A Verse

Here is the Bible verse that my grandma put in my birthday card today.  It made me smile and I thought I'd share.

Zephenia 3:17
"The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Quotables

"Waiting is not resignation; waiting is an active trust in God to provide fulfillment in His timing, according to His ultimate purpose of glorifying His Son." - C.J. Mahaney, Humility

"More like a giant leap frog of a step off a catapult...!" - M.U.

"So long partner." - Little Britches

Faith of our Fathers

During church history this past semester we learned a lot about the men and woman who have died for their faith.  Those people stood up for what they believed in, fought to change the world from their erring ways, strove to prove the inerrancy of the Scriptures. Today, on Father's day, I appreciate everything that the men of the faith did for today's Christianity in America.

Not only do I celebrate these men of Faith, but also my father, who has done his very best to train up his children in the way in which they are to go.  He has (along with my mother) taught us to treat God with reverence, and to love Him above all else.  And so, above all, I worship my Father in Heaven, who has adopted me as His child, and loves me more than even my father on earth.  Praise God from whom all blessing flow.


Faith of Our Fathers
By Frederick Faber

Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene'er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

 Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children's fate,
If they, like them should die for thee:
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

 Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

 Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!

Humility

    One of the books I am reading right now is a book by C.J. Mahaney entitled Humility.  It's a really great book! (so far at least.)  Honestly, this is the third time I've started it.  I aim to finish it this time though! The first time I was reading it along with a friend and just never finished.  The second time I was reading it at school and was interrupted in the middle and never found the time to finish it.  This time I'm going to finish it... and there ain't nothin' you can do about it! ;)  Sounds pretty humble right? Esh!

Anyways, what I was going to say about it...

I'm on chapter 7, the chapter about special focus' that insight humility.  There are a few really great quotes that C.J. put in, and I thought I'd share them with you.

On Studying the attributes of God:

The grand difference between a human being and a supreme being is precisely this: Apart from God, I cannot exist.  Apart from me, God does exist. God does not need me in order for Him to be; I need God in order for me to be. This is the difference between what we call self-existence being and dependant being.  We are dependant.  We are fragile. We cannot live without air, without water, without food.  No human being has the power of being within himself.  Life is lived between two hospitals.  We need a support system from birth to death to sustain life.  We are like flowers that bloom and wither and then fade.  This is how we differ from God.  God does not wither, God does not fade, god is not fragile. - R.C. Sproul

 Then, at the end of the chapter, C.J. goes into a couple lighter ways of building humility in self.  They are both very true and I appreciated reading them.  Let me share...

Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.  Terry Lindval writes this: "Laughter is a divine gift to the human who is humble.  A proud man cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity; he cannot give himself over to the rocking and rolling of his belly.  but a poor and happy man laughs heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego."  How about you? Are you making the most of this divine gift?  I'm very grateful that god gave me a father with an unusual gift of humor, who taught me to laugh at myself (there's no lack of material).  Time and again laughter has provided much-needed help in my ongoing battle against pride.

I found that section of the chapter very applicable.  I've been learning to just laugh. I have also been blessed with a father that is one of the funniest men I know, and brothers that all have a fine sense of humor as well! Sometimes it annoys me when they make a joke at a poor time, but I really just need to laugh.  I also am learning to laugh at myself.  I'm weird.  I have quirks.  I am plain ridiculous sometimes.  Praise god I can laugh!

And laugh, really laugh.  Because funny stuff is happening all around you. (Sometimes because of you.)

This picture ALWAYS makes me either laugh or smile. Just sayin'. :)

Things... of the Day

Well today has been a long day, and the things of today have been somewhat wonderful. :)

#1: Washing dishes.  I really don't know what it is, but I have recently discovered that there is something very gratifying about washing dishes and making the sink all clean.

#2: Doing laundry.  Again, I don't know what it is, but having all your clothing but the items you are wearing cleaned and put away feels so good!

#3: Bible Study! I keep learning more and more about trusting God! Today I read about Abraham and how, when the Lord told him he was to sacrifice his own son, he went through the process of doing so without complaining.  Abraham trusted God, and God provided an alternative sacrifice.  God is so good, and I cannot even begin to fathom just how good He is!

#4: Watermelon.  Yep! I've discovered one of the best ways to eat it... cut it up into bite sized pieces and chop up mint, add that to the bowl.  Then, squeeze the juice of one lime over the whole shabang and mix it up.  Bibbity Bobbity Boo! You have watermelon fit to eat. *winks*

#5: Watching "The Princess Bride" as a family:
   "Is this a kissing book?"
   "Maybe I was a bit...concerned..."
   "I do not think that word means what you think that word means."
   "My way doesn't seem very sportsman-like."
   "As you wish."
And OH! So many more great quotes!

#6: Great friend who give you great advice in every situation.

#7: Oh, and hey! Did ya'll know that it's SUMMER!!! :)