I'm enjoying some much needed relax/down time this morning. The kids are with grandparents and I miss them, but I have been so exhausted lately and have so much back pain that it is nice to relax and sit in the quiet without feeling the guilt of me not being able to do the physical activity I would like with my kiddos. They understand though and are so sweet, most of the time:)
I'm still journeying through Matthew (part of a New Testament Reading Guide Over a Year) and I have been really trying to focus on allowing the Word to dwell within me and to know God and His characteristics better. I have had this prayer lately on my heart to understand better (if He wants me to) what it truly means for Him to live within me. I was just struck by this concept the other morning, because I hear it all the time, but holy cow that is a big deal, not to be taken lightly.
Also, I have been struggling with patience and gentleness, especially in correcting the kids, which is frustrating because I love them so much and I just want to guide their little hearts in line with the Lord's instruction, but I know it is mostly because I am tired and in pain. Whatever the reason though, my kids don't deserve that so I have been praying everyday for the Lord to help me use the characteristics given to me when I asked Him to be the Lord of my life and therefore the Holy Spirit came in and resides in me. Those characteristics I have been focusing on are kindness, gentleness, and patience. I have realized they won't just come naturally, I have to learn to use them with an intentional daily awareness and be ready to carry them out the way God would want me to. It has helped in the daily battle.
Also, I had a bold goal to do my Quiet Time in the morning (which I have never really done because me in the morning is not pretty) because I had this revelation that I owe it to God of course, myself, and those I come into contact with daily to start my morning off right being humbled before the Lord, listening to what He wants to lay upon my heart for the day. I do it at 7:10 when Mark has the kiddos and I have REALLY liked it and I can tell a big difference in my attitude, etc. throughout the day. My goal was 5 times a week, and I have done pretty good with it, especially when Mark sends up Sam to wake me up to tell me to do my Bible time. You bet I get up immediately with that sweet look of innocence standing beside my bed. That's the best alarm clock I have ever seen.
So anyway, I share these things because it is what is on my heart and also for accountability, which I believe is one of the reasons God wanted me to do this blog thing. I can't believe it will be a year I started this adventure in a little over a month! I look forward to reflecting on my posts and digging deep into what God showed me this year.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Day 303 1-19-12
I'm in about the middle of Mathew and I am really enjoying following the New Testament in Year schedule. Mark and I have had some good talks about some things and weirdly had the exact same question over one of the readings, so it's nice to be in synch when we have so much going on in our lives.
Tonight I read about Jesus talking about the sign of Jonah and who the Queen of the South is supposed to be and when the "men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment of this generation" Is it when Jesus is on trial or are we talking end times. I'm going to talk to Mark about it more. It's interesting.
I liked posting tonight, looking forward to doing it hopefully a little more regularly.
Tonight I read about Jesus talking about the sign of Jonah and who the Queen of the South is supposed to be and when the "men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment of this generation" Is it when Jesus is on trial or are we talking end times. I'm going to talk to Mark about it more. It's interesting.
I liked posting tonight, looking forward to doing it hopefully a little more regularly.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Day 287 1-3-2012
My first post of 2012. I have obviously been terrible about posting to this blog. I hope to be better in 2012, but we'll see. I think I have missed 2 or 3 days of reading the Word since my last post, and I am not happy about that, but it is what it is. Mark and I have decided to change it up a bit this year and read the whole New Testament so that is what I have begun this year for my Quiet Time. I'm excited to do this with my husband and see what comes of it:) Happy New Year!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Day 235 11-12
I began wrestling with sleep at about 5 this morning. I was disturbed by some thoughts and I also felt a tug on my heart to get up and read the Word. So, because I am selfish and love sleep, I foolishly thought I could win that battle, but that wasn't going to happen. So, here I sit in my quite dark sleeping house eager to read your Word and it feels good to be up, which is strange because that is normally not the case. I am not a morning person, which is silly really because I should be full of joy and thanksgiving to God for giving me another day, but I have blinders on in the morning most of the time. So, I am here with my coffee wondering what to read and I was immediately drawn to the Psalms and I parked on Psalm 66.
I read it all the way through and was flooded with its application and simplicity and passion. The author is not listed so I don't know who wrote it, but it was obviously someone who got it, got who God is that day and I am so thankful that it is here this morning for me to read freely.
It's starts beautifully and appropriately with praising God as I should first when I come before Him and always really. It even says, and I love this direct simple command, "Say to God, How awesome are your deeds!" Then it rightfully moves to honoring His position, His ultimate authority in this universe by recognizing that everything bows down to Him and they sing praise to His name. And then the author is telling his audience like, come check it out for yourselves you guys - God is working for us, not against us. Look what He has done, not only in my life, but historically. And then the author reminds us of God's unending power and His watchful eyes on the nations and the author follows with a genuine, I think, like a thought aloud desire for people not to rebel against Him because he has seen it happen and it hurts his heart because he knows God and his love. Now I am reading into this of course, but it lines up with his message here really. Then the author continues with a reminder of His promises to us, to me, his audience so many years later, that it is "He who has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping." Amen to that and may I never forget it. How often can we attest to that. I would be so lost, so broken, so into this world if it weren't for my Savior's hand upon me at all times. I have heard so many testimonies to this. Man this guy gets it. Then, the author goes into specifics about what God did for him and his people and he is thankful for the hardships they went through and ultimately for God's faithfulness in pulling them out of it. So, what is his response to all this and what should ours be as well?? The author nails it and the passage turns to the 1st person because it is my responsibility and mine only to properly respond to my Lord. He says it beautifully and simply - I will sacrifice my best to You and I will fulfill what I said I was going to do. I will obey Your commands.
Lastly, the author concludes with two great messages...God listens and hears our prayers! and he humbly goes on to say, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected by prayer or withheld his love from me!"
Thanks God for this glimpse into who You are today. I must have needed to hear it. Your Word is amazing.
I read it all the way through and was flooded with its application and simplicity and passion. The author is not listed so I don't know who wrote it, but it was obviously someone who got it, got who God is that day and I am so thankful that it is here this morning for me to read freely.
It's starts beautifully and appropriately with praising God as I should first when I come before Him and always really. It even says, and I love this direct simple command, "Say to God, How awesome are your deeds!" Then it rightfully moves to honoring His position, His ultimate authority in this universe by recognizing that everything bows down to Him and they sing praise to His name. And then the author is telling his audience like, come check it out for yourselves you guys - God is working for us, not against us. Look what He has done, not only in my life, but historically. And then the author reminds us of God's unending power and His watchful eyes on the nations and the author follows with a genuine, I think, like a thought aloud desire for people not to rebel against Him because he has seen it happen and it hurts his heart because he knows God and his love. Now I am reading into this of course, but it lines up with his message here really. Then the author continues with a reminder of His promises to us, to me, his audience so many years later, that it is "He who has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping." Amen to that and may I never forget it. How often can we attest to that. I would be so lost, so broken, so into this world if it weren't for my Savior's hand upon me at all times. I have heard so many testimonies to this. Man this guy gets it. Then, the author goes into specifics about what God did for him and his people and he is thankful for the hardships they went through and ultimately for God's faithfulness in pulling them out of it. So, what is his response to all this and what should ours be as well?? The author nails it and the passage turns to the 1st person because it is my responsibility and mine only to properly respond to my Lord. He says it beautifully and simply - I will sacrifice my best to You and I will fulfill what I said I was going to do. I will obey Your commands.
Lastly, the author concludes with two great messages...God listens and hears our prayers! and he humbly goes on to say, "Praise be to God, who has not rejected by prayer or withheld his love from me!"
Thanks God for this glimpse into who You are today. I must have needed to hear it. Your Word is amazing.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Day 232 11-9
Mark's parents took the kiddos last night and pretty much all day today so I have some time alone today, which is nice sometimes. I miss the kids of course, but a break is needed from such heavy responsibilities and I am thankful to my in laws for providing this for me and to allow me to spend time with my Lord right now.
I kind of had it in my heart today to read a whole book of the Bible today because I feel so often I read segments and I was just craving to read the whole thing, get the whole picture and message all in one setting. So, I chose Philemon because it is short and it has been several months since I read it. After I read it, I just wanted to focus on what I learned about Christ/God from it. Grace, forgiveness, and redemption stuck out at me right away. It's such a simple book, obviously with the length and all, but it is deep in meaning. I didn't really focus on the great friendship aspect of it before and it is so cool to see Christian brothers pleading to one another out of love, out of accountability, and out of an awareness and recognition that they are of one mind and spirit and that loves rules all. I think we should be able to go to our true friends and ask them of anything on our hearts.
I love Paul how ends this book with "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Isn't that so true. I need to remember that everyday. May my spirit be full of grace towards people for goodness sake. I'm not perfect or the judge. I should put on love first, not judgment. Anyways, God thanks for this quiet time with You Lord and thanks for the reminder of grace.
I pray for Makenna today that she may recover from pneumonia. I pray for doctors wisdom as they prep for Molli's surgery on Friday. I pray for this sweet baby growing in me that he or she is developing normally and that one day will know You and accept You Lord. I pray to take one day at a time and do my best with the responsibilities God has given me. I pray for my mom to pick up the Bible and read it today.
I kind of had it in my heart today to read a whole book of the Bible today because I feel so often I read segments and I was just craving to read the whole thing, get the whole picture and message all in one setting. So, I chose Philemon because it is short and it has been several months since I read it. After I read it, I just wanted to focus on what I learned about Christ/God from it. Grace, forgiveness, and redemption stuck out at me right away. It's such a simple book, obviously with the length and all, but it is deep in meaning. I didn't really focus on the great friendship aspect of it before and it is so cool to see Christian brothers pleading to one another out of love, out of accountability, and out of an awareness and recognition that they are of one mind and spirit and that loves rules all. I think we should be able to go to our true friends and ask them of anything on our hearts.
I love Paul how ends this book with "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Isn't that so true. I need to remember that everyday. May my spirit be full of grace towards people for goodness sake. I'm not perfect or the judge. I should put on love first, not judgment. Anyways, God thanks for this quiet time with You Lord and thanks for the reminder of grace.
I pray for Makenna today that she may recover from pneumonia. I pray for doctors wisdom as they prep for Molli's surgery on Friday. I pray for this sweet baby growing in me that he or she is developing normally and that one day will know You and accept You Lord. I pray to take one day at a time and do my best with the responsibilities God has given me. I pray for my mom to pick up the Bible and read it today.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Day 230 11-7
The kiddos are napping and the house is so still, quiet, and peaceful as I sit in my chair in my room and listen and watch the rain fall on the windows. It's a pretty perfect set up for a great time curling up with my Lord. May I connect with You Lord and may my heart be changed today to look more like Yours. It feels good to listen to You Lord and carry out what I think it is You want me to do. A lot of the time, I'm too chicken to do it, like last week at church, this lady next to me was crying and she was alone. I heard "hug her" in my heart. "What, Lord?, A complete stranger? What if she pushes me away or something?, What if..." The "what if's" continued until the moment slipped by and I had already lost focus in my worship completely. I let Satan win that battle. But then, this week, my mom started crying pretty hard during the invitation after the sermon and once again I heard, "hug her" in my heart. You'd think it would be easy for me since it was my mom, but for some reason affection is tough for me with my mom, but I put uneasiness aside and wanting to show her Christ's love, I hugged her and it was good. I know we are called to be the feet and hands of Jesus. I need to open my eyes more and take hold of those opportunities and approach them with urgent passion.
I'm thankful for a God who carries through with His promises and resides in me and gives me beautiful opportunities to have people see and feel Him in me.
The Great Commission came to my mind to read because it's the commandment that I probably struggle with the most because I like to stay in my comfort zone too much.
"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20
I'm thankful for a God who carries through with His promises and resides in me and gives me beautiful opportunities to have people see and feel Him in me.
The Great Commission came to my mind to read because it's the commandment that I probably struggle with the most because I like to stay in my comfort zone too much.
"Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:19-20
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Day 229 11-6
It was pretty cool when we got to church that our pastor spoke on the exact passage we are studying next in Life Group...(Matt 6:19-34). One of the main things that stuck on my heart during his sermon was that God uses my responsibilities to shape my character, not burden me or anything like that and that he's shaping us for even greater service in heaven. May I Trust Him and find comfort that He will take care of me. God You are so good.
I'm going to simply read over the passage again tonight.
I'm going to simply read over the passage again tonight.
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