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So I'm a bit late....
God used Sunday's sermon to once again speak to me just where I needed it. We were continuing our study of Malachi and how to overcome spiritual complacency. This week we focused on developing an overcoming attitude. That is, having an attitude that trusts the heart of God and ponders the heart of God.
This passage says that God wants us to remember how God honored us, not all the bad things. To not hang on to the things that are not God honoring. (Malachi 3:16)
What a comment!! For years I have thought how little I regard the horrific things that have happened to me in the past. I focus on all the blessings of God. How he was with me always and put wonderful people in my path. But when I see people so debilitated by events in their life, that they never fully recover or have normal relationships, I wonder why I'm not crumbling. Am I repressing them only to fall apart later? I don't think so. What is past is past. I decided not too long ago not to dwell on the unpleasant. Granted I might have moments that lack clarity of the situation, but with time, all strife becomes smooth like water. Thank you God for helping me see that this was ok!
Another step of having a overcoming attitude is to bond with godly attitudes ( Malachi 3:16) In other words, hang out with people who build you up not tear you down. That is not to say that we don't love everyone, but relationships are a give and take. If your cup is not filled by a person but rather chipped away, I think it is God's intention that even though you continue to love that person the relationship is unequal and unhealthy. However, a good, true, Christian friend will tell you the truth no matter if it hurts. And a good, true, Christain friend will also encourage you. Thank you God for showing me about relationships.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
What An Hour Will DO
Ok so it is more like two hours...but WOW! My dear husband is helping the children with their science projects freeing me up for about two hours.
Since we have been doing our daily schedule a la Managers of Their Homes life happens in half hour increments. I like the new schedule. I like that we seem to accomplish a lot each day. There is time to work on household business, chores, school and projects. But to have a two hour stretch! My my my!
I got Girl Scout money counted, folded laundry, filled out paper work, organized girl scout cookies, sent an email, got bills ready to pay for tomorrow... much more than I could have done in the half hour I have for desk work.
My weekly schedule makes me long for the weekend. That's a good thing. A reward for working so hard all week is a long three hour stretch Sat and Sun. Time to read books, play Sims, read email, dew, knit, scrapbook....the possibilities are endless.
Since we have been doing our daily schedule a la Managers of Their Homes life happens in half hour increments. I like the new schedule. I like that we seem to accomplish a lot each day. There is time to work on household business, chores, school and projects. But to have a two hour stretch! My my my!
I got Girl Scout money counted, folded laundry, filled out paper work, organized girl scout cookies, sent an email, got bills ready to pay for tomorrow... much more than I could have done in the half hour I have for desk work.
My weekly schedule makes me long for the weekend. That's a good thing. A reward for working so hard all week is a long three hour stretch Sat and Sun. Time to read books, play Sims, read email, dew, knit, scrapbook....the possibilities are endless.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
My Testimony
At Ladies Bible Study on Wednesdays we are studying the book of John. I have come to really love that Gospel. Thanks my weekly study at Community Bible Study, where we are also studying John, I have come to know Jesus in a deeper way. He IS a close friend, He IS Lord.
Tonight some of the ladies shared their testimony of how they came to know Jesus. Some had dates and times, and yet for others it was a continual renewal.
Though I didn't have the opportunity to share, I can say, I am not ashamed. I can say, I am for certain that Jesus is the Lord of my life. And so here is my testimony:
As a child I church hopped with my older sisters. We didn't attend one place regularly and I was exposed to many a different kind of worship from Mormon to Catholic to Baptist. As a teen I began to attend the church of a friend. This lasted a year or more. At this time I accepted Jesus and was Baptized. I do not recall a significant change, but I do remember dreams of myself on God's side and my mother on the other. My stint in this church lasted as long as my friendship. At the time I could not appreciate it, but as a parent, I am so grateful for the family of my friend. They taught me what it was like to live as a Christian family. Imperfect. Faithful. Ever struggling. Loving. Together. Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to tell them how much they meant to me.
Fast forward many years. I am married with a child and desperately trying to fill a hole. It was a dark time in my life. I was dishonoring to myself, my husband and my daughter. God is a God who does not hold grudges. It was God beckoning me as I tried to fill the void in my life. Every effort to be complete without him was thwarted.
I was working for a data entry company because my attempts at full time teaching were not being fulfilled. It was mindless work, the kind you need entertainment to complete or go stir crazy. This is when I discovered talk radio. I listened to anything and everything. It it was there, at my desk that I gave my life to Jesus. I knew I had some things to account for, but I knew instantly that I was forgiven and that I had a new life. I have not turned back.
God has blessed me. God blessed my marriage. God blessed my family and made it grow. God blessed me and changed me and continues to refine me for his purposes so this testimony is far from over.
Tonight some of the ladies shared their testimony of how they came to know Jesus. Some had dates and times, and yet for others it was a continual renewal.
Though I didn't have the opportunity to share, I can say, I am not ashamed. I can say, I am for certain that Jesus is the Lord of my life. And so here is my testimony:
As a child I church hopped with my older sisters. We didn't attend one place regularly and I was exposed to many a different kind of worship from Mormon to Catholic to Baptist. As a teen I began to attend the church of a friend. This lasted a year or more. At this time I accepted Jesus and was Baptized. I do not recall a significant change, but I do remember dreams of myself on God's side and my mother on the other. My stint in this church lasted as long as my friendship. At the time I could not appreciate it, but as a parent, I am so grateful for the family of my friend. They taught me what it was like to live as a Christian family. Imperfect. Faithful. Ever struggling. Loving. Together. Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to tell them how much they meant to me.
Fast forward many years. I am married with a child and desperately trying to fill a hole. It was a dark time in my life. I was dishonoring to myself, my husband and my daughter. God is a God who does not hold grudges. It was God beckoning me as I tried to fill the void in my life. Every effort to be complete without him was thwarted.
I was working for a data entry company because my attempts at full time teaching were not being fulfilled. It was mindless work, the kind you need entertainment to complete or go stir crazy. This is when I discovered talk radio. I listened to anything and everything. It it was there, at my desk that I gave my life to Jesus. I knew I had some things to account for, but I knew instantly that I was forgiven and that I had a new life. I have not turned back.
God has blessed me. God blessed my marriage. God blessed my family and made it grow. God blessed me and changed me and continues to refine me for his purposes so this testimony is far from over.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Thursday, February 09, 2006
A Peaceful Bunch of Moments
Here is what I am doing now:
I am at the library :D. My favorite place to come and be alone...unless you count the hundred or so people here now - like the guy sitting at the next table who just passed gas and then left.
I have come to blog.....
and do this night's part of my Bible study.....
And work on my MOTH schedule....
And read a few books.....
And read email (love the wi fi )
I can stay until my dear daughter is done with her girl's Bible study.
When I die I want to be cremated and sprinkled at the library..and the quilt store, and yarn store....and Barnes and Noble.
I am at the library :D. My favorite place to come and be alone...unless you count the hundred or so people here now - like the guy sitting at the next table who just passed gas and then left.
I have come to blog.....
and do this night's part of my Bible study.....
And work on my MOTH schedule....
And read a few books.....
And read email (love the wi fi )
I can stay until my dear daughter is done with her girl's Bible study.
When I die I want to be cremated and sprinkled at the library..and the quilt store, and yarn store....and Barnes and Noble.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Not In Time Out
This is my favorite picture of Sam. No, he isn't in trouble, he is just looking through to the birds on the other side.
New Blog
A first post on a new site. My old blog site turned into a photo sharing site. Not a bad thing except the obliteration of my blog. Oh well. Blogs go on.
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