I struggle with reading God's Word. In this day and age there are so many books, articles, internet sites, blog posts, etc. on just about every imaginable topic. It sometimes seems easier to turn to one of those than to God's Word.
I long for something that speaks specifically to me - to my situation. It's sometimes easier to Google 'parenting issues', 'ways to deal with anger/stress/depression' or whatever topic is heavy on my heart and see a multitude of information and opinion at just a click than it is to wade through God's Word, which can sometimes seem obscure.
There's some good, reliable info out there. There are many gifted Christian writers who offer sound biblical perspective on different issues. But, it's no replacement for God's Word.
And, if I'm totally honest, I rarely turn to God's Word. I don't make the scriptures a regular part of my life. It often feels like.... a chore.
But our pastor said something yesterday that really struck a chord with me. He was discussing how vital it is for us to make reading God's Word a regular part of our lives. He said.....The value we place on scripture IS the value we place on God. We can't ignore His Words and claim to love Him.
Ouch.
I had a rough week last week and as often happens when I have a crisis of some sort I actually turned to scripture. I came across Psalm 119 - what I later learned is the longest of the Psalms. In it I found parts that talked about discernment, good judgement, wisdom - words that I needed.
After feeling challenged by our pastor's sermon I decided to return to Psalm 119 - mostly because I didn't really know where to start in my quest to make scripture a part of my daily life. And, as it turns out, Psalm 119 is all about God's Word - His precepts, His commands.
I decided that it would be fitting to meditate on this Psalm for awhile.
I am hoping that this is the beginning of a journey to immerse myself in God's Word...and in God. It also coincides with a month long break from Facebook. It is my hope to turn my attention and focus back to God.
And, I will hold on to the promise that God wants to speak to me through His Word. It's not His intention that His words be difficult to understand.
Isaiah 45:19 says
"I am the Lord and there is no other.
I have not spoken in secret from somewhere in a land of darkness.
I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'seek me in vain'.
I, the Lord, speak the truth. I declare what is right."
I'm thinking I may blog/journal through this meditation on Psalm 119 taking small parts of it at a time. Feel free to join me.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Friday, December 14, 2012
Something I Need to Share
So, I want to share this. Bear with me. This may be long.
Today, I came out of a store with my 2 youngest sons & walked to my van. There was a lady parked right beside me with her car hood up. She was smoking a cigarette & talking on a cell phone. She obviously needed help & I knew I had jumper cables in my van. I didn't want to interrupt if she was talking, but she just seemed to be trying to reach someone on her phone and she made eye contact with me .
I asked if she needed help and if she thought that her car just needed a jump. I told her I had cables & I'd be happy to help. She thanked me profusely. We jumped her car and were able to get it started.
She then told me this was the third time the car has left her sit and I was the first person who had offered to help her. She said the first time she was in the Walmart parking lot. She was there for an hour with her hood up, obviously having trouble, waiting for her sister to come help & not one person offered her a hand. She said the next time was at Arby's. She even went inside, asked a man if he might be able to help. She said he looked at her and said, 'I don't think so.'
"So, I really appreciate you helping". I told her 'Of course! I know I'd want someone to help me.' She said 'God Bless You.' We wished each other a Merry Christmas and went our separate ways.
When I got back in the van I remember looking at the time. It was 9:40 a.m.
I didn't get home from running errands until around 1:30 today. When I finally got the kids tucked in for naps & then sat down to check messages on the computer, I noticed the newsfeed on Facebook was filled with things about a shooting in CT. I didn't know what had happened! I went to an online news source & ,shaking in total disbelief, I read about 27 people dead...18 of them children. Horror, confusion, sadness washed over me. How? Why?
As I continued to read articles, see comments people were posting on Facebook, bits and pieces of what happened today came together. Among the details I read, was that the shootings had begun at 9:40 a.m. Nothing about this struck me right away. It was another piece of a horrific story.
It wasn't until later that it struck me that this had been the same time I had gotten back in my van. The same time that I had finished helping another person was the same time that someone else in another part of the country had begun ripping the lives of countless other people apart.
It wasn't until later that it struck me that this had been the same time I had gotten back in my van. The same time that I had finished helping another person was the same time that someone else in another part of the country had begun ripping the lives of countless other people apart.
And, as strange as it might sound, I felt like God was telling me something. We sometimes feel like we have little or no impact in a world that is shattered, a world that is falling apart. What difference does a small kindness to a stranger make when we are surrounded by such destruction, such evil?
But, those small kindnesses....each smile, each word of encouragement, each small sacrifice of time is a wound in the side of our enemy. And, there is an enemy. I have friends who have no belief in God, who have no belief in anything apart from science or they world they can see, taste, & touch. It seems that unbelief is spreading almost contagiously in our society. For those who don't believe, they scoff at the idea of their being a Power of Ultimate Good and a power of evil. Fairy tales, myths, mere stories is how they would describe all of that.
Yet, even in my moments of doubt (and don't we all have them to some extent or another?), even in moments where Good, where God is hard to see, that evil one gives himself away. The Bible says that he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And Satan's been gorging himself, feasting on the souls of a dying world. He seeks to destroy all that is good, all that is peace.
Maybe those who don't believe, don't sense it. I don't know. But, when things like this happen the evil is palpable. You can almost smell the stench of it. This goes beyond human failing (although the humans who carry out these horrors made the choice and carry the guilt). But, there is something more. There is something so wretched and grotesque that wriggled & wormed it's way into someone's psyche, their heart, their soul.
I feel it when I watch certain movies or when I hear certain songs. I can feel it when I see families, relationships, peace ripped apart by anger & hurt. It is there. This thing that seeks the absolute annihilation of all of us.
BUT, here it is. The Bible also tells us that Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We have the advantage! We are God's people. We have His Power in us! And, that terrifies the enemy. So, he seeks to blind us to the evil, or distract us with all the glitzy & time-consuming things this world has to offer, or he seeks to plant fear in our hearts...to fool us into believe we are powerless.
Here is the TRUTH. God is still the Great I Am, King of Kings, Lord of Lords. None can stand before him. He is Holy, Almighty, Worthy. All Power, all Honor, all Glory is his!
And, He sent His Son to bring us Salvation, to bring us Peace. He is the Prince of Peace!
Jesus Himself prayed 'Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven .' Don't miss that part. God's will can AND WILL be done on earth! He has already won.
And, we are the messengers, the carriers of that truth. Each time we reach out to others, that we share our time, our resources, our kindness.... it is a chance for God to work in another's heart. It is a chance for God's will to be accomplished.
And, don't let the enemy fool you. God is at work. And, God prevails.
But, those small kindnesses....each smile, each word of encouragement, each small sacrifice of time is a wound in the side of our enemy. And, there is an enemy. I have friends who have no belief in God, who have no belief in anything apart from science or they world they can see, taste, & touch. It seems that unbelief is spreading almost contagiously in our society. For those who don't believe, they scoff at the idea of their being a Power of Ultimate Good and a power of evil. Fairy tales, myths, mere stories is how they would describe all of that.
Yet, even in my moments of doubt (and don't we all have them to some extent or another?), even in moments where Good, where God is hard to see, that evil one gives himself away. The Bible says that he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And Satan's been gorging himself, feasting on the souls of a dying world. He seeks to destroy all that is good, all that is peace.
Maybe those who don't believe, don't sense it. I don't know. But, when things like this happen the evil is palpable. You can almost smell the stench of it. This goes beyond human failing (although the humans who carry out these horrors made the choice and carry the guilt). But, there is something more. There is something so wretched and grotesque that wriggled & wormed it's way into someone's psyche, their heart, their soul.
I feel it when I watch certain movies or when I hear certain songs. I can feel it when I see families, relationships, peace ripped apart by anger & hurt. It is there. This thing that seeks the absolute annihilation of all of us.
BUT, here it is. The Bible also tells us that Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We have the advantage! We are God's people. We have His Power in us! And, that terrifies the enemy. So, he seeks to blind us to the evil, or distract us with all the glitzy & time-consuming things this world has to offer, or he seeks to plant fear in our hearts...to fool us into believe we are powerless.
Here is the TRUTH. God is still the Great I Am, King of Kings, Lord of Lords. None can stand before him. He is Holy, Almighty, Worthy. All Power, all Honor, all Glory is his!
And, He sent His Son to bring us Salvation, to bring us Peace. He is the Prince of Peace!
Jesus Himself prayed 'Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven .' Don't miss that part. God's will can AND WILL be done on earth! He has already won.
And, we are the messengers, the carriers of that truth. Each time we reach out to others, that we share our time, our resources, our kindness.... it is a chance for God to work in another's heart. It is a chance for God's will to be accomplished.
And, don't let the enemy fool you. God is at work. And, God prevails.
"Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
10I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please."
Isaiah 46: 9 & 10
Monday, November 26, 2012
A Quick Review
Wow! I really seem to have virtually no time to blog anymore! Or, if I do have the time, there are other things that call out for my attention.
.
Ok! Quick update!
1. I mentioned I was going to participate in a craft show. Unfortunately, the turnout wasn't quite what we all had hoped. The show was the weekend before we were expected to get hit by Hurricane Sandy. I think a lot of people decided to stay home or prepare themselves.
2. We did weather the hurricane just fine. Actually, on Tuesday morning I woke up and everything seemed really calm. My first thought was, 'Was that it?' Of course, as we saw the news about the devastation in other areas, we realized that not everyone had been as fortunate as us. We did have one casualty though....
3. So what HAVE I been doing with myself? Well, I had been busy prepping for the craft show. But, I haven't done as much with refinishing/painting furniture lately. Instead, I've been doing a lot of buying and reselling of furniture and vintage items. I even started a group on Facebook! It's a local group for buying and selling furniture, vintage, and household items. (Did you know that people have started yard sale groups on Facebook? I only learned this fairly recently. This group is similar, but I wanted something specifically for these categories.) I started the group about 4 months ago and we just recently reached the 1000+ Member mark! It's where I do the majority of my selling anymore. I've found it's a better option than Craigslist, where I felt like I was getting mostly spammy/ scammy stuff.
There is an auction house just 5 minutes up the road from me. And, they have an auction every Tuesday! This is where I've been finding a lot of my treasures. You'd be amazed at the good deals you can get at an auction! Of course, there are a lot of dealers who come too & drive prices up on things. But, if you are willing to bid on something that needs a little tlc or a box lot that may have hidden treasures, you can actually make out quite well! Not to mention, auctions are exciting...and maybe a wee bit addictive!
This year my furniture refinishing sales & furniture/vintage items resales paid for our family vacation to the Finger Lakes in October almost entirely. Now, I'm saving up money for some Christmas presents. And, after that, I'd like to plan a trip for me and my girlfriends in the Spring. Best of all, I've had the ability to be generous! I have tithed on all my profits. And, I've had a couple times where I've heard of someone in need and actually had the ability to help them out. It's a good feeling.
4. Oh, and I found the most awesome website for boy gifts! It's called JMCremps and it's lot of adventure, outdoorsy, science & history related stuff for boys. It's awesome!
Here's one thing I'm definitely going to get for my boys. They are obsessed with the show Man vs. Wild and greatly admire Bear Grylls. Turns out he has a book! He wrote it for his own sons. And, it contains words of wisdom and scripture references. I can't wait to get this!
Well, there's a quickie update for you. Sorry I've been neglecting the blog. But, I hope to start writing on here a bit more regularly again.
.
Ok! Quick update!
1. I mentioned I was going to participate in a craft show. Unfortunately, the turnout wasn't quite what we all had hoped. The show was the weekend before we were expected to get hit by Hurricane Sandy. I think a lot of people decided to stay home or prepare themselves.
2. We did weather the hurricane just fine. Actually, on Tuesday morning I woke up and everything seemed really calm. My first thought was, 'Was that it?' Of course, as we saw the news about the devastation in other areas, we realized that not everyone had been as fortunate as us. We did have one casualty though....
Farewell Old, Gnarled Apple Tree
The Tree Took Out my Outside Glider as well.
3. So what HAVE I been doing with myself? Well, I had been busy prepping for the craft show. But, I haven't done as much with refinishing/painting furniture lately. Instead, I've been doing a lot of buying and reselling of furniture and vintage items. I even started a group on Facebook! It's a local group for buying and selling furniture, vintage, and household items. (Did you know that people have started yard sale groups on Facebook? I only learned this fairly recently. This group is similar, but I wanted something specifically for these categories.) I started the group about 4 months ago and we just recently reached the 1000+ Member mark! It's where I do the majority of my selling anymore. I've found it's a better option than Craigslist, where I felt like I was getting mostly spammy/ scammy stuff.
There is an auction house just 5 minutes up the road from me. And, they have an auction every Tuesday! This is where I've been finding a lot of my treasures. You'd be amazed at the good deals you can get at an auction! Of course, there are a lot of dealers who come too & drive prices up on things. But, if you are willing to bid on something that needs a little tlc or a box lot that may have hidden treasures, you can actually make out quite well! Not to mention, auctions are exciting...and maybe a wee bit addictive!
This year my furniture refinishing sales & furniture/vintage items resales paid for our family vacation to the Finger Lakes in October almost entirely. Now, I'm saving up money for some Christmas presents. And, after that, I'd like to plan a trip for me and my girlfriends in the Spring. Best of all, I've had the ability to be generous! I have tithed on all my profits. And, I've had a couple times where I've heard of someone in need and actually had the ability to help them out. It's a good feeling.
4. Oh, and I found the most awesome website for boy gifts! It's called JMCremps and it's lot of adventure, outdoorsy, science & history related stuff for boys. It's awesome!
Here's one thing I'm definitely going to get for my boys. They are obsessed with the show Man vs. Wild and greatly admire Bear Grylls. Turns out he has a book! He wrote it for his own sons. And, it contains words of wisdom and scripture references. I can't wait to get this!
Well, there's a quickie update for you. Sorry I've been neglecting the blog. But, I hope to start writing on here a bit more regularly again.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Hunkering Down
The rain is coming down, but we're all waiting for the real impact of this storm. Just saw on the storm tracker that on it's current path the eye of the hurricane will pass right over top of our county.
Last night we had a call from PP&L (our electric company) to expect power outages that could last up to a week. We've got water set aside for drinking & washing. We've got frozen water bottles. Our generator is standing by. I've cooked enough meals for the coming week. Last batch of dishes in the dishwasher. Trying to squeeze in a few more loads of laundry. Bought some candles. Bought some crafty stuff for the kids to do.
Now we wait.
Last night we had a call from PP&L (our electric company) to expect power outages that could last up to a week. We've got water set aside for drinking & washing. We've got frozen water bottles. Our generator is standing by. I've cooked enough meals for the coming week. Last batch of dishes in the dishwasher. Trying to squeeze in a few more loads of laundry. Bought some candles. Bought some crafty stuff for the kids to do.
Now we wait.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Getting Ready for a Craft Show!
I know I've been really quiet on here lately. I'm hoping to very soon be back a little more regularly & catch you up on everything that's been going on! It's been busy!
But, in the meantime, I want to give you a sneak peek at some items I have completed for a craft show I'm participating in tomorrow. This is the first time I've ever done something like this! It's especially exciting because some of the proceeds are going toward a fund for a family that is working toward adopting a little girl from Ethiopia.
But, in the meantime, I want to give you a sneak peek at some items I have completed for a craft show I'm participating in tomorrow. This is the first time I've ever done something like this! It's especially exciting because some of the proceeds are going toward a fund for a family that is working toward adopting a little girl from Ethiopia.
This little blue nightstand was done by my son, Wyatt!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Note To Self
A note to my future self....
When I've made it through these 'in the trenches' years of motherhood and have moved into another, gentler season that tempers and smooths the edges of my memories, I hope that I remember enough that I can encourage & strengthen the next group of mothers who take up their own battle.
If I have the opportunity to share with young moms when I have become that seasoned mother, I want to be honest about how hard it was, how some days I struggled to get through each day minute by minute.
I want to be honest and open about my many failures as a mom and the imperfections of my own children.
I want them to know that they are not alone. They are not crazy. And, they are not bad moms.
Motherhood is hard. Very hard. But, we pretend otherwise.
I'd like to start a Pinterest page for those down and dirty moments of life....the angry, temper tantrum, whining, fighting, overflowing toilets & mile hile laundry piles moments. I know Pinterest is supposed to be an inspiration board. But, lately, I would take more inspiration from stories from those moms who lived it and made it through than I do from another cute way to cut a sandwich or the latest DIY home decor.
I want someone to be real with me. And so, future self, please remember to be real to those future moms you meet. I imagine you WILL make it through and that is what you need to share with them.
When I've made it through these 'in the trenches' years of motherhood and have moved into another, gentler season that tempers and smooths the edges of my memories, I hope that I remember enough that I can encourage & strengthen the next group of mothers who take up their own battle.
If I have the opportunity to share with young moms when I have become that seasoned mother, I want to be honest about how hard it was, how some days I struggled to get through each day minute by minute.
I want to be honest and open about my many failures as a mom and the imperfections of my own children.
I want them to know that they are not alone. They are not crazy. And, they are not bad moms.
Motherhood is hard. Very hard. But, we pretend otherwise.
I'd like to start a Pinterest page for those down and dirty moments of life....the angry, temper tantrum, whining, fighting, overflowing toilets & mile hile laundry piles moments. I know Pinterest is supposed to be an inspiration board. But, lately, I would take more inspiration from stories from those moms who lived it and made it through than I do from another cute way to cut a sandwich or the latest DIY home decor.
I want someone to be real with me. And so, future self, please remember to be real to those future moms you meet. I imagine you WILL make it through and that is what you need to share with them.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Where Did the Time Go
My mom pointed out that my last entry was on June 18. "Is that right?", she asked somewhat incredulously.
I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess I haven't posted on here and a really long time. This summer has been keeping me hopping. I do want to update you on the progress on our house project. The outside isn't quite finished yet....but it's getting there! Pictures to come!
In the meantime I have to share this funny little story.
I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess I haven't posted on here and a really long time. This summer has been keeping me hopping. I do want to update you on the progress on our house project. The outside isn't quite finished yet....but it's getting there! Pictures to come!
In the meantime I have to share this funny little story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
