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 [ ה 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.
Monday, September 8, 2014
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....
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