Today my Bible reading led me to Numbers chapter 27. I had a bit of fun imagining this scene being played out so many years ago. It wasn't very often that women took a stand in those days. It wasn't done, and it wasn't really smiled upon. Imagine what was in every one's minds as five women approached Moses together! That must have been something to see! These women wanted their father's inheritance. In those days, the inheritance of a man was passed down to his sons, and with no sons, it would pass on to other men in the family. And Zelophehad's five daughters wanted their father's inheritance to be passed on to them, since there were no sons. This was unprecedented, and Moses took this request directly to God.
The Lord heard these women's request, and gave them what they asked for. And in addition to that- the laws of Israel were changed. In the future, with the absence of sons, daughters may inherit from their fathers. This was a big deal! Think about all the women thereafter who benefited from this change because these five women took bold action. Their boldness was rewarded- not only unto themselves, but to the many generation after. These women are a great example of taking a stand for what is right and what you truly believe in. It's also encouraging to me as a woman to know that even though my husband is the head of our household, that God also listens when I speak. It also shows that as women, we can approach our spiritual leaders- as long as we do it appropriately.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Plan
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
God has a plan for each and every one of us. And he knows exactly what it is. To me, that is beyond exciting. Of course, it also makes me want to know what it is. So often I can't help but wonder if we are doing what we should be doing, and if we are where we are supposed to be. Are Andy and I supposed to be the caretakers of our church? Or is that just our selfish nature not wanting other people to take care of it? I know how well I clean the church each week. On the weeks when someone else does it, I always wonder if they do as good of a job. Are we even at the right church? Sometimes I really wonder at that. Maybe there is somewhere else we are supposed to be entirely. Maybe we aren't even living in the right town, maybe we're supposed to go somewhere without a church and start one. There are so many variables, and so many what ifs. And every once in a while, those doubts and variables are really at the forefront of my mind.
Right now, I think it's because of spring. Spring is new beginnings and starting over, and I always think about how exciting it would be to start over somewhere new. And while sometimes these feelings that I have, could be a gentle nudge, for the most part (at least right now) I think these are thoughts of doubt. Thoughts from the enemy to get us to run away from the good we are doing now. And instead of focusing on those negative thoughts, its really a struggle to think on the positive. But then I found this verse today, and it gives me such hope. God has a plan!! He knows exactly where we should be, and what we should be doing. And I know, without a doubt, that if a change is to be made, he will tell us. He will let us know when it's time for a change- in a big way. It will be a resounding call for change, and that time is not now. So for now, I pray wholeheartedly that these negative thoughts take a hike, and that they stop coming back! I pray that his will for our lives will be clear in our hearts and minds, and that we will follow it with all our hearts. For he is a great God, and only has our best interests in mind. He wants us to be happy and prosperous, and that is certainly a hope to cling to.
God has a plan for each and every one of us. And he knows exactly what it is. To me, that is beyond exciting. Of course, it also makes me want to know what it is. So often I can't help but wonder if we are doing what we should be doing, and if we are where we are supposed to be. Are Andy and I supposed to be the caretakers of our church? Or is that just our selfish nature not wanting other people to take care of it? I know how well I clean the church each week. On the weeks when someone else does it, I always wonder if they do as good of a job. Are we even at the right church? Sometimes I really wonder at that. Maybe there is somewhere else we are supposed to be entirely. Maybe we aren't even living in the right town, maybe we're supposed to go somewhere without a church and start one. There are so many variables, and so many what ifs. And every once in a while, those doubts and variables are really at the forefront of my mind.
Right now, I think it's because of spring. Spring is new beginnings and starting over, and I always think about how exciting it would be to start over somewhere new. And while sometimes these feelings that I have, could be a gentle nudge, for the most part (at least right now) I think these are thoughts of doubt. Thoughts from the enemy to get us to run away from the good we are doing now. And instead of focusing on those negative thoughts, its really a struggle to think on the positive. But then I found this verse today, and it gives me such hope. God has a plan!! He knows exactly where we should be, and what we should be doing. And I know, without a doubt, that if a change is to be made, he will tell us. He will let us know when it's time for a change- in a big way. It will be a resounding call for change, and that time is not now. So for now, I pray wholeheartedly that these negative thoughts take a hike, and that they stop coming back! I pray that his will for our lives will be clear in our hearts and minds, and that we will follow it with all our hearts. For he is a great God, and only has our best interests in mind. He wants us to be happy and prosperous, and that is certainly a hope to cling to.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Daniel
Today I read Daniel, chapter 1. This was the introduction to Daniel, and how he became one of King Nebuchadnezzar's advisers. One thing in particular really stuck out to me.
" But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods." Daniel 1:8
Daniel was a man of God. He placed God first and foremost- even when choosing his meals. Daniel was Jewish, so his reasons for turning down the Kings food was likely due to the food not being approved for Jews to eat. Daniel was living in the King's palace, and being offered the richest and the finest food and wine to eat and drink, and he turned it down to place God first. Instead, he ate vegetables and drank water. God was Daniel's first priority, and as a result, God blessed Daniel, and Daniel thrived and flourished on his vegetables and water.
Daniel put God first. He took a stand- and not the last one he would take in his life. He committed his life first and foremost to the King of Heaven- before the Kings on this earth. We can use Daniel as an example for setting God first in our lives. When God is our first priority- imagine how things will fall into place. All of Daniel's decisions were based on his commitment to God- he refused to defile himself by consuming food and drink that was forbidden to him. He made up his mind to please God first, and stuck to it. Do we do that? Do we please God by not defiling ourselves? No matter what the issue is- lying, cheating, watching movies we shouldn't, spending money that isn't ours to spend. When we choose God first, those bad habits will fall to the wayside, and our life will reflect the decision we've made to put God first.
Daniel chose to stick with God, and in return, God stuck with Daniel in everything. By choosing God first, God will also stick with us- through thick and thin.
" But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods." Daniel 1:8
Daniel was a man of God. He placed God first and foremost- even when choosing his meals. Daniel was Jewish, so his reasons for turning down the Kings food was likely due to the food not being approved for Jews to eat. Daniel was living in the King's palace, and being offered the richest and the finest food and wine to eat and drink, and he turned it down to place God first. Instead, he ate vegetables and drank water. God was Daniel's first priority, and as a result, God blessed Daniel, and Daniel thrived and flourished on his vegetables and water.
Daniel put God first. He took a stand- and not the last one he would take in his life. He committed his life first and foremost to the King of Heaven- before the Kings on this earth. We can use Daniel as an example for setting God first in our lives. When God is our first priority- imagine how things will fall into place. All of Daniel's decisions were based on his commitment to God- he refused to defile himself by consuming food and drink that was forbidden to him. He made up his mind to please God first, and stuck to it. Do we do that? Do we please God by not defiling ourselves? No matter what the issue is- lying, cheating, watching movies we shouldn't, spending money that isn't ours to spend. When we choose God first, those bad habits will fall to the wayside, and our life will reflect the decision we've made to put God first.
Daniel chose to stick with God, and in return, God stuck with Daniel in everything. By choosing God first, God will also stick with us- through thick and thin.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
You can do it!
At church recently we've been discussing witnessing and evangelism. There's been plenty of encouragement on how to be bolder and be better able to start up a conversation with a stranger- because you never know where that conversation may lead. Something that has come up recently is what to say when the time comes. What do you say when one of these conversations turns into an opportunity to witness? How do you know the right things to say? This morning as I opened my Bible I found exactly what will happen when the time comes. When the door is wide open and the opportunity knocking, God will take care of it.
"10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
"10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:10-12
It would be very easy to make excuses about why I couldn't witness to someone. I could say that I'm not very good at that kind of thing and send them to someone else, or I could have a whole long spiel prepared ahead of time, but that would sound very canned and prepared, and not very "from the heart", in my opinion. Instead I can be confident in my God. Confident that by being obedient to God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, that I will find the right words to say at the right time. God will guide my tongue to say what it needs to when I need to. As long as I am obedient, God will do the rest.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Planning A Garden
"She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
While we were busy playing and discovering, Andy tackled readying the garden. We have a shed in our yard, and last year, we placed a tiny garden off one side of it. As much as I want a vegetable garden, I hate the idea of taking up my children's play space, so we've gotten creative with our gardening. This year, God showed showed us the unused space (12 feet!) along the back of the shed that gets full sun most of the day, so Andy made a second bed along the back, and then because she asked for it, he made a small bed for Abigail to plant whatever she would like. And even though it's much too early to think about planting yet, I was looking at the raised beds, empty, and thanking God for this opportunity. And I prayed that he would guide me as to what would be best to plant this year. It's been such a joy for me to pull vegetables out of the freezer or pickles out of the pantry from last fall. I can't wait to begin the process of planting and tending and eventually harvesting and preserving.
God has placed this intense desire on my heart to take care of my family as best as possible. And in the process, they can learn along with me. Both my children can't wait to plant a garden, and I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they bite into a carrot they've planted, nurtured, and pulled out of the ground themselves. I am so grateful for this opportunity to teach them and work with them on the family gardens, I only pray that I am able to use as many teaching opportunities as possible.
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks." Proverbs 31:16,17
While we were busy playing and discovering, Andy tackled readying the garden. We have a shed in our yard, and last year, we placed a tiny garden off one side of it. As much as I want a vegetable garden, I hate the idea of taking up my children's play space, so we've gotten creative with our gardening. This year, God showed showed us the unused space (12 feet!) along the back of the shed that gets full sun most of the day, so Andy made a second bed along the back, and then because she asked for it, he made a small bed for Abigail to plant whatever she would like. And even though it's much too early to think about planting yet, I was looking at the raised beds, empty, and thanking God for this opportunity. And I prayed that he would guide me as to what would be best to plant this year. It's been such a joy for me to pull vegetables out of the freezer or pickles out of the pantry from last fall. I can't wait to begin the process of planting and tending and eventually harvesting and preserving.
God has placed this intense desire on my heart to take care of my family as best as possible. And in the process, they can learn along with me. Both my children can't wait to plant a garden, and I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they bite into a carrot they've planted, nurtured, and pulled out of the ground themselves. I am so grateful for this opportunity to teach them and work with them on the family gardens, I only pray that I am able to use as many teaching opportunities as possible.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Trust
Trust in the Lord is a beautiful thing. God is trustworthy whether we trust him or not, but what a much better life we'll live if we use that trust! God would have us trust him so that we need not worry.
"1 O God, have mercy on me,
for people are hounding me.
My foes attack me all day long.
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
and many are boldly attacking me.
3 But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
5 They are always twisting what I say;
they spend their days plotting to harm me.
6 They come together to spy on me—
watching my every step, eager to kill me.
7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
in your anger, O God, bring them down.
8 You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised;
Yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13 For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light."
Psalm 56
Trust in God can give us so much... it can give us encouragement, it can give us peace, it can give us understanding and comfort. And the beauty of Trusting in God is that it isn't the measurement of how much trust we have that matters. What matters is the object of our trust. By placing our trust in God we can have assurance that we have an ally. We will be provided for, we will be protected, and our enemies will be put aside.Saturday, March 24, 2007
The Builders
"Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
I keep writing something different about this passage. I have it in my mind what I want to say, but when I get it down and then re-read it, it isn't coming out right and I erase it. The essence of this passage is that we are God's builders. And one day, the time will come that our "buildings" will be judged. Those who have built well, and done great things for God with their lives will receive the reward of a crown. Jesus himself will reward those who produce a life of quality building. So how will your building measure up? Will you spend your life as a person of quality?Friday, March 23, 2007
Complaining
Andy and I have made the conscious decision lately to stop complaining about everything. For one reason, when we complain, nothing is getting fixed, just talked about. Instead of complaining about a situation, we'd rather do what we can to fix it. The second reason that we're choosing not to complain is because it's contagious in a bad way. For example, if I complain to a group of friends about the book selection at our local library, that stick in their minds. Before you know it, they're thinking the same thing about our library, and they tell other people that. And before long, it's spread, and then the whole town is complaining about our library instead of rallying together to do what can be done to get more books on the shelf. And even worse, eventually the head librarian gets wind of these complaints, and becomes hurt because she's doing the best job she can with the limited funds she has.
Complaining can cause hurt. I used a hypothetical situation, but in a church family, complaining can have dire consequences, as it can cause people in positions of ministry to back off from their areas of service, or even worse, it can drive them out of the church altogether. And even though often our complaints may be valid, there is a better way to deal with them. And I find the solution to that in Pslams 142.
"I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn." Psalm 142:1-3
We should take our complaints to God. Not in a whiny, God fix this kind of attitude, but in a seeking manner. God, how do I approach this situation, is there something I can do to fix it. Is there something I could do to encourage that ministry more, or do I need to contribute of myself in some way. By taking our complaints to God, we're not causing anyone distress and we're taking them to the one who can deal with it best. I've also personally asked God to help me stop being so critical at times. It almost seems like sometimes I'm looking for reasons to complain, and I'm sure there are other people like that- we all know someone who chronically complains. In addition, I definitely don't want to be the person Jude mentions:
"These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want." Jude 1:16
I've spent a lot of time praying lately about complaining. I pray for both Andy and myself, that we can stop seeing the negative and see the positive, and I also pray that other people within our church will stop complaining as well. If we all were to stop complaining about each other, we would have much better harmony within the body, and that is so important to have. May I feel convicted before I begin to speak against one of my Christian brothers and sisters.
Complaining can cause hurt. I used a hypothetical situation, but in a church family, complaining can have dire consequences, as it can cause people in positions of ministry to back off from their areas of service, or even worse, it can drive them out of the church altogether. And even though often our complaints may be valid, there is a better way to deal with them. And I find the solution to that in Pslams 142.
"I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn." Psalm 142:1-3
We should take our complaints to God. Not in a whiny, God fix this kind of attitude, but in a seeking manner. God, how do I approach this situation, is there something I can do to fix it. Is there something I could do to encourage that ministry more, or do I need to contribute of myself in some way. By taking our complaints to God, we're not causing anyone distress and we're taking them to the one who can deal with it best. I've also personally asked God to help me stop being so critical at times. It almost seems like sometimes I'm looking for reasons to complain, and I'm sure there are other people like that- we all know someone who chronically complains. In addition, I definitely don't want to be the person Jude mentions:
"These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want." Jude 1:16
I've spent a lot of time praying lately about complaining. I pray for both Andy and myself, that we can stop seeing the negative and see the positive, and I also pray that other people within our church will stop complaining as well. If we all were to stop complaining about each other, we would have much better harmony within the body, and that is so important to have. May I feel convicted before I begin to speak against one of my Christian brothers and sisters.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
We Were Chosen
"Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:4,5
God loved us and chose us before we were even born. Before we were even a thought in our parent's minds, God wanted us. God wanted me to be his very own. This means that I personally was chosen by God to have a relationship with him. Wow. That God would bless and choose us as sinners to become a part of his family is surely and act of Amazing Grace. God wanted each and every one of us to be a part of his family. We are all valuable, and because of that we have eternal life, and can have an eternal relationship with the God who made us.
God loved us and chose us before we were even born. Before we were even a thought in our parent's minds, God wanted us. God wanted me to be his very own. This means that I personally was chosen by God to have a relationship with him. Wow. That God would bless and choose us as sinners to become a part of his family is surely and act of Amazing Grace. God wanted each and every one of us to be a part of his family. We are all valuable, and because of that we have eternal life, and can have an eternal relationship with the God who made us.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Rejoice!
Today I turned to Ecclesiastes chapter 5. We have found many of these verses to be true as of late. Here's a little snip from verse 10:
"Those who love money will never have enough."
How true is that. One thing that we have definitely been learning over the last several months is that money is not important. During the course of a day we'll mention something that we would like to have or something we would like to do, but we don't have the money for at the time. But then we realize that we really don't need whatever that is. What more could we possibly need? We have a home, we have clothing (well, until Zander goes through another growth spurt), we have food, and we have each other. For the most part, we're healthy, and we've all rediscovered simple things that bring us joy. Last night it was nice enough for the first time this year for the kids to play outside for longer than a few minutes. They were outside having a blast for several hours- and that doesn't cost us a penny. Andy spent the day cleaning out the shed and organizing, and discovered plenty of things that he didn't know he even had! I spent the day baking- making homemade bagels, and bread, and a delicious new stew for dinner. We've re-discovered our library, where we can check out DVD's, educational computer games, magazines, and books at no cost to us. What more could we possibly need for entertainment! I've pulled out my cross-stitch once again, and it is a true joy to re-discover how much I enjoy stitching a new wall-hanging for my son.
"Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God." Ecclesiastes 5:19,20
I certainly enjoy my daily work! I enjoy doing the laundry and seeing an empty hamper. I definitely enjoyed my baking yesterday, as the results made the entire family smile. It is a gift from God to be content with where we are and what we are doing. Last week I was lamenting the fact that I really want new dining furniture. Our set is pretty beat up, and we have our group over every week. I allowed myself a moment of pity for being embarrassed about my table and chairs. I even looked up a few sets online and debated as to whether or not it would be a good idea to charge a set and pay for it later when Andy is working again. Thankfully, God had other plans for me, because the very next morning, Andy declared his intention to repair the wobbly table and chairs, and did I want him to change the fabric at all. An answered prayer!!! For just $10 in new upholstery fabric and a few screws and staples, I have a gorgeous new dining set. It still makes me smile to look at my new chairs. Later today, I may pull out my sewing machine and make anew tablecloth for that table.
Every day we have is a gift from God. It is a true gift to kiss my daughter on the forehead and wake her for school. It is a gift to have my son declare that he wants a snuggle. It is a gift to take my hands and lovingly create a loaf of bread or a pot of soup for my hungry family. It is a gift to watch my husband pour love into a project for me. To us, this season of unemployment has become a season of love. We appreciate the small things so much more. A friend gave us a block of cheese this past weekend. It doesn't sound like much, but it happens to be one of my favorite cheeses, and we certainly can't afford to buy it ourselves. Having the tiniest nibble of that cheese puts such a smile on my face, I am so grateful for generous friends and for their constant gifts and support for us. I'm even grateful for the grey day outside this morning! As much as I wanted to hang the laundry outside today, I know those clouds hold rain, which will finish melting the remaining snow and will help soften the ground further for planting. New buds are beginning to form on the trees and bushes, and the fresh rain will be welcome to all the plant life.
"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
"Those who love money will never have enough."
How true is that. One thing that we have definitely been learning over the last several months is that money is not important. During the course of a day we'll mention something that we would like to have or something we would like to do, but we don't have the money for at the time. But then we realize that we really don't need whatever that is. What more could we possibly need? We have a home, we have clothing (well, until Zander goes through another growth spurt), we have food, and we have each other. For the most part, we're healthy, and we've all rediscovered simple things that bring us joy. Last night it was nice enough for the first time this year for the kids to play outside for longer than a few minutes. They were outside having a blast for several hours- and that doesn't cost us a penny. Andy spent the day cleaning out the shed and organizing, and discovered plenty of things that he didn't know he even had! I spent the day baking- making homemade bagels, and bread, and a delicious new stew for dinner. We've re-discovered our library, where we can check out DVD's, educational computer games, magazines, and books at no cost to us. What more could we possibly need for entertainment! I've pulled out my cross-stitch once again, and it is a true joy to re-discover how much I enjoy stitching a new wall-hanging for my son.
"Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God." Ecclesiastes 5:19,20
I certainly enjoy my daily work! I enjoy doing the laundry and seeing an empty hamper. I definitely enjoyed my baking yesterday, as the results made the entire family smile. It is a gift from God to be content with where we are and what we are doing. Last week I was lamenting the fact that I really want new dining furniture. Our set is pretty beat up, and we have our group over every week. I allowed myself a moment of pity for being embarrassed about my table and chairs. I even looked up a few sets online and debated as to whether or not it would be a good idea to charge a set and pay for it later when Andy is working again. Thankfully, God had other plans for me, because the very next morning, Andy declared his intention to repair the wobbly table and chairs, and did I want him to change the fabric at all. An answered prayer!!! For just $10 in new upholstery fabric and a few screws and staples, I have a gorgeous new dining set. It still makes me smile to look at my new chairs. Later today, I may pull out my sewing machine and make anew tablecloth for that table.
Every day we have is a gift from God. It is a true gift to kiss my daughter on the forehead and wake her for school. It is a gift to have my son declare that he wants a snuggle. It is a gift to take my hands and lovingly create a loaf of bread or a pot of soup for my hungry family. It is a gift to watch my husband pour love into a project for me. To us, this season of unemployment has become a season of love. We appreciate the small things so much more. A friend gave us a block of cheese this past weekend. It doesn't sound like much, but it happens to be one of my favorite cheeses, and we certainly can't afford to buy it ourselves. Having the tiniest nibble of that cheese puts such a smile on my face, I am so grateful for generous friends and for their constant gifts and support for us. I'm even grateful for the grey day outside this morning! As much as I wanted to hang the laundry outside today, I know those clouds hold rain, which will finish melting the remaining snow and will help soften the ground further for planting. New buds are beginning to form on the trees and bushes, and the fresh rain will be welcome to all the plant life.
"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Habit of Prayer
Today's reading was Nehemiah, chapters 1 and 2. One feature clearly stands out about Nehemiah, and that is that he was a praying man. He had a relationship with God and he prayed to him often. My Bible says that he was similar to Daniel, in that he prayed three times a day. It was Nehemiah's prayer life that prepared him for more urgent prayer later on.
So often, we only think to pray in times of need. Or during times of a crisis. And while there is no doubt that God does hear every single prayer, I can't help but think that we need to follow the example of Nehemiah. Nehemiah prayed three times a day to God, and as a result, he knew how to talk to God. He was in the habit of already talking to God, that when he needed it the most, the prayers were automatically there. Nehemiah needed to ask his king for a favor, and as he did so, he was also praying to God to grant him the courage to ask the king, and to put it in the kings heart to be kind. God smiled on Nehemiah, and the king granted him his requests without even hesitating.
A regular prayer life with God can help prepare us for our times of need. If we already have a relationship with God, and approach him daily with love in our prayers, those prayers in crisis will come much easier, and come much more naturally.
"And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me." Nehemiah 2:8
So often, we only think to pray in times of need. Or during times of a crisis. And while there is no doubt that God does hear every single prayer, I can't help but think that we need to follow the example of Nehemiah. Nehemiah prayed three times a day to God, and as a result, he knew how to talk to God. He was in the habit of already talking to God, that when he needed it the most, the prayers were automatically there. Nehemiah needed to ask his king for a favor, and as he did so, he was also praying to God to grant him the courage to ask the king, and to put it in the kings heart to be kind. God smiled on Nehemiah, and the king granted him his requests without even hesitating.
A regular prayer life with God can help prepare us for our times of need. If we already have a relationship with God, and approach him daily with love in our prayers, those prayers in crisis will come much easier, and come much more naturally.
"And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me." Nehemiah 2:8
Monday, March 19, 2007
On Children
I overheard something recently. It was a question about how you know that your children are saved. I didn't think too much on it at the time, to be honest, but this morning's reading brought that little bit back to the front of my mind. Today I read 1 Samuel 3 (and then for more background I went back and read chapters 1 and 2.) Samuel was the son of Hannah and Eli. His birth was a miracle to his mother, and when he was born, she dedicated his life to serving the Lord. When Samuel was a toddler, they took him to the tabernacle to be raised there. After reading this chapter I realized the answer to the question above. How do you know your children are going to heaven?
First, as parents you do your part to get them there. The most important thing that we can do as parents is pray for our children. Daily. Not a day goes by that I don't pray for God to bless my children. I pray earnestly that as each day passes they will grow to love God more. And the second thing that I can do as a parent is make sure that they are being raised in a Godly environment and manner. Samuel was surrounded by God. He was being raised in a tabernacle, God's love was with him at all times. We can keep our children on the right path as much as possible by making sure that they know God's love, and that they know God's rules. We can dedicate our children to God's service, and we can show them what that means. We can take our children to church with us each time we go, and give them opportunity to serve as well. Service in the eyes of a child can be as simple as helping pick up the toys in a nursery. Or during a fellowship event, the children can serve the adults. We can do everything that we can to make sure that our children grow up in the presence of the Lord. That way, when it comes time, we can confidently let them go on their own. We have done what we could, and after that, it's up to them and God to make sure that is the life they choose.
This isn't to say that we can't talk to our kids. We can talk to our children about loving God and asking Jesus into their hearts. But all the talk in the world can't take the place of showing them how to live a Godly life. Showing them that we turn to God to take care of our needs and how to have Faith in God's Greatness. Samuel is the perfect example that in the end, all his parents did wasn't enough. God himself had to place the call upon Samuel's life, and Samuel chose to answer. As parents, we need to trust that God will call our children to himself. We just set the stage for that calling.
First, as parents you do your part to get them there. The most important thing that we can do as parents is pray for our children. Daily. Not a day goes by that I don't pray for God to bless my children. I pray earnestly that as each day passes they will grow to love God more. And the second thing that I can do as a parent is make sure that they are being raised in a Godly environment and manner. Samuel was surrounded by God. He was being raised in a tabernacle, God's love was with him at all times. We can keep our children on the right path as much as possible by making sure that they know God's love, and that they know God's rules. We can dedicate our children to God's service, and we can show them what that means. We can take our children to church with us each time we go, and give them opportunity to serve as well. Service in the eyes of a child can be as simple as helping pick up the toys in a nursery. Or during a fellowship event, the children can serve the adults. We can do everything that we can to make sure that our children grow up in the presence of the Lord. That way, when it comes time, we can confidently let them go on their own. We have done what we could, and after that, it's up to them and God to make sure that is the life they choose.
This isn't to say that we can't talk to our kids. We can talk to our children about loving God and asking Jesus into their hearts. But all the talk in the world can't take the place of showing them how to live a Godly life. Showing them that we turn to God to take care of our needs and how to have Faith in God's Greatness. Samuel is the perfect example that in the end, all his parents did wasn't enough. God himself had to place the call upon Samuel's life, and Samuel chose to answer. As parents, we need to trust that God will call our children to himself. We just set the stage for that calling.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Ephesians 5:33
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33
The wife must respect her husband. How do I do that? I respect him by keeping my home in a manner that is respectful of him. While he is at work, I could easily spend my days just taking care of the kids and doing the most basic of housework- the bare minimum necessary. And in fact, that's how it used to be for me. I would let the housework slide all the time, and spend my free time with a book or in front of the TV or a computer. Then there would be one day where he'd be home from work and we'd tackle all the housework at once together. And once we started hosting small group weekly, that became every Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The housework would slide all week long, and then his days off he would have to spend cleaning the house. Why? Because I wanted to be lazy. I wanted to take care of my children and spend my free time relaxing. That's not very respectful of my husband. Sure, I would have dinner on the table when he got home, but there would be a kitchen full of dirty dishes, and most often we would eat in front of the TV because the table was covered with stuff. And what an awful day when someone unexpected would drop in. How embarrassing for my husband to not be able to invite someone in. He would go outside and talk on the front stoop with someone instead of inviting them in.
Somewhere along the way, God started talking to me. He started filling my heart with the desire to respect my husband more. And to me, that respect begins with the housework. It may sound silly, but it is very true. I started with laundry. That was my biggest problem area. I would let it pile up all week, and then Andy would do it all in one fell swoop- because he wanted to be helpful to me. And while I appreciated the help, he shouldn't have to. So I began doing one load of laundry every day. That's about what my family goes through is one load. On the days there are towels or bedding, it's two loads. But it takes two seconds of my morning to put a load of laundry in, that it's become quite the habit for me. I no longer have "laundry day" because I keep it up. In fact, I'm looking forward to warmer weather so that I can hang the laundry outside every morning.
My second chore to tackle was the dishes. Being one who enjoys cooking, and doesn't have a dishwasher, the dishes are the bane of my existence. We would leave the dinner dishes every night until the next morning, when I would do the dishes after getting Abigail to school. I hated coming down the stairs and being greeted by a mountain of dishes, but it was working for us at the time. That's changed too. I now wash dishes at least twice a day. When I am going to spend time cooking in the day, I start by running a sink full of water and washing any dishes that are lurking about. Then the sink is ready to wash dishes as I dirty them, so by them time dinner is ready to eat, there are no dirty dishes. Before we eat, I run another sink of water so that as soon as we're done eating, the dishes go in the sink and are washed in no time. It is such a great feeling when dish doing takes just a few minutes because there aren't very many.
And the rest of the house has taken off from those two simple tasks. I now love the look of my kitchen counter empty. Except that doesn't look as good when the dining room is cluttered and messy, so once the counter is cleared of dirty dishes and crumbs, I take another five minutes to put away the clutter in the dining room and spread a fresh tablecloth on the table. Instantly company ready. And then since I quickly run the vacuum in the dining room, which is connected to the living room, I may as well quickly pick up the living room and vacuum that. Then the clean living room doesn't look as good with that film of dust on everything, so I run a dust cloth and pick up the grime. At that point, my house is ready for company to walk in and be comfortable, and it's only taken me about 30 minutes tops to get to that point. But what if they want to use the bathroom? So I swish the toilet and de-clutter the sink and put out fresh towels- another five minutes. Then I pick up the steps and I think about company dropping in, and if they have children, the kids will undoubtedly play upstairs, so I make sure the kids rooms are acceptable for kids to be playing in. Altogether, cleaning my house from top to bottom takes less than one hour. And we have a bigger house than we used to. By doing this every day (or at the bare minimum every other day) I am being respectful of my husband. Making it so that he doesn't have to worry about a clean house.
And the benefit for me? Well, not only do I have a heart full of gladness and joy because I'm doing what God wants me to do, I also get to enjoy my free time more. If I know the house is clean, I can sit and read a book with a clean conscience. I can enjoy my time to relax, without knowing that there is something else I should be doing. And when my husband comes home from a hard day's work, he can relax and enjoy his time with the kids without having to worry about tossing a load of laundry in the washer. He can invite someone in for a chat or offer our house as a base for meetings and such because it is kept in a state that is respectful to him. I am sooo thankful to God for placing the desire on my heart to better my housekeeping skills. It makes for a happier household all around, and I pray that I am able to continue to be mindful of my time at home- that I may use it to the best of my abilities every day.
The wife must respect her husband. How do I do that? I respect him by keeping my home in a manner that is respectful of him. While he is at work, I could easily spend my days just taking care of the kids and doing the most basic of housework- the bare minimum necessary. And in fact, that's how it used to be for me. I would let the housework slide all the time, and spend my free time with a book or in front of the TV or a computer. Then there would be one day where he'd be home from work and we'd tackle all the housework at once together. And once we started hosting small group weekly, that became every Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The housework would slide all week long, and then his days off he would have to spend cleaning the house. Why? Because I wanted to be lazy. I wanted to take care of my children and spend my free time relaxing. That's not very respectful of my husband. Sure, I would have dinner on the table when he got home, but there would be a kitchen full of dirty dishes, and most often we would eat in front of the TV because the table was covered with stuff. And what an awful day when someone unexpected would drop in. How embarrassing for my husband to not be able to invite someone in. He would go outside and talk on the front stoop with someone instead of inviting them in.
Somewhere along the way, God started talking to me. He started filling my heart with the desire to respect my husband more. And to me, that respect begins with the housework. It may sound silly, but it is very true. I started with laundry. That was my biggest problem area. I would let it pile up all week, and then Andy would do it all in one fell swoop- because he wanted to be helpful to me. And while I appreciated the help, he shouldn't have to. So I began doing one load of laundry every day. That's about what my family goes through is one load. On the days there are towels or bedding, it's two loads. But it takes two seconds of my morning to put a load of laundry in, that it's become quite the habit for me. I no longer have "laundry day" because I keep it up. In fact, I'm looking forward to warmer weather so that I can hang the laundry outside every morning.
My second chore to tackle was the dishes. Being one who enjoys cooking, and doesn't have a dishwasher, the dishes are the bane of my existence. We would leave the dinner dishes every night until the next morning, when I would do the dishes after getting Abigail to school. I hated coming down the stairs and being greeted by a mountain of dishes, but it was working for us at the time. That's changed too. I now wash dishes at least twice a day. When I am going to spend time cooking in the day, I start by running a sink full of water and washing any dishes that are lurking about. Then the sink is ready to wash dishes as I dirty them, so by them time dinner is ready to eat, there are no dirty dishes. Before we eat, I run another sink of water so that as soon as we're done eating, the dishes go in the sink and are washed in no time. It is such a great feeling when dish doing takes just a few minutes because there aren't very many.
And the rest of the house has taken off from those two simple tasks. I now love the look of my kitchen counter empty. Except that doesn't look as good when the dining room is cluttered and messy, so once the counter is cleared of dirty dishes and crumbs, I take another five minutes to put away the clutter in the dining room and spread a fresh tablecloth on the table. Instantly company ready. And then since I quickly run the vacuum in the dining room, which is connected to the living room, I may as well quickly pick up the living room and vacuum that. Then the clean living room doesn't look as good with that film of dust on everything, so I run a dust cloth and pick up the grime. At that point, my house is ready for company to walk in and be comfortable, and it's only taken me about 30 minutes tops to get to that point. But what if they want to use the bathroom? So I swish the toilet and de-clutter the sink and put out fresh towels- another five minutes. Then I pick up the steps and I think about company dropping in, and if they have children, the kids will undoubtedly play upstairs, so I make sure the kids rooms are acceptable for kids to be playing in. Altogether, cleaning my house from top to bottom takes less than one hour. And we have a bigger house than we used to. By doing this every day (or at the bare minimum every other day) I am being respectful of my husband. Making it so that he doesn't have to worry about a clean house.
And the benefit for me? Well, not only do I have a heart full of gladness and joy because I'm doing what God wants me to do, I also get to enjoy my free time more. If I know the house is clean, I can sit and read a book with a clean conscience. I can enjoy my time to relax, without knowing that there is something else I should be doing. And when my husband comes home from a hard day's work, he can relax and enjoy his time with the kids without having to worry about tossing a load of laundry in the washer. He can invite someone in for a chat or offer our house as a base for meetings and such because it is kept in a state that is respectful to him. I am sooo thankful to God for placing the desire on my heart to better my housekeeping skills. It makes for a happier household all around, and I pray that I am able to continue to be mindful of my time at home- that I may use it to the best of my abilities every day.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Diligence
Just wanted to share a verse I saw in my quiet time one morning.
1 "How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways.
4 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn your righteous judgements.
8 I shall keep Your statutes; do not forsake me utterly!" Psalm 119: 1-8
Pay attention to verse four. "You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently." DILIGENTLY. How often do I diligently keep His precepts. To me, being diligent in something requires paying specific attention to it, being deliberate in the choices we make, things we say, thoughts we think. I pray that I am diligent in keeping His precepts today!
1 "How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways.
4 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn your righteous judgements.
8 I shall keep Your statutes; do not forsake me utterly!" Psalm 119: 1-8
Pay attention to verse four. "You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently." DILIGENTLY. How often do I diligently keep His precepts. To me, being diligent in something requires paying specific attention to it, being deliberate in the choices we make, things we say, thoughts we think. I pray that I am diligent in keeping His precepts today!
A Daily Recharge
Being a stay-at-home Mom, sometimes I get a little crazy. There have been times where I truly craved conversation with an adult. The worst for me was when my husband was working out of town for a month at a time, and I was at home with a baby and a preschooler. I spent a lot of time at the computer those days. Despite having dial-up service, I would troll through a couple of bulletin boards just searching for a conversation to be part of. Had I really thought on it, I would have known that there was an answer to that feeling of being trapped. And that is that time that I now have daily with My God. What better companion and conversationalist could I ask for! I open my Bible and receive encouragement and instruction. And I can pray and talk to God and tell him everything that is on my heart that day.
This morning I read Psalm 5. Apparently I'm on a Psalm kick these days, because I just love reading them. I love filling my heart with joy every morning before I really get going. My standout verse today is verse 3.
"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
Had I just picked up my Bible and remembered these verse those few years ago, I probably would have started my alone time with God much sooner. I will say though, that although I have found the early morning to be my time with God, it wasn't always so. I think the beauty of a relationship with God is that you can have that time whenever you have a chance. You find yourself ahead of schedule, or 15 minutes early for a doctor appointment, that is the perfect opportunity for a little heart-to-heart. I can't tell you how much of my prayer time has been spent at the kitchen sink with a mountain of dirty dishes. It makes the chore much more pleasant, to know that I'm chatting with God while I am doing his work in my home. When Andy and I were first married, on the rare occasion we argued, I always ended up doing the dishes. It gave me time to fume by myself and calm down and become rational again. And even though doing dishes is a chore, it's actually soothing to me now, because it usually ends up being a time for reflection and prayer.
This morning I read Psalm 5. Apparently I'm on a Psalm kick these days, because I just love reading them. I love filling my heart with joy every morning before I really get going. My standout verse today is verse 3.
"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3
Had I just picked up my Bible and remembered these verse those few years ago, I probably would have started my alone time with God much sooner. I will say though, that although I have found the early morning to be my time with God, it wasn't always so. I think the beauty of a relationship with God is that you can have that time whenever you have a chance. You find yourself ahead of schedule, or 15 minutes early for a doctor appointment, that is the perfect opportunity for a little heart-to-heart. I can't tell you how much of my prayer time has been spent at the kitchen sink with a mountain of dirty dishes. It makes the chore much more pleasant, to know that I'm chatting with God while I am doing his work in my home. When Andy and I were first married, on the rare occasion we argued, I always ended up doing the dishes. It gave me time to fume by myself and calm down and become rational again. And even though doing dishes is a chore, it's actually soothing to me now, because it usually ends up being a time for reflection and prayer.
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