If you have been following my "Today's Readings" posts you know that I haven't been posting since last Monday, April 14. There is a very good reason for that. I have been on vacation.
This past weekend was the National Pie Championships in Celebration, Florida which is just outside of Kissimmee and Orlando. I entered a pie in the contest and we decided to make a vacation out of it. Because of the need to bake in an oven we booked a condo. We loved it except that it didn't have Internet access except in the lobby of the main clubhouse. You can imagine how busy that computer would have been. So I was forced to fore go any postings while we were gone.
Don't fret! "Today's Readings" will continue. I will also be posting everything about our trip including info on the Pie Contest.
Love to all!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Today's Reading....
There is a song that I absolutely love. "I Am" by Mark Schultz very deeply touches me no matter how many times I hear it. I decided to find some scripture that related:
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14
While there are literally hundreds of verses that apply to the character of God this one is as self-sufficient as its subject.
The song lists various names of God from Scripture that call out to His character. this verse demonstrates that that remarkably little needs to be said. When Moses protested his calling this verse was God's reply. Take heart! The same holds true for us. When he calls us to something this verse is all encompassing.
Please enjoy this video set to the song and become better acquainted with God.
Love to all, Goodnight.
Yesterday's Reading...
So last night I did my reading and was about to blog but Thad needed the computer for work. Here is yesterday's reading:
Saturday night I was out with some friends and being pregnant I fielded all the breastfeeding, etc questions. I am the youngest of the group so it was odd to have the most knowledge then I remembered something that I had read once or twice before that made it even more odd.
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5
I love historical fiction especially that of the "pioneer days" of the late 1800s. One of the things that strikes me when I read those novels is the sense of connection that all women have with one another. It was custom then for the older women to be the support and education system for the younger women. It is still the custom in many tribes across the world.
The older women taught the younger women what it meant to be adult, married, and a mother. The demonstrated the character required of respectable women. It saddens me that we have this disconnect now. As a nation we fret about a 16 year old girl not being ready for marriage when just over a century ago she would be nigh onto an old maid. Then marriage past the age of 20 was nearly unheard of and now its almost required.
If we took our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters under our wings to teach them what wifery and birth and mothering and running a household were all about a 16 year old would be fully equipped to take on the job. I think as a whole we fail our young women. They don't understand the character it takes to be what they need to be to succeed in these areas.
I am going to pray for our young women. I am going to share as much as I can with the next generation of wives and mothers. I am going to be passionate about demonstrating the character it takes to be what a husband and children need. I am going to look to the older women around me for counsel. I am going to pray to follow God in all of these areas. I hope you do the same.
Saturday night I was out with some friends and being pregnant I fielded all the breastfeeding, etc questions. I am the youngest of the group so it was odd to have the most knowledge then I remembered something that I had read once or twice before that made it even more odd.
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5
I love historical fiction especially that of the "pioneer days" of the late 1800s. One of the things that strikes me when I read those novels is the sense of connection that all women have with one another. It was custom then for the older women to be the support and education system for the younger women. It is still the custom in many tribes across the world.
The older women taught the younger women what it meant to be adult, married, and a mother. The demonstrated the character required of respectable women. It saddens me that we have this disconnect now. As a nation we fret about a 16 year old girl not being ready for marriage when just over a century ago she would be nigh onto an old maid. Then marriage past the age of 20 was nearly unheard of and now its almost required.
If we took our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters under our wings to teach them what wifery and birth and mothering and running a household were all about a 16 year old would be fully equipped to take on the job. I think as a whole we fail our young women. They don't understand the character it takes to be what they need to be to succeed in these areas.
I am going to pray for our young women. I am going to share as much as I can with the next generation of wives and mothers. I am going to be passionate about demonstrating the character it takes to be what a husband and children need. I am going to look to the older women around me for counsel. I am going to pray to follow God in all of these areas. I hope you do the same.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Today's Reading....
Today was a difficult day to be a mom. Long story so I'll just leave it at that. I decided to go back to a verse that was read to me time and time again when we were struggling with what we thought was infertility.
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5
We couldn't understand why if God had all these great things to say about having children we couldn't get pregnant. Then my dad said the Holy Spirit directed him to send us to 1 Samuel chapter 1. We read about Hannah and her struggle. What we understood from that was that we weren't really in charge of if, when, or how many children we would have.
So we prayed like Hannah. We promised that child, even before conception, to God. He answered quickly. By quickly I mean within a week or two we had conceived. In addition to promising that child be dedicated to God we promised to raise him as God would have us to. We don't really read parenting books, except one, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. Its the only one we have read because its the only one we have felt release to read. Otherwise the decisions we have made have all been directed by the Holy Spirit. We didn't feel the need to gather advice from people when we had the direct line to God.
I do find myself, especially after today's big thing, desiring to seek an immediate piece of advice from others because its readily tangible. I get impatient to fix a problem and want the quick solution. Rarely is that solution compatible with what God would have us do.
I thoroughly love deeper than I ever thought possible this heritage that God has given us. It is even more special because the advice of man was that it would never happen for us. Again that wasn't compatible with what God promised us. I'm glad we didn't listen.
We are on our 3rd miracle child due in July. We just bought a used car that seats 7. Thad keeps telling people that soon we are going to have to buy a church bus for all the arrows in our quiver. I saw a T-shirt on the Internet that I wanted to buy. It read:
Sorry for the length. This is something I am very passionate about. I also thought I would make up for missing last night. Love to all and goodnight!
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5
We couldn't understand why if God had all these great things to say about having children we couldn't get pregnant. Then my dad said the Holy Spirit directed him to send us to 1 Samuel chapter 1. We read about Hannah and her struggle. What we understood from that was that we weren't really in charge of if, when, or how many children we would have.
So we prayed like Hannah. We promised that child, even before conception, to God. He answered quickly. By quickly I mean within a week or two we had conceived. In addition to promising that child be dedicated to God we promised to raise him as God would have us to. We don't really read parenting books, except one, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. Its the only one we have read because its the only one we have felt release to read. Otherwise the decisions we have made have all been directed by the Holy Spirit. We didn't feel the need to gather advice from people when we had the direct line to God.
I do find myself, especially after today's big thing, desiring to seek an immediate piece of advice from others because its readily tangible. I get impatient to fix a problem and want the quick solution. Rarely is that solution compatible with what God would have us do.
I thoroughly love deeper than I ever thought possible this heritage that God has given us. It is even more special because the advice of man was that it would never happen for us. Again that wasn't compatible with what God promised us. I'm glad we didn't listen.
We are on our 3rd miracle child due in July. We just bought a used car that seats 7. Thad keeps telling people that soon we are going to have to buy a church bus for all the arrows in our quiver. I saw a T-shirt on the Internet that I wanted to buy. It read:
Yes, I'm pregnant again.
Yes, we know how it happens.
No, we don't think its too many.
No, you can't touch my belly.
Yes, we know how it happens.
No, we don't think its too many.
No, you can't touch my belly.
I couldn't have said it better myself! Cherish your children and seek God for their growth and development. He really does know best how to raise them, after all He made them who they are. He also knows you are capable of raising them otherwise He wouldn't have given them to you.
Sorry for the length. This is something I am very passionate about. I also thought I would make up for missing last night. Love to all and goodnight!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Lil's First Skinned Knees
She got her first skinned knees yesterday. Probably in much the same way she'll get all the others in her life - chasing after her BaBa squealing with delight!She cried for about 2 1/2 seconds and then was perfectly still (except for trying to eat the ointment) as I put on the Bactine, antibiotic ointment, and band-aids. 
What a big girl!
What a big girl!The Most Fascinating of Creatures
Decidedly the most fascinating of creatures is a 5 year old boy. They are just past that toddler stage and heading toward that big, independent kid stage. Everything they do is an exercise for parents in trying not to have one of two reactions: blowing your top or laughing your head off.
This morning it was trying not to do both. Quite difficult, I must say.
We had just dropped Thad off at work and were on our way to his school. Its Fine Arts Friday and he is jazzed! Driving down Briley parkway I'm just listening to The Fish morning show when Thomas says from the seat behind me, "Mama, what do you think of my silly mustache and beard?"
My first thought is, "Good grief, what do I have to try to get off his face while driving in the next 10 minutes before we get to school?"
To confirm my worst fears I peak in the rear view mirror at his precious face. To my surprise I see nothing. So I say, "I don't see your silliness. What is it, Bud?"
"I made a mustache and beard on my face - with SPIT!"
Here was my difficulty. Do I laugh and encourage this spit-spreading tomfoolery? Do I scold him and squash his creativity? Quickly I came to the conclusion that neither was appropriate so I did both. I chuckled at him, told him how nasty that was and to not do it anymore. Again he surprised me by not offering any protest.
He just said, "Ok, but wasn't that silly?"
"Yes, son. Silly and gross."
Sometimes a boy is just going to do boy things. Apparently spit exploration is one of those things. I thought I would have a reprieve with his sister but she thinks whatever he does is the greatest. God be with me when his outdoor-loving, camping-trip-taking, rock-climbing, fire-building, bug-touching, lizard-loving Eagle Scout daddy finally gets him into scouts!
I have until fall to get prayed up for that. Put me on your prayer lists, please!
This morning it was trying not to do both. Quite difficult, I must say.
We had just dropped Thad off at work and were on our way to his school. Its Fine Arts Friday and he is jazzed! Driving down Briley parkway I'm just listening to The Fish morning show when Thomas says from the seat behind me, "Mama, what do you think of my silly mustache and beard?"
My first thought is, "Good grief, what do I have to try to get off his face while driving in the next 10 minutes before we get to school?"
To confirm my worst fears I peak in the rear view mirror at his precious face. To my surprise I see nothing. So I say, "I don't see your silliness. What is it, Bud?"
"I made a mustache and beard on my face - with SPIT!"
Here was my difficulty. Do I laugh and encourage this spit-spreading tomfoolery? Do I scold him and squash his creativity? Quickly I came to the conclusion that neither was appropriate so I did both. I chuckled at him, told him how nasty that was and to not do it anymore. Again he surprised me by not offering any protest.
He just said, "Ok, but wasn't that silly?"
"Yes, son. Silly and gross."
Sometimes a boy is just going to do boy things. Apparently spit exploration is one of those things. I thought I would have a reprieve with his sister but she thinks whatever he does is the greatest. God be with me when his outdoor-loving, camping-trip-taking, rock-climbing, fire-building, bug-touching, lizard-loving Eagle Scout daddy finally gets him into scouts!
I have until fall to get prayed up for that. Put me on your prayer lists, please!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Today's Reading....
I continued on with Joshua 4. This journey of the Israelites is beyond arduous and thoroughly interesting to read about.
"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:" Joshua 4:21-24
These last few verses demonstrate for us something we should be doing every day. Joshua instructed the Israelites that the 12 stones they laid should stand as a reminder. Not one of what they did but what God did for them.
Wouldn't our children see God, His promises, and our faith as their parents in a different light if we drew their attention to every time He has fulfilled His promises to us. If we had something to say, "Look, God said He would heal me and He did." Or how about, "See, God said He would never leave us. He has brought us through this hard time just like He promised!"
I think their faith would benefit as much as ours would. So I'm going to concentrate more on relating to my children just how often God has been there for me individually and our family. I pray you would spread the word of His work in your life, too.
"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:" Joshua 4:21-24
These last few verses demonstrate for us something we should be doing every day. Joshua instructed the Israelites that the 12 stones they laid should stand as a reminder. Not one of what they did but what God did for them.
Wouldn't our children see God, His promises, and our faith as their parents in a different light if we drew their attention to every time He has fulfilled His promises to us. If we had something to say, "Look, God said He would heal me and He did." Or how about, "See, God said He would never leave us. He has brought us through this hard time just like He promised!"
I think their faith would benefit as much as ours would. So I'm going to concentrate more on relating to my children just how often God has been there for me individually and our family. I pray you would spread the word of His work in your life, too.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Today's Reading....
Joshua 3. This is quite an adventure. To have lived in these days would have been remarkable.
"And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." Joshua 3:10 & 17
Joshua begins his announcement by telling the Israelites the sign of the very presence of God. by the end of the chapter in verse 17 we see that his pronouncement and instructions which God undoubtedly gave him had come to pass.
How often does God give instructions and grand gestures that go ignored? How often does God's Word not come about exactly as He states it? He's never wrong. That is how we know it is His voice. He is right 100% of the time.
Lets all test our sources of guidance by this measure. If they aren't correct 100% of the time then they cannot be God's voice. Somehow we tend to place our faith in people who don't get it right all the time. Sylvia Brown has a huge following even though she cannot claim a perfect record. Perhaps we lay our faith in things and people merely because we can see them.
As the saying goes, "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!" He'll always do as He says, just wait and see.
"And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." Joshua 3:10 & 17
Joshua begins his announcement by telling the Israelites the sign of the very presence of God. by the end of the chapter in verse 17 we see that his pronouncement and instructions which God undoubtedly gave him had come to pass.
How often does God give instructions and grand gestures that go ignored? How often does God's Word not come about exactly as He states it? He's never wrong. That is how we know it is His voice. He is right 100% of the time.
Lets all test our sources of guidance by this measure. If they aren't correct 100% of the time then they cannot be God's voice. Somehow we tend to place our faith in people who don't get it right all the time. Sylvia Brown has a huge following even though she cannot claim a perfect record. Perhaps we lay our faith in things and people merely because we can see them.
As the saying goes, "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!" He'll always do as He says, just wait and see.
Today's Reading....
Continuing on in Joshua I read chapter 2 tonight. It details the story of the 2 spies finding and being hidden by Rahab. That wasn't what stuck with me though. This was....
"And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." Joshua 2:9-11
In this heathen land, in the heart of this harlot woman dwelt fear of Jehovah God. The Canaanites had heard of all the miraculous victories and deliverances that God had performed for His Chosen People and they were faint of heart. They knew nothing of Jehovah personally yet they feared and understood His Majesty.
This is often the case with non-believers now. when someone on the brink of death recovers with no medical reason behind it even the heretics and scoffers must acknowledge something, really Someone, was at work. When the Holy Spirit delivers and touches a dissenter there is no excuse they must acknowledge God's mighty hand. It is invigorating to serve a God whose very presence commands attention even among those that deny His existence. Someday they will not have that option anymore.
It is interesting to note that a conversion must have happened in Rahab's life because she become the great-great-grandmother of David. She gave birth to Boaz who married Ruth. Ruth bore Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse was King David's father. See Matthew 1:5-6
Its wonderful that forgiveness and grace (even in the Old Testament) are such that a harlot is not only converted but becomes a pillar in the lineage of our Lord!
"And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." Joshua 2:9-11
In this heathen land, in the heart of this harlot woman dwelt fear of Jehovah God. The Canaanites had heard of all the miraculous victories and deliverances that God had performed for His Chosen People and they were faint of heart. They knew nothing of Jehovah personally yet they feared and understood His Majesty.
This is often the case with non-believers now. when someone on the brink of death recovers with no medical reason behind it even the heretics and scoffers must acknowledge something, really Someone, was at work. When the Holy Spirit delivers and touches a dissenter there is no excuse they must acknowledge God's mighty hand. It is invigorating to serve a God whose very presence commands attention even among those that deny His existence. Someday they will not have that option anymore.
It is interesting to note that a conversion must have happened in Rahab's life because she become the great-great-grandmother of David. She gave birth to Boaz who married Ruth. Ruth bore Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse was King David's father. See Matthew 1:5-6
Its wonderful that forgiveness and grace (even in the Old Testament) are such that a harlot is not only converted but becomes a pillar in the lineage of our Lord!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
What's going on in our world?
Normally I don't publish this type of posting on this blog but I am so grieved that I want to reach the widest audience possible.
I am sure by now that we have all seen the vicious beating of a teenage girl by her fellow classmates that has been broadcast repeatedly over the news. The premeditated attack is said to be motivated by the girl's negative comments on the Internet about her attackers. How do words become the impetus for this?
I can't even begin to understand the mindset of the girls. What has gone on in their lives that this behavior is not atrocious to them? The investigating officer even commented that they joked about spending spring break in jail and wondered if they would make it to cheerleading practice. What has gone so terribly wrong that this is laughable to them and not a tragic event that should mar the rest of their lives?
Obviously my first hope is that they find a real relationship with God. I do however hope that they are prosecuted as adults and to the fullest extent of the law. There is little doubt of their guilt as the attack was videotaped by a reported 4 video cameras, a phone camera, and a digital camera. At their age there is limited culpability of their parents. These young girls and the two young boys who served as look-outs at the door are more than old enough to understand that brutally beating another person to that degree with that level of forethought is completely unacceptable and criminal.
I am going to pray that they all find Jesus and are held accountable. I believe that consequences are necessary and should be severe. I hope you will join me. I fear, though, that they will receive minimal consequences and learn even less from them. I am also going to pray for the victim and her family that all physical, mental, and emotional wounds are healed and that this event leads to their own relationship with God.
I am sure by now that we have all seen the vicious beating of a teenage girl by her fellow classmates that has been broadcast repeatedly over the news. The premeditated attack is said to be motivated by the girl's negative comments on the Internet about her attackers. How do words become the impetus for this?
I can't even begin to understand the mindset of the girls. What has gone on in their lives that this behavior is not atrocious to them? The investigating officer even commented that they joked about spending spring break in jail and wondered if they would make it to cheerleading practice. What has gone so terribly wrong that this is laughable to them and not a tragic event that should mar the rest of their lives?
Obviously my first hope is that they find a real relationship with God. I do however hope that they are prosecuted as adults and to the fullest extent of the law. There is little doubt of their guilt as the attack was videotaped by a reported 4 video cameras, a phone camera, and a digital camera. At their age there is limited culpability of their parents. These young girls and the two young boys who served as look-outs at the door are more than old enough to understand that brutally beating another person to that degree with that level of forethought is completely unacceptable and criminal.
I am going to pray that they all find Jesus and are held accountable. I believe that consequences are necessary and should be severe. I hope you will join me. I fear, though, that they will receive minimal consequences and learn even less from them. I am also going to pray for the victim and her family that all physical, mental, and emotional wounds are healed and that this event leads to their own relationship with God.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Today's Reading....
I decided to go random tonight and just chose a book I had never before read completely through to start reading. I chose Joshua. Here is what I landed on to write about.....
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:8-9
Wow, what promises God presented Joshua! Just after Moses died and Joshua was to lead the Jews into an unknown land God hands Joshua this precious gift. I see no reason why these things don't apply to us today.
If we meditate on God's Word day and night we will be better equipped at all we do. We also have the assurance of never being without His presence. That is a very real aspect of Hell. Eternal and complete separation from God. Not like before we were saved but complete and total alienation from our Creator. Thankfully, we have been given the gift of escaping that end. Praise the Lord!
Don't forget to meditate on the Word tonight and every night. The benefits far outweigh anything that might be sacrificed.
Goodnight.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:8-9
Wow, what promises God presented Joshua! Just after Moses died and Joshua was to lead the Jews into an unknown land God hands Joshua this precious gift. I see no reason why these things don't apply to us today.
If we meditate on God's Word day and night we will be better equipped at all we do. We also have the assurance of never being without His presence. That is a very real aspect of Hell. Eternal and complete separation from God. Not like before we were saved but complete and total alienation from our Creator. Thankfully, we have been given the gift of escaping that end. Praise the Lord!
Don't forget to meditate on the Word tonight and every night. The benefits far outweigh anything that might be sacrificed.
Goodnight.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Pregnant Brain
I have had varying degrees of this comedic affliction with both previous pregnancies. This one takes the cake....
We needed to return a DVD today. As Thad was putting it back in the plastic thingy I had the incredible urge to ask,
"Sweetie, did you rewind the DVD?"
Wow, that's pretty bad! I laughed and so did everyone else in the room. Feel free to enjoy a chuckle at my expense!
We needed to return a DVD today. As Thad was putting it back in the plastic thingy I had the incredible urge to ask,
"Sweetie, did you rewind the DVD?"
Wow, that's pretty bad! I laughed and so did everyone else in the room. Feel free to enjoy a chuckle at my expense!
Today's Reading....
Tonight we caught the last hour of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King on TV. Its is truly a fantastic movie. One line prompted my reading tonight.
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4
In the movie, when they were feeling desolate and alone yet within sight of the top of Mount Doom Samwise tells Frodo, "I can't carry it for you but I can carry you!" He then lifts his friend to his shoulders and carries him toward their journey's end. This is one of my 3 favorite lines of the whole trilogy. It speaks wonderfully of what friends can do for one another. Its beautiful but falls dreadfully short of what Jesus did (and still does) for us.
Unlike Samwise, Jesus can and does carry our burdens as well as carrying us. He is there even before we seek Him. Almost any born again Christian can recall a time before they were saved that they believe God rescued them and carried them through something. Before we believed His hands and shoulders were there for us.
An awesome God for certain! I know that during my prayer tonight I'm going to thank Him for shouldering my load time and again even as I compounded the load and ignored His voice.
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4
In the movie, when they were feeling desolate and alone yet within sight of the top of Mount Doom Samwise tells Frodo, "I can't carry it for you but I can carry you!" He then lifts his friend to his shoulders and carries him toward their journey's end. This is one of my 3 favorite lines of the whole trilogy. It speaks wonderfully of what friends can do for one another. Its beautiful but falls dreadfully short of what Jesus did (and still does) for us.
Unlike Samwise, Jesus can and does carry our burdens as well as carrying us. He is there even before we seek Him. Almost any born again Christian can recall a time before they were saved that they believe God rescued them and carried them through something. Before we believed His hands and shoulders were there for us.
An awesome God for certain! I know that during my prayer tonight I'm going to thank Him for shouldering my load time and again even as I compounded the load and ignored His voice.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Today's Reading....
I actually hopped around quite a bit tonight before I settled on something that resonated with me.
"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." Proverbs 21:30
I consider myself to be a logic-driven person as opposed to an emotionally-driven person so this verse speaks directly to my heart.
Whose wisdom or understanding or counsel or anything else can stand in the face of God's? His Word is final yet all too often we try to rationalize and negotiate our way to the position of rightness. We are merely the creation. We cannot even take our next breath except that God grants it to us. Why then do we think our minds and the concoctions thereof supersede His finality?
I'm going to work on not questioning that which He says is done. I hope you will, too.
Goodnight, all!
"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." Proverbs 21:30
I consider myself to be a logic-driven person as opposed to an emotionally-driven person so this verse speaks directly to my heart.
Whose wisdom or understanding or counsel or anything else can stand in the face of God's? His Word is final yet all too often we try to rationalize and negotiate our way to the position of rightness. We are merely the creation. We cannot even take our next breath except that God grants it to us. Why then do we think our minds and the concoctions thereof supersede His finality?
I'm going to work on not questioning that which He says is done. I hope you will, too.
Goodnight, all!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Trying Something New...
I have never been particularly good at keeping up with my "daily's" with God, i.e. daily Bible reading and/or devotionals. I can delve deeply into the Word when I am curious or need an answer or I have the need to research for a short story or article or to answer a question from someone. But to pick it up like I would a novel or something has always been an obstacle for me. So now I'm trying something new.
I want to become a servant who hangs on her Lord's Words (all of them.) To facilitate that and provide some motivation and accountability, I am going to read a passage daily and report to you on it via this and my other blog. I am going to attempt something else that's outside of my character: be short and sweet in 100 words or less (not counting scripture.)
Here goes...
Today was rainy. I thought I would see how much I could find in God's Word about rain. There were the usual suspects like Noah and the Latter Rain. What I hit on that resonated today was Isaiah 55:10-11.
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
The cycle of precipitation is quite remarkable. What we see fall eventually returns to the One who caused it to fall but in a different form. He then uses it again to accomplish that for which He created it.
How would our lives change if we allowed ourselves to be the "rain" when it comes to the Great Commission? (Matthew 28:19-20) We would be the vehicle that accomplishes His Word! What greater service is there than to rescue a soul from the brink of Hell?
OK, so it was 124 words. I'm new at this short thing. I'll get used to it. Maybe.
I want to become a servant who hangs on her Lord's Words (all of them.) To facilitate that and provide some motivation and accountability, I am going to read a passage daily and report to you on it via this and my other blog. I am going to attempt something else that's outside of my character: be short and sweet in 100 words or less (not counting scripture.)
Here goes...
Today was rainy. I thought I would see how much I could find in God's Word about rain. There were the usual suspects like Noah and the Latter Rain. What I hit on that resonated today was Isaiah 55:10-11.
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
The cycle of precipitation is quite remarkable. What we see fall eventually returns to the One who caused it to fall but in a different form. He then uses it again to accomplish that for which He created it.
How would our lives change if we allowed ourselves to be the "rain" when it comes to the Great Commission? (Matthew 28:19-20) We would be the vehicle that accomplishes His Word! What greater service is there than to rescue a soul from the brink of Hell?
OK, so it was 124 words. I'm new at this short thing. I'll get used to it. Maybe.
A Scalf Saturday Night
We don't worry about the latest family movie that just came to theaters. We don't spend hours at Blockbuster finding one for the kids and one for the grown-ups. We don't go to the mall much. We're kind of homebodies. We eat out once a week with our pastor and his wife (A.K.A. my dad and mom) right before Wednesday Bible Study in our living room or sometimes theirs. So what does the super exciting Scalf family do on a Saturday night?
We plant a tree.
Since we bought this house last August I have wanted something live in the house other than us and the uninvited (and now deceased, thank you, husband) rodents trying to escape the cold and wet outside by residing in our basement. I decided I wanted a tree for a particular corner of the living room. I had envisioned a palm or something of that variety. After going to Bates Nursery on Whites Creek Pike in Nashville which had some but were out of our budget, we went to Home Depot. Their palms were kind of sad and some had ants. I was feeling little bummed. Enter my fantastic husband who says, "what about these, sweetie?" I turned to see him next to some wonderfully vibrant Hibiscus trees. They were lovely. I wanted one bad but I was concerned.
"Will these survive in our living room?" What does computer geek husband do? He grabs his "Q" from its cradle on his belt and Googles it. We're standing in the lawn and garden department of Home Depot googling hibiscus trees while its pouring rain outside on a Saturday night. Yes, it was as odd and funny as it sounds. Anyway, the article that Google fetched for us gave us the go ahead.
Since it was raining and I don't like the basement because of a severe aversion to critters, we did the repotting in our living room. Here are the pictures of what happens when a Bonsai/Computer Geek, a 5-year-old, a toddler willing to eat anything, and a mom with a camera repot a tree in our living room. Enjoy!
As you can see Lily eventually had to get "nekkits" as she says because she kept sticking her hands in the soil, licking them and rubbing them on her clothes. Between shots I kept wiping her hands off and digging in her mouth for anything I could get out. Thomas was his Daddy's little apprentice, soaking in every detail of root teasing and soil composition and watering techniques. He's an amazing boy. After the tree was firmly in its new pot Daddy got bath duty and I was on clean up crew. They slept fantastically that night.
In the end we got a beautiful addition to our home and some great pictures of our family time. I love these kinds of activities with our kids. They are the best source of entertainment I can think of.
(From this article you would never know that I was an Ag nerd in high school and the president of our chapter of the Future Farmers of America. I was particularly interested in two classes: small gasoline engine repair and ornamental horticulture. The part about getting my hands dirty was the death knell for any career involving either of these. I'm not prissy. I'll play in the dirt with the best of them. I will just have rubber gloves on.)
We plant a tree.
Since we bought this house last August I have wanted something live in the house other than us and the uninvited (and now deceased, thank you, husband) rodents trying to escape the cold and wet outside by residing in our basement. I decided I wanted a tree for a particular corner of the living room. I had envisioned a palm or something of that variety. After going to Bates Nursery on Whites Creek Pike in Nashville which had some but were out of our budget, we went to Home Depot. Their palms were kind of sad and some had ants. I was feeling little bummed. Enter my fantastic husband who says, "what about these, sweetie?" I turned to see him next to some wonderfully vibrant Hibiscus trees. They were lovely. I wanted one bad but I was concerned.
"Will these survive in our living room?" What does computer geek husband do? He grabs his "Q" from its cradle on his belt and Googles it. We're standing in the lawn and garden department of Home Depot googling hibiscus trees while its pouring rain outside on a Saturday night. Yes, it was as odd and funny as it sounds. Anyway, the article that Google fetched for us gave us the go ahead.
Since it was raining and I don't like the basement because of a severe aversion to critters, we did the repotting in our living room. Here are the pictures of what happens when a Bonsai/Computer Geek, a 5-year-old, a toddler willing to eat anything, and a mom with a camera repot a tree in our living room. Enjoy!
As you can see Lily eventually had to get "nekkits" as she says because she kept sticking her hands in the soil, licking them and rubbing them on her clothes. Between shots I kept wiping her hands off and digging in her mouth for anything I could get out. Thomas was his Daddy's little apprentice, soaking in every detail of root teasing and soil composition and watering techniques. He's an amazing boy. After the tree was firmly in its new pot Daddy got bath duty and I was on clean up crew. They slept fantastically that night.
In the end we got a beautiful addition to our home and some great pictures of our family time. I love these kinds of activities with our kids. They are the best source of entertainment I can think of.
(From this article you would never know that I was an Ag nerd in high school and the president of our chapter of the Future Farmers of America. I was particularly interested in two classes: small gasoline engine repair and ornamental horticulture. The part about getting my hands dirty was the death knell for any career involving either of these. I'm not prissy. I'll play in the dirt with the best of them. I will just have rubber gloves on.)
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