Airports and big cities.....
Yesterday, I spent the day at airports, in airplanes, on freeways in big cities....one of our modern ways of transportation and commerce..
I watched the thousands of people making their way to various appointments, cities, using a multitude of languages, all types of traveling garb, skin colors.....exchanging, buying,eating, drinking, gathering of information, comforting the young and the old...living life while moving from one place to another ....we were confined to seats on airplanes, taxis, shuttles, moving walkways, terminals...all the while going about the business of life...busyness...
It made me ponder the movement of people over the span of thousands of years...
Adam and Eve leaving the garden...
Noah transporting his family and animals in a huge boat...
Abraham moving his family to the promised land...
Joseph changing lifestyles to ultimately save his nation...
Moses leading a nation across the desert...
Paul on his missionary trips...
The great cities of ancient times...
The migration of various people groups down through the ages on all the continents...
The explorers finding "new" lands....
Jesus walking to serve so many.....
The provisions and transportation needed to make so many life changes....
We all have a lot on common, the need for flexibility in life...food, transportation, safety, a call, encouragement along the way...new discoveries...
Thank YOU for Your watchcare over the many years of your creation...the help You have given, the direction, the Savior who has walked with us ...lived with us ....the Holy Spirit who lives in us as we tread through time...
Genesis 12:6 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.
Genesis 41:46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.
Judges 19:17 When he looked and saw the traveler in the city square, the old man asked, “Where are you going? Where did you come from?”
Mark 1:39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Luke 8:1 [ The Parable of the Sower ] After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,
Acts 15:3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
The Hiding Place....
The Hiding place.....
Yesterday, as I was driving, I was listening to Corrie Ten Boom's book, "the Hiding Place". I read it years and years ago...so it was refreshing to hear it again. One of the phrases that her father repeated to her, was that nothing is wasted in our lives...circumstances, events, words, are all useful to bring us closer to God...
I want a carefree life, "no worries", just peace, calm, etc.....but in reality that is not what makes us grow...it is the events, the words, heartaches, disasters, the real life with all of its ups and downs that molds us into the people that are growing closer to God...He doesn't waste a thing....even though I may question it and wonder why....
In 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4, We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
Paul warned the people that there would be afflictions in advance......to strengthen them and encourage them...."kept telling" them...so that they could brace themselves...be ready to stand firm when they came ....
We are warned in Matthew 24 of the end times to come and be ready....watchful...
I don't know if this is the end times or not, but even the news warns of being watchful where we are...people in various countries are being warned to be watchful, aware... But we need to stand firm, knowing that all these times, events are not wasted in our lives...
I still question, I have to admit , the whys..when I hear of the heartaches of people around me and myself...how can this be used to help us grow??? I don't know, but God does, and I have to lean on that FACT...because He promises...
Thank YOU for using all things to help us grow ....even when we see no rhyme or reason for them...
Yesterday, as I was driving, I was listening to Corrie Ten Boom's book, "the Hiding Place". I read it years and years ago...so it was refreshing to hear it again. One of the phrases that her father repeated to her, was that nothing is wasted in our lives...circumstances, events, words, are all useful to bring us closer to God...
I want a carefree life, "no worries", just peace, calm, etc.....but in reality that is not what makes us grow...it is the events, the words, heartaches, disasters, the real life with all of its ups and downs that molds us into the people that are growing closer to God...He doesn't waste a thing....even though I may question it and wonder why....
In 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4, We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
Paul warned the people that there would be afflictions in advance......to strengthen them and encourage them...."kept telling" them...so that they could brace themselves...be ready to stand firm when they came ....
We are warned in Matthew 24 of the end times to come and be ready....watchful...
I don't know if this is the end times or not, but even the news warns of being watchful where we are...people in various countries are being warned to be watchful, aware... But we need to stand firm, knowing that all these times, events are not wasted in our lives...
I still question, I have to admit , the whys..when I hear of the heartaches of people around me and myself...how can this be used to help us grow??? I don't know, but God does, and I have to lean on that FACT...because He promises...
Thank YOU for using all things to help us grow ....even when we see no rhyme or reason for them...
Saturday, September 27, 2014
animals in the parks....
Animals in the park....
When you visit the Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, you envision seeing lots of wildlife...bears, moose, eagles, elk, bison, wolves, deer, etc...yesterday, we rounded out with all them...even though the bears and wolves were in captivity, it was still exciting to see them..they were "caged" in the open with free range of the area they lived...
So it was interesting to find references in the Bible about some of the animals we encountered....
-He causes us to stand on heights
-longing for God
-putting our hope helps us soar, not grow weary, not grow faint
-watch for the false prophets who would scatter the flock....
-strength/faith of a shepherd joy who led a nation and followed after God's heart
So again, pictures in everyday life lead back to the Word...He even causes nature, which He created to lead toward pictures and thoughts of Himself...that longing to be closer to Him....in all things..
thank YOU for the nature You have created for us to enjoy ....to see the soaring, to stand on heights, to long for You as the deer, to see the faith of a boy, and be watchful of those people who lead us astray ....
Psalm 18:33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.
Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
John 10:12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
Matthew 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
"Most probably, the Eurasian Brown Bear
1 Samuel Chapter 17:32
And David said to Saul: 'Let no man's heart fail within him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.'
33
And Saul said to David: 'Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.'
34
And David said unto Saul: 'Thy servant kept his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,
35
I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36
Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath taunted the armies of the living God.
37
And David said: 'The HaShem that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.' And Saul said unto David: 'Go, and HaShem shall be with thee.'
38
And Saul clad David with his apparel, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.
39
And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and he essayed to go ,but could not; for he had not tried it. And David said unto Saul: 'I cannot go with these; for I have not tried them.' And David put them off him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a couple ways to read this. You can read this literally, in which case it implies David killed at least one lion and at least one bear single handedly in fulfilling his duties as shepherd. By the way, it does not imply he killed the bear with his bare hands (no pun intended). He could have used a sling and a knife. The end of the passage I shared seems to imply he was not familiar with the extant tools of the soldier--sword and mail. So he probably was not accustomed to using a sword. If you choose to read this literally, any youth willing to stand up to the Philistines with a sling must have been pretty darned good with that sling, leading me to reason, he could have used the sling to temporarily knock out the bear before slitting its throat. By the way, in case you are a linguistic purist, the Biblical Hebrew words used here for lion and bear are the same as those conventionally used for lion and bear today. Bear = dov; so, this is not an instance of David killing some other animal which perhaps translators interpreted as a bear.
David dates to around 1,000 BC/BCE. This is way too "modern" to have seen Cave Bears, despite the numerous caves that dot the terrain in which David lived.
While lions are known to have ranged northwards from Africa. The Eurasian Brown Bear extended south from Eurasia--probably from the Urals down into Romania and Asia Minor and quite possibly this part of the Middle East. We will not bother with the Scandinavian and Spanish "cousins" as it is unlikely that the bear David encountered was a "Viking Bear" or from the Pyrenees. Bears have a symbiotic relationship with human populations. Where humans are found, food is to be found. So, some Eurasian bears may have extended far south during drought years, staying close to places of human habitation."
Sources: http://www.hareidi.org/bible/1_Samuel17.htm#34 ; http://www.grizzlybear.org/gbstatus/griznum.htm ; http://cryptozoology.suite101.com/article.cfm/africas_cryptoid_bear ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_brown_bear ; http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/1999/2/bearconservationworld.cfm
When you visit the Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, you envision seeing lots of wildlife...bears, moose, eagles, elk, bison, wolves, deer, etc...yesterday, we rounded out with all them...even though the bears and wolves were in captivity, it was still exciting to see them..they were "caged" in the open with free range of the area they lived...
So it was interesting to find references in the Bible about some of the animals we encountered....
-He causes us to stand on heights
-longing for God
-putting our hope helps us soar, not grow weary, not grow faint
-watch for the false prophets who would scatter the flock....
-strength/faith of a shepherd joy who led a nation and followed after God's heart
So again, pictures in everyday life lead back to the Word...He even causes nature, which He created to lead toward pictures and thoughts of Himself...that longing to be closer to Him....in all things..
thank YOU for the nature You have created for us to enjoy ....to see the soaring, to stand on heights, to long for You as the deer, to see the faith of a boy, and be watchful of those people who lead us astray ....
Psalm 18:33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.
Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
John 10:12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
Matthew 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
"Most probably, the Eurasian Brown Bear
1 Samuel Chapter 17:32
And David said to Saul: 'Let no man's heart fail within him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.'
33
And Saul said to David: 'Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.'
34
And David said unto Saul: 'Thy servant kept his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,
35
I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36
Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath taunted the armies of the living God.
37
And David said: 'The HaShem that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.' And Saul said unto David: 'Go, and HaShem shall be with thee.'
38
And Saul clad David with his apparel, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.
39
And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and he essayed to go ,but could not; for he had not tried it. And David said unto Saul: 'I cannot go with these; for I have not tried them.' And David put them off him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a couple ways to read this. You can read this literally, in which case it implies David killed at least one lion and at least one bear single handedly in fulfilling his duties as shepherd. By the way, it does not imply he killed the bear with his bare hands (no pun intended). He could have used a sling and a knife. The end of the passage I shared seems to imply he was not familiar with the extant tools of the soldier--sword and mail. So he probably was not accustomed to using a sword. If you choose to read this literally, any youth willing to stand up to the Philistines with a sling must have been pretty darned good with that sling, leading me to reason, he could have used the sling to temporarily knock out the bear before slitting its throat. By the way, in case you are a linguistic purist, the Biblical Hebrew words used here for lion and bear are the same as those conventionally used for lion and bear today. Bear = dov; so, this is not an instance of David killing some other animal which perhaps translators interpreted as a bear.
David dates to around 1,000 BC/BCE. This is way too "modern" to have seen Cave Bears, despite the numerous caves that dot the terrain in which David lived.
While lions are known to have ranged northwards from Africa. The Eurasian Brown Bear extended south from Eurasia--probably from the Urals down into Romania and Asia Minor and quite possibly this part of the Middle East. We will not bother with the Scandinavian and Spanish "cousins" as it is unlikely that the bear David encountered was a "Viking Bear" or from the Pyrenees. Bears have a symbiotic relationship with human populations. Where humans are found, food is to be found. So, some Eurasian bears may have extended far south during drought years, staying close to places of human habitation."
Sources: http://www.hareidi.org/bible/1_Samuel17.htm#34 ; http://www.grizzlybear.org/gbstatus/griznum.htm ; http://cryptozoology.suite101.com/article.cfm/africas_cryptoid_bear ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_brown_bear ; http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/1999/2/bearconservationworld.cfm
Friday, September 26, 2014
Where could I go....
Where could I go but to The Lord ....
Listening to the Gaither concert the other night was fun and inspiring...they are people just like everyone else...with lives, trials, disappointments, joys just like everyone else. Theirs is just more out front for all to see.
One of the opening songs was an older song, which goes as follows;
Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptations sore
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Where could I go? oh, where could I go>
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone
We get along in sweet accord
But when my soul needs manna from above
Where could I go but to the lord?
Where could I go> oh, where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God's own Word
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Where could I go? oh, where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
The words and music to "Where Could I Go But To The Lord?" are by J.B Coats.
It has been sung over the years, even by Elvis Presley, so it is not new....nor are the meanings or its message....
While on this road trip, we have met with a multitude of people whose lives have been thrown into turmoil for various reasons, death, cancer, loss, changes of all kinds...some have dug their lives deeper into God's loving embrace, knowing that He alone is the great comforter, the refuge for their souls, the fortress for their lives...the only true Saviour in the end....
The great Bible personalities, Abraham , David, Paul and on down through pages and ages have come to the same conclusion...Where could I go but to The Lord.....
Thank YOU that you are there for all to seek and find refuge in......
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Jeremiah 8:18 You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.
Psalm 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Psalm 25:15 My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Listening to the Gaither concert the other night was fun and inspiring...they are people just like everyone else...with lives, trials, disappointments, joys just like everyone else. Theirs is just more out front for all to see.
One of the opening songs was an older song, which goes as follows;
Living below in this old sinful world
Hardly a comfort can afford
Striving alone to face temptations sore
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Where could I go? oh, where could I go>
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Neighbors are kind, I love them everyone
We get along in sweet accord
But when my soul needs manna from above
Where could I go but to the lord?
Where could I go> oh, where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Life here is grand with friends I love so dear
Comfort I get from God's own Word
Yet when I face the chilling hand of death
Where could I go but to the Lord?
Where could I go? oh, where could I go?
Seeking a refuge for my soul
Needing a friend to save me in the end
Where could I go but to the Lord?
The words and music to "Where Could I Go But To The Lord?" are by J.B Coats.
It has been sung over the years, even by Elvis Presley, so it is not new....nor are the meanings or its message....
While on this road trip, we have met with a multitude of people whose lives have been thrown into turmoil for various reasons, death, cancer, loss, changes of all kinds...some have dug their lives deeper into God's loving embrace, knowing that He alone is the great comforter, the refuge for their souls, the fortress for their lives...the only true Saviour in the end....
The great Bible personalities, Abraham , David, Paul and on down through pages and ages have come to the same conclusion...Where could I go but to The Lord.....
Thank YOU that you are there for all to seek and find refuge in......
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Jeremiah 8:18 You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.
Psalm 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Psalm 25:15 My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
From darkness to praise....
From darkness to praise....
Butte, Montana, has a three hour underground mining tour at the World Museum of Mining. Part of the tour is actually going into the underground mine with hard hats and their attached lanterns lighting the path before your feet...you can see very little around you except where you lantern shines this round little circle...then to show another dimension the tour guide brought out the candles that were originally used in the mine. We turned off our lanterns as he lit the candle and hung it on the wall of the mine...less light....in the darkness...but light indeed in the darkness....those miners were skilled in their sight with their hand tools and muscles working day in and day out in the blasting and mucking out of the hidden treasures of the mountains...
Then, to round out the day, I went to a Christian music concert featuring the Bill Gaither Band at the Butte Civic Center...
What a contrast, from the darkness of a hole in the mountain to the gospel music resounding off the walls of the large building, sending out light to the soul.....
The first, reminding me of the verse,
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
We had to keep our lanterns lit to find our way in the darkness...the candle was helpful, but is was nicer to have more light from the lanterns...
The second, reminding me of yet another scripture...
Psalm 100 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
From darkness to praise...
Isn't that what we find when someone accepts the truth of the
Word??? Out of darkness into light...praise for their rescue to the salvation from the darkness we live in without God in our lives....
Thank YOU for the truths You show each day...the darkness without your light, the praise with your Lordship....
1 Thessalonians 2:6-8New International Version
6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
Butte, Montana, has a three hour underground mining tour at the World Museum of Mining. Part of the tour is actually going into the underground mine with hard hats and their attached lanterns lighting the path before your feet...you can see very little around you except where you lantern shines this round little circle...then to show another dimension the tour guide brought out the candles that were originally used in the mine. We turned off our lanterns as he lit the candle and hung it on the wall of the mine...less light....in the darkness...but light indeed in the darkness....those miners were skilled in their sight with their hand tools and muscles working day in and day out in the blasting and mucking out of the hidden treasures of the mountains...
Then, to round out the day, I went to a Christian music concert featuring the Bill Gaither Band at the Butte Civic Center...
What a contrast, from the darkness of a hole in the mountain to the gospel music resounding off the walls of the large building, sending out light to the soul.....
The first, reminding me of the verse,
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
We had to keep our lanterns lit to find our way in the darkness...the candle was helpful, but is was nicer to have more light from the lanterns...
The second, reminding me of yet another scripture...
Psalm 100 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
From darkness to praise...
Isn't that what we find when someone accepts the truth of the
Word??? Out of darkness into light...praise for their rescue to the salvation from the darkness we live in without God in our lives....
Thank YOU for the truths You show each day...the darkness without your light, the praise with your Lordship....
1 Thessalonians 2:6-8New International Version
6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
The search....
The search.....
My husband was a geologist. Over the 43 years of our marriage, he searched for many minerals in many different places.....Alaska, Idaho, Utah, the deserts of Arizona, the mother lode of California, the Cascades of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, the whole state of Nevada...and we almost moved to Tehran, Iran and Indonesia, but the Lord had other plans....wherever we went, he observed the geology of the area, interpreting the soils, rocks surrounding us...picking up rock samples here and there....that was one of his passions in life...
When he was young, his father build him a small shed with shelves, where he could store his collections of rocks...his father was a logger and understood how to make a living from the woods they lived in, but this young boy loved the rocks on which the trees stood instead...
He searched hillsides, old mines, flatlands, everywhere there was soils and rocks which might produce some kind of mineral....from gravel for roads to gold for it many uses....barite for drilling to tungsten for industry....silver, lead, copper....
But, along the way, he searched for wisdom as well....how to be a better father, husband, a man after God's heart...how to be a better steward of the resources he found or was entrusted with...how to give wisely, how to listen....how to advise/encourage others in those teachings...he filled several prayer journals with notes he had taken...those were just as important to him as the file cabinets he filled with geological data....
Thank YOU that you have created the earth with the minerals for our use...but help me to seek the wisdom that is the basis for life...And I thank you for the husband who searched for the minerals and the wisdom that only You could supply...
Job 28
There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.
2 Iron is taken from the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore.
3 Mortals put an end to the darkness;
they search out the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.
4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,
in places untouched by human feet;
far from other people they dangle and sway.
5 The earth, from which food comes,
is transformed below as by fire;
6 lapis lazuli comes from its rocks,
and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
no falcon’s eye has seen it,
8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it,
and no lion prowls there.
9 People assault the flinty rock with their hands
and lay bare the roots of the mountains.
10 They tunnel through the rock;
their eyes see all its treasures.
11 They search the sources of the rivers
and bring hidden things to light.
12 But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, “It is not in me”;
the sea says, “It is not with me.”
15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
it cannot be bought with pure gold.
20 Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds in the sky.
22 Destruction and Death say,
“Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
23 God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.
28 And he said to the human race,
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”
My husband was a geologist. Over the 43 years of our marriage, he searched for many minerals in many different places.....Alaska, Idaho, Utah, the deserts of Arizona, the mother lode of California, the Cascades of Oregon, Idaho, Montana, the whole state of Nevada...and we almost moved to Tehran, Iran and Indonesia, but the Lord had other plans....wherever we went, he observed the geology of the area, interpreting the soils, rocks surrounding us...picking up rock samples here and there....that was one of his passions in life...
When he was young, his father build him a small shed with shelves, where he could store his collections of rocks...his father was a logger and understood how to make a living from the woods they lived in, but this young boy loved the rocks on which the trees stood instead...
He searched hillsides, old mines, flatlands, everywhere there was soils and rocks which might produce some kind of mineral....from gravel for roads to gold for it many uses....barite for drilling to tungsten for industry....silver, lead, copper....
But, along the way, he searched for wisdom as well....how to be a better father, husband, a man after God's heart...how to be a better steward of the resources he found or was entrusted with...how to give wisely, how to listen....how to advise/encourage others in those teachings...he filled several prayer journals with notes he had taken...those were just as important to him as the file cabinets he filled with geological data....
Thank YOU that you have created the earth with the minerals for our use...but help me to seek the wisdom that is the basis for life...And I thank you for the husband who searched for the minerals and the wisdom that only You could supply...
Job 28
There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.
2 Iron is taken from the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore.
3 Mortals put an end to the darkness;
they search out the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.
4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,
in places untouched by human feet;
far from other people they dangle and sway.
5 The earth, from which food comes,
is transformed below as by fire;
6 lapis lazuli comes from its rocks,
and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
no falcon’s eye has seen it,
8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it,
and no lion prowls there.
9 People assault the flinty rock with their hands
and lay bare the roots of the mountains.
10 They tunnel through the rock;
their eyes see all its treasures.
11 They search the sources of the rivers
and bring hidden things to light.
12 But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, “It is not in me”;
the sea says, “It is not with me.”
15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
it cannot be bought with pure gold.
20 Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds in the sky.
22 Destruction and Death say,
“Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
23 God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.
28 And he said to the human race,
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Worthy of praise ...
Worthy of worship....
Driving through two national parks and the three states of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, the big sky state, in the fall is beautiful...with their wide open spaces, heaven reaching mountains, colorful foliage, soaring eagles, rivers, abundant wildlife is amazing. God has created so much for our enjoyment and, to me, His delight in beauty and creativity. It makes my desire to know the Maker more and not worship the creation as some do...
It seemed fitting to sing the song, "Worthy of Worship" while attending church in the midst of this trip...Creator/designer is but one of God's many attributes...He is so much more....
Thank You for Your ever amazing creation...there are not enough words to describe its beauty...not enough words to describe You and all of your glory in all things...
Job 40 and 41
Psalm 24
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Worthy of Worship, lyrics
Worthy of worship, worthy of praise,
Worthy of honour and glory;
Worthy of all the glad songs we sing,
Worthy of all the offerings we bring.
You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Saviour, Sustainer.
You are worthy, worthy and wonderful;
Worthy of worship and praise.
Worthy of rev'rence, worthy of fear,
Worthy of love and devotion;
Worthy of bowing and bending of knees,
Worthy of all this and added to these.
You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Saviour, Sustainer.
You are worthy, worthy and wonderful;
Worthy of worship and praise.
Almighty Father, Master and Lord,
King of all kings and Redeemer,
Wonderful Counsellor, Comforter, Friend,
Saviour and Source of our life without end.
You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Saviour, Sustainer.
You are worthy, worthy and wonderful;
Worthy of worship and praise.
Driving through two national parks and the three states of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, the big sky state, in the fall is beautiful...with their wide open spaces, heaven reaching mountains, colorful foliage, soaring eagles, rivers, abundant wildlife is amazing. God has created so much for our enjoyment and, to me, His delight in beauty and creativity. It makes my desire to know the Maker more and not worship the creation as some do...
It seemed fitting to sing the song, "Worthy of Worship" while attending church in the midst of this trip...Creator/designer is but one of God's many attributes...He is so much more....
Thank You for Your ever amazing creation...there are not enough words to describe its beauty...not enough words to describe You and all of your glory in all things...
Job 40 and 41
Psalm 24
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
5 They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Worthy of Worship, lyrics
Worthy of worship, worthy of praise,
Worthy of honour and glory;
Worthy of all the glad songs we sing,
Worthy of all the offerings we bring.
You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Saviour, Sustainer.
You are worthy, worthy and wonderful;
Worthy of worship and praise.
Worthy of rev'rence, worthy of fear,
Worthy of love and devotion;
Worthy of bowing and bending of knees,
Worthy of all this and added to these.
You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Saviour, Sustainer.
You are worthy, worthy and wonderful;
Worthy of worship and praise.
Almighty Father, Master and Lord,
King of all kings and Redeemer,
Wonderful Counsellor, Comforter, Friend,
Saviour and Source of our life without end.
You are worthy, Father, Creator.
You are worthy, Saviour, Sustainer.
You are worthy, worthy and wonderful;
Worthy of worship and praise.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Old Faithful...
Old Faithful....
Yesterday was dedicated to seeing the geyser, Old Faithful. Because of road closures, I drove three hours one way and four hours coming back to see the famous natural landmark, along with thousands of other visitors....and i saw it blow twice, about 90 minutes apart...there is a big board there that says how long, approximately, before it blows again, give or take 10 minutes.....
Over the years, the time between the spouting has changed with various earthquakes that continually hit the area....but Old Faithful still regularly spouts to enjoyment of millions of people from all over the world...
Faithfulness is a trait that I value...something or someone you can count on...trustworthy....I want my car to work...my lights to turn on...my family to be there...or I to them ....but most of all I want that trait in God, in who I have but my faith....I trust...his unfailing love...His faithfulness to see me through...even His timeliness...in all of life...
Again and again YOU bring reminders of Your character...through Your Word, through Your magnificent creation...thank You...
Psalm 13:5 -6
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
—Psalm 5:3
Psalm 16
1Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Yesterday was dedicated to seeing the geyser, Old Faithful. Because of road closures, I drove three hours one way and four hours coming back to see the famous natural landmark, along with thousands of other visitors....and i saw it blow twice, about 90 minutes apart...there is a big board there that says how long, approximately, before it blows again, give or take 10 minutes.....
Over the years, the time between the spouting has changed with various earthquakes that continually hit the area....but Old Faithful still regularly spouts to enjoyment of millions of people from all over the world...
Faithfulness is a trait that I value...something or someone you can count on...trustworthy....I want my car to work...my lights to turn on...my family to be there...or I to them ....but most of all I want that trait in God, in who I have but my faith....I trust...his unfailing love...His faithfulness to see me through...even His timeliness...in all of life...
Again and again YOU bring reminders of Your character...through Your Word, through Your magnificent creation...thank You...
Psalm 13:5 -6
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
—Psalm 5:3
Psalm 16
1Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Fog...
Fog...
One thing you don't want to see on a fall colors and site seeing tour is fog....all of the sudden the world around you becomes so small, there are no trees, mountains ....the roads are shorter, the boundaries are abrupt, and you feel confined...boxed in....or sheltered....
But, you know there is sunshine on the other side and hopefully the fog will burn off to open up the views, the walls, the roads.....the sun shining on the world gloriously ......
Thankfully, that is what happened...the yellows, oranges and reds shown with brilliance...the mountains sparkled, unveiled out of the mist, majestically showing off all of their 13,000+ feet, granite and snow ruggedness... Cleaned after the rain the day before...
We are but a vapor as well....I have a hard time with that sometimes...We are but a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears..but when you look over the thousands of years of people, that is what it is...we sometimes want life to last forever and it does in a different dimension ...as we who believe in Christ pass into eternity....to see the gloriousness that awaits, the sparkling gates, lighted with the very presence of God...no fog preventing sight.....
James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanish.
Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
Joel 2:23 NIV
Hosea 13:3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.
Jesus calling-September 20
Try to see things more and more from My perspective. Let the Light of My Presence so fully fill your mind that you view the world through Me. When little things don’t go as you had hoped, look to Me lightheartedly and say, “Oh, well.” This simple discipline can protect you from being burdened with an accumulation of petty cares and frustrations. If you practice this diligently, you will make a life-changing discovery: You realize that most of the things that worry you are not important. If you shrug them off immediately and return your focus to Me, you will walk through your days with lighter steps and a joyful heart. When serious problems come your way, you will have more reserves for dealing with them. You will not have squandered your energy on petty problems. You may even reach the point where you can agree with the apostle Paul that all your troubles are light and momentary, compared with the eternal glory being achieved by them.
A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?
—Proverbs 20:24
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
—2 Corinthians 4:17–18
One thing you don't want to see on a fall colors and site seeing tour is fog....all of the sudden the world around you becomes so small, there are no trees, mountains ....the roads are shorter, the boundaries are abrupt, and you feel confined...boxed in....or sheltered....
But, you know there is sunshine on the other side and hopefully the fog will burn off to open up the views, the walls, the roads.....the sun shining on the world gloriously ......
Thankfully, that is what happened...the yellows, oranges and reds shown with brilliance...the mountains sparkled, unveiled out of the mist, majestically showing off all of their 13,000+ feet, granite and snow ruggedness... Cleaned after the rain the day before...
We are but a vapor as well....I have a hard time with that sometimes...We are but a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears..but when you look over the thousands of years of people, that is what it is...we sometimes want life to last forever and it does in a different dimension ...as we who believe in Christ pass into eternity....to see the gloriousness that awaits, the sparkling gates, lighted with the very presence of God...no fog preventing sight.....
James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanish.
Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.
Joel 2:23 NIV
Hosea 13:3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.
Jesus calling-September 20
Try to see things more and more from My perspective. Let the Light of My Presence so fully fill your mind that you view the world through Me. When little things don’t go as you had hoped, look to Me lightheartedly and say, “Oh, well.” This simple discipline can protect you from being burdened with an accumulation of petty cares and frustrations. If you practice this diligently, you will make a life-changing discovery: You realize that most of the things that worry you are not important. If you shrug them off immediately and return your focus to Me, you will walk through your days with lighter steps and a joyful heart. When serious problems come your way, you will have more reserves for dealing with them. You will not have squandered your energy on petty problems. You may even reach the point where you can agree with the apostle Paul that all your troubles are light and momentary, compared with the eternal glory being achieved by them.
A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?
—Proverbs 20:24
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
—2 Corinthians 4:17–18
Friday, September 19, 2014
Music of the past....present....
Stepping back....
I am in Jackson, Wyoming...I haven't been here since 1982 or 1983, my youngest daughter was still in diapers...we had very little money, I brought all of our food with us as well as an electric skillet to cook with in the cheapest rooms we could find...we just knew we wanted to see Yellowstone and the Tetons with our children...I have few pictures of the trip as I left the film on a picnic table near the Grand Canyon area..( I remembered that miles later, with no turning back)...no extra frills of any kind .....
This time is a little different...no husband, no children...better rooms, brought some food, traveling with a friend, more people!, trying to take as many pictures as possible (another photo book for my children to throw away someday)...doing side excursions...seeing new sights...
We went to a western dinner and musical program the first night we were here...it was like stepping back into yet another time in my life, childhood....listening to music that my father played on phonograph records....songs that sounded regularly in our home...Roy Rogers, Sons of the pioneers, Gene Autrey, and many others...songs I learned to sing as a child, songs he played on his harmonica, whistled as he worked or rode along...tunes long remembered .....echoing the past...
Some of those songs I had downloaded on my IPad to play for him as he lay dying just over a year ago...and I haven't had the courage to take them off...they are still lingering in the air..in the thoughts of my father...happy times, hard times all rolled into one...
Thank YOU for letting us experience times that were good...times that are good....with family and friends...you give us the music of life around us..to hear your heavenly choirs in songs we learn, words we read...Your Word...in the sounds of the creation you gave us to enjoy....
Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:11 Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.
Psalm 30:4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
Psalm 30:12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 96:1-4New International Version (NIV)
1 Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
I am in Jackson, Wyoming...I haven't been here since 1982 or 1983, my youngest daughter was still in diapers...we had very little money, I brought all of our food with us as well as an electric skillet to cook with in the cheapest rooms we could find...we just knew we wanted to see Yellowstone and the Tetons with our children...I have few pictures of the trip as I left the film on a picnic table near the Grand Canyon area..( I remembered that miles later, with no turning back)...no extra frills of any kind .....
This time is a little different...no husband, no children...better rooms, brought some food, traveling with a friend, more people!, trying to take as many pictures as possible (another photo book for my children to throw away someday)...doing side excursions...seeing new sights...
We went to a western dinner and musical program the first night we were here...it was like stepping back into yet another time in my life, childhood....listening to music that my father played on phonograph records....songs that sounded regularly in our home...Roy Rogers, Sons of the pioneers, Gene Autrey, and many others...songs I learned to sing as a child, songs he played on his harmonica, whistled as he worked or rode along...tunes long remembered .....echoing the past...
Some of those songs I had downloaded on my IPad to play for him as he lay dying just over a year ago...and I haven't had the courage to take them off...they are still lingering in the air..in the thoughts of my father...happy times, hard times all rolled into one...
Thank YOU for letting us experience times that were good...times that are good....with family and friends...you give us the music of life around us..to hear your heavenly choirs in songs we learn, words we read...Your Word...in the sounds of the creation you gave us to enjoy....
Psalm 7:17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:11 Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.
Psalm 13:6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 18:49 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.
Psalm 30:4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.
Psalm 30:12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 96:1-4New International Version (NIV)
1 Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
grace, gratitude, gospel, godliness.....
Grace, gratitude, gospel, godliness ......
Just reading through the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, or any of the epistles of Paul, he starts with grace and peace to his readers,.... thanksgiving...
Wouldn't it be nice if we always were greeted with the same heartfelt. Words and thoughts...grace, peace and thanksgiving....knowing that others were appreciative of us...that they wanted the best for us...prayed for...loved, encouraged...
And then, further, that we responded to the gospel positively and yet further, that our example of godliness shines out to others....
It is nice to get positive feedback, a word of encouragement, ...and all we have to do is open the Word for that..
But, on the other hand, am I giving that same positive feedback to others? Am I encouraging others in their lives..? Hummmmm,..
Thank YOU for those examples of words of encouragement, that positive feedback...help me to do the same for others whom I meet along the way....
1 Thessalonians 1 New International Version (NIV)
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Just reading through the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, or any of the epistles of Paul, he starts with grace and peace to his readers,.... thanksgiving...
Wouldn't it be nice if we always were greeted with the same heartfelt. Words and thoughts...grace, peace and thanksgiving....knowing that others were appreciative of us...that they wanted the best for us...prayed for...loved, encouraged...
And then, further, that we responded to the gospel positively and yet further, that our example of godliness shines out to others....
It is nice to get positive feedback, a word of encouragement, ...and all we have to do is open the Word for that..
But, on the other hand, am I giving that same positive feedback to others? Am I encouraging others in their lives..? Hummmmm,..
Thank YOU for those examples of words of encouragement, that positive feedback...help me to do the same for others whom I meet along the way....
1 Thessalonians 1 New International Version (NIV)
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Harvest and new life....
Harvest and new life....
Driving across the state yesterday, I saw harvested fields of grain, onions, alfalfa, corn, fields ready for harvest...then in some fields were herds of antelope, some standing eating with their tiny babies nearby and other fields tiny calves with their watchful mothers attending their needs.....harvest and new life together....
In other fields, the weeds were thick where once had been abundant crops....the fields overgrown and left unattended due to lack of water.....the farmers had to pick an choose which fields they planted and watered....
The Bible speaks of harvesting many times throughout its pages....how to harvest, what to leave for foreigners, widows and the poor ....provision in a new land, provision and lack of planning, no planting or harvesting during certain years, lack of harvest due to disobedience....abundant harvest of lives waiting to be told the truth....blessings of harvest.....in the fields and in lives...
We all fit into the harvest, either sowing, watering or harvesting in others' lives or our own...we are workers, not to grow weary of the work set before us, but to continue forward...but God supplies the fields, and ultimately He is the supplier of all...we are to be diligent in the places He puts us...harvesting and new life together ....
Thank YOU for the pictures You present even in a drive....harvesting of crops, fallow fields, drought, new life...You is the common to teach and remind us of those things in my life...I want the harvest, not the drought,...the new life, the productiveness of harvest...Your blessings from obedience ....the rejoicing of harvests and new life .....
Psalm 67:6 The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.
Psalm 85:12 The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Psalm 107:37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;
Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
John 4:36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Driving across the state yesterday, I saw harvested fields of grain, onions, alfalfa, corn, fields ready for harvest...then in some fields were herds of antelope, some standing eating with their tiny babies nearby and other fields tiny calves with their watchful mothers attending their needs.....harvest and new life together....
In other fields, the weeds were thick where once had been abundant crops....the fields overgrown and left unattended due to lack of water.....the farmers had to pick an choose which fields they planted and watered....
The Bible speaks of harvesting many times throughout its pages....how to harvest, what to leave for foreigners, widows and the poor ....provision in a new land, provision and lack of planning, no planting or harvesting during certain years, lack of harvest due to disobedience....abundant harvest of lives waiting to be told the truth....blessings of harvest.....in the fields and in lives...
We all fit into the harvest, either sowing, watering or harvesting in others' lives or our own...we are workers, not to grow weary of the work set before us, but to continue forward...but God supplies the fields, and ultimately He is the supplier of all...we are to be diligent in the places He puts us...harvesting and new life together ....
Thank YOU for the pictures You present even in a drive....harvesting of crops, fallow fields, drought, new life...You is the common to teach and remind us of those things in my life...I want the harvest, not the drought,...the new life, the productiveness of harvest...Your blessings from obedience ....the rejoicing of harvests and new life .....
Psalm 67:6 The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.
Psalm 85:12 The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Psalm 107:37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;
Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
John 4:36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Christmas shopping...
Christmas shopping....
I can't believe I am Christmas shopping already.....but I am...it seems like tomorrow already, even though it is three months away...
The Halloween stuff is on the shelves..the thanksgiving things are already discounted...and I am getting ready for Christmas! My family is picking dates of when we really can get together for Christmas and it might actually be on Christmas this year again...
The anticipation is real, fun and exciting...three years ago, I gave family picture albums taken from family pictures from great grand parents down to each child's wedding day..with history pictures , baby pictures, family collages over the years...it was a massive undertaking at the time, but so meaningful. It was our last Christmas with their father and grandfather ....
Now we are adding new pictures of life ....with new activities..new family members, new homes, ....life is going forward....as it has to...
But the meaning of Christmas never changes....it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...
Jesus was born,
Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
No matter when we celebrate Christmas, what we give or receive, Christmas is about Christ, his coming, his death, his resurrection, His Lordship, His gift of salvation...
Thank YOU so. Very much....
I can't believe I am Christmas shopping already.....but I am...it seems like tomorrow already, even though it is three months away...
The Halloween stuff is on the shelves..the thanksgiving things are already discounted...and I am getting ready for Christmas! My family is picking dates of when we really can get together for Christmas and it might actually be on Christmas this year again...
The anticipation is real, fun and exciting...three years ago, I gave family picture albums taken from family pictures from great grand parents down to each child's wedding day..with history pictures , baby pictures, family collages over the years...it was a massive undertaking at the time, but so meaningful. It was our last Christmas with their father and grandfather ....
Now we are adding new pictures of life ....with new activities..new family members, new homes, ....life is going forward....as it has to...
But the meaning of Christmas never changes....it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...
Jesus was born,
Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
No matter when we celebrate Christmas, what we give or receive, Christmas is about Christ, his coming, his death, his resurrection, His Lordship, His gift of salvation...
Thank YOU so. Very much....
Sunday, September 14, 2014
It hurts....
It hurts....
" tell me how you feel..
..it hurts,....sometimes I get so jealous I want to scream....I want to shake people and tell them not to take what they have for granted..." Lauraine Snelling.., "Song of Laughter"
The sentiments of those who are left....we want to tell those around us to enjoy the times they have ....live every moment ....because quickly, they may change, in a word, a moment, a diagnosis, a step, a drive...
We want the "normal" back, we don't want change ...we want our parents back, our children back, our spouses back, our friends back, ourselves back.....to normal...and it hurts not to have it...
And then there are times we don't want them back as we watch pain or disease ravage their bodies or their minds slip away to another world...we want them comforted and we can't do anything about it.....we say our goodbyes, sing a song or read or we hold their hands as much for our comfort as for theirs....but it still hurts ...
None of us like to hurt...it is tiring, disappointing, wearying,....and we can even feel guilty because we hurt... Putting on a happy face...
There are memories we want of better times, places,... those non hurting spaces...times when grief or pain didn't mar the picture...where we reveled in the joy, pain free, carefree...we want to think on those, live in those...
It is okay to cry, it is okay to grieve, it is okay want a hug ....it is okay to hurt....stuffing it away makes the pain boil and intensify to later erupt...
Thank YOU, even when I don't want took give thanks for the hurts...the pain..For it's there in the hurt that You help us grow, help us lean more and more on Your strength ...
to Your glory...amen and amen....
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
" tell me how you feel..
..it hurts,....sometimes I get so jealous I want to scream....I want to shake people and tell them not to take what they have for granted..." Lauraine Snelling.., "Song of Laughter"
The sentiments of those who are left....we want to tell those around us to enjoy the times they have ....live every moment ....because quickly, they may change, in a word, a moment, a diagnosis, a step, a drive...
We want the "normal" back, we don't want change ...we want our parents back, our children back, our spouses back, our friends back, ourselves back.....to normal...and it hurts not to have it...
And then there are times we don't want them back as we watch pain or disease ravage their bodies or their minds slip away to another world...we want them comforted and we can't do anything about it.....we say our goodbyes, sing a song or read or we hold their hands as much for our comfort as for theirs....but it still hurts ...
None of us like to hurt...it is tiring, disappointing, wearying,....and we can even feel guilty because we hurt... Putting on a happy face...
There are memories we want of better times, places,... those non hurting spaces...times when grief or pain didn't mar the picture...where we reveled in the joy, pain free, carefree...we want to think on those, live in those...
It is okay to cry, it is okay to grieve, it is okay want a hug ....it is okay to hurt....stuffing it away makes the pain boil and intensify to later erupt...
Thank YOU, even when I don't want took give thanks for the hurts...the pain..For it's there in the hurt that You help us grow, help us lean more and more on Your strength ...
to Your glory...amen and amen....
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Presentation....
Presentations.....
Last week I watched my oldest grandson give a presentation at church...he had gone on a summer short term mission team with Teen Missions international to Ireland. So he organized some of his pictures, added a short overall video from the organization and gave a 15 minute presentation to the junior high class at church...ending with a challenge to them to consider short term missions.
I sat there with tears in my eyes....I was so proud of him, for sharing his experience, his heart...it also made time slip away...I sat in another church watching his father and his best friend scurrying around in their work boots, getting ready for their first presentation about their first short term mission trip to Australia...or even before that, sitting with the young men at the table, listening to their reasons to be allowed to go on the short term mission trip...
That first trip was the first of many after that, not only for them, but it encouraged siblings, friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, and now another generation to take that leap of faith and go on short term missions....
It is so more than amazing to watch all of my grandchildren grow, mature in all of their many abilities...to see what what beings them joy, to see their smiles, their new interests, old interests, their achievements, their desire to serve...to give and receive their hugs....
Thank YOU for those grandchildren that You have blessed me with...
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Psalm 45:17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Psalm 78:5-7New International Version (NIV)
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
Last week I watched my oldest grandson give a presentation at church...he had gone on a summer short term mission team with Teen Missions international to Ireland. So he organized some of his pictures, added a short overall video from the organization and gave a 15 minute presentation to the junior high class at church...ending with a challenge to them to consider short term missions.
I sat there with tears in my eyes....I was so proud of him, for sharing his experience, his heart...it also made time slip away...I sat in another church watching his father and his best friend scurrying around in their work boots, getting ready for their first presentation about their first short term mission trip to Australia...or even before that, sitting with the young men at the table, listening to their reasons to be allowed to go on the short term mission trip...
That first trip was the first of many after that, not only for them, but it encouraged siblings, friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, and now another generation to take that leap of faith and go on short term missions....
It is so more than amazing to watch all of my grandchildren grow, mature in all of their many abilities...to see what what beings them joy, to see their smiles, their new interests, old interests, their achievements, their desire to serve...to give and receive their hugs....
Thank YOU for those grandchildren that You have blessed me with...
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Psalm 45:17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.
Psalm 71:18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Psalm 78:5-7New International Version (NIV)
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Releasing.....
Releasing.....
In the movie, "Father of the bride", there is a scene where the father has fallen into a swimming pool, only to guarded by the watch dogs. He tries to remember the word which calls them off , release, relent, and many others until the owners come to the rescue him from their guard...release, release, release.....
There are some things in my life that I have a hard time completely releasing into
God's comforting, discipling hands....I release and then pick them up again and again...sometimes avoiding them all together...not knowing how to attack the problem...I want to trust...I really don't want to pick it up to carry it, but I do...
Like the verses in Romans 7:15-20
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
In writing this, I am confessing my sin of not releasing everything to God, trying to work through some issues on my own...I don't want that sin dwelling within ....there is no peace with that sin...
The question is posed day after day, am I releasing or am I holding back, am I trusting or am I not, am I at peace or am I not, do I do what I don't want to do or do I do what is right...there is always that still inner voice that speaks truth, do I listen? Do I really want to hear truth or not? Or do I want to hear the clamor that drowns out the truth?
Do I lay down in perfect peace...to rest , knowing, trusting God will take care of the released areas for the very best?
Thank YOU for taking my burdens upon Your Shoulders when I release them....You do lighten the load...I can trust You....
Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 3:5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Psalm 62:5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
"Jesus calling-September 12
Receive My Peace. It is My continual gift to you. The best way to receive this gift is to sit quietly in My Presence, trusting Me in every area of your life. Quietness and trust accomplish far more than you can imagine: not only in you, but also on earth and in heaven. When you trust Me in a given area, you release that problem or person into My care.
Spending time alone with Me can be a difficult discipline, because it goes against the activity addiction of this age. You may appear to be doing nothing, but actually you are participating in battles going on within spiritual realms. You are waging war—not with the weapons of the world, but with heavenly weapons, which have divine power to demolish strongholds. Living close to Me is a sure defense against evil.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
—John 14:27
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
—Isaiah 30:15
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
—2 Corinthians 10:4"
In the movie, "Father of the bride", there is a scene where the father has fallen into a swimming pool, only to guarded by the watch dogs. He tries to remember the word which calls them off , release, relent, and many others until the owners come to the rescue him from their guard...release, release, release.....
There are some things in my life that I have a hard time completely releasing into
God's comforting, discipling hands....I release and then pick them up again and again...sometimes avoiding them all together...not knowing how to attack the problem...I want to trust...I really don't want to pick it up to carry it, but I do...
Like the verses in Romans 7:15-20
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
In writing this, I am confessing my sin of not releasing everything to God, trying to work through some issues on my own...I don't want that sin dwelling within ....there is no peace with that sin...
The question is posed day after day, am I releasing or am I holding back, am I trusting or am I not, am I at peace or am I not, do I do what I don't want to do or do I do what is right...there is always that still inner voice that speaks truth, do I listen? Do I really want to hear truth or not? Or do I want to hear the clamor that drowns out the truth?
Do I lay down in perfect peace...to rest , knowing, trusting God will take care of the released areas for the very best?
Thank YOU for taking my burdens upon Your Shoulders when I release them....You do lighten the load...I can trust You....
Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 3:5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Psalm 62:5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
"Jesus calling-September 12
Receive My Peace. It is My continual gift to you. The best way to receive this gift is to sit quietly in My Presence, trusting Me in every area of your life. Quietness and trust accomplish far more than you can imagine: not only in you, but also on earth and in heaven. When you trust Me in a given area, you release that problem or person into My care.
Spending time alone with Me can be a difficult discipline, because it goes against the activity addiction of this age. You may appear to be doing nothing, but actually you are participating in battles going on within spiritual realms. You are waging war—not with the weapons of the world, but with heavenly weapons, which have divine power to demolish strongholds. Living close to Me is a sure defense against evil.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
—John 14:27
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
—Isaiah 30:15
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
—2 Corinthians 10:4"
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Victimized....
Victimized....
Over the course of 42+ years of business ownership my late husband and I have met and worked with a lot of people. He met a lot more as he was in it on a day to day basis.
He had mining claims, gravel pits, ranch ground, data about mining and mines, forest grounds and products....he worked with public and private land issues....worked with environmental issues, water rights, archeologists.....and for the most part, he worked with great people who were to be respected and respected him in return....
But, there were a few who took advantage of him, and some who succeeded, others who tried...taking funds, embezzling funds, "loans", taking ground, non payment for work done, etc...There were many sleepless nights, as well as many long talks with forensic accountants, lawyers, each other, advisors over being the victim of such actions.....
We would fast and pray, delve deeper into God's word, searching for His will on such matters...leaning heavily and moving forward with what we felt
God was teaching us, and the direction to take on each matter...
I, being a peacemaker, just wanted it all to go away, at any cost...wanted smooth sailing all the time....don't ruffle things.....he, wanting the same, although he had the courage to see it through until justice had been served in each instance...and we did ....
I was reminded of these times again the other day when I received a "scam" telephone call....telling me I had one half hour to respond or the police would arrive at my door for my arrest in IRS tax evasion and past debts. I could get out of this by "paying".. I took all of his information and not giving mine...then I called one of my " advisors", my son. Being a policeman, I thought he would know the procedure on reporting..and he did ....there is a site, IRS impersonation scamming, to which to report calls....
Even In the unsettling times....thank YOU for watching out for us, giving us guidelines in Your Word on dealing with evil ones...those who would use us, take advantage of us....but You give peace in those times as well...thank you....
[ Psalm 121 ] [ A song of ascents. ] I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Psalm 37
Of David.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be destroyed.
23 The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.
27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed
the offspring of the wicked will perish.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
intent on putting them to death;
33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Hope in the Lord
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
a future awaits those who seek peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
there will be no future[e] for the wicked.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Over the course of 42+ years of business ownership my late husband and I have met and worked with a lot of people. He met a lot more as he was in it on a day to day basis.
He had mining claims, gravel pits, ranch ground, data about mining and mines, forest grounds and products....he worked with public and private land issues....worked with environmental issues, water rights, archeologists.....and for the most part, he worked with great people who were to be respected and respected him in return....
But, there were a few who took advantage of him, and some who succeeded, others who tried...taking funds, embezzling funds, "loans", taking ground, non payment for work done, etc...There were many sleepless nights, as well as many long talks with forensic accountants, lawyers, each other, advisors over being the victim of such actions.....
We would fast and pray, delve deeper into God's word, searching for His will on such matters...leaning heavily and moving forward with what we felt
God was teaching us, and the direction to take on each matter...
I, being a peacemaker, just wanted it all to go away, at any cost...wanted smooth sailing all the time....don't ruffle things.....he, wanting the same, although he had the courage to see it through until justice had been served in each instance...and we did ....
I was reminded of these times again the other day when I received a "scam" telephone call....telling me I had one half hour to respond or the police would arrive at my door for my arrest in IRS tax evasion and past debts. I could get out of this by "paying".. I took all of his information and not giving mine...then I called one of my " advisors", my son. Being a policeman, I thought he would know the procedure on reporting..and he did ....there is a site, IRS impersonation scamming, to which to report calls....
Even In the unsettling times....thank YOU for watching out for us, giving us guidelines in Your Word on dealing with evil ones...those who would use us, take advantage of us....but You give peace in those times as well...thank you....
[ Psalm 121 ] [ A song of ascents. ] I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Psalm 37
Of David.
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy peace and prosperity.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be destroyed.
23 The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.
27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed
the offspring of the wicked will perish.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
intent on putting them to death;
33 but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Hope in the Lord
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
a future awaits those who seek peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
there will be no future[e] for the wicked.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Trash or treasure ....
Trash or treasure......
We have heard over the years, "one man's trash is another man's treasure "
After sorting through three people's treasures in four years, I find that true, frustrating, encouraging....enlightening......what we keep as treasures is amazing, historical, funny, emotional....
I have boxes and boxes of my mother's paintings, my dad's mementoes, my husband's treasures, papers...some paintings have gone on eBay, as well as books, paint brushes,
Cars have been sold or given away...and have become someone else's treasures ...other things went to garage sales, thrift stores and some into storage for another time...
Some people collect weapons, survival rations, angels, dolls, spoons, postcards, napkins,, posters, vintage clothing, golf balls, pencils....you name it.....
But, those are tangible things.....we have treasures of emotions, feelings, talents, personalities, souls ....as well. We may have poured our hearts into our paintings, our writings, our endeavors,our sculpting, other people....Things seen and unseen...treasures or trash....my emotions have been trashed over the years-sucker punched to my "esteem", my endeavors for Christ as well by those around me...but God keeps the tears and the real treasures of value....
What do we treasure? What do we trash in our lives? What has lasting treasure qualities...not to rust, or accumulate dust?
All of the stuff will disintegrate at some time.....but the treasures we hold in deposit with God will not...
Thank YOU for treasuring the real treasures...help me to keep the right perspective....trash or treasure.....
Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Proverbs 15:6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
Matthew 6:19 [ Treasures in Heaven ] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2 Corinthians 4:6-8New International Version (NIV)
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair
1 Timothy 6:19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
We have heard over the years, "one man's trash is another man's treasure "
After sorting through three people's treasures in four years, I find that true, frustrating, encouraging....enlightening......what we keep as treasures is amazing, historical, funny, emotional....
I have boxes and boxes of my mother's paintings, my dad's mementoes, my husband's treasures, papers...some paintings have gone on eBay, as well as books, paint brushes,
Cars have been sold or given away...and have become someone else's treasures ...other things went to garage sales, thrift stores and some into storage for another time...
Some people collect weapons, survival rations, angels, dolls, spoons, postcards, napkins,, posters, vintage clothing, golf balls, pencils....you name it.....
But, those are tangible things.....we have treasures of emotions, feelings, talents, personalities, souls ....as well. We may have poured our hearts into our paintings, our writings, our endeavors,our sculpting, other people....Things seen and unseen...treasures or trash....my emotions have been trashed over the years-sucker punched to my "esteem", my endeavors for Christ as well by those around me...but God keeps the tears and the real treasures of value....
What do we treasure? What do we trash in our lives? What has lasting treasure qualities...not to rust, or accumulate dust?
All of the stuff will disintegrate at some time.....but the treasures we hold in deposit with God will not...
Thank YOU for treasuring the real treasures...help me to keep the right perspective....trash or treasure.....
Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Proverbs 15:6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.
Matthew 6:19 [ Treasures in Heaven ] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2 Corinthians 4:6-8New International Version (NIV)
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair
1 Timothy 6:19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
In my seat...
In my seat....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cLj4akmncsA
This is worthy of watching, contemplating, pondering......on Sept 10th...who sat In your seat???
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cLj4akmncsA
This is worthy of watching, contemplating, pondering......on Sept 10th...who sat In your seat???
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
At first.....
At first....
When I first started writing down my thoughts in a note and then a blog, there were lots of observations from the walks I took...
I still do those walks....there are still spring flowers, summer flowers, fall flowers and colors along the path....some of the neighbors have changed, but most have stayed the same...over two years have come and gone since I moved here...
In one way time has flown by and in another way, it has crawled like a snail racing across the road...many sunrises and sunsets have etched their way across the sky, plain ones, spectacular ones......
I have read a lot of books, learned new skills, leaned on advisors, seen my grandchildren grow and mature, added new ones to the family, seen myself and my family grapple with sorrow and loss....as well as love in a new normal....
We are not waiting for those phone calls from dad so much, but would appreciate them if they came...we may still get blindsided with surprising times of emotion...maybe not often...time has indeed, marched on...and it does heal, somewhat....there is still wishful moments or even the "whys" hanging in the air....thoughts of sharing, reliving the "what ifs" and the "if only"...could we have done something else to prolong life, to live healthier, eaten better, exercised more, Lifestyle changes we could have done.....and there are no easy answers .....
I can't say we are better off, but we or I have moved forward, but not forgetting the bygone days,.... two thirds of my life I was married to the same man, but now he is no more, but that time still influences me, my children, grandchildren, the lifestyles we live, the attitudes we have about giving, the memories we have, the different levels of grief and growth....
The " at firsts " have given away to living daily, moving forward, step by step, moment by moment, and enjoying those new moments....not trying to compare so much...acceptance of the now....
Thank YOU that your timing is not mine, You have infinite knowledge, comfort of the past, present and future...You see the whole picture, know the reasons for the seasons of our lives...You help us immeasurably through each from the "at firsts" to the "ever after"... Help me to be at peace with that and with You....trusting...
Teach ........ to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Titus 2:2 NIV
Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 119:5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
Psalm 119:15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 119:26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 138:5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.
Psalm 139:3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Psalm 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
Psalm 146:9a The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, ......
James 1:25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
When I first started writing down my thoughts in a note and then a blog, there were lots of observations from the walks I took...
I still do those walks....there are still spring flowers, summer flowers, fall flowers and colors along the path....some of the neighbors have changed, but most have stayed the same...over two years have come and gone since I moved here...
In one way time has flown by and in another way, it has crawled like a snail racing across the road...many sunrises and sunsets have etched their way across the sky, plain ones, spectacular ones......
I have read a lot of books, learned new skills, leaned on advisors, seen my grandchildren grow and mature, added new ones to the family, seen myself and my family grapple with sorrow and loss....as well as love in a new normal....
We are not waiting for those phone calls from dad so much, but would appreciate them if they came...we may still get blindsided with surprising times of emotion...maybe not often...time has indeed, marched on...and it does heal, somewhat....there is still wishful moments or even the "whys" hanging in the air....thoughts of sharing, reliving the "what ifs" and the "if only"...could we have done something else to prolong life, to live healthier, eaten better, exercised more, Lifestyle changes we could have done.....and there are no easy answers .....
I can't say we are better off, but we or I have moved forward, but not forgetting the bygone days,.... two thirds of my life I was married to the same man, but now he is no more, but that time still influences me, my children, grandchildren, the lifestyles we live, the attitudes we have about giving, the memories we have, the different levels of grief and growth....
The " at firsts " have given away to living daily, moving forward, step by step, moment by moment, and enjoying those new moments....not trying to compare so much...acceptance of the now....
Thank YOU that your timing is not mine, You have infinite knowledge, comfort of the past, present and future...You see the whole picture, know the reasons for the seasons of our lives...You help us immeasurably through each from the "at firsts" to the "ever after"... Help me to be at peace with that and with You....trusting...
Teach ........ to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Titus 2:2 NIV
Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 119:5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
Psalm 119:15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 119:26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 138:5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.
Psalm 139:3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Psalm 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
Psalm 146:9a The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, ......
James 1:25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Homeschooling....
Homeschooling....
All of my school age grandchildren are homeschooled.....their parents are heroes in my book...
The students are not socially neglected as was feared so many years ago when homeschooling was pushed and contested...they are all above average for their age groups in testing, so they are not "behind" in school as was the fears of public school advocates...they work hard at their subjects and accomplish so very much...
Their parents are so involved with each and know how to stop and start in subjects to best accommodate their children's learning styles and abilities....they are all good workers and will turn out to be great citizens, all around people....of course, I am slightly prejudiced, as their grandma...
Watching them each accomplish life goals is amazing, whether in school, scouts, swimming, friendships, short term missions, youth group, 4H, is a blessing to me and often brings me to tears of joy....watching that "future" blossom....
I often wonder what God thinks as he watches over us, watches us grow in our walk into life...does He get tears of joy? Is he proud when we make wise decisions? He follows our foot steps, knowing the beginning from the end...He carries us when we need it, He comforts us along the way, disciplines because He loves us and is more involved in our lives than we can comprehend...prays for us when words are hard to find..and even has a home prepared for us....what a Parent, Friend.....and so much more...what a picture for earthly parents to emulate with those treasures of children that have been given...
As parents we can't save our children, but we can lead them to the cross, encourage and pray for them....examples all the time..."homeschooling" in formal and informal ways all the time...
Thank YOU for being the parent You are to me..."schooling" me as well as my children, grandchildren in Your Word and life in general...help us each to follow You, learn from You.....in the lives You have set before us...
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Psalm 27:11a Teach me your way, Lord;
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 34:11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Psalm 78:5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;
Psalm 119:12 Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:33 [ ×” He ] Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.
Psalm 119:64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.
Psalm 119:68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Proverbs 6:20 [ Warning Against Adultery ] My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 6:23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,
Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 9:9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
Proverbs 22:17 [ Thirty Sayings of the Wise ] [ Saying 1 ] Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
Proverbs 22:19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.
All of my school age grandchildren are homeschooled.....their parents are heroes in my book...
The students are not socially neglected as was feared so many years ago when homeschooling was pushed and contested...they are all above average for their age groups in testing, so they are not "behind" in school as was the fears of public school advocates...they work hard at their subjects and accomplish so very much...
Their parents are so involved with each and know how to stop and start in subjects to best accommodate their children's learning styles and abilities....they are all good workers and will turn out to be great citizens, all around people....of course, I am slightly prejudiced, as their grandma...
Watching them each accomplish life goals is amazing, whether in school, scouts, swimming, friendships, short term missions, youth group, 4H, is a blessing to me and often brings me to tears of joy....watching that "future" blossom....
I often wonder what God thinks as he watches over us, watches us grow in our walk into life...does He get tears of joy? Is he proud when we make wise decisions? He follows our foot steps, knowing the beginning from the end...He carries us when we need it, He comforts us along the way, disciplines because He loves us and is more involved in our lives than we can comprehend...prays for us when words are hard to find..and even has a home prepared for us....what a Parent, Friend.....and so much more...what a picture for earthly parents to emulate with those treasures of children that have been given...
As parents we can't save our children, but we can lead them to the cross, encourage and pray for them....examples all the time..."homeschooling" in formal and informal ways all the time...
Thank YOU for being the parent You are to me..."schooling" me as well as my children, grandchildren in Your Word and life in general...help us each to follow You, learn from You.....in the lives You have set before us...
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalm 143:10 NIV
Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Psalm 27:11a Teach me your way, Lord;
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 34:11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Psalm 78:5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law;
Psalm 119:12 Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:33 [ ×” He ] Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.
Psalm 119:64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.
Psalm 119:68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119:108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Proverbs 6:20 [ Warning Against Adultery ] My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 6:23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,
Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 9:9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
Proverbs 22:17 [ Thirty Sayings of the Wise ] [ Saying 1 ] Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
Proverbs 22:19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Never once....
Never once....
The song by Matt Redman, "Never Once", brings tears to my eyes , as do a lot of other songs...friendship and faithfulness of God....
It is also a good reminder of earthly friends that God has blessed us with...those who standby in the good times and the hard times...those who hold our hands at weddings, birthings, funerals, hospitals, or just shopping ....they are there to hold us up .....as we should be to them...not letting each walk this earthly path alone....
There are those, to whom we may not speak for years, but, the conversation is open ended, to be continued as needed; others, to whom we may speak everyday and yet others occasionally speaking, sharing, but at the drop of a hat, we know each are available ...shoulders ready to cry on or share a story, a prayer or just be there...
Thank YOU for your friendship...the friends You have place in my life...valued beyond a price...
Exodus 33:11a The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.....
Job 6:14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the almighty...
Proverbs 12:26a The righteous choose their friends carefully,.....
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 18:24b......but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you.
2 Corinthians 12:19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
2 Peter 3:1 [ The Day of the Lord ] Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
1 John 4:7 [ God’s Love and Ours ] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
Jude 1:19-21New International Version (NIV)
19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=722zPX1npcA
MATT REDMAN – NEVER ONCE LYRICS
Verse 1
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
Verse 2
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Is Your power in us
Pre-Chorus
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Chorus 1
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Repeat Verse 2
Repeat Pre-Chorus
Chorus 2
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Bridge
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
Ending Chorus
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
The song by Matt Redman, "Never Once", brings tears to my eyes , as do a lot of other songs...friendship and faithfulness of God....
It is also a good reminder of earthly friends that God has blessed us with...those who standby in the good times and the hard times...those who hold our hands at weddings, birthings, funerals, hospitals, or just shopping ....they are there to hold us up .....as we should be to them...not letting each walk this earthly path alone....
There are those, to whom we may not speak for years, but, the conversation is open ended, to be continued as needed; others, to whom we may speak everyday and yet others occasionally speaking, sharing, but at the drop of a hat, we know each are available ...shoulders ready to cry on or share a story, a prayer or just be there...
Thank YOU for your friendship...the friends You have place in my life...valued beyond a price...
Exodus 33:11a The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.....
Job 6:14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the almighty...
Proverbs 12:26a The righteous choose their friends carefully,.....
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 18:24b......but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you.
2 Corinthians 12:19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.
2 Peter 3:1 [ The Day of the Lord ] Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
1 John 4:7 [ God’s Love and Ours ] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
Jude 1:19-21New International Version (NIV)
19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=722zPX1npcA
MATT REDMAN – NEVER ONCE LYRICS
Verse 1
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
Verse 2
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Is Your power in us
Pre-Chorus
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Chorus 1
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Repeat Verse 2
Repeat Pre-Chorus
Chorus 2
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Bridge
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone
Ending Chorus
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Jostling....
Jostling.....
I once heard a story of an older woman riding for 13 hours in a bus, to attend a convention on how to better teach Sunday school to boys...she brought her own lunch as her funds were low...sat through the sessions on teaching effectively ...then rode the bus home to her little town so that she could be there for Sunday school the next morning....she had a small class of junior high boys, no high tech,, just a flannel board with a few pieces of felt to illustrate some stories , no extra books, worksheets, "just" her well worn Bible. in a small town church ....
Later, when asked who influenced his life the most, a famous Biblical scholar, replied that this woman, whose faithfulness to these boys, the Word simply taught, were the most influencing factors of his future success...Out of this one Sunday school class came several Biblical leaders of that time, all of whom credited this woman with her faithfulness, courage to stay the course of teaching Sunday school to groups of jostling, wiggling, active junior boys...
There must be rewards for faithfulness like that....preschool teachers, elementary teachers, junior high teachers, high school teachers, adult teachers, parents, pastors.....following that higher calling....of teaching, mentoring, encouraging...year after year, decade after decade, teaching life, walking life......faithfully.
Thank YOU for faithful teachers...those You have prepared to go that extra mile of teaching formal or informal....those who have touched our lives....those who we are touching....help each to maintain the integrity of Your word....
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
John 14:23 NIV
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
1 Peter 5:2-4New International Version (NIV)
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
I once heard a story of an older woman riding for 13 hours in a bus, to attend a convention on how to better teach Sunday school to boys...she brought her own lunch as her funds were low...sat through the sessions on teaching effectively ...then rode the bus home to her little town so that she could be there for Sunday school the next morning....she had a small class of junior high boys, no high tech,, just a flannel board with a few pieces of felt to illustrate some stories , no extra books, worksheets, "just" her well worn Bible. in a small town church ....
Later, when asked who influenced his life the most, a famous Biblical scholar, replied that this woman, whose faithfulness to these boys, the Word simply taught, were the most influencing factors of his future success...Out of this one Sunday school class came several Biblical leaders of that time, all of whom credited this woman with her faithfulness, courage to stay the course of teaching Sunday school to groups of jostling, wiggling, active junior boys...
There must be rewards for faithfulness like that....preschool teachers, elementary teachers, junior high teachers, high school teachers, adult teachers, parents, pastors.....following that higher calling....of teaching, mentoring, encouraging...year after year, decade after decade, teaching life, walking life......faithfully.
Thank YOU for faithful teachers...those You have prepared to go that extra mile of teaching formal or informal....those who have touched our lives....those who we are touching....help each to maintain the integrity of Your word....
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
John 14:23 NIV
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
1 Peter 5:2-4New International Version (NIV)
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Prayer time..... consistency .....
Prayer time.....consistency ......
I have been thinking about prayer time and how I am not consistent....and I want to be...I pray when I walk, sometimes...I pray early in the morning, usually.....I pray throughout the day, usually.....I pray at night, usually ....I pray for my family and friends, usually....I do pray when I get prayer requests...I have long list that I keep current...spoken and unspoken prayer requests...
Romans 12:11-12
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
I want that faithfulness in prayer....or maybe I am trying to get too formal...I talk to God all the time...as there is no one else there to talk to..I know He listens...and I know I hear Him in my soul...
Anyway, it was refreshing to go to church last night and hear the new young pastor speak on prayer....another confirmation to the faithfulness of God's reminders to my heart.....
"Secret prayer, Matthew 6:4-6
Guaranteed prayer, John 14:13, 16:23, 1 John 5:14-15
Unanswerable prayer , James 4:3
Persistent prayer, Luke 11:5-8, 18:1-8
Seeking God's presence when in prayer...
Prayer changes the pray-er
All to experience the heart of God....."
We have whole books on the discipline of prayer, all the prayers in the Bible, prayer walking, the Lord's Prayer, how we ought to pray, the "how to" of praying, what stances to take when praying, etc, etc, etc...but the bottom line comes down to " just do it"...honestly, with honest words, honest feelings, willingly, freely, giving thanks, confessing, asking, listening....God is there waiting, in the garden of our being...waiting for that fellowship that He designed us for...
Thank YOU for the freedom to pray...help me be faithful in that part of my life...
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ
Luke 11 :1-13 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
I have been thinking about prayer time and how I am not consistent....and I want to be...I pray when I walk, sometimes...I pray early in the morning, usually.....I pray throughout the day, usually.....I pray at night, usually ....I pray for my family and friends, usually....I do pray when I get prayer requests...I have long list that I keep current...spoken and unspoken prayer requests...
Romans 12:11-12
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
I want that faithfulness in prayer....or maybe I am trying to get too formal...I talk to God all the time...as there is no one else there to talk to..I know He listens...and I know I hear Him in my soul...
Anyway, it was refreshing to go to church last night and hear the new young pastor speak on prayer....another confirmation to the faithfulness of God's reminders to my heart.....
"Secret prayer, Matthew 6:4-6
Guaranteed prayer, John 14:13, 16:23, 1 John 5:14-15
Unanswerable prayer , James 4:3
Persistent prayer, Luke 11:5-8, 18:1-8
Seeking God's presence when in prayer...
Prayer changes the pray-er
All to experience the heart of God....."
We have whole books on the discipline of prayer, all the prayers in the Bible, prayer walking, the Lord's Prayer, how we ought to pray, the "how to" of praying, what stances to take when praying, etc, etc, etc...but the bottom line comes down to " just do it"...honestly, with honest words, honest feelings, willingly, freely, giving thanks, confessing, asking, listening....God is there waiting, in the garden of our being...waiting for that fellowship that He designed us for...
Thank YOU for the freedom to pray...help me be faithful in that part of my life...
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ
Luke 11 :1-13 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Be still....
Be still....
One only has to watch a few minutes of the news, to feel the fears, the wrestling of good and evil which then can permeate our lives with no peace, no stillness, fretfulness.....underlying unrest.....
I was thinking of this yesterday, late I to the night...overcoming fears with God's Word and this awakening to this Jesus calling devo....
God speaks to our hearts and minds and souls ...he knows what we are about each nano second of our lives...
Putting God's peace Into practice take time, concentration, listening.... My mind keeps saying, "but....What about this or that?"...again and again He brings me back....why do I have such a hard time learning?
He has provided each new day to learn anew, deeper lessons and sometimes I feel like lesson 101 instead of 102 or 103....putting it down again and again, leaving those fretful times in His more than capable hands....
Thank YOU for your infinite patience, you infinite love and care...Your stillness....Your ultimate victory....
Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Jesus calling-September 3
Let the dew of My Presence refresh your mind and heart. So many, many things vie for your attention in this complex world of instant communication. The world has changed enormously since I first gave the command to be still and know that I am God. However, this timeless truth is essential for the well-being of your soul. As dew refreshes grass and flowers during the stillness of the night, so My Presence revitalizes you as you sit quietly with Me.
A refreshed, revitalized mind is able to sort out what is important and what is not. In its natural condition, your mind easily gets stuck on trivial matters. Like the spinning wheels of a car trapped in mud, the cogs of your brain spin impotently when you focus on a trivial thing. As soon as you start communicating with Me about the matter, your thoughts gain traction and you can move on to more important things. Communicate with Me continually, and I will put My thoughts into your mind.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
—Psalm 46:10
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
—Luke 10:39–42
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
—1 Corinthians 14:33 nkjv
One only has to watch a few minutes of the news, to feel the fears, the wrestling of good and evil which then can permeate our lives with no peace, no stillness, fretfulness.....underlying unrest.....
I was thinking of this yesterday, late I to the night...overcoming fears with God's Word and this awakening to this Jesus calling devo....
God speaks to our hearts and minds and souls ...he knows what we are about each nano second of our lives...
Putting God's peace Into practice take time, concentration, listening.... My mind keeps saying, "but....What about this or that?"...again and again He brings me back....why do I have such a hard time learning?
He has provided each new day to learn anew, deeper lessons and sometimes I feel like lesson 101 instead of 102 or 103....putting it down again and again, leaving those fretful times in His more than capable hands....
Thank YOU for your infinite patience, you infinite love and care...Your stillness....Your ultimate victory....
Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 NIV
Jesus calling-September 3
Let the dew of My Presence refresh your mind and heart. So many, many things vie for your attention in this complex world of instant communication. The world has changed enormously since I first gave the command to be still and know that I am God. However, this timeless truth is essential for the well-being of your soul. As dew refreshes grass and flowers during the stillness of the night, so My Presence revitalizes you as you sit quietly with Me.
A refreshed, revitalized mind is able to sort out what is important and what is not. In its natural condition, your mind easily gets stuck on trivial matters. Like the spinning wheels of a car trapped in mud, the cogs of your brain spin impotently when you focus on a trivial thing. As soon as you start communicating with Me about the matter, your thoughts gain traction and you can move on to more important things. Communicate with Me continually, and I will put My thoughts into your mind.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
—Psalm 46:10
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
—Luke 10:39–42
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
—1 Corinthians 14:33 nkjv
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
At a convention....
At A convention...
I haven't dreamed about my husband for awhile and never really know when those dreams will come..no real pattern...
Last night I dreamed I was attending a convention with him....so many people...and it seemed he had to talk to them all....like going to a geology convention with him in the past...many I knew and many I didn't....he just kept going deeper and deeper into the crowd until I lost him...i could hear his voice, so knew he was nearby as he continued to visit with this person and that....until at last the convention was over...people leaving and he was still visiting as they left one by one...and then he was gone, leaving me in a strange new world....with new people, new place...and his voice wasn't there anymore...I searched and searched until I woke up...not wanting to continue the dream....I was living it...
Widowhood is a new world..new adventures, different Stresses...and it goes on and on...you hear the voices of the past, the pictures are forever there, but you are in a new place....not yet explored by you...
As time moves forward, things may settle into some kind of pattern, but there is always those time slots that don't quite match, those voices, a gait in someone's walk that reminds you, or even a shirt worn by a stranger that are flashbacks....little pieces of times long gone...a touch, a flower vase, a handkerchief, a note stuck to a slip of paper..."you are an awesome wife! love..."
Thank YOU, God, for past times, the loved ones you have loaned for a time...they are yours....as I am....held in an open hand...even when we want to hold them tightly...
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me… For when I am weak, then I am strong.
—2 Corinthians 12:9–10
"“For in him we live and move and have our being.”
—Acts 17:28"
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
—Colossians 2:6–7
“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
—John 14:20
I haven't dreamed about my husband for awhile and never really know when those dreams will come..no real pattern...
Last night I dreamed I was attending a convention with him....so many people...and it seemed he had to talk to them all....like going to a geology convention with him in the past...many I knew and many I didn't....he just kept going deeper and deeper into the crowd until I lost him...i could hear his voice, so knew he was nearby as he continued to visit with this person and that....until at last the convention was over...people leaving and he was still visiting as they left one by one...and then he was gone, leaving me in a strange new world....with new people, new place...and his voice wasn't there anymore...I searched and searched until I woke up...not wanting to continue the dream....I was living it...
Widowhood is a new world..new adventures, different Stresses...and it goes on and on...you hear the voices of the past, the pictures are forever there, but you are in a new place....not yet explored by you...
As time moves forward, things may settle into some kind of pattern, but there is always those time slots that don't quite match, those voices, a gait in someone's walk that reminds you, or even a shirt worn by a stranger that are flashbacks....little pieces of times long gone...a touch, a flower vase, a handkerchief, a note stuck to a slip of paper..."you are an awesome wife! love..."
Thank YOU, God, for past times, the loved ones you have loaned for a time...they are yours....as I am....held in an open hand...even when we want to hold them tightly...
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me… For when I am weak, then I am strong.
—2 Corinthians 12:9–10
"“For in him we live and move and have our being.”
—Acts 17:28"
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
—Colossians 2:6–7
“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
—John 14:20
Monday, September 1, 2014
What makes us feel good....
What make us feel good......
There are studies out there about what makes us feel good inside about ourselves, what fills up our "emotional tank"....one of the avenues is our love languages..do we like one of the following more than the others?
Words of affirmation, people tell us we did a great job or words that encourages us...
Quality time, people spending time with us ....
Acts of service, people doing something for us ,or with us....
Physical touch, others touching us, holding hands, a hug...
Receiving gifts, others giving gifts to us...small to big,
The book to read is "The 5 love languages ". By Gary Chapman, plus one can take a quiz online to find out which one you are......there quizzes for children, singles, married couples....
Take the quiz at...........http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/
Not that we don't like all of them from time to time, but one in particular feeds our emotional being more than the others.....and when that part is not being taken care of, we may feel down emotionally and wonder why we can't feel good about ourselves....
And we will tend to do for others what is good for us...that is key....
If we desire words of affirmation, we will affirm others ...
Of if we like receiving gifts, we get gifts for others....and so on...
Plus, if what we give to others, words....gifts...touch...service...time and the don't receive it, we feel rejected and hurt...
The key is find out what their love language is and do that for them....then they will feel good and we will also...
I can just imagine, being a disciple of Jesus, being around Him all the time, the Creator of the universe and all that is in it,....what did he do with each disciple to fill their emotional beings? He touched that who needed touching; He gave of His time to those who needed time spent; He affirmed those who need encouragement; He gave gifts to those who needed gifts and He did acts of service to those who needed them....
If you read through the four Gospels, you can find all of them ...He didn't reject anyone who sincerely sought Him....He dealt with each person according to his needs...and He was glorified...as was His Father....
thank YOU for dealing with me according to my needs...help me to look at others and deal likewise..with words, service, time, gifts, touch...so that they feel loved as well...and not bruised over and over again...in their inner most being...
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John....a good read...
"In the same way, it will benefit your friends and loved ones to know your love language and express his affection for you in ways that you interpret as love. Every time you or they speak one another’s language, you score emotional points with one another. Of course, this isn’t a game with a scorecard! The payoff of speaking each other’s love language is more of a feeling of “this person understands me and cares for me.” This translates into better communication, increased understanding, and, ultimately, improved relationship." From the love language website....
There are studies out there about what makes us feel good inside about ourselves, what fills up our "emotional tank"....one of the avenues is our love languages..do we like one of the following more than the others?
Words of affirmation, people tell us we did a great job or words that encourages us...
Quality time, people spending time with us ....
Acts of service, people doing something for us ,or with us....
Physical touch, others touching us, holding hands, a hug...
Receiving gifts, others giving gifts to us...small to big,
The book to read is "The 5 love languages ". By Gary Chapman, plus one can take a quiz online to find out which one you are......there quizzes for children, singles, married couples....
Take the quiz at...........http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/
Not that we don't like all of them from time to time, but one in particular feeds our emotional being more than the others.....and when that part is not being taken care of, we may feel down emotionally and wonder why we can't feel good about ourselves....
And we will tend to do for others what is good for us...that is key....
If we desire words of affirmation, we will affirm others ...
Of if we like receiving gifts, we get gifts for others....and so on...
Plus, if what we give to others, words....gifts...touch...service...time and the don't receive it, we feel rejected and hurt...
The key is find out what their love language is and do that for them....then they will feel good and we will also...
I can just imagine, being a disciple of Jesus, being around Him all the time, the Creator of the universe and all that is in it,....what did he do with each disciple to fill their emotional beings? He touched that who needed touching; He gave of His time to those who needed time spent; He affirmed those who need encouragement; He gave gifts to those who needed gifts and He did acts of service to those who needed them....
If you read through the four Gospels, you can find all of them ...He didn't reject anyone who sincerely sought Him....He dealt with each person according to his needs...and He was glorified...as was His Father....
thank YOU for dealing with me according to my needs...help me to look at others and deal likewise..with words, service, time, gifts, touch...so that they feel loved as well...and not bruised over and over again...in their inner most being...
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John....a good read...
"In the same way, it will benefit your friends and loved ones to know your love language and express his affection for you in ways that you interpret as love. Every time you or they speak one another’s language, you score emotional points with one another. Of course, this isn’t a game with a scorecard! The payoff of speaking each other’s love language is more of a feeling of “this person understands me and cares for me.” This translates into better communication, increased understanding, and, ultimately, improved relationship." From the love language website....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)