Valentine's Day

This is a post from a different blog of mine....written last Valentine's Day. I thought I'd share it here. This was my attitude then, and it is my attitude still.
I hope it makes you think.

I was thinking.....Wednesday is Valentine's. Yeah. That day just serves as a reminder of that special someone......that you don't have. :)

Well,....instead of just thinking about the day that you will have someone to celebrate this 'oh-so-important' day with, think about who you already have. And I don't really mean your family and friends. Though they are something to be EXTREMELY grateful for.

What I was thinking was more in the lines of Isaiah 54:5; "For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts.....". "The woman who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband." I Cor. 7:34.

So......If you're single, like me, and really long for a home and family of your own, then think on this. You already have a husband, and the LORD of hosts is His name. Spend some extra time with Him this week (actually, it would be ideal to spend extra time with Him for the rest of your life), thank Him for who he is to you, and LIVE FOR HIM!

That has been what He's been saying to me this past week. Actually, reminding me, over and over. I really had it down last fall, but have allowed the 'things of this world' to come between. Not necessarily my relationship with Him, but that kind of relationship with Him. One where I'm not impatiently awaiting 'the day', but 'living for today'.

My New Year's Vow

I heard this song from my brother's CD the other day, and thought, "Wow, what a powerful song!"
I also thought, since I hadn't really made any New Year's resolutions, this was as good a time as any to make that right; so I'm making this MY New Year's vow too. This is such an amazing song; I strongly encourage you to look it up online and listen to it.

VOW
Another year has come and gone, but nothings changed.
I've wasted another year doing the same old things.
I want to break out of this and turn my life around;
I'm going to make a vow to repent and turn to You.

I'm crying out to You now as I make my new year's vow;
I'll tell You I love You and I'll honor You somehow.
Hear my promise to You in this new year's vow
I give You all of me.
You'll be all of my life and I'll never think twice
To do all that You have for me
In my new year's vow.

Lord I'll do my best to do all that I say.
I'm not perfect but I know it's OK.
If I stumble You won't condemn my shame;
I'm going to make a vow to repent and turn to You.

I'm crying out to You now as I make my new year's vow;
I'll tell You I love You and I'll honor You somehow.
Hear my promise to You in my new year's vow
I give You all of me.
You'll be all of my life and I'll never think twice to
Do all that You have for me
In my new year's vow.

It's a new year;
This year is different from the other ones.

Written by Kutless; from the album Kutless.

Shocked and Confused; But Not Alone

I have no idea how to start this. I am just so confused.
A dear family friend, and fellow church member, died very suddenly last night. I'm still really in shock. Doubts, worries and fears swim in my mind, trying to crowd out every ounce of faith. I don't know why God allowed him to leave us; but I do know that God was the only thing holding me up when we went through the last death, earlier this summer, of someone close to us. That I don't want to leave His side. But I still wonder, question, why this was allowed to happen. And I'm worried that my faith in the power of prayer is diminishing. If I think about it rationally, I know there is no reason for that. But I'm afraid I'm not inclined to think rationally right now. We gathered and prayed; "for where two or more are gathered together, there I am in their midst." "The fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much." "If you ask anything in my name, believing, you shall receive." Do those verses mean something other than what I have been led to believe they mean?
I don't want to fill others with doubts; but I would desperately like some encouragement. Encouragement to keep walking the straight and narrow; to keep trusting God even when I have no clue what He's doing. To draw closer to Him, and let Him deal with the nagging doubts and questions; to do nothing but rest in His peace. To stay my mind on Him. "Thou will keep him in perfect peace, who's mind is stayed on Thee."
I know that God is in control. I know that "He causes all things to work together for GOOD to those that LOVE HIM''. That He alone holds the universe in His hand. He knows the number of our days. And that, at one time, I was so desperately, totally in love with Him. He was the center of my universe. The whole reason for my being. I don't want to throw that away for a few nagging doubts and questions.

Please be praying for this family. He has left behind a widow, one married daughter, as well as one other daughter and a son. The son is one of the best friends of my brother. Thankfully, while he lives in TN, the son was down here at the time of his fathers' death. I'm sure his mother is so very glad to have him here at this time.

These are hard times. While I don't understand, and we may even resent it; GOD IS IN CONTROL. And He loves us. This much we must be sure of.

November 19, 2007

Here it is, the week of Thanksgiving. The nights are chilly, but the days have been mostly very nice; warm and sunny. Enough to keep my plants alive. But I have to bring them in every night to avoid freezing.
My cats spend the nights inside now; as opposed to the cold outdoors. Of course, they wake me up in the middle of the night occasionally; as they dislike each other immensely, both jealous of the attention I give the other, and sometimes pick two or three in the morning as a prime time for a sibling fight. I get up, break it up, and go promptly back to bed. My black one, Smokey, spends most of her time lying on the rug in front of the french doors, where she can get plenty of sunshine in the day; and tries to smuggle her way into the bathroom closet to sleep on top of the towels during the night. My Duchess, a gorgeous orange and white, almost persian looking cat, spends most of her daylight hours out hunting away from home; but usually she comes back in the evening to spend the night curled up at my feet. Despite their quirks, I love them both dearly. I'm hoping that my dog, Sebastian, a Britney Spaniel, and they will get along well; but as I don't have Sebastian yet, and have no idea when that will happen, I don't worry about it much. :)

My friend and I finished our study of Rebekah today. Her story appears through Genesis 24; 25:19-34; 26:1-17, 34-35; and 27. Interesting to me was the difference there seemed to be in Rebekah from the time she was first approached by Abraham's servant, and the time she encouraged Jacob to deceive his father. One thing I saw was the similarity with Sarah. Like Sarah, God had told Rebekah what would happen in the future; but when it didn't seem that it would happen, or come quickly enough, Rebekah, like Sarah, took matters into her own hands, deciding that God needed a little help from her. It is a sad fact that as women, we all too often grow impatient and decide to take matters into our own all-too-incapable hands. Why can't we just wait on the Lord's timing? Why must we always chomp at the bit; rush headlong into situations we ultimately find we can't handle? David encourages us in Psalms 25 repeatedly, and in 27:14, to wait for the Lord; "Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Waiting for the Lord is rarely easy. Waiting requires strength, and courage, and faith. Strength, to hold us back from jumping ahead; courage, for fear comes with the unknown; and faith, that God will indeed bring about what He has spoken. May God grant you and I all three, and may we 'be strong', let our 'heart(s) take courage' and 'wait for the Lord'.

Proverbs 31

I am studying Proverbs 31:10-15 this week with a friend. I used to always get discouraged when I read this passage; I mean, how could any woman who wasn’t Wonder Woman get all that done in one day?!
Fact is, she didn’t. Those were the works of a lifetime.
The point is, she is a diligent, hard-working woman, not given to idleness. And her heart trusts in the Lord God of her salvation. The actions, the abilities that she exhibits are not what makes her Godly, or virtuous. Her relationship with God is what makes her Godly and virtuous. Those actions and abilities are signs of her relationship; they spring from her love for the Lord and for her family.
Another interesting thing was the meaning of the word virtuous. It means strength; often translated as 'army' or 'wealth'; also meaning moral strength, or strength of character.
We will be studying Proverbs 31 over the next six weeks....we should come up with a lot of cool insight...I'm looking forward to it. :)

A Post

OK, after that horribly long post last week, I thought I should give y'all some time to actually read it (and possibly try the recipes:).
Well, it seems Wednesdays may be the time for me to post on my blog. As some of you probably already know, I have dial-up, and it takes forever to get anything done, so I don't always fool with this.....
The Lord has been teaching me allot this week.
I didn't realize it until recently, but I seem to have a problem with being grateful/thankful. Verbally, at least. But an older woman whom I look up to immensely encouraged me to practice being grateful. She's gonna check me on it Sunday.....It adds a whole new dimension to it when you know some one's gonna ask you how you did this past week......
Well, I have to make a run by the grocery, so this isn't a long post, but at least it is a post. :)

Runnning

Verse Of The Day
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training....exercises self-control in all things....They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." I Corinthians 9:24-27

How are you running? Are you exercising self-control in all things? These words of Paul's convict me every time I read them. My exhortation today is, run in such a way as to receive the prize; run with aim, and self-control.
I write this, with the knowledge in mind that I need myself to do this. It is not because of anyone else, but what I see in my own life. I realize more and more as I grow older how impossible it is to do anything on my own. Thus, this is a simple way of reminding myself to take it to God today; to trust and lean on Him. And if it helps you as well, then praise the Lord!

I sprained my knee slightly yesterday evening, running. I stepped into a hole....how embarrassing! It was pretty stiff this morning when I got up, but as I've moved around, it has felt better. Perhaps this is what sparked 'running races'. :)

Overcoming the World

Verse Of The Day
"In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. 'He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High...there shall no evil befall thee.'" Oswald Chambers.

Oh, the truth to these words! I must confess that all to often, I lose sight of that simple truth. In the trials of this world, I often become overwhelmed, wondering how I could ever hope to stay afloat. I forget that I can't, not on my own. But Christ has overcome the world. And in His secret place I am safe. But I have to go there. I have to accept His help, in fact, give everything to Him. And then in that place shall no evil befall me.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it's perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:2-6

Am I willing to trust Him every day of my life? To let Him test me, producing endurance? To admit my lack of wisdom, and humbly ask Him for more? And to ask in faith, without the nagging doubts that so often assail us? Am I willing to 'be of good cheer', with joy in my heart when the hard times come?
These questions must be asked. Hopefully, you're answer is yes to all of them. But while that is what I really want my answer to be, sometimes I find I do not live my life according to that answer. You have to be willing to let God grow that desire in you, to seek Him daily and cultivate that relationship with Him. I find that I have to constantly rededicate my life to Him and to His will. I wonder, does there ever come a time when we don't have to do that? The answer seems to be no; you will have to make decisions for Christ every single day of your life. We live in a sinful world, full of temptations; and unless you live as a hermit, miles from any human contact all your life, you will be tempted by this world to turn from Christ. You should not feel guilty for being tempted, but you should for giving in. I want to encourage you to fight temptation; to continually seek His face. To persevere in the trials, leaning on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Knowing that He has indeed overcome the world.

The God Of Love And Peace

Well, we're back from church. The Lord's presence was SO strong there. The praise team leaders had put together a collection of Ms. Babs favorite songs. It was nearly impossible to sing those songs without thinking of her; it was so tough to sing without totally breaking down. Which I definitely didn't want to do, as I'm a member of our praise team, and I didn't want to make it harder on the church body or her family by bawling up front through all the songs. But it was also so...I don't know the words to explain....but it was wonderful...beautiful...amazing. And the elder who spoke, his message was great. He spoke of Psalm 46;Romans 11:33-12:2; and Matt. 13:20; About God being a God of war, ready to do war for us, the Lord of hosts; but also the God of peace, and we can rest in that peace. But we have to choose. It's like the song, "Blessed be Your Name"-'My heart will choose to say, blessed be Your name'. He also spoke of being transformed, being completely changed through Christ. It was really good.
So now that we're through the tough part of today, we have to make it through tomorrow, which may possibly be a million times harder. Or it may not. I don't know. But I do know that, like today, the Lord will help us make it through. He's been teaching me so much in these last two weeks, and not the least is just trusting Him, and leaning on His power.
These seem to be my life theme verses right now, so even though I've already shared them, I will do so again. Psalm 27:1,13-14, and II Cor 13:11; "The Lord is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?....I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord." "Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

When My Heart Fails Within Me, Thou, O Lord, Art With Me

"Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:3,4,6-8
"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation." Is. 12:2
"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me....Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:1,27
"'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'...Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." II Cor. 12:9,10
"Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." II Cor. 13:11

These are some of the verses the Lord led me to last night; as, like David, I "was weary with my sighs; I made my bed swim, I dissolved my couch with my tears." "But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You." While I rejoice with those who have gone on to be with our wonderful Savior, my heart bleeds for those of us left behind; My eyes have wasted away with grief. I pray God's grace may abound exceedingly to the family, that He will indeed comfort and uphold them with His righteous right hand.

"Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord...Blessed Be Your Name.....You Give And Take Away....My Heart Will Choose To Say; 'Lord, Blessed Be Your Name'."

Wait For The Lord And Be Of Good Courage

So time drags on.......I'm waiting for my parents to get back in.....my grandmother's here right now, and most of my brothers...and it's not like I've never spent a night alone before....but I'm ready to see them again. I'll probably get off soon, and go read in my room as long as I'm able to hold up....This is a hard evening....

All these verses keep crowding into my head, a very good thing, and I'm so thankful that the Lord is bringing them to my remembrance. Also this one song, "I Will Lift My Eyes" by Bebo Norman. The Lord has really used that to help me lean on Him.
The verses I'm thinking of right now are Psalm 27- "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? When evildoers come upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice, and be gracious to me and answer me. When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek."......Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes......I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord."
That about sums it up.....

The Lord Will Be The Stability Of Your Times.....

Today, I got up by seven!!! OK, so not so impressive; but when you consider that it's been at least 8:30 to 9:00 this past week, I'm doing a lot better. I've just felt so wiped, and even when I have turned in early, can't get to sleep till after 12:00. That's probably why I can't get to sleep come to think of it, 'cause I'm sleeping in so late........
My sister's graduation party is tomorrow. My sister-in-law and I are supposed to be in charge of getting it all planned out, but to be honest, I'm not completely sure I've helped that much.
In a few minutes, I need to go water plants and the gardens. I'm praying for rain, as we're heading for another drought this summer otherwise. I also need to keep laundry going, make lunch, plan for supper, clean the kitchen in between, make sure the house is ready for my grandmothers arrival this afternoon, and get my room ready for her to stay in. I guess that means I'll be sleeping on the sofa in the living room or in my sisters room on the floor. And if I choose the living room, I need to vacuum out the sleeper sofa, and get clean sheets for it..... =) Ha ha.... I think I should have plenty to do today. I also might have to meet someone in town and help get some things set up for tomorrow....

These past few weeks have been rough. The Lord has really carried me through, but it seems every Wednesday I break down. I felt I could really identify with David in Psalm 6:2-7; "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away; Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed. And my soul is greatly dismayed; But You, O Lord-how long? Return, O Lord, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your loving kindness. For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks? I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries." But Psalm 5:11 was comforting-"But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You." And Psalm 105:1-4 "Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually." Isaiah 35:3-4 "Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, 'Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.'" Isaiah 33:6 "The Lord will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge."