Scripture Only Sunday

“They were helped in fighting them, and

God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them,

because they cried out to him during the battle.

He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.…

the battle was God’s.”

1 Chronicles 5:20;22

Thankful Thursday

“Gratitude is the

heart's memory “
- Jean Baptiste Massieu

In order to remember all the blessings from the Lord’s hand I count them. Numbering them daily, weekly as a habit. For in this habit I find my attitude more humbled and my heart enlarged because of God’s glorious goodness…

423. Dinner out with Precious husband, just the two of us…

424. Faithful provision from the Father’s hand just when it is needed most…

425. Bible translations and commentaries online…

426. A desired book and CD – on sale…

427. Safety for Gold-hearted mom, aunt, and uncle as they travel around Arizona…

Father – Thank you for being so very good to me. There is no one more beautiful or kind than you.

I am grateful to Ann at Holy Experience who encourages others to join in the Gratitude Community, giving glory to God for all the wonders he provides. You can click on her link below to learn more…

Name Calling…

For the last few quiet weeks I have been reading through the book of 1 Chronicles.  At the start it was rather empty reading.  Reading through 1 Chronicles one is confronted with…

Genealogies…names…sons of…father of…his wife’s name…sister of….daughter of…leaders of their clans

Positions…work…mighty warrior…kings who reigned…trained for battle…brave warriors…men who served, together with their sons…official in charge of the house of God…gatekeepers…experienced soldiers…musicians…priests

Dwellings…they lived in…outskirts of…to the east of…rich, good pasture…land spacious…peaceful and quiet…in Jerusalem…locations of their settlements

Words…”Oh, that you would bless me”…He answered their prayers…”Draw your sword”…”success to David and those who help you, for your God will help you”…”Go, I will hand them over to you”…”consecrate yourselves”…make petitions, give thanks, and praise the Lord…”Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting”

The more I read and studied the more I was impressed with the fact that God is concerned about everything in our lives.  From the names of those in our families to the work we are assigned to complete to the place we live and the words we speak and He speaks to us, God knows and cares about these things. 

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them                       each by name.”  Psalm 147:4

The God who knows the name of each star knows my name as well.  The God who takes the time to make lists of genealogies, positions, dwellings, and the words of those long ago, is just as attentive to me.   I say with David…

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?…There is no one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”                  1 Chronicles 17:16, 20

This same God certainly knows the names of each individual who died or is missing in Haiti.   He calls by name the ones around the world who are persecuted for their faith in Christ, those sharing in the fellowship of His suffering.   He is alert to those who are in agony.  Because He is a God who cares deeply about us all.  

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:6-8

Scripture Only Sunday

“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.”  Isaiah 11:10

Poetry for Weekend Reading…

Eagle’s Wings

Look at you,
Former firebrand and has been leader,
Ex-visionary and one time inspiration,
Now you lay her pacified,
And idly dream away your days,
You gave up on your mission,
And allowed your calling to collect dust,
You let all hope for things to come die within your heart,
So that not even a shadow now remains of who you really are,

But do you feel it deep inside?
The fire creeping back into your bones,
Your heart begins to churn with vision,
For the One who calls does not despair,
Open your eyes and ears,
See and hear as the world cries aloud for help,
Refined now by fire,
Set yourself like steel,
Hold fast to the task before you,
And the Spirit will carry your task to completion

Here you are,
Would be warrior and could be prince,
You who armed yourself for the fight,
And determined to change the world by your stand,
But you were beaten as soon as it began,
Buffeted by many blows and cast down before you had even fully stood,
Now you lay here,
In a pool of your own blood,
Pain racks your entire body and overwhelms your soul,
And you give up your old dry bones to death

Oh, but do you feel it?
The life creeping back into your bones,
The Spirit breathes on you again,
Now stand up on your feet,
The battle was not yours,
But through your breaking you are stronger,
Tempered like hardened steel,
And forged by the hand of God,
Now again take your stand,
This time you will not fail,
For God’s grace is sufficient for you,
And no weapon formed against you shall prosper

Come now,
Wounded warrior and broken vessel,
Shattered dream and lost promise
You thought you would be strong,
But weakness dragged you down,
You could walk no longer,
So you fell upon your face,
Your hope and freedom was stolen away,
So in surrender and misery you collapsed,
And let failure define your days

Wake up to a new dawn,
And feel the life come back into your bones,
Feel the Blood of Grace fill your veins and arteries,
As the Spirit takes control,
God gives grace to the humble,
And those who wait will rise,
On wings like an eagle’s now fly,
And let the arms of grace carry you on to victory

                             ---by Daniel B. (aka our Dear son-in-love)

                                          (Used with permission)

Dear son-in love has been such a blessing to our family.  He brings a freshness and depth into our midst.  He fills up some places where we lack (like math skills – I really stink at those and he is really good in this area). 

I also loved the fact that his first poem for 2010 speaks to one of the words the Father has given me for 2010 – grace.  May Jesus grace fill you this weekend and every day as you let his arms carry you.

Father – thank you for this gift of grace – Daniel.

Thankful Thursday

Fasting brings one low. It is truly humbling. Fasting has brought this one to a place of brokenness.

“A spiritually awake person would see everything as gift, even suffering. We deserve nothing and yet we so often act as though we deserve everything. Nothing should be taken for granted. We should say thank you every day to God and to each other for all that is provided for us. This is one reason why fasting is such an important spiritual discipline. Not just fasting from food, but also fasting from cars, shopping centers, the news - whatever we have an inordinate attachment to. Fasting can help re-kindle our gratitude for all that we have been given.” Glen Argan Editor WCR

Father God, In that brokenness I find gratitude for all that I have been given, even the daily gifts and troubles of life…

416. Cars to drive…I really appreciate it when they work. Especially after two weeks now of dealing with multiple cars that have issues.

417. Wireless internet connections that work properly.

418. Gold-hearted mom getting to take a trip to visit with her sister and brother-in-law who are vacationing in Arizona.

419. A day or two of rest thanks to a nasty cold, tucked in my warm bed with a good book.

420. Little ones who scramble their own eggs for breakfast and…

421. Teenage son who prepares chili for dinner while this mom is resting from above mentioned cold.

422. Listening as another teenage son loads scaffolding onto a utility trailer while Precious husband is at fire station. This will help make the next days work moving the house much easier.

Thanking Father God for the blessings he places within my reach – an addictive joy habit. I am grateful to Ann who encourages others to join in the Gratitude Community, giving glory to God for all the wonders he provides. You can click on her link below to learn more…

It’s Work…

Here are a few things I am learning during this time of fasting.

   I have done short fasts before, a meal here and there,  giving up sweets or carbs, occasionally going without TV or computer.  These things were easy.  Fasting  seems so much more important this time.  Through the first week I make it limping, struggling, rubbing against everyone.  Fasting truly causes the sin nature to rise to the top.  Fasting is hard work.  

I’ve learned I am a fast food junkie!  Thinking of burgers and fries now makes my mouth water.  But really, I know fruits and vegetables are better for my body.  “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  1 Cor. 10:31   So I know Scripture is not talking about fast food here, and I know I will return to eating bad stuff when this fast is over.  But for now, this time of focus, I must eat or drink only what will bring God glory through obedience.  Having the flesh submit to the spirit.   Fasting is hard work.

Another truth, I watch way too much TV.  Not that watching TV is bad, except when it gets in the way of building relationships.  Isn’t it so much easier to turn on the TV rather than deal with the conflict of fellowship among family.  I would much rather watch the food network!  Fasting is hard work.

Then there are the physical side effects of fasting.  The hunger pains go away after a few days of just veggies and fruits.  Mainly, I am tired.   I feel rundown.  The causes me to become cranky, irritable, no fun to be around!  “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14  Fasting is hard work.

I failed to get it.  When the fasting guide said, “Do not underestimate spiritual opposition.  Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit.”   My mind knows the enemy of God does not want this time of focus to be successful, but my heart did not truly get it.   To start week two I developed a cold.  Fasting is hard work.

To top it off it seems God would have me reading in 1 Chronicles at this time.  All the names, genealogies, offices of priests, numbers, my mind goes a little numb.  There are gems of encouragement to be found here.  But fasting is hard work.

All work has its rewards.  I have found rewards during this week of fasting.  “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”  Napoleon Hill  So, like Paul, I also, “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14 

I leave this clip from a video and song that has been my heart’s cry these past weeks…

 

More to come…

Scripture Only Sunday

“Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

(Photo by Richard Lyall. Used with permission.)

Thankful Thursday

Because He continues to give blessings, I continue to count…

411.  A first for youngest son, a first for us all.  Last year was the beginning of our journey into the world of hunting.   This year the venison chili is excellent.  We will have venison stew, tenderloin with veggies, venison cubed steak and potatoes…

412.   Newborn calves…

413.  Sons learning how to take a house apart…dad teaching them how it’s done…

414.  Quiet mornings, lighting a candle, softly spoken prayers…

415.  The glory of God revealed through Words on sacred pages of  Scripture…

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”  Hebrews 12:28-29

 

Fasting and Feasting…

Suggestions for Fasting and Feasting:

Fast from discontent; feast on thankfulness.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayers .

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from discouragement, feast on hope.

Fast from media hype, feast on the honesty of the Bible.

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.
                                   --Anonymous

In searching for quotes to encourage me in my fasting I came across the one above.  I think I will make a poster and hang this in a prominent place in my home.  These are the kinds of fasts and feasts that I should abide by daily.

Father – help me to truly fast.  Not just the giving up of things, but the abiding in and feasting on those things that bring you glory.  

Scripture Only Sunday

 

“I love that ADONAI heard my voice when I prayed;

because he turned his ear to me,

I will call on him as long as I live. 

Psalm 116:1-2 (Complete Jewish Bible)

Simeon and Anna

Reposting this as it feels right for today.

Simeon and Anna

Growing old, waiting,
Life passing by…
Usefulness waning,
Eyes growing dim,
Body becoming weak,
Steps slowly shuffle.

Desire to be needed,
To fulfill given destiny,
Receive the promise,
The redemption of God,
Is this God’s anointed,
His all saving grace?

Laying aside life,
Daily at the temple,
Filled with God’s Spirit,
Looking at every child,
Searching every face,
A poor simple couple.

Bringing an newborn babe,
Fulfilling what law required,
Quickly walking forward,
Flesh swelling strong,
Light from God dawning,
Eyes behold salvation.

Words flowing forth,
Purpose pouring out,
Praise rising to heaven,
Promise freely given,
Hearts desire fulfilled,
Revelation of glory.
-Nancy Kourmoulis

You can read Simeon and Anna's story here.

Father - give me the faith to wait for Your purpose in my life. To be daily watching, praying, listening to Your Spirit. Open my eyes to see Your glory revealed to me in everything, nature, my family, friends, world events. I long for Your Kingdom to come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In Jesus, Nancy

(Artwork Simeon's Moment by Ron DiCianni
Courtesy of TapestryProductions.com)

Thankful Thursday

“What if my blessings tomorrow depended on my

thanksgiving today?” T. W. Hunt

Father – May my thanksgiving for the blessings of today be prolific, because you are so worthy of honor…I am thankful for…

401. Teeth and toothpaste

402. Healthy body, mind, spirit, children, family

403. Eyes to behold your glory

404. Ears to hear your voice

405. Lips to sing your praise

406. Warm showers

407. Warm clothes, socks, shoes

408. Comfortable bed

409. Ability to read, knowledge to understand

410. Hope, eternity

Please click on over to Ann’s blog on Mondays as she counts her blessings. To learn more about the Gratitude Community or find out how to join in, click the button below.

Scripture Only Sunday

“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”  Jude 20-21

A New Year Comes Softly

Stepping inside a new year, new beginning, I am overwhelmed with God’s abundance.  I am also overwhelmed by all I believe God is calling us to for the upcoming year.  Mainly because I wonder if I am equipped for this venture.  That being said, I know God is able, life is about him.

Every year, the first 21 days of the year, the church I attend does a fast.  A time set aside to seek God’s face for the upcoming year.  A church darling daughter and dear son-in-love have visited since moving is also doing this with their flock.  I am sure many others do the same.  I have participated in past years – fasting one meal a day, limiting television, small offerings.  I feel a strong urging from the Lord to fully participate this year. 

So as we are busy following this fast, moving a house, preparing land to receive house and field for food, this place will be a bit quiet.  Sundays will continually be devoted to Scriptures.  Thursdays will continue with my thankful list as this has become so important to my attitude. 

I am committing to quiet my spirit before the Lord and that includes limiting my computer time.   A challenge for me as your words so encourage me.  I pray God’s peace and favor upon you as you begin your journey into 2010.   I look forward to seeing what God will be doing in all our lives as we continue to walk in the light of the Lord.