One Blog Just Isn't Enough......

First Response

2011-09-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

I took the liberty to copy a post from my FB page. I am not revealing the author or whom the recipient was. When I first saw this post I was aghast that this person could have posted that out in the open for all the world to see!

‎ "years ago today I had a baby girl. I proclaimed to be the best mom ever but as it turned out it did not work out that way. I want to proclaim today I acknowledge I was not the best mom and am sorry for the past. I can not change things but I can acknowledge it and move on with our relationship today as adults. By the Grace and Mercy of God you were protected through all that and have become the daughter I admire and love so much. I love you"

   Why was I so shocked? I have lived by the motto that I did the very best I new how to do. I said that about my parents also. They just didn't know how to love. I used that excuse to anyone I thought needed to hear it. Why did what she wrote hit me so hard?
   When I first read it I saw and felt all her pain as if it were my own, I think. How could she post such a thing? She wasn't as nearly, by a long shot the terrible mother I was. But here she was declaring it to the world and let me tell you she is pretty private about her feelings.
After a few days reflecting on what she wrote I am coming to grips with the fact that I have been proclaiming that I did the best I knew how to do as a mother with the circumstances that I had.   I was using that saying as an 'excuse' to survive my guilt, an excuse to not have to be held accountable. After becoming a Christian I went to God lots of times proclaiming that I did the best I knew how. He knows my heart. Never did I acknowledge it was and is by His mercy I survived.
   I was a sinner, I was selfish, prostituting myself to gain a love that was missing in me. I was without God. He wasn't without me though. He has always been with me and I just never new it. Finally, when I could not go on I called to God and He answered.
I don't think I want to proclaim that I was the best mom I knew how to be but maybe I was. Since that post on my FB home page I have been with God about my life during those years. I accept His mercy and grace, like that person said and face the fact that it was Him all along that helped me accept that life I used to live and get me past the guilt. I don't need an excuse anymore. I am forgiven. I am not the same person I was.
It is all about His mercy that gets me through.
Thank you FB person for being so brave and honest. Now I see it as an awesome proclamation of love; not pain or guilt. You never know when what you say works a miracle.

Step by Step

2011-08-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Step by Step

O God, You are my God,

And I will ever praise You

O God, You are my God,

And I will ever praise You

I will seek You in the morning

And I will learn to walk in Your ways

And step by step

You’ll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days.

And step by step

You’ll lead me

And I will follow

You all of my days.

Encourager

2011-08-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

Today should be titled Wordless Wednesday even though I am not truly wordless.
Yesterday I started an endeavor to keep track of what has made me happy during each day. That idea comes from The Ignatian Workout that I am doing again.Believe me that is not an easy task. So last night I decided that I would write down what blessed me (happy seems inpossible to explain. That is something I expect to feel when I am in heaven with Jesus.) Receiving this gift from my sister was top of the list. More than that it was the humbling that God gave me from the words she wrote honoring me.

Guess that is why I am thinking Wordless Wednesday. I cannot explain the unworthiness I felt for what she wrote to me, but I do know that I am thankful that that is what I felt. Does that make sense?

Thank you Lissa. While talking with Bruce last night I told him that I was going to start calling you Barnabas. I read recently that his real name was Joseph but the apostles called him Barnabas because he was such an encourager.

So that is my first day of keeping track of what makes me happy. Not sure I will keep up blogging about my Ignatian Workout but if I thought it could bless someone then I will try.

Resting in Him

2011-07-03T01:29:00.000-07:00

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me,
Bless His holy name!
Psalm 103:1

This is the view we have in front of our motor home this year. There are trees all along the river but our spot has a bare place and on a warm day I love sitting out there and do my bible reading.

This is the summer that the LORD has made and we are rejoicing in it!!

I Can Recommend These Books

2011-07-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

This summer is becoming another turning point of my life and I want to share with you some books that I have been reading and studying that are helping me to see God and be more aware of Him in all things.
First, here is a link to my neice Tami's blog. She has an awesome post about what has been a major impact on drawing me nearer to Jesus.

Jesus Calling is a great little devotional that reads as if God is speaking to us. There are verses that back up what is being said. It is a quick easy way to see how God feels about us which comes directly from His Word. I have a nice journal in which I write the verses and then write my oun prayer using those verses to let God know how I am and how much He means to me, etc.

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus takes us back to Jesus when He was walking on this earth in the form of man. It has made me aware of the traditions that were so much a part of life in those days and how I can incorporate them into my life. Instead of a phylactery I write verses in a small notebook that I can keep at hand is one example. Right now I am reading about prayer and she introduces the word kavanah which is a Hebrew word meaning to focus one's attention and concentration on being in the presence of God; to direct one's thought toward God.

Retreat in the Real World is another. I am not very far into it yet but it certainly points me toward being more aware of God. I have been practicing gratitude, appreciation and being more sensitive to God.

Tree of Life, The New Covenant . I love reading The Word in this version. I am learning the meaning lots of Hebrew words.

God's Word, The Bible. I am using The English Standard Version. This is an awesome study bible. I did have some trouble with the print being so small so I ordered one that I take to church without the study notes also. No I am not recommending you need a new bible. Just get into the one you have. LOL

Professor Grant Horner's Bible Reading Program really gets you into the Word. Check it out and if it seems over whelming check out my post about it. This works well for me. You also don't have to read all ten chapters a day and you can even read more than 10 in you like. Just read them in the order he has set up. It is so wonderful. I have been in books of the bible that I had not been in for years. LOVE IT.

Also a historical novel John Son of Thunder by Ellen Gunderson Traylor. I am reading this in conjunction with the gospels. It has been awesome reading about what situations could have been like that led Jesus to do some of the things He did. She brings to life the scenes of what Jesus did. Another of her books that I read many, many years ago was Song of Abraham. Oh my goodness, I just made a huge mistake. I went to Amazon to get a link for Song of Abraham. I had no idea that Ellen Gunderson Traylor had written all those books...........pondering what to do and if I could get them all in the motorhome without Bruce knowing. I promised him when I got my Nook that I wouldn't have all these paper books around. Well that is another story. Will have to let you know about that later. LOL

I suppose it isn't necessary to have those books but they have been great for me and I will be reading them many times. They certainly can never take the place of the bible but they are a great enhancement.

Worthy is THE LAMB

2011-06-26T01:37:00.000-07:00

Seeing God's Gift

2011-06-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

Each morning I start my day with this little devotional; Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It has verses each day and the devotional is written as if God is speaking. I usually write out the verses and then rewrite the devotional as my answer back to God. I love doing that.

This morning when I first looked out the window there was a beautiful sunrise. I should have taken a picture because we don't see sunrises that often here. We are usually fogged in until around noon.

After making my coffee and going back to bed to do the devotional this is what I read.

Open your hands and to receive this precious gift from Me. I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant Presence.

I was in awe of God using this moment to show me He is there always.

Later when I got up I peeked out the window and saw nothing but fog. Although I don't always get to see His glorious Presence through the fog I can be sure He is still there.

Here are the verses that go with todays devotional. They are in the NCV.

This is the day the LORD has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad today. Psalm 118:24

Let's come to Him with Thanksgiving,
Let's sing songs to Him. Psalm 95:2

The LORD your God is with you;
The mighty One will save you.
He will rejoice over you.
You will rest in His love;
He will sing and be joyful about you. Zephaniah 3:17

Little reminders like this makes the heart merry. :-)

So Very Blessed

2011-06-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

I recently ordered Tree of Life, The New Covenant bible to use while following my daily reading guided by Professor Grant Horner Bible Reading Program and am absolutely loving both.

My first reading this morning was Mathew 26. I can’t remember when I have been so blessed while reading scripture. It was almost as if I was personally transported back to that time. I hope I can adequately describe some of my thoughts.

First I will give you a word and its definition.

kohanim----a man who offered sacrifices and performed other religious rituals at the Temple in Jerusalem. The kohanim were descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses. The priests were mostly from the Sadducee sect of Judaism.

My NIV bible translates kohanim as high priests. Read it using (kohanim)people who offered sacrifices.

My thought: These kohanim were setting Jesus up to be the sacrifice God intended. They were being obedient to God, all the while they thought they were doing evil.

Then another impression was when Jesus was presenting the symbols of the cup and bread during the Last Supper.When finished the NIV says they sang a hymn. The Tree of Life says they sang the Hallel.

Hallel is defined as being Psalsm 113-118 which is sung or read at the conclusion of the Passover seder.

To me actually knowing they were reading God’s Word was much more inspiring than thinking they just sang a hymn. Can’t you just imagine during a communion service we all stood up and read the hallel!

Praise the Lord, O my soul; Psalm 103a

God I can Listen Now

2011-06-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

I had quit blogging for a while because I never felt I had anything worth writing. This morning while watching "Wind at My Back" a fancy author told Grace she was a great reporter and she should be reporting on important things.
It made me feel badly about my blogs because my life is so unimportant. Thinking I would be important if I was a great author, teacher, missionary or anything else other than what I am. But God quite quickly made me feel that I am important. God has put me where I am and I am doing my absolute best to deal with the life He knows I can handle.

Is it important that I make Puddin's dog food or what I cook for my husband, what I wear or what I make with my hands? Yes, it is and God blesses me with contentment to stay at home and be a wife that my husband loves coming home to every night. So I will continue writing my trivial things and hope someone out there in blog land may feel better knowing that someone else feels as they do.

My original post was going to be about something that God instilled on my heart to do but decided that it wasn't important. But it is even if it is just for me.
A few days ago during my quiet time I got to thinking about why I had trouble reflecting on what I had felt and learned during those times. It came to me that it could be the noise that is going on in the house all day. On days that I am at home by myself I turn the TV on to a news station and leave it there all day doing whatever it is I am doing. Of course by the end of the day I have heard it 6 or 7 times. So constantly the news is rumbling through my brain. Not the still quiet voice of my LORD.
My first day I forgot to remember to leave the TV off. But did shut it off in a couple hours. The second day was great and boy did I ever get a lot done. On my 3rd day and it is already getting easier to live in the quiet and see what God wants me to learn.
Thanks for stopping in and if you are in a spiritually unmatched marriage check out my previous post and see if that book is for you.

Reading Now

2011-06-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

I want to share what I am currently reading. When He Doesn't Believe is an easy read filled with memories of how I used to treat my husband. Thankfully I have discovered that God knows more about what my husband needs than I do.
Neither my husband nor myself where Christians when we married. I was the first to come to a saving faith in the fact that Jesus died on the cross so I could have a loving relationship and live in eternity with Him.
As a new Christian I totally thought I could get my husband to love God the way I did. It took years for God to teach me that I must leave my husband in His hands. Once I did that I was able to overcome all the pain of failing in every endeavor I tried. I learned to believe God and accept the freedom that comes in loving Him.

Getting back to the book, I hope you don't let the title scare you off. It is different than most of the other books I have read about concerning unequally yoked marriages. It is more about being free to let go of control and is very encouraging. Wouldn't it be great to just be the "holder of the flashlight."

If you are a new Christian wanting to share God with your husband this is a book that will help keep you from falling into a lot of painful situations that I did with my husband.
If you are a seasoned Christian woman and are still trying to get your husband saved, this book is for you. Even if you are a Christian woman and have already turned the saving over to God but hate the memories you just mind be able to laugh about that period of time now. I have been waiting 30 years and truly enjoyed this book.

Ladies, there is no guarantee that our husbands will love God as we do; which can open up another whole can of worms. However, we can learn to let God be our help, comforting us and guiding us and this book helps us see that.

Each chapter includes discussion questions, study and application tools, and points to ponder that can be used with a prayer partner, small group or on your own.

Even if I weren't a Christian woman I would wish that I knew about applying biblical marriage concepts to my marriage. God knows us even if we don't know Him and His concepts truly work and they will work for you. So if you are not a Christian woman and think you love your husband and are wondering if your marriage can be saved. Seek God. He already knows you and is waiting for you to want Him.

Here is a link to a blog with lots of support if you are a Christian woman married to a non believer. Spiritually Unequal Marriage

My book is a used one that I got on Amazon for a penny plus shipping! I finished it last night and would be happy to send it to you if you would like to read it. Let me know and I will email you privately to get your shipping info. Wow, this copy could be free to you without shipping!

Thanks for stopping in.
Put your name in and I will draw a winner at the end of this month.

My heart goes out to all ladies, that we learn to live in peace and truly know everything we can have by believing God. I love you all.

Bible Reading System

2011-06-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

A friend recently introduced me to Professor Grant Horner's Bible reading system. I am on my 19th daily reading and am enjoying it so much! The first couple days I read this system I was absolutely ecstatic reading books that I had not been in for years. Funny how we just stay in our favorite sections. Please check it out and see if it is something the LORD would have you try.

I am also posting a link to bookmarks that I like. Each set is in a different color. after printing them out I lamenated them.

Another thing I have done to help in following the reading better is to mark each section where I will be starting the next day with a sticky dot. Each day after reading the selection I just move the dot to the next reading I will be doing. Works great. No time wasted trying figure out just what chapter I am on.

Hope you will check it out and let me know what you think.
Glad you stopped in.

Threw Out the Chocolate

2009-08-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, I did do that. July was a very busy month for me because I worked a lot. But that is over with. Now I will go in only on Saturdays to get done what I can. Sweetie works during our summer months here in Oregon but this summer he had to wait until this month to do a particular job because they couldn't work as long as the birds were mating in the area of the job. Yep, you read that right.
Sooooooooo, while he was at home I could leave Puddin with him while I worked with my sister in Coos Bay. Now I get to stay home with Puddin. I love it that way. I thought I would never be able to adjust to retirement but I am proud to announce that I love it!
Oh yeh; the chocolate. For the past few weeks I have been having problems that I can't reveal on the blog but I had been so stressed out.(nothing to do with the working or marriage) A day when I was buying groceries I bought 6 of those dark, dark, chocolate bars in several different flavors. I ate one on my way home. Had a terrible headache and felt bad for several days. I knew I shouldn't keep doing that.
Sooooooo, to make the chocolate bars weightwatcher friendly I broke up the squares and put them all in a baggie. Each square was about 1 point. How cool was that!!! Well you know as well as I do that I wouldn't be able to eat just one. I binged a couple times and hated the way I felt after that. The chocolate was not helping.
On a morning when I had to go to a meeting with what was stressing me so much I spent at least an hour in the Psalms taking into my heart the wonders of God and His love for me. When I went into that meeting I was perfectly calm. I actually smiled and was so relaxed. I could see the relief on that persons face when she realized that I was not angry with her about what had happened the day before. I apologized to her for how our meeting went the day before and so did she. I was amazed at the power of peace that God had given me.
Actually neither of us did anything mean to each other. It was just the tension of not being able to successfully be able to make our sides of the problem clear and be fair. Let me say that I wanted to scream at her but thankfully I didn't. I was almost crying when I left though and I could feel the tension in other people in the waiting room that had been listening in on our conversation.
When I got home from the meeting I threw the rest of the chocolate in the garbage and didn't even dig it out later.
Praise God for that lesson!!!! I know that no matter how the stress thing turns out, we will be able to live with it. How stupid was I thinking that the chocolate was comforting when all it was doing was making me more stressed. No more stress chocolate for this gal. God is soooooo much better.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for stopping in. Feel free to share with me

Hearing II

2009-07-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

My previous post sent me spinning trying to figure out how I was going to study all those verses on 'hear'. I didn't have a printer with me in the RV this summer; so that frustrated me. I have e-sword on my computer which I love but I still needed a printer or I would be sitting at my computer all the time.
So now I have a printer. I wanted just the cheapest basic printer I could find. Man after having to buy the printer, USB cord, and ink I was in over $80.00. I was hoping to only spend around $30. At the store when an employee came up to help me, he looked at me strange(or it was my imagination) and I said that I just wanted a cheap printer. He says, "Yep, that's cheep"

I didn't have a copy of the NASB in my e-sword so I downloaded that for $20. But I am happy with that. So for around $100 I can study 'hear'.
I just love doing everything the easy way. :-)

As I said in the previous post the words hear, do, and obey are rolling around in my head. I know they have something to do with being able to say "Yes" to God. I am thinking it helps to hear Him in order to say "Yes."

Lysa has this list in her book that gives us some pointers to knowing if something we are hearing is of God.
1. Does what I'm hearing line up with Scripture.?
2. Is it consistent with God's character?
3. Is it being confirmed through messages I'm hearing at church or studying in my quiet times?
4. Is it beyond me?
5. Would it please God?

Those are pretty good. Well, that is about it for now. I am going to start reading my nine pages of verses on "hear" and hopefully be able to share something about them later.
Thanks for stopping in. I would love it if you would let me know you stopped in.

Hearing God

2009-07-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

I have recently started reading What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeusrst in conjunction with a group of ladies studying it online. For those of you that know my niece Tami, that is a group through her church.

I am becoming more aware of making a more conscious effort to discern when God is speaking to me and then obeying. This morning John 1:1 jumped into my mind. :-). Well that is what it seemed like.

Then I looked up the word 'hear' in the New Testament. There are a lot of verses to check out so that will take me some time. These words are rambling around in my head: hear, do, obey.

Here is a link to the verses listed on the search of hear. I am going to check out those verses and try to find what I am trying to learn from this. Lots of commands to hear with so many concepts to try to understand.

Well, this is definately going to have be an on going subject. I welcome any of your thoughts about hearing and obeying God.

Why did that verse come to me this morning as I was thinking about my day? Is it important to my understanding of my hearing God?

Jesus Came to Serve:John 13:1-7

2009-04-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update on my last post. Sweetie went to church with me on Easter Sunday. I am so blessed by that. I am so blessed to be going back to church where I can learn about Christ.

We have a wonderful teacher preacher. These notes are from last Sunday's sermon. Here is a link to this sermon. Washing Their Feet I like to read the section of scripture that the pastor teaches about from different bible versions each day the following week. The following scriptures come from the Contemporary English version.

If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. Matt 11:28-29

Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ was truly God. But he did not try to remain equal with God.
Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.
Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross. Phil 2:3-8

The apostles got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest. So Jesus told them:
Foreign kings order their people around, and powerful rulers call themselves everyone's friends. But don't be like them. The most important one of you should be like the least important, and your leader should be like a servant. Who do people think is the greatest, a person who is served or one who serves? Isn't it the one who is served? But I have been with you as a servant. Luke 22:24-26

The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people. Matt 20:28

But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored. Matt 23:8-12

But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his message isn't in our hearts.
I John 1:8-9

I do get tired and feel like I can't go on but then I remember all the times I have thanked God for who I am married to, who my children, who I am, what my life is and am ashamed that I find fault with it. So I am again wrapping the yoke that Christ has given me around my shoulders and using it to equalize the load so I can deal with it.

I am not proclaiming to be a teacher but when my pastor said to go out and proclaim what I learned in church I decided I would go ahead and post some of it. So there is it and I hope it brings comfort and strength to you when you deal with where God set you in this world. Please don't think of this as just a bunch of bible verses. It is God speaking to us.

One of my favorite Psalms is 27

God Bless

My husband; My gift from God

2009-04-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

At this moment the biggest thing I notice about taking time off from going to church this winter is that reading my bible everyday isn't enough. These past few days I am realizing that what I have been missing is time with God. Down on my knees seeking His Wisdom and whatever it is He has for me.

James 1:5 tells me that if I lack wisdom just ask for it. I have been standing on that verse for many years. I wasn't sure if my not going to church this winter was just a cop out because I hated going to church without Sweetie or I wanted to eat out.

Our neighborhood goes to breakfast on Sunday mornings. (4 couples)At first I wouldn't go with them but noticed that it wasn't making a happy husband to come home to after church. Also our neighbors were all bonding and I felt like a stranger.

Well tonight I can say that I am pretty sure God has blessed me for joining the breakfast group each Sunday morning. Now we will just have to see where our friendships go.

For a Season

2009-03-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I felt like posting on this blog. I feel like I have been in a dormant stage in my walk with God. I haven't been going to church much this winter. For some reason I don't feel guilty about it. Should I?

I have been reading my bible everyday. Sometimes I want to share with you some of the words that jump out just for me. But then I start to write and it just doesn't come out right. I find fault in it because it might not say to you what it says to me and I fear criticism. Oh my goodness there are so many people that write so inspiringly. Makes me feel like Moses who needed his brother to speak for him.

I have been hearing that voice inside me encouraging me to do something, but right now I am not sure what. I love what Tami wrote on her blog. Guess it freed me up to admit what a lowly person I am. I see how much I fail to stand up to someone else's idea of how a christian 'should' act and am embarrassed by that.

With God's help I have overcome a lot in my life and I am ready to come out of this season of dryness. God is going to do something with me and I am earnestly seeking what it will be.

A Gente Reminder

2008-12-04T06:26:00.000-08:00

I have been starting to organizing in anticipation of family coming for Christmas this year. The quilt in a frame that is in the living room really needs to be able to fit in my sewing room at Christmas time. The boxes stored under my sewing table need to find a new home so I can fold down the leaf for the quilt frame to fit there. The stuff on the desk needs to move to a higher up shelf so the boxes can sit on the desk.
I have a free standing cross on that shelf. It is right above my desk which is cluttered with all sorts of things that I don't know where to put. It is pretty handy to stack things on the shelf. Without realizing I was shoving the cross further and further back.
Suddenly it hit me. Oh my!!! Have I been doing that with my LORD? There is always so many things that need to be done that I just let my time with Him move further and further away. The LORD new I needed that visual. I pray that during this busy Christmas time I won't forget just why I am celebrating Christmas.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

I would love to hear how you are keeping Jesus in Christmas

Ecclesiastes 7-12

2008-10-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

Book Review Friday

I haven't been doing well with my life this summer. I have pretty much been in a constant state of depression. This morning I went back and read all I have written in my journal this year. It kind of reminds me of Ecclesiastes. I look back and see all my studying, praying and struggling is worth nothing: because I haven't truly lived it for the right reason; for Jesus. I have been doing all that I have been doing to try and make myself feel better. It just doesn't work that way.

God wants me to make Jesus feel better. That sounds pretty preposterous. But somehow I have been struggling so hard pretending at life that I have lost sight of Jesus.

Somehow, I know that this was something I was supposed to learn this summer. Somehow, I know that God has taught me a valuable lesson about living for and with Jesus and not relying so much on myself. Somehow, life is changing for me and I must trust Jesus with it. I'm not saying that my self struggling and studying have been for naught. They have been stepping stones taking me closer to the life Jesus has for me.

Ecclesiates 12:13 says " Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is the duty of every person."

I Cor. 13:13 Says: There are three things that will endure-faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.

Then is John 13:13 Jesus says, " So now I am giving you a new command: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."

After finishing reading Ecclesiastes, I started reading 'The Shack' by William P Young. My goodness you need to read it. It goes into parent and child relationships with God as the Father and all creation His children and how He loves with perfect love. God deeply loves everyone and everything He created. He loves us no matter how bad our choices are and He wants us to love others the same way He does.

Of course, I know that I can't love like God does but I am willing to try. I am willing to look at everything and everyone He has created and be thankful for that creation. I am willing to love and have Jesus at my side each step of the way.

I wrote this in my journal on Oct. 10th and was not going to post it but kept getting little reminders coming into my brain that I should post it. So here it is. I hope it makes sense. Faith, Hope, and Love. WOW!!! Somehow how Jesus must be feeling better knowing that I am willing to at least try to rely on Him and enjoy what He has created for me because He loves me. I am willing to try and not blame Him for the bad choices I have made in my life.

It has only been a bit more than a week since I wrote this and am happy to report that I am much better and enjoying love all around me. I am working on loving others and letting Jesus make me feel better. He can do a much better job than I can.

Ecclesiastes 1-6

2008-10-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

Book Review Friday
This is a very sad, confusing book if a person is looking to being lifted up spiritually. It is very depressing if you accept it as fact of life. I believe that what is in this section of scripture is the view of life without Jesus in it. I liked what I read on this post Stepping Heavenward. She says it is a view of life from Soloman during a period of when he was not walking with God. That thinking makes sense to me.
I also went to Blue Letter Bible and checked commentaires there. Mostly I found some very long hard to read explanations about Ecclesiastes. So at this time of my life, I don't feel like I want to get into reading those. I did think that Chuck Smith's commentary was fairly easy to read so we could glean positive lessons we can learn from the thinking of the worldly view of life.
Hope this is of some help.

check it out

2008-09-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Trees and Thorns

Just click on this link then on the link she directs you to.
Be sure to listen until the end. It is great.

Proverbs 20-26 plus 28

2008-09-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Book Review Friday

When first announced that Proverbs would be the book of review, I was very excited. However, after finishing it and actually writing down every verse that I spoke to me I found it impossible to focus on one theme. Verse and verse screamed out to me. So many that I did not even post them in my reviews.

I will finish with more verses this time but as you see they are all over the place.

Pro 22:3 When you see trouble coming, don't be stupid and walk right into it-be smart and hide.

:4a Respect and serve the LORD.

:12 The LORD watches over everyone who shows good sense, but He frustrates the plans of deceitful liars.

Pro 23:2 Don't go and stuff yourself. That would be the same as cutting your throat.

:3 Don't be greedy for all of that fancy food! It may not be so tasty.

Pro 24:3 Use wisdom and understanding to establish your home;

:4 let good sense fill the rooms with priceless treasures.

:5 Wisdom brings strength and knowledge gives power.

:6 Battles are won by listening to advice and making a lot of plans.

:10 Don't give up and be helpless in times of trouble.

Pro 25:9 When I can't get along with someone else, don't gossip about it.

Pro 28:13 If you don't confess your sins, you will be a failure. God will be merciful if you confess your sins and give them up.

The last two verses were very poignant to me. I confess that when I am having problems with someone, I will talk with others about it. Spreading what I think is wrong with them or what they have done that I don't approve of. I think I am pretending to get advice but secretly I am gossiping and seeking words that will make me feel like I am not in the wrong and thus receive comfort. (Who knows) Does that make sense?

Then confessing sins without giving them up gets me know where except into depression.

I went back through my notebook and there are just too many to post. We probably all feel that way. Proverbs was truly a difficult mirror to face all in one month's time.

Proverbs 12-18 plus 27

2008-09-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

Book Review Friday

I read all the chapters each day and am very thankful to be reminded of the power in God's Word.

On Friday I read Proverbs 19 in the morning and it was so comforting that I read it again in the afternoon. It spoke to me of the wonder of God's creation praising Him and how thankful I am for His Word and how important God's Word is to me.

That evening I walked along the river taking in the sounds of creation praising God. Really absorbing the awesomeness of God. It was such a peaceful, strength gathering experience. It was like walking along with God holding my hand. Remembering what I had been reading earlier.

Then Saturday morning I decided to read Proverbs 19 again before starting chapter 20. This time I was actually reading Proverbs 19 and it was nothing like I had been reading. Soon I discovered that I had been reading Psalms 19. Isn't God just so wonderful. He knew I needed Psalms 19 on that day.

Proverbs 5-11

2008-09-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

Book Review Friday

It is practically impossible to stay on track with one focus in mind when studying Proverbs. So many verses that jump out but I am just going write a bit about chapter 8 & 9.

When I read that wisdom stated it was with God in the beginning, I went back to John 1:1
'In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.'
When I think about the Word, I think about the written word which is wisdom above all wisdom. But John 1:14 states, 'We know that the Word became human and lived on earth among us. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.' So the Word mentioned there is not the written word, but Jesus.

Commentators warn that we should not confuse the wisdom speaking in this chapter as being the Son. So is this wisdom the wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit? Is this wisdom entirely different? Does it speak because it knew from the beginning that what is in the bible would be written exactly as it was written with no changes since the creation? I don't need to know the answers. It is written in God's word and that is how it is even though I don't understand. Is this wisdom faith?

Mainly I just wanted to share that these two chapters made me feel like I was snuggling with the Trinity. They offered such peace as I realized that I have the wisdom that it takes to please the Father. I believe that Jesus is my Saviour and I will live in Eternity with Them.

When turning my life over to Father, He did not leave me unattended. I have Jesus who intercedes for me; the Holy Spirit that gives me comfort and wisdom. He has given his written word too. Above all Father loves all of us without conditions and regardless of anything we have done or not done.

Then in 11:14 'without wise leadership, a nation falls. With many counselors, there is safety.'
Just talking about the presidential candidates does not make our voice count. We need to get out and Vote! Then Pray for wise counselors to be all around our new president.

God Bless

Patience and Wisdom

2008-09-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

I thought this picture which came in an email would be appropriate to share while we are studying Proverbs.

The caption read: One of the greatest secrets of life are having patience and wisdom.

Proverbs 29-Proverbs 4

2008-09-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Book Review Friday

I decided I would try working on developing relationships. I have a pretty tall fence around my heart and it is very hard for me to let others find the gate to come in. There have just been too many that have gotten in and trashed it, leaving painful shrapnel in their place.

So far the verse that jumped out at me is:
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Pro. 29:25
I'm not sure what kind of snare is meant here, I guess that being afraid to interact with others is costing a lot of blessings that they could use as well as myself. I will be trying to open up more with people that God brings my way. By this I don't mean let them crawl in, I mean truly invite them in and take it from there.

Don't lose sight of good planning. Proverbs 3:21
I certainly need to work on planning ways to make myself available to people instead of making excuses for not being with them.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in my power to help them. Prov 3:27

God has made me good, so I need to practice not withholding myself. What person does not need love and friendship? I so want to get rid of the shrapnel lurking in my heart and by opening up maybe I can even help someone else.

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
Proverbs 4:18

I just really liked that verse. What a blessing to have friends that I could see as beams of light. I have had some friends like that and am thankful to know them. They are people that I sometimes don't see for a long time. Then we get together and it is like we never missed a day. Wow could someone see me as shining light to them.

It is hard to focus on one topic while reading Proverbs so as I go along I may pick up a few other verses that really speak to me. Thank you for stopping in and I look forward to traveling this path with you.

Book Review Friday is Back

2008-08-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

Just want to share that Book Review Friday is starting up again. It is something I was doing until the gal leading it took a bit of a summer break. But she is back! Be sure to click on the link to check it out. Seems pretty easy doesn't it.

Get ready it starts soon!!!

Grace

2008-08-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

I just started reading a book called So You I Don't Want to go to Church Anymore by Jake Colson. I cannot recommend it because like I said I just started it.

This title caught my eye because I was hoping to get some insight into why I seem to hate going to church. I hate feeling guilty because I am not 'doing' a 'work' for the LORD. I am not a teacher, not on any committee, and I don't serve. I can't even sing. I used to make a joyful noise but have even lost the desire to do that. So far this book seems to be telling to not feel guilty about what I am not doing but to feel the sense of freedom that I should be feeling in Christ.

Sunday the pastor spoke about God's grace. Gosh I had forgotten all about His grace. I haven't been going to church much this summer, even to the point of lying about how much I go. I have been so focused on trying to figure out what I could do for God. I have been pretty much paralyized by the guilt of not being good enough to do anything. No matter what I do I could cause God to look bad. :-)

Do you ever get tired about trying to work in family responsiblities around church functions? I get so frustrated when I sign up for something to do within the church and then it conflicts with something my husband wants to do. It kinda feels like I am 'torn between two lovers.' I feel so frustrated that after almost 30 years of being married and being a christian that the two have not become one. I love my husband, but I need God.

Anyway to get back to the Sunday sermon about grace. I know in my heart that God called me to recognize my worth because of Jesus Christ. He called me into His family even though I didn't deserve to be. The Bible says:

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins.
You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much,
that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:1-5

Also, I didn't do anything to earn His love for me.

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9

The third section about grace is that I cannot ever repay God for sending His Son to die on the cross for me. I don't have a bible verse about that, but I know that it is true.

Then while waiting to get my hair cut I read this in a book titled Tiger Lillie by Lisa Samson.
"Love God, for He loves me. Be merciful, as God has been merciful to me. Extend grace to all, as God extended grace to me when His Son died on the cross. Rise above it all, as Christ arose on the third day, leaving death behind forever. Live. Obey. Love deeply and forever."

I changed the you's in that quote to me. Somehow that really touched me.

I hope you don't mind that I vented so much and will close by saying that I am going to try to keep my eyes on God and stop comparing myself to anything that I am not. Go ahead and give me your thoughts and let me know if any of this makes sense.

It still seems to me like I should have some special job that has a title. Hey maybe my title could be 'Christian'. Is that enough?

Welcome

2008-07-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is a welcome post for this blog.
Not much going on yet. I guess you could say this blog is just like me. 'A Work in Progress.'
Check back and see how it goes.

Update: There are some posts previous to this that have been transferred from a different blog that I was doing.

Book Review Friday II Samuel 16-19

2008-07-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

II Samuel 16-19

David seemed to be making hasty decisions based on only one person's side of an account. In Ch. 16:1-4 Ziba meets David with some supplies and tells David that Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem thinking he would become king. David then gives everything he has given Mephibosheth to Ziba. Later we find out that Mephibosheth stayed behind because he didn't want to hinder David's escape. So David back tracks on what he gave Ziba and gave half of it back to Mephibosheth who turned it down because he was just thankful to have David return.

Absalom suffered the same problem when it came time to trust Hushai the Arkite or Ahithophel. Verse 16:23 says, 'at that time' people thought Ahithophel's advice was as reliable as God's own Word.' Then in verse 17:4 it says that Ahithophel's plan 'seemed' good. Maybe Absalom had repercussions about the sex on the roof fiasco, but for whatever reason he fell into the plan that God had set up.

David did not go into the battle between the two armies. However, his son Absalom did go with his and was killed by Joab, the commander of David's army. David suffered greatly and Joab had to reprimand him before he could see the error of letting down his army and people. David probably felt guilty about living a life that would cause his son to loose respect for him.

When David was reinstated as king he forgave the people who had sided with Absalom. Except he did give Joab's job to someone else. Makes me think that poor Ahithophel probably shouldn't have committed suicide.

This section of scripture had a lot going on and was very hard to pick out what I should learn from it. I guess some things could be:

1. Don't make hasty judgements without both sides of an issue. Seek God's advice.

2. Don't hold a grudge against someone for making stupid decisions.

3. Be willing to not become discouraged while God is working His plan.

4. Don't give up values or committments that are of God. Just because things don't look good doesn't mean I should give up or change plans.

5. Sinning is never good.

6. Always seek God in all decisions.

That is about all I could squeeze out of this passage. I would love to hear what you gleaned.

Book Review Friday II Samuel 7-11

2008-07-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

II Samuel 16-19

This section of scripture had a lot going on and was very hard to pick out what I should learn from it. I guess some things could be:

1. Don't make hasty judgements without both sides of an issue. Seek God's advice.

2. Don't hold a grudge against someone for making stupid decisions.

3. Be willing to not become discouraged while God is working His plan.

4. Don't give up values or committments that are of God. Just because things don't look good doesn't mean I should give up or change plans.

5. Sinning is never good.

6. Always seek God in all decisions.

That is about all I could squeeze out of this passage. I would love to hear what you gleaned.

Book Review Friday II Samuel 12-25

2008-07-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

II Samuel 12-15

This passage of scripture runs a full gamut of repercussions for David as the result of what he did with Bathesheba and for killing her husband. Sometimes we think we can get away with doing anything we want, even when we know it goes against God. David comes to grip with this after the LORD sends Nathan to him with a parable that really puts his sin up front and personal in his face.

In verse 13 David confesses that he sinned against the LORD. Nathan assures David that he has been forgiven for his sins, but he tells David that what he did caused the enemies of the LORD to show contempt. I guess this means against God and David. The world does watch us, trying to ensnare us into anything that will direct contempt toward God or those who love God.

Even though David knows that God has forgiven him, he realizes that he will suffer the consequences. His son by Bathesheba would die; however God did bless them with another son that they named Solomon. David would have trouble from his own family that would cause great pain and suffering. Rape, murder, contempt, unforgiveness, revenge, and conspiracy are all revealed publicly for all the people to see.

Finally, in chapter 15 we find David in great anguish fleeing Jerusalem with what is left of his family. He had taken the ark of God but sent it back praying it was God's will that he return to Jerusalem one day.

It is always God's will that we return to him but there are steps we must take. Confession and repentence followed by faith in His Son, Jesus.

There was really a lot in these few chapters. So much that covering it with my limited skills is a great injustice. I did look up the name of the meaning of David's counselor; Ahithophel (a-hith-o-fel)which means brother of folly. I thought that was very appropriate for him because he sided with Absalom against David.

I truly enjoy doing this type of reading the bible. I get so much more out of it. Do I say that every week? :-) I really encourage you to try this if you are not doing it already.

Book Review Friday II Samuel 7-11

2008-06-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Book Review II Samuel 7-11

For a time there is peace in the land and David is enjoying his blessed life. Knowing it is because of the LORD, he comes up with the idea to repay God by building a house for the HIM. However, the LORD has other plans and David responds with a prayer of thankful submission and praise for all that God has done and will do. II Sam 7:18-29. Like David, I also do a lot of saying "Who am I LORD." Just the awesome knowledge of knowing I am loved by God. WOW!

Then there is more warring and conquering. God is using David to collect materials for His house and lands for David's son to rule over.

One chapter speaks of David giving Saul's grandson back everything that had belonged to Saul. Because Mephibosheth was crippled David set up servants to take care of him and work the land for Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was to always eat at David's table. There has to be more to this story. Aha, I peeked in a concordance and there is more. Should be interesting and maybe another lesson for me.

Oh boy, next is Bathsheba. Another woman belonging to yet another man. This time David even went so far as to have her husband killed to cover up their sin. Had Bathsheba hoped to get pregnant? Did she suspect her husband would be so loyal to his job? Could she have imagined David would go to such lengths to hide their sin?

David may have gotten away with his sins by mans lowly standards, but he still has to face God. Scripture reveals at this time-God was not happy with David.

Book Review Friday II Samuel 1-6

2008-06-20T13:27:00.001-07:00

Book Review Friday II Samual 1-6

These chapters deal with significant events which lead to David being made king of Judah first and then onto fulfilling God's promise to the people of Israel and making him king of Israel.

David showed great respect to God by demonstrating his love of the now dead Saul and Jonathon. David was able to see them through God's Eyes and love Saul regardless of how miserable he had made David's life.

There was quite a bit of killing going on in this passage of scripture, which is not uncommon in the Old Testament. It does demonstrate that what man does for revenge, He can still use for His Purpose.

Chapter 6 was probably most interesting to me. I wonder about Uzzah and God striking him down for trying to help stabilize the ark of God when the oxen stumbled. Did Uzzah have time to think?; Oh my God, who am I to think You need me to help stabilize YOU?!!

And visualizing David dancing before the LORD and His people with such untethered love! WOW!!!! AWESOME!!!!

Then there was Michal, daughter of Saul. David must have loved her very much(verse 3:13-14)to make her contingent as part of a deal with Abner. But what was her problem? Was it jealousy, fear, or lack of faith that caused her to hate David in her heart and critize him about how he worshiped before the LORD. Just what was it? I don't know, but it does remind me to keep God close while being the wife He intends my husband to have.

I humbly submit this as my review this week. I do feel inadequate to publicly be reviewing God's Word but what I submit on my level of understanding, God can use for His Purpose. I love that about Him.

Book Review Friday-Galations

2008-06-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

Book Review Friday-Galations

I loved reading Galations! Paul assured me adamantly that he learned directly from Christ and not man. Paul stands up to those who try to take away our freedom in Christ by trying make believers follow the law.

Paul gives very clear examples to back up everything he teaches about our freedon in Christ. I have read Galations before but reading it over and over during the week really brought a clearness to me that I never noticed before. Paul goes on to teach about living by the Spirit, spiritual accountability, and encourages us to never give up and to especially remember our freedom that comes from knowing Christ died for our sins.

"Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?" Galations 3:5
It is because I heard His call to me.