Yes, I am going there.
Swearing.
everyone has there own opinion of what a swear word is or isn't. that isn't really what I am talking about.
I'm not going to debate on whether you should or shouldn't say crap or fart or stupid. I could care less.
I do think that there is a difference between taking the Lord's name in vain and swearing. There is never a reason to take the Lord's name in vain. When I say swearing, I am talking about those "bad words." Cuss words. Those little 4 letter words. Not gonna list em either.
When I was younger, I used to swear all the time. I thought it made me look cool. Stupid huh.
But now.
I have matured a tiny bit. And I really want to put away that kind of talk. I am honestly trying to have wholesome language. Those who know me well know this.
I think wholesome language isn't just.... not swearing. But also not talking about inappropriate things at inappropriate times.
That one gets me.
For the sake of being honest, I struggle with crude talk. I used to think that talking dirty was funny.
But well... Then God....
And I don't mean "Then God" like He's all up there trying to take the fun out of things.
I mean it in the sense that when you ask him to make you more like him and to change you into a better person, don't be surprised when He shows you some things about yourself that need to be changed.
Ephesians 5:3&4 - But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
It has been a process, and I don't really know if I am winning the battle, but I am trying to put a bridle in my mouth when these jokes are the 1st thing that pops into my mind. I think sometimes I fail more then I win. Trust me.
A couple months ago I was having a conversation with my Mom, sisters and my nieces. We were talking about swearing. 1 of my nieces had posted a swear word on a social media site and I had commented to her about it. I told her why it wasn't appropriate and why we as Christians should abstain from swearing.
The girls listened. But I don't know if it changed anything. I was kinda staunch in my thoughts and feelings towards the girls, kind... but not really understanding. I wasn't in an environment where I had to listen to it day in and day out. My friends and family don't talk like that and so it isn't in my ear all the time.
Fast forward a couple months.
I was at a local high school with Maddie at some auditions for next year, and while she was doing what she was doing, I was listening and watching what was going on around me. ( I love to people watch. You learn so very much! ) And I was literally taken aback by all the vulgar and foul language going on around me. These kids were talking like sailors. It was such filth that it actually made me blush.
This isn't the 1st time that I have experienced such talk on school grounds. While at Nathan's soccer practice, I was surprised to hear the kids swearing ( the f bomb ) and the coaches not doing anything about it. And for people reading this, don't dare think that this is a Christian school / private school thing. It's not. It's just the kids at a Christian school don't do it around teachers.
Fast forward to now.
Now I have a new job. I work with a bunch of men. It's just me and the other secretary (who is a woman) and the language that is in my ear and in my head now is constant.
I have a whole new perspective on swearing.
Because I listen to it on such regular basis I have caught myself in just day to day conversation on the verge of saying words that I don't normally say.
I have a little bit more understanding for my kids. They are inundated with such filth, that they have to be taught to renew their mind daily in order to even have a fighting chance to stop it.
1 Peter 4:11a - If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Proverbs 21:23 - He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
Proversbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
There are so many more verses on what the Bible has to say about our speech.
I don't say all of this to condemn people who swear. Truly that is not why I wrote this. The words that come out of your mouth are between you and God.
I wrote this to say this... that I am grateful for the insight that I have now on this subject and how I can understand a little better the world that my children live in. Maybe instead of disciplining the kids for every infraction, we should have some in depth conversations about why we do or don't do things. That was the absolute hardest thing for me as a teenager. Being told not to do something made me want to go out and do it. ( I know.... I was rebellious ) but don't tell me not to do something and then not give me a reason why I couldn't do it. The because I said so didn't work so hot with me. Half the time I just thought the adult telling me that didn't really have a good reason. ( don't feel like I am doggin on my parents, bc I don't really feel like they did that. I am talking about adults in general.)
I went to a public school for most of my school years. It is a completely different place now for my kids then when I was in school. ( and please don't turn this into a homeschool/private school/public school debate. I believe that is a personal choice and we should each seek God's leading in where we send our kids. And I believe that God has my kids right where He wants them. I believe that Christians need to be in the school systems. )
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I don't know what the answer to this is. I really don't. I want them to know how to be in the world but not of it. I want them to spend some time in the word daily renewing their minds. And I want to know and Love Jesus Christ.
And I know that I want my home to be a haven for my little family. That after a long day of all this ugly stuff being thrown at us that we can come HoMe and show each other some love and some GrAcE and some PeaCe. And that has never been so clear to me as now. That my home will be full of warmth and laughter and that that is what my kids will remember. I want it to be a place they want to come to instead of a place they want to leave.
Showing posts with label bible verses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible verses. Show all posts
Friday, December 5, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Weeping may endure for a night.....
I was talking to my friend quite a while ago. We were sharing things about our lives as good friends often do. She said something that has never really left me.
We were talking about this verse....
Psalm 30:5b - weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
We were both kinda going through a season of weeping. Where everything looked like it was falling apart and we just didn't understand why.
I think I made the comment "but our joy is coming."
She said something like "is it? We aren't promised anything until we get to heaven."
I didn't know how to answer her.
Because I was wondering if she was kinda right.
God's word is so full of promises. Things we can cling to, but we may never see come to fruition in our life time.
My favorite stories in the bible is the stories of the Isrealites and how God brought them out of Egypt, how he brought them through 40 years of wandering in the desert bc of their sin and how he brought them into the promise land, about how God fought for them in the promise land. I love how God supplied their every need during the whole time. But yet they grumbled and complained and still turned from him. And how God would bring them back to him every time. Deuteronomy 30 is one of my favorite chapters and one that I try and apply my life to even still. You have a choice, to choose life or to choose death. The choice is yours.
Vs 19-20 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses, Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him, For the Lord is your life and he will give you many years in the land he swore he will give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Doesn't that give you chills??
I have come back to these verses many many times since I first read it.
How do I put into practice these things? How do I choose life?
Vs 16 - For I command your today to love the Lord your God to walk in obedience to him and to keep his commands decrees and laws then you will live and increase and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
These verses have been a balm to me. They truly have. There have been so many times when I have fretted over different things, about making a decision or what should I do or where should I go or whatever it may be.....
But I really don't have to fret over it.
I just have to obey today what God is telling me to do. I just have to seek him today. To love him today. And tomorrow will work out.
So what does this all have to do with joy comes in the morning??
It has been a while since I have had that conversation with my friend.
Our little family has been through it. Our "season of weeping" while hard, and seemingly unending at times....
I have seen JoY.
Amazing joy.
I have seen God do some incredible things in our life. Things that only God himself could do. He has stilled the raging waters. He has turned the desert into a lush pastures.
I LoVe Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
I think the key to it all is finding the joy in the weeping.
Because it's there.
I promise.
Look for it today.
I know at times it hard to see any good come from your situation.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
But good will come. One day you will see it.
In those dark days, when you think you can barely hold your head above the water think of these verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8 - The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you, Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.
Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
You will go through hard times in your life. Seasons of weeping, sometimes seemingly unending seasons.
They will not overwhelm you, you will not be burned, it will not consume you.
One of the hardest things you will ever have to do, but is one of the best things you can do is this:
1 Thes 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
In everything. give thanks.
When one of your best friends dies of cancer.
Give thanks.
Because she is now with her heavenly father. Pain free.
When your husband loses his job. again.
Give thanks.
Because God has something different in store.
When you can't pay that bill.
Give thanks.
Because God promises that he will meet your every need.
And he will.
Even when you don't see how.
joy will come.
and give thanks when it does.
So while God's word is full of promises that I am never see in my life, I do know that when he says that life can be found in choosing His way, I'm going to believe it.
We were talking about this verse....
Psalm 30:5b - weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
We were both kinda going through a season of weeping. Where everything looked like it was falling apart and we just didn't understand why.
I think I made the comment "but our joy is coming."
She said something like "is it? We aren't promised anything until we get to heaven."
I didn't know how to answer her.
Because I was wondering if she was kinda right.
God's word is so full of promises. Things we can cling to, but we may never see come to fruition in our life time.
My favorite stories in the bible is the stories of the Isrealites and how God brought them out of Egypt, how he brought them through 40 years of wandering in the desert bc of their sin and how he brought them into the promise land, about how God fought for them in the promise land. I love how God supplied their every need during the whole time. But yet they grumbled and complained and still turned from him. And how God would bring them back to him every time. Deuteronomy 30 is one of my favorite chapters and one that I try and apply my life to even still. You have a choice, to choose life or to choose death. The choice is yours.
Vs 19-20 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses, Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him, For the Lord is your life and he will give you many years in the land he swore he will give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Doesn't that give you chills??
I have come back to these verses many many times since I first read it.
How do I put into practice these things? How do I choose life?
Vs 16 - For I command your today to love the Lord your God to walk in obedience to him and to keep his commands decrees and laws then you will live and increase and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
These verses have been a balm to me. They truly have. There have been so many times when I have fretted over different things, about making a decision or what should I do or where should I go or whatever it may be.....
But I really don't have to fret over it.
I just have to obey today what God is telling me to do. I just have to seek him today. To love him today. And tomorrow will work out.
So what does this all have to do with joy comes in the morning??
It has been a while since I have had that conversation with my friend.
Our little family has been through it. Our "season of weeping" while hard, and seemingly unending at times....
I have seen JoY.
Amazing joy.
I have seen God do some incredible things in our life. Things that only God himself could do. He has stilled the raging waters. He has turned the desert into a lush pastures.
I LoVe Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
I think the key to it all is finding the joy in the weeping.
Because it's there.
I promise.
Look for it today.
I know at times it hard to see any good come from your situation.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
But good will come. One day you will see it.
In those dark days, when you think you can barely hold your head above the water think of these verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8 - The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you, Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.
Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
You will go through hard times in your life. Seasons of weeping, sometimes seemingly unending seasons.
They will not overwhelm you, you will not be burned, it will not consume you.
One of the hardest things you will ever have to do, but is one of the best things you can do is this:
1 Thes 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
In everything. give thanks.
When one of your best friends dies of cancer.
Give thanks.
Because she is now with her heavenly father. Pain free.
When your husband loses his job. again.
Give thanks.
Because God has something different in store.
When you can't pay that bill.
Give thanks.
Because God promises that he will meet your every need.
And he will.
Even when you don't see how.
joy will come.
and give thanks when it does.
So while God's word is full of promises that I am never see in my life, I do know that when he says that life can be found in choosing His way, I'm going to believe it.
Friday, November 1, 2013
The Lord will fulfill his purpose
Ever have one of those morning where you come before the throne of Grace....empty, drained, sad, needing to be filled with life that only God can give?
That was me today. Life can sometimes just...drain me. Making it impossible to face yet another day without coming into the Presence of God and his life giving words.
Psalm 138:7-8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
That was me today. Life can sometimes just...drain me. Making it impossible to face yet another day without coming into the Presence of God and his life giving words.
Psalm 138:7-8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
God knows all about what I am walking through. About the tight ropes of having to deal with people. Of not knowing who or what to believe. Of having that energy being drained from you with having to watch your every word and action.
People can be ugly. 2 faced. They can be out to really hurt you, to lie to you.
I have a purpose in every place that I am in. God has a purpose for me. How can I not take joy in that?? He not only has a purpose but he will fulfill it. Not me. But God will fulfill it.
I don't have to worry about the outcome of anything. I just have to rest. To rest that God really does have this. That none of it took him by surprise and he will protect and DELIVER me!!
And in the meantime.....
His steadfast love.....it gives me strength.
He has poured out his grace to me when I least deserve it.
How can I not in turn pour it on others who least deserve it?
I can rest in the fact that He will not forsake me. He is faithful.
I am sanctified and redeemed.
These verses mean oh so much to me. What a promise that I never want to forget.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Life and Peace
Hello there.
Has anyone else noticed how silent my blog has been? I have noticed, but have ignored it.
It's not that I haven't had anything to say, its well.....I didn't know how to say it or where to even begin. How to even describe what is going on in my head and my heart.
So I was silent.
And I still don't quite know if I will get the words right, or if at the end of this it will be anything even remotely to what I wanted to try and say.....
But here goes.
God.
A 3 letter word that means......so much.
And this God, has been wiping the old away in my life. He has been truly killing the old self, and molding me into something completely different. Something completely new. And with all humbleness, hopefully something more like him.
I feel like that tiny little seed that has been buried in the ground and then slowly, finally after a long winter, there is a little bit of green popping up. And it has turned from a tiny little seed into something new, something fresh.
My verse that I have clung to is this:
2 Corinthians 4: 7-8
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
This summer has been a summer of affliction. It seemed we were hit on all sides, one thing after another. At one point, I didn't even know if I could lift my head. I have been perplexed, and I have been struck down. But God in his graciousness taught me that He was the lifter of my head. He was my strength.
Psalm 3:3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I can't tell you exactly how, but through prayer, and BEGGING God to.........to show himself, to teach me.....to pour his love onto me......somehow.....He did.
I think through all this.....stuff......God has wanted one thing from me.
To die daily to myself.
And it has been death to get me to that point.
I have spent many many phone conversations, texts and emails with my dear dear friends talking this thing out.....
what it means to die to oneself so that God may be gloried in you.
I STRUGGLED.....with this......
Romans 8:5-6
For those who live according to flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.
To set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.
Don't we all want life and peace????
This summer.....was not life and peace.
I wanted none of it. I would have chosen not ONE thing this summer to have to go through.
This summer was death and war.
But the bible says.....to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.
I wanted.....no I want.....life and peace.
But more then even that, I want to be led by the Spirit.
God certainly has a sense of humor.
Everywhere I have turned these past months, I have been bombarded with.....dieing to self......so that Christ may be magnified. To say YES.....to whatever God has for me. To be available. To be an ambassador for Christ. (I just started a new bible study at church and it is called.....what happens when woman say yes to God. Yes. I believe God is trying to tell me something.)
I don't know what He wants from me. There isn't a huge sign saying......Julie, this is what you are to do with the rest of your life. But for now....I think he just wants to know if I am willing.
I still don't necessarily have an answer about how living in the spirit is life and peace.
I ran across this quote in a bible study I did this summer.....
I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned....are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty?
Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter....A quiet heart is content with what God gives. ~ Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart
Love it.
A quiet heart is content with what God gives.
Good or bad.
Death or War.
I will be content.
This is what I know......
That I want to follow hard after God.
That I want to have a relationship with the God of the universe. The God who loves me and knows me by name. That the God of the universe, is the lifter of my head and the one who sings over his children.
I know that I want to have a heart that says Yes to Him. That I will see those around me and be burdened that they may lost and spending an eternity in hell.
I want God to use me. To make a difference in someones life.
I want to be ok with whatever God has for me. Even if it seems like it is killing me. Even if while I am going through it I am afflicted and perplexed and persecuted and struck down. For I KNOW I will not be crushed or driven to despair or forsaken or destroyed.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.
And that my friends.....is life and peace.
Has anyone else noticed how silent my blog has been? I have noticed, but have ignored it.
It's not that I haven't had anything to say, its well.....I didn't know how to say it or where to even begin. How to even describe what is going on in my head and my heart.
So I was silent.
And I still don't quite know if I will get the words right, or if at the end of this it will be anything even remotely to what I wanted to try and say.....
But here goes.
God.
A 3 letter word that means......so much.
And this God, has been wiping the old away in my life. He has been truly killing the old self, and molding me into something completely different. Something completely new. And with all humbleness, hopefully something more like him.
I feel like that tiny little seed that has been buried in the ground and then slowly, finally after a long winter, there is a little bit of green popping up. And it has turned from a tiny little seed into something new, something fresh.
My verse that I have clung to is this:
2 Corinthians 4: 7-8
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
This summer has been a summer of affliction. It seemed we were hit on all sides, one thing after another. At one point, I didn't even know if I could lift my head. I have been perplexed, and I have been struck down. But God in his graciousness taught me that He was the lifter of my head. He was my strength.
Psalm 3:3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I can't tell you exactly how, but through prayer, and BEGGING God to.........to show himself, to teach me.....to pour his love onto me......somehow.....He did.
I think through all this.....stuff......God has wanted one thing from me.
To die daily to myself.
And it has been death to get me to that point.
I have spent many many phone conversations, texts and emails with my dear dear friends talking this thing out.....
what it means to die to oneself so that God may be gloried in you.
I STRUGGLED.....with this......
Romans 8:5-6
For those who live according to flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.
To set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.
Don't we all want life and peace????
This summer.....was not life and peace.
I wanted none of it. I would have chosen not ONE thing this summer to have to go through.
This summer was death and war.
But the bible says.....to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace.
I wanted.....no I want.....life and peace.
But more then even that, I want to be led by the Spirit.
God certainly has a sense of humor.
Everywhere I have turned these past months, I have been bombarded with.....dieing to self......so that Christ may be magnified. To say YES.....to whatever God has for me. To be available. To be an ambassador for Christ. (I just started a new bible study at church and it is called.....what happens when woman say yes to God. Yes. I believe God is trying to tell me something.)
I don't know what He wants from me. There isn't a huge sign saying......Julie, this is what you are to do with the rest of your life. But for now....I think he just wants to know if I am willing.
I still don't necessarily have an answer about how living in the spirit is life and peace.
I ran across this quote in a bible study I did this summer.....
I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned....are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty?
Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter....A quiet heart is content with what God gives. ~ Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart
Love it.
A quiet heart is content with what God gives.
Good or bad.
Death or War.
I will be content.
This is what I know......
That I want to follow hard after God.
That I want to have a relationship with the God of the universe. The God who loves me and knows me by name. That the God of the universe, is the lifter of my head and the one who sings over his children.
I know that I want to have a heart that says Yes to Him. That I will see those around me and be burdened that they may lost and spending an eternity in hell.
I want God to use me. To make a difference in someones life.
I want to be ok with whatever God has for me. Even if it seems like it is killing me. Even if while I am going through it I am afflicted and perplexed and persecuted and struck down. For I KNOW I will not be crushed or driven to despair or forsaken or destroyed.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.
And that my friends.....is life and peace.
Monday, July 16, 2012
My heart is a little heavy this morning. There are a couple different things on my mind.
Sometimes things happen in life. You can't stop them from happening anymore then you can stop the wind from blowing.
I had a whole different post already written for this morning. But it wasn't.......I don't know.....right.
Sometimes in life things happen and it isn't your lesson to learn. But it doesn't mean that it isn't any less hard.
Sometimes, it just downright sucks.
My calendar this month says this.....
Walk the paths of friendship with grace and understanding.
This saying has come back to me many times this month.
Sometimes things happen in life. You can't stop them from happening anymore then you can stop the wind from blowing.
I had a whole different post already written for this morning. But it wasn't.......I don't know.....right.
Sometimes in life things happen and it isn't your lesson to learn. But it doesn't mean that it isn't any less hard.
Sometimes, it just downright sucks.
My calendar this month says this.....
Walk the paths of friendship with grace and understanding.
This saying has come back to me many times this month.
Friday, July 13, 2012
A full heart
My heart is full this morning.
I am a journaler ( i don't think that is a real word, so consider it a Julieism ;) ) . I have been for a couple years now. I have time and again been so grateful that I am. I enjoy, every now and then, to go back and read what I have written.
Here is some of what I wrote a year ago today......
Psalm 21:2-4
Thou hast given him his hearts desire, and hast not withholden the request from his lips. Thou prevented him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of thee and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
I am still in wonder that I am even pregnant. 18 weeks now have gone by very slow. I fell asleep last to the baby doing what felt like somersaults in my belly. What a WoNdeR. I told J that I think the baby knows when I am going to fall asleep, cuz that is when she starts working out. :)
For thou hast given me my hearts desire and hast not withholden the request from my lips. I asked LiFe of you Lord and you have it to me. I feel like this blessing is like a crown of pure gold on my head.
Lord, I know that you have knit this child in my womb. You are making every part of who she is. You love this baby more then I ever will. Lord, what I ask of you today is that I may be worthy of the calling of wife and mother that you have blessed me with. May I be a joyful mother to my children. May they look back on their life and remember laughter in our house. May they look back on their life and remember how much they are l.o.v.e.d. by you Lord and by me.
God is good. No matter what you are going through today friend. He is good through the bad, the hard and the good times of life. If you have followed my blog at all, you know we have had some bad and some hard in our life. We have also had some good. God has never failed us. He has always remained faithful. He has always remained GoOd.
I am a journaler ( i don't think that is a real word, so consider it a Julieism ;) ) . I have been for a couple years now. I have time and again been so grateful that I am. I enjoy, every now and then, to go back and read what I have written.
Here is some of what I wrote a year ago today......
Psalm 21:2-4
Thou hast given him his hearts desire, and hast not withholden the request from his lips. Thou prevented him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of thee and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
I am still in wonder that I am even pregnant. 18 weeks now have gone by very slow. I fell asleep last to the baby doing what felt like somersaults in my belly. What a WoNdeR. I told J that I think the baby knows when I am going to fall asleep, cuz that is when she starts working out. :)
For thou hast given me my hearts desire and hast not withholden the request from my lips. I asked LiFe of you Lord and you have it to me. I feel like this blessing is like a crown of pure gold on my head.
Lord, I know that you have knit this child in my womb. You are making every part of who she is. You love this baby more then I ever will. Lord, what I ask of you today is that I may be worthy of the calling of wife and mother that you have blessed me with. May I be a joyful mother to my children. May they look back on their life and remember laughter in our house. May they look back on their life and remember how much they are l.o.v.e.d. by you Lord and by me.
God is good. No matter what you are going through today friend. He is good through the bad, the hard and the good times of life. If you have followed my blog at all, you know we have had some bad and some hard in our life. We have also had some good. God has never failed us. He has always remained faithful. He has always remained GoOd.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Emma and I read today in Psalms. I read to her how she was fearfully and wonderfully made. And how God created her her inmost being, and how He knit her together in my womb. I am not ashamed to say that I was crying as I was reading to her. I was just overcome with thanksgiving at the precious little gift that God has given to me.
Later I read these verses and they have sort of stuck with me today.....
Psalm 141:3-4 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.
Just a thought.....I wonder why he is talking about our words and guarding what we say and then in the next breath he says.....do not let me eat their delicacies. That little tidbit is thrown in there and it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense right there. Do you think it's just because they were talking about the mouth, or do you think it was something more?
Really, I would like to know your thoughts on it.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
That the works of God might be displayed
James 5: 15 and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Doesn't this verse make sickness so simple. That if your sick all you have to do is pray, and your sickness will be healed.
I know that this verse is true. That God will heal. He said it so I know it to be true.
I also know that He chooses not to.
And that can be the hard part.
How I wish that I could just pray and maddie would be healed from her diabetes. I have prayed and begged God to heal her.
But she still is diabetic.
I dont doubt God.
I KNOW God can heal her. I know he just needs to utter the words.
But she is still diabetic.
John 9: 1 ~ 3 as he went along, he saw a blind man from birth. His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus. But this happened that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Can I just say wow!!
I dont know what God has in store for little maddie. I dont know why he chose Maddie to be diabetic.
But I know..that the Lord allowed this in her life.
I know...that he has chosen not to heal her.
I know that God hears my cry to heal her.
I know that God still does heal.
I know that all things work together for good and for his glory.
Today I can rest assured that He has my precious child wrapped in the palm of his hand. He has watched over her for 7 years now. He isn't going to stop now.
Today I rejoice in the fact that.....this has happened that the works of God might be displayed.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Made to Crave
Lord, I have felt so much like giving up lately. I don't really know why. Nothing has really happened of late. It's just a small voice asking me if all of this is really worth it. I know that it is worth it. I think I just feel like quite the failure sometimes. Not in 1 giant way. But in 1,000 little ones. This made to crave journey is so much harder then I would have ever imagined. I wonder if I can really even call it a made to crave journey any more! ;) I have allowed some sweets into my life. The crazy thing to me is that now is when I have started losing weight again. I am smart about what I eat. If I do eat something "bad" then I don't pig out on it anymore. And I make sure that I get my exercise in for that day. But, still that food that is not beneficial to me is what I choose to eat. If you have eaten the peanut butter M&M's then you know what I am talking about!! ;)
I have said from the beginning that this isn't about losing weight. That it's about craving God above all else. I desire to crave God above my craving for those wonderfully perfect M&M's. But I wonder if I have sort of deceived myself. You see. I do want to lose weight. I was stuck at 10 pounds for 4 weeks. 4 weeks and not a single pound lost. To say that I was frustrated is the understatement of the year!! I was eating right and exercising but NOT LOSING ANYTHING!! So finally under the advice of my wise friend....I pigged out 1 night. I didn't gorge myself. And by the end of the week I was down 2 pounds!! FINALLY!!
I say all that to say.....that, yes, I desire to know God. I want him to feed me with some real truth from his word. But I DO want to lose weight also. And somehow....somehow the 2 corelate.
I think I would do ok if it weren't for school. We start making lunch and the smell of the cookies or the brownies sends all my resolve out the window. That craving smacks me across the face and almost demands me to eat it.
I do have to wonder if that is how an addict feels about his drugs. It's almost something that you just have no control over. No power to stop. I feel almost powerless when it comes to these cravings.
But then God.......
Then God reminds me of the truth of his word.
I know a couple things about God.....
1. God always makes a way of escape.
2.This craving is not bigger then God.
3. God will not give me something that is bigger then I can handle.
1 Corin 10:13~There hath no temptation taken you but such as in common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This verse is proof of all things truths to me.
Another thing I know is that God is the one who has kept me even TRYING to do this. If it were just me myself and I, I would probably be shoving fist fulls of M&M's into my mouth right about now. :0
So the truth of this journey is this.....
-yes, it is hard
-yes, I have cheated
-but I am still continuing toward this long term goal that I have.
-I haven't given up
-I still desire for God to be real in my life
-I still desire God to use my life for his glory and honor
-and God HAS made his power real in my life by just the meer fact that we are going on not quite 2 months of this and he alone has sustained me. Even when I have felt like giving up and felt like nothing was happening and it just plain wasn't worth it to me.
- I have lost 13 pounds!!
Psalm 73:2~But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps has well nigh slipped,
~ 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
I have been reminded of a friend who is fighting some very real and very angry demons right now. I am sure that she is fighting some very real cravings in her life. Today, even more then I want the victory in my life over this "little, seemingly insignificant" demon of sugar. I beg you to give her the victory in her life. She is in a battle for her life. Pour your grace on her life Lord. Keep her safe. Show her your power today. Draw her to you in a very real and remarkable way. MAKE her to crave you more then anything else.
I have said from the beginning that this isn't about losing weight. That it's about craving God above all else. I desire to crave God above my craving for those wonderfully perfect M&M's. But I wonder if I have sort of deceived myself. You see. I do want to lose weight. I was stuck at 10 pounds for 4 weeks. 4 weeks and not a single pound lost. To say that I was frustrated is the understatement of the year!! I was eating right and exercising but NOT LOSING ANYTHING!! So finally under the advice of my wise friend....I pigged out 1 night. I didn't gorge myself. And by the end of the week I was down 2 pounds!! FINALLY!!
I say all that to say.....that, yes, I desire to know God. I want him to feed me with some real truth from his word. But I DO want to lose weight also. And somehow....somehow the 2 corelate.
I think I would do ok if it weren't for school. We start making lunch and the smell of the cookies or the brownies sends all my resolve out the window. That craving smacks me across the face and almost demands me to eat it.
I do have to wonder if that is how an addict feels about his drugs. It's almost something that you just have no control over. No power to stop. I feel almost powerless when it comes to these cravings.
But then God.......
Then God reminds me of the truth of his word.
I know a couple things about God.....
1. God always makes a way of escape.
2.This craving is not bigger then God.
3. God will not give me something that is bigger then I can handle.
1 Corin 10:13~There hath no temptation taken you but such as in common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This verse is proof of all things truths to me.
Another thing I know is that God is the one who has kept me even TRYING to do this. If it were just me myself and I, I would probably be shoving fist fulls of M&M's into my mouth right about now. :0
So the truth of this journey is this.....
-yes, it is hard
-yes, I have cheated
-but I am still continuing toward this long term goal that I have.
-I haven't given up
-I still desire for God to be real in my life
-I still desire God to use my life for his glory and honor
-and God HAS made his power real in my life by just the meer fact that we are going on not quite 2 months of this and he alone has sustained me. Even when I have felt like giving up and felt like nothing was happening and it just plain wasn't worth it to me.
- I have lost 13 pounds!!
Psalm 73:2~But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps has well nigh slipped,
~ 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
I have been reminded of a friend who is fighting some very real and very angry demons right now. I am sure that she is fighting some very real cravings in her life. Today, even more then I want the victory in my life over this "little, seemingly insignificant" demon of sugar. I beg you to give her the victory in her life. She is in a battle for her life. Pour your grace on her life Lord. Keep her safe. Show her your power today. Draw her to you in a very real and remarkable way. MAKE her to crave you more then anything else.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Happy Winter to you! We have had some snow lately. Dada has gotten into liking to shovel. If Daddy isn't here, the kids try to get outside before he gets home and "surprise" him with having the snow all shoveled. Brother particularly likes to do this.
It's Saturday. YAH!! I think this has been the longest 4 day week of school EVER!! It was bitterly cold yesterday. Every school canceled school yesterday except about 4. Ours included. I think everyone but me was in a foul mood. Anyway, glad it's over. The highlight of my day was my date with my Hubby. I have been looking forward to it all week. Time carved out for just him and I. We went to dinner and then browsed around our favorite stores.....Lowe's and Target!! :) (Sarah....I bought the green hat and mittens!! They were on clearance!! And they are lovely!!) It was nice to sit and talk or walk around hand in hand.
I have had a lovely time reconnecting with my Hubby. His schedule has changed ( we think for good) and now he is back on days!! I am so happy! I have enjoyed him so much this week. I think that the kids are just as happy.
Today's to do list......
clean bathrooms
vacuum
mop
dust
LAUNDRY ( I was caught up on it.....)
possibly make Kelsey Swanks famous cheesecake (which includes a trip to the store)
change sheets
take down the rest of the Christmas decorations (maybe) it's still winter, I can still have my snowmen up.
I already have laundry humming and the dishwasher going. (which I forgot until just now I can't do b/c the electrical in our old house can't handle both of them at the same time...oops!)
Hunny has to work today, so it's a good day to get all this accomplished. I personally like cleaning the house when He isn't here. I think I get more done.
But for now, I am enjoying my hot cup of coffee and doing something else that's on my to do list for today, something I have neglected....my blog. I love blogging!!
Today, Dada's goal is to go to the store and buy more beads. Dada and a couple girls at school want to make necklaces and bracelets to sell to help the homeless and children in the hospital. I don't exactly know how to encourage this. I don't want to squash her sense of wanting to help.....
Brother stayed the night last night with the neighbor kids. So it is pretty quiet in our house this morning!!
We celebrated Daddy's bday this past week. I love baking. I honestly do. I used to bake and bake and bake. I don't do nearly as much anymore b/c of Dada. So I was looking forward to making Daddy's cake. I think the kids have a radar for when I am going to bake. :) I can be in the kitchen all morning cooking, doing dishes etc, but as soon as I pull out the flour and sugar, the seem to just know that I am making something yummy. And in they come with their stools. Dada begged me to let her make her Daddy's cake. So I did. She took such pride in baking that cake for her Daddy.
(Do you like Brother's hair? That's another thing we did this week! Get him a hair cut!)
She refused any help from Brother but I did let him help decorate the cake. He picked out the sprinkles. :)
Can you tell they are Easter sprinkles??
I saw this note on the table after the kids went to bed.
I giggled. I thought it was funny.
Look what Daddy brought us home 1 day this week!
He brought us home our favorite candy. We had talked about a while ago about how they would taste in a cookie. So I tried making choc chip cookies but instead of using choc chips using the Reese's pieces. I don't recommend it. They weren't to good. :)
But Daddy said they were and ate them.
It's snowing a bit today. The snow looks like sparkly glitter falling to the ground. It is beautiful.
I was able to buy a new Bible study which I am kinda pumped about. It's by Beth Moore and its about the Life of Paul. It doesn't take long unlike some of her other ones and I think I am really going to enjoy it.
The past couple weeks I have been encouraged by the Lord. He has shown me verses early in the morning in the quiet time of my day and then later I can see how those simple verses have come to life in my daily living.
About a week ago Christ impressed upon my heart this verse.....
Prov 11:13~ A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
That week 2 different people told me "secrets." 1 was a hurt that they were facing and 1 was....well....something ;) But I have gone back to that verse many times this past week. I even copied the verse down and posted it up by my desk in my office at work. I think that its a great reminder for every day. I was talking to Beth the other day and she mentioned that where I work, especially in the kitchen is a place given to secrets or gossip. And I have thought of that before. So many people come in and share frustrations or just life at the moment. It has been good for me to be reminded of verses on the tongue. A couple other verses that I have enjoyed are
Prov. 18:1-2~ Through desire a man, having seperated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
I have read these verses for years many times over, but I never really understood what they meant until I looked them up in the NIV the other day. It was a W.O.W moment for me.
Prov. 18:1-2 (niv) ~ An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgement starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
UM....O.U.C.H.
Have you ever said things KNOWING that what you are about to say is GOING to start a fight with someone or KNOWING that you will offend them, but that's what you feel or that is Y.O.U.R. oPiNiOn about whatever.
I have. I am honestly trying to watch my tongue.
Another verse I have posted by my desk is.....
Psalm 141:3~ Set a watch O Lord before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
This verse sums it all up for me. This verse is the prayer of my soul. I want the words that come out of my mouth to be the words of Christ. I want truly desire Christ to be seen in and through me. That doesn't mean I am perfect. Cuz holy cow, I'm not. But it's my desire. And to me, that's the start of change.
It's Saturday. YAH!! I think this has been the longest 4 day week of school EVER!! It was bitterly cold yesterday. Every school canceled school yesterday except about 4. Ours included. I think everyone but me was in a foul mood. Anyway, glad it's over. The highlight of my day was my date with my Hubby. I have been looking forward to it all week. Time carved out for just him and I. We went to dinner and then browsed around our favorite stores.....Lowe's and Target!! :) (Sarah....I bought the green hat and mittens!! They were on clearance!! And they are lovely!!) It was nice to sit and talk or walk around hand in hand.
I have had a lovely time reconnecting with my Hubby. His schedule has changed ( we think for good) and now he is back on days!! I am so happy! I have enjoyed him so much this week. I think that the kids are just as happy.
Today's to do list......
clean bathrooms
vacuum
mop
dust
LAUNDRY ( I was caught up on it.....)
possibly make Kelsey Swanks famous cheesecake (which includes a trip to the store)
change sheets
take down the rest of the Christmas decorations (maybe) it's still winter, I can still have my snowmen up.
I already have laundry humming and the dishwasher going. (which I forgot until just now I can't do b/c the electrical in our old house can't handle both of them at the same time...oops!)
Hunny has to work today, so it's a good day to get all this accomplished. I personally like cleaning the house when He isn't here. I think I get more done.
But for now, I am enjoying my hot cup of coffee and doing something else that's on my to do list for today, something I have neglected....my blog. I love blogging!!
Today, Dada's goal is to go to the store and buy more beads. Dada and a couple girls at school want to make necklaces and bracelets to sell to help the homeless and children in the hospital. I don't exactly know how to encourage this. I don't want to squash her sense of wanting to help.....
Brother stayed the night last night with the neighbor kids. So it is pretty quiet in our house this morning!!
We celebrated Daddy's bday this past week. I love baking. I honestly do. I used to bake and bake and bake. I don't do nearly as much anymore b/c of Dada. So I was looking forward to making Daddy's cake. I think the kids have a radar for when I am going to bake. :) I can be in the kitchen all morning cooking, doing dishes etc, but as soon as I pull out the flour and sugar, the seem to just know that I am making something yummy. And in they come with their stools. Dada begged me to let her make her Daddy's cake. So I did. She took such pride in baking that cake for her Daddy.
(Do you like Brother's hair? That's another thing we did this week! Get him a hair cut!)
She refused any help from Brother but I did let him help decorate the cake. He picked out the sprinkles. :)
Can you tell they are Easter sprinkles??
I saw this note on the table after the kids went to bed.
I giggled. I thought it was funny.
Look what Daddy brought us home 1 day this week!
He brought us home our favorite candy. We had talked about a while ago about how they would taste in a cookie. So I tried making choc chip cookies but instead of using choc chips using the Reese's pieces. I don't recommend it. They weren't to good. :)
But Daddy said they were and ate them.
It's snowing a bit today. The snow looks like sparkly glitter falling to the ground. It is beautiful.
I was able to buy a new Bible study which I am kinda pumped about. It's by Beth Moore and its about the Life of Paul. It doesn't take long unlike some of her other ones and I think I am really going to enjoy it.
The past couple weeks I have been encouraged by the Lord. He has shown me verses early in the morning in the quiet time of my day and then later I can see how those simple verses have come to life in my daily living.
About a week ago Christ impressed upon my heart this verse.....
Prov 11:13~ A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
That week 2 different people told me "secrets." 1 was a hurt that they were facing and 1 was....well....something ;) But I have gone back to that verse many times this past week. I even copied the verse down and posted it up by my desk in my office at work. I think that its a great reminder for every day. I was talking to Beth the other day and she mentioned that where I work, especially in the kitchen is a place given to secrets or gossip. And I have thought of that before. So many people come in and share frustrations or just life at the moment. It has been good for me to be reminded of verses on the tongue. A couple other verses that I have enjoyed are
Prov. 18:1-2~ Through desire a man, having seperated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
I have read these verses for years many times over, but I never really understood what they meant until I looked them up in the NIV the other day. It was a W.O.W moment for me.
Prov. 18:1-2 (niv) ~ An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgement starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
UM....O.U.C.H.
Have you ever said things KNOWING that what you are about to say is GOING to start a fight with someone or KNOWING that you will offend them, but that's what you feel or that is Y.O.U.R. oPiNiOn about whatever.
I have. I am honestly trying to watch my tongue.
Another verse I have posted by my desk is.....
Psalm 141:3~ Set a watch O Lord before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
This verse sums it all up for me. This verse is the prayer of my soul. I want the words that come out of my mouth to be the words of Christ. I want truly desire Christ to be seen in and through me. That doesn't mean I am perfect. Cuz holy cow, I'm not. But it's my desire. And to me, that's the start of change.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wisdom and discretion
Last night, out of anger I posted a huge vent on my blog. I have since deleted it.
Proverbs 3:21-22~ My son, let not them depart from my eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul and grace unto thy neck.
This is 1 of the verses I read this morning.
UM..... ouch.
Sound wisdom and discretion.
Discretion......
dis·cre·tion/disˈkreSHən/Noun
1. The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
2. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.
Wisdom....
1.Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time and energy.
2. having good sense.
I used neither wisdom nor discretion in my venting and I just want to apologize.
vs 23 says ~ Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely and they foot shall not stumble.
Don't you hate it when you stumble? You you get tripped up on something and you fall flat on your face?
But don't you LOVE that you can come before the throne of grace and know that you will be forgiven.
Don't you wish that life had a delete button just like this blog has a delete button? Sometimes I think that it would make life so much easier.......but then how would we know the fullness of forgiveness and grace would we not stumble?
Tonight I am praying that discretion and wisdom not depart from in front of my eyes.
Proverbs 3:21-22~ My son, let not them depart from my eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul and grace unto thy neck.
This is 1 of the verses I read this morning.
UM..... ouch.
Sound wisdom and discretion.
Discretion......
dis·cre·tion/disˈkreSHən/Noun
1. The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.
2. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.
Wisdom....
1.Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time and energy.
2. having good sense.
I used neither wisdom nor discretion in my venting and I just want to apologize.
vs 23 says ~ Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely and they foot shall not stumble.
Don't you hate it when you stumble? You you get tripped up on something and you fall flat on your face?
But don't you LOVE that you can come before the throne of grace and know that you will be forgiven.
Don't you wish that life had a delete button just like this blog has a delete button? Sometimes I think that it would make life so much easier.......but then how would we know the fullness of forgiveness and grace would we not stumble?
Tonight I am praying that discretion and wisdom not depart from in front of my eyes.
They will still be Praising Thee......
Psalm 84:4~ Blessed are they that dwell in thy House: they will still be praising Thee. Selah
My hearts desire is to dwell in the House of God all my days. I never want to stop going to church. It is that important to me. I want to see my children grow and adopt this statute for themselves.
Blessed are they that dwell in the house for they will still be praising Thee.
This verse doesn't say....Blessed are they who attend __________. For they will still be praising Thee. It says they who dwell in Thy House.
I think that God has a church home for everyone. A particular place He wants everyone to serve. Sometimes I think we put God in our Baptist Box and think He can only work and move in a Baptist church.
When seeking a church to attend, you need to actively seek His face on the matter. I have no doubt that He will lead you to the right church. If He can lead the Isrealites through a desert, He can lead you to your church. He may not use pillar of fire or a cloud, but He WILL make it clear where you should go.
He will not lead you to a church with teaching of doctrinal issues that are false. I think you should be cautious to watch for doctrinal errors. I believe this with my WHOLE HEART.
Now that being said, there are a number of grey areas that aren't clear in the Bible. And I think this is where we put God in a box. So YOUR personal preferences aren't the same as mine, but that doesn't mean that where God leads me isn't right for me and vice versa.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: for they will still be praising thee.
That doesn't mean that the church God leads you will be perfect. You are not perfect, I am not perfect so our church cannot be perfect. But (in my opinion) it should be a place that you feel welcome and loved. Even if you have been gone a couple weeks, people shouldn't treat you like an outsider or a visitor, or make snide remarks about your absence, which so often happens. I know that I will be more conscientious about making people just feel welcome no matter how long they have been gone or why they haven't been there. Sometimes you don't know their situation or the whole story, and many times, no one bothers to ask.
I don't know what God has in the future for my Family. Maybe He will move us to Timbuktu or to the other side of town. But I know that I am content where God has me right now. Maybe that's b/c there isn't much I can do about it, and I choose to be, happy.... content...... OK?? where God has me at this time. The other choice I have is to be bitter about it? To me there isn't a point in that.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house for they will still be praising Thee.
Today, I choose to go to church b/c I want to. Not b/c MAN tells me that I have to go or else you are obviously backsliding. Not b/c I have to be at church everytime the doors are open (I still haven't come across that verse in my Bible reading) but b/c I want to be there. I choose to go to church b/c I love church with all it's flaws. B/c I am not perfect and God loves me flaws and all.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy House for they will still be praising Thee.
My hearts desire is to dwell in the House of God all my days. I never want to stop going to church. It is that important to me. I want to see my children grow and adopt this statute for themselves.
Blessed are they that dwell in the house for they will still be praising Thee.
This verse doesn't say....Blessed are they who attend __________. For they will still be praising Thee. It says they who dwell in Thy House.
I think that God has a church home for everyone. A particular place He wants everyone to serve. Sometimes I think we put God in our Baptist Box and think He can only work and move in a Baptist church.
When seeking a church to attend, you need to actively seek His face on the matter. I have no doubt that He will lead you to the right church. If He can lead the Isrealites through a desert, He can lead you to your church. He may not use pillar of fire or a cloud, but He WILL make it clear where you should go.
He will not lead you to a church with teaching of doctrinal issues that are false. I think you should be cautious to watch for doctrinal errors. I believe this with my WHOLE HEART.
Now that being said, there are a number of grey areas that aren't clear in the Bible. And I think this is where we put God in a box. So YOUR personal preferences aren't the same as mine, but that doesn't mean that where God leads me isn't right for me and vice versa.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: for they will still be praising thee.
That doesn't mean that the church God leads you will be perfect. You are not perfect, I am not perfect so our church cannot be perfect. But (in my opinion) it should be a place that you feel welcome and loved. Even if you have been gone a couple weeks, people shouldn't treat you like an outsider or a visitor, or make snide remarks about your absence, which so often happens. I know that I will be more conscientious about making people just feel welcome no matter how long they have been gone or why they haven't been there. Sometimes you don't know their situation or the whole story, and many times, no one bothers to ask.
I don't know what God has in the future for my Family. Maybe He will move us to Timbuktu or to the other side of town. But I know that I am content where God has me right now. Maybe that's b/c there isn't much I can do about it, and I choose to be, happy.... content...... OK?? where God has me at this time. The other choice I have is to be bitter about it? To me there isn't a point in that.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house for they will still be praising Thee.
Today, I choose to go to church b/c I want to. Not b/c MAN tells me that I have to go or else you are obviously backsliding. Not b/c I have to be at church everytime the doors are open (I still haven't come across that verse in my Bible reading) but b/c I want to be there. I choose to go to church b/c I love church with all it's flaws. B/c I am not perfect and God loves me flaws and all.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy House for they will still be praising Thee.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Last night I had an awful dream. I will spare you the details, but my dream brought up some very real fears that I have struggled with in my life. I woke up to my alarm remembering vividly my dreams. I got up and started to read my Bible. I had such a hard time concentrating on the verses I was reading. My mind just kept going back to my dream. I stopped reading and simply prayed that the Lord would clear my mind and put my mind to rest. I prayed that He would show me something that would last with me the day.
You know, sometimes you pray a little prayer and not really expect that it be answered, especially so quickly.
I continued to read and was soon struck smack in the forehead by this verse......
Proverbs 1:33~ But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell in safety and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
The Lord spoke directly to my heart and directly to my fears and told me that it would be alright. That He had it all under control.
I cannot tell you what that simple little verse, and that simple little answer to my simple little prayer did for me today.
It was enough to know that my God lives. That my God cares. That my God meets even the smallest of needs.
You know, sometimes you pray a little prayer and not really expect that it be answered, especially so quickly.
I continued to read and was soon struck smack in the forehead by this verse......
Proverbs 1:33~ But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell in safety and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
The Lord spoke directly to my heart and directly to my fears and told me that it would be alright. That He had it all under control.
I cannot tell you what that simple little verse, and that simple little answer to my simple little prayer did for me today.
It was enough to know that my God lives. That my God cares. That my God meets even the smallest of needs.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Fear
My favorite quote of late......
Anonymous~ Do not fear little flock, it is your Father's desire to give you his Kingdom.
If Fear were not holding you back, what would you do?
I was shocked to hear what my answer was. My heart answered this question even before my brain could answer.
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." (Exodus 14:13)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
Do not Fear little flock, it is your Father's desire to give you his Kingdom.
What would you do???
Anonymous~ Do not fear little flock, it is your Father's desire to give you his Kingdom.
If Fear were not holding you back, what would you do?
I was shocked to hear what my answer was. My heart answered this question even before my brain could answer.
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." (Exodus 14:13)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
Do not Fear little flock, it is your Father's desire to give you his Kingdom.
What would you do???
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Names
Have you ever thought about the many names of God? I have known for what seems like forever that God has many different names.
How many names of God do you know? Have you ever thought about it? I can name of few maybe if I think really hard. Have the names of God been made real in your life?
Let me try and explain.
In this study I am doing, it was talking about the names of God. And how through the Bible, God revealed different parts of himself....his names.....to different people at different times throughout the Bible. And when God revealed himself, the person didn't just know it in their head about God, they KNEW it in their heart.
So I thought about that for a while and I wrote down a couple of the names that I know about God.
He is my Comforter
He is my God of Peace
He is my Provider
He is my Healer
He is my God of Grace
He is my My Hiding Place
He is my Shelter in the time of storm
He is my Protector
He is my My Hope
He is my Potter
He is my Gardner - my Pruner
He is my Father
These are a couple that I can look back to a specific time where I really felt where God showed himself to me. And I KNOW these things ABOUT him. He made each of these names real in my life and I know them in my heart to be TRUE.
It made me thankful for the times, even though some were so difficult so...almost unbearable to walk through, but it was worth it to see God, to know God better.
So take heart you who are struggling in Life. You who wants to give up in this trial that is so heavy. God just wants to show you something of who he is. He wants you to know ABOUT Himself. Not just know of Him.
How many names of God do you know? Have you ever thought about it? I can name of few maybe if I think really hard. Have the names of God been made real in your life?
Let me try and explain.
In this study I am doing, it was talking about the names of God. And how through the Bible, God revealed different parts of himself....his names.....to different people at different times throughout the Bible. And when God revealed himself, the person didn't just know it in their head about God, they KNEW it in their heart.
So I thought about that for a while and I wrote down a couple of the names that I know about God.
He is my Comforter
He is my God of Peace
He is my Provider
He is my Healer
He is my God of Grace
He is my My Hiding Place
He is my Shelter in the time of storm
He is my Protector
He is my My Hope
He is my Potter
He is my Gardner - my Pruner
He is my Father
These are a couple that I can look back to a specific time where I really felt where God showed himself to me. And I KNOW these things ABOUT him. He made each of these names real in my life and I know them in my heart to be TRUE.
It made me thankful for the times, even though some were so difficult so...almost unbearable to walk through, but it was worth it to see God, to know God better.
So take heart you who are struggling in Life. You who wants to give up in this trial that is so heavy. God just wants to show you something of who he is. He wants you to know ABOUT Himself. Not just know of Him.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Psalm 119:9-12
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
They word have I hid in my heard, that I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
I was meditating on these verses tonight and I was struck with the depth of them. I feel like I need a fresh start with some things. And God's path is so clear here on how to do it. He says to just heed his word. Do what he says.
But sometimes I think that we make it so difficult for ourselves. We put so many restrictions on our life, or sometimes man puts them there for us. Well....she didn't walk an aisle today, she must not be right with God. Enough.
With my whole heart have I sought thee:
Have I sought God with WhOlE HeArT? Really, with my whole heart? I want to.
O let me not wander from his commandments.
O keep me always in your fellowship Lord.
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
God's word. Not man's word. Not man's ideas. Not who man idolizes. I mean...really? Not man's political views. Enough with the politics in church. Enough with Fox News. Seriously....enough.
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin.
Blessed art thou O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
My hearts desire is to know God. To seek God with my WhOlE HeArT.
Keep me so tuned to you that I tune out all else.
Psalm 119:17-18
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
Open though mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Lord, Open my heart and my eyes to see the beauty of your word.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
They word have I hid in my heard, that I might not sin against thee.
Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
I was meditating on these verses tonight and I was struck with the depth of them. I feel like I need a fresh start with some things. And God's path is so clear here on how to do it. He says to just heed his word. Do what he says.
But sometimes I think that we make it so difficult for ourselves. We put so many restrictions on our life, or sometimes man puts them there for us. Well....she didn't walk an aisle today, she must not be right with God. Enough.
With my whole heart have I sought thee:
Have I sought God with WhOlE HeArT? Really, with my whole heart? I want to.
O let me not wander from his commandments.
O keep me always in your fellowship Lord.
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.
God's word. Not man's word. Not man's ideas. Not who man idolizes. I mean...really? Not man's political views. Enough with the politics in church. Enough with Fox News. Seriously....enough.
Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin.
Blessed art thou O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
My hearts desire is to know God. To seek God with my WhOlE HeArT.
Keep me so tuned to you that I tune out all else.
Psalm 119:17-18
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
Open though mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Lord, Open my heart and my eyes to see the beauty of your word.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Isaiah 44: 2-3
2 This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
Isaiah 46:3-4
3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
What a promise given to me this morning.
2 This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
Isaiah 46:3-4
3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
What a promise given to me this morning.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
My heart.
I sit here in quite the abdnormal mood for me. Usually I am very positive about life. But today I am a little down. I don't know if its the weather and all the crazy rain we have had, or if it's just worry trying to creep into my thoughts.
These verses caught my attention last week.
Isaiah 41:17-20
17 "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
19 I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,
20 so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
There are certain things that I tend to worry about more then others. When I ran across these verses, the Lord was just trying to tell me that he will take care of us. He didn't let the Isrealites go without water when they were in the desert, and he isn't going to let my family go without food.
What a comfort they have been to me this past week.
Hunny and I were able to see the Lord work in quite an astounding way.
About a month ago, Hunny mowed the neighbor's lawn for him. He had been out of town and Hunny just wanted to be neighborly and mow it for him. Not wanting anything in return for it.
Sunday afternoon, the neighbor knocked on the door with a gift card for Hunny as a thank you for mowing the lawn.
The neighbor didn't have to do it, but I really feel that the Lord used him to meet a need of ours.
We just looked at each other and said.....Wow, isn't God amazing!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dada has had a prayer request for the past month or so. She heard from her cousin Kayla all about Church camp. She has been so excited about maybe being able to go. I told her that the Lord would have to provide the money to go and that she would have to really pray about it. I told her that I would pray for it as well.
On Sunday, it started to look really dismal that she would be able to go. I was really kinda sad b/c I always loved church camp, and I really wanted her to experience it.
Sunday night, I learned that the difference in the fee would be taken care of. I was so touched to see the Lord answering this prayer for Dada.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My friend Lori (the one with Breast Cancer) had surgery yesterday. She was in my constant thoughts and prayers these past couple of days.
She has been amazingly strong. I am so happy to see the peace of God on her during this time.
I went to see her today at the hospital. I didn't know if I should even go. I didn't want to be an intruder on her or Jason during this time.
She said she wanted me to come.
I was nervous.
I didn't know what to say to her.
I wasn't going to cry for her. She didn't need that.
But I cry for her now. I cry for her loss. Her loss of many things.
I pray the Lord continues to give her and Jason peace and strength during this time. I pray they find comfort in each other and Christ.
I pray that when I am with her that God will make me what she needs me to be. A listening ear, a distraction from the reality of her ordeals. A comfort.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have some pretty heavy needs in our household this week. Please pray that we will continue to see God working on our behalf.
Pray that we will lay our burdens at his feet and trust him to take care of it. Pray that we will have eyes of faith even when we see no way through.
I have been encouraged to see these "little things" being answered.
I am waiting to see my................ And then God.
These verses caught my attention last week.
Isaiah 41:17-20
17 "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
19 I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,
20 so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
There are certain things that I tend to worry about more then others. When I ran across these verses, the Lord was just trying to tell me that he will take care of us. He didn't let the Isrealites go without water when they were in the desert, and he isn't going to let my family go without food.
What a comfort they have been to me this past week.
Hunny and I were able to see the Lord work in quite an astounding way.
About a month ago, Hunny mowed the neighbor's lawn for him. He had been out of town and Hunny just wanted to be neighborly and mow it for him. Not wanting anything in return for it.
Sunday afternoon, the neighbor knocked on the door with a gift card for Hunny as a thank you for mowing the lawn.
The neighbor didn't have to do it, but I really feel that the Lord used him to meet a need of ours.
We just looked at each other and said.....Wow, isn't God amazing!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dada has had a prayer request for the past month or so. She heard from her cousin Kayla all about Church camp. She has been so excited about maybe being able to go. I told her that the Lord would have to provide the money to go and that she would have to really pray about it. I told her that I would pray for it as well.
On Sunday, it started to look really dismal that she would be able to go. I was really kinda sad b/c I always loved church camp, and I really wanted her to experience it.
Sunday night, I learned that the difference in the fee would be taken care of. I was so touched to see the Lord answering this prayer for Dada.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My friend Lori (the one with Breast Cancer) had surgery yesterday. She was in my constant thoughts and prayers these past couple of days.
She has been amazingly strong. I am so happy to see the peace of God on her during this time.
I went to see her today at the hospital. I didn't know if I should even go. I didn't want to be an intruder on her or Jason during this time.
She said she wanted me to come.
I was nervous.
I didn't know what to say to her.
I wasn't going to cry for her. She didn't need that.
But I cry for her now. I cry for her loss. Her loss of many things.
I pray the Lord continues to give her and Jason peace and strength during this time. I pray they find comfort in each other and Christ.
I pray that when I am with her that God will make me what she needs me to be. A listening ear, a distraction from the reality of her ordeals. A comfort.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have some pretty heavy needs in our household this week. Please pray that we will continue to see God working on our behalf.
Pray that we will lay our burdens at his feet and trust him to take care of it. Pray that we will have eyes of faith even when we see no way through.
I have been encouraged to see these "little things" being answered.
I am waiting to see my................ And then God.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Isaiah 51:15~
For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar the LORD Almighty is his name.
The Lord is the 1 who makes or allows the storms to roll through our life, He is also the same God who prepares a way for you to get through the storm.
Isaiah 51:10~
Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?
I am praying specifically for our road to be made. I know it WILL be made, I just don't know how or when. I pray that it will be soon.
For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar the LORD Almighty is his name.
The Lord is the 1 who makes or allows the storms to roll through our life, He is also the same God who prepares a way for you to get through the storm.
Isaiah 51:10~
Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?
I am praying specifically for our road to be made. I know it WILL be made, I just don't know how or when. I pray that it will be soon.
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