of life, I need to be still. I need to be intentional about remembering that God is God. And then this morning I read the rest of the verse.

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalms 46:10

God deserves all the glory, all the praise, and all our lives. We were created to praise and enjoy and love Him, and one day... someday... we will praise and love Him as he deserves. And we will enjoy Him to our delight and His.

The Look

When I was in high school, we had a conversation with my mommy. It began when my brother asked Mommy what she had done to one of our classmates, because he was afraid of her. She replied that she hadn't done anything, she just looked at him. We were both appalled that she had given him "the look". It's the mom "look", the one you get when you are REALLY in trouble. And you really should be in trouble, but it's kind of that last straw warning before punishment is imminent. Anyway, "the look" is what came to my mind this morning when I read these verses:

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
Psalms 34:16

That's the bad news. The good news actually comes earlier in the Psalm (and even in the previous two Psalms).

A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalms 32:1-2

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
Psalms 33:18-19
 
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
Psalms 34:8-15

But if you want to get the full impact, go read Psalm 32-34 for yourself. =)

What are sisters for?

I had an opportunity a few weeks ago to encourage a "little sister" in the faith. She was having a rough week, and I simply encouraged her to make her devotions a priority. Then I had a sister just this weekend ask me if I was okay. She had noticed that I just seemed a little down. She listened as I shared how I've been a bit overwhelmed, and she encouraged me to keep on trucking. But as I've been replaying and comparing these two situations, I began to wonder, "What are sisters for?" And here's what I came up with:

Sisters are for driving you crazy and making you mad. They are for telling you when you are being a brat, or when you're being just plain ridiculous. They're also for cheering you on when you're doing something well, or something worthwhile. They are for knowing when you're a little "off your feed" and asking what's up. And then for listening while you spill your guts-- and maybe more than a few tears. They are for laughing with you and crying with you, and mostly for just walking with you through the ups and downs of life.

(I looked for verses that talk about sisters, but didn't find what I was looking for, so...you could insert "sisters" for "brothers" in these verses.)

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11
 
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5:13-14

Song of the Day- 13

I have been feeling overwhelmed recently. And much of it boils down to the fact that I want to be selfish with part of my time. I want there to be enough time for me to do all the things on my various lists, but still be able to spend several hours on exercise and entertainment. Now, while there is nothing wrong with either exercise or entertainment, neither of those is at the top (or even near the top) of my current priorities. So, as I was praying this morning, I thought of this song:

Change My Heart Oh God

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like you

You are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like you

"Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles'? Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' or to a woman, 'With what are you in labor?'"
Isaiah 45:9-10
 
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:28-32

How does she know you love her?

You may have seen Disney's "Enchanted", and if you have, you'll be familiar with this line. Giselle sings it to Robert as they are walking through the park. The point of the song is that his lady friend will not know that he loves her unless he shows her (and tells her).

I've been praying for many months that God would show one of my daughters how much she is loved. When she was tiny, I used to call her my little shadow. She wanted to be wherever I was, helping me do whatever I was doing. And I had learned how to let her help, and delight in her presence. But over the years, as my responsibilities have increased, and as she's grown, I have pushed her away. I was convicted today, as I reminisced over her youngest days, that she will not remember those days. What she remembers is too many days when her mama has treated her more like an inconvenience than a delight. And I realized that if I want her to know that I love her, I have to SHOW her. I HAVE to change the way I'm interacting with her on a day in and day out basis. I have to let her help me in the kitchen, or sit on my lap, or any number of other things that allow her to be near me... That's how she'll know she's my little love.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21
 
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
Psalms 103:13

Creation Groans

A couple weeks ago, I read an article about how lionfish are taking over Atlantic waters. Because they are predators, and because the Atlantic ocean is not home to their natural predators, the lionfish are beginning to run the show in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. But as I thought on this a bit more, they are just doing what they were created to do...

So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."
Genesis 1:21-22

Then yesterday I was watching a couple of cats. The neighborhood cats tend to congregate in my front yard, but they don't seem to get along... Anyway, one had been in my garage, rubbing around my legs, and had left  to sun itself in the yard. A few minutes later, another cat came up, and tried to approach the first. What followed was about a three minute face-off. The first cat hunched down and hissed at the second cat, who had his hackles raised. And as I watched this, I thought of Romans.

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Romans 8:19-22

God created all creatures to live in peace, but when Man sinned, creation was corrupted. And as bad as that is, Man's corruption is the pinnacle. If it is bad that the animals fight and die, it is even worse that God's image bearers fight and suffer and die.

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:23

The more that I see sin (not specific sins, but just the sin nature, and the fallen-ness of the world) ravaging the bodies and minds of the people I love, the more I groan with creation for Christ's return.

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:23-25

Fear of Death

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17

We know from the next chapter in Genesis that Adam did eat from the tree, and that death entered the world. And people have spent their lives ever since trying to outrun death. I did a little search and found out that "fountain of youth" stories have abounded in many cultures around the world for thousands of years. And these days, exercise and healthy eating are touted as the proverbial fountain. But the fact of the matter is that we sin, and we will die.

However, as I prepared the devotion for my Christmas play kiddos last week, I was so encouraged by Hebrews 2.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Hebrews 2:14-15

I was just struck by the phrase "those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery". It appears that our fear of the result of sin actually drives us toward sin. But our great Savior "tasted death" so that he could free us from the power of sin and the fear of death! Because as believers in Christ, we have the hope of resurrection.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Just a Guy

During the summer, my Crew watched quite a bit of TV. Topping the list were "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2". I memorize the lines of the movies the kids watch because they are in the background so much when I'm in another room-- and I ponder... =)

Late in the summer as the girls were watching, I heard this conversation snippet between a couple of the characters:

Troy Bolton: Dad, detention was my fault. Not hers.
Jack Bolton: You haven't missed a practice in three years. That girl shows up...
Troy Bolton: [interrupts] That girl is named Gabriella. And she's very nice.
Jack Bolton: Well, helping you miss practice doesn't make her very nice. Not in my book, or your team's. Troy Bolton: Dad, she's not a problem. She's just a girl.
Jack Bolton: But you're not just a guy, Troy. You're the team leader. What you do affects not only this team, but the entire school.

That line about Troy not being "just a guy" really stood out to me. It seems like there is something intrinsic in us that screams for responsibility. Our actions impact others. And the more authority you have, the MORE your actions impact others. Or, the more of a platform of influence you have, the more you impact others. Professing faith in Christ gives us an ENORMOUS platform. And so the question is, will I act like just a nobody, or like an ambassador of the King???

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
 
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Love does not insist on its own way

It's Friday!!! Which means LOTS of cleaning! =) With six mess makers in our space, there is ALWAYS plenty to do. One of the things that I try to do on Thursday or Friday is change everyone's sheets. This requires that I spend several minutes in the kids' rooms. Most of the time I peek in their rooms, or at the most, am in there for a couple of minutes. Today as I was in their rooms, I had to battle with myself over the way that they have been doing some things. I have spent time teaching them how to do their chores, like making beds or organizing their toys. But as they are getting bigger, it is hard for me to let them find their own ways of doing things instead of insisting on my own way. And then I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13. As long as their way meets a certain level of cleanliness, I need to not insist on MY way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Rip It Out

Guess what I found under the carpet in my hallway and bedrooms??? FINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS!!! So, guess what I did on Friday afternoon? I ripped out the carpet in the hallway. =)
I've started cleaning the walls (finally), but I just thought that if the majority of the odor is in the carpet, it did little good to spend a lot of time and energy on the walls. While I ripped up carpet, I was chewing on these verses:

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Matthew 5:29-30

At first I didn't want to rip out the carpet, because I didn't want the echo down the hallway. Even though it was stinky (and sometimes sticky), I was kind of attached to it. But with a little nudge from my Crew and my Shorty, I became convinced that hardwood with an echo was better than stinky, sticky carpet. And I thought about how sin sometimes looks appealing, more appealing than righteousness. And how I am reluctant to endure the pain of ripping it out. But with a little nudge (or sometimes a really big shove) I can be compelled to battle my sin-- and even try to rip it out! =)

Countdown

It is the time of year when everyone begins to count down toward (or maybe gear up for...) Christmas. I know that many of the children in my life are making Christmas requests. Now, you may not be thinking Christmas just yet, but I've been involved in directing our church Christmas play for many of the last 10 years. So many, in fact, that I'm kind of known as the Christmas play lady! =)
And because I am directing the play, my thoughts are partially set on Advent. I love Christmas! I love the Christmas story, the Christmas carols, the various traditions that have been and are still being built into my life! Most of all, I love the Savior, whose birth we are celebrating! Especially during this season I have an opportunity to chew on who Christ IS!!!

Have you ever tried wrapping your brain around the fact that He is FULLY God and FULLY man in one person? I can't do it! Or what about Christ's sinlessness? Or WHY He would leave the comfort and glory and fellowship of heaven, to walk this fallen earth like me-- only so that He could spend the next couple of thousand years (or more...) dealing with the rebellious, unthankful people He died to save? Because He is love. And because He is glorified in the sanctification of sinners. So I encourage you to think great thoughts of Christ this season!

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20

A Breath of Fresh Air

I am loving the temperatures this fall! We have had our windows open for the better part of the last two weeks, and it is WONDERFUL!!! =) If you've been reading my blog, you know that I have spent most of the summer battling the odors in my "new to me" house. And since it was summer, we kept the house closed so that the air inside would be cooler than the air outside. ;) (I know, pretty standard stuff for Texas.) But the thing that happens when a house is closed-- even when you are using an air conditioner-- is that the air gets stale, and thick, and just generally yucky. ESPECIALLY if the house isn't clean when you close it up. So opening the windows up has been LITERALLY a "breath of fresh air"! =)

As I've been breathing the fresh air (and attacking the dirt in my house with renewed vigor) I've been thinking about the analogy with my spiritual life. Reading the Bible is kind of like a breath of fresh air for my soul. If I'm not in the Word, I'm less likely to interact on a deeper level with my church family. I'm not seeing my sin through the lens of Scripture-- in fact, I may not be seeing my sin at all. And my soul gets "stale" and yucky. But when I am in the Word, the Spirit is stirring things up, and driving me toward fellowship with my brothers and sisters.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4
 
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 3:16-17

MORE than Doubly Blessed

I was blessed to have very involved parents who loved me and trained me to seek the Lord. I am still blessed by their involvement in my life and the lives of my children. But I am more than doubly blessed, because I have many "mothers" in faith. Last night we had one of the lil' bit older couples from our church family over for dinner. They are so much fun! But more than fun, they are an encouragement to Shorty's and my faith.

It had been "one of those days" for me where it felt like everything went wrong. (Even the things that went RIGHT!-- and there were quite a few!) And I was feeling more than a bit overwhelmed! But as I talked with my "mother" last night, she encouraged me that there are important things that I am doing well. And she challenged me to keep trucking in the difficult, but important, things.

And then I marveled at how God uses His people to build one another up, because our lives are somewhat similar, but VERY different! I realized that the reason that she was able to speak such helpful words into my life is because we have shared priorities, and she loves me!

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9
 
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Titus 2:3-5

And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:37-40

How does she do it?

Have you ever watched a friend with awe, (or envy) as she seemed to juggle a million and one things and keep it all together? Do you find yourself thinking, "How does she do it?"

I know I've felt that way about many of my friends, and I've heard the same thought expressed about me. So yesterday I was chewing on that thought, and I came up with two possibilities. (There are probably more, but I could only think of two.) The first option is that it only LOOKS like the friend has it all together. But the better option is that she is doing EXACTLY what God made her to do. We are equipped for our own lives, not someone else's! So if you think, "There's NO WAY I could handle that!" (Whatever that is. ;)) It's probably because God didn't prepare you for that work. At least not yet! =)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
 
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
 
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
 
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:9-10

Be careful which way you lean.

My Crew watched "The Lorax" last week. I love it when there is a line (or more than one) in a movie that makes me think, "OOOHHH!" So, here it is!

The Lorax: Which way does a tree fall?
The Once-ler: Uh, down?
The Lorax: A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.

I didn't love the movie overall, but there were nuggets like this one sprinkled throughout. And this one really got my mind going. What makes a tree lean? Generally it is the effects of the environment around the tree when it is small. Maybe strong winds, or larger trees, or deer rubbing off their velvet, or a lightning strike. In short, it is adversity. And then I thought about me. Which way do I lean? When adversity comes, where do I go for relief or satisfaction? And for me, the answer as often as not, is "stuff". A book, a movie, some random crafty thing (pleasure and entertainment)... But if that's where I lean, then when catastrophe hits I will fall into my idol- and it will DROP ME FLAT! You see, there is only one SAFE place to lean, and that is into Jesus Christ. When catastrophe makes me fall, He will uphold me. He'll set me back on my feet and give me strength to keep walking. So... Be careful which way you lean.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
 
In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
Isaiah 10:20

The Lord is my Shepherd

I thought I was going to post this yesterday, but time flew away from me. For the last couple of weeks, I've felt like I was falling farther and farther behind in my preparations. I need lesson plans and a menu for our week to run smoothly-- and I've only been getting portions of those done. We are also entering the busiest season at church, and "borrowing trouble" was wearing me out. But during my devotions yesterday, I read Psalm 23. It was much needed nourishment for my soul.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1

That verse was like cool water when your mouth is parched. He is watching over me. I will not lack ANYTHING I need to serve Him well!

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:2-3

Here I was reminded of His great provision for me. He supplies my needs, and He does it WELL! Lush green pastures are GOOD food for a sheep. Still waters are safe for me to wade into to cool my feet while I sate my thirst. I am safe in His care.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

But our Psalmist is so balanced. He doesn't leave us with just pictures of ease and pleasure. He knows that we will walk through dangerous and sad places, however, we need not fear. He is still WITH us to guide and correct!

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5

Now we have a reminder that we are blessed with God's favor. The reason that "my cup overflows" is because of God's work in my life.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6

Finally, I see that God pursues me. And that is such GOOD NEWS, because I am just a dumb sheep, prone to wander into the same dangers again... and again... and again...
But God's goodness and mercy (the Hebrew word translated "mercy" is chesed, which means lovingkindness, or covenant faithfulness) will pursue me. For His glory which is my good. =)

A Psalm of David. 
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures. 
He leads me beside still waters. 
He restores my soul. 
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 23:1-6

How long am I to be with you...

I've said before that I learn more about God from being a parent than probably anything else. Many of the pictures and situations just come alive for me because of the experiences I have in parenting. This week has been no exception. My Crew are getting older, and therefore more independent. It is quite reasonable to expect more out of an eleven-year-old than from a five-year-old. And while I haven't always done an awesome job of training my Crew in how I want things done, I have been improving-- and they've proven their capabilities. So early this week I found myself very frustrated with them due to their lack of performance in some of their chores. I'm doing my best to train them to think-- and think well-- and it seemed that they were resisting my efforts! And this story came to my mind.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
Luke 9:37-42

At this point in Jesus' ministry, the apostles have seen many miracles. They've even gone out among the people in the power of God and done miracles themselves. And just prior to this event, Peter, James, and John have seen Jesus transfigured on the mountain. But now we find them unable to cast out a demon. Jesus' response is what struck me. And it struck me from two perspectives. Jesus looks at His apostles, knowing all that He has shown and taught them, AND knowing how short a time He has left with them. And I feel the parental frustration. But then I see from their perspective, although they have the law and prophets, the signs and covenants, and have spent months at least, following Christ-- this is all new to them. They are like toddlers. And they have NO IDEA what they don't know-- or how short their remaining time with Christ will be.

And I was convicted. Because my frustration with my children has less to do with their good, and more to do with my convenience. And because I have tried to excuse my sinful anger by thinking that Christ didn't REALLY experience all the temptations that I have because He wasn't a parent... But He did.

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:9-18

Your Dirt Is Dirtier!

We got new (to us) couches last week. But since they had been sitting in storage for a significant amount of time, I felt like they needed a good cleaning. So I started... but my weekend flew away from me and parts of them still smelled funny. =P
We had an accident on the old couch this weekend, so I shampooed the affected area. However, after that had dried, I realized that the rest of the couch also needed a good shampooing. So this afternoon I've been shampooing the couches. And I've been pondering... =)

When I first began to clean the "new" couches, I thought they were really nasty. But as I cleaned the "old" couch, I realized that the mess that was coming off of it looks and smells just like the mess coming off the others! And I thought about sin. I can hardly look at a mess anymore and NOT think about sin. I may not say, or even act like your sin is worse than mine... but I think it. Because I can't handle how evil I really am. My sin doesn't seem "as bad" as my friend's because it is MINE, and part of me still loves it!

So I am reminded again that I am a wretched sinner. And I need a Savior. I need Someone who has NEVER sinned, but loves me in spite of my unlovelyness.

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:17-18
 
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
2 Peter 3:10-14

More

I enjoy eating! A LOT!!! And I love to cook, so that makes a pretty good situation for me. ;) Until I decide I want more. Have you ever noticed how you can go without sweets, or bread, or chocolate for a long time, but when you DO indulge, suddenly you just want more, and More, and MORE! So I started thinking about how that works with most pleasures (at least for me). When I experience something pleasant, I want more-- more food, more games, more books... And before long, a little isn't enough. I actually NEED more to get the same amount of pleasure. I began to wonder why that is-- why is there a law of diminishing returns??? I think it is because we were created to take pleasure in our Creator. And because He is infinite, He is always able to give us more. Not stuff, not fleeting pleasures, but more of Himself! We were created for MORE, we just have to pursue the RIGHT more. =)

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 8:3
 
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
 
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:21-26

Fixer-Upper

I love my house! It is so perfect for our family! But it is almost like starting over... We bought a REALLY fixer-upper the first time. Smallish and shrinking (or so it seemed), and in need of some SERIOUS T.L.C. (tender loving care)-- and we supplied that over the course of the 12 years we lived there. =) So now we have a significantly larger (hopefully forever) house... and it's another fixer-upper! And I've been pondering the process. Because we have to prioritize our projects... and wait! And I thought about all the emotions that go with fixer-upping, from frustration to satisfaction, and despair to delight.

As I was reminiscing over our success with the first house, I began to chew on the process of sanctification. With houses, there are varying degrees of fixer-upper. From, "needs a bit of updating" to "condemnable". This brought to mind a friend's house. When he moved out, it really looked like his furniture had been holding up the walls... =? It made me think about my life. Sin is so ingrained into my character-- and sin is ALWAYS destructive, so basically, the "house" of my life was condemnable. But God brought His tools and supplies and infinite skill, and has been busy applying some T.L.C. to my character. And although there are times when I feel frustration and despair in the process, there are also seasons of satisfaction and delight! And one day, the seasons of frustration and despair will end, and be replaced with ENDLESS delight!!! =)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
 
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13
 
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Lovely Pair

I read in the Psalms this morning. I've not taken much time in the Word this week, but since it's Saturday and we have nowhere to be until late morning, I took a stroll through Psalms. =) It was very refreshing. The Psalms have a way of really highlighting how insignificant I am and how glorious God is. So Psalm 15-16.

A Psalm of David. 
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? 
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
Psalms 15:1

Asking a question is a good way to begin a sermon-- or so I've heard. =) David wants to know who can have fellowship with God. The rest of the chapter gives us an answer.

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right 
and speaks truth in his heart; 
who does not slander with his tongue 
and does no evil to his neighbor, 
nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 
in whose eyes a vile person is despised, 
but who honors those who fear the LORD; 
who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 
who does not put out his money at interest 
and does not take a bribe against the innocent. 
He who does these things shall never be moved.
Psalms 15:2-5

At first glance, I may think that I fit the bill. I have not committed the "big" sins... but God always drives at the heart. The Psalm doesn't tell us when David wrote this, but I wonder if it was late in his life. I wonder when he wrote the line "and speaks truth in his heart", if he had realized how good our hearts are at deceiving us. And I wonder if he cried when he wrote the line "does no evil to his neighbor", remembering how he sinned against his neighbor Uriah. The line about "swears to his own hurt and does not change" really convicted me. I want to be a person who keeps my word, but I am fickle and weak. So after pondering this chapter, I've come to the realization that I do no deserve fellowship with the Living God. But there is One who fulfilled the demands of this Psalm. He did "swear to his own hurt" and "not change". He went to the cross to pay for all the times that I did not meet the standard. Which is why I think that 15 and 16 are such a lovely pair.

A Miktam of David. 
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 
I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
Psalms 16:1-2

This has always been the prayer of the saints. Not, "See, I have kept your word. You owe me your favor." But, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Followed by a commitment to treasure the things that please the Lord and forsake those that do not please Him.

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
Psalms 16:3-4

And now we've come to my niche. I love the fact that God is our greatest treasure, and that the more we treasure Him, the greater our pleasure!

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:5-11

Worth It

I made more jam this week! =) I LOVE LOVE LOVE the smell of cooking yumminess! In the twelve years that I've been married, I've been primarily responsible for cooking for my family. The first year I didn't do a real great job, but my skills have improved. =) Now, if you know me, or have read much of my blog, you know that I love cooking and baking, AND I love eating the fruits of my labor! ;) However, I was thinking as I was stirring jam, that I have suffered countless cuts and innumerable burns in my years of cooking. And cuts and burns HURT! So why did I not stop cooking after the first cut... or the fifth burn... or the fiftieth? Well, one reason is because for us to eat, SOMEONE has to cook-- and I'm the most economical. ;) But the other reason is that I think it is worth it to suffer the occasional (or frequent) cut or burn, to savor the fresh yumminess that my efforts produced!

And then I thought about the walk of faith. I am an American, and so I enjoy comfort that many of my brothers and sisters around the world do not. And because of my comfort I tend to get my priorities mixed up-- I tend to think that comfort is more important than growth. But the biblical authors had a different view of things. They believed that whatever we may suffer (and for them that was A LOT!) was worth the reward in Christ's kingdom.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18
 
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:12-14
 
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Lyrics

So, since we've been singing my song for two weeks, I think the lyrics are pretty set! =)

Delight in Me

Oh dear child of my heart, I love you so

That I gave my Son's life to buy your soul

Now my wrath is forever satisfied

As He sits interceding at my side

With my Spirit in you as guarantee

That you're part of my holy family

I delight in each faltering step you take

As you learn to follow in my ways

Chorus:

I have given you the greatest thing

I've drawn you to know me

for I delight in you

In my presence, join as angels sing.

Sing praises to the King

for I delight in you.

For now your heart longs for things you shouldn't love.

Precious child, 'til you know I am enough

Delight in me.

Oh dear Church, you are my beloved one

You are clothed in the goodness of my Son

You were wandering in the darkest night

but I brought you into my kingdom's light

With my Spirit you now have eyes to see

In your life is reflected my Beauty

And you grow as I cherish you, my Bride

'Til the last day when you stand purified

Oh my Father, your love's beyond compare

So I'm resting securely in your care

How could I spend my time on foolish things

And pursue a world that can't know me

Your commands showing me the way that's right

You and your promises are my delight

You are the greatest treasure. I believe.

Precious Father help my unbelief.

Always My Turn

One of the first lessons that we began to teach our children was that they had to take turns, whether it was playing with a certain toy, or choosing what show to watch on TV, or spending some special time close to mama or daddy. And it is a lesson that we have to review on a regular basis. But we begin to like this lesson when it comes to responsibility. My Shorty and I used to "take turns" changing the poopy diapers, and now we look at one another and say, "Isn't it your turn?" when it's been a particularly long day of shepherding... ;)

When I was in high school, my Mommy shared an especially helpful insight with me. We were discussing what we had been reading and learning in our devotions. She had been in the gospels, and had recently read these two passages:

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24
 
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Matthew 18:15

And she said, "I just realized that it is always MY turn. Whether I have sinned against someone else, or they have sinned against me, it is my responsibility to seek reconciliation." I cannot even begin to count the number of times that that thought has come back to my mind over the past 15 years or so. It has shaped many of my interactions, and continues to inform my relationships.

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:16-18

Work is GOOD

I've been working hard to instill into my Crew the understanding that work is good. In fact, I've lost count of the number of times that we've had this conversation lately. It goes something like this...

Me: Work is GOOD!
Child: We know Mama (with many groans).
Me: How do we know that work is good?
Child: Because the Bible tells us so.
Me: Really? Is there a verse that says, "Work is good."?
Child: Yes.
Me: No! There is not a verse that says, "Work is good." So how do we know that work is good?
Child: I don't know.
Me: When did Adam get a job?
Child: When he was in the garden.
Me: Before he sinned?
Child: Yes, before he sinned.
Me: And what do we know about the world before Adam sinned?
Child: It was good.
Me: That's right. Everything was good. So since God gave Adam a job before he sinned, work is...?
Child: Good.

Well, I think that the Good Lord has been trying to instill that very concept into my brain a bit more solidly. This year I am teaching four grades at once, ranging from 1st through 6th grades. I'm teaching one to read while I'm learning a fair bit of history for the first time. I'm also trying to keep up with the cleaning required for a bigger house. =) Which I am quite thankful for! And I'm busy as usual with our various church ministries. Another first for me is not really having the mental fortitude at the end of the day (or beginning) to plan our meals. So I've begun making a weekly menu... but this also requires work once a week. And so I've found myself working, working, working. And while much of the time I don't mind, I have moments of rebellion when I want to ignore the responsibilities and curl up with a book. Notice my careful phrasing, "ignore my responsibilities". I know I need time to rest, but I tend to want to overindulge... And if the biblical model is the guide, it should be a 6:1 ish ratio =/
So, thought for the day: Work is GOOD! =)

The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Genesis 2:15
 
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:9-10

My Song

Well, the song that I was collaborating on debuted in our worship service this past Sunday. And I was so thankful that it ministered to so many that were there. (That was the point!) But I really struggled with everyone calling it MY song. I only wrote the words... and I borrowed the concepts... and I just didn't want to take credit for it. I wanted it to be a service to my church family-- and beyond if it pleases the Lord. But my Shorty gave me an awesome insight on Sunday afternoon. (He's my best encouragement. =)) He commented that the song really fits my niche. He said, "You know, everybody's got their thing that they're really passionate about, and really good at. Your niche is delighting in the Lord. And your desire is that others delight in Him too, and know how much he delights in them." At that point, I realized that I can claim the song as my own. Because it IS my passion. It IS what drives my ministry to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Delight in the Lord!

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly, the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
Psalms 118:14-16
 
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 
Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! 
With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalms 119:9-16
 
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalms 37:4-5
 
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

Beauty

After watching an episode of our current series last night, I began turning over one of the characters. Shorty and I have discussed how much we enjoy the growth in this character over the course of the series. How it seems realistically gradual, and how even though his character is far from morally admirable, he is moving in the right direction as a result of his relationship with the lawman in the show. He was a conman and thief. Before being caught and imprisoned, he had stolen and forged a significant number of famous artistic works. But the thing that impressed me last night is that he really APPRECIATES the art. Many of the people in his circle of thieves are simply concerned with the dollar amount that is attached to a piece. And while that is not insignificant to our character, it is not his only interest. Over and over in the series, he is portrayed as recognizing and admiring beauty. (Though not always in healthy ways...)

For the last two weeks, I've been collaborating with our church worship leader on writing a new song for our congregation. (I'll share the lyrics when I'm sure they're baked to perfection. =)) But between the writing of that song, and the singing of another Grace Bible Church original, I've had beauty on the brain. And I realized, as these two songs and the TV character swirled through my thoughts, that I am often blinded to what is truly beautiful. You see, in American culture beauty is presented as shiny, glamorous, (often photo-shopped) prettiness. But true beauty, that reflects the truth and beauty of the one true God, is most accurately displayed in sacrifice. And sacrifice is NEVER pretty. And always painful. But God teaches us that it is BEAUTIFUL.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:3-5
 
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:10-11
 
Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Psalms 96:1-13

Anger

I am an angry person. I have a Short Fuse. And this weekend, I've felt and shown way too much anger toward my family. However, I've been reminded to guard myself against my sinful anger twice during my devotions.

First was this command from Psalms, that is echoed in Ephesians.

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Psalms 4:4

I'm not sure that this is even possible... I feel certain that I've never experienced true righteous anger... But as I was practicing my memory verses, this next verse hit me like a brick in the middle of my forehead!

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
Psalms 37:8

I fretted all weekend over the various responsibilities that I was trying to prepare for. I was doing my best, but my best didn't seem good enough... and I was angry-- and fretting-- and tending to evil. =(
So these earlier verses in Psalm 37 are a better place to be.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Psalms 37:3-5

Bleak Picture

We've been working on a new memory verse during our family worship. (I think we've been at it off and on for about three weeks.)

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
Habakkuk 3:17

The first night we went over this, I explained to the Crew that this is a pretty bleak picture. A fig tree was a source of fruit (fiber and sweetness). The vines yield grapes, another fruit, but also wine. The olive could be eaten raw, but was also pressed to make oil. The fields would be the grain for flour. The flock (sheep) would give you fibers to make cloth, as well as meat. And the herds (cows and goats) would be another source of meat, as well as milk. So Habakkuk is painting a very bleak picture. But if you noticed, the end of the verse is NOT the end of the sentence...

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Habakkuk realizes that even when the physical side of things here looks really bad, we still can AND SHOULD rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4
(This last verse is courtesy of my little helper this morning. She started singing this after reading that last line over my shoulder! =))

and they glorified God...

For any avid followers of my blog-- sorry for the silence! I've been in the throes of prepping for our new school year. Which has meant schedules, lists, more schedules, more lists, practicing games, signing kids up for sports, more schedules, more lists... ;) And I'm excited-- in a very TIRED sort of way. But that is not the point of this post. =)

This evening, Shorty was reading to our Crew during family worship from Mark 2. And something really stuck out to me.

And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Mark 2:12

I briefly talked to Shorty about this one (as we were trying to get the Crew to stay in bed), and we both think that the people in this verse were not intentionally glorifying God. In fact, they may not have even been AWARE that they were praising Him. But the very fact that they were saying, "Dude! This is impossible!" (my contemporary paraphrase! =)) was bringing glory to God!

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalms 8:1-9

What's in a Name?

In Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare writes that "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". The point seems to be that a name is merely a label. And to some degree that is true. The label for the flower that we call a "rose" in English, is just an English label. Other languages have different labels for that flower. But there is a sense in which the label that we apply to a thing begins to take on life.

When I was very small, I called my mother "Mama". When I was 10-ish, I was very angry with her for a while, and I started calling her "Mom". Then a few years later, (after our relationship had corrected itself) I began to call her "Mommy". As another example (again when I was very small), I had a little stuffed tiger named "Tiger". I took him EVERYWHERE, and I left him lots of places too! =? But still, even though I'm 30 years old, when I think of Tiger, I get emotional warm fuzzies.There is another sense in which a name is more than just a label. When my Shorty and I chose names for our children, we were very conscious of the meanings of those names. We named our Crew hoping that they would "grow up into their names", so to speak.

As I was pondering what's in a name recently, I began to think about the names that God has given Himself. The first one that came to my mind was "I AM". When Moses asked God who he should say sent him to the Israelites, God's reply was "I am". So I was pondering the implications of "I am". It shows God's independence. He does not come FROM something else, and He does not NEED anything. He is self-existent and self-sufficient. (Just to be clear, when I talk about God, I'm referring to all three persons of the Godhead. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.) Another implication of the "I am", is omnipresence. He didn't say, "I am with you." He just said, "I am". And if He just IS, then He is always present! =) I'm sure there are more, but that's all I've got for now. =)

Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:13-14

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalms 90:2

Expect Sporadic

My posts usually take one of two tracks, either they tend to highlight ways in which life is a parable of a spiritual principle, OR they show the contrast between us and our Creator. Well, I am again faced with a contrast. As my Crew have gotten older, the amount of time that their schooling requires (both teaching and preparing), has grown. When I just had my oldest in kindergarten, we only needed an hour and a half to two hours to do her lessons. This should have been the same with my first two (since they were just in K and 1st). Except I wasn't sufficiently prepared. =/ By the time I had three, I had realized that I needed to really sit down and schedule so that each child would receive the instruction that they required. And I was faced with my own limits. So the pattern holds true. This year, as I scheduled my students, our day is the longest it's ever been. And with the other demands on my time-- something's gotta' give! It is a matter of a limited resource (TIME), and priorities. And as I looked at the commitments in my life, and how important they are to me, I realized that my blog has to give. So, if something comes to me (and I can articulate it quickly), I'll post. Otherwise... expect sporadic.

Now how does this show a contrast between me and my Creator??? Quite simply, I am limited-- and He is not! =)

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
Psalms 113:1-6
 
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,
Isaiah 44:24-25